On My Nightstand November 6, 2022

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The moon rising in a pink sky

November sunsets make this dark month bearable.

I decided to participate in #NonFictionNovember this month, and I’m loving what I’ve been reading so far. My October reading was kind of blah, so I’m happy to really be enjoying my books again.

I’ve also been having fun signing up for and choosing books for all sorts of challenges next year. This week I should have some time to write about them here. I miss writing more about books!

Here’s what I’m reading this week:

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan - I’ve always really enjoyed Corrigan’s books, and am looking forward to starting this one. This was on my list last week too, so I’m really hoping this is the week and I don’t have to return this to the library before I get to it.

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai - I heard about this on the What Should I Read Next podcast and immediately downloaded it. I’m really enjoying it so far, and it doesn’t hurt that it fits a prompt for one of my 2022 reading challenges.

Agatha Christie An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley - I think Agatha’s books are just so so, but I am completely fascinated by her life. I can’t wait to dive into this biography.

The Other Man by Farhad J. Dadyburjor - The Food and Lit group is reading and eating from India this year. The book I originally picked was really dense and I read the first two pages three times. I decided to bail, and found this romantic comedy on my kindle instead. Sometimes life is too short, you know?

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On My Nightstand October 30, 2022

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Thank you all for your well wishes last week. It was a long week of funerals and ceremonies, but I’m glad my friend had such a fitting send off.

This weekend is Confirmation for my son, and then early Thanksgiving since everyone will be together. We’re looking forward to that!

In between I plan on sneaking off to read. I need to re-charge somehow! Here’s what’s on my nightstand this week.

No Exit by Taylor Adams - I’m about halfway through this one, and I love the creepiness factor,

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan - I’ve enjoyed other books by Corrigan, and am looking forward to this one.

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

On My Nightstand October 23, 2022

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This week didn’t turn out like I had planned. Very sadly, one of my best friends passed away last week. I am still reading, but soon I will need to stop and regroup. For now, here’s what’s on my nightstand this week.

What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J A Chancy - The #FoodandLit club on Litsy is reading and eating from Haiti this month. I’ll admit I picked this one based on the title and cover alone.

On the Slab Pie by P.D. Workman -- Another cozy mystery for my work book club. I hope after this we’re done with these for a while.

Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny -- Slowly re-reading this series before the new one comes out in November!

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REVIEW: The Dollhouse by Charis Cotter

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The novel The Doolhouse by Charis Cotter on a table with a doughnut on a red plate and a coffee mug that says "Witches Brew"

Alice has a whole spectacular summer planned with her friends now that they are finally old enough to stay home alone. That is all put on hold when her parents decide to separate and her mom takes a job upstate. To make matters worse Alice suffers a concussion when her train stops suddenly on the way there and she bumps her head. Add in a cranky old lady and a dollhouse in the attic and Alice is not having the summer she planned!

Living dolls is one of my very favorite creepy things to read about this time of year, and this middle grade novel from Library Thing Early Reviewers did not disappoint! I am passing this one on to my 11 year old next. A good, fun book for Halloween reading.

Show Us Your Books October 2022

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Wicket witch legs popping up from a pile of pumpkins (Halloween decoration seen in Old Town Alexandria)

Right now I’m all things Halloween, but back in September I read with a little more variety. Here are the highlights:

Five Stars:

Dear Martin by Nic Stone - This little book packed an incredible punch. I couldn‘t stop until I knew what happened.

Four Stars:

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - When everyone started reviewing this book partially narrated by an octopus I didn‘t really think it was for me. Turns out I was wrong! I loved this audiobook.

This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews - Stayed in bed on the 22nd and read this cozy graphic novel that takes place on the Fall Equinox. It got me ready for ready for all things autumn!

American Rascal by Greg Steinmetz - This could have been a dry text, but Steinmetz kept it interesting. My favorite part was when he contrasted Gould‘s manipulations of the market with present day. Listened to this on a road trip, and my husband and I both enjoyed it.

Three Stars:

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center - This was adorable. I really enjoyed it. It was light, but still had a satisfying amount of character growth, and the love story was just right.

Overboard by Sara Paretsky - I say it every time I read one of these books- I want to be VI when I grow up. I‘ve been reading these since I was in high school and I really enjoy this series.

The Bright Continent by Dayo Olopade - A book about some of the good things happening in modern Africa. I‘m glad I read this one!

This post is linked to Quick Lit.

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On My Nightstand October 16, 2022

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Th book The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani next to a plate with a sandwich, a pickle, and chees-its. All are outside on a table on a sunny day.

I way underestimated the available hours in my schedule last week, so I’m playing catch up this morning (and maybe working a little ahead?)

I was in the office four days, my son has homecoming plus two cross country races, and my daughter had soccer and extra dance classes. I guess we’re all trying to fit what we can in while there’s still some sunshine and daylight to be had!

Here’s what I have on my nightstand this week. A lot of it is leftovers from last week, which I never posted about because I lost track of time then too. That’s October!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Joanne Fluke - I’m about a chapter in on this one. So far it’s a typical cozy mystery involving baking and death. (This one is free for Amazon Prime members.)

What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J A Chancy - The #FoodandLit club on Litsy is reading and eating from Haiti this month. I’ll admit I picked this one based on the title and cover alone.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - I finished Jane Eyre last week, so this was the natural next read. I have a hardcover version of this, but I noticed it’s also available on Kindle Unlimited.

Horseman by Christina Henry - Reading this for a book club, and it’s a little more yuck than I prefer, but it’s not terrible.

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

On My Nightstand October 2, 2022

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A small pumpkin on a red book with Scrabble tiles that spell OCT

October is here! I am so excited. I pulled all of my decorations and flannel PJs out of the attic last night. I had planned on reading for a good chunk of the time yesterday, but then I fell asleep. Now that I’m caught up on rest I’ll try again today!

A few of the challenges I’m participating in the month are:

Who ever said reading wasn’t a team sport??

I also have my very own October Bucket List that I’m trying to complete.

Happy reading this week! Here’s what’s on my nightstand:

All the Queen's Men by SJ Bennett - I loved the first book in this series about Queen Elizabeth solving mysteries, and turned to the second after watching so much news coverage of her amazing life last month. You really can believe that she solved mysteries in her spare time.

Cooking The Books by Chelsea Thomas - I’ve read a few from this series featuring murders at an upstate New York apple orchard. They’re good for fun, easy reads.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - The latest chapter a day read with the Pemberlittens on Litsy. This is one of my favorite Austen books, and I’m really looking forward to it.

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

My October Bucket List

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The #Scarathlon2022 challenge on Litsy had us create an October Bucket List. I loved the idea and went a step further to create an October Reading Bucket List!

2022 October Reading Bucket List

  • Read by the fire pit

  • Read while drinking a pumpkin spice latte in a bakery or cafe

  • Read while eating pie

  • Listen to an audiobook while raking

  • Read on the front porch while drinking something warm

  • Read a graphic novel

  • Read a mystery all in one day

  • Listen to an audiobook while on a left peeping walk

  • Read while wearing a sweater

  • Read while eating candy

  • Listen to an audiobook while doing a craft

  • Read while drinking a seasonal cocktail

  • Read while wearing fuzzy socks

I can hardly wait for this weekend and all things October!

On My Nightstand September 25

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Tabby cat with a stack of books

Friday is the last day in September, so Daisy and I pulled out the rest of the books on my September stack. I don’t think I can really read three books in six days, but you never know. Maybe I’ll miss my train some day and have an hour to kill at the station. It can happen!

I am so excited for October reading. I am basically signed up to join every readathon, event, and challenge I have seen over the last few weeks. From now until January is basically reading Olympics to me. I have an October reading bucket list that I’ll post later this week.

Deacon King Kong by James McBride - I’ve had this on my shelf forever, and everyone loves it. Why has it taken me so long?

Wanderers by Kerri Andrews - Another one I’ve left on my shelf for way too long, although if I run out of time this week I might punt this one to Non-Fiction November. Yes, I have issues

The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani - It’s been a while since I’ve read one of her books. I usually find these hot or cold, so we’ll see.

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

On My Nightstand September 18

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A tabby cat on a green striped couch looking over a book.

This week major work started on our local public transportation leading to a lot of time spent commuting. Not fun, but I have been much more focused on my reading!

If you’re looking for some short reviews of what I read last month here you go! I post the highlights on the 15th of every month.

I’m getting a flu shot this weekend which always knocks me for a loop. (I know they say this isn’t true, but it happens to me every year.) So, I’m planning on some lighter reads.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Still reading this one a chapter a day! I hope to be done by November 1.

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny - I’ve been re-reading these in anticipation of the new one coming out at the end of November.

Heiress for Hire by Erin McCarthy - I got this from a Little Free Library a few months ago, and it’s time to read it so I can release it back into the wild.

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center - Looking forward to settling down with this one. I usually like her books.

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

Show Us Your Books August 2022

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Yellow sunflowers growing against a blue sky.

This is my normal timing for writing up the previous month’s reads, but for some reason August seems like a million years ago. Lazy days spent reading and napping by the water have quickly been replaced by commuting, car pools, soccer games, and packed lunches. I always forget how rough September is until September happens.

Anyway, back to August. I had a good month, but my only five star reads were re-reads. I don’t know if that’s me not concentrating as well or the books themselves. It’s hard to tell these days!

Five Star (Re) Reads

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - This remains one of my very favorite books. Fitzgerald says so much in this short novel.

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough - I re-read this on a whim after McCullough died. He does such a great job telling about this tragedy I almost felt like the skin on my feet was wrinkled from the flood water.

Four Star (New To Me) Reads

A Fish Caught In Time by Samantha Weinberg - I thoroughly enjoyed this short non-fiction account of the study of the coelacanth.

All The Presidents Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward - I wanted to learn more about Watergate so of course I went to the source. I expected Nixon gossip but this was more a super interesting retelling of all the steps the two men went through to report their story. This version also had a new intro from 2022 which compared Watergate to current events.

The Wife's Tale by Aida Edemariam - This was a fascinating woman who lived almost to 100 in Ethiopia. It was written by her granddaughter and at times was confused, but overall an excellent read.

Three Star Reads

Under The Dome by Stephen King - I think reading about a town suddenly stuck under a mysterious dome was just a little too claustrophobic and 2020 for me because I did not enjoy this one very much. I do appreciate how much research King puts into the details of his books though.

Broken Harbor by Tana French - Another captivating book from the Dublin Murder Squad series. This one was incredibly dark, but good.

Either/Or by Elif Batuman - For the first half of this book I was waiting for something to happen, but by the end the main character had grown on me.

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield - I‘m not even sure what this book was about, but I enjoyed it. I have a thing for books and movies that take place in submarines.

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On My Nighstand September 11

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A blue mug and some books on a table

Thanks everyone for your commiseration on my dependence on reading glasses last week! Honestly at the beginning of the year my reading pace was down and I thought it was just that I had no attention span. Took me an embarrassingly long time to realize it’s hard to concentrate when you can’t see the words.

I don’t like to preach, but on this day I always like to remind myself to hold your love ones tight. Life can change in the blink of an eye.

Wishing you all a great week!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - We started reading this a chapter a day on Sep. 1 and I forgot how dark the beginning is.

The Bright Continent by Dayo Olopade - Getting close to finishing this one. Parts are dry, but I’m so glad I read it.

The Final Case by David Guterson - I really loved Snow Falling on Cedars, and am looking forward to this one as well.

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

On My Nighstand September 4

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Glasses laid on a book next to a mug that says Litsy and a bookmark that says #Evolve

I continue to become more and more dependent on my reading glasses. It’s just one more thing they tell you that you will have to deal with in your 40’s that you don’t believe until it happens to you.

I have a light reading week coming up. We have Labor Day travel, and kid’s sports are going to start again. I’m going to keep my expectations low!

The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World by Tom Roston - This is for my work bookclub.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - I’m joining a group on Litsy in reading this a chapter a day.

The Bright Continent by Dayo Olopade - For #ReadingAfrica2022 I’m really looking forward to this!

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

September Reading Plans

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Pine trees in the snow

I just did a big clean out of my bookshelves and realized just how bad my unread books problem has gotten. So, my September reading plans include really trying to read some books I already own instead of getting more from the library. That said I really want to read the Three Pines series again, in order, before the next one comes out in November. I’m also running out of time on my 2022 challenges, and gearing up for Scarathalon reading next month.

So many books, so little time!

On My Nighstand August 28

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The book Lightfoot by Nicholas Jennings being read outside a school with a line of cars in front of it.

Back to school means reading in the pick up line.

Hiroshima by John Hersey - We’re reading from Japan this month for #FoodandLit on Litsy and a friend recommended this one.

Lightfoot by Nicholas Jennings - Still slowly working my way through this one. It’s so fun matching music with a book.

Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway - I love reading about Hemingway but have had mixed results when reading his actual books. I’ll give this one a try.

Show Me A Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte - This was recommended to me after I asked for recommendations for books like True Biz.

I also have a stack of gardening books and cookbooks from the library. I hope to spend some quiet time flipping through them this weekend.

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

REVIEW: Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman

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The novel Word of Honor by Halee Bridgeman on a green and white blanket.

Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman- great for a lazy morning’s read

I have been reading a lot of non-fiction lately, but over my birthday weekend I needed something lighter to read out in the back yard. I was thrilled when publisher Revell sent me a copy of this romance/suspense novel through LibraryThing Early Reviewers just in time. Government agents/exes with a past fight ecoterrorism in the Middle East? Happy birthday to me!

This romance about federal agents chasing a group of ecoterrorists was a great escape after a busy week. I enjoyed the story, and the romance was just enough to add interest without taking over. Parts were a little unbelievable, like being dropped in the Middle East without training and just fitting in. But I really didn’t read this story because I wanted believable. I wanted suspense and romance, and I got that.

Here’s the official blurb from the editor:

FBI Special Agent Lynda Culter is investigating an ecoterrorist organization in the Alaskan wilderness when her partner is taken captive and murdered before her very eyes. The only person who can identify the key players, Lynda gets assigned to take part in a joint operation in Istanbul to take the organization down.As a woman in a Muslim country, she'll find it much easier to move around undetected with a fake husband. Unfortunately for her, the man assigned to play the role is none other than US Army weapons specialist Bill Sanders--the man who crushed her heart into a million pieces back in college.With a cargo bay's worth of hurt and baggage between them, these two consummate professionals must play their parts perfectly if they hope to stop those responsible for bombing oil pipelines, killing innocent civilians, and threatening to destabilize the oil markets. But love long buried has a way of resurfacing at the most inopportune times--and protecting Lynda has become Bill's primary focus.

Give this one a try if you’re looking for something fun!

On My Nightstand August 21

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A firepit on a brick patio with sunflowers and a small pond in the background. This is the August view from my outdoor reading chair.

The view from my reading chair last weekend.

Now that the kids are going back to school I’m looking forward to getting back into a routine. I also want to get back to posting here. I love having this record of my reading life! (This isn’t a complaint about my kids. They’re great. It’s just we travel a lot when they’re out of school, and when we’re not traveling any sort of routine I would develop is blown out of the water by needing to drive them places. So any hour not spent with logistics is spent working.)

Last weekend was wonderful- I spent a good part of it in my reading chair on the back patio catching up with my books. I’m hoping to carry on that momentum this weekend!

Here’s what’s on my nightstand:

Lightfoot by Nicholas Jennings - I picked this up when I was in New Hampshire and have been reading it slowly because I need to keep stopping to listen to the music referenced. I’m really enjoying this one.

A Fish Caught in Time: The Search for the Coelacanth by Samantha Weinberg - I picked this up as part of the #ReadingAfrica challenge. It looks super nerdy and I’m looking forward to it.

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield - This is part of a buddy read on Litsy. It’s a bit odd and I’m still waiting for something to happen.

All The President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward - This is my current audiobook. I started this to get all the dirt on Nixon, but I’m staying for the fascinating working relationship between Woodward and Bernstein.

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

Show Us Your Books August 2022

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It used to be that I would read a lot more when I was traveling, but now I read a lot less. My kids are older, and we’re out a lot later. I’m loving spending time with them as tweens and teens, but my reading definitely takes a hit on travel heavy months.Still, what I did read last month was really, really good. So, I traveled a lot, my kids are still talking to me, and I spent some time with good quality books. So what if my counts aren’t as high this year?

5 Stars

American Made by Farah Stockman - This was an incredible book. The author followed three people from a closed factory in Indiana made famous when President Trump tweeted about it. The book which covered the former president‘s administration really looked at the issues faced by factory workers in a way you won‘t see on the news no matter what channel you watch. Highly recommend.

Four Stars

Black Water Lilies by Michel Bussi - I could not stop reading this mystery set in France until I found out what happened and then my mind exploded.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo - This was a good, slow read to get lost in. The ending was devastating.

The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper - This was an excellent book about growing up in Liberia, and later leaving as a refugee in the 1980‘s. I highly recommend the audiobook read by the author.

When A Crocodile Eats The Sun by Peter Godwin - This was a very emotional memoir written by a journalist in the US who was also trying to care for his aging parents in Zimbabwe. It was a story that was both un-relatable and completely relatable all at the same time.

The Burning Blue by Kevin Cook - A comprehensive but sad book about the Challenger disaster. You just want to yell into the book and tell them not to get on that shuttle.

The Great Stewardess Rebellion by Nell McShane Wulfhart - A well researched book about the fight for flight attendants to be seen as professionals and not just a pretty face. With everything going on in the US right now it was a good reminder of how women used to be treated and how hard they had to fight.

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COOKBOOK REVIEW: Mastering The Art of French Cooking by Julia Child

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A picture of the cookbook Mastering The Art of French Cooking

So glad my library has a good collection of cookbooks!

In July we did France for #FoodAndLit on Litsy. I didn’t even have to think about it- I was finally going to cook from Mastering The Art of French Cooking. Despite being a devoted fan of the Julia and Julie project back in the 00’s I’ve never cracked the spine of the book that inspired that brief national obsession.

A colletion of graden fresh tomatoes just washed drying in the sun on a white dish towel.

Tomatoes from a stranger’s garden

I expected this to be hard to cook from, but it was actually really approachable. I marked several recipes that I had stuff on hand to try, but ended up going with Sauce Tomate because of the big bag of beautiful tomatoes someone gave us. I’ve never before put bacon in my tomato sauce, but it sounded amazing.

It was! I cooked the sauce down all day and then froze it with some beef strips. I reheated the whole thing yesterday in my crockpot. This will be a repeater!

For the Lit part of this #FoodAndLit challenge I ended up with two books. I re-read All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (holds up), and and in the middle of Black Water Lilies by Michel Bussi (gripping so far.)

Next month we’re on to Japan!

Show Us Your Books July 2022

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Even though Steph and Jana have decided not to continue with the Show Us Your Books tradition (understandably, it’s a big job and they’ve been doing it a while,) I have decided to keep going. Don’t judge me. That’s a long sentence, and I have just sprinkled punctuation throughout. There’s a reason I’m a reader and not a writer!

June was a fairly good reading month despite the general chaotic nature of June when you have kids in school. I didn’t read anything completely mind blowing, but read several books I enjoyed a lot while sitting in my yard. That, to me, is what summer reading should be.

Five Stars

The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian - I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller. It‘s been a while since I‘ve started a book and had trouble putting it down. This one is perfect for summer.

Wandering In Strange Lands by Morgan Jerkins - This book was fascinating. It‘s part history and part genealogy, written by a woman from New Jersey with a family that moved there during the Great Migration. I thought I was pretty well educated about that chapter of American history but I learned so much. I read this for a book club and it was a great discussion.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner - This was my third of fourth time reading this one. I just love it so much, and I get something new from it each time. I think it’s one of the best descriptions of long term adult friendship that I’ve ever read.

Four Stars

Last Summer At The Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland - A fun and nostalgic summer read.

The Purpose of Power by Alicia Garza - This was another book club read for a different book club. I came for the history of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and stayed for the organization and management tips. These was so much in this book.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry - A great book for sitting outside and reading on a beautiful summer day. I thought this was her best yet.

The Great Gatsby Graphic Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Fred Fordham - I appreciated this graphic adaptation of one of my favorite novels. Reading this on the longest day of the year might become a tradition for me. Next year I‘ll have to get some champagne.

Three Stars

Mrs. March by Virginia Feito - Once I realized this was not the modern retelling of Little Women I thought it was I settled in and enjoyed the messed up tale told by the unreliable narrator, Mrs March. The weirdest thing was how she referred to herself as Mrs March even in childhood flashbacks.

True Biz by Sara Novic - This was yet another book club read. (Covid is terrible, but I’ve joined some really good online book clubs!) I enjoyed this novel about life at a boarding school for deaf kids right up until the off putting ending.

Bleaker House by Nell Stevens - This was a pleasant enough memoir about a writing student on a fellowship to write a novel in the Falklands. I could have done without the chapters of her failed novel, but I liked learning about what it was like to write when you‘re truly alone.

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