New read. I‘m not finding it quite as compelling as Lilac Girls - so far. But it‘s early days! Hope it lives up.

This was very much book candy. It‘s a hallmark movie in written form but spicy. I liked it. But I didn‘t love it. the writing was too on the nose for me in kind of every way. Cute and festive though! 🎄

So my sisters and mom and I are all doing a book club this December. Picked a pretty hardcover Christmas romance. I‘m cackling though because it‘s spicier than expected. Hope mom loves it! 😊

#sundayfunday @BookmarkTavern This is such a wonderful, wintry story about wonder, loneliness, and finding hope. I adore it!

My sisters and I saw this while Black Friday shopping and all got one. We‘re doing a fam book club! I‘m pumped. I‘m the big reader in the family so fun that they‘re game. To be discussed at Christmas! 🎄

Still trucking on my reread of this favorite series. And damn, I forgot how EPIC and badass the end of this one is. Just chills! So good.

A sweet fall romance with 90s vibes and a single dad hero. Loved it!

Returning to a series I loved to get caught up. These are so quirky and British. I love them! #mystery

I‘ve been slowly listening to this series for years. Diving back in to catch up. These are great historical mysteries on audio - Heather Wilds does a fantastic job!

Re-entering one of my favorite fantasy worlds. Finally getting around to reading “King of Scars” by Leigh Bardugo.

This was so thoughtful and beautifully written. Recommended!

So fascinating. Bizarre tale of the making of the OED.

I liked the vibes of this book through most of it. But the ending completely ruined it, in my opinion. Just so-so.

Very curious to see if this lives up to the massive hype! #romantasy

I‘m a sucker for a time travel story. And I love a book about books. Enjoying so far! 🕰️

I am an Outlander super fan. I‘ve read and watched it all. I love the sweeping family sagas, epic love stories, and fascinating historical details. The time travel aspects get weirder and weirder as we go, and yet we just go with it. Reading this, I thought: Wow, this world is so complete. Generations of characters with real, defined stories entwining. It‘s remarkable! Not my favorite in terms of plot. But a great visit to a favorite book world!

Oof, she‘s a door stopper! But I have done it. 9 books. 7 TV seasons. 1 season prequel TV show. I am totally caught up on the Outlander universe. It‘s been a journey!!

I mean. This is about books, magic, and people enchanted by the magic of books. A lovely story.

Starting this on audio. Been on my TBR for years! Big fan of Rebecca Soler as a narrator, so that‘s fun.

Don‘t we all love a book about books? Started this one today! 📚

I was a little unsure about this at first - it‘s very unusual. But in the end the cozy fall vibes, found family story, and delightful whimsy of it all totally won me over. Some really beautiful sentences. The kind of book that gives you warm fuzzies. Sentimental but very sweet. Recommended!

Starting a new book. I loved the first book I read by this author - hoping this has the same vibes.

Starting this on audio - looking for something homey and comforting on a Sunday afternoon.

This was a warm hug. The audiobook read by Ina Garten is a great experience. Her voice is so familiar and comforting. I learned a lot - she used to work at the White House doing Nuclear budgets before becoming a celebrity chef. What a crazy life and so interesting to read about! There are a lot of really sweet personal moments too - especially with regard to her husband. Loved how intimate this felt and enjoyed getting to know more about her!

This was such a fascinating, propulsive dual-time historical. Focused on the story of a Rockette who danced at Radio City Music Hall in the thirties, a New York bomber from that time, and the development of psychological profiling as a technique for catching criminals. Like all of Fiona Davis‘ books, well-written and thoughtful. High pick. Great on audio!

New historical fiction book.

I have heard so much hype regarding Taylor Jenkins Reid. Finally diving into one of her books - Atmosphere!

This would be a tough choice because I‘m a genre jumper. I read fantasy, sci fi, romance, historical fiction, history nonfiction, straight up literary fiction.

If I had to choose, I suppose it‘s gotta be historical fiction. So much to learn, so many times to visit!

I have always been a daddy‘s girl. Missing my dad today - he passed away when I was 19. ❤️

I‘m a sucker for a sweet dad-daughter book for obvious reasons. My favorite is Anne and Matthew from Anne of Green Gables. It‘s always hits me in the heart. Reminds me of my dad. The scene where he goes to buy her the dress with puffed sleeves - I just remember my dad coming back from work travels with dresses for all his four daughters. Such a fun memory!

I‘ve often had this same thought. This book is so well written and insightful. Really great memoir.

I have always loved museums. I was a literature and history major in school. I became more and more intrigued by the MET specifically in recent years. One of my favorite thinkers Gretchen Rubin talks about visiting the MET every day. I also read a book set there called The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis, which was excellent. This was recommended by Gretchen. It‘s the memoir of a MET guard. A lot about art but also about loss. Loving so far.

This is was my first ever Agatha Christie - wow, this was an incredible audio experience. Just outstanding!

Loving this new-to-me author. It‘s basically intellectual catnip. Every book has some kind of erudite theme - art, Egyptology, architecture, etc. Always feature interesting characters and some kind of mystery element. Slight romance but not main feature. I‘ve been diving into her backlist and have not had a miss yet. Highly recommended!

Finally tackling the mamma Jamma. #outlander

I‘m rereading this old favorite via audio. It‘s such a good narration. I‘m hoping to finish my reread and then read Dracula by Brad Stoker for the first time - like a buddy read.

So I went into this hesitant given all the hype. And in the end I finished it. Enjoyed it enough. This is exactly the kind of book I like. Magic, mortals, fae, world in danger. It‘s way up my alley. However, it did feel kind of more of the same-like a b version of an SJM book. In the end, I like candy. But does it challenge me to think? No. Wish this surprised me more and the romance felt more genuine.

I finally gave into the hype and decided to give this a try. I like it, in particular the pacing and general vibe. It‘s giving early SJ Maas for sure. I‘m intrigued. Eager to see where it goes. I‘m about 40% through!

Starting this one! Gotta be honest, I love the originals in this series. But these later additions (like published way later) haven‘t been as much my vibe. We‘ll see if that‘s the case for this one too. I still love the world and want to finish the story. But “Graceling” was definitely on another level!

So I‘ve been a fan of Julia Whalen‘s work as a narrator for a long time. This first romance written by her was such a fun play on romance, the audiobook world, and the tropes we know and love. The banter was my favorite part. Everything felt funny and genuine. Loved it!

I started this a while ago, and I‘m doing that thing where I try to finish all my books in progress. Always a mammoth task! This is an installment of a historical mystery series I‘ve really enjoyed over the years by Anna Lee Huber. I will say, per usual, I enjoyed the slow burn early books more. These are mysteries but also the love story of the two main characters. Now they‘re together it‘s a bit less compelling. Still very good!

I so admire Amor Towles books. I began this one blind. Short stories aren‘t a form I‘m particularly fond of. But I was enchanted by the beautiful, smart writing and willing to give it a go. I am very glad I did. All the stories connected to bring a fascinating cast of characters together as the key players in a blackmail and murder scheme involving old Hollywood. A fascinating period and place in time - I was engrossed.

So I am a Kate Morton faithful and always will be. However, this was an odd one and probably my least favorite by her. The writing is amazing in parts but I felt it was much slower to develop and the various stories seemed quite disjointed until the very end. While I wanted to know what happened, the bringing together of the storylines in the end just wasn‘t satisfying enough to resolve the confusion I felt for the duration.

I do love a good memoir, and this is a classic for a reason. Recounting how Julia Child wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking with co-authors and its successive volumes while in France due to her husband‘s political position. I became enamored with the vitality with which she describes not only food but everyday encounters with people and life in France. Love it.

My joys:

1. Finished “Enchantment” - tagged. Such exquisite writing and a beautiful reminder to notice wonder in your every day.

2. I got a new job! I‘ve been working as a marketing copywriter for 15 years - most recently at John Deere. I recently go head hunted by Bobcat and cannot wait to start! Gonna be amazing.

3. The sun this morning!

4. Made pasta!

5. Watched “No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski” - highly recommend!

This book expresses everything I‘ve been feeling lately. About finding wonder, whimsy, and magic in everyday life. Highly recommend.

Wow, I‘m cruising through my TBR list in 2025. This is book 19 so far! As an avid historical romance fan, I‘m no stranger to Eloisa James. This is from her backlist. Really enjoying it so far! #romance

This is such a wistful, whimsical ride. Magical and so atmospheric of a place. Very intriguing!

A romance novel by my favorite audiobook narrator? Sign me up. Thank you, Libby!

I‘ve been somewhat disillusioned as my life has run its course. It is the way of things, I suppose. Bad things happen, and we lose our way. But this book feels the way church used to feel for me. Like I‘m singing along to a favorite worship song, eyes closed, surrounded by a community in which I belong. Lights low, emotions high. It feels like coming home. It‘s a small glimpse of eternity, a little embrace of heaven. My heart echoes with it.

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

1. I feel purpose in being a loving and supportive friend to those I love.

2. I find joy in the quiet moments. A beautiful turn of a phrase, the sunlight peeking through the trees outside my window. A truly delicious meal.

3. My favorite book of August by far was The Women by Kristin Hannah. It was a very emotional read for me with great writing and a fierce depth. Overall incredibly moving.

Join the fun!