Recent Reads/Listens on NetGalley and Audible

I had finished This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman a few weeks ago. Liked this much better than I thought I would, but there are so many characters that it is easy to get lost. 

I started Co-Created: The Cultural Strategy That Redefined PacSun by Brieana Olseon, PACSUN CEO, a while ago. In fairness to the author, it's not that I'm uninterested. The story sounds fascinating. I just overloaded my spring reading calendar. I added this to Audible because I think my NetGalley time will run out before I read it. 

I have 22 days to finish The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller. I have loved what I have read so far. 

I didn't make it far into Jesus Listens for Lent & Easter: Prayers for the Season by Sarah Young, but that's because it has a narrator I don't connect with. I've read and enjoyed other devotionals by Young, so I will need to order a printed version to appreciate it. 

Last week, I finished listening to Hi Honey, I'm Homo: Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture by Matt Baume. This was a well-researched and engaging account of queer representation in sitcoms and how this representation transformed a genre once thought to be headed for the television graveyard. 

I downloaded The Rise of the Creative Class by Richard Florida after reading Jack Balderrama Morley's Dream Facades, in which he cited Florida's book. Not sure that it is what I expected, but I am intrigued so far. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - Jan 5

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.

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you enjoyed your holidays. Were you able to relax a bit? Like many, I return to work today. Granted, my schedule is more flexible than others, but I've appreciated having some time to refresh and restore my tired body and soul. 

Here are some recent photos: 

Gifts from one of my real estate clients

Spent a wonderful amount of time

in the kitchen

Travis took over my new basket

Dwight likes my wrapping supplies

Between Christmas and New Year's, I was able to catch up on reading and blogging. 

My review of this Advent devotional by Cynthia Ruchti appears here.

My review of the seasonal romance, Christmas on Reindeer Road by Debbie Mason appears here. 

I am halfway through reading the I Heard The Bells Christmas novella collection by the Fab Four authors. 

I also started Hooked by Cailtin Rother. 

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 downloaded a Kindle freebie a couple of days ago. Doesn't Write Me a Ghost Story by Phillipa Wozniak sound good? 

Myrtle Glubber came to the Hawaiian writers’ retreat looking for sunshine, snacks, and some lighthearted mystery—not an actual corpse.

Instead, the seasoned sleuth and her steadfast sidekick Stanley are swept into a chilling mix of island folklore, ghost stories, and a suspicious group of mystery authors who may be hiding more than plot twists. Before the workshops even begin, a murder shatters the tropical calm, and Myrtle finds herself at the heart of a real-life whodunit. Trapped on the island by a washed-out bridge and surrounded by writers with shifting stories and shady motives, Myrtle must rely on her instincts—and Stanley’s quiet support—as the danger creeps closer. A thoughtful retired detective offers help and history, but even his steady presence can’t protect them from the rising tension… or the next murder.

Can Myrtle unravel the tangled mystery before the killer strikes again?

Rich with ghostly legends, sly humor, and an older heroine who’s still got it, this paranormal cozy is a page-turner for anyone who believes murder and mayhem don’t retire when you do.

Buy this Myrtle Ghost Story today—because on this island, the spirits are restless, and the killer has a deadline.

Upcoming Events

Hooked by Catilin Rother - January (Review)

Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality by John Beilharz - Jan 26 (Interview)

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

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

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

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

Christmas Year Round

At my Christmas blog, I posted my final Christmas... in the news segment for Christmas 2025. I'm thinking of ideas for what to replace it with until Christmas news is plentiful again. You can check it out here.

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

I shared some of the children's books that are currently on my Kindle. Check them out here. I also linked to my New Year's Day post at Christian Children's Authors. You can find that here.

Laura's Little Houses

My top five favorite episodes from the eighth season of Little House on the Prairie are posted here. 

That's it from me this week. Wishing you a blessed 2026! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Dec 1

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 December, everyone! Are you excited? I am. It will be nuts around here, but this is my favorite time of year. I will be cracking open my new Advent devotional to keep me focused despite the chaos. 

The Lil' Princess returned to Wilmington on Sunday, but it was so wonderful having her home for a few days. The family came over on Thursday. I cooked, which I love. Christmas decorations are slowly making their way up, and most of my shopping is done. 

Here are a few photos from my week:

Our brokerage collected peanut butter for a local food pantry 

Travis supervising me putting lights on the tree

Two of my more recent additions to the decor--I won the barn and was gifted the truck

We saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Saturday 

Let's get to my reading and blogging. I started this Advent devotional by Cynthia Ruchti on Sunday. I bought it over the summer and have eagerly waited to read it. 

I need to get my review of Captain LOL and Rubber Chicken by Craig Yoe posted soon.

Posted a recview of Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest by Chris Grabenstein at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. You will find the link when you get to that part of my post. 

Cracked open The Man Next Door by Sheila Roberts. The review will be posted before the end of the year.  

My review of Singing the Forge by G. H. Mosson was posted Tuesday. Check it out here.

I am dismally behind in my reading of Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron, but I am reading it. This review will also be posted before year end. 

Not likely I will read Old Flames, New Beginnings by Lea Schizas during the holiday season. I have four closings this month, the last one happening two days before Christmas. Lord, give me a bit of time to read. 

No matter what, I am tackling my TBR pile after this. Instead of setting a reading goal for 2026, I might just set a goal of reading 75% from my TBR pile. Do you think I can do it? 

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 grabbed The Time Keepers: Save the Pilmgrims by Jeff Trogan as a freebie on Friday. 

Upcoming Events

• Cinder Bella by Kathleen Shoop - Dec 3 (Spotlight)
• Christmas in Newfoundland 3 by Mike Martin - Dec 15 (First Chapter Review)

This week's Christmas... in the news post is up at Christmas Year Round. We are talking Hallmark movies, decorating, and greater demand for real trees. Check it out here.

Posted my review of Ms. Pennypicle's Puzzle Quest here. I have another one to post, so fingers crossed I get to it this week. 

The only thing I posted at Laura's Little Houses was a Thanksgiving message with a quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder. You can find that here.

That's it for this week. I have a heck of a day ahead of me, so likely won't visit until later in the day. See you the!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Jan 27

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 and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.    

Welcome to the last Monday in January. That first month sure flew by. Hope you had a nice week. Mine was abundantly productive. I reorganized the pantry, the refrigerator, and a closet, made a donation pile for clothes and bags, and the majority of my Christmas decorations are down. Two of the six trees are still up. I've been going through all my Christmas decorations to see what is still worth holding onto and reorganizing it all so I will have an easier time next year. 

Here are some photos from our week:

It snowed in New England, in Wilmington, and on the Outer Banks.

Wrightsville Beach in NC. The Lil' Princess saw people surfing that day.

Travis thinks Christmas decorations are his toys.

In my reading world, I finished this one and posted a review on Sunday. You can read it here.

Making good progress on this one. 

Reading these two. 

These are next.

Bought five books last week for less than $40. All of these will be added to my Ingalls Wilder collection. I've read Young Pioneers and Free Land but wanted to own them. 

I also downloaded this one to my Kindle for only 99 cents. 

On Chirp, I am listening to this one.

Upcoming events:

• Review of Ghosting Academy by LS Delorme - Feb 3 (Review)

At the Christmas Year Round blog, you can find funny photos of the pets from the holiday season. Click here.

Posted a new fanfiction story at Laura's Little Houses titled, "My Funny Valentine." You can read it here.

That's it from me. Looking forward to visiting your blogs.