Where Is Your Bookmark: Teasers from The Temple of Fortuna & More Friday Fun

I am approaching the end of The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper. It is the final book in her Wolf Den trilogy set in Pompeii. I am looking forward to my historical book club meeting this weekend! I wasn't a part of the club when they read the first two books, but I squeezed both Wolf Den and The House with the Golden Door in before the end of the year so I would be caught up for the upcoming discussion of the final book. If you are a historical fiction reader, I highly recommend this trilogy.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

 

The night air is heavy with the scent of oleander, the sweet poison that Amara always associates with Rome. She stands with the other women, facing the high arched windows that overlook the moonlit city, caressed by a breeze that is still warm from the sweltering heat of the day. [opening of The Temple of Fortuna]

Elodie Harper has a way of making me feel like I am right there with the characters in her books.  

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Our wonderful host Freda of Freda's Voice is on a break, and Anne of My Head is Full of Books  has stepped in to host! 

Amara's heart beats painfully in her chest, expecting the worst, but the only person to approach is a think slave boy. He creeps up to her to stand by her elbow, silently holding out her cloak. Amara takes it from him, deftly turning it inside out so that the finer fabric is hidden, leaving the cheaper lining on display, then wraps in around herself. 

The two slaves watch as she swiftly takes off her rings and bracelets, stuffing them inside a purse that she has pulled out from where it lay between her breasts, hidden under her clothes. "What?" she snaps at the gawking men as she stows the purse away again. "You've never seen a woman walk a street before?" Amara's sharp tone echoes Victoria, her former friend from the Wolf Den, and she can feel the past merging into the present. [pages 59-60 of The Temple of Fortuna]

This was an extremely tense moment in the novel in which Amara is afraid for her life and makes the decision to risk the streets at night on her own rather than stay where she is any longer. It is clear her past experiences have made her adept at knowing how to make herself as little seen as possible. 

Amara's journey has taken her far; from a slave in Pompeii's wolf den to a high-powered courtesan in Rome... though her story is not over yet.

While Amara plays for power in Rome's imperial palace, those dearest to her remain in Pompeii. But it is AD 79, and mighty Mount Vesuvius is about to make itself known... [From the Publisher]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Which book/TV/movie character would you like to be friends with? 

I would love to be friends with anyone in Freya Grove, Celestine Martin's Elemental Love series. I love her characters. They all seem so nice and like people I would love to hang out with. I just want to live in Freya Grove, if I am honest. Tommy Waddell from Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is another character I wouldn't mind calling a friend. He has been through so much, but puts his best foot forward no matter what. He's loyal and honest with a kind heart. And can I please be friends with Lila Bard from V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic series? I have so much respect for her, and I think she would be fun to hang out with. Finlay Donovan from Elle Cosimano's series with the same name--we would have so much to talk about! I would want to be best friends with Debbie Tung and Jenny Lawson, but I don't think they count because they are not fictional people. They just wrote books about themselves and I could relate to their stories in so many ways.

A movie character I wish I could call my friend is Samwise. He's actually a book character too, so he counts for both. He is from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. He's my favorite character from the books and movie. Like Tommy, whom I mentioned above, he is just a good person at heart, practical and honest. In the realm of TV, it obviously would be Dean Winchester from Supernatural. When I first started watching the show, I liked his brother more, but in completing the show and re-watching it, it's Dean. Although, I don't think I would want to live in their world necessarily.  

Are there any characters from books, TV, or movies you would like to be friends with? 

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

What books do you look to for inspiration at the start of the year or to motivate you to make positive changes in your life? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

The short answer is that there really are not any books that I look to for inspiration at the beginning of the year or to motivate me towards change. Although not the same thing, I am mindful of my moods and state of mind, and sometimes will gravitate towards certain types of books more than others, depending on what my mental and emotional needs are at the time. Sometimes those books may be inspirational and occasionally I come across something that motivates me to change, but it more often happens serendipitously rather than intentionally. 

What about you? Is there a book or type of book that inspires you to make positive changes in your life or inspire you?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading!

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© 2025 Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is the The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Physical Book Collection. These were not necessarily added this year, but were the most recent to find their way into my TBR collection in recent months.

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith ~ I do not read YA romance very often, but this one is for an upcoming book club, and sounds like it will be good!  

Our Moon: How Earth's Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are by Rebecca Boyle ~ A recommendation from Stephanie of Bookfever I couldn't resist.  

The Song of Orphan's Garden Nicole M. Hewitt ~ I have followed the author's blog, Feed Your Fiction Addiction, for years and was excited to hear about the upcoming release of her middle grade novel. And it's in verse, which I love! I am just waiting for my pre-ordered copy to arrive at the bookstore! 

Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler ~ This past year I read a couple of full-length novels by Octavia E. Butler, both of which were amazing reads. I wish I could remember which of you recommended I try her short stories, but I found this collection at a local independent bookstore and look forward to giving it a try. 

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende ~ Another upcoming book club read. Allende's books have been hit and miss for me (one I liked, the other I didn't care for) and so I admit to being a little on the fence about reading this one. But it does sound good.

The Afterlife of Mal Caldera by Nadi Reed Perez ~ This was a spontaneous buy while at the bookstore one day. It sounds like something I would enjoy. 

The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today, Vol. 4, 5, and 6 by Hitsuji Yamada ~ I enjoyed the earlier volumes in this manga series and look forward to reading more. 

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji ~ This is an upcoming book club read I am looking forward to reading. 

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ~ This book was all the rage when it came out, but I wasn't really interested in it at the time. I came across it while visiting a new independent bookstore in the next town over and thought to myself, "Why haven't I read this yet? I bet I'll love it!"

A Happy Poem to End Every Day by Jane McMorland Hunter ~ Because a little something positive to end my day would not be a bad thing, especially these days.

Have you read any of these books? Do any of them sound like something you would enjoy? What book(s) most recently landed on your TBR pile? 

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© 2025, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Weekly Mews: Bookish Thoughts on Lavender House & On the Edge/A Look Back to What I Was Reading Ten Years Ago

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

Nina is staring at me. She does that a lot. Sometimes with wide eyes and other times, like now, with half closed eyes. And there. She chirped at me. Just a little mew. She has been extra playful lately, chasing Gracie around the house and attacking my ankle playfully when I walk by her. It's the little joys.

It's been a week. We went to pick up the mail at the post office today, and I am missing a couple of packages and other mail that my informed delivery e-mail earlier in the week says were delivered. For those who weren't here last week, our communal mailbox was broken into about three weeks ago and so we have to go to the main post office to pick up our mail. So the packages should be safe at the post office. Maybe they misfiled it all. I hope they find it by the time we go back next weekend to pick up this coming week's mail. One of the neighbors was saying they were told by a postal worker that 80 mailboxes have been vandalized or broken into throughout the area. It's no wonder the lines at the post office are so long.

Work was okay this past week, but in office days are always more exhausting than the days I am able to work from home. I am not sure why exactly, considering I do the same thing in either place. Mouse is sick, which means the rest of us will likely be getting sick as well. Oh, and the garbage disposal is broken again. I still haven't taken my Christmas decorations down. I really need to do that this weekend. We are still under fire watch in my county, but it doesn't seem quite as bad now that the winds have died down; at least for now. I have seen some of the news stories about the Palisades Fire which is only 49% contained. I cannot believe how rent prices in L.A. are soaring right now. It's shameful how there are those who will take advantage of someone's misfortune just to make more money. The temperatures are starting to get cooler and perhaps that will help some. 

I am grateful for this three day holiday weekend. My husband has to work, but Mouse and I have the day off. I am  hoping to get in some quality reading time.

What have you been up to?

I just began reading The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid #2) by Nita Prose, January's TBR winner, and am about to start The Temple of Fortuna (Wolf Den #3) by Elodie Harper, my next historical fiction book club read. I did not make much progress in my current nonfiction book, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande this past week, but I am taking it one slow. I hope to finish it before the end of the month, but we'll see. 

What are you reading right now? 

This past week I finished three books. Let's take a look! 

Lavender House (Evander Mills #1) by Lev A.C. Rosen
Forge, 2022
Mystery/Historical; 304 pgs
Source: Own TBR

Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene’s recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secret―but it's not the only one behind these gates. This estate offers a unique freedom, where none of the residents or staff hide who they are. But to keep their secret, they've needed to keep others out. And now they're worried they're keeping a murderer in.

Irene’s widow hires Evander Mills to uncover the truth behind her mysterious death. Andy, recently fired from the San Francisco police after being caught in a raid on a gay bar, is happy to accept―his calendar is wide open. And his secret is the kind of secret the Lamontaines understand.

Andy had never imagined a world like Lavender House. He's seduced by the safety and freedom found behind its gates, where a queer family lives honestly and openly. But that honesty doesn't extend to everything, and he quickly finds himself a pawn in a family game of old money, subterfuge, and jealousy―and Irene’s death is only the beginning.

When your existence is a crime, everything you do is criminal, and the gates of Lavender House can’t lock out the real world forever. Running a soap empire can be a dirty business. [From the Publisher]

My mystery book club met this past Thursday to discuss the January read, Lavender House, the first in a historical mystery series by Lev A.C. Rosen. Count me among the members (all of us) who loved it. While the whodunit may not have been a big surprise to most, other aspects of the novel more than made up for it. There is a definite noir influence in the way the novel is written and how the story unfolds. It is a fairly straightforward mystery with no real side stories to compete for the reader's attention. The novel opens with the protagonist, Evander "Andy" Mills, getting drunk in a bar. He feels hopeless and desperate, having lost his job as a police inspector because it is discovered he is gay. When a woman walks into the bar to ask his help solving the murder of her wife, Andy is reluctant, but she soon talks him into it. 

The Lamontaine estate, called Lavender House, is nothing like Andy has ever seen or experienced before. He's always had to keep that part of himself hidden, wearing a mask day in and day out, careful to hide his sexuality and knowing it will not just cost him is job, but everything else as well. I was especially taken with how Rosen is able to demonstrate how significant insignificant moments were to Andy because they were experiences he had never had. Hands touching, heads on shoulders. Little moments of intimacy and love shared openly. 

Each of the characters were richly drawn, their backstories compelling. At first I wasn't too fond of most of the residents of Lavender House, each one a suspect in their own right, but that changed the more I got to know the characters. There was one point while reading that I turned to my husband and told him I didn't want any of them to be the killer because I liked them all. Well, mostly all of them. There were one or two characters that I didn't warm too. That old adage of not judging a book by its cover holds for people too. You never know what a person is going through--or has been through--unless you take the time to get to know them.

Rosen captures the time period very well. I am kicking myself for not recognizing the double meaning in the title right away, especially after reading books like Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo and Pulp by Robin Talley. The Lavender Scare was a horrible time in U.S. history with mass job firings and blackballing, normalizing persecution and spreading moral panic of anyone who was or was believed to be homosexual. It at the height of McCarthyism. It's an interesting choice for the title of Rosen's novel and the name of the Lamontaine family home to bear the word Lavender in them. Lavender was Irene's favorite flower and scent, which is how Lavender House got its name, and I like that the author reclaims the word here.

There were some tense and brutal scenes in which the reader is given a glimpse of how cruel people, especially those in authority were at the time, but there was also the occasional moment of kindness and hope. While it's nice to think we have come a long way since that time, in many ways unfortunately, we have barely scratched the surface and sometimes it feels like we are sliding backward.

*

On the Edge (The Edge #1) by Ilona Andrews
Ace, 2009
Romance/Fantasy; 340 pgs
Source: Own TBR

This wasn't a novel I ever saw myself re-reading and even questioned whether I would continue after years of not picking it up, but I was motivated by the the COYER Ilona Andrews' Edge and Inn Keeper read-a-long, and I have no regrets about joining in. I thought it would be interesting to compare my initial thoughts on this novel and compare it to my thoughts today. The indented italics portions are my review from September 14, 2010.

After finishing the first four books of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye just yet. My husband recommended I read On the Edge by the same author. Although set in a different world, the premise of On the Edge intrigued me. The Edge is that in-between place between the Broken (our world) and the Weird (the magical one). Rose was born and raised in The Edge and had lived a hard life. After her mother's death and her father ran off for adventure, Rose is left to care for her two young brothers, one of whom is a changeling and the other a necromancer. Rose has her own power, one that has brought her nothing but grief over the years, especially when it comes to love. In walks Declan Carmarine, a blueblood from the Weird. He challenges Rose, asking her to give him three challenges, and if he wins, he wins her. Rose is determined to stump him and make him leave empty handed. As if that isn't enough, an evil has come to the Edge and is threatening to destroy it.

I first read On the Edge nearly 15 years ago and gave it a 3.5 paw (Good+) rating. I had fallen in love with the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews around that time, and had high hopes for the Edge series. I liked it, but wasn't as smitten with it as I hoped to be. 

While On the Edge has an obvious romantic component at its core, the story of this small community of people and their daily struggles, both with magic and without, as well as the mystery, finding the source of the evil and the attempt to rid the area of was what drew me in. As someone who prefers any sort of book to be light on the romance and heavy in other areas, I thought there was a nice balance of the two.

On the Edge has more of a paranormal romance feel to it than an urban fantasy one. My enjoyment of romance has grown in recent years, and I wondered if that would impact my enjoyment of  On the Edge on the second go around. While I do agree with my view that there was a good balance between the romance and the more action/thriller elements in the novel, upon re-reading it, I found the romance to be a little less satisfying. It wasn't quite as fully developed as I think it could have been. I definitely was drawn more to the non-romance story-line.

Rose is a strong heroine and yet vulnerable. She is softer than Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels from her other series. You don't often run into heroines in urban fantasy series that are acting as single mothers, and so having Rose caring for her two young brothers who have special needs added an extra layer of complexity--and heart--to the novel.

It has been awhile since I have read a Kate Daniels novel, and so whether I still believe Rose is softer than Kate, I cannot say. In re-reading the novel, I had less patience for Rose at times, her prickliness and stubbornness tried my patience at times. It is understandable given her history why she is the way she is, given all she has been through. Declan in the re-reading comes off as too perfect. On the plus side, Rose is very much his equal. Georgie, Jack and their grandmother were my favorite characters.

The mix of the ordinary versus the fantastical was well played in the novel. It was very believable and well thought out. The authors, a husband and wife team, have proven yet again that they have a gift for world building. 

I continue to be in awe of Ilona Andrews' skill in world building. On the Edge is full of eccentric characters, interesting supernatural creatures, and a well crafted setting. I most enjoyed getting to know (again) the residents of the Edge and their interactions with those in the Broken. The mystery/thriller element and the history of who was behind the bad things happening in the Edge kept me captivated. I liked how things played out in the end. Overall, my initial rating of 3.5 paws (Good+) stands after re-reading the novel.

*

This past week, I also read Schooled in Murder the first in the Campus Sleuth cozy mystery series by Victoria Albert. I shared my thoughts on it this past Friday if you want to take a look (just click on the title)!

What was the last book you finished? Would you recommend it?  

A monthly feature in which I l share the books I read that month ten years ago. 

(Rating Scale: 5 Paws=Outstanding; 4 Paws=Very Good; 3 Paws=Good; 2 Paws=Okay; 1 Paw=Didn't Like)

The titles are linked to my original reviews of each book when available. 

I began tracking the books I read in late 2003. I like to look back on what I have read over the years and thought it would be fun to add a monthly feature in which I share the titles I read that same month ten years ago. January 2015 was a month for mysteries! I read two historical mysteries, both of which I remember fondly even today. Rich Zahradnik's mystery was atmospheric and suspenseful, and Tessa Arlen wooed me with her wonderful characters and a great sense of time and place. Windy City Blues was an an enjoyable read, but I admit I do not remember much about it. 

That January ten years ago, I also read a book of poetry, Joy Street. I always struggle with reviewing poetry because it is so personal. That month I also read A Man Called Ove, which I absolutely loved, and still think of fondly. 

Last Words (Coleridge Taylor Mysteries #1) by Rich Zahradnik

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Windy City Blues (Jules Landau Mysteries #2) by Marc Krulewitch

Joy Street by Laura Foley

Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman (Lady Montfort Mystery #1) by Tessa Arlen

And because it's my favorite Storygraph chart, below are the moods related to my January 2015 reading: 

Do you track your reading? Do you remember what you were reading all those years ago? Have you read any of these books, and if so, what did you think? 

I am really enjoying Agatha All Along. We have been watching an episode a night when we are able, and have about two more episodes to go. It's so good! I have enjoyed most of the Marvel Universe shows, and am glad to finally be watching this one. I recently started watching the show, Evil, on a whim. It's a mix of supernatural and mystery. I like it so far. 

What have you been watching lately? 

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz - With all the worries and stressors in life, 

I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff. 

1. I met with the Cellar Door Book Club last weekend for the discussion of Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It was a packed group, with about twelve people in attendance. Everyone loved the book and we had a good discussion. As one member said, this is a book that could be discussed over several meetings and we still wouldn't be able to touch on everything. 

2. Also, this past week, I joined the mystery book club for the first time, in which we discussed Lev A.C. Rosen's Lavender House. I worried that I would not finish the book in time, but I did. We had a lively discussion, and I am so glad I was able to go. 

3. Mouse came up behind me to give me a kiss on the top of my head tonight. Which reminded me of all the times my husband, Mouse, and I go in for a group hug. I am not much of a hugger outside of my immediate family, but I sure do love family hugs. 

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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© 2025, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark: My Bookish Mewsings on Schooled in Murder & Other Friday Fun

This week I finished reading Victoria Gilbert's Schooled in Murder and wanted to share my thoughts on the book along with a of couple excerpts with you. 

Along with this mini review, I am linking to both Book Beginnings, a meme in which readers share the first sentence of a book they are reading, hosted by Gillion of Rose City Reader and First Line Friday hosted by Carrie of Reading is My Super Power, as well as Friday 56 hosted by Anne of My Head is Full of Books, in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading.  

I stumbled over several things in my thirty-two years of life, including my words and a few relationships, but never a dead body. [opening of Schooled in Murder]

               ★                    

Zach’s expression grew stony. “You’re still going to pursue that, despite the threats?” 

I looked him in the eyes and smiled. “Of course. Why else would I be here?” [excerpt from 56% of Schooled in Murder]

Schooled in Murder (Campus Sleuth Mystery #1) by Victoria Albert

Berkley, 2025; 304 pgs  

Mystery/Cozy

Source: The publisher via NetGalley

My thoughts: I read and enjoyed the first book in Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library cozy mysteries, which I understand has a connection to this new series. Not having read more of that series didn’t stop me from enjoying Schooled in Murder, and I don’t really think reading one before the other is necessary. This new series is set around Virginia’s Clarion University, featuring mystery writer Jennifer Dalton who heads up the university’s writing center. She also happens to be a published mystery author, whose knowledge comes in handy when she decides to help clear the name of a student accused of murdering a professor on campus. Jenn teams up with her friend, Brianna, the school librarian, and Christine, a cafeteria manager, as well as the university’s psychologist, Zach Flynn, to solve the crime. Jenn and her co-amateur sleuths come up with a list of suspects, all of whom have various motives for wanting the professor dead. The investigation becomes even more complicated when another body is found, with everyone wondering if it is another murder or just an accident. There’s also the fact that someone doesn’t like that Jenn is sticking her nose where they don’t think it belongs. 

Schooled in Murder was an enjoyable cozy mystery with an interesting cast of characters. While not exactly trained in investigations, Jenn’s long standing mystery book series gives her a slight edge in knowing what to look for in their real life murder mystery she and her friends are now investigating. I really liked the inclusion of a cafeteria manager sidekick. She can provide a different perspective, not to mention may be able to get information others aren’t able to given how people seem to overlook those in service positions like hers. Despite there being plenty of suspects, Jenn never lost sight of the possibility that Mia, the student accused of the murder, could still be the killer, even if she didn’t want it to be true. I thought that was smart on Jenn’s part, trying to stay objective while acknowledging her own bias. She wasn’t without her blind spots though. I cannot say too much about the mystery itself without risk of spoiling the whodunit, but I will say there were aspects of the mystery that seemed pretty obvious, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the author did that on purpose. There’s something meta about a mystery author writing a mystery with a protagonist who is also a mystery writer.  

There is a thread of romance in the novel, which was well played. What starts out seeming to be annoyance with each other subtlety takes a more teasing note as the novel progresses, so when Jenn finally acknowledges her attraction to Zach, it comes naturally. The mystery was solid and had some tense moments. The university setting was a great backdrop for this story, touching on literary snobbery, misogyny, and a bit of academic politics.  I found it to be an entertaining read all around. I look forward to seeing what direction Victoria Gilbert takes the series next. (And maybe I should continue with the Blue Ridge Library cozy mysteries in the meantime!)

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think? 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

What book have you most recently re-read? Did your opinion of the book change?

I re-read Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver in December to refresh my memory for a book club meeting that was held this month. I had initially read the hardcover version of the book over the summer and decided to revisit the story via audiobook the second time around. It’s the first time I have re-read a book in the same year (at least one that wasn’t a children’s book). I loved it both times.

I am close to finishing re-reading On the Edge by Ilona Andrews for Anne’s COYER Ilona Andrews' Edge and Inn Keeper read-a-long. I was not as smitten with On the Edge as I had been with the Kate Daniel series by Ilona Andrews, but I did enjoy it the first time around. It is not a book I likely would have picked to re-read had it not been for the read-along. But since the first time I read it was in 2010, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to refresh my memory. Surprisingly, I remember quite a bit of it! My opinion of the novel so far hasn’t changed too much, although I find myself more critical of some aspects and yet admiring the world building a little more.

Are you a re-reader? What was the most recent book you re-read? 

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Have you participated in Sheila’s FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR? [submitted by Submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver’s Review]

I did not this year, but I have in the past, including convincing my husband and daughter to join in a couple of years in a row and even my mom one year. Sharing with other readers what book we plan to read first in the new year is a fun tradition to be a part of. I love seeing what books everyone else starts the year off with! 

Do you participate in the First Book of the Year event? What was your first book of the year?

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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© 2025 Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Goals and Plans for 2025

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at The Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is Bookish Goals and Plans for 2025. I thought I would keep in simple this year, but it appears I may be biting off more than I can chew. The fun is in the reading though, and if I meet my goals it's a bonus!

Read more nonfiction ~ I am joining Shellyrae at Book'd Out in her 2025 Nonfiction Reading Challenge as a Nonfiction Grazer. I plan to read (and review) at least six nonfiction books this year.  Some of the books I am considering include: 

Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times by Gregory Boyle
Our Moon: How Earth's Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are by Rebecca Boyle

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Angela Cartwright

Finding Me by Viola Davis

Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs by Benjamin Herold

I've Tried Being Nice: Essays by Ann Leary
Unbecoming a Lady: The Forgotten Sluts and Shrews Who Shaped America by Therese Oneill
The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City by Jane Wong

Read at least three books my daughter recommends to me ~ Mouse and I have very similar tastes in books, and I can't wait to see what she picks for me again this year.

Continue catching up on my series reading project ~ A never-ending project considering how many series I am in the middle of and all the news ones I start. Last year I told myself I would catch up with both Kim Harrison's Hollows series (as of right now, I need to read 3 books to catch up) and Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost Cities series (I am two behind), which I did not manage to do. I am closer though at least. This year I for sure will do it. That is, if my daughter will let me read her copy of Unraveled (Keeper of the Lost Cities #9.5). I am also interested in the COYER Ilona Andrews' Edge and Inn Keeper read-a-long hosted by Anne of Books of My Heart. I have read a few of the books in the two series, but look forward catching up with them, and maybe re-visit a few of the books along the way. Unfortunately, chances of my being able to participate in the group discussions are slim due to scheduling, but it's still a good excuse to finally get caught up! 

Read and review my TBR List Poll winner each month ~ At the beginning of each month, I list three books from my TBR for you to vote on, and then I read the winner. It's fun to see which book my blog visitors pick of the three choices each month. This past year I didn't always get around to reviewing the books I read, but this year I will make more of an effort to do so.

Book Clubs ~ I am declaring this year as my Year of Book Clubs. It's true that I have a propensity to overcommit as evidenced by the many years I overdid it on reading challenges (but they all sound so good!). And as a mood reader who has difficulty sticking to reading plans and lists, you'd think I would have learned my lesson. I join one book club at the local bookstore and enjoy the experience so much that suddenly I want to join them all. I am not joining them all. But there are four I would like to be a part of, time and schedule (and mood) allowing. I am not sure this is a goal as much as a plan, hence the addition of "plan" to the topic title.

Historical Book Club ~ I joined this group through my local independent bookstore last fall. It is a small group, so far just three of us, but as someone who leans towards shy around people I don't know well, it proved to be the perfect starter size. (Upcoming reads: Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper, The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, and Ida, In Love and Trouble by Veronica Chambers)

Mystery Book Club ~ Because I love mysteries. (Upcoming reads: Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen, The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, and Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji)

Cellar Door Book Club ~ I joined this group for their October meeting and look forward to reading more with them. (Upcoming reads: The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende, and Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt)

Diverse Romance Book Club ~ I was on the fence about this one simply because four book clubs is a lot and, while I enjoy romance, it's not often my go to genre (although one can argue it has become one of them in recent years). After attending my first meeting of the group last week though and enjoying the company and discussion, I want to try to fit it in too. (Upcoming reads: Hearts UnBroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith and The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava)

Bookish Bingo ~ I thought it would be fun this year to take part in Chapter Break Bookish Bingo, matching the books I read to the categories on the monthly bingo card. "The monthly winner will be the person with the most marked squares. None of that across, diagonal, up and down, corners stuff. Just the number of squares." It is just something fun to do without any real pressure. And it might help in those moments when I am not sure what to read next.  

Storygraph and Goodreads Goal ~ To read one book. I did it! Go me!

 What are your reading goals and plans for this year?  

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