Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
PatriciaU

PatriciaU

Joined July 2016

Retired in Rochester NY http://itsallaboutthebook.org
blurb
PatriciaU
Asylum Hotel | Juliet Blackwell
post image

#Chatterday Made sauce for Sunday lasagne, watched and listened to a wild, extended thunderstorm, played with the pup a lot, and read some more of this really, really good book.

HeyT My dog has a toy exactly like that only it's dark blue. He loves it so much lol 2w
AnnCrystal
💕🐕🐾💝.
2w
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 1w
36 likes3 comments
quote
PatriciaU
Asylum Hotel | Juliet Blackwell
post image

Had she known about the Seabrink curse, she might not have gone.
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

This new book from actor Kelsey Grammer recounts the shocking murder of his younger sister and his own experience with heartrending grief, anger, and loss. Told in a sort of stream of consciousness, not all readers will like the jumpiness of the narrative. Having lost people to violence, I felt like Grammer conveyed the absolutely unhinged way you feel in the aftermath of such an horrific event. This is a very emotional read.

review
PatriciaU
Indian Burial Ground | Nick Medina
post image
Mehso-so

I‘m working my way thru my Goodreads “Want to Read” list and picked this one up. Enjoyed the first half but had to put it down when it got super gruesome. Not a fan.

blurb
PatriciaU
Stone Wife | Peter Lovesey
post image

Peter Lovesey‘s recent death has prompted me to read some of his books. He is credited as the 1st mystery writer to set a whole series in the past with his Inspector Cribb series. I‘m reading his Peter Diamond series now. This one was about Chaucer!

rwmg Interesting. I don't think I'd ever heard of him - and he predates Ellis Peters. 1mo
PatriciaU I remember having to shelve all his books way back when I was a library page! 😂 1mo
31 likes2 comments
review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

The newest entry in Shelton‘s Scottish Bookshop series continues with same delightful cast of characters and this time explores the Picts. As usual, an awesome story!

33 likes1 stack add
review
PatriciaU
Greenteeth | Molly O'Neill
post image
Pickpick

Folklore fans will love this imaginative look at Jenny Greenteeth, one of the many water “monsters” that show up in British folklore. O‘Neill spins a tale about Jenny combined with some Arthurian lore. Great fun. Pic from my favorite book Faeries by Froud!

blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Halfway through this book about 4 ancient cities and how they were abandoned. Biggest surprise so far is the extreme perviness of Pompeii. That and the proliferation of phallic imagery in the ancient world.

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

Uber creepy modern fairy tale set in an abandoned amusement park. What could go wrong? New YA horror/fantasy out in May. Review at https://itsallabouthebook.org

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

Fans of Anne Cleeves and Val McDermid will enjoy this new one from the creator of Broadchurch. Begins with a gruesome & weird death.

kspenmoll Thx!!! 2mo
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
PatriciaU
Bodies and Battlements | Elizabeth Penney
post image
Pickpick

I adore Elizabeth Penney‘s cozy mystery series and found this new one, set in an ancient castle turned into a B&B on the Yorkshire coast, just as fun. See my thoughts here - https://itsallaboutthebook.org

blurb
PatriciaU
Candy Slain Murder | Maddie Day
post image

Vibing on cozy mysteries. This one‘s pretty good but, jeesh some of them are SO BAD! Who are some of your favorite cozy authors?

kspenmoll Cozy mysteries# are fun! Lee Hollis, Eva Gates, sheila Connolly, Ellery Adams,Leslie Budewitz, Ellie Alexander, Victoria Gilbert, Kate Collins,Jenn McKinlay,Paige Shelton,Vicki Delany, etc!!!! 2mo
BethM I loooove cozies! @kspenmoll gave a great list! Two of my other faves are Kirsten Weiss paranormal museum series, and most anything by Amanda Flower. 2mo
PatriciaU Oooh. These all sound interesting! I‘ll be giving my library card a workout! 2mo
25 likes3 comments
review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

Finished this collection of short stories and posted about it at https://itsallaboutthebook.org. There are some excellent stories here!

blurb
PatriciaU
Pentimento Mori | Valeria Corciolani
post image

Just started this delightful Italian mystery. The writer has a wonderful vocabulary and uses language beautifully.

blurb
PatriciaU
post image

I‘ve been retired a month and am finally getting back into my reading groove! The last few months have been packed with lots of activity complicated with plenty of emotion as I prepared to end a 44 year career in libraries. I‘m enjoying this anthology of mystery/suspense stories a lot!

Librarybelle Congratulations on your retirement! 2mo
Tamra 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 2mo
wanderinglynn Congrats on your retirement! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 2mo
See All 7 Comments
Mollyanna Congratulations on your retirement! 🥳 2mo
Bookzombie Congratulations on your retirement! 2mo
AnnCrystal 🥳📚 Congratulations 📚💝. 2mo
CarolynM Congratulations on your retirement 🎉📚 2mo
35 likes7 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Retirement Goal: Reading in a comfy chair with a goat on my lap! 😂😂

Suet624 😂😂 love this. 4mo
JamieArc This reminds me of a photo I saw a while back (and posted on Litsy) of a woman reading in bed with a dear laying next to her 😂😁 4mo
kspenmoll 😂😂😂 2mo
42 likes3 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
The Ancients: A Novel | John Larison
post image

Finally remembered to post my #hyggehour tonight! Comfy cozy with John Larison.
@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @AllDebooks

TheBookHippie Oooo looks cozy!! 5mo
AllDebooks 💙❄️💙 5mo
26 likes2 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
post image

This unseasonably warm, windy & wet day in western NY calls for some relaxing, cozy audio-stitching! Have been thoroughly enjoying Agatha Christie audiobooks narrated by Hugh Fraser.

AnnCrystal 🤩👍💝. 5mo
Tamra Perfect! 👌🏾 We‘re having the same kind of weird weather in MN. 🙃 5mo
40 likes2 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
Grandest Christmas Eve | Avery Oldman
post image

Quiet evening at home this year with a good selection of books to read. Trying to decide between Eleanor of Avignon and The Mistletoe Bride…

blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Feeling a little down today so spending the day in my comfy chair with this delightful cozy mystery series featuring a librarian with the Library of Congress. Finished book 1 (Crime & Parchment) and just starting book 2. #NovemberBlues

AnnCrystal 📚🫂💝. 6mo
kspenmoll Stacked! 2mo
37 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
Hallowe'en Party | Agatha Christie
post image

Doing some audio stitching for Christmas with one of my favorite Halloween books!

AnnCrystal 🤩👍💝. 7mo
33 likes1 comment
blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Having a *very* slow Sunday after weeks of non-stop everything. Indulging in my childhood favorite and reading a Nancy Drew that was published long after I outgrew the series. Ozzy is happy to keep me company.

AnnCrystal 💕🐕🐾💝. 7mo
34 likes1 comment
review
PatriciaU
Autumn Embers | Tina Debellegarde
post image
Pickpick

New entry in the Batavia-On-Hudson series. Full review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Here are some of my all-time favorites for my #HauntedShelf. See full list at https://itsallaboutthebook.org/

blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Oh my stars! Thank you @Chrissyreadit for the most amazing #FallingForFall package!!! Every book is perfect and oh those socks!!! It had been a wonderful surprise. Thank you and @Avanders for organizing.

#FFFS #FallingForFallSwap

Avanders Yay!! 🍁🍎🍂♥️ 8mo
Chrissyreadit glad you like everything! 8mo
5feet.of.fury Loved The Change! 8mo
30 likes3 comments
review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

I have been savoring this lovely, lovely book over the last few weeks. Reading a couple stories every night has filled my soul and sustained my belief that most people are good to one another.

TieDyeDude ✌️❤️ 8mo
38 likes1 comment
blurb
PatriciaU
post image

The Litsy group reading #NancyDrew put me on a Nancy binge and OH MY these books do not age well. The casual racism and sexism startling. But, I am finding the source for some esoteric info I‘ve carried around for years!!!

Librarybelle We‘ve talked about some not so great aspects of the books in the discussions. It‘s been really interesting reading the series through adult eyes. 8mo
28 likes1 comment
blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Forgot to take a pic when I received my #FallingForFall swap package. It arrived safely and I can‘t wait to open it! @Avanders @Chrissyreadit

Chrissyreadit 💛🌞💛 8mo
Avanders 👏🏼👏🏼🍁🍎🍂 8mo
28 likes2 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
THIS CURSED HOUSE. | DEL. SANDEEN
post image

I recently did a session for a podcast at one of my local libraries where we talked about our most anticipated Fall releases. Here‘s the link if you‘re interested - https://youtu.be/8yl4kNrwYfE?si=sYzpLvdxigkgcIMw

review
PatriciaU
The Blue Hour | Paula Hawkins
post image
Pickpick


While the outcome was apparent to me pretty early in the story, the tension Hawkins builds as she weaves the stories of both Vanessa and Grace becomes almost unbearable at times, and the ending! Oh, the ambiguous ending! Definitely the stuff made for book clubs to debate!

Readers who are triggered by domestic violence should be aware that is an integral part of this story. This will be one of the hot books of the Fall for sure.

AnnCrystal 😍💝. 8mo
31 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
PatriciaU
Pumpkin Spice Caf | Laurie Gilmore
post image

My #FallingForFall swap went out today. Hoping for a safe arrival in New Mexico next week. @Chrissyreadit and @Avanders not a very pretty box but I promise the contents are very pretty!

Avanders Yay!! 🍁🍎🍂♥️ 8mo
Chrissyreadit 🧡💛💛🧡 8mo
19 likes2 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
When We Flew Away | Alice Hoffman
post image

What fall release are you most anticipating? I'm being interviewed for one of my local library podcasts next week and that's the topic. I know what I'm anticipating - what are YOU most excited about?

review
PatriciaU
post image
Mehso-so

I am a sucker for books about books, libraries & bookstores so this one seemed like something I would enjoy. And I did, but will say this was not a very memorable reading experience. It‘s a perfectly lovely book about mothers & daughters, unlikely friendships, & the power of literature to help you through horrific times. But I think I‘m over the current trend of books about books, libraries, bookstores, and spunky heroines making it through WWII.

33 likes1 stack add
blurb
PatriciaU
post image

Went from Fall reading directly to Fall baking!

Aimeesue Mmmmmmmm! 9mo
AnnCrystal 😍🍪😋💝. 9mo
BookmarkTavern They look perfect! 9mo
RedCurly 😍😍😍😍 9mo
39 likes4 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
Foul Days | Genoveva Dimova
post image

The suddenly cooler temps have me in spooky season mode! From 90 to 65 degrees in just a few hours…

IMASLOWREADER im excited for the cooler days 9mo
elkeOriginal This cover! 🖤 9mo
30 likes2 comments
review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

This is one of my few 5 star reads this year and it is spectacular!

This is a book full of tension that twists you up and an ingenious plot driven by a protagonist who alternately frustrates the hell out of you then has you pumping your hand in the air yelling “go girl!” Every character is well-developed and plays their part to perfection.

40 likes2 stack adds
review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

This is a complex and layered story featuring a fairly remarkable character in Franca, or the maestra of this remote Italian village. The meandering pace is the only thing keeping me from really loving this book. I picked it up, put it down, picked it up, put it down so many times. But, I kept at it and was rewarded with a story that unfolded into one of the most interesting tales I‘ve read this summer.

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

James Rollins never fails to provide a pulse-pounding, nail-biting adventure. He is at the top of his game with Arkangel, which has nudged The Last Odyssey out of place in the list of my favorite Rollins novels. The Sigma Force series is being made into a TV show for Amazon/MGM. Very excited for that! See https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2024/08/20/arkangel-by-james-rollins/ for review.

blurb
PatriciaU
post image

In the middle of this lovely collection of stories from Elly Griffiths and enjoying the hell out of it.

31 likes1 stack add
review
PatriciaU
All That Falls | A. N. Horton
post image
Pickpick

I was recently introduced to indie author Horton through this book and found it very well-written, charming & full of action. It begins with a MINOTAUR falling from the sky, armed with a battle axe, for heaven's sake! I'm featuring Horton on my blog at https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2024/08/08/author-spotlight-a-n-horton/ to find out more about her. If you are a romantasy fan, you'll enjoy her books.

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

The plot is an enticing mix of the thrill of archaeological discovery, local lore, and plain old human greed. Stefanie and Thomas are a great team, playing off each others‘ strengths and always there for each other. The end is especially fraught with danger as the pair battle a hurricane as they place the final pieces of the puzzle on the table. Full review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

Cultural folklore has fascinated me for about as long as I‘ve been reading but I‘d never encountered the Greek legend of the Kallikantzaroi, or Christmas Goblins. Fraser-Green has taken that ancient legend & woven a story that is about family – specifically sisters. Middle grade readers who are interested in exploring folklore and ready for a scary story will appreciate the short chapters, well-paced, action-filled plot, and accessible language.

AnnCrystal Oh 💝🤩👍. The Grimm TV show did an episode on the Kallikantzaroi. One of my favorites. 10mo
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
PatriciaU
The Inheritance | Trisha Sakhlecha
post image
Pickpick

This ARC was 5/5, with a gripping plot with a few different storylines which all came together in the end. I did not expect the twist at the end at all and I‘m usually pretty good at figuring things out. Comes out in January.

review
PatriciaU
Prey | Hilary Norman
post image
Mehso-so

Read the ARC of this one, which started out strong then petered out halfway through. Disappointing

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

The mystery here is as bad as you can get - a camper disappears. And not just *any* camper, but the daughter of the wealthy family that owns the campground. The ensuing story covers the full-on search for the camper but also expands to recount the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the camper‘s brother 10 years prior. Great story and very satisfying ending.

46 likes1 stack add
review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

Cozy mystery fans will thoroughly enjoy this romp aboard a giant ship renovated into luxury condos for wealthy seniors. Part of the Kat Lawson series.

blurb
PatriciaU
Summer Reading | Hilma Wolitzer
post image

For some reason, I'm a little weary of people asking for summer reading recommendations and charts, so I made this. Credit to Marissa Abao whose Canva design I modified. #SummerReading #ReadWhatYouWant

BarbaraJean 😂😂I love this! Best summer reading challenge! 11mo
dabbe 😂😂😂 11mo
JessieKB 😂😂yes!!!! 11mo
Clare-Dragonfly Love it! 😂 11mo
32 likes4 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
The Witchstone | Henry H. Neff
post image

A little late due to a power outage, but I spent a lovely evening last night for #HyggeHourReadathon in a darkened room, in a bed with freshly washed sheets and comforter, with my latest, The Witchstone. Love this planned reading time on Sundays!

@TheBookHippie @jenniferw88 @Chrissyreadit @Alldebooks

AllDebooks Lovely, looks nice and cool 💚 11mo
TheBookHippie 💚💚💚💚💚💚 11mo
37 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
PatriciaU
The Witchstone | Henry H. Neff
post image

Loved Neff‘s Hound of Rowan series so jumped at the ARC of his new adult novel The Witchstone. Def giving me Christopher Moore vibes.

review
PatriciaU
post image
Pickpick

This is the latest pick in Jenny Lawson‘s Fantastic Strangelings book club and it‘s a stunner. Full of Appalachian folklore and magic blended with serious family dysfunction and trauma. Read it in one sitting.

31 likes4 stack adds