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.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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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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On My Nightstand June 7, 2025

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Another week of checking way too many books out of the library, and not reading any of them! This is the last really busy weekend, so hopefully I’ll get to some of them soon.

Quote of the week

“We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it, if it were not the earth where the same flowers come up again every spring that we used to gather with our tiny fingers as we sat lisping to ourselves on the grass, the same hips and haws on the autumn hedgerows, the same redbreasts that we used to call ‘God’s birds’ because they did no harm to the precious crops. What novelty is worth that sweet monotony where everything is known and loved because it is known?”
— The Mill On The Floss by George Elliot

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’m still working on Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem and Across The Airless Wilds. Hoping I get some long nights with these on the porch soon.

Kindle - I started the nap dream that is Audition by Katie Kitamura. What a ride!

Audio - I was lucky enough to get Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. Loving this.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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Walking Wednesday June 4, 2025

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Looking at the weather report this may be the last tolerable week before the humidity of summer starts. I’ve been taking advantage!

I got the new Stephen King book from my library so I had to jump on that. There’s a long like of people waiting behind me! I wasn’t exactly in the mood since I just finished a Stephen King book, but the holds list at the library is the boss!

June 2025 Garden Update

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It’s been a cool spring here which has been good for my cool weather plants. Some years it gets hot so early that we get a grand total of one pea before the plants die off. This year we’ve had a good crop. I had visions of stir fries but my daughter loves snow peas in her lunch so she’s been getting most of them with carrots, cherry tomatoes, and hummus. I’ve been snacking on the peas too, and loving fresh salads from my lettuce.

We have been loving watching the family of bunnies that have moved in this year. So far they are staying away from my garden aside from some Brussels sprouts and cilantro early on. Mostly they go after the clover in the lawn, so yay for not spraying weeds. I’m hoping we can keep this set up as the summer gets hotter.

I’ve just been listening to my regular audiobooks while I work outside. This time of year the work isn’t heavy so it’s manageable in a half hour or so every few days. Later though I’ll need some full days in the sun and some engrossing audiobooks to keep me going. I have a library book I want to read this month too - The Hungry Season by Lisa M Hamilton.

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My June 2025 TBR

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May Beginning TBR: 451
May Ending TBR: 490

Despite reading 19 books in May my TBR jumped up almost 40 books. Couldn’t help it. The summer reading lists are so good this year! So many new books from new to me authors and old favorites. I’m hoping it warms up enough soon so that I can sit on my porch at night. That’s when the best reading gets done.

Here are the twenty books I want to read in June (still working on my May list too.) It’s a mix of new releases and physical books I want to clear off my shelves.

1) The Boy With The Narwhal Tooth by Christoffer Petersen

2) Ghosted by Amanda Quain

3) Audition by Katie Kitamura

4) Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

5) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

6) The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman

7) The Hungry Season by Lisa M. Hamilton

8) Called Again by Jennifer Pharr Davis

9) The Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

10) Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson

11) Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq

12) Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy

13) Starter Villain by John Scalzi

14) Leaving Orbit by Margaret Lazurus Dean

15) Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien

16) Yukon Alone by John Balzar

17) New Girl in Little Cove by Damhnait Monaghan

18) Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

19) I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman

20) The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Happy reading all!

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On My Nightstand May 31, 2025

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I’m looking forward to a weekend in the yard which means audiobooks! We got a massive amount of rain last night so the weeds will come out easily today. Can’t wait to get that done. I think I’ll be looking for a spot to plant some more veggie seeds too. This spring has been so cool I think I’m going to be able to get away with a few more weeks of beans.

Tomorrow starts a new month, but I’m still in the middle of about 5 May reads. Whatever, this is not my year to meet deadlines- even the fake reading deadlines I set for myself.

Quote of the week

“No one ever owns a cat...You share a common habitation on a basis of equal rights and mutual respect...although somehow the cat always comes out ahead in the deal.”
— The Cat Who Turned On and Off by Lilian Jackson Braun

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’m still working on Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem and Across The Airless Wilds. It’s going to take me a while, but it’s so worth the time.

Kindle - The Time In Between by Maria Duenas is just as good the second time as the first. I’m thinking I will finish this chunkster over the weekend.

Audio - I have a bunch of Stephen King books on the go. Right now I’m listening to The Dark Half (not sure if I read this when it first came out), then the new one, Never Flinch, and then finally a re-read of Firestarter. Stephen King books say summer to me.

This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

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On My Nightstand May 24, 2025

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The calendar says it should feel like summer, but the weather says otherwise. I’m regretting that I put my winter clothes away. If you’re looking for me I’ll be under a blanket reading my books.

Quote of the week

“Let the world disapprove if we do what we know to be right; let us take no pride in society’s approval if it rises from that which we know to be wrong.”
— The Rushworth Family Plot Claudia Gray

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’m still working on Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem. Once I started I realized I also had his other book Across The Airless Wilds out from the library and I’ve been going back and forth between the two. I love his writing so much. Hoping to finish one or both this weekend.

Kindle - I’m planning on starting one of the two books I have about the Spanish Civil War this weekend - The Palace at the End of the Sea by Simon Tolkien and The Time In Between by Maria Duenas.

Audio - I’ve been listening to Dr No by Percival Everett. What a crazy ride.

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