It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Oct 13

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 Monday! I'm unsure if we will lose power and/or internet thanks to the Nor'easter currently traveling up the East Coast. The storm made quite a mess on the Outer Banks. My heart goes out to everyone there. You can see Facebook videos from Sam Walker here. This news report says a flash flood warning was issued for Myrtle Beach and other areas in South Carolina, too. So far, things are windy and rainy here. Lost a tree branch up the street. 

My news from the week: I finally took a weekend off. We went to Boston on Saturday for the Bruins versus Sabres game. The Bs won! Before we left for Boston, I brought in the rest of the harvest and prepared for the storm. Everything is packed away for the winter. 

The best news from this week is that the Lil' Diva and her husband closed on their new home! They have spent the weekend painting and ripping up old carpets. Not sure how quickly they will move in, but they have time to get work done.

Other photos:

Can you see the little frog that was hanging in my yard on Saturday?

The herbs and tomatoes are done for the season

In my reading world, this one is still on pause as I read October books. What I have read of this poetry collection, Singing the Forge by G. H. Mosson, is wonderful. 

I still need to write my review of Eleanor Roosevelt's Nightly Prayer by Donn Mitchell. 

I continued reading The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright on the way to Boston.

I started The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons, a middle-grade novel that I downloaded from NetGalley. 

The Man Next Door, another romantic comedy by Sheila Roberts, is next.

I want to read Old Flames, New Beginnings by Lea Schizas during the holiday season. 

Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest by Chris Grabenstein is a middle-grade NetGalley download I need to read. 

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. 

This book arrived from the publisher the other day. Look for my review soon.

God is with us--even in the dark.

For Charlie, bedtime is the hardest part of the day. The stillness of the night brings strange sounds, racing thoughts, and an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. But as Charlie's mother reminds him of the timeless truth from Psalm 121--that we can rest because God never sleeps--he begins to face the dark with renewed courage and peace.

This beautifully illustrated book not only acknowledges a child's fear but also equips them with a biblical, comforting approach to tackle it. Through tender storytelling and thoughtful illustrations, Charlie Can't Sleep! reassures little ones that even in the quiet, scary moments, God sees them, hears their prayers, and stays by their side.

Caregivers will love Charlie Can't Sleep! for its gentle blend of spiritual encouragement and practical support for children as well as its special note from the author that encourages meaningful conversations with children.

Key Features:

• Relatable Storytelling: Helps children feel understood in their nighttime fears
• Biblical Comfort: Draws on Scriptural truths to remind kids of God's constant presence and care
• Expertly Illustrated: Breezy Brookshire brings Charlie's world to life with playful artwork that will engage and delight young readers
• Encouraging Message: A positive resource that builds faith, trust, and courage in children

Perfect for Christian families, Sunday school classrooms, and children's libraries, Charlie Can't Sleep! will become a bedtime favorite for anyone helping little ones conquer nighttime anxieties. Discover Charlie Can't Sleep! and share with children the comforting truth that God is with us--even in the dark.

Upcoming Events

• The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright - Oct 29 (Review)
• One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches by Kayleigh Kavanagh - Oct 30 (Spotlight)
• The Man Next Door by Sheila Roberts - Oct 31 (Review)
• Singing the Forge by G. H. Mosson - Nov 25 (Review)

The latest Christmas... in the news post is up at Christmas Year Round. This week's news features the Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods, the seven best new Christmas decor items at Walmart, and Christmas music playing on a station based in Utah. Check it out here.

At The Children's and Teens' Book Connection, I wrote my 2025 writing goals third-quarter update. It's dismal, folks. Real estate is taking up all my time. You can see what I accomplished here.

The only new post at Laura's Little Houses outlines which countries the readers reside in. Looks like Brazil takes the top spot. You can read more here.

That's it for me. I will check in when and if I am able today. Enjoy you week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Sept 2

 Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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 first Monday in September! Happy Labor Day to my United States friends. Did you enjoy your week? Read any good books lately?

I had a closing, which is always fun. I also traveled to Farmington, Connecticut, to attend the Little House on the Prairie 50th Cast Reunion. What a great time! Lines were long, but the food was good, and they had a special dinner for those of us who paid for it, along with an auction to benefit KidsPlay Children's Museum in Torrington. 

Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)

Sherri Stoner (Rachel Brown Oleson)

Pamela Roylance & David Friedman (Sarah and Jason Carter)

Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle/Mrs. Sims)

I've been catching up on book reviews. In case you missed them, you can click on the link in the title:

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts

The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman

Knowing by Mark Cox

Death in St. George's by M. A. Monnin

The Righteous Arrows by Brian J. Morra

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Hollywood Underworld by Lindy S. Hudis

My review of this children's picture book appeared at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. You can read it here.

I downloaded this picture book about a young boy's grief from NetGalley. My review is here. 

I am reading these two and listening to the last one. 

I bought this one for book club, but probably won't get to it. 

These are next.

I downloaded all three of these from NetGalley over the last few days.

Upcoming events:

• Side Launch by Brock Martin - October 2 (Review)
• The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts - October 16 (Review)
• A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker - November 20 (Review)

You can read the latest Christmas news at the Christmas Year Round blog. Did you know there is such a thing as Christmas Con? There is! Want to know more? Check out my weekly post here.

I think that wraps it up for today. I'm eager to decorate for fall, but I simply haven't had the time to do it. I have a new listing, possibly two, coming up and a closing soon. Wedding plans for the Lil' Diva are ongoing. 

Never a dull moment around here!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - May 20

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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 back to Monday! Hope you all had a wonderful week. We had lots of good news around here. The Lil' Diva is getting married! She released her Save the Date postcards last week, and we are going dress shopping on Thursday. So hard to believe this little girl is old enough to get married. 

The Lil' Princess learned this week that she made the Spring 2024 Dean's List at UNCW. She worked so hard and ended up with all A's! 

It was also a week of snuggling with and snapping photos of our zoo.

Boots

Giggles

Travis

Dwight

An unhappy Theo

We dog sat Tyno this weekend

Sunday evening walk

In my reading world, I reviewed this one at The Children's and Teen's Book Connection. Funniest book ever! Read my review here.

My review of this one appeared on May 16th. You can read it here. 

You can read my review of this book here. 

I started this one for a May 31st review. 

I also need to read these three. 

I didn't finish this one in time for book club, but I will read the last few chapters this week. 

These will come on vacation with me in July. 

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• I Will Ruin You: The Twisted Truth Behind the Kit Martin Murder Trial by Emilio Corsetti III - May 31 (Review)
• Royally Arranged by Amber Malloy - June 4 (First Chapter Review)
• Rock, Crush, and Roll by Hunter Snow - June 12 (First Chapter Review)
• Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide... by JB Miller - July 3 (Review)
• The Righteous Arrows by Brian J. Morra - July (Review)

Shared a Christmas in the News post at the Christmas Year Round blog. You can check that out here.

Feels weird not sharing a Mailbox Monday post, but alas that meme has run its course. Maybe it will return one day. 

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