Weekly Mews: January Wrap Up & February's Maybes

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.

  

I will save you from my thoughts on the state of affairs in the country this weekend; not much has changed on that front unfortunately. Several local high schools held walkouts protesting ICE and the current administration this past week and more are planned in the near future.

 

On the home front, Mouse is busy with her second semester of school, concert band and the spring musical rehearsals. There is some overlap in rehearsal schedules between band and theater, which she was worried would mean not being able to do the musical after all, but her teachers were able to work out a plan. Whew! 

I have been struggling with a few health issues, but, with the hospital strike limiting care, I have put off reaching out. I do have a video appointment with a doctor to see about my recent back trouble though as that doesn't seem to be getting better despite my rudimentary self-care. Walking does help somewhat, and I have been spending a lot of time on my feet as a result (although that has taken it's own toll). There's no doubt stress and grief are contributing factors. I have been attending a grief support group and that has helped some. 

The weather here has been lovely, spring-like even, except no blossoms and very few green leaves on my trees yet. The Santa Ana winds did blow through the middle of last week, but they didn't turn out to be too strong, fortunately. My half sister in Pennsylvania reported getting quite a bit of snow and below freezing temperatures. It sounds like many of you had similar weather. I hope you are staying safe and warm! 

Books Read in January

At the beginning of the month, I leaned heavily into books with themes centering grief and loss: Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: A Year of Magical Reading by Nina Sankovitch and What We Lose by Zinzi Clemons. They both filled different needs for me in my grief journey. Like Nina, I am finding comfort and reflection in my reading. Zinzi's novel hit me on a more emotional level, often capturing my grief in a more raw way. 

I jumped back into a couple of book clubs in January. The House of Doors by Tan Twang Eng may have gotten off to a slow start for me, but I found much to admire about the authors writing style and the depth in which he wrote about this characters. My Fantasy/Science Fiction book club started the year off with Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik. I was quite excited about reading this one, having read some of the author's other work, and it did not disappoint. I had been craving a fantasy read, and these stories hit the spot. While I started Buried Deep and Other Stories in print, I ended up switching to the audiobook due to time constraints. It was well worth it. 

Another of my January reads was A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James, who has become a favorite of mine in recent years. I love a good ghost/haunted house story from time to time. Whereas Simone St. James's novel was the fun kind of horror novel, Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart was a different kind of horror story, a historical novel based on real events. I am drawn to books about lesser known historical events, and, although I may not have enjoyed it as much as I would have liked, I did find it to be a worthwhile read. And perhaps a warning of what may come again if certain people currently in power or with influence get their way.

To lighten things up throughout the month, I listened to System Collapse (Murderbot Diaries #7) by Martha Wells. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was that the next book is not out yet. I have really enjoyed the Murderbot series. I also read both Boyfriends. Vol. 1 and Boyfriends. Vol. 2 by refrainow. These slice of college life romance graphic novels are really sweet and have a way of always putting a smile on my face at least for a little while. 

A monthly feature in which I l share the books I read this 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 am hard pressed to pick a favorite book among my January reads. There were no five star reads, but four of the book I read earned 4 stars. If I had to narrow it down, I will have to go with What We Lose for the emotional impact it had on me and System Collapse for being a much needed escape. 

What was your favorite book read in January? Did you have a good reading month?

One of my unofficial goals this year is to work my way through my collection of Medusa re-imaginings (I think I have six on my TBR shelves). I just started reading I, Medusa by Ayana Gray. I am really excited to read this one as I have heard good things about it. 

What are you reading right now?

~ Next Up (Maybe) ~ 

I was very close to putting together a TBR List poll for this month, but in the end took my daughter's advice and decided not to. I actually had asked my family if I should start it back up again. My husband was all for it, knowing it's my favorite monthly feature. Mouse, on the other hand, said no, that I should read to my mood since I have so many other commitments right now. The cats did not even try to offer their input. They only wanted more treats. So, while I am not doing a poll, I couldn't help but compile a list of the possibilities that caught my eye when I looked over my bookshelves. Of course, there's always a chance I will end up going in an entirely different direction too.

The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter  by Brionni Nwosu

Keeper of Lost Children  by Sadeqa Johnson

Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen  by Cheryl W. Thompson

The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum  (A Harriet Stone Mystery Book 1) by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? Do any of them interest you?

~ February Book Club Reads ~ 

It is easy to make reading plans, but not always as easy to carry them out. I am hoping to attend three of my book clubs this month if the stars align and my schedule allows:

Playground  by Richard Powers

Conjure Women  by Afia Atakora

The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 1  by Natsu Hyuuga, 

illustrated by Touco Shino, Translated by Kevin Steinbach

Have you read any of these? If so, what did you think?

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz, who shares three good things in her Sunday Salon posts, I thought I would try to do the same. With all the worries and stressors in life, I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff. 

1. They came! Monday morning as I peered out the window, I saw a bird at my mom's bird feeder. The little bird must have told her friends because not too much later, the feeder was the water cooler of the neighborhood with so many House Finches vying for spots at the feeder. I worried that the other feeder, in a different part of the yard, would go unnoticed, but that changed by afternoon. It's a wonder I managed to get any work done this week because of the time I have spent watching my new little friends from my windows. As I type this, I'm watching one of the finches jump from blade to blade on our outdoor patio fan, which is slowly rotating in the wind. (There's even a squirrel that comes to visit. He was quite unhappy to learn he's blocked from the feeders themselves, but he has been collecting what he can from the ground.

2. These beautiful flowers came with a note that read: "Just wanted to make you smile today." 

 

3. I am so grateful to my husband for his support these last two weeks as he comforted me during my overwhelming muscle spasm episodes and for talking me through a panic attack. Really, for pretty much taking care of me in general and Mouse who has been under the weather too. 

Catching some sun and a nap

What have you been up to this past week? 

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

---

© 2026, 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: What a Year It Has Been So Far!

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.

I had planned to post an update last weekend (and the weekend before), but words failed me. These days it feels like writing about the books I read is trivial when the world outside my door is in such upheaval. I have likened current events in this country to that of Hitler and the Nazis and the terror, propaganda, and the hate they spread. But it goes further back than that, doesn't it? Recent events remind me of one of my favorite reads last year, The Reformatory by Tananarive. There's a scene in the novel in which the local white men terrorize their Black neighbors, claiming they are seeking justice, when really it is more about sowing fear and intimidation. It's an all too familiar scene that has occurred throughout this country's history and today--and worse.

I also find myself thinking about another book I read last year, this one for my Historical Book Club, called American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin. The tactics of the slave catchers of the time are reminiscent of what is happening in Minnesota and other cities across the nation. Papers, be damned. We're told it is to get the worst of the criminals off the street and yet there is a lawlessness in the way these so called arrests are happening. No proper warrants, no due process, Constitution ignored, and random people, mostly of color, legal or otherwise, being carted away and locked up in inhumane conditions. They are beating and murdering people inside their jails and on the streets without any remorse. Journalists are being arrested for doing their jobs. As the people were told in the past, they tell us it is for our own good, to keep streets safe and clean; these enforcers are not able to see that it is really their own inhumanity that sullies this country. 

And that is just a part of the turmoil the country is facing right now. Don't even get me started on the Epstein Files . . . 

But not everyone buys the propaganda they are trying to force feed us, thankfully. People have taken to the streets, are writing and calling their representatives, providing shelter, and support to their neighbors and strangers; there are those who are speaking out, doing whatever they are able, in big and small ways. The challenge isn't just in fighting for our freedom now, but also in fighting against a past of wrongs imbedded in our society. Not all hope is lost. We have not all lost our sense of decency--our humanity.

How are you holding up? 

My poor print book has not gotten as much attention as my e-books in January, unfortunately, and so I have not yet finished The Phone Booth At the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina. While sad, I find the novel hopeful too, and I find myself wanting to take my time with it, rather than rush through it. So there is that too. 

Still recovering after the weighty Women of a Promiscuous Nature, I was still craving something light-hearted and decided Alechia Dow's Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, a Cinderella re-imagining, sounded like it would do the trick. After the first chapter I worried it might be too saccharine for my tastes, but it is proving to be just the right amount. 

What are you reading right now? Is it something you would recommend?

My recent reads:

Siblings return to the house they fled eighteen years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request to come home. [from the publisher]

I was in the mood for a ghost story and figured I could not go wrong with A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James (Berkley, 2026; Mystery/Thriller/Horror, 344 pgs). I did not realize going into this one that it is set in the same town as The Sun Down Motel, which I have yet to read. But rest assured, A Box Full of Darkness is a stand alone novel.

The Esmie siblings hoped to never return to their childhood home, but they have long been haunted by the disappearance of their six year-year-old brother Ben. 

While not a fast-paced book, I did find myself completely immersed in A Box Full of Darkness. All three of the siblings live relatively isolated lives, not letting anyone get close to them. They aren't particularly close themselves, barely in touch until they reunite at the house with the common goal of finding out what happened to Ben. Dodie, of the three seems to be the most successful in terms of career; she is a well sought after hand and hair model. She only does first dates, not seconds, and lives in a tiny apartment. Vail has spent his entire life trying to understand what happened to his brother. He avoids relationships and earns his living as a UFO investigator, without real roots anywhere. Violet cleans the houses of the recently deceased for a living, a job she takes comfort in because she does not have to interact too much with other people. On the downside, she sometimes see ghosts. It was her ability to see ghosts that landed her in a psychiatric ward for a time and ruined her marriage. Her daughter wants little to do with her, and she doesn't blame her. 

With alternating chapters told from the perspective of each sibling, the reader gets a first hand account of the grief, pain and self-blame the characters are experiencing. Vail, Dodie, and Violet are not the easiest people to get along with, I imagine, but I found it easy to care about them and want them to find sort of peace. Their childhood was a difficult one, their brother's disappearance notwithstanding. Their parents were neglectful and they were often left to their own devices. They never talked about the nightmares they each suffered with each other growing up, the ones that seemed all too real. As the Esmie siblings put their heads together and start to dig into the history of their childhood home and the surrounding neighborhood in hopes of finding some link to their brother's disappearance, they find themselves up against a malevolent force that is out to get them.

This was as creepy and eerie as one would hope from a novel like this. The characters have suffered so much in their lifetimes. There were several side characters that play a part in the novel who play important roles in the novel, either actively involved or in supporting roles. One I admit I was suspicious of for a time. As much as I enjoyed this book, there were aspects of the story I felt were too convenient and others I wish had been explored more. Perhaps not my favorite of the author's work, but still a very satisfying read just the same. 

When the unimaginable happens, you make the best decisions you can, and you never know if they were the right ones. [excerpt from 70% of A Box Full of Darkness]

From the dragon-filled Temeraire series and the gothic, magical halls of the Scholomance trilogy to the fairy tale worlds of Spinning Silver and Uprooted, this stunning collection takes us from fairy tale to fantasy, myth to history, and mystery to science fiction as we travel through Naomi Novik's most beloved stories. [from the publisher]

My Fantasy/Science Fiction Book Club selection for the month of January was Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik (Random House Audio, 2024; Fantasy/Science Fiction, 12hrs 46min). I started out reading this anthology of short stories, but ended up listening to the audiobook because I was running out of time before the book club meeting. I have read and enjoyed a few Naomi Novik's books and was excited to dive into this collection of stories (especially because it meant another visit to Scholomance). 

Each of the stories is read by a different narrator, all of whom did an amazing job, with an introduction by the author herself, explaining a little bit of history about the individual stories. I like it when authors add that personal touch to short story collections. It often adds to my appreciation of the stories. 

Buried Deep and Other Stories started out with a bang for me. The first story, "Arminta, or, the Wreck of the Amphidrake", was one of my favorites. I loved Arminta! She's a woman who is her authentic self--high born but non-traditional, preferring a sword fight to wearing pretty dresses. This pirate story had me craving more stories like it. And can we please have more stories featuring Arminta? 

Another favorite (which won't surprise anyone) of mine was "After Hours", set in the Scholomance universe. This story takes place after the original trilogy, featuring a young witch named Beata, who is forced to room with Jayne, a privileged enclave girl. This story involves a curse, a dangerous, forbidden nighttime adventure, and a certain character from the trilogy who makes a very welcome appearance. 

But my absolute favorite of the collection was "Dragons and Decorum". This Pride and Prejudice re-telling set in the Temeraire universe was such a delightful read. Elizabeth is a captain in the the Aerial Dragon Corps and home on leave, attending a ball at her family's behest where she meets the less than charming Mr. Darcy. I was sad to see this one end. And may I just add that everyone needs a Wollstonecraft in their lives--a dragon who enjoys Gothic literature, no less!

Some other great stories included "Vici" set in the Temeraire universe (dragons!) and "Buried Deep," a Adriadne and Minotaur retelling (Greek Mythology for the win!). I also enjoyed "Spinning Silver" which inspired her full length novel with the same title (which I have yet to read) about a woman who gains the unwanted attention of a fae and must figure out a way to outwit him or be frozen. The story "Blessings" reminded me a bit of the "Sleeping Beauty" fairytale, at least the part in which the fairies bestow blessings on the princess at her christening. In Novik's story, several fairies are invited to the birthday of lesser nobleman's daughter. The fairies (who are all very drunk) are taken aback when the shadowed fairy among them gives the child the blessings of ugliness and strength. The ending of this one was so good! 

 

The anthology is made up of thirteen stories in all, a mix of fantasy and science fiction, and a great way to start off my Fantasy/Science Fiction Book Club year.

Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the long-buried history of the American Plan, the government program designed to regulate women’s bodies and sexuality throughout the first half of the 20th century. [from the publisher]

I was having trouble choosing which e-book to read next and asked my daughter for help. I gave her the synopsis of three books, and she choose Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart (Kensington, 2026; Historical Fiction, 368 pgs). This book has received mostly good ratings as of the writing of this review. I wish I could say mine were among them, but I have come away from this book feeling it was just okay. 

You can imagine that this was not an easy read subject matter wise. While I was aware of some aspects of this part of American history, I was not familiar with the American Plan itself. Originally a government program said to have been created to protect the military and naval forces against venereal diseases, it became a way for men to further control women's lives than they already did. If a husband was unhappy with his wife, she might be a good candidate for reform. So might the single women living in a boarding house together, an unwed pregnant girl, or a just the random independent single woman seen out on a date. Mrs. Dorothy Baker believes women like that are the perfect candidates for the farm colony and is determined to put these women on the right path. Women of a Promiscuous Nature is broken into three alternating narratives, that of Mrs. Baker, the superintendent of the farm colony, and two of its residents, Ruth and Stella. 

Ruth is a confident and spirited woman. Her incarceration at the farm colony is clearly unjust. She had been seen on a date with a man, shared a kiss, and for that, was picked up on her way to work by a deputy, forced to have an invasive medical exam, and questionably diagnosed with a venereal disease, and taken straight to the farm colony with no chance to let her mother what had happened to her. 

It was impossible not to sympathize with Stella given her situation. She was neglected by her parents and abused by her father who gets her pregnant. Unlike Ruth who wants to be anywhere but at the farm colony, Stella will do anything she can to ingratiate herself to Mrs. Baker, earn her approval, something she never got from any of the other adults in her life. Unlike most of the other women at the farm colony, Stella hopes she never has to leave.

Dorothy Baker's backstory is full of rejection; she wants nothing more than to be respected and to reform the women she supervises into the type of women she thinks they should be. She believes her intentions are pure, but from the first chapter, it seems clear to me that she lets her own hurt and anger guide her actions, even many years later. I appreciated that the author offers us Mrs. Baker's point of view, but I would be lying if I said I saw her as anything other than one of the villains in the book. 

Of the side characters, Nurse Crawford was the most sympathetic among the staff of the farm colony. She seemed to care about the women although she was often complicit in what was done to them. Given her backstory though, it was easy to see why that might be. I was glad her character was fleshed out some because of the perspective her story had to offer. Of the residents, I would like to have gotten to know Frances Pratt more. She intrigued me and it was obvious there was more to her than met the eye. 

Women of a Promiscuous Nature is not an easy read. It touches on a dark and not so long ago history in the United States about the treatment of women. Medical experimentation and procedures were performed on women without their knowledge and consent, being forced to work in what were basically labor camps, enduring cruel and harsh punishments, and being incarcerated indefinitely without trial or due process. This was not a new concept for controlling many marginalized populations, unfortunately. What is scary is that there are people in powerful positions today who likely wouldn't mind putting such a system back in place, asserting yet more control over the autonomy of women. 

I had high hopes for this book. I would like to have seen Stella and especially Dorothy Baker grow as characters more. They might not have been in the same place they started physically, but on a psychological and self-awareness level, I was disappointed. I think I would have preferred to read a nonfiction book on this subject instead. Clearly, from the reviews, many people loved this book. So please don't take my word for it. This is a part of U.S. history that needs to be out in the open.

After reading Women of a Promiscuous Nature, I was in dire need of something the opposite of serious, and so I turned to Boyfriends. Volume Two by refrainbow (Webtoon Unscrolled, 2024; Romance, 306 pgs), a graphic novel. I read the first volume earlier in the month. This queer polyamorous graphic novel was even sweeter than the first. The four characters only known as Jock, Goth, Nerd, and Prep, are navigating their new relationship and college life among other things, and, in this edition, we also get to know the Girlfriends--who I hope will be around for future editions. I did not expect to enjoy this slice of life series as much as I do, but it makes for a nice escape for a short while. 

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? If not, which ones appeal to you?

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. Somehow my mother's plants are still alive. Mostly thanks to my husband who remembers to water them. 

2. My husband and I put up a couple of bird feeders today. I made sure I could see them from my desk on my work from home days. I hope the birds come!

3. The Christmas decorations are finally all put away and my house is somewhat back to normal. 

4. I love my new giraffe (and my mom's frog). 

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

---

© 2026, 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 Mewsings (Remarkably Bright Creatures & The Midnight Feast)

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.

I did not make much progress in Nikki Payne's Pride and Prejudice this past week as I was more focused on getting my Mystery book club selection finished in time. I just started The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, this month's TBR List Poll pick, and am enjoying it. 

What are you reading right now? 

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

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, narrated by Marin Ireland & Michael Urie
(Harper Audio, 2022; 11hrs 16min)

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. [from the Publisher]

This book felt like a big warm hug. I loved every minute of the audiobook. It was sweet and charming, but not overly so. I was not sure what to expect going in. I did think Marcellus, the octopus, might play a bigger role but then was relieved that he did not. It felt more natural the way author Shelby Van Pelt incorporates his role into Tova and Cameron's lives. Odd thing to say, I suppose, given he has anthropomorphic characteristics, but it works. Both Tova and Cameron have come to crossroads in their lives. Tova is getting older and continues to struggle with her grief over her lost son and the more recent death of her husband. Her job as a cleaner at the aquarium means everything to her, but when she falls and is put on medical leave, she feels more alone and unmoored. Then there is Cameron, a listless man who cannot hold down a job and recently broke up with his girlfriend. He leaves his home in Modesto, heading north to Washington state in search for the father he never knew, and ends up taking a job at the aquarium as a temporary replacement for Tova to make ends meet. In his own way, Marcellus tries to bring these two lost souls together in his effort to heal his friend Tova's heart. 

Marcellus is a great character (and I loved the narrator who voiced him), but I think my favorite was Ethan, the grocery store owner, who knew everyone's business and loved rock music. He wasn't so much a busybody, it seemed to me, but rather someone who cared about those in his community. I liked the way he took Cameron, a complete stranger, under his wing. Luckily, Cameron wasn't one to take advantage of that kindness.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is full of heart. Well-written with characters that felt real and I came to love. Grief and loss do not completely disappear no matter how much time passes, and I appreciated how the author gets that point across through her characters--not in a harsh way but in a gentle one. In some ways, the novel was predictable. The outcome was obvious early on, but I was completely okay with that. This is the story I needed right now, and I am so glad I finally decided to give it a try.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
(William Morrow, 2014, 320 pgs)

Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin...

It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered. [from the Publisher]

I do not think anyone in my Mystery book club expected a lengthy discussion about this month's selection, The Midnight Feast, but we all seemed to have a lot to say. Opinions were mixed: from one person who really liked it, another who said it was better the second time but still felt meh about it, a couple of people who didn't like it at all, and then those of us mostly liked it, but did not love it. I fall into that latter camp. 

The novel is told from the perspective of several different characters, jumping back and forth in time from before the Solstice to during and after, which in someone else's hands may not have worked so effectively. Lucy Foley gives each of her characters distinct voices, and the weaving of the timelines adds to the building tension. The author's depiction of wealth inequity, the class differences, and the seduction money and power can have over people, stood out for me in the lives and motivations of each of her characters. Francesca is determined the opening of her elite resort, once her grandparents' estate, will go perfectly and she will make sure it does at all costs, even as the secrets of the past threaten to cast a shadow over it all. Francesca's husband, Owen, will do anything to make Francesca happy, but he also has secrets of his own. Eddie, the son of a local farmer, is working at the resort without his parents' knowledge, knowing they would not approve. The resort is bringing nothing but heartache to the local community, encroaching on their livelihoods, and threatening their woods and beaches. There is the perfect assistant, Michelle; Bella, a guest with an agenda of her own, and DI Walker, who is called in to investigate a suspicious death. And these are just the main characters. There were several side characters who also play a prominent part in in the novel. 

I struggled to get into The Midnight Feast initially. The writing did not grab me and I worried that it was just too dark for me at this point in time. While I found the characters to be be on the one dimensional side, I really liked the way the plot points came together. The author kind of hints at a supernatural element related to the a local superstition of the Birds. Whether that proves true or not--well, you will have to read the book for yourself to find out. I will say that I found the way everything comes together during the final third of the book very satisfying, even if things go a bit off the rails. I was fully engaged at that point.

A monthly feature in which I l share the books I read this 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. 

Looking back over my reading in September 2015:  

The Demon's Librarian by Lilith Saintcrow is such a great title, don't you think? It was one of a few Lilith Saintcrow's books I read that year, and while not my favorite of the bunch, I did enjoy it. 

Next there was My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman. I was surprised I gave it a 3.5 rating instead of a 4 (it's Fredrik Backman, for goodness sake), but, then again, in reading my thoughts from then, I remember why. Still, I found it to be heartwarming while at the same time heartbreaking. 

When I think of The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig, it is less about the book, admittedly, and more about the fact that it was the first book my daughter had  a hand in picking out for me as a gift (with the help of my husband, of course). Drama, romance, a hint of mystery make up this historical novel set in the Jazz age. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Bearing It All by Vonnie Davis is the third in the Highlander's Beloved paranormal romance trilogy, of which I liked the first two books more (especially the second book, A Highlander's Passion). This third book pushed me past my ability to suspend my disbelief, I'm afraid, but I still look back fondly on this bear shifter trilogy. 

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

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. Whenever Mouse has an orthodontist appointment in the afternoons, we often will stop in at the mall and wander around. One of those times was this past week. We had such a fun time! She let me read some of her writing over pretzels and drinks, and we chatted about school and whatever else that came to mind. 

2. Nina may not be the most affectionate cat, but she does like to hang out in the same room with is. Here she has her eyes covered with her paws as she naps in the family room as I read. 

3. Tonight was the school marching band and color guard barbecue and open house for family and friends. It was a fun time. The kids played for us and performed the first song from their field show. Everyone was invited to stay for the rest of the rehearsal after if we wanted to, and while a lot of people left, many stayed as well. My mom, Anjin, and I had already planned on staying, so got to see them rehearse the second song of their three song field show. I am always impressed with how the choreography comes together, with so many moving parts (or people, as the case may be). 

 

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.

Weekly Mews: August Wrap Up & September is Here (Please Vote in My TBR Poll!)

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.

  

Books Read in August

I was able to fit in 8 books this past month. It was another heavy book club month, which was not a surprise. I managed to attend all five of my book clubs! 

I shared my bookish mewsings on the four books I read the first part of the month. You can find those thoughts here. 

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado 

Trouble with the Cursed (The Hollows #16) by Kim Harrison 

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, narrated by Aaliya Warbus and Jordan Waunch

The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers, narrated by Kitty Parker 

The second half of month included a  mix of historical fiction, a classic and a mystery/thriller:

A Queer Case (The Selby Bigge Mysteries #1) by Robert Holtom 

The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin, narrated by Lynnette R. Freeman 

Kills Well With Others (Killers of a Certain Age #2) by  Deanna Raybourn

1984 by George Orwell, narrated by Simon Prebble 

A Queer Case (The Selby Bigge Mysteries #1) by Robert Holtom 

(Titan Books, 2025; 320 pgs)

A gripping 1920s-set whodunnit, this debut features a queer sleuth who must solve a murder in a mansion on London’s Hampstead Heath without revealing his sexuality, lest he be arrested as a criminal.

Author Robert Holtom pays homage to the Golden Age of detective fiction in A Queer Case about a bank clerk who gets himself entangled in the family drama of an old college chum and crush. Selby makes due with loveless trysts while what he really longs for is a meaningful relationship. When Patrick, the son of a banking millionaire, asks for his help, Selby sees it as an opportunity to get closer to his old friend. Patrick is sure his father's new wife is a gold-digger and wants Selby to help him prove it. Selby steps into the world of money and privilege, where everything is not quite as perfect as it seems. The next thing he knows, Selby is at the center of a murder investigation. And everyone's a suspect. 

A Queer Case was the mystery book club selection for August, and while the feedback was mixed, most everyone enjoyed it. It is a mystery that does not take itself too seriously on the one hand, with humor and nods to Golden Age mysteries; and on the other, the novel offers the reader a glimpse into the struggles Selby, a gay man in 1929 London, experiences. Being queer is not only strongly frowned upon, it was illegal at the time. His trying to keep his sexuality a secret while uncovering the secrets of those he suspects of murder is quite the challenge. I read an interview with the author in which he mentioned wanting to create a character who was not weighed down by shame or self-loathing but who celebrates his queerness, and Holtom succeeds there. Holtom also includes a character who is the opposite of those things, one who hates themselves and feels deep shame. I liked that the author included both portrayals, each from contrasting perspectives.

I loved Selby's energy and he seems like a genuinely well-meaning and nice person. But my favorite character of the novel was Theodora/Theo. Actually, she/he was the favorite of my entire mystery reading group, and we all hope will be a regular character in future books. Smart, charming, and a good influence on Selby. They kind of keep him grounded, I think. Oh, and there's also Octavia Stubbs, crime writer, who I have to mention. She has only bad things to say about her contemporary, Agatha Christie, which was hilarious. I thought this was a fun addition, given how Agatha Christie was Holtom's, who is a Christie fan, inspiration.

A Queer Case was an entertaining read overall. It's a fairly quick read. I ended up giving it a 3 paw rating, meaning that I thought it was good (liked it). I cannot quite put my finger on what it was that was a miss for me; perhaps it did not pull me in as much as I would have liked or the characters weren't as fleshed out as I generally prefer. I think both. It was a fun time though, and I am glad I read it.

The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin, narrated by Lynnette R. Freeman 

(One World, 2024; 9hrs 56m)

A gripping historical novel about a spirited young girl who joins a sisterhood of Black women working together to undermine the Confederates.

I hesitated in using the above description of the book because it is misleading (the longer summary is no better, I'm afraid). I read The American Daughters for my August Historical Fiction book club, and we all went into it with similar expectations, looking forward to a novel about the sisterhood of Black women called the Daughters whose goal was to undermine the Confederates. Only, that is not quite what we got. They do get a little page time, but it is very limited, which was disappointing. Another element of the novel that fell short for me was the execution of the meta story, framing the primary story. It might have worked for me, but then it lost me at the epilogue (to say more would be a spoiler). 

With that out of way, there was much I liked about The American Daughters. The writing is beautiful. I was completely engaged with the first half or so of the novel which focused on a young Ady and her mother, Sanite, who were enslaved together to a businessman in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Ady loves listening to her mother share stories of their family's origins and picks up on the lessons her mother passes down to her. The mother and daughter have an inseparable bond. Their relationship was one of my favorite aspects of the novel, their moments alone together among my favorite scenes. 

As with any novel about enslaved people and their experiences, it was not always an easy book to read. Author Maurice Carlos Ruffin's words paint a vivid picture of what life must have been like for Ady and her mother and writes too about the differences among the enslaved working in the house versus those in the fields. I more often come across books about "slave labor camps also called plantations" than I do about the enslaved who live in cities like New Orleans. In Ady and Sanite's case, they seemed to have a bit more freedom, if you can call it that, to run errands for their owner. Although, even that was risky, given they only had one pass between the two of them. There were also free Black people who had free movement in the city, and yet even they often faced discrimination and the ever present threat of being captured by slave catchers looking hoping for a bounty. 

Despite her circumstances and what she endures, Ady never loses her sense of self--even after her mother is gone. I was not quite as smitten in the second half of the novel, admittedly, although I was still invested in Ady's story. Ady befriends a free Black woman who runs her own business, the Mockingbird Inn. Ady longs for the confidence her new friend has, standing up to the oppressors and carving her own path. Lenore is a force to be reckoned with and so is her friend Alabama, who behind Sanite, was one of my favorite characters in the novel. And yet their lives have not been easy either as they face their own struggles. The novel is full of strong women whose will to survive is fierce. They all longed for a better life. It is through Lenore we learn about the Daughters and their goal to undermine the Confederates when she invites Ady to join the movement. 

This was an emotional read, one full of sadness and heartbreaking moments. The reader gets to see Ady come of age, fall in love, and find her voice in a world that would rather she remain subservient and silent. Lynnette R. Freeman's narration of the novel made it all the more compelling, as she captured the voices of the characters so well.  

Kills Well With Others (Killers of a Certain Age #2) by  Deanna Raybourn

(Berkley, 2025; 359 pgs)

Four women assassins, senior in status—and in age—sharpen their knives for another bloody good adventure in this riotous follow-up to the New York Times bestselling sensation Killers of a Certain Age.

I really enjoyed Killers  of a Certain Age and was happy when the second book in the series, Kills Well with Others won August's TBR List Poll (thank you again to all who voted!). This latest book picks up in just over a year since the last. Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie are called out of retirement to eliminate a European gangster targeting Museum agents like themselves. From safe house to safe house, a cruise ship and a trip to Venice, our favorite assassins must not only find their target but avoid being targeted themselves. 

In some ways, this second book in the series wasn't quite as good as the first, but in other ways, I thought it was just as good. Reading the first book is a must before taking the plunge into this one, if only to get a good feel for the characters and their relationships. I enjoyed the twists in Kills Well With Others and the building tension as the story evolved. I was happy to see Taverner again (Billie's love interest and an all around great guy) and wish there had been more of Minka (who I think should be a more regular part of their team). I also wish more time had been spent on the women's relationships with each other, but I appreciated the insights into the villain's backstory. Overall a fast paced and tension filled read. I hope there will be more!

1984 by George Orwell, narrated by Simon Prebble

(Blackstone Audio, originally 1949; 11hrs 22m)

A masterpiece of rebellion and imprisonment where war is peace, freedom is slavery, and Big Brother is watching. Thought Police, Big Brother, Orwellian - these words have entered our vocabulary because of George Orwell's classic dystopian novel 1984. The story of one man's Nightmare Odyssey as he pursues a forbidden love affair through a world ruled by warring states and a power structure that controls not only information but also individual thought and memory. 1984 is a prophetic haunting tale. More relevant than ever before 1984 exposes the worst crimes imaginable the destruction of truth freedom and individuality.

I first read 1984 in college and caved into the pressure to read it again this year, or rather listen to the audiobook this time around. Simon Prebble did an excellent job narrating. The novel itself is even better than I remember. Orwell is such a good writer. What made this book hard to read right now, in 2025, isn't that it did not stand the test of time as a classic, but rather I could not help but wonder if the current administration is using it as a handbook, just not from the perspective it was intended. So many of the ideas and concepts the government in this dystopian novel are believed and/or practiced by those in power today. 

A monthly feature in which I l share the books I read this 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. 

My two top reads last month are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of genre and the feelings they evoked in me. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado, a young adult romance, was a surprise hit for me. And not so surprising was George Orwell's dystopian classic, 1984.

I think this is the first time in my reading history that audiobooks out number digital and print books read. 

It's always interesting to see how my reading is reflected in moods. Emotional and reflective seem to come up a lot in my reading these days. I blame the book club books. Although, I know it isn't all their fault. 

What was your favorite book read in August? Have you made progress with your reading challenges? Did you have a good reading month?

This week I finished reading A Silence in Belgrave Square (Below Stairs Mysteries #8) by Jennifer Ashley and listened to Tuesdays with Morrie written and narrated by Mitch Albom. I will be sharing my thoughts on both next weekend. 

I had hoped to finish Andrea Levy's Small Island this week as well, but it was not meant to be. I have about a hundred or so pages left and should finish it this coming week, if not this weekend. Up next on my TBR are Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne and Sweep with Me (Innkeeper Chronicles #4.5) by Ilona Andrews.

September's Book Club Reads:

James by Percival Everett (Cellar Door Book Club)

Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne (Diverse Romance Book Club)

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley (Mystery Book Club)

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club)

We are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, narrated by Robin Myers 

(Historical Fiction Book Club)

I read James last year and plan to re-visit it via audiobook this time around. The rest are new to me. I am not sure I will make the Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club this month. Marching band season is well underway and that may keep me away, but I hope to still fit in How High We Go in the Dark, which is a short story collection. Of all the book club selections this month, I am most excited to read The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley. I have not read anything by her before but have been wanting to. I am a little nervous about We are Green and Trembling if only because the writing is described as surreal storytelling. 

What are you reading right now?

My TBR List is hosted by Michelle at Because Reading. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books from my TBR pile I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).  

Fall is not quite in the air in my part of the world, but tis the season and I am in the mood for something witchy or maybe zombies and vampires or a historical paranormal mystery . . . I can't decide, and so this is where you come in. Please help me select my next read!  

Zomromcom (Supernatural Entanglements #1) by Olivia Dade

Teaming up with your neighbor during a zombie outbreak is a no-brainer, but if it turns out he’s a vampire . . . the stakes couldn’t be higher, in this infectious new paranormal romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Spoiler Alert.

When Edie Brandstrup attempts to save her sweet, seemingly harmless human neighbor from the first major zombie breach in two decades, she’s stunned to be saved by him—and his ridiculously large sword—instead. As it turns out, he's actually a super-old, super-surly vampire. But for all her neighbor's newly revealed cynicism and lethality, Gaston "Max" Boucher (yes, Gaston) is unexpectedly protective. He wants her to stay in his safety bunker until the breach is resolved. Edie can’t risk more innocent people getting killed, though—and Max won’t let her save them alone.

As they unravel a sinister conspiracy to set zombies loose on the world (again), the duo meet a host of lovable allies and discover they're not the only ones willing to fight for the future of humanity. Despite the awful timing, Edie finds herself falling for the vampire who’s helping her save the world . . . but all their dangerous plans could end their future before it even begins. As she and Max battle side by side, Edie must decide whether having a love worth living for also means having a love you'd die for—and, in a world that grows deadlier by the minute, whether that’s a risk she’s willing to take. [Publisher's Summary]

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Three women in three different eras encounter danger and witchcraft in this eerie multigenerational horror saga from the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic.

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.

In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.

Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved. [Publisher's Summary]

Murder at the Wham Bam Club (Psychics & Soul Food Mystery #1) by Carolyn Marie Wilkins

As Prohibition era speakeasies and Jazz Age excitement reign supreme throughout a deeply divided country at the height of the Roaring 20s, a young psychic in small town Illinois helps the Black community fight crime and corruption in this thrilling historical mystery written by a real-life psychic medium and jazz pianist.

After the death of her brave Harlem Hellfighter husband during the First World War, young widow Nola Ann Jackson returned to her hometown of Agate, Illinois, to live with her Aunt Sarah, a known local psychic. Under her aunt’s care and tutelage, Nola has been learning how to tap into her own intuitive gifts and communicate with the spirits. And she will rely on their insightful guidance when she’s asked to help investigate a woman’s disappearance.

Lilly Davidson, the missing woman, was living at the Phyllis Wheatley Institute for Colored Girls where young ladies are educated and prepared to follow bright futures. But she vanished after a night at the Wham Bam Club where jazz music swings, prohibition is defied, and other vices are encouraged. Lilly was seen fraternizing with Eddie Smooth, trumpeter and leader of the St. Louis Stompers—and a notorious pimp. Nola finds Lilly at the club alive and well, supposedly engaged to Eddie. That same night, the Wham Bam is set afire and Eddie is killed by gunfire, leaving Lilly on the run, a suspected murderer.

Eddie Smooth had shady dealings with Agate’s wealthy elite, Black and white, making plenty of enemies with motives for wanting him dead. He was also a notorious womanizer who left several broken hearts in his wake. To prove Lilly’s innocence, Nola must listen to her spiritual instincts to unravel political schemes and personal vendettas to find a killer desperate to cover up a scandalous conspiracy . . . [Publisher's Summary]

Thank you for voting!

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz, who shares three good things in her Sunday Salon posts, I thought I would try to do the same. With all the worries and stressors in life, I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff. 

1. We celebrated my mom's birthday in August with brunch and a trip to the local independent bookstore. We topped off the afternoon with cupcakes. Yum!

2. We recently attended Mouse's Back to School Night and met her teachers. She performed with the marching band at the welcome/opening. They performed music from their upcoming field show. The best part of the evening was being able to sit in on part of the field show rehearsal, which was taking place that same night. I cannot wait to see the final show.

3. My husband got me hooked on Duolingo, a language app, quite a while ago and I have been faithfully doing a lesson or so every day. I am up to a 1029 day streak. I recently started a second language so I would at least be familiar with some basic words in French since my daughter is taking it in high school. The other night I was complaining about  the we/they verb conjugation and "why can't it be as easy as it is in Spanish" (because that is what I'm more familiar with), and Mouse offered to help me. She pulled out her notes from French class and went over the -er present tense verb conjugations with me. I am not sure I have it down yet, but with her help, I may get there yet. It was a special mom and daughter moment (for me, at least).

What have you been up to this past week? 

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.