On My Nightstand September 13, 2025

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this cat means business

I think I’m starting to adjust to the fall schedule (I probably shouldn’t say that out loud. Sorry, universe.) I was in a definite reading slump the first half of this month, but I finished some good books this week. Fingers crossed for all of this.

I had been wanting a place to write about cooking and food prep so I started a substack. If you’re interested here it is - Pound Cake and Mint Tea.

Have a good week everyone.

Quote of the Week

“Just wait, starts off every piece of advice that anyone gives a pregnant woman. You’re tired now? Just wait. you’re anxious and scared now? Just wait. You think you’ve felt love? Just wait. As if there is another choice.”
— Tilt by Emma Pattee

a random banana in a tree at the library

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Buried In A Good Book by Tamara Berry - In my never ending quest to get all of the free cozies off my kindle I’m going to start this today.

Audio - I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue - I started this yesterday and it’s touching and funny at the same time.

Paper - Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry - I have no idea why this is taking me so long to read, but I’m almost done. I like it, just don’t think to pick it up.

amazingly delicious tacos from a food truck last week

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On My Nightstand September 6, 2025

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sunrise reading on my way to work

I have been so thrown off this week. I keep mixing up my days and I have constantly had to remind myself where I’m supposed to be. And is that scratch in my throat allergies or the start of some dread disease? Ah, it must be September.

Quote of the week:

“He’s said nothing. He’s just said, ‘The world works pretty well as is for me.’”
— Woodworking by Emily St. James

reading with a kitty

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Katrina by Gary Rivlin - This isn’t an easy book to read, but it’s very informative.

Audiobook - Table For Two by Amor Towles - Short stories are great for my short attention span this week. I’m enjoying this collection.

Paper Book - Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry - Still working on this, but at 400 pages it’s taking me a while to get through.

watermelon juice

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On My Nightstand August 30, 2025

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kitty says hi

I’m slowly getting used to the new schedule around here, but glad for the long weekend. Here’s hoping we can catch our breath a bit. I have three books picked out for the long weekend. Let’s see if I can make it happen.

Quote of the week:

“My goal is to make it into the arms of my Savior without having to install another app.”
— The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani

storm clouds form but we still have no rain

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani - Almost done with this one. A great end of summer read.

Audiobook - There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraquib - I got mixed up and thought this was a different book when I downloaded it. Now that I’ve adjusted though I’m enjoying it.

Paper Book - Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry - Emily Henry is a summer must read for me.

Butterfly baby on my porch wall

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Walking Wednesday August 27, 2025

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I have been getting my steps in, but they’re all running round steps not intentional walk steps. I always seem to have this issue every time my schedule changes- which it seems to do every 2 months or so. I’ll figure it out eventually!

I’m between audiobooks and mostly listening to podcasts at the moment. I have a few more books on my list for August so eventually I will settle on one.

On My Nightstand August 23, 2025

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visits from a dragonfly

There was a lot going on this week, and it just flew by. Both kids had orientation this week on top of sports practices and scrimmages. I work in DC so that’s been interesting. There are painters at the house. And the weather is weird due to Erin. I have liked my books, but not loved anything. I’m not sure if that’s my mood or the books I’ve been picking.

Quote of the week:

“The years came and went like the fingerling waves inside the lagoon, tickling the stilt roots of the mangroves, then stepping away.”
— A Tortise For The Queen of Tonga by Julia Whitty

hi there

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani - I love Trigiani’s books, and am looking forward to starting this tonight.

Audiobook - The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen - I started this book on Kindle but was having trouble getting through it. So far it’s going better on audio.

Paper Book - Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr - I’m about halfway through this one and enjoying it. I’m excited to find a new series to read.

summer sunsets

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Trapped In A Spooky House

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This year I am participating in Trapped In A Spooky House on Litsy. Basically someone will pick five books from this list for me to read in October. I can’t wait!

Here’s my list. I’m including all things murder, mystery, and spooky from my list.

1) The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald

2) Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

3) Ghosted by Amanda Quain

4) Bitter Harvest by Wendy Tyson

5) The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

6) The Crash by Freida McFadden

7) The Bane Witch Ava Morgyn

8) Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

9) Outback by Patricia Wolf

10) The Boomerang by Robert Bailey

11) Twenty Years Later Charlie Donlea

12) Death of A Novice by Cora Harrison

13) These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

14) The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

15) The Cat Who Saw Red by Lilian Jackson Braun

16) Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien

17) Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber

18) Burn by Peter Heller

19) The Unmothers by Leslie Anderson

20) Sunburn by Laura Lippman

Walking Wednesday August 20, 2025

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A few pics from home and a few pics from vacation. I’m still in limbo here. I can pack in about 20 minutes but it takes me 2 weeks minimum to unpack from even the shortest of trips.

I started listening to Cujo by Stephen King this week. It’s an odd listen because the narrator sounds a lot like the narrator from the Little House on the Prairie books. I need to research and see if it actually is.

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On My Nightstand August 16, 2025

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a leaf from my walk yesterday

I found my first fall leaf yesterday. Hopefully that’s more to do with the most recent heat wave and drought and not a sign that summer is over. Although the kids are already back at sports and have orientation next week. I am going to enjoy this year to the fullest since they will actually both be on the same schedule.

We had trips to New Hampshire and Michigan in the weeks since I’ve posted. Both were fun and beautiful, but boy am I glad to be home. I missed my bed, my cats, and my kitchen.

Quote of the week:

“She ventured on having her lunch brought upon a tray into the drawing-room, so that she might eat her sandwiches while she went on with her book.”
— Wives and Daughtes by Elizabeth Gaskell

sleeping bear dunes in michigan

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Bug Hollow by Michelle Huneven - I loved her book Search, so I snapped this up as soon as it became available from the library. It’s a good, quick read so far.

Audiobook - Deenie by Judy Blume - For a reading challenge on Litsy. What a blast from the past!

Paper Book - Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr - I’m excited to finally start this National Parks series.

Bald knob in new hampshire

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What I Read On My Summer Vacation

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I took a month off from posting just to give myself a break. But I’m back now and looking forward to sharing again! I’ve been having a great reading summer even if the weather hasn’t been the best for reading outside. Reading in the AC is good too.

Here are the best of the best, my 4 and 5 star reads from the July 2025. My theme seems to be books that are sad but hopeful.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - My son read this for his freshman English class and I’ve been meaning to read it since. (He’s a senior now 🤷‍♀️)

I loved it. It touches on a lot of sad topics, but with a lot of hope.

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters - Have you read this book yet? It‘s been on my list since it came out and I finally read it this weekend. It‘s so sad and happy all at the same time.

Woodworking by Emily St James - I’ll add my praise to that of other reviewers. Every time this verged on cheesy or over the top St James brought it back to the likable but flawed characters. I loved it.

A Tortoise For The Queen of Tonga by Julia Whitty - Finally got to this book of short stories after buying it for #ReadingOceania last year. Only the first story took place in Tonga, but I enjoyed all of them. They were about different things but I liked how they embraced nature and took place in unique locations.

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor - This one started as a low pick for me- story within a story very rarely is my thing. I have a very hard time stopping myself from skimming over those parts. The ending though, if I understood it correctly, blew me away.

The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh - This novel revolved around several lives in the Sundarbans - river islands on the border of India and Bangladesh. There’s a scientist studying freshwater dolphins, the prodigal nephew returning for the first time since he was sent as a punishment as a child, the young family struggling with expectations, and the hospital administrator quietly living her life as the unsung hero among those doing big things. The description of the area made me want to get in a boat and sail there right away. This is a slow start but I’m really glad I stuck with it.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo - The drama upon drama in this book made it perfect summer reading for me. I think ice skating/Olympics fans will enjoy this one.

That’s all for this month! I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things with you all!

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Show Us Your Books July 2025

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marilla of green gables in front of my june blooms

June was the best reading month I’ve had in years. In retrospect I was probably hiding from the world news, but I guess there are worse coping mechanisms. Long light nights, a pause in sports, and a lighter work schedule also probably helped. Here are some short reviews from the best of the best reads in June. (I’m not including re-reads here. These are in no particular order.)

Heartwood by Amity Gage - It’s been a long time since a book made me stay up past my bedtime. This one was so worth it though. It’s one of those books where the story is about one thing (missing hiker in Maine) but really it’s about something else (women.) I loved this. Might be my favorite all year.

The Brothers K by David James Duncan - This book took me months to read but it was worth it. It’s a chunkster about a troubled family trying to make their way through the 60’s and the 70’s in Washington. I recommend it.

Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy - I really liked this. It was a new story about Marilla’s younger years, and it took some turns but seemed true to the originals. Recommend for Anne fans.

Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by ? - I was annoyed with this anonymous author at first, but somewhere around the time she met Lyle Lovett she began to grow on me. Her Twitter posts appeared on my feed but I wasn’t a devoted follower. I have seen the portrait at the National Gallery a few times though.

Audition by Katie Kitamura - I wouldn’t have liked this book as much if it wasn’t for a buddy read. Honestly I’m not sure what happened, which made for a really good discussion!

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy - Whew, this one really packed a punch. It’s a billion degrees here and sweaty, but I felt as if cold ocean water was creeping in all around me. The island and the whales were my favorite characters.

Be Ready When The Luck Happens by Ina Garten - Super privileged and unrelatable but still a good listen in a roll your eyes kind of way. (Ina don’t panic if you can’t find the perfect antiques to furnish your Paris apartment. It’s not that serious.)

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On My Nightstand July 12, 2025

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getting ready for a long porch reading session

I’m either getting sick or am really dehydrated. Blah. Everything hurts. Grateful for the weekend and the ability to rest, and grateful for the existence of ice cream.

Quote of the Week

“But as night falls and we all slide wearily into bed, I hear the patter of small feet and there is a boy climbing in with me, and he tells me the story of dinosaur trees. And I can understand why he might not, in fact, be alright. Why maybe none of us will be, because we have, all of us humans, decided what to save, and that is ourselves.”
— Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

keeping an eye on all the dogs that walk by

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews - Cozy mysteries are the best when you’re not feeling well.

Kindle - The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters - This book was everywhere last year, but I’m just getting to it now. I’m looking forward to it.

Audiobook - The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien - Can you believe I’ve never read these before?

the Potomac river at mason neck

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On My Nightstand July 5, 2025

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rocks painted by my niece many years ago

I did so much yard work yesterday in the name of catching up on an audiobook I had to have read for a discussion today. I think I dehydrated myself in the name of reading. Do other people have these issues?

Quote of the Week

“I can’t be normal so I’ll be something else.”
— Death of an Author by Nnedi Okorafor

cattitude

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - Enjoying this, but I might switch to audio because I want to hear the Kentucky accents.

Kindle - Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton - For a book club. Sounds like perfect summer reading.

Audiobook - Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor - This is the one I dehydrated myself for yesterday. The first half discussion is today and the second half will be next week. It’s so good so far!

perennial flowers - really taking off this year

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On My Nightstand June 29, 2025

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summer flowers are starting to take over

How was everyone’s June reading month? Despite everything going on I was able to lose myself in some really good books. Yay summer reading! I’ll post some reviews next week.

Quote of the Week

“Surviving in remote places is all about setting up contingencies. If one thing goes, there’s another option to take its place.”
— Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Weekend Goals

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy - Marilla’s back story - just what I needed!

Kindle - Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq - Still working on these short stories!

Audiobook - In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson - I’ve been wanting to re-read this Australia travel memoir and last week’s heat wave inspired me to start.

Backyard reading

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On My Nightstand June 21, 2025

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reading before a summer league game

It’s officially summer now, but I’m already planning for fall. We’ve got some book lists, uniform needs, sports physical forms, and SAT dates ready. It’s going to be too hot this week to be outside much anyway. Might as well get something done.

We had a tree fall in the yard this week during a big storm. That’ll be this weekend’s project.

Quote of the Week

“It was a June morning, and as early as it was, the room was full of sunny warmth and light.”
— Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

The cat’s summer hangout- there’s no ac in this room so that’s where they go

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage - I needed something simple to read when it’s hot outside and this fits the bill. I have to say the author got the voices/attitudes just right.

Kindle - Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq - I love having a book of short stories on my kindle for when I’m on the go.

Audiobook - I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman - Not my favorite Lippman but it’s a good listen while I’m doing yard work.

at least we got some rainbows after the storms

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On My Nightstand June 14, 2025

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I devoured Heartwood by Amity Gage this week, and now I have a book hangover. I have a feeling this weekend will be spent on magazines and short stories, because I’m still feeling all the feels.

School is out and my kids are taking a break from most sports this summer, so we have a slower pace for a few weeks. I plan on spending much quality time on the porch making up for my lost spring.

Quote of the week

“It wasn’t true that the pandemic had been easy for her. The word she refuses to use is “lonely.” A reader is never lonely.”
— Heartwood by Amity Gaige

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’ll probably go back to Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem and Across The Airless Wilds. But it’s also finally hot enough to read Emily Henry’s Great Big Beautiful Life.

Kindle - I’m working my way through Laura Lippman’s I’d Know You Anywhere for book club.

Audio - I switched from paper to audio for The Brothers K by David James Duncan.

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Show Us Your Books June 2025

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I spent most of my reading month of May either in the bleachers reading between games or listening to audiobooks in the car. Needless to say I’m pretty glad May is over. Lots of good stuff happened, but I am not cut out for that kind of pace. I’m more of make a lazy dinner then spend all night on the porch reading type of person. Yay summer! I did read a few gems though. The best of the best are listed below:

May 2025 4 and 5 Star Reads

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride - Wow, this book was something. The teenage experiences of two Black children living with depression, trauma, and being different all told in verse. Through it all fairy tales were woven in. I loved it.

Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga - A compelling book set in pre-genocide Rwanda. The tensions are there and you know what’s coming, but you can’t stop reading. I’m glad I read this.

Dr. No by Percival Everett - This book was wild. I think I might have to listen to it again to figure out what happened. It was funny though. The atheist priest had me rolling. I gave it 4 stars but they’re confused stars.

Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett - This book was a little bittersweet since it was written just before the Queen died. It’s such a fun series though with Her Majesty solving crimes without anyone knowing except her trusty assistant Rozie.

The Parrot and the Igloo by David Lipsky - This book was fascinating. The author thoroughly explained the history of climate science and what goes into the campaigns to discredit it. Everyone should read this.

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