While I appreciated the setting of this mystery—Williamsburg, Virginia right before the American Revolutionary War—I struggled with the writing style. Repetition, lack of cohesion, and choppiness throughout distracted me from the story. The storyline is great—tavern owner caught in the pre-war atmosphere, with details of daily life and a condemnation of slavery. Oh well! Not for me!

While I did not enjoy this one as much as the prior books, it was still a fun read. Charlotte‘s portrayal was harsh, but Lady Catherine‘s was very accurate, I also loved the interactions with Tilney!

Thanks for leading us through this book, @peanutnine ! And, thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thanks for the tag, @Read4life !

1. I wanted to create a handle that incorporated my love for libraries with something fancy…hence librarybelle.

2. I do lots of household chores, which makes the tedious so much more enjoyable!

3. Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz. I am currently listening to Lula Dean‘s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller…hilarious!

#WondrousWednesday

What a charming read! An epistolary novel, the reader discovers the good and the bad in a year at St. Winifreda‘s convent. I laughed out loud a few times and think this would make a wonderful TV series. A great pick for #NunLitQuarterly !

Not book-related news, but many of you know a little bit about my decision to leave the library world last September. I‘m still healing from burn out and my toxic work environment, but I am very excited to share that I recently completed my proofreading course with Distinction.

It‘s been a lot of work, and I‘m excited for this! More details on my FB and IG feeds. Now to find clients!

Thanks for being such a supportive community! ❤️

I loved this one! Olsen and Arnett offer mindfulness tips to children throughout the book to help alleviate stress and anxiety. There is a page at the end that explains the techniques used in the narrative in more detail. I also adored the illustrations. I‘m tempted to check out the other book they wrote featuring Hattie Harmony! #PictureBook #BBRC #LetterH

I liked this one, with a message of following your dreams. Yamaguchi‘s text has a cadence to it that flows very well for a read aloud. The illustrations are delightful. The end had me chuckle a little. #PictureBook #BBRC #LetterD

Clarkson‘s rhyming text is represented beautifully by the illustrations. While the text does rhyme in most cases, there are moments when the rhyme is broken throughout the narrative—I found this to be a little odd and broke the rhythm of the narrative. I did not listen to the song featured in the book, but there is info provided to listen to the lullaby. #PictureBook #BBRC #LetterR

I loved the illustrations of this #PictureBook —perfect color choices, and the illustrations truly made the story come alive. The story itself was just okay—good message, the importance of believing in yourself, but the word choices seemed geared more for older kids who may not be willing to read a picture book. #BBRC #LetterA

I really enjoyed this first in the Shardlake series. I‘m fascinated by the Tudor era, and Sansom captures so much about the corruption from both sides during the dissolution of the Catholic monasteries in Henry VIII‘d reign. I liked Shardlake, whose hard attitude helps his methodical mind process information. A great mystery too! #ShardlakeBR #CatsOfLitsy #Vladimir #Zeke

St. James writes wonderfully spooky novels that combine the supernatural with people‘s fears. This one does not disappoint. I loved every nail biting moment. And, I‘ll avoid Atticus Line, thank you very much! #CatsOfLitsy #SebastianKitty #SundayBuddyRead #52BookClub24 #IncludesAPersonalPhobia

Last week was another good reading week with 4 books completed. Other than The Baker Street Letters, I enjoyed them. It was great to revisit Little Women, though I left with a different impression than what I had the last time I read it.

This week is finding up some buddy reads, making progress in others, and seeing where else I go on my reading journey.

Happy Reading!

August‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead selection is the tagged novel, a novel about Lady Macbeth. This sounds so good—I‘m looking forward to reading it with the crew!

This is a low key buddy read. Read at your own pace. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month, and discussion questions will be posted on August 31st.

All are welcome! Please comment below to be added or removed from the tag list!

The trilogy conclusion ties up the overarching storyline, with touches of suspense and romance. This addition had a bit more supernatural elements to it than the prior two books, which worked for me. A good listen, and I enjoy listening to books narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb!

“You can‘t run from your demons forever—sometimes you have to walk into them head-on.”

I ❤️ Simone St. James‘s books! #SundayBuddyRead

What happens when your place of business coincides with the infamous Sherlock Holmes Baker Street address? It could lead to a mystery!

There were parts I liked & others that fell flat. From the first page, it felt like I was reading not the first in the series…it was almost like the reader was dropped in the middle of the story with facts about the characters left out. Some are slowly revealed, but it left me feeling meh overall. #192025 #2009

I came to this #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade #buddyread having read Little Women a couple times in the past. With this reading, I picked up on Alcott‘s casual mention of domesticity for women—so 19th century! 😂 I still like the book, but I think my love for it has quieted a bit. My feelings may change again if I reread this 10 years from now—who knows!

#52BookClub24 #IncludesAWedding

We‘re half way through the month, #LiteraryCrew !

I‘ve seen mixed reviews on this month‘s reading. Anything to share so far?

Discussion on the 31st!

We are on to book 10 in the Nancy Drew series, #LittenDetectives ! Will Nancy be able to solve the mystery surrounding a strange message? Discussion questions will be posted August 15th!

All are welcome to join! Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!

I finally took the time to update my #192025 list. I managed to complete 9 more years, for a total of 55 years for the challenge.

I‘m loving this challenge so much, as I am now to the point of researching titles to read—they‘re really not happening organically anymore. It‘s fun to discover new-to-me books!

I already read the 2010 years and am nearly complete with the 1990s and the 2000s. Still have a lot of 1930s and 1970s to read!

Light pick. I loved the sentimentality in this one (which moved it to the pick side for me) and the diversity shown in the illustrations. It‘s a basic #PictureBook that Duff conveys her little girl can be whomever she wishes to be. It does have kind of an abrupt end, as I have seen other reviewers noted. This is probably more for a parent/guardian and child to read together rather than being used for a Storytime. #BBRC #LetterM

Part of Guns N‘ Roses best-known song, Sweet Child o‘ Mine is transformed into a #PictureBook . I‘m not a fan of GNR—my tastes are more grunge and post-grunge era—but I have to wonder why the illustrations to this are very country music based. Cowboy hats and boots and just an overall country feeling. No problems with it, but given the type of music, it just seems an odd choice. #BBRC #LetterS

#LittenDetectives : It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion! I posted 5 questions as spoilers; they can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

Please share any additional comments below!

Can you believe next month is book 10 in the series?!?! I will post the graphic for next month‘s book, The Password to Larkspur Lane, tomorrow! Thanks for reading with me!

This #PictureBook has a great message—never give up and anyone can succeed, no matter size or strength. Cena adds humor to the speech bubbles of the various trucks. I was actually surprised by how much I liked this one. #BBRC #LetterE

I‘m not the biggest Fallon fan, but this is a good #PictureBook for a quick story time for really young kids, especially for animal sounds and identification. It‘s also pretty basic. I‘m not completely in love with the illustrations either. I had hoped for more. #BBRC #LetterY

This one feels a bit different than the others in the series so far…the reader knows from the beginning who the villains are in the story. There are a number of fights and threats of violence, plus a snake and hidden treasure. And, Bess and George are awful…I think Nancy is a better person than I am!

#NancyDrewBR discussion tomorrow!

I had a great reading week last week, completing 4 books. I devoured Grief is for People and am still thinking about it.

This week, I plan to continue with #buddyread titles, read my IRL book club selection (The Baker Street Letters), and see what other books I can complete.

Happy Reading!

At first, I was hesitant to post my results from The NY Times list…I‘ve only read 8 on the list, plus a DNF (H is for Hawk). Very small showing compared to most everyone else!

If The NY Times ranked cozy mysteries, my score would be higher! 😂

However, I own copies of many from the tbr list.

I‘m currently rereading Wolf Hall for #LiteraryCrew (I know…I am so far behind on that), and my favorite has to be either Persepolis or Pachinko.

Liked the storyline, but the audio narration was not my favorite. Lots of danger and suspense in this second in a trilogy…good lead into the third book. I really cannot say much more without giving the whole story away! #BBRC #YeahBaby #AudiobookAverageLong

Thank you for the tag, @DebinHawaii and @kspenmoll !

1. My boys!
2. Baby bunny in my backyard
3. My local independent bookstore hosted a Scottish author—fun evening!
4. Meeting up with a friend over the weekend
5. Air conditioning—I‘m happy I have a good A/C system

#5JoysFriday

I needed a super-fast read and a palate cleanser…Charlie and Diesel were the perfect choice!

A nasty, cruel boss, terrible department heads, and murders keep Charlie and Diesel pretty busy at the library. Sad to say a few characteristics of the murder victim are characteristics I witnessed in my library career. Yikes! Great character progression, and another good series entry!

Most of my sidekicks hovered in the background as I finished it.

It was wonderful to revisit the town of Zorrie fame. There are brief encounters with Zorrie and Noah throughout this collection of character stories, but the main focus is the lives of 14 individuals, taking place on the same day. I struggle with short stories, & for this one, some are much better than others. There are a few that are quite out there—stream of consciousness to a degree!

In the end, this one did not have the same magic as Zorrie.

The language in this #PictureBook is fun, and I really like the illustrations. Betty has to stay busy all the time and has to remind herself to focus on one task at a time and finish the task. Sage advice. But, I‘m not sure about the message about starting a business. So-so read for me. #BBRC #LetterB

Tatum‘s absolute love for his daughter definitely “sparkles” in this one. Sparkella is starting at a new school and has some issues fitting in—no one understands her personality. Tatum‘s narrative explores identity and being oneself and having the courage to be true to oneself. This #PictureBook would work well for 5-7 year olds. #BBRC #LetterO

Chenoweth‘s rhyming scheme in this #picturebook takes the reader through ways to spread love. It‘s a warm and inviting read, and how can you say no to a pet adoption scene? Messages about adoption and creating your own family help to convey that love knows no boundaries. #BBRC #LetterW

Crosley uses her razor-sharp words to explore her grief—exactly one month after being robbed, her good friend dies by suicide. This is raw and so poignant. Beautifully crafted memoir.

Last week was not a kind week—feeling under the weather really limited my reading time. I still managed to complete 2 books and fairly keep up with buddy read titles.

Hopefully things will be better this week!!

This weekend is supposed to be extra hot and humid in my area…you‘ll find me indoors as much as possible!

Today, I am visiting a friend who recently lost her husband. ❤️

As for reading, I started Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley, and so far I love the way she writes of her grief. Like it‘s complicated and layered, which it completely is. #SaturdayChatterday

Light pick. Ogilvie gives voice to a number of the Dictionary People, employees and volunteers who collected words and definitions for the Oxford English Dictionary. I liked the set up of the book—each chapter is a letter of the alphabet and a topic starting with that letter. Some chapters are terrific, and others ramble a bit. This is not a boon to sit and read for hours on end; I found myself reading a chapter or two at a time.

I completed 12 books in June and probably started a dozen more that still need to be finished, haha!

I so loved The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies and was surprised by how much I liked Gone Girl. A Thousand Ships was amazing!

At the halfway mark of the year, I am well on my way of reaching my 125 GR goal, and probably the earliest ever.

On to July!

I am terribly behind on my monthly wrap up posts, as well as my half year report…it has not been an easy, healthy week!

First, the #BBRC challenge for 2023-2024 ended on June 30th; I had my best showing ever for this challenge, with 80% completed. Thanks for hosting, @LibrarianRyan ! I‘m already gathering challenges for this year‘s challenge!

It‘s July, which means our next #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead title! I‘m looking forward to this one, and admittedly, I have a bit of cover love for it!

Anyone is welcome to join this low key buddy read. Read at your own pace, with discussion questions on July 31st. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month.

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

#LittenDetectives : We are less than two weeks away from our discussion! What sign will the twisted candles show to Nancy? How many dangerous episodes will Nancy and her friends encounter?

Discussion on the 15th!

I promise…I did not look at the #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin numbers yet!

Here are my July #BookSpinBingo choices!

To my #LiteraryCrew and #NancyDrewBR friends: I‘m really under the weather today so will make the posts for the upcoming books hopefully tomorrow…pesky stomach virus. So sorry!!