It was so delightful to read the entire juvenilia canon by Austen! One can easily tell how she builds her craft, from silly stories to more well-structured story lines. My favorite was her take on British history, as told through her bias slant of the monarchs. Not exactly accurate, but it was incredibly fun to read!

She also #BreaksTheFourthWall a couple of times in her writings, so I could check that prompt off for #52BookClub25 !

I love playing with the graphics on The Storygraph and Bookmory!

I completed 14 books in January, plus one carryover from 2024. Overall, a good reading month!

1. I feel like every week for the foreseeable future will feel like some sort of a dystopian tale…and I‘m more of a Catherine Morland than a Katniss-type heroine (unlikely heroine not from a dystopian realm vs a heroine who is). One day at a time…

2. Tired but here! Currently holding a cat, so I feel great!

3. I have a couple of book group meetings this week, so that will be fun!

#MentalHealthMonday

I had my after dinner chores completed earlier than usual, so I was able to participate in the #hyggehourreadathon tonight. With my weighted blanket and Vladimir, I read a bit more of Jane Austen‘s teenage writings (the Jane Austen House is hosting a virtual discussion of this on Tuesday). So interesting to see her writing evolve!

Current candle burning is Yankee Candle‘s Sicilian Lemon. My mood is relaxed at the moment.

#Vladimir #CatsOfLitsy

I struggle with this series, and yet the cupcakes keep me coming back. This is book 7–some this far have been good, others not so much. This one I really did not like.

This one focuses more on the personal lives of Mel and Angie rather than the mystery. A woman who looks like Angie is killed at a zombie walk. It‘s pretty obvious Angie was the target (it‘s related to an ongoing situation from the prior 2 books…I‘m going to be as spoiler free ⬇️⬇️

And just like that, we‘re two weeks away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion, #LittenDetectives !

Has anyone tapped their way into this month‘s reading yet? I have it slated to read next weekend. I‘m not graceful, so no tap dancing at my house (unless you count my cats tripping me and making me tap dance to stay upright!).

Looking forward to our discussion!

The February #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead choice is this chunkster by Charlotte Bronte. @Deblovestoread posted her daily reading schedule, in case anyone wishes to also divide this into manageable chunks!

Discussion questions will be posted on February 28th, but it‘s perfectly fine to participate whenever you wish!

If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, please let me know!

I wanted to squeeze in one more #AuldLangSpine book, and I was so excited this was on @BarbaraJean ‘s list. True story: I chose to meet DiCamillo over Judy Blume (they were signing at the same time, and I had such a book hangover from reading The Tale of Despereaux).

I loved this one! Lots of fun quotes that remind one to keep hope and that love endures. It‘s sentimental and magical, and the illustrations by Sarda are exquisite.

So lovely!

Thanks for the tag, @DebinHawaii !

1. My boys…always! Photo yesterday of all 4 letting me know it was dinner time.
2. Pride and Prejudice day and an amazing webinar by Jane Austen‘s House in Chawton
3. American Dream Nut Butter—current flavor I‘m devouring is Franken Butter Peanut Butter
4. I discovered Anthony Horowitz has a new Susan Ryeland book coming out!
5. Litsy…thank you!

#5JoysFriday

It‘s time for our discussion, #LiteraryCrew ! There are 9 questions posted as spoilers that can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag. Mixed reviews on this one, so I‘m interested to see your thoughts!

Next month‘s book is Charlotte Bronte‘s Villette; the reminder will be posted tomorrow.

Thanks for joining this #BuddyRead !

Tomorrow is our discussion day, #LiteraryCrew , for Hester. I had hoped to be finished (and this why this reminder is so late), but this one is not clicking for me. Beautifully written, but I‘m not buying the tie to The Scarlet Letter (and that will be discussed tomorrow, as there is a supposed closer connection to Hester than Isobel). I‘ll see how much more I can read tonight!

Looking forward to your thoughts tomorrow! #BuddyRead

Look what‘s coming out in June! The follow up to A Most Agreeable Murder…so excited!

Monday was hard on so many levels, and I flaked on #MentalHealthMonday .

1. I‘m here—that‘s probably the best thing to say. But, the lack of doomscrolling has made more time for reading and cat cuddles!
2. Self-help books are usually not for me. I get very discouraged with them, and it‘s wonderful they help so many people. While not necessarily self help, and not about mental health, I always recommend “Maybe You Should Talk To Someone” by ⬇️⬇️

In February, the #ChristiesCapers group will read Christie‘s second mystery, and the first featuring the duo Tommy and Tuppence. Originally published in 1922, this introduces the couple from their first meet cute to their adventures in mystery.

Discussion will take place on February 23rd. If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, please let me know! #AgathaChristieClubR3

One of my reading buddies needs some extra thoughts, please!

Xander had his yearly cardiology appointment today—for those of you who do not know, Xander was born with a heart defect and will always have a heart murmur.

We got tough news today: two of his heart chambers has more fluid than they should. He‘s not in the danger “zone,” but his condition has been now moved to the stage preceding danger. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

My February #BookSpinBingo list!

I‘m also shocked that I got my first bingo ever on the January bingo sheet. It‘s taken years to accomplish that! 😂

A great book that explores Deaf culture and the biases and prejudices against those who cannot hear. On the surface, it‘s several characters trying to get through their days with their issues, but the aforementioned darker issues linger in the background. I enjoyed the various historical facts, ASL words, and other trivia thrown into the narrative. Also, I could not stand Mel!

So glad this was on your list, @BarbaraJean ! #AuldLangSpine

It‘s time for our first #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers discussion! I posted 9 questions as spoilers; they can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags. Feel free to answer whenever!

February‘s book is The Secret Adversary, which is the first Tommy and Tuppence book. More details will be posted tomorrow!

I think this was the best in the series yet—aspects of Agatha Christie-esque mysteries are thrown into this one. Eve, Roarke, and thousands in the audience witness a murder on stage. But, it‘s not as clear cut as it seems. Eve also continues to battle her last, and elements of the investigation do not help. I love to see the characters developing! #InDeathLongReadalong

#LitsyAToZ #LetterW #52BookClub25 #FinalSentenceIsLessThan6WordsLong

A good historical fiction novel that showcases the glamor of Hollywood and film along the French Riviera at the Grand Hotel, set against the backdrop of the start of WWII. There‘s romance and a thriller-esque thread woven into the storytelling. The list of who‘s who in Hollywood in 1939 is staggering, and the MC Annabel (who knows photography) mingles with them all (hence my choice for #BBRC #Adult #Paparazzi ).

Great #SundayBuddyRead choice!

My 4th time reading this & I finally picked up on some of the clues! There‘s nothing like a wildly gesticulating Poirot dancing his way down the street to make one laugh (and I always picture the Suchet Poirot in my mind).

Discussion tomorrow! I‘ll post questions mid to late morning, US East Coast time. #192025 #1920 #LitsyAToZ #LetterM #52BookClub25 #TitleStartsWithLetterM #BBRC #Adult #AuthorCelebrity #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

I had not realized this was book two in a series, but it read very well as a standalone!

Spicy romance in the Regency era, featuring Lydia Hope-Wallace and Arthur, the Earl of Strathrannoch. I did get a bit bogged down with the indecisiveness of the characters and their constant cataloging of each other‘s favorite traits, but this was a good, distracting listen from reality. Not only romance, but adventure, strong female characters, and spies. ⬇️

Thanks for the tag, @DebinHawaii !

1. My boys…always. Pictured is Xander lounging in the cat hammock yesterday. ❤️
2. Snow! It was a small amount compared to winters when I was a kid, but enough to have me outside shoveling on Monday.
3. Litsy
4. I attended a webinar from the Nat‘l Museum of the United States Army that discussed Jewish American soldiers who helped liberate concentration & labor camps in WWII. Very moving.
5. Books!

#5JoysFriday

There are a few gem reflections in this, a book that purposely asks the reader to take their time reading. It‘s reflective and calming. Admittedly, there were a few times I did not quite agree with the author‘s musings, but that may be the point—it opens for good discussion. Overall, a lovely book. Great pick for the #MidWinterSolace #BuddyRead !

#Xander #CatsOfLitsy

#52BookClub25 #MoreThanAMillionCopiesSold

In February, the #LiteraryCrew group will venture back in time this classic Bronte novel.

This #BuddyRead is read at your own pace. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Discussion will take place on February 28th!

Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.

I finally took the time to tally my #192025 titles read during the second half of 2024. I managed 8 titles…thank goodness for book discussions!

I still have a number of years to read by the end of the year; if I do not quite make the whole list, this has been such a fun challenge all the same. I plan to start it again in 2026 with #192030 …details later this year!

I completed the 2000s decade and am nearly finished with two more decades. Yay!

Timely.

The top passage speaks to politicians‘ behavior, but the bottom passage is a light in the dark: “Historically, the people who bring about the change in society tend to be not the middle-aged but the passionate youth. Their hearts are sensitive to the plight of the oppressed. Their spirits stand tall against injustice & fight for the voiceless. Hold on to that youthful heart & spirit no matter how old you are. #MidWinterSolace #BuddyRead

Thanks to @Kerrbearlib for starting a #MentalHealthMonday post! This ties in so well with the hygge and self-care posts by @AllDebooks , @Chrissyreadit , and @TheBookHippie …I‘ve become more and more vocal over mental health awareness over the last few years, and it takes posts like there to remind myself to just stop and breathe. Thank you!

Last night, I deleted my social media apps from my phone…⬇️⬇️⬇️

I wanted a good escape book today, and I decided to drop everything and pick up a Murder, She Wrote mystery, one set in Cabot Cove, Maine (I think this place rivals Midsomer in England for murder capital of the world).

I think I liked this one more because of the setting and my familiarity with the characters than the mystery itself—I knew the killer as soon as it happened, which is so rare for me. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

#LiteraryCrew : There are 3 questions posted for today‘s discussion. They can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

We had a tie for the #BuddyRead list this year; I didn‘t want us to miss reading this book. I chose today for the discussion because in the US it‘s a day to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. It‘s a good day to remember those who continue to speak up for their rights in any way they can.

⬇️⬇️⬇️