One of my favorite things about cozy mysteries is the fictional communities that authors create. Murder, She Barked by Krista Davis is the first book in the Paws and Claws mystery series. The story is set in Wagtail, Virginia, which is my ideal town, where pets are the center of attention. 🐾🐶🐱❤️

Full review https://abookandadog.com

It was a standing room only event to celebrate the book launch of Silas House‘s new novel, Lark Ascending, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Visit my book blog for more details https://abookandadog.com

There are things I really liked about Dreamcatcher and things I didn‘t care much for. I‘ve been a fan of Stephen King since I was in the ninth grade and read Misery. I felt emotionally sucked into the story line of four childhood friends remaining bonded into adulthood.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com
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This was not at all what I expected and I mean that in the best way possible! This is an excellent short story. Ruth Ware played tricks on my mind!

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

Admittedly, I am late to The World of Lore by Aaron Mahnke. I really don‘t even have a good excuse, especially since I love stories about unexplained things that go bump in the night. Well, at least I finally entered this strange world of creepy creatures, objects, and events. And I‘m so glad I made it. See https://abookandadog.com where I share my related experiences with some of the stories. #MountTBR

Grateful to have found a signed copy of Taylor Jenkins Reid‘s latest book, Carrie Soto Is Back, at my local independent bookstore, Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Don‘t let the look on Nikolette‘s face fool you…she is super excited about this new addition to our collection. https://abookandadog.com

Saw Kristina McMorris at my local indie last night. She‘s on tour with the tagged book. She has a phenomenal slideshow presentation to illustrate her book talk! Learned so much and could have listened to her for hours. Don‘t miss seeing her on tour! You will be fascinated by her research and knowledge. She is traveling the country right now, go see her, and buy this book! Please visit https://abookandadog.com where I share my experience.

Growing up, I spent time in Nashville visiting family, so I appreciate Cash‘s reputation and understand the history of country music. I recall my Nashville relatives driving my parents and I around pointing out the mansions of famous musicians…including Johnny Cash‘s home. So, when Folsom Untold became available I clicked ‘Add to Library.‘ To continue reading my review please visit my book blog https://abookandadog.com #MountTBR

This book is artfully put together. The setting took place for one week where His Holiness The Dalai Lama was speaking in Tucson, Arizona. The book opens with Howard Cutler, M.D. describing his observations of The Dalai Lama taking the stage to share his wisdom on happiness with the audience. The book is structured like an interview between the two. To continue reading my review, please visit my book blog https://abookandadog.com #MountTBR

Pema offers much wisdom and practical guidance with this book. There are several lessons that resonated with me. Pema initially talked about how to awaken compassion with openness and freshness. To continue reading my review, please visit my book blog https://abookandadog.com #MountTBR

This book resonated with everything I love about books and stories about people making significant changes in their lives. Madeline Cullen inherits her aunt Maddie‘s home and bookshop in Chicago unexpectedly, after her aunt dies. Madeline has fond memories of spending time with her aunt and uncle at their bookshop during her childhood. To continue reading my review, please visit my book blog https://abookandadog.com 📚🐾

I randomly selected Those Girls by Chevy Stevens from my Overdrive/Libby wishlist where it‘s been patiently waiting for ages. I‘m glad I finally checked it out. Three teenage sisters are raised by their father in an abusive, neglectful home. Circumstances finally come to a breaking point and the girls run away, headed for Vancouver. To continue reading my review please visit my book blog https://abookandadog.com

Like most people, I was introduced to Edgar Allan Poe in high school. Honestly, I kind of left him in high school…until I met my husband who is a ginormous Poe fan and has been for as long as he can remember. My husband reintroduced me to Poe‘s work and had me reading poems I had never read and rereading poems I had forgotten.

See the full review here: https://abookandadog.com

I‘m a fan of the Jack Reacher series and have been reading the books in order for the past few years. Night School takes us back to 1996 when Reacher was still an MP in the US Army. After receiving a medal, he is immediately sent off to night school where he meets an FBI agent and a CIA analyst. They soon figure out they are not attending a school, but instead being sent on a special mission in Hamburg, Germany. #MountTBR

An Amazon Original short story about a woman, Ange, finding something disturbing while performing a clean up at the beach. She then struggles with insomnia which impacts her job and taking care of her daughter. Ange spirals into paranoia as reads about predicted changes in the earth and how that may impact Florida and consequently her daughter‘s future. I usually love Groff‘s writing, but this story didn‘t do much for me.

This was a very different type of story compared to the other book‘s I‘ve read by Lisa Jewell. At first, I wasn‘t sure I would like it and I didn‘t feel like I understood what was happening. It started off with a young family hunting Easter eggs in their garden and sitting down to a special meal. I‘m so glad I stayed with the story. I soon figured out what some of the family‘s affliction was and then the tragedy they experienced. #MountTBR

I was telling a coworker about a meditation retreat I‘m attending soon. She asked me if it‘s going to be like the retreat depicted in the Hulu series. Moriarty did a great job writing about the retreat center. It‘s a lengthy book and seemed to take a long time to get to the shocking parts. Once the story climaxed, it felt rushed and awkward. The participants quickly dispersed and the rest of the book provided updates on the participants‘ lives.

An artist‘s model is trying to make ends meet while grieving the loss of her mother. Lilian meets begins working in the Frick Mansion. Surprising opportunities unfold as Lilian is tasked with making challenging decisions that impact her future. The novel also tells the story of a model, 50 years later, trying to earn money for her family back in England. The painting pictured, Dreaming About A Life to Come, is available www.poesoulstudio.com

I love reading audiobooks and don‘t need a fanciful narration production of characters and sound effects to be impressed. This Audible Original is fully dramatized and produced quite well. Dr. Buckley, a freelance forensic psychologist is asked to assist in an investigation of a murder very similar to one of her infamous incarcerated patients. How did the same type of murder occur while the suspect was in custody? #MountTBR

The story jumps right in with Harrer being arrested and detained as a POW and his efforts at escape. Once the escapees make it to Tibet, there are beautiful descriptions of the Tibetan people with their prayer flags, monasteries, and prayer wheels. Harrer establishes himself in Tibet where he meets the Dali Lama‘s parents and siblings, establishes a home, and purposeful work. Harrer developed a very close friendship with the Dali Lama. #MountTBR

Season 2 of the Nameless series still isn‘t in the Litsy database. This is the 6th and final installment of the Nameless series, Zero In. I am pleased with how the story ends. Koontz ties up everything well and gives the reader a few surprises. We finally learn who Nameless is and how he got involved in his underground enterprise of fighting for the underdogs. While I‘m glad I read the series, it‘s not my favorite work of Koontz‘s.

I‘ve been intrigued by the way people think since I was a teenager. I made a professional career out of dissecting people‘s faulty thinking and teaching them how to challenge those irrational thoughts. I‘m always interested in learning more thinking errors for my own growth as well as the population I serve. Dobelli examines the cognitive biases we engage on a daily basis. I can definitely see how a physical copy of this book would be helpful.

The Tourist Trap Mystery series takes place in cozy South Cove, Ca. Jill owns a coffee and book store and consistently inserts herself into the latest crime to be solved. As the small town prepares for its July 4th celebration, the volunteer fire chief is exerting his power on businesses by demanding they meet his expectations of fire safety. The chief is found dead inside an old barn after its burned by the fire department in a training exercise.

Rarely does a book open with such an emotionally suspenseful scene. I felt stunned as I read the dramatic, heart wrenching story of a mother‘s attempt to leave her abusive, criminal husband. Like Lions is a sequel to Bull Mountain and it‘s just as dark and gritty. Brian Panowich doesn‘t just write really great novels; his story telling abilities are masterful. The ending truly left me frozen. I had to digest that one for some time. #MountTBR

This is my favorite Sue Grafton book so far. Probably because the plot is based on a true case of a young woman murdered and her body left in a quarry. The homicide occurred in 1969 and the young woman has never been identified. There are artist sketches of the woman at the end of the book, hoping someone will identify her. Grafton did a great job developing a story about this woman and continued to build Kinsey‘s story too. #MountTBR

I love these suspenseful, complex mysteries with characters I can root for. The audiobook narrator has the loveliest British accent. Alice, a single mom of three, finds a man on the beach near her home with memory or identification. Lily, a 21-year-old newlywed‘s husband is missing. I couldn‘t help trying to figure the story out, but I was so far off and genuinely surprised. I appreciate how the author concluded the story too. #MountTBR

John Hart knows how to write about families and all of their complicated dynamics. There are so many layers to Adam Chase‘s family. The story opens with Adam returning home to North Carolina after a 5 year absence. He was exiled from his community following his acquittal for murder. The story deepens as Adam faces his childhood, his family‘s past, a girlfriend he left behind, and the unknowns of his future. #MountTBR

This short story was just okay. Most likely because it was super short (less than an hour.) A married woman working in Hollywood film travels to Alabama to talk an author into making character changes for the benefit of having the book turned into a comedy series. Her marriage is starting to struggle and the author wrote a self-help book on marriage. It seemed like there was room to expand the story to create more drama and intrigue. #MountTBR

I truly don‘t intend to be judgmental in my review of this short story. It was not for me. I don‘t mind the language or sexual content and I respect peoples‘ lifestyle choices. I found the plot boring and immature. I received this as a free Audible original ages ago. It has a full cast of narrators that was mediocre. I was expecting it to be more of a dark mystery. I bailed pretty quickly. This just isn‘t a story I want to spend my time with.

Frank Ostaseski is a cofounder of the Zen Hospice Project and offers his wisdom about how we can live more fully knowing we will die. He processes each of the five invitations and shares examples of clients he has worked with. I already want to read this book again. I love how he encourages me to inwardly reflect and face a topic I have struggled with. Frank narrates the audiobook; his voice and inflections are so calming and soothing. #MountTBR

Nearing the end of the series. Nameless continues to snuff out the despicable characters of society while developing relationships with people in a small town in the Texas panhandle. It‘s so good for him to interact with genuinely kind human beings. I think it‘s restoring his faith in people and opening his heart. As the series nears its conclusion, I hope we are closer to learning the secrets of Nameless‘ past.

This is an emotional roller coaster; it‘s a follow up to The Elephant Whisperer. Lawrence Anthony‘s wife, Francoise, shares some stories of her life with him and how she carried on after his death. She loves her South African home and is passionate about animal conservation. She expanded their reserve by building a center for rhino orphans. For every heart warming story about her amazing animals, there‘s a heart wrenching story of evil poachers.

Jennifer Grey wrote and narrated an excellent memoir. The prologue opens with a detailed account of her infamous nose job. She chronicles her childhood, early adulthood of being engaged to Matthew Broderick and Johnny Depp, and mature adulthood of being a wife and mother. I‘ve always wondered why she didn‘t do more acting. Well, this memoir put all of that to rest for me. I admire how she views her life and the course she is on.

This came as a recommended translation of The Bhagavad Gita. This book requires multiple readings and a serious study as there are so many nuggets of wisdom. I found the author‘s explanation of each chapter, before the translated Gita chapter very helpful for my comprehension. Now that I have completed my first read, I intend to revisit each chapter more slowly and deliberately. #MountTBR

I have enjoyed the Under Suspicion series and am glad to see it finish strong. This final book gives closure to the major life events of the consistent characters. While also solving the mystery of a missing child; a member of Alex Buckley‘s family. There‘s lots of characters and merging story lines that kept me attentive. This final book by Mary Higgins Clark is bittersweet. She generously dedicated it to her readers. 💙 MountTBR

I like Carl Jung‘s work and find him quite intriguing. Unfortunately, I had a hard time staying engaged with this book. There were aspects that were interesting, but it was mostly pretty complex for my taste. #MountTBR

I needed a short dose of horror and this Audible Original delivered. A couple buys an old, haunted house in the Catskills. Strange things occur in the nursery of their newborn. It‘s a pretty straightforward plot, but it truly gave me the chills. #MountTBR

Set in Appalachia, this book tells the story of a family‘s legacy of violence, drugs, guns, and intimidation. This story doesn‘t just build suspense for the end, he eloquently drops revelations and connections throughout the story. (My jaw dropped several times.) There‘s moments of cruelty and gritty humor…moments of levity are needed when absorbing oneself into the lives of these characters. Fans of David Joy will love this. #MountTBR ⛰

This was pretty decent! The goal is to build relationships through improving our communication skills. Some important take aways were active listening skills; moving away from distractions and not multitasking. I love the acronym WAIT; Why Am I Talking? There are some specific areas of my work life where talking less will be beneficial. I enjoyed how she framed the use of silence and how we seldom experience true silence in our day. #MountTBR

Season 2 of the Nameless series still isn‘t in the Litsy database. This is the 4th installment, Light Has Weight, but Darkness Does Not. It was good; I enjoyed listening to it. A mom and her daughter escaped a cult. The cult leader tracks them down and Nameless aids in their rescue. Only two installments left. Curious to see how the story ends for Nameless.

As a tea lover, I was intrigued by this book. The author, a true tea lady, is highly knowledgeable about tea. She travels the world searching for the perfect tea leaves and talks in depth about the farms she visits. She shares recipes for her favorite drinks. The author talks about her personal life and struggles she endured with cancer. She narrates the audiobook and it‘s excellent! Her voice is so calming and conveys her passion for tea.

I seldom read YA, but I‘m a fan of John Grisham and will read any book he writes. The Theodore Boone series is a cute, wholesome collection of stories with good themes and lessons for readers. In this installment, Grisham tackles standardized testing in schools and a group of teachers who cheat the results. #MountTBR

Not the tagged book - I‘m reviewing Here We All Are by Ram Dass. This is a short audiobook; it‘s a live recording of one of his talks in front of a live audience. He shares about his experience at Harvard as a psychologist and how getting fired led him to India where he met his Guru and got on the spiritual path. He then shares some amazing lessons about spirituality. This is a great book for anyone new to Ram Dass. #MountTBR ☮️🕉

I highly recommend the Poe Museum in Richmond, Va.! The amazing artifacts are from his childhood, mid-life, and death; childhood bed, desk & chair, and even nail clippers! One building is the oldest home in Richmond. There are 2 black cats (Edgar & Pluto) that live here. Pictured is the memorial. 🖤

LOVED THIS! 💕 The story is wonderfully long. It spans several generations as Cassandra uncovers family secrets and works through her grief to rebuild her life. The engaging story is set partly in an English cottage with fairy tales and of course a hidden garden. 💐 #MountTBR

This is a good, short audiobook for those new to meditation and the teachings of self-compassion. The author provides the research supporting this evidence based practice and name drops quite a few well known experts. She shares personal examples to illustrate the application of self-compassion. Each chapter ends with a meditation and opportunity to journal. For my needs, it was just okay.

Season 2 of the Nameless series still isn‘t in the Litsy database. This is Kaleidoscope, #3. It‘s probably me, but this one was just okay. I‘m still enjoying the series and curious to see what‘s next, I just wasn‘t very sucked in this time.

This herd of elephants stole my heart! Lawrence Anthony operates a wild animal reserve in South Africa and agrees to take a herd of 9 unruly elephants, otherwise they will be killed. Anthony shares how he developed amazing, close relationships with the herd and the heartbreaks he experienced. While the elephants are the primary focus of the book, Anthony writes about his wife, dogs, rangers, native tribal people, and other fascinating wildlife. 🐘

Such a clever series….a book within a book! This is a very well executed mystery. Susan Ryeland is a former editor living in Greece and running a hotel with her boyfriend. She‘s hired by a couple to find their missing daughter back in London. Alan Conway‘s novel Magpie Murders plays a role in solving the disappearance and a murder that happened the couple‘s hotel years past. Never a full moment with all of the characters and crimes to be solved.

I read The Regulators first and didn‘t care for it. I trusted the reviews that Desperation was much better. I really enjoyed Desperation; a creepy cop randomly apprehends people in a desert, in the middle of nowhere. Then, in true King fashion, the story becomes even more bizarre. We‘re talking possessed animals, abandoned mines, and a town with a strange history. The Regulators was forgettable and I will remember Desperation. #MountTBR