Review: Winterset Hollow: A Novel

Winterset Hollow: A Novel by Jonathan Edward Durham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Winterset Hollow: A Novel by Jonathan Edward Durham from Union Square & Co via NetGalley.  This edition will be published around October 6, 2026.  

I've been following Jonathan Edward Durham online for awhile because I think his posts are hilarious and often align with exactly what I am thinking.  It is kind of scary.  When I found out he wrote a book, I had to read it.  I felt like I won the lottery when I was picked to receive an ARC of it!  It is essentially two books in one.  There is Winterset Hollow, the children's book that is told part by part interspersed with the story of a group of fans taking a trip to the island where the author lived to pay homage to their favorite book.  What they come to discover is you should never meet your heroes and that fairy tales often have gruesome origins if they are sugar-coated for modern children's consumption.  Reading this is like going to Disneyland only to discover Stephen King designed the whole place, and you can't leave.  As dark and horrific as it might be, I still cried in parts.  Hit me right in the feels!  My edition had the whole Winterset Hollow story at the end if you wanted to read it from start to finish instead of broken up over the course of the book.  It is quite a beautiful story with a dark underbelly.

Bonus points for some fantastic animals and an amazing cover!

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Review: Play Nice

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison is the first of her books that I had a little trouble getting into.  I didn't really like the three sisters.  I'm not really into fashion even though I am sitting here in an Eileen Fisher dress writing this review.  I kept telling myself to give it a chance because it has a purple house on the cover.  I REALLY love purple.  Plus, I have really liked Harrison's other books.  Then the youngest sister, Clio, finds a copy of the book their mother wrote about the maybe haunted house they lived in when they were younger, and I was hooked.  I like a book within a book!  I like it even better when someone has made notes in the book that I can read to give me information about what was really going on.  Harrison and I share a similar sense of humor and seem to be into the same pop culture stuff because I appreciate so many of the references!  If you like haunted house books and family drama, this will be right up your alley.

Bonus points for Taylor Swift lyrics hiding in plain sight.  

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Review: The Examiner

The Examiner by Janice Hallett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been hunting for a copy of The Examiner by Janice Hallett for quite a while and finally found a library that had a copy!  I was beginning to think it didn't actually exist or was maybe only available outside the U.S.  I'm so glad I got to read it.  Like all of the Hallett mysteries I have read, this one is told in an epistolary fashion using a variety of media and view points.  I love it when a story comes in all shapes and forms.  Who would think that a master's program in art would have so much intrigue!  But also, just when you think you know what happened, there is another surprise that you didn't expect.  If you like a good mystery with a sense of humor and not too much graphic detail, you will want to check this or any other Janice Hallett novel out!

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Review: Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds is a very timely work.  You can learn a lot from observing cats.  Unlike dogs, cats have somehow learned to coexist with people without completely losing their connection to their wild ancestors. Cats are the original disruptors.  Reynolds keenly points out a number of their natural behaviors that make them perfect models of anti-fascist behavior.  If you are currently despairing about the fate of our nation and wondering what you can do, take some tips from our fellow felines as observed by Stewart Reynolds.  You might be inspired to action, or at least, you will have a good laugh.  

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Review: The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook

The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook by Melani Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook by Melani Sanders is a companion piece to Melani's online videos of the We Do Not Care Club meetings.  If you are not already familiar with the We Do Not Care Club and are a person perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause, I highly encourage you to look them up.  I also urge you to get this book.  I got the ebook, but I think a hard copy would be better because it is interactive.  Also, you may want to make copies of the badges and things like that in case you start your own club or just award yourself.  If you are someone who may one day have to experience menopause, you might also want to read this to prepare yourself.  It may not make sense now, BUT IT WILL.  I am putting you all on notice right now that I am a card-carrying member, and I do not care anymore. Thank you.

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Review: How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler

How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler by Ryan North
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler by Ryan North is written as a reference guide for someone who took a time machine into the past and got stuck and now needs to rebuild civilization (as we know it).  However, this book could come in very handy in the future in case we need to rebuild civilization (as we know it) due to some major catastrophic event.  I suggest buying a hard copy and putting it in your bunker, safe room, or fire/water-proof safe.  You are not going to speed read your way through this. You also don't even need to read it in order.  You read the parts you need when you need them.  It will tell you if you need to read another section to accomplish your goal.  This is a very comprehensive distillation of just about everything.  Even without a background in engineering or basically many skills, I feel like I could take on the challenge of building a whole new world.  It is also done with humor which makes getting through the really dense parts easier.  

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Review: Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized Gathering

Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized Gathering by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fourteen Days is an unusual collection of short stories by 36 authors edited by Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston.  Douglas Preston provided the overall narration with contributions of so many great diverse authors across all genres.  I liked that you don't know who wrote what unless you skip to the very end and look.  I didn't.  I was so excited to read this.  It is set in New York City at the start of the COVID pandemic which is shortly before I moved there.  That made it all the more meaningful to me.  My building residents did not gather though.  We didn't exchange stories.  The setting did bring up a lot of feelings for me.  My mom died from COVID in a nursing home and having a main character with a father in a nursing home during that period really got to me.  And while the stories are the meat of the book, there are also some mysterious things happening in the building that hint at something bigger going on. 

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Review: Fancy Dogs

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina from NorthSouth Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 6, 2026.

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina is considered a children's book but is delightful for anyone who loves dogs.  I enjoyed it so much I recently read it to another friend while we were on the phone together.  That friend is also not a child, and we had quite a good time with hit.  Whether you know a child who likes dogs or just anyone who does, this is a nice uplifting gift.  

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Review: The Wrong Plane

The Wrong Plane by Robin Sloan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Digitocracy

Digitocracy by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Three Bags Full

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three Bags Full is the first book in the Sheep Detective Story series by Leonie Swann.  They did just make it into a movie (which I haven't watched).  You can read this as a standalone.

When their shepherd is murdered, his flock takes it upon themselves to solve the mystery because they feel they owe it to him for being good to them.  Also, they are a little afraid of ending up on the butcher's block if they don't.  They can tell that not everyone has their best interests at heart.  The sheep are fun and interesting characters.  We get to delve into their inner lives and back stories.  They all bring something to the table to help solve the mystery.  While it is mostly funny, it was also sad.  Whether people believe it or not, animals do grieve.  There were some very touching moments.

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Review: Letters from an Imaginary Country

Letters from an Imaginary Country by Theodora Goss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Letters from an Imaginary Country is a collection of short stories by Theodora Goss.  I was already a fan of Goss, but this is also a great introduction to her work for those that might not be familiar.  She tends to look at "monsters" through a different lens.  I also like that she explores language, especially Hungarian which is so unique.  If you like the L. Frank Baum books, vampires, Mary Shelley, or sometimes feel like an alien in your own culture/country, I highly recommend reading this book.  

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Review: The Rabbit Back Literature Society

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen is possibly the first book I've read by a Finnish writer.  It was translated into English by Lola Rogers.  I was drawn into this mysterious secret society of famous Finnish writers who all come from this small town of Rabbit Back.  How is it possible for one place to generate nine incredible authors across a variety of genres?  That they are cultivated by a mysterious woman who may or may not be real or a witch or something from a C.S. Lewis story makes it even crazier.  There are several mysteries going on and the answers are revealed as the various authors spill their stories or some story.  Maybe not a story?  Maybe the truth?  You'll have to decide whether you believe them.  While there are fairy-tale elements, this is an adult novel.  There are graphic discussions of people's bodies and sex.  It was very frank which you don't see frequently.  

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Review: The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel is worth reading for the illustrations alone.  Just kidding although they are fantastic.  I've always known I would be a crone.  Even when I was younger, I liked to wear a caftan, preferred the company of animals over people, and read lots of books on witchcraft.  When I saw this book, I knew it was for me.  I am in my crone era!  I live woods-adjacent with my animal familiars.  I discovered that Ross has a caftan section.  A whole section!  I bought two...for now.  So while The Crone Zone didn't have a lot of revelations for me, it was enjoyable to read the insights of a fellow crone and know I am in good company.  It is also nice to embrace the positive aspects of aging.  Be yourself, unapologetically.  I also liked that there is not just one way to crone.  You can mix it up!  This is perfect for the aspiring crone, somebody looking for a mid-life pick-me-up, or the seasoned crone who wants a laugh.

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Review: Penny: A Graphic Memoir

Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you like cats in the least bit, you will want to read Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens.  The illustrations are great, but Stevens really gets at the inner life of Penny.  If you have or have had a cat, you have probably wondered what they were thinking.  Cats are often enigmatic.  This is a fun exploration of the cat mind.  

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Review: The Devil's Bible: A Cotton Malone Novel

The Devil's Bible: A Cotton Malone Novel by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Devil's Bible is the 20th book in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry.  I wouldn't start here unless you want some serious spoilers.  Fans of the series will recognize flashbacks to previous books. 

The Devil's Bible or the Codex Gigas is an actual manuscript from Bohemia that has quite an interesting story of its own.  While it is the title of this book, I didn't find it played as much of a role as I anticipated.  Or at least, it wasn't as prominent in the story.  There was much more about the Swedish royal family or this fictional version of it and spycraft.  Without giving anything away, this book also changes the course of the series whether you were ready for it or not.  It was a gut punch for me, but I respect Steve Berry and trust he has a plan!  

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Review: The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery

The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery by Vikki VanSickle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery by Vikki VanSickle from Minotaur Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around September 8, 2026.

The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery by Vikki VanSickle is sort of cozy mystery adjacent.  When Drew moves back to her home town to take over the shop her aunt left her, she gets involved in solving a cold case that her aunt had also tried to solve using her mystical gifts.  I share Drew's love of whipped cream-topped beverages and tarot cards.  I enjoyed the witchy elements of the story and the shop.  It seemed like a cool place. Fun characters and perfect small-town drama. There are some hot guys, but this isn't really a romance-type of book.  I felt it had the potential for a sequel or a series.  

Bonus points for having a shop cat!

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Review: The Secret Dinner

The Secret Dinner by Raphael Montes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Secret Dinner by Raphael Montes from Celadon Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published in English around August 18, 2026.

The Secret Dinner by Raphael Montes is dark.  It was described as a mystery/thriller, but it is more horror in my opinion.  There was definitely dark humor in it as well.  Four childhood friends trying to make it in the big city find themselves struggling to pay rent and resort to some pretty extreme measures to get the money so they won't be evicted.  Throwing a pop-up dinner when one of them is a chef isn't a bad idea.  But even that doesn't go as anticipated.  You will need a strong stomach to get through this menu.  Don't say I didn't warn you!  

P.S.  Have never been more grateful to be a vegetarian!

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Review: The Art of Confidence

The Art of Confidence by Wendy Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wendy Lee is related to a friend of mine, so I was gifted a copy of The Art of Confidence when it first came out.  Now that I've finished it, I am sorry I didn't read it sooner.  I was hesitant in case I didn't like it.  As it turns out, it is quite good!  The focus on art in general was fascinating.  The inclusion of Chinese art history and culture were a wonderful surprise.  It took me back to studying art in Hangzhou.  And yes, you do basically just copy the masters.  The story follows several characters as their lives intersect.  There are mysteries and misunderstandings.  Some of the men are loathsome but not all male artists are letches apparently.  If you like art, give this a read.

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Review: Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome

Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unlocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome is the prequel novella to the Lock In series by John Scalzi.  I haven't read the rest of the series yet.  This could definitely be read as a standalone story.  I'm not sure if it has any spoilers for the rest of the books. I really enjoyed this novella and finished it in one sitting. It reminded me so much of the COVID times I had to go see when it was written.  It was published way before COVID which makes it even scarier to think John Scalzi warned us of what was coming.  Haden's Syndrome is not COVID though.  If it doesn't kill you, there is a chance it will leave you "locked in" your body.  Your mind works just fine but your body won't move.  This creates a whole host of other issues for the entire world. The history is told through a series of interviews with various people who were touched by Haden's in some way.  So good!

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Review: Unknown Number

Unknown Number by Blue Neustifter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: STET

STET by Sarah Gailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Identity Unknown

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Identity Unknown is the 28th book in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell.  You could read this as a standalone, but it will have a few spoilers from earlier books.  You also wouldn't have quite the idea of how important one character is.  I won't say who because I don't want to spoil it for you.  If you read the series, all your favorite characters make an appearance.  This is a tough one though because the initial case involves suspected child abuse.  There is also a very emotional death.  Again, no spoilers, but it hits Kay hard.  I wasn't sure how it was going to all come together, but it did!  However, I don't think things are going to be quiet for long.

Bonus points for Merlin, a very smart kitty.

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Review: The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever

The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh from HarperOne via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 27, 2026.

I'll admit I had some preconceived notions about the cult of CrossFit prior to reading The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh.  The first notion was that it is culty as the CrossFit adherents are pretty adamant that their way is the best way.  It looked tough.  It didn't always look safe.  This book didn't necessarily convince me I was wrong, but it did give me a much better appreciation of why people get so into CrossFit and how the diet and exercise CrossFit promotes does have science behind it and does produce results even if the execution is sometimes flawed.  I now realize how many of our current fitness trends have their roots in CrossFit.  If you are/were ever into CrossFit or CrossFit-curious or enjoy reading about fitness, you will want to read this book.  

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Review: A Parade of Horribles

A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Parade of Horribles is the eighth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman.  You do need to read these books in order, but I guarantee it is worth the investment.  You will look at the number of pages and say NO WAY AM I READING 784 PAGES!  Then, you will start reading, finish, and be sad that there are not 784 more.  Seriously.  These books fly by so fast even when I force myself to put them down because I don't want to finish because I don't want to wait however long until the next one and I have to do things like sleep and eat.  

We are now at the 10th floor of the dungeon.  It is like the most twisted and deadly version of Mario Kart you can imagine.  If you survive, you get a brief respite to participate in a celebration on the extremely short 11th floor.  There is a parade!  Yay?  I remember making floats for parades when I was in high school.  Good luck, Donut!  Also not sure why everyone has an aversion to peach-flavored beer.  Of all the things to be tortured with, it doesn't sound that bad.

Bonus points for Penelope and all the other critters that make an appearance in this book. I don't think I could choose a biological mount because I would be too worried about their safety to race.  

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Review: The Silent Appeal

The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett from Atria Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around August 2, 2026.

The Silent Appeal is the second book in The Appeal series by Janice Hallett.  There is also a Christmas story that features the same characters so really, three books? Doesn't really matter how many.  You will want to read them all.  I recommend reading in order too since there are references to the previous stories in this one.  Since they are mysteries, you probably want to reduce the number of potential spoilers.  Janice Hallett writes some of my favorite books.  They are mysteries with plenty of humor and interesting characters while also written in an epistolary way so you are getting multiple perspectives while having to piece together everything.  And because everyone has their own perspective, their conclusions may not be reliable.  I find it fun to draw up my own theories.  Because there are also multiple mysteries, we don't know which one we are actually trying to solve until almost the end.  Can't recommend this book enough!

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Review: The Porcelain Sisters

The Porcelain Sisters by Daryl Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Porcelain Sisters by Daryl Gregory from Tachyon Publications.  This book will be published around October 2026.

I haven't read everything Daryl Gregory has written (yet), but I have immensely enjoyed what I have read.  When the opportunity came up to read this new piece, I was very excited.  The Porcelain Sisters feels like it could be part of a bigger story.  When I read the acknowledgements, I learned that it really is.  Maybe there will be more adventures with these sisters.  Creepy dolls, French witches, a magical cat and crow, there is a lot packed into this story.  Isabel might take umbrage at my characterization of the dolls as creepy, but as someone who collected porcelain dolls for awhile (they are staring at me as I write this), I stand by my assessment. While this is horror, it is also quite funny.  I love Gregory's sense of humor and so many amazing pop cultural references for those of us of a certain age. 

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Review: House of Splinters

House of Splinters by Laura Purcell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

House of Splinters by Laura Purcell is the prequel to The Silent Companions.  I would probably read The Silent Companions first so as not to spoil anything.  But if you like The Silent Companions, this is a great way to learn the history behind the story and how we got there.  It is dark and gothic.  Not as mysterious as The Silent Companions but definitely has a spooky vibe.

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Review: The Bachelorette Party

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten is the first novel she has written in English on her own.  She usually writes in Swedish and then has a translator do the English version.  I never would have guessed.  That fun fact aside, The Bachelorette Party is a locked-room type of mystery except the room is an island.  There are also two bachelorette parties involved.  The first ends in an unsolved murder mystery that inspires a guest of the second to try to figure out whodunnit when she has an opportunity to go to the island under similar circumstances.  I have never done when of these types of bachelorette parties, but I do like a yoga retreat and going to an island for that sounds fun.  Getting murdered for doing either sounds less fun.  

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Review: O Sinners!

O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

O Sinners by Nicole Cuffy is an intense read.  An investigative journalist gains access to a group that has been labeled as a cult and decides to spend six weeks living with them to do a story.  Present day with the group is intertwined with chapters about a group of American soldiers in Vietnam.  One of them is now the leader of the group, but we can only guess which one.  It also tells you a lot about the mindset of this leader.  There is also a third set of chapters which is a transcript of a documentary about the group and clash with a church in their original location.  It is a lot of information to piece together but very cleverly told.  It did make me want to gather a group of friends and move into a remote area where we focus on enjoying life.  If you like epistolary novels and/or culty stuff, you'll want to read this.  

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Review: Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop

Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around August 25, 2026.

Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop is the third book in the Full Moon Coffee Shop series by Mai Mochizuki.  I recommend reading the books in order because the stories build on one another.  For those that have read the other books, Dreamers is slightly different.  I highly recommend reading the acknowledgment section where Mai explains why it is different.  While different, it is still a soothing read.  It is a reminder that there are many types of love, and they are all meaningful.  The astrology is also still there but less detailed than before.  Again, the acknowledgments really helped elucidate the astrological aspects.  

Bonus points for a gorgeous cover!

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Review: Thrilling Tales of Modern Men: Stories

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men: Stories by Danny McBride
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Thrilling Tales of Modern Men: Stories by Danny McBride from Random House via NetGalley.  This book will be published around June 23, 2026.

Admittedly if I just saw the title, Thrilling Tales of Modern Men, I would snort and pass this right up.  Who needs to hear more about what men do?  Not this woman.  However, I saw that it was written by Danny McBride.  Now, that changes things!  I am a big fan of McBride's sense of humor, and I figured this book would be chock full of it.  It was.  I could almost hear McBride's voice reading the dialogue.  This is a collection of short stories, so you don't have to read them in order or even read them all.  If you have enjoyed any of Danny McBride's TV shows or movies, you owe it to yourself to get a copy of this.  You will laugh.  You may also groan because you might know some of these guys in real life.

Bonus points for the cover. That tiger is absolutely perfect!

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Review: The Enigma Challenge: A Novel

The Enigma Challenge: A Novel by S.C. Godfrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Enigma Challenge: A Novel by S.C. Godfrey from Viking Penguin via NetGalley.  This book is due to be published on August 11, 2026.

If you like puzzles, ciphers, or cryptograms, I strongly suggest reading The Enigma Challenge by S.C. Godfrey.  This story scratches the same itch as books like The Da Vinci Code or shows like the Amazing Race.  The title alone piqued my interest.  I was delighted to find that it was about a mysterious, global puzzle challenge that has a prize to die for.  My favorite part were the puzzles that S.C. Godfrey included and the explanations of how to solve the various types of ciphers.  Yes, I tried to figure the answers out myself before reading on.  I had trouble putting this one down because I couldn't wait to get to the next location, the next puzzle.  I'm also hoping there is a next book.

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Review: The Last Session

The Last Session by Julia Bartz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Last Session by Julia Bartz was very unique and unexpected.  I thought this was going to be a mystery about a wellness cult, but it turned out to be a lot more than that.  It gets very trippy, delving into the interconnectedness of beings and reincarnation.  There were more twists than I anticipated.  Sometimes, I wasn't even sure what was "real" anymore.  If you are looking for something different and like culty things, you should get this book a go.

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Review: Gingerbread

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It felt very meta making and eating gingerbread while reading Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi.  I didn't even intend to do that.  It was serendipitous.  I have also been experimenting with what I put in it to make sure I get the right combo.  Gingerbread inspired me to try honey instead of maple syrup.  It was a good idea!  

Gingerbread is a modern fairy tale.  You can see the nods to classic fairy tales throughout the story. Magical realism is not always easy to follow.  You have to be comfortable letting go of certain structures to let the story bloom.  Once I let go, I enjoyed it much more.  I also can't promise that I won't force a loaf of gingerbread on you the next time I see you. 

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Review: The Indigo Room

The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones is part of the Shivers Collection of Amazon Original Stories.  It stands alone, so you don't need to read the rest of the collection if you don't want to.  This was not nearly as gory as I have come to expect a Stephen Graham Jones book to be.  It goes fast, and the end is a surprise.  I snickered at the representation of office life.  There is always that one person who never seems to have to work on Fridays.  

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Review: America Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States

America Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States by Atlas Obscura
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of America Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States by Atlas Obscura from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 20, 2026

I am a huge fan of the Atlas Obscura website, so when I saw this book, I knew I would have to read it.  If you like to travel off the beaten path in the United States, this book is for you.  When I travel, I don't want to go to the regular tourist destinations.  I want some place quirky, some place fun, or some place where I won't run into a million other people and wait in super long lines.  I want a place that is going to give me a good story to tell.  An example: I once did a road trip to visit holy sites for alternative, non-mainstream religions.  I had the best time!  America Obscura gave me a bunch of ideas for future road trips.  It is organized by part of the country and state.  Interesting sites are grouped sort of in categories.  The published book will also include maps. It is bright, colorful, and fun!  Even if you don't plan to travel a lot, this is a great coffee table type book to get people talking.  Plus, you can learn about some of the crazy things that inspire people!

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Review: Follow Me

Follow Me by Elizabeth Rose Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure how I would feel about Follow Me by Elizabeth Rose Quinn.  I am not a mom (to humans) or into influencers of any type.  Surprise!  I was sucked in from the very beginning and could barely put this book down.  The mom influencer retreat was giving culty vibes.  The main characters are twin sisters, Chiara and Adrienne.  Chiara is a mom of twins.  Adrienne is a single, party girl.  Drugs aside, my life is probably closer to Adrienne's, and I would also approach any coMOMunity with a heavy dose of skepticism.  When Chiara goes missing at the retreat, Adrienne tries to infiltrate the group to find out what happened.  By this point, I was fully invested.  Was this really a cult or just terrible stereotyping???  I admit that some parts felt a little campy, but I absolutely enjoyed them!

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Review: The God of the Woods

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have somewhat complicated feelings about The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.  I thought the writing was great.  I liked that there are two mystery separated by time told from various perspectives.  Siblings go missing years apart.  Several suspects but no good answers.  They come from a rich family who seem to be covering something up with their money and trying to focus blame on working class people.  It did feel a little too long and convoluted.  I started to confuse people at a certain point.  Some unnecessary plot points added to make figuring everything out more complex.  Still overall a good read.

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Review: Compulsory

Compulsory by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Compulsory is a prequel short story to the Murderbot Diaries by Marth Wells.  This is very short, like 8 pages.  Just a taste of what Murderbot is like.  You can read it first or go back and read it if you read need a hit of Murderbot while waiting for the next story to come out.  I enjoyed it because it is all the things I love about Murderbot, humor and soap operas.  

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Review: The Secret of Secrets

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was very excited to read The Secret of Secrets, the sixth book in the Robert Langdon series, by Dan Brown.  Has it been six books?  Apparently it has and apparently I have read them all.  I like iconology and symbology.  I find it really fascinating.  Set it in Prague?  Even better!  I love Prague.  It is a great city.  I would even say you can read this book as a standalone if you aren't ready to invest in a whole series.  It's a really long book that covers a lot of ground on consciousness.  I was all in on that.  The research, experiments, and theories of noetic science make this worth the read alone.  I wanted to know the secret of secrets!  

However, and this is a personal issue, I am a retired diplomat. I could not suspend enough disbelief about the U.S. Embassy Prague or the people working there.  I have been there.  I know people who have worked there. There were too many inconsistencies that it put a damper on my overall enjoyment of the story.  If you know nothing about the inner workings of an Embassy or the diplomatic community, you should have no problems!  

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Review: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Many

The Many by Sylvain Neuvel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Many by Sylvain Neuvel from Rebellion via NetGalley. This book was just published.

Let's face it. If Sylvain Neuvel writes it, I will read it. I was excited to see he had a new book coming. Look at that gorgeous cover! I had to read it and thankfully, I got my hands on a copy early. Whew! This is a standalone novel unlike his other books. The Test is technically a novella I suppose so it doesn't count? The point is, you can read this without worrying that you might be investing in a whole series if your reading time is limited. I love that this book is told through multiple perspectives with each chapter alternating viewpoints. There are also not many books that tell the story from a tick's perspective. As someone with an allergy that may have been tick-induced, I related hard to Carole even though I didn't particularly like her. I also haven't read anything with such a diverse cast of characters in a long time. I'm not sure you could get more diverse than The Many.

I liked the idea that if people could just understand how others think and feel, we might be able to change society for better. There are a host of ethical issues that come up with that. Also, who gets to define what better means. And also, would you want to know what other people really think? While that could of taken us to some deep dark places, Neuvel keeps it fairly light and positive.

Bonus points for the giraffe. I will not say more than to say it was trippy but so fun.



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Review: Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success

Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read, rather than listened to, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller only because it was the version that came off hold from the library first. I think the audiobook version would be great. I don't usually reread books but I would make an exception to listen to this one. If you don't know who Jeff Hiller is, shame on you. You need to get HBO or HBO Max or Max or whatever they call it RIGHT NOW and watch Somebody Somewhere. I will wait...

I love that show so much because I feel like it gets me. I grew up near Lockport, IL where it was filmed. I moved away, saw the world, and now I am back in the Midwest finding my place. It gets me! I wanted to be besties with Joel and now Jeff. I love getting in my steps! But this book is not all about the show or Joel. It is about Jeff and the amazing, hilarious, and delightful person that he is. He should be in all the things because I would watch the hell out of them. When I lived in New York, I went to a debate on Flight vs. Fight specifically because Jeff was on the panel. Can you guess which side he defended? If you read this book, you would know. Have I convinced you yet? Seriously, watch the show, read or listen to the book. You will thank me later.

Bonus points for mentioning my favorite banana pudding place in NYC. And no, it is not Magnolia Bakery!

Extra bonus points for having the same taste in memoirs that I do. Every chapter I was like, I read that one and that one, yep, that one too.

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Review: Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause

Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts is a little bit of memoir mixed in with a lot of information about perimenopause and menopause for those who will experience it at some point.  It is never too early to educate yourself because it can happen much younger than you think as Naomi found out.  I read a lot about this topic, so I was familiar with much of the information.  I did jot down some suggestions though, including her own company focused on products for menopausal women.  It was just nice having another source reinforcing that everything you are going through is normal.  While Naomi is not a medical professional, she packs the book with plenty of experts and good resources to get reliable, factual information.  At the same time, it is easy-to-read and gives you good topics to discuss with your doctor.  

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Review: Cher: The Memoir, Part 1

Cher: The Memoir, Part 1 by Cher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've always been a big fan of Cher.  In fact, I had a Cher Barbie when I was young.  I also had a Sonny instead of a Ken, but even back then, I knew he was kind of an ass.  Cher: The Memoir, Part 1 by Cher confirms my suspicions of Sonny even if she still found a way to love him and co-parent with him.  I thought I knew a lot about Cher, but I clearly didn't know the half of it.  And now that I have read Part 1, I only know half of it.  I'm eagerly awaiting Part 2.  If you love Cher, you will want to dig into this!

Bonus points for no longer wearing fur!  

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Review: Florida

Florida by Lauren Groff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Secret Book Society

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: The Shadows Tomorrow

The Shadows Tomorrow by Noëlle Michel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Shadows Tomorrow by Noelle Michel from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley.  This book will be published around August 4, 2026.

The Shadows Tomorrow by Noelle Michel was translated into English by Frank Wynne.  The story is told across a span of the near future in alternating chapters from different character perspectives.  I won't be giving anything away to say that in this near future, scientists have brought Neanderthals back from extinction much like we have already done with dire wolves.  For research purposes, they are kept in remote sanctuaries and kept from having contact with Homo Sapiens.  They even use the research footage to make a reality TV show called Another Eden so that people can watch them like a virtual zoo.  Ethicists would be losing their minds.  Disturbing premise aside, it is a great book!  

Bonus points for travel bans on meat eaters.  At least, I think that was the proposal.  I'm sure it had to do with carbon footprint or something, but I am all for it!  Would make my travel so much easier!

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Review: Cat Tales

Cat Tales by Herbert S. Rolfes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Cat Tales by Herbert S. Rolfes from the author via NetGalley.  This book has already been published.

Cat Tales by Herbert S. Rolfes is exactly what the title suggests.  It is a collection of short stories told from the perspective of cats.  The book is broken up into different sections including cats of famous people and cats with occupations.  I really liked the pet store cat.  Each story is fairly short.  They appropriate for most ages.  You don't have to read them in order.  You can read whatever tickles your fancy for the moment.  If you like cats and wish they could talk, give this a read.  It was very fun, and the illustrations are super cute.

Bonus points for being about cats.  That's enough to earn extra points.

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