Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book Covers Featuring Cool/Pretty/Unique/etc. Typography & Tell Me Something Tuesday: If You Could Invent a Holiday, What Would You Celebrate?

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. 

Happy first Tuesday in February! The groundhog saw his shadow yesterday, so it looks like we are in for six more weeks of winter. Does that make you happy or grumpy? While I am ready for spring, we can get snow into April, so I'm okay with whatever happens. 

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is asking us to share book covers featuring special typography. Let's see what I dig up for that. After 19 years, I'm sure to find a few. 

Top Ten Book Covers Featuring

Cool/Pretty/Unique, etc.

Typography

The metallic, beveled script has a neat forged look.

The curves and color palette for the author's name are an elegant typography that echoes the flow of the woman's gown. 

The clean, modern typography is specifically placed over a band across the woman's eyes, creating an emotional impact. 

The bold curves and strokes contrast nicely against the simpler font for the author's name, providing a warm feel despite the title showing that tragedy is about to strike. 

This reimagined take on a classic features decorative and playful typeface, giving it an energetic and contemporary feel. 

This book features smooth curves and generous spacing. It's almost like they are writing a letter to someone. 

Though the brush lettering is youthful and energetic, the white text almost seems like chalk lines, giving the book a mysterious flair. 

The contrast of the rigid letters for the author's name against the script typeface for the title ramps up the drama.

Strong, classic, and with wide spacing, this typeface speaks to the authority of the author and the book's contents. 

Clean and crisp typography, just like a winter's day. 

Thanks to Freepik for the image

Tell Me Something Tuesday (TMST) is hosted by Jen Twimom at That's What I'm Talking About. TMST is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Participation is optional, and you can leave your comments in the weekly post when you participate. Check it out if you're interested in joining.

This week's topic asks us to invent a holiday and explain what we would celebrate. I admit that I needed AI to help me flesh out this idea more fully. My holiday is...

Turning Home Day: A Homecoming to Self

Celebrated annually in the fall, this is the time when a woman who has spent decades caring for everyone else turns inward and gets back into balance. This is about being present for herself. She wakes without rushing. She releases what no longer belongs, and she reclaims what she seeks. Then she takes a walk with no destination. She has a simple meal and intentionally retires early. 

It is a day when she doesn't need to...

• Impress anyone,
• Post about what she's doing, or
• Explain herself.

This holiday should adapt with her, as she grows and changes. 

Turning Home is not a retreat from love, but the moment love remembers where it began.

Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond by Evy Journey with Rich Journey

 

Experience the transformative power of art when you see the rich and vibrant city of Paris through the eyes of a mindful artsy traveler. From the light-inspired grandeur of Gothic cathedrals and the fresh beauty of Impressionism, sinuous forms that speak to our innate sense of beauty, and the rare library that helps one define oneself; to the role of French cuisine and cultural events in shaping the city's uniqueness, this collection of essays will take you on a journey of discovery and self-reflection.

Amidst the charm and allure of Paris and its art, questions arise and conflicts are explored. Can art truly enrich our understanding of life? Can it help extricate us from constantly waging wars? And how does a urinal become a symbol of controversy that challenges our conception of art?

If you enjoyed A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, this thought-provoking and sometimes meditative collection of essays will unveil the beauty and complexity of the world around you by unleashing the power of art as you satisfy your wanderlust.

Read sample here.

Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond is available at Amazon.

Prologue—How It All Began

I ran after my brothers and their friends—empty cans in their hands—as they rushed to a pond to catch tadpoles. They filled their cans with water from the pond and dropped the tadpoles into the cans. What they did with those tadpoles, I would never know. Later in the afternoon, they flew kites when the wind was good. Or they rode astride a water buffalo that took them across an open field behind the few houses in the neighborhood. 

They refused to take me on those little adventures—I was a girl, wore dresses, and could never keep up with them. That was what they said as they ran faster so I couldn’t catch up. I was unhappy at being excluded. Who wouldn’t be? But I had, by then, started to learn to live with being alone.

I spent my first six years with adults—my Lola (grandmother) and her two young unmarried daughters—in a town eight hours by slow train from the big city where my parents lived. Having no one my age to play with, I conjured up an imaginary playmate who stayed with me until we no longer needed one another. I had a big brother who kept my mother’s hands full as she took care of him and worked to secure a permanent position as a teacher. 

In my Lola’s little town, no family owned a television to entertain them. But on occasional nights, sweet and sentimental tunes accompanied by a guitar pierced the dark silence just below the closed window in my aunts’ room. The serenaders were young swains courting one or the other of my pretty aunts who, if they liked these suitors or how they sang, invited them into the living room. There, singing went on for another hour or two. My youngest aunt who had a nice voice and knew some English songs was always invited to sing. 

Read the rest of this excerpt on Amazon.

Evy studied psychology (M.A., University of Hawaii; Ph.D., University of Illinois) initially to help her understand herself and Dostoevsky. Now, she spins tales about nuanced multicultural characters negotiating separate realities. She believes in love and its many faces.

Just as she has crossed genres in writing fiction, she has also crossed cultures, having lived and traveled in various cities in different countries. Find her thoughts on travel, art, and food at Artsy Rambler.

She has one ungranted wish: to live in Paris, where art is everywhere, and people have honed aimless roaming to an art form. She visits and stays for a few months when she can.

Evy’s latest book is Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond.

Visit her website at https://evyjourney.net.

Connect with her on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evictoriajourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eveonalimb2

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/evy-journey 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14845365.Evy_Journey 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Feb 2

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Welcome to February! As I am writing this, we don't yet know if the groundhog has seen his shadow, but I'm ready to celebrate the month of love. My house is decorated, and I think I will buy myself some flowers to brighten up the dining room. 

Hope you all had a nice week since we last connected. I worked more than planned, but I had most of Sunday off. Here are a few photos from the week:

Just a dabble of hearts 

Swag from the Chicopee Chamber Annual Breakfast

Theo seems a bit jealous

Made a leftovers (rice, chicken, stuffing) meal 

Bought holiday spiced tea from Sweater Box Confections

Feeling more productive in my reading world. I am almost done with the Christian short story collection, Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry. 

I did not read I Heard the Bells. I've added it to my February reviews list.

My review of Hooked by Cailtin Rother was posted on Wednesday. You can read it here.

I reviewed The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz on Sunday. You can read that here.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

I used my remaining Amazon credit to buy the first book in a new series by Victoria Gilbert, Schooled in Murder. 

Then I used an Audible credit to grab Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor, which I am already listening to. I saw this book in my blog travels last week. I knew I wanted to read it when it first came out, so I grabbed it while I was thinking of it. 

Upcoming Events

Artsy Rambler by Evy and Rich Journey - Feb 3 (Spotlight)

Evan's Gift by Karen Charles - Feb 6 (Review at TC&TBC)

Winter's Season by R. J. Koreto - Feb 13 (Spotlight)

I Heard the Bells by Darlene L. Turner et al - February (Review)

Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry - February (Review)

Hook, Line, and Murder by GG Calpo - Mar 2 (Interview)

Agatha Christie, She Watched by Teresa Peschel - Apr 15 (Review)

Christmas Year Round

Christmas Year Round's latest "Journey through Christmases Past" dips into Christmas fashions for girls in the late 1960s. You can check that out here.

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

I reviewed two books on my blog on Sunday. If you click on the book titles, it will take you to the reviews. 

I Really Want to Be a Cat by Helen Hancocks

Arthur's Cat by Johan Leynaud

Laura's Little Houses

I am working on my next character profile. This one will be about Albert Quinn Ingalls. 

Today will be a hectic one, so I will check in with you later. Enjoy your day!

Audible Book Review: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

 

Horowitz, co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, invites you to follow along his entrepreneurial journey--the highlights, the disappointments, and the challenges that left him and his team making decisions that could unleash success or lead to their company's demise. His resume features well-known companies in the technology space: Netscape, AOL, Loudcloud, Opsware, and Hewlett-Packard. He has had an amazing journey so far, and you can read his content here.

The Hard Thing About Hard Things came to me as a recommendation from Leigh Brown. It's not a book I would have grabbed from the virtual bookshelf. I am not a technology person. My husband was familiar with Loudcloud and Opsware, but this was the first time I had heard of them. Rest assured, however, that you don't need to be in the technology field or even aware of what those companies do to find value in this book. 

Rather than a step-by-step outline, The Hard Thing About Hard Things gives you a dose of reality. You will face tough choices. You might lose some friends to other companies. You could be a great founder and not a superb CEO. There will be sleepless nights in between celebrating successes.

• Horowitz shows you how to endure those sleepless nights by sharing the wisdom he has gained through decades of experience in prioritizing company culture and effectively hiring and training the people who help you drive results.
• He encourages you to embrace the struggle and to make the best move when there aren't any good ones.
• One chapter is dedicated to leading when you have no idea where you're going. Doesn't that sound like a lot of--if not all--start-ups?
• And in the final chapter, Horowitz humbly shares the lessons he learned during his entrepreneurial journey. 

If you're looking for real insights into what it takes to start a business, shift when needed, and make tough decisions, then The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz should be on your to-be-read list. 

• Listening Length ‏ : ‎ 7 hours and 57 minutes
• Author ‏ : ‎ Ben Horowitz
• Narrator ‏ : ‎ Kevin Kenerly
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 4, 2014
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Business
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00I0A6HUO
• Version ‏ : ‎ Unabridged

I used an Audible credit to purchase this book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Interview with John Beilharz, Author of Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality

As a Ph.D. in psychology, John Beilharz has had an illustrious career in various fields. From practicing as a therapist to teaching at a junior college, he eventually founded his successful marketing and advertising firm. Yet, despite his success in these endeavors, John has always been drawn to the art of storytelling.

Through his memoirs, John shares his life experiences in a poignant and captivating way. This collection of short stories is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the enduring resilience of the human soul.

You can visit his website at https://jbadvertising.com or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/John-Beilharz-Author/61573799214000.

Why did you decide to write Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality? Did the inspiration come at a particular moment, or had you been planning to write the book for a while?

The idea for Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality had been with me for decades. Over the years, people would often say things like, “I heard you spent time in jail in Mexico, how did that happen?” or “You must have quite a story about your trials and tribulations during the Vietnam War,” or “Tell me about that year-long wilderness program you did.”

Each question opened the door to a story that was far too complex to tell in a brief conversation. I would start, then realize there simply wasn’t enough time, or the right setting to do the experiences justice. Eventually, it became clear that these stories needed more room to breathe.

I kept telling myself, I should write this down. What began as a way to share my experiences with friends and family gradually evolved into something more. I realized that others, beyond my immediate circle might find meaning, insight, or even inspiration in these stories as well. Writing the book became the natural way to finally tell them fully, honestly, and in my own voice.

From the time you started writing Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality, how long did it take to get it out there? Any obstacles along the way, or none that you can think of? 

The writing itself took approximately a year. Once the manuscript was complete, I spent another five months editing and carefully considering which publishing path to pursue. That stage required just as much thought and commitment as the writing, as I wanted to be sure the book was presented in the best possible way.

Like most creative projects, there were potential obstacles, but I was fortunate not to face them alone. The guidance and support of my editor made a tremendous difference. Not only did they help refine the manuscript, but they also walked me through the self-publishing process, which could have been overwhelming otherwise. Without that assistance, I’m certain the journey would have been far more challenging.

What are some of the positive results or responses you have received since publishing your book?

The feedback from readers has been truly phenomenal and deeply gratifying. Shortly after publishing Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality, I began writing my second book, which meant I didn’t initially have much time to focus on marketing the first one. I’m only now starting to give it the attention it deserves.

Even so, the responses I’ve received have been incredibly encouraging. Several book clubs have chosen the book, and hearing their reactions has been especially meaningful. Many readers connected with the experiences and themes, and it was a genuine pleasure to go down memory lane with book club members who shared similar moments, questions, or reflections. Those conversations have been among the most rewarding outcomes of publishing the book.

 Can you share three interesting facts about your book?

1. Much of the book is drawn directly from my journals I kept throughout the periods of my life it covers. These firsthand accounts allowed me to capture events, emotions, and reflections with honesty and immediacy.
2. During my year-long wilderness program, our class participated in an unconventional experience: after completing a two-week wilderness survival course, we spent an additional week in Oakland learning what was described as “urban survival.” Twenty-five years later, I returned to Oakland and reconnected with several of the organizations that had supported me during that formative time.
3. I later worked with young adults from various Juvenile Halls throughout the Bay Area, leading them on 30-day wilderness expeditions. This rehabilitative, experiential model was eventually adopted by Outward Bound, a well-known program for adolescents. 

Can you list three interesting facts about yourself?

1) In the late 1970s, I taught psychology at a junior college and worked with learning-disabled students, using hypnosis and Gestalt therapy primarily to treat phobias. The program proved highly successful, and I went on to lecture at other colleges on how to develop and implement similar approaches.

2) I founded an alternative master’s program in Northern California that allowed students to earn a degree in psychotherapy while simultaneously accruing supervised hours toward licensure. The program was taught by leading therapists and professors from the Bay Area and developed a four-year waiting list.

3) I have a deep love of travel and have traveled extensively since the 1980s, exploring cultures and places that have continually shaped my personal and professional perspective.

 

How can our readers reach out to you? 

By email at johnwbeilharz@gmail.com or on Facebook at  

https://www.facebook.com/people/John-Beilharz-Author

Coming February 1: Hooked by Caitlin Rother

 

You know Caitlin Rother as an investigative journalist and true crime expert who has brought you books that I've reviewed here (Death on Ocean Boulevard, Dead Reckoning, Body Parts, and Down to the Bone). Now, experience her fiction writing as she releases the first in her Katrina & Goode thriller series, Hooked. 

Returning from a recent surfing trip, homicide detective Ken Goode steps into a bar and sits down next to an attractive young woman named Katrina. Their getting-to-know-you conversation is promptly interrupted by a call, and Ken learns two bodies have been discovered at the affluent La Jolla Farms neighborhood. Vacation over.

The next time they meet,  Katrina Chopin has been assigned to report on Ken's case: the mysterious deaths of a well-known doctor and his daughter for the Sun-Dispatch. As they work this case, their attraction grows, and they quickly discover that powerful people don't want this case solved.

Hooked is a superb title for this thrilling and relentless pursuit through the city's underbelly, where wealth and power lead to murder. Rother's police procedural will have you turning page after page as Katrina and Goode deliver the story from their distinct points of view. Sharing a common past, these two are unexpectedly drawn together into a world where all is not as it seems. 

I can see a lot of Rother's riveting style from her true crime stories within the pages of Hooked. The main difference is that the reader must follow along with the investigation, watching it unfold piece by piece to an explosive conclusion, rather than knowing who the culprit is upfront. 

If you're looking for a high-stakes detective thriller with a hint of romance, order your copy of Hooked today!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 397 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1662532350
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1662532351

I received a copy of this from Amazon First Reads thanks to my Prime subscription. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time

 

The Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is hosted by Long and Short Reviews. They offer this blog hop as a weekly prompt to help you gain new friends and visitors. You don't have to participate every week, but if you decide to post and join the blog hop for a week, Long and Short Reviews asks that you share your link on their weekly post on their website (it will be the top post on the home page each Wednesday morning). The link list remains open for new links for 48 hours. Visit the other bloggers participating to see what they discuss that week. Comments are appreciated. 

Happy Wednesday! Hope your week is going well. I plan to catch up on all comments today in between appointments. It's so crazy to me that I am this busy in January. But fingers crossed, it will all work out the way it should.

Today, we are sharing the books we wish we could read again for the first time. That's such an interesting concept, because even when I read a book a second, third, or fourth time, I discover something new that I never noticed before. Is that odd? 

On Strike for Christmas was the first book I read by Sheila Roberts. It will always be my favorite. These women going on strike because they didn't get any help from their families makes me feel seen. 

Caroline by Sarah Miller is such a fabulous book. It reminds me that Caroline was more than just Ma. There is more than one scene I would love to read again for the first time. 

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse marks the beginning of this series. I would love to read again for the first time all the books I had read, and then finish the series. 

I have read The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough so often that when I read it now, I skip over all the wonderful descriptions of the setting. It would be amazing to experience them over again for the first time. 

I would love to read again for the first time Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews to see if it captivates me like it did back when I was in high school. I recall bits and pieces of it, but is it really how I remember it? 

Shades of Gray by Jessica James made me cry a mountain of tears. I would love to feel that deep emotional connection to it all over again. 

When I first read Beyond the Code of Conduct by K. M. Daughters, I read the last chapter three times. It was so good! I would love to experience the final chapter for the first time again. I would probably read it more than once.

One of the best parts of The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder is seeing Almanzo as the hero of this story. It would be neat to see how I feel if I could read it again for the first time. Would he be just as dashing? What would I think of Cap Garland? 

What books would you like to read again for the first time?