Tag: book-reviews

What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.

What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.

The kids were home this past weekend. We put up the Christmas tree and put the ornaments on it, and then half decorated the house (since I am hosting Thanksgiving and I didn’t wanna go too crazy – I am a one holiday at a time person). We put the tree up early so the dog gets used to it being in the living room, and pray he doesn’t mess with it lol.

Monday was uneventful. Pretty much went to work and came home to do some house chores.

I had off of work on Tuesday. I went grocery shopping for all the Thanksgiving food I need for the holiday. My parents had to make an unplanned trip up to NJ for a funeral so they came to stay with us for two days.

Wednesday my husband was at a work conference and staying overnight there. I went to work and came home, wiped out from a crazy work day. My parents went to the above mentioned funeral, and then when they got back we went out to dinner.

Thursday was my 21st wedding anniversary. Spent it with the dog since my husband was at the work conference. Life happens lol.

Friday was also uneventful.

Saturday started off with a lazy morning, which was nice for a change. Then my husband and I went to dinner for our wedding anniversary. We went to our favorite fancy Italian restaurant.

Today I went to church and am relaxing as much as possible because this upcoming week is gonna be chaos!

My reading has been less than usual this week….

Currently:

I borrowed Conceal Don’t Feel so I am making it a priority to finish before Thanksgiving. Friends and Liars is an Edelweiss ARC which I hope to finish before the end of the month. I borrowed This Is A Safe Space from Libby.

Just Finished:

Two ARCs and a First Reads backlog book.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

No TV this week.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #18

Mailbox Monday

Mid-Month Update

WWW Wednesday – November 19, 2025

Review: The Writer by James Patterson and JD Barker @jamespattersonbooks @jdbarker_author

Review: The Kill Clause by Lisa Unger @launger #amazonfirstreads

COYER: New Release Catch Up Readathon

Review: Thanksgiving Overruled by Libby Kay
Review: The 11:59 Bomber (NYPD Red 8) by Marshall Karp
My #SciFiMonth2025 Books I Read
Thanksgiving 2025
Library Stats and Savings For November 2025
The Sunday Salon #20

What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.

What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.

Going back to work after having a great week off is a real buzz kill! I’ve been exhausted the second I walked in the front door. Not much went on otherwise, just a lot of relaxing and reading lol.

The kids came home from college to visit for a quick weekend home. They’ll be home for almost a week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but they both haven’t been home in weeks so my husband picked them up after work on Friday.

Currently:

I borrowed Conceal Don’t Feel so I am making it a priority to finish this week, and NYPD Red 8 is an Edelweiss ARC which I should be finish by the middle of the week.

I said I wasn’t going to request anymore ARCs this year, and then I found myself browsing NetGalley one night *facepalm*. Macmillan granted my request of B.A. Paris’ book that will come out in February.

Just Finished:

Both of these will be reviewed up on the blog within the next two weeks.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

Finished season 2 of The Sandman. Season 1 was definitely better and you can tell that the show was meant to be longer but didn’t get renewed so they rushed through a storyline to end it all.

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #17

Global Bible Month 2025

HRCYED2.0 – Update 2

WWW Wednesday – November 12, 2025

Thriller Thursday: Witness 8 (Eddie Flynn #8) by Steve Cavanagh @sscav #LibraryLoveChallenge2025 #Netgalley

Storygraph Challenges I Am Hosting Next Year

Saturday Series: Prime Video – Alex Cross #saturdayseries

WWW Wednesday – November 12, 2025
Review: The Writer by James Patterson and JD Barker
COYER: New Release Catch Up Readathon
The Sunday Salon #19

What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.

What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.

I had the week off of work. It was a much needed break! Cleaning the garage, cleaning out our camper, and part of the attic happened throughout the week. My husband went on two hikes (one with our dog Rollo and one solo). I went for a walk on the local trail with Rollo while the husband was on his solo hike. Lots of reading happened too!

Currently:

I am purposely taking my time with Empire of Silence. On a whim I joined a random buddy read through Storygraph for this one. At the writing up of this post I had only read three chapters.
I am also reading an ARC that I am gonna review on my blog right before Thanksgiving. It’s not my typical genre but I am giving it an open-minded try.

I was sent a hardcover copy of The Writer from James Patterson’s Street Team, but haven’t gotten around to reading it. I saw that the audiobook was available now on Libby and decided to borrow it.

Just Finished:

My review of The Passengers can be found on Storygraph and on my blog.
My review of The Kill Clause can be found on Storygraph.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

Watched a few episodes of The Sandman.

The Sunday Salon #16

Netgalley November 2025

Review: All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells @marthawellswriter #LibraryLove2025 #SciFiMonth2025

WWW Wednesday – November 5, 2025

Thriller Thursday: The Passengers (Dark Future #2) by John Marrs @johnmarrs.author #LibraryLoveChallenge2025 #SciFiMonth2025

Saturday Series: All Of The Series I Am In The Middle Of – Part Two #saturdayseries

Global Bible Month 2025
HRCYED 2.0 Update
WWW Wednesday – November 12, 2025
A Thriller Thursday Netgalley Review
Storygraph Challenges I Am Hosting Next Year

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Nothing really happened this week except work, per usual.

Halloween was Friday. We don’t get many trick or treaters. I sat in the living room under my Nightmare Before Christmas blanket reading on my kindle, waiting for the doorbell to ring.

I am off of work this entire week, due to the NJEA conference. The weather is supposed to be sunny for the most part- crisp fall weather! I hope to spend a lot of it outdoors, bundled up and staying warm, but outdoors none the less.

Currently:

I borrowed a hardcover copy of All Systems Red from my library, and my hold of The Passengers came in after 22 weeks on the waitlist of Libby. I posted these last week, but actually only read 1 page of All Systems Red before putting it down and getting sidetracked by others books! Also, I am 36% into The Passengers at the time of writing up this post.

Just Finished:

This was a weird audiobook. But weird in a good way for the creepy time of year. It’s not for everyone though.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am slogging my way through Season 2 of The Sandman. Season 1 was definitely better.

Ten Before The End 2025

WWW Wednesday – October 29, 2025

Library Stats and Savings For October 2025

Books Acquired In October 2025

Monthly Wrap Up: October 2025
Netgalley November 2025
WWW Wednesday – November 5, 2025
Saturday Series: All Of The Series I Am In The Middle Of – Part Two

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Nothing really happened this week except work. I took the dog to the groomer Thursday. Made a quick library trip. My daughter came home this weekend so we got to hangout. Also went to a friend’s surprise party.

Currently:

I borrowed a hardcover copy of All Systems Red from my library, and my hold of The Passengers came in after 22 weeks on the waitlist of Libby.

Just Finished:

I borrowed this paperback from a friend and finished earlier today.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am currently halfway through Season 5 of The Chosen.

The Sunday Salon #14

WWW Wednesday – October 22, 2025

Review: The Wife Deserves It by Darby Kane @hkdimon #thrillerbookloversthepulse

Saturday Series: All Of The Series I Am In The Middle Of #saturdayseries

Ten Before The End
WWW Wednesday – October 29, 2025
Library Stats and Savings For October 2025
Books Acquired In October 2025
Monthly Wrap Up: October 2025

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

We went camping in a Nor’easter last weekend! Not our first camping trip in crazy weather (we powered through Hurricane Ernesto, Katrina and Irene) and probably won’t be our last, haha! We had a freaking blast though!!!!!!

Currently:

My reading has been all over the place. Since half of my October was filled with camping or packing for camping, now real life has come back in full force! I’ve been so busy after work that once I have a chance to settle down my brain can’t comprehend reading a book. I’ve ended up watching more TV than I normally do… which means my reading is suffering.

These two are short stories so this is what I’m currently reading/listening to.

Just Finished:

I jumped ahead and finished the second book in the buddy read-along I’m participating in. I am taking a break from the read-along for a little bit so I am not too far ahead of everyone.

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am currently just starting Season 5 of The Chosen.

WWW Wednesday – October 8, 2025

Review: Three Mages and A Margarita by Annette Marie @annettemarie.author #readalong2026 #librarylove

Off The Grid One More Time: Camping Weekend 2025

Review: The Picasso Heist by James Patterson and Howard Roughan @jamespattersonbooks #JamesPattersonStreetTeam

WWW Wednesday – October 15, 2025

WWW Wednesday – October 8, 2025
Review: The Wife Deserved It by Darby Kane
Saturday Series: All Of The Series I Am Currently In The Middle Of

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

This week of work was alright, but I am completely wiped out! I could not wait for the work day to be over so I could go home and relax. I didn’t do much after I walked in the door… except for spending time with my dog and reading.

Yep, a pretty boring week. Story of my life, lol!

Currently:

I am currently reading The Picasso Heist (paperback ARC that I am hoping to finish before Publication Day) and The Midnight Knock (eARC from Edelweiss, also trying my best to finish before Publication Day).

Just Finished:

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am currently in the middle of Season 4 of The Chosen.

I am in the middle of Season 2 of The Sandman.

Books Acquired In September 2025

Library Stats and Savings For September 2025

Blog Goal Complete!

Monthly Wrap Up: September 2025

Off The Grid Again: Camping Weekend 2025

WWW Wednesday – October 8, 2025
Off The Grid One More Time: Camping Weekend 2025

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

This past week has been crazy! Work has been busy as all get out, and then I had errands to run almost every day of the week. On top of packing and getting all set up for camping this weekend. I’ve been so busy and not having time to relax that once I sit down for dinner I am completely WIPED OUT! My husband and I have been going to bed early because my body needed rest.

@melissafetch

#dogsoftiktok #wheatonterrieroftiktok #wheatonterrier #pets #dogs

♬ show me your pets and what they are named after – tom

Currently:

Just Finished:

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads this year (and didn’t really keep up with it last year)

My Entire Book Shelf (Virtual and Physical)

My October TBR Plans

WWW Wednesday – September 24, 2025

Review: Too Close To Home by Seraphina Nova Glass #thrillerbookloversthepulse @Seraphinanovaglass @thrillerbookloversthepulse @htp_hive @htpbooks @parkrowbooks

Off The Grid: Camping Weekend 2025

#saturdayseries

Books Acquired In September 2025
Library Stats and Savings For September
Blog Goal
Monthly Wrap Up

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

This week of work was alright, but I am completely wiped out! I didn’t do much after I walked in the door… except for spending time with my dog. I’ve been taking him on an late afternoon walk and we’ve both been happy about it! My husband was away for work the last three days, so I did a whole bunch of nothing, except for reading lol.

Yep, a pretty boring week.

Currently:

I am currently reading The Wife Deserved It and Whispers Of The Lake on my Kindle.

I DNFed my last audiobook. It was not holding my interest and the pacing was so damn slow that I just could not force myself past 30%. I had Night Will Find You by Julia Heaberlin, a Netgalley backlog audiobook. I am actually enjoying the hell out of this one and can’t believe I waited so long to get to this one!

Just Finished:

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.

I am currently in the middle of Season 3.

Mailbox Monday

Review: The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards @markedwardsauthor @this_is_edelweiss #publicationday #edelweiss

WWW Wednesday – September 17, 2025

Review: The Chateau by Avery Bishop @averybishopbooks @audible #thrillerbookloversthepulse #audible

First Line Friday

The Murderbot Diaries Series by Martha Wells @marthawellswriter #murderbotdiaries #saturdayseries

October TBR Plans
WWW Wednesday
Review: Too Close To Home by Seraphina Nova Glass
Camping Weekend
Saturday Series
The Sunday Salon #12

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

This past week was my first full week of work, and it completely wiped me out! I didn’t do much after I walked in the door… except for spending time with my dog. I’ve been taking him on an late afternoon walk and we’ve both been happy about it!

Currently:

I am currently reading Too Close To Home by Seraphina Nova Glass, an ARC I received. I am enjoying it and I am about halfway through. Looks real promising for a great star rating.

I am listening to The Chateau by Avery Bishop, a free audiobook compliments of Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse.

Just Finished:

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads this year (and didn’t really keep up with it last year) because I want to support a black woman business owner over a white male billionaire.

Review: Death At The Sanatorium by Ragnar Jónasson @ragnarjo @StMartinsPress @macmillan.audio #DeathAtTheSanatorium #macmillanaudio

Publication Day: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jónasson @ragnarjo @macmillan.audio #macmillanaudio #macaudio2025 #netgalley

WWW Wednesday – September 10, 2025

We Will Never Forget: 9/11

Review: The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve

The Curse Bearer Series by Veronica Roth @veronicaroth @macmillan.audio #veronicaroth #macmillanaudio

Mailbox Monday
Review: The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards
WWW Wednesday
Review: The Chateau by Avery Bishop
First Line Friday
Saturday Series: The Murderbot Diaries
The Sunday Salon #11

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Honestly, a whole bunch of nothing happened. The weather has been beautiful here and I want to soak up as much of it as I can! I’ve spent a lot of time in my backyard playing with my dog, and reading.

I started a new job on Friday and I wanted to do as much relaxing as I possibly could before going back to work. As a lunch lady I get the summer’s off, and I am never ready for how quickly the warm months fly by.

Currently:

I am currently reading The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards. It’s a locked room thriller with a lot of characters. So far I am just rolling with it and seeing how it’s playing out. I am 55% in at the writing up of this post.
I am trying my very best to read my ARCs before their publication date for the rest of the year. This one publishes in two weeks.

I borrowed a physical copy of All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby from the libray. It’s due back at the end of the month so I better gets to gettin’!

I am listening to The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve via Libby. I had seen it on Netgalley a few months ago, requested it, but I was denied. I had Libby notify me when it was added to their catalog and jumped on the waitlist. The other day it was my turn to borrow it. So far, it’s holding my interest. I like the multiple narrators, which I think the story definitely needs.

Just Finished:

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads this year (and didn’t really keep up with it last year) because I want to support a black woman business owner over a white male billionaire.

WWW Wednesday – August 27, 2025

Books Acquired In August 2025

Another Chapter #birthday

Library Stats and Savings For August 2025

Added To The TBR: First Reads Edition

Monthly Wrap Up: August 2025

Final Check In: 20 Books of Summer 2025 #20booksofsummer25

Review: Death At The Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson
Review: The Mysterious Case of The Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson
WWW Wednesday
The Sunday Salon #10

What is the Sunday Salon? 

The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Both of my kids were moved into college by Thursday night. This is my son’s last year so it’s all like old hat to him. But my daughter… this is her first year, and she’s been barely away from me. She became very clingy to me when the pandemic hit and then we really became best friends when she went to high school. We both miss each other so much! We’ve chatted every day she has been gone. Yes, I need to pull back some and let her become the woman she’s meant to be… but she’s my baby girl! They both start classes tomorrow. I pray they have a great school year :)

This weekend it was just my husband and I here at the house. And the dog lol. We literally did barely anything. We did go out to dinner Saturday night because I did not want to cook. Today we have no real plans either. The weather has been beautiful here and I want to soak up as much of it as I can while it’s still here.

Currently:

I am currently reading Bad Date by Ellery Lloyd. It’s a short story that was available as a First Reads choice. I am liking it so far!

I borrowed a physical copy of Thirteen by Steve Cavanaugh from a friend.

I am listening to The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen. This one isn’t really keeping my interest, but I am halfway through so I think I am gonna push though it.

Just Finished:

My review of The Deceiving Look is on Storygraph [here]. I have not sat and wrote out the review of Guess Again just yet. I did give it four stars!

If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page.
I stopped using Goodreads this year (and didn’t really keep up with it last year) because I want to support a black woman business owner over a white male billionaire.

The Sunday Salon #7

WWW Wednesday – August 20, 2025

Review: The Shepard & Gray Trilogy by Victor Methos @victormethos #victormethos

Books Acquired In August 2025
Another Chapter
Library Stats and Savings August 2025
Sunday Salon #9