Musings of a Bookish Kitty: TellMeSomething

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Thursday, September 18, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark? [September 19th Edition]

This week I thought I would feature my latest book, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I pulled the quotes from the print copy I own, but I was more in the mood to listen to it in audio format, so checked the audiobook out from the library. I had put off picking this one up, worried it might be a little too over the top with an octopus as a character. As it turns out though, it was just what I needed.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by Gillion of Rose City Reader. Also linking to First Line Friday hosted by Carrie of Reading is My Super Power.

Darkness suits me. [opening of Remarkably Bright Creatures]

Sometimes all it takes is a three word sentence to leave me wanting more, and this is one of those instances. On its own, there is no real context, but it's piqued my interest just enough.

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

She feels a scowl cross her face now, watching this young fellow pick up a pair of fallen canisters and return them to the shelf, not seeming to care that he's placed them upside down. For the last two weeks, Barb Vanderhoof and Ethan Mack and their ilk have been churning the rumor mill with their talk of the fellow from California, the homeless man, who had taken her place. But Cameron has clean fingernails and nice, white teeth. And he's well versed in the works of Shakespeare, apparently. He has promised to keep her secret, and for some reason she can't quite identify, she likes him. She might even trust him.

He is not what she expected. [excerpt from Remarkably Bright Creatures, page 179]

Rumors can run rampant in small towns, but they are not always true, or at least, do not always tell the entire story.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus

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.

Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. [from the Publisher]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? 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 would you do if you won the lottery?

My answer is less than glamourous and not very altruistic, I confess. And it would depend on whether I won a little pocket money or the biggest prize ever. If the latter, I would pay off any debt (namely my mortgage and the car), set aside money for my daughter's education and perhaps some for close relatives and friends in need. I would not mind doing a bit of traveling, but mostly, I would want to set up a fund of some sort that would allow me to live comfortably (no mansions or expensive cars or anything fancy) for the rest of my life. Though, a cottage in a remote forest near a lake sounds really good about now . . . But if I only win a little pocket money? I would treat my family to lunch--or ice cream, if that's all it would buy.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

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.

Do you know more than one language? If so, do you read books published in other countries?

Sadly, I am a monolinguist. I know a little Spanish but not enough to get by. I might be able to read an early reader children's book in Spanish that was published in another country thanks to my high school and college Spanish classes, but that would be about it. I have not actually tried though. Books translated into English are a different story. I have read and enjoyed those! I have great respect for those of you who speak and read in multiple languages. It is such a useful skill to have.

What about you?

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

© 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.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark? [September 12th Edition]

Unfortunately, I did not make my Diverse Romance Book Club this week nor did I finish this month's selection. It wasn't the books fault. Time got away from me. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite Austen novels, and I have been looking forward to reading Nikki Payne's Pride and Protest.

A red light blipped on the top left of the control board. Liza B. had a caller. "Hello and good evening. You are live with Liza B., the only DJ who gives a jam. Tell me what's on your mind . . . " [opening of Pride and Protest]

I used to listen to the radio more than I do now, especially on my commute into work in the mornings or in the evenings on my way home. So, there's a bit of nostalgia for me in this first paragraph from my current read. This opening introduces the reader to the heroine of the story, Liza.

"You know what your problem is?"

Dorsey pulled the door open wider, nudging her to exit the stairwell.
"You mean besides being a friendless, vain sociopath?" he offered wearily.
"Oh wait, I actually think that covers it." Liza snapped. Where is that smoldering man from just two minutes ago? [excerpt from Pride and Protest, page 89]

Pride and protest seem to be fitting adjectives to describe both Dorsey and Liza. They spend an awful lot of time verbally sparring, but there is a definite attraction there.

Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne

A woman goes head-to-head with the CEO of a corporation threatening to destroy her neighborhood in this fresh and modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice by debut author Nikki Payne.

Liza B.--the only DJ who gives a jam--wants to take her neighborhood back from the soulless property developer dropping unaffordable condos on every street corner in DC. But her planned protest at a corporate event takes a turn after she mistakes the smoldering-hot CEO for the waitstaff. When they go toe-to-toe, the sparks fly--but her impossible-to-ignore family thwarts her every move. Liza wants Dorsey Fitzgerald out of her hood, but she'll settle for getting him out of her head.

At first, Dorsey writes off Liza Bennett as more interested in performing outrage than acting on it. As the adopted Filipino son of a wealthy white family, he's always felt a bit out of place and knows a fraud when he sees one. But when Liza's protest results in a viral meme, their lives are turned upside down, and Dorsey comes to realize this irresistible revolutionary is the most real woman he's ever met. [From the Publisher]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? Do you enjoy reading re-tellings of the classics?

What’s your favorite room in your house?

My library with its cozy couches, front window with the view of my trees, and my many bookshelves of books.

One corner of my library

What is your favorite room in your house?

Are there any books that are considered terrible but you love?

This would be a much easier question for me to answer if we were talking about movies. I tried using my Goodreads ratings to see if there were any four or five start books on my list that were poorly rated, but that was not much help. The differences in ratings didn't fall into the "terrible" category. I am sure there are many books I have loved that others (including some of you) find terrible or just plain did not like. I look forward to seeing which books you list--and maybe I'll find some there that could have gone on a list of my own!

What about you?

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

Thursday, September 04, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark? [September 5th Edition]

I am approaching the finish line of a couple of books, one of which I am featuring here today. It's the latest installment of one of my favorite historical mystery series.

Late on a rainy night in May 1884, Daniel McAdam paid me a visit. [opening of A Silence in Belgrave Square]

And so it begins! I wish it was a rainy night here in Southern California, but alas, the sun is shining and it is still in the 90's as I right this. A visit from Daniel is always welcome though. I wonder what he is up to . . .

When it came time to depart, I hugged Grace hard before I made my way through the damp twilight to Mount Street. My followers found me when I reached the Strand, but as they must have already known where I lived, I didn't bother trying to shake them this time. I assured myself that Mr. Fielding's lads and whomever Mr. Grimes had conscripted would work to keep me safe.

How ridiculous, I mused, to have so many following one innocuous cook about the metropolis. It would be comical if some of them didn't truly wish me harm. [excerpt from 53% of A Silence in Belgrave Square]

It has been a bit amusing, the amount of people following our dear Kat Holloway in this installment of the series. A Silence in Belgrave Square has been a hard book to put down. Time with Kat, Tess, Lady Cynthia and Lady Townsend is never a waste.

A Silence in Belgrave Square

(A Below Stairs Mystery #8) by Jennifer Ashley

Valiant cook and amateur sleuth Kat Holloway must uncover the secrets of Victorian London’s most elite noblemen to save the man she loves, from the New York Times bestselling author of Speculations in Sin.

Kat Holloway knows that her beau and confidante Daniel McAdam has a talent for dangerous work as a Scotland Yard agent. At long last though, Daniel’s coldhearted boss has promised that after a final mission, his debt will be repaid, and he’ll finally be free. However, Daniel must risk his life one last time, masquerading as a secretary to an elderly viscount who could be the mastermind behind the recent plots against the Queen and her government.

Using her contacts throughout London, Kat discovers several of her friends and colleagues have been victims of vicious blackmail. They’ll do anything to protect their scandalous secrets, even conform to the blackmailer’s political agenda. If Kat and Daniel wish to save each other and the Crown, they must prove the blackmailer’s identity and evade those who will stop at nothing to eliminate them.[From the Publisher]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? Do you follow this series too?

Which books are you looking forward to reading this fall? (Sep-Nov)

Although there are a number of books coming out this fall I would like to read, most of the books on my must read soon list are already out. Here are a few I have been eagerly waiting to read. (I am noticing a theme . . . )

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

A Drop of Corruption (Shadow of the Leviathan #2) by Robert Jackson Bennett

Ghost Business (Boneyard Key#2) by Jen DeLuca

Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes Prequel) by Travis Baldree

Our Moon: How Earth's Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are by Rebecca Boyle

Sweep of the Heart (Innkeeper Chronicles #5) by Ilona Andrews

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What are you looking forward to reading this fall?

Do you seek out new authors to read, or do you tend to stick with the same ones?

I often seek out new-to-me authors to read. It's been both a blessing and a curse since I began blogging 19 years ago. A blessing because I have discovered so many wonderful books I might not have if I hadn't taken a chance on authors I had not tried before; and a curse because I sometimes end up neglecting the work of my favorites. It isn't just the fault of the book blogging community though. My book clubs are also to blame, not to mention book recommendations of friends or those I come across online. Oh, and wanting to now read the backlists and new releases of the new-to-me authors I fall in love with does not help either, I am sure. At least I will never run out of books to read!

What about you?

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

Thursday, March 06, 2025

Where Is My Bookmark: A Peek Into Ida, In Love and In Trouble & Other Friday Fun

If not for my historical book club, I likely would not have picked today's featured book to read. It is a nice change after our last two selections though, which were both on the heavier side (but both 5 paw reads for me--so no complaints here!).

Ida perched languorously on the banister at the opera house, waiting for the curtain to rise. [opening of Ida, In Love and in Trouble]

Not an attention-grabbing start, but I do not mind a novel that eases me into the story.

The dichotomy of a tremulous present and a very present past sat uncomfortably side by side, in her heart, and she thought, Was this what Dickens meant when he said it was the best of and the worst of, at the same time? [excerpt from page 96]

A couple paragraphs above this passage, Ida thinks "it was a strange and hazy time when freedom--the feeling of it, and the knowing of it--was as changeable as the weather." One moment she is making the most of her life as a Black woman in a free America and in the next, she is reading stories of lynch laws and white mobs murdering Black men without punishment.

There are more light moments in the novel than heavier ones. I am enjoying the novel, but I do not think it will end up on my favorites list this year. But I still have over half way to go, so that may change!

Ida, in Love and in Trouble by Veronica Chambers

Before she became a warrior, Ida B. Wells was an incomparable flirt with a quick wit and a dream of becoming a renowned writer. The first child of newly freed parents who thrived in a community that pulsated with hope and possibility after the Civil War, Ida had a big heart, big ambitions, and even bigger How to be a good big sister when her beloved parents perish in a yellow fever epidemic? How to launch her career as a teacher? How to make and keep friends in a society that seems to have no place for a woman who speaks her own mind? And – always top of mind for Ida – how to find a love that will let her be the woman she dreams of becoming? Ahead of her time by decades, Ida B. Wells pioneered the field of investigative journalism with her powerful reporting on violence against African Americans. Her name became synonymous with courage and an unflinching demand for racial and gender equality. But there were so many facets to Ida Bell and critically acclaimed writer Veronica Chambers unspools her full and colorful life as Ida comes of age in the rapidly changing South, filled with lavish society dances and parties, swoon-worthy gentleman callers, and a world ripe for the taking.

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

What are three things you'll never get tired of doing?

I cannot imagine ever tiring of hugging my husband and daughter, cuddling the cats, catching a show with my family, or glamping in the mountains (what is more peaceful than being surrounded by trees?). That's four things, isn't it? Oops. I would like to say I would never tire of reading, but the truth is, sometimes I need break even from that.

What about you?

What fantasy or Sci-Fi should be part of the literary canon?

Is this where I recommend my favorite fantasy and science fiction novels or do I talk about books I think are essential to the fantasy and science fiction genres? I love Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books and think Ursula K. Le Guin's work deserves all the accolades it has received. Douglas Adams deserves more praise than he gets. The Grimm brothers and Homer are entrenched in Western culture and few would argue their spot in literary canon. But the problem with literary canons are that they tend to be subjective and limited, even to the point of sometimes being exclusionary. I think there is great value in stories from around the world, reflecting various cultures, folklore and mythologies. And that should be reflected in any literary canon.

Fantasy and science fiction of today are just as worthy (in some cases even more so) as many of the older works that generally make the lists. Octavia E. Butler's work is amazing and continues to be relevant. Some would argue she is already part of the literary canon. I wouldn't be surprised if N.K. Jemisin and Nalo Hopkinson one day make that list--their works are already notable. I would like to see books like Marjorie Liu's Monstress added to the canon as well. Too often graphic novels are dismissed as lesser literature, but I full-heartedly disagree.

There really is not just one literary canon that is the end all, be all. There are many lists that claim the title, and while they may have some of the same authors or books on their lists, they include different ones too. Personally, I enjoy fantasy and science fiction of all kinds. Just as much as I love Lord of the Rings, Mercedes Lackey has also earned a place on my list of greats.

If you were making your own list of fantasy and science fiction greats (books or authors), who would be on it?

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

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark: My Bookish Mewsings on A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage & Other Friday Fun

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.

Maybe we should have tried marriage counseling. [opening of The Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage]

★

I had so many questions I wasn't going to ask him. I wasn't going to show my hand.
And then it hit me.
We weren't on the same team. We were on opposing sides, circling each other, waiting to see who was going to crack first. [56% of The Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage]

The Serial Killers Guide to Marriage by Asia MacKay

Bantam, 2025

Mystery/Suspense; 334 pgs

Source: Publisher via NetGalley for an honest review

I wasn't smashing the patriarchy; I was killing it. Literally.

Hazel and Fox are an ordinary married couple with a baby. Except for one small thing: they're murderers. Well, they used to be. They had it all. An enviable London lifestyle, five-star travels, and plenty of bad men to rid from the world. Then Hazel got pregnant.

Now, they’re just another mom-and-dad-and-baby. They gave up vigilante justice for life in the suburbs: arranged play dates instead of body disposals, diapers over daggers, mommy conversations instead of the sweet seduction right before a kill. Hazel finds her new life terribly dull. And the more she forces herself to play her monotonous, predictable role, the more she begins to feel that murderous itch again.

Meanwhile, Fox has really taken to being a father. Always the planner, he loves being five steps ahead of everyone and knowing exactly what’s coming around the bend. Plus, if anyone can understand Hazel needing one more kill, it’s Fox. But then Hazel kills someone without telling Fox. And when police show up at their door, Hazel realizes it will take everything she has to keep her family together. [from the publisher]

My thoughts: The Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage was an entertaining read, not to be taken too seriously. It was a touch dark and macabre, at times funny, and surprisingly somewhat relatable. Not the murdering part. That wasn't relatable. If you strip away the serial killer part, the issues our protagonists struggle with are not unusual in terms of adjusting to life and marriage with a baby. It is a life changing experience, and it completely upends the life they had been living. It's an adjustment Haze (as Fox calls her) is having a hard time making. She loves her daughter very much, but she also feels like she has lost a part of herself. At one point in the novel, Fox thinks Haze may be depressed, and, honestly, I wondered if she might have mild case of postpartum depression.

I did not find Haze or Fox to be particularly likeable characters (I'm not sure I was supposed to--and that's okay), but I did find their story compelling. At times it felt like watching a train wreck. Mostly I just wanted to shake them and force them to sit down and talk to each other truthfully. Haze really hadn't meant to kill that man. Well, maybe she had thought about it a little. She should have come out and told Fox about it right away. Fox's parents showing up on their doorstep was a complete surprise, and Fox keeping their ultimatum a secret from his wife didn't help. All their secrets kept adding up, snowballing from there.

My favorite character in the novel besides little Bibi who is the daughter of Haze and Fox, was Jenny, a mother who befriends Haze over the course of the novel. Jenny is not in the best of places mentally or financially when they first meet, but I think she ended up being really good for Haze. Matty was another favorite, and I appreciated the way the author incorporated his character throughout the novel. In a way, I felt like his character grounded Haze.

It took a few chapters before The Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage took off for me, but when it finally did, I had a hard time putting it down. The tension increased, the stakes kept getting higher, and it was just a matter of time before Fox and Haze would have to confront one another. As others have said, the novel does have a Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibe (if you are familiar with the movie or television series). I came away from the novel wondering if it counted as a mystery/thriller or was it a dark and twisted rom com, but have decided it does not really matter. It was a fun read. Thank you to everyone who voted for this one in my February TBR List poll! (Be sure to stop by tomorrow to vote in March's poll!)

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

Which books are you looking forward to reading this spring? (March-May)?

I am excited about many of the upcoming book club picks this spring for the clubs I am in. Those are about the only ones I can predict with near certainty I will read. I hope to fit in other books I am looking forward to as well, but today I thought I would focus on some of the spring book club selections. Unfortunately, the May list isn't available yet, so this list just covers March and April.

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji (March - Mystery Book Club)
Ida, In Love or in Trouble by Veronica Chambers (March - Historical Fiction Book Club)
Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott (March - Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club - I thought I'd try the group out since I want to read the book.)
The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos by Melissa De La Cruz (April - Diverse Romance Book Club)
Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa (April - Cellar Door Book Club)
All the Good People Here by Ashley Flowers (April - Mystery Book Club)

I am going to miss March's Cellar Door Book Club, so am deciding if I will follow through with reading the March selection, Tell the Wolves I'm Home Carol Rifka Brunt, or put it off and read it when the mood strikes. It does sound good though, so maybe it will be sooner than later. The Diverse Romance Book Club is reading a contemporary romance, The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava, in March, which I read last summer and loved. Do I have time to re-read it? I may try but have not decided for sure. The rest are all books I definitely hope to read for my upcoming book clubs meetings.

I also plan to read Steel's Edge (The Edge #4) by Ilona Andrews for the COYER Ilona Andrews' Edge and Inn Keeper read-a-long in April (I am currently reading Fate's Edge which is March's book).

What are you looking forward to reading this spring?

How much time does blogging take out of your life weekly? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

It feels like a lot sometimes, especially when you add in visiting other blogs. I follow quite a few blogs, and I also do my best to visit all the blogs of those who comment on my posts or those participating in the memes I participate in. I do not always succeed, but I make an effort. I have never really paid much attention to the actual amount of time I spend blogging per week. Some days I am able to get onto the computer to work on my blog and other days not at all. There are days I can fit in five minutes while other days an hour or two. I do a lot of the prep work on the weekends if I am able. Ideally, I would be way ahead in prepping, but I just don't have that kind of time to dedicate to doing so. Some days or weeks, I am lucky if a post goes up at all. Blogging is a hobby for me, something I do for fun, and so isn't always a priority as a result.

How much time do you spend blogging? Do you dedicate time each day or get to it when you can?

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

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark: Bookish Mewsings on The Tainted Cup & Other Friday Fun

The walls of the estate emerged from the morning fog before me, long and dark and rounded like the skin of some beached sea creature. [opening of The Tainted Cup]
★
I stared at the sword, mere spans before my face. Its blade was not shining steel, I noticed, but a pale, sickly, whitish green. [page 146 of The Tainted Cup]

The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett

Del Rey, 2024

Mystery/Suspense/Fantasy; 410 pgs

Source: Own TBR

In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.

Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale. [From the Publisher]

My thoughts: The bizarre murder of a high-ranking official of the Empire shocks the residents of Daretana. Legendary investigator, Ana Dolabra, sends her new assistant apprentice, Dinios Kol, to the scene of the crime to learn everything he can about the scene of the crime and interview the witnesses.

Robert Jackson Bennett's novel, The Tainted Cup, was everything I hoped it would be and more. The mystery at the heart of the novel is multi-layered, well-plotted, and wrapped tightly in the fantasy world it is set in. As the mystery unfolds, the reader learns more about the Empire, particularly the border cantons and the surrounding area. The border towns are on constant guard against leviathans who may try to breach the outer walls and threaten the Empire. A recent breach of the wall near Talagray has everyone on edge as the engineers try to fix the wall before another leviathan comes along. Meanwhile, Ana and Din's investigation into the officer's death becomes more complicated by the second, leading them right to Talagray, as they follow the evidence.

Din is not an ordinary human, having been magically augmented to have perfect recall. Similar to a photographic memory, but much more advanced. Anything he sees and hears he remembers. He is what they call an Engraver. Other humans throughout the empire have opted for other enhancements or augmentations, providing them with skills and talents that make them invaluable to the Empire. Din himself is very good at his craft. In addition, he is dedicated and curious as well as clever and resourceful.

The novel is told from Din's point of view, and it is through his eyes that we are introduced to the world he lives in, one of ecological wonders. Ana is as much an enigma to Din as she is to us in some respects. Her masterful deduction abilities and reputation proceed her wherever she goes, but there are many things about her Din does not yet know. Ana is rather eccentric, wearing a blindfold most of the time, she literally relies on Din to be her eyes and ears, but she is able to see so much that is going on around her and from what she learns just by using her other senses. She is confident beyond measure and will bend the truth if it gets her what she wants to know. The author likens Ana to Rex Strout's Nero Wolfe character, though I am less familiar with than Sherlock Holmes, who I have also heard her compared to (and Din as her Watson). In my brief internet search about Nero Wolfe, I can definitely see the similarities. (The author also jokes that she is also like Hannibal Lector--which I can see too, sort of).

Din and Ana work very well together with their contrasting personalities and each with their own skillset. Ana may seem like the brilliant one of the two, but no one should underestimate Din. I thought the entire cast of characters in the novel were not only well developed but interesting. They each played an important part. Not one character was superfluous. In fact nothing about this novel was, from the workings of the fantasy world, the ecology, the politics, and hierarchy and classes of people to the simplest and most minor of details.

With a dangerous killer on the loose and the threat of a leviathan attack, tension builds throughout the novel. The mystery is as intriguing as it is gripping, and the world building is incredible in its characters and setting. The mystery has a classic feel to it, but the fantasy elements make it something entirely unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and cannot wait to read the next in the series (and go back and read the author's backlist).

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

Do you like to cook or bake? What is your favorite thing to make?

I do not enjoy cooking or baking. Not in the least. I only do it when I have to. Thank goodness my husband doesn't mind doing either!

Do you enjoy cooking or baking?

Do you belong to a book club? If so, how many members do you have? Have long has it been going on? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Review)

I made the declaration at the beginning of the year that this is my Year of Book Clubs. I belong to four currently, which is probably too many, but I enjoy each of them and would join at least one more if I thought I could juggle it (I'm looking at you, Science Fiction/Fantasy book club).

Over the years, I have been in several online book clubs at one time or another, mostly the kind you can read at your own pace and answer questions posted by the host if there's a group read--which not all had. I have long wanted to be a part of an in-person book club. I attempted to join a community one years ago, when my daughter was really young, but it did not work out.

The local independent bookstore has a wide range of book clubs (20 at last count) for just about every genre or interest, and I have wanted to try one for some time now. Last fall, I finally took the plunge and joined the Historical Fiction Book Club. It's a small group, just three of us at the moment, but I have enjoyed our discussions. The other two members have been in the club for years together (others have come and gone), but they gave me a warm welcome. I also tried out the bookstore's main book club, featuring mostly literary and general fiction, which I also have enjoyed.

Since then, I have taken part in the bookstore's Cellar Door Book Club, featuring mostly literary and general fiction books, the Diverse Romance Book Club, and the Mystery Book Club. I actually hadn't meant to join the Diverse Romance group, only planning to attend the January meeting because of that month's book selection, but I enjoyed being a part of the group so much, I decided to continue with it for the time being. I love reading mysteries, so the Mystery group seemed like it would be a good fit.

Two of the clubs meet in-person at the bookstore and the other two via Zoom. Membership varies for each club, ranging in size from three to twelve, depending. All of the clubs have been going on much longer than I have been a member. I think there are more newer members in the Diverse Romance group right now than there are in the others (it's also a newer group). Each club is made up of members of all ages and from varying backgrounds. I love the variety of books read in the book clubs, and they all have their own vibe.

Where do I get the time with a full-time job and a family? At least for the moment, I am at a place in my life where I can devote the time to the book clubs. It's a form of self-care, something I can do for myself that I enjoy. I am not a very social person, but I do like talking about books, and I'm finding it surprisingly easier than I expected given my reserved and introverted nature. I just had to get over my initial fear and anxieties. There is something rewarding about sitting around a table discussing a book we all read, not to mention being a part of a community that shares in a love for reading and books. Will I be able to be so involved in six months? I have my doubts given how much busier life will be getting when my daughter enters high school, but I will enjoy my book clubs while I am able!

Do you belong to any book clubs?

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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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Where Is Your Bookmark: My Bookish Mewsings on Hearts Unbroken & Other Friday Fun

I just got home from a book club meeting. It is pouring rain outside, and driving in the dark when you can't see the lines on the road clearly makes for a tense drive home. But I made it safely, and I am ready to settle in for an evening with my family--but first, a visit with my favorite bookish people (you, of course!).

Half past nine a.m. in the residual haze of my junior prom, I ducked into a powder room off the kitchen at the swanky lake house where the after-party took place. [opening of Hearts Unbroken]

★

I pulled the letter out. It was short and to the point.

"There is no place like home"
Go back to where you came from.

I dropped it to the countertop and backed away, reach for the phone to text Mama. [excerpt from page 101 Hearts Unbroken]

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Berkley, 2018
Fiction/Romance/Young Adult; 304 pgs
Source: Own TBR

New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith turns to realistic fiction with the thoughtful story of a Native teen navigating the complicated, confusing waters of high school -- and first love.

When Louise Wolfe's first real boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off and dumps him over e-mail. It's her senior year, anyway, and she'd rather spend her time with her family and friends and working on the school newspaper. The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper's staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director's inclusive approach to casting The Wizard of Oz has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town. From the newly formed Parents Against Revisionist Theater to anonymous threats, long-held prejudices are being laid bare and hostilities are spreading against teachers, parents, and students -- especially the cast members at the center of the controversy, including Lou's little brother, who's playing the Tin Man. As tensions mount at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey -- but as she's learned, "dating while Native" can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey's? [From the Publisher]

My thoughts: Hearts Unbroken was the February selection for the Diverse Romance Book Club I am in. I haven't read much in the way of contemporary YA fiction, so this was a tad outside my norm. I enjoyed this romantic coming of age tale about Louise Wolfe during her senior year of high school. She is smart and not afraid to stand up those she cares about, even if only sometimes herself. Along with the everyday challenges teens face, Cynthia Leitich Smith tackles the serious issues of racism and discrimination, including zeroing in on microaggressions and more overt acts of bigotry.

I enjoyed the high school newspaper setting and the way the student reporters show up for one another and their dedication to reporting the truth despite internal and external pressures. Joey, Louise's love interest, was a sweetheart and although I wish his character could have been fleshed out a little more, I thought he and Louise were well matched--much more so than Louise and Cam, her ex. Shelby, Louise's best friend, is another great character.

I adored Louise's family and how supportive they are of each other. Louise and her family are Native Muscogee (Creek), relatively new to Kansas, having moved there from Texas during the middle of Louise's junior year. Kansas appears to be a conscious choice for the setting given the musical at the heart of the controversary (set in Kansas); adding to that Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum's racist editorials about Native Americans. The uproar by groups like the Parents Against Revisionist Theater regarding casting non-white students in roles is very much a real world problem, sadly. In Hearts Unbroken, we see the escalation of the pressure and discrimination against the students and their families as well as the faculty.

The author packs a lot into the novel, and I came away wishing there had been more development of the side characters as well as more attention given to certain aspects of the story for a deeper look into some of the themes presented. Even so, I think the author captures the essence of her teenage protagonist very well. For the seriousness of the topics covered in this romantic YA novel, the strength in community, family, and friends is at its heart. I enjoyed Hearts Unbroken overall.

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

Share your romance (HEA/HFN) recommendations.

Just in time for Valentine's Day! These types of questions always get me into trouble because I don't know where to stop once I start making a list of books to recommend. At least this time there's a specified genre. That makes it slightly easier to narrow down. Kind of. Okay, not really. I noticed I have no historical romance listed here. I must remedy that (please share your recommendations with me!). But here are some of the romances I have enjoyed and would highly recommend.

Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

Wolf Gone Wild (Stay a Spell #1) by Juliette Cross

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

Pride and Prejudice, and Other Flavors (Rajes #1) by Sonali Dev

Bitten (Women of the Otherworld Series #1) by Kelley Armstrong

Exes and O's by Amy Lea

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin (all the books in the Elemental Love series are amazing)

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (this is such a sweet graphic novel series)

Once in a Lifetime by Jill Shalvis

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Share your romance novel recommendations with me!

Have you ever read a Nicholas Sparks romance novel? If so, what is your opinion on his endings? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

I read one novel by Nicholas Sparks many years ago, and it was The Notebook. I vaguely remember liking the ending at the time, finding it bittersweet, which I have heard is a trademark of his novels. He is not an author I gravitate towards nor necessarily want to read more of for a variety of reasons, but none of which are related to his endings. (And don't let Sparks hear you call his books romance novels; he's very adamant he writes love stories, not romance.)

Have you read a Nicholas Sparks novel? What are your thoughts on his endings?

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