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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!!!

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

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

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.

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!

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?

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.

Went from Fall reading directly to Fall baking!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Foley has crafted an irresistible narrative that blends the present day with a dark, dark past. Her cast of characters, especially Bella and Francesca, crawl out of the pages and into your brain until you can‘t stop turning pages just to find out what happens. What really hooked me here was the dual narrative of the secret-in-the-past plot line that binds Bella and Francesca and the creepy parallel story featuring a local legend of menacing birds.

Starting my first #hyggehourreadathon on this rainy, cold Sunday evening. Had my son‘s pup for a few days so all of us are tuckered out tonight. Hubs watching b-ball, both my pups falling asleep, one after a round of zoomies. @AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @jenniferw88

This lovely, gentle book contains a deceptively gripping plot and a wonderful set of characters who will stay with me for a long time. The concept of chivalry runs strong and true through the narrative as the reader follows Charles de la Fontaine (or Charles d‘Outre-mer) as he grows from a thoughtful boy obsessed with history to a man grown in the image of his father (or is he?) Full review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

This book gets ALL the descriptors: mysterious, lovely, heartbreaking, satisfying, lyrical, deadly, and so many more. Ah San (Snow) and Tagtaa are characters I will remember for a very long time. Both driven by love for family & loyalty to friends and lovers, they drive this story forward as one seeks revenge and one seeks to protect. The complicated relationships that connect the two women and Bao are intricately plotted and beautifully rendered.

Another of my favorites comes to a close with Winspear‘s final entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. As expected, the writing is exquisite and the characters richly drawn and developed. While there‘s less of a mystery here and more tying up of loose ends, the story hangs together nicely and is peppered with references to earlier books and events. Such a wonderful series.

I'm actually writing about diMarco's latest in the Zodiac series, but it doesn't seem to be in the Litsy database. The Light Beside the Sea is the newest in this series, but I wholeheartedly recommend her Zodiac mystery series. Lots of fun and very informative. The tone is similar to Juliet Blackwell's Lily Ivory series. See review here https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2024/06/04/the-light-beside-the-sea-by-connie-di-....

Been thinking about this lately and came across this infographic from the Scottish Book Trust. Why do YOU read?

Readers who like a blend of police procedural with familial and village drama will surely enjoy this debut series from Morag Pringle. The setting on the remote islands of Uist combined with a complex, well-developed mystery will draw readers in and keep them glued to page after page. Fans of Ann Cleeves & Elly Griffiths will enjoy this one.

Brackston‘s latest is the first in what promises to be an exciting series. I‘ve seen some reviewers complain about the end being unsatisfying. I found it quite the opposite. No, the singular villain has not been revealed but that only serves to make me anticipate the future adventures of Miss Cavendish. And that definitely doesn‘t mean that there‘s a lack of a satisfying climax - in fact there are two very compelling scenes that lead to the end.

It‘s not often I find a cookbook that is as much a story as a collection of recipes. Crystal Wilkinson writes a lovely, flowing memoir of her family as seen through the food they grew and consumed. Blending elements of a family scrapbook (snapshots of Wilkinson‘s people likely taken with an old Kodak or Polaroid camera) are interspersed with fancier photos of the current finished recipes. Full review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

Deep into the ARC of this fabulous story. It‘s out in February so look for it. If you loved Mr. Penumbra‘s 24 Hour Bookstore or just enjoy books about books, you will enjoy this. Warning though - there‘s some disturbing cruelty and sociopathic behavior described in some detail.

Found in my library. The name of this book? Spectral Images. 😁

The concept of heirlooms is something that has been top of mind for me in the last few years as my family has coped with multiple losses of our elders and kin. My home is currently filled with things that connect me to those who have gone before me, all of them keeping a story that is a thread of my past. If anything, this book made me pull out my grandmother‘s old silver, polish it up and place it in my every-day utensil drawer.

Here‘s the second in my “Six Degrees” reading challenge. Enjoy!

Here‘s the first in a set of 6 reading challenges I created for my library system. Each book is related to a fact about the author. As an extra challenge, discover the facts! #ReadingChallenge #ReadingChallenge2024

The setting at this remote, snowbound Scottish estate is right out of Agatha Christie and the Golden Age country house murder mysteries. Cordani is great at setting the scene and using narrative description to build tension.

I‘m on a Christmas murder mystery binge right now and this one is definitely recommended! Full review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

Spent the last few days utterly immersed in this remarkable book. It is unlike anything Arden has published before but it is every bit as good, altho there are hints of Midnight and Chaos if you look carefully. One of the best ARCs I‘ve read this year. Get it in 2024.

This was my FB memory today. 14 years ago, I apparently loved the Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis feature on Shelfari. Can you write a synopsis of your favorite book in 115 characters or less? Here's mine: Evil b*tch haunts shrinking violet in gloomy castle by the sea guarded by venomous woman in black.

What‘s yours????

This is not an easy book but well worth it. written in dialect and layer upon layer of brilliant commentary on sight (what‘s real and what‘s not), aging, dreaming, and healing. Simply gorgeous. Full review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

What an awesome #HauntedHollowSwap! Just what I needed at the end of a long day. Thank you @kaykay521 for the wonderfully spooky things and thanks to @wanderinglynn for hosting another successful swap! #HHS