On My Nightstand April 23, 2023

April has been a lot of work! I’m trying to recover this weekend. I started last night with a slice of cheesecake and a book on the couch. Today I plan on laying in bed with tea for a while then some puttering in the garden after church.

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“But you want murderous feelings? Hang around librarians,” confided Gamache. “All that silence. Gives them ideas.””

— A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

What I’m Reading This Week

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -- Still working on this one!

Hidden Moon by James Church -- Another holdover from last week. Hopefully I’ll finish soon.

Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill -- I’m enjoying the audio of this whymsical mystery set in Thailand.

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

On My Nightstand April 16, 2023

We’re slowly getting back into the swing of things after our trip to North Carolina. The weather has been gorgeous (much nicer than the beach!) so my focus has been on the yard. That means the laundry isn’t quite done, and we’re still not unpacked.

In my reading life I have been trying to catch up on my ARCs and reviews, and figure out how to reach my goals this year. I’ve been on a multi-year quest to read a book set in each country in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. (I will probably add Europe in next year.) I started my Scribd account up again, but might cancel after my thirty free days. We’ll see.

March was a great reading month for me. I wrote about my favorites here.

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“Reading is my favorite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read.”

— Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

What I’m Reading This Week

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -- I’m finally making progress on this one, but I need a few more weeks to finish.

Murdered Midas by Charlotte Gray -- This is my work book club’s pick for April. Scribd had it on audiobook which helped seal the deal on me starting my account again.

Hidden Moon by James Church -- I read the first one in this series a few months ago, and liked it enough to keep going.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

On My Nightstand April 9 2023

Happy Easter to those who celebrate, and to everyone else have a beautiful Sunday. This is my favorite holiday, and I’m hoping for a peaceful day with my kiddos. Plus a little reading of course.

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“Easter is never deserved.”

— Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon

What I’m Reading This Week

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -- I’ve been trying to read this for months, but its such a chunkster I keep falling asleep when reading it in bed and dropping it on my face. I’m going to try on kindle instead.

Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill -- I was looking for a mystery set in Thailand for the #FoodAndLit challenge, and couldn’t resist this title.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens -- We watched this mini series on PBS and wanted to give the audiobook a try during a long car trip.

Note: links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

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

Show Us Your Books November 2021

October was a good solid reading month. Nothing blew me away, but I was completely entertained by everything I read.

Four Stars

Where The Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass - I absolutely loved this retelling of Jane Austen‘s Persuasion set in Tobago. It was a perfect mix of homage to a classic and modern themes. The narrator was excellent as well.

State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny - This was an enjoyable mystery/thriller with all sorts of twists and turns. There were several times when the fact that it was written by Hillary Clinton with all her inside knowledge took me out of the story, but overall I enjoyed the ride. I LOVED the cameos from Three Pines (Louise Penny’s mystery series.)

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab - From what I‘ve heard about this book I was nervous I wouldn‘t like it, but the story really worked for me. I think if I said more it would spoil it, but I do recommend this one.

Three Stars

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict - This book was good. You think it‘s one thing and then you get to the end and realize it‘s something else. Recommend.

Faithful Place by Tana French - This was my favorite of the series so far. The characters were so flawed but you could relate to them.

A Star For Mrs. Blake by April Smith - Historical fiction about the gold star mothers who went to see their sons‘ graves in France between the world wars. Likable characters living a subject I didn’t know much about.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

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January 2017 Quick Lit

Each month I link with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit as a way to talk about the books I liked, but didn't review.

Hello readers! Happy New Year!

I read so many wonderful books at the end of last year, that it's no surprise that I'm in a bit of a reading slump now. I'm hoping now that new year work craziness has eased it'll pick back up again.

Here are the winners from late December and early January.

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne - This is a World War II book told from a perspective you don't often hear. It's an interesting look at how power corrupts, and an example of just how Nazi Germany came to be.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik - So, so good. Perfect for curling up with on a cold day. It's a fantasy book that is not a trilogy! Imagine that!

Forty Autumns by Nina Willner - I've been meaning to read more about the Cold War, and starting with this book really enhanced my interest. It's a non-fiction account of a family on both sides of the wall. Don't let the length or the subject matter worry you. This is a super engaging quick read. (Review copy from Library Thing)

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson - I read this, oh , probably about 15 years ago. I wanted to read it again to see if it held up. I'm happy to say it did. It's a World War II book with touches of To Kill A Mockingbird. If you missed it when it first came out, it's not too late.

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