The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #33

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.

What a week! The snow from the crazy storm like two weeks ago finally completely melted on Friday and I finally saw the grass. Then on Sunday afternoon we got hit with a ridiculous blizzard! After it was all said and done we probably got 20″ of snow on the ground. My husband finally came in the house from his last snowblowing escapade and I was making him some food to eat. We sat down at the kitchen table and all of a sudden we hear this loud bang and the house shook. Turns out our neighbors old ass tree snapped a huge limb and it hit the roof and slid down the side of the house into our yard, landing on our AC unit. Now my husband gets to deal with our insurance company, which is always unpleasant.

I took this photo the morning after it happened.

I’m putting February behind me and looking forward to my March TBR I semi- planned out.

In typical fashion, reading on my Kindle has been slow-going, so I am still reading Served Him Right. I am liking the story though so I hope to have it finished by next weekend.

I am listening to Taming Demons For Beginners by Annette Marie. I want to start the month off strong and I know I will enjoy this book!

For a reading challenge I am doing the prompt is read a book by a Japanese author. I found Strange Houses by Uketsu at my library. I am pretty much going into this book blind and hoping for the best.

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.

My husband and I binge watched the whole season of A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms this week. The series is only six episodes (boooooo!) which felt so short. We definitely liked the show and the twists were typical Game of Thrones worthy. Highly recommend if you’re into Game of Thrones or House of The Dragon.

Monthly Wrap Up: February 2026
Review: Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams
WWW Wednesday
The Sunday Salon/ The Sunday Post #34

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #32

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.

Work has been a complete shit show this entire week! I’ve actively been looking and applying to jobs since before Thanksgiving… no luck yet.

Both of my children came home from college this weekend!!!! They haven’t been home since we dropped them off a month ago. This is the longest either one of them has been away… our schedules just didn’t work out to go pick them up. ANYWAY! We had a great weekend, literally zero plans but just spending time together (we ended up playing two board games after dinner last night), and they’ll be going back to their colleges later this afternoon.

We are supposed to be getting 12″ to 18″ of snow today. WHAT THE ACTUAL F***!!!! The snow from three weeks ago only melted on Wednesday, are we kidding right now!!!! Lets pray that it does not snow that much and the kids can get back to college safely, and my husband there and back safely.

Legit, February has been my WORST reading month in a long time. I DNFed books left and right (I would read a couple of pages and just put the book down not wanting to read it). I honestly can’t even give an exact number because I didn’t even mark down that I started &/or DNF the book on Storygraph or my reading spreadsheet. I also was so stoked to listen to Malice by John Gwynne, and about 30 minutes into the audiobook I turned it off and can’t get back in to it. It’s definitely ME and not the story. But now I have to put myself back on the waitlist with Libby for it again and that’s annoying since I waited all this time for it to begin with. UGH!

ANYWAY! What I actually AM reading. I started reading a book off my bookshelf, as part of my Personal Stack Challenge this year. You’ve Been Warned by James Patterson is “a dark, propulsive psychological thriller for readers who crave moody, big-city atmosphere, breathless pacing, and the intoxicating dread of chasing desire while disaster whispers just off-frame.” – Storygraph. It had that old school Patterson vibe, the quick chapters that just grip you and you wanna keep turning pages! THIS is what I need right now!!

I haven’t gotten too far into Served Him Right by Lisa Unger. The book comes out in March so I do have a little bit of time to get through it and have a review up before publication date. Gonna use this one for a HRCYED 2.0 prompt as well.

After a small snafu (it was on my end, ssshhhhh!) with my Scene of The Crime audiobook I received last week, I got the widget link to finally work and have been listening to Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams. This one is starting off really good!!!! The small space vibes is definitely creeping me out, in a good way.

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 trying out Pagebound. This is my profile page if you’d like to be friends on the app. P.S. I barely use the app and only remember it when I make these Sunday posts. By March I may just ditch it altogether…. we’ll see.

Did not watch TV this week.


WWW Wednesday
Library Stats and Savings For February 2026
Review: Demon Magic and A Martini by Annette Marie
Books Acquired In February
The Sunday Salon/ The Sunday Post #33

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #31

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.

Nothing too exciting happened this week, which is nice.

On Friday my husband and I both had the day off of work, so we went out to lunch at a new resturant that opened up a few towns south of us. The food was just alright, but we had fun trying out the Duck Pin Bowling.

Saturday was Valentine’s Day. Since we went out to lunch the day before we decided to order in food and eat at home. Normally we do the heart shaped pizza from the local pizzeria but we are trying to eat better and passed on it this year.

Today no real plans are planned. I always get the Sunday Scaries because I am just not a fan of my new work place… a post for another time lol.

I am going to start a book off my bookshelf, as part of my Personal Stack Challenge this year. You’ve Been Warned by James Patterson is “a dark, propulsive psychological thriller for readers who crave moody, big-city atmosphere, breathless pacing, and the intoxicating dread of chasing desire while disaster whispers just off-frame.” – Storygraph

I am making slow progress with In His Wake by Chad Zunker. I am hoping to make a good dent into it this week.

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 trying out Pagebound. This is my profile page if you’d like to be friends on the app.

Pretty much obsessed with Curling so I am watching it whenever I can. Or at least catching up on highlights!

Stacking The Shelves #9
WWW Wednesday
The Sunday Salon/ The Sunday Post #32

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #30

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 honestly have BARELY been on social media this whole entire week! After I got home from work I would listen to an audiobook and do a puzzle. It’s been a breath of fresh air actually. I finished two puzzles this week, which is a huge accomplishment for me.

The dog decided to chew three of the pieces

Wednesday my husband and I went out to dinner with our friend and his wife. We had a great time hanging out, just catching up, and the food was delish!

I am making my way through Dead In The Water by John Marrs. So far it’s a good book. Some themes in this book are hard for me to read and this is why I am taking my time with it.

I am dual reading/listening to Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio. I tried just reading it back in November and life got in the way and the book got put on the backburner until it had to be returned to the library. The audiobook hold came in via Libby so I borrowed it along with the book again. I only had the audiobook for two weeks from the library and they are gonna take it back later today (OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!) because at the time of writing up this post I am only 81% in, aka I have FIVE AND A HALF HOURS LEFT in the audiobook! Let’s pray I can finish it before Libby snatches it out of my grasp!

I am going to start In His Wake by Chad Zunker today on my Kindle. He’s a familiar author whose books I enjoyed and I need something of a palate cleanser from the denseness of Empire of Silence.

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 trying out Pagebound. This is my profile page if you’d like to be friends on the app.

If I am not listening to an audiobook while doing a puzzle, I put The Golden Girls on as background noise. The show is on Hulu. It’s a classic and still cracks me up!

Spotlight: The Valet by Bonnie Traymore
WWW Wednesday
The Sunday Salon/ The Sunday Post #31

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #29

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.

Life was pretty good this past week. Had a day off of work on Monday because of all the snow and ice, so the husband and I spent the day in the living room doing our hobbies (him video games and me reading). Tuesday I had a delayed opening so I was expected into work at a later time, obviously. The work day went by so quick! Wednesday my husband had an after work meeting, Thursday he bowls after work and Friday he went to a concert with some work buddies… which means I was home after work with the dog those three days. Did I get a lot of reading done? OF COURSE NOT! :( I got a lot of a puzzle done while listening to The Golden Girls in the background lol. What a slacker if you ask me.

Saturday I was asked to work. School isn’t open on the weekend, how can you work? It’s what we call a “catering”. A school activity is taking place and they need use of the kitchen. To ensure safety someone who works in the kitchen must be present. My manager (who is the person who normally does it) could not attend due to a prior commitment so she asked me if I would like to. I agreed.

I am going to start Dead In The Water by John Marrs today. I am borrowing this ARC copy from a friend. I actually really like Marrs’ books so I am not sure why I am having a hard time starting this one.

I needed one more book to complete a category for HRCYED 2.0 and chose a book I already own that fits the prompt. I am not far into You Shouldn’t Be Here by Lauren Thoman. The premise is interesting but there’s a character already that is making me want to put the book down and never open it again. We shall see if I can get past it…

I am dual reading/listening to Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio. I tried just reading it back in November and life got in the way and the book got put on the backburner until it had to be returned to the library. The audiobook hold came in via Libby so I borrowed it along with the book again. At the writing up of this post I am 13% into the book and liking it so far.

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 trying out Pagebound. This is my profile page if you’d like to be friends on the app.

Like I said above, I threw on the first season of The Golden Girls while sitting doing a puzzle. The show is on Hulu. It’s a classic and still cracks me up!

I liked another Harlan Coben TV show and Netflix has now suggested a ton of them for me to watch. This one was pretty good too!

Monthy Wrap Up: January 2026
Stacking The Shelves #7
WWW Wednesday
The Sunday Salon/ The Sunday Post #30

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #28

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’ve been coughing since pretty much right after Christmas, then all of a sudden it got out of control on Tuesday, to where I felt like total crap! I ended up taking the day off of work on Wednesday and went to the doctor in the morning. They checked my lungs, asked me a few questions about the cough, looked in my mouth/throat, and said it’s just a post nasal drip (since I am not coughing up anything). I was given medicine to help stop my cough. The doctor said it could take up to a week to completely stop coughing. So while the meds are helping out I am still coughing most of the day. I am just completely over all this useless coughing! P.S. so is my husband lmao!

I am writing up this post on Saturday night, and we are supposed to be getting some huge snow storm around the time you will be reading this post. I checked in with the kids to make sure they were safe and situated at college. Let’s pray it’s not as huge and monumentos as the news is making it out to be so we can get on with the rest of January. P.S. I won’t know if I have to be at work on Monday until later today, depending on the roads and snow and all that.

I am almost halfway through The Invisible Woman by James Patterson and Susan DiLallo. James Patterson is a comfort author for me. His books are filled with short, fast paced chapters that keep me reading.

I picked up my Kindle finally, and dove in to The Bone Queen by Will Shindler. Will I finish it before it publishes in early February? Don’t think so, since I am reading at a sails pace lately. But, I am trying and that’s all that matters. I am currently around 20% last time I remember looking.

I put myself on the wait list on Libby for Nine Pines by Kiersten Modglin. It was my turn to borrow it the other day but I just haven’t been in the audiobook mood lately. I am only an hour in at this point.


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 trying out Pagebound. This is my profile page if you’d like to be friends on the app.

None this week.

Review: Inside Man (Head Cases #2) by John McMahon
Library Stats and Savings For January 2026
Review: Two Witches and A Whiskey by Annette Marie
Books Acquired In January 2026
The Sunday Salon/ The Sunday Post #29

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #27

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.

Life this week has been a challenging one and I do not want to get into it right now. It’s been a very stressful new year thus far, with lots of drama and tears. Absolutely NOT how I wanted to start 2026!

I did get to spend Thursday night out with my daughter. We went to Chik-Fil-A for dinner, to help support Tim Tebow’s Night To Shine which is being held at my church again this year. My daughter is constantly online and always has the phone in her face (like most young adults do these days) and it was awesome that she put her phone away and we just spent mom-daughter time together.

But now she has to go back to college today, as spring semester starts on Tuesday. She’s been home since December 17th and I am sure it’s going to be a hard transition for both of us to deal with. I’m gonna miss her already and she hasn’t even left yet.

Currently:

My progress in The Shadow of What Was Lost mostly halted, for no real reason other than I haven’t been in a fantasy mood lately. Some of what is currently going on in the story was confusing me and I am not in the mindset for having to think hard while reading, so I didn’t pick this up this week. I may just return it to the library when it’s due and come back to it. I haven’t decided yet.

I decided to start reading The Invisible Woman by James Patterson and Susan DiLallo. James Patterson is a comfort author for me. His books are filled with short, fast paced chapters that keep me reading. I made a decent amount of progress in this book yesterday!

My Kindle has taken a backseat since every time I pick it up I cannot find a book I want to get into and just put it down. None of my ARCs are calling to me.

Just Finished:


I reached out to Macmillan to ask them for ALC of this audiobook, as I listened to the first book in the series last year. They were so nice and sent me one via NetGalley. I enjoyed the audiobook! My review is on Storygraph.

I didn’t know what to listen to once I finished Inside Man, so I borrowed The Shut-In, a Bookshots audiobook from Libby. This one was alright though. With most short stories they sometimes feel rushed at the end. I did not really care for the ending and my rating reflected that.

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 trying out Pagebound. This is my profile page, if you’d like to be friends on the app.

I did not read this book but just decided to turn this one the other day. And pretty much binged it! The cast is great and I was invested in what happened to Paige and why she ran away from home. Yes, it does get a little repetitive with the “She’s my daughter I have to find her” from Simon, Paige’s dad. But I get that it moves the story along so I let it slide.

I thought it was a good show so I recommend it.

Mailbox Monday
WWW Wednesday – January 21
The Sunday Salon/ The Sunday Post #28

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #26

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.

This first full week of January has been crazy busy and super stressful. I am still coughing from when I was in North Carolina, and it’s driving me batty actually.

Monday was the first day back to work since the holidays. It was uneventful, but I was exhausted when I got home. My son’s college friends came down to south Jersey to hangout with him.

The kids do not drive (this is a long story that no one cares to hear, lol) so I have to drive them places. They both had a passport appointment on Tuesday (because a vacation may be in the near-ish future). They both had a dentist appointment Wednesday for a regular check up. And my daughter had a dermatologist appointment on Thursday. So after work I had to come home, change and get them to where they needed to be.

Friday I went to work like normal. Ran a quick errand afterwards, then I finally got a chance to put my feet up and relax when I got home.

Saturday we went to my husband’s parents place to do the family Christmas thing with his side. We had a very nice time there!

I straightened up the house all morning while the boys went to church (I didn’t go because I am still coughing like a champ). My daughter slept in, but I like cleaning while no one is under foot lol.

Currently:

My progress in The Shadow of What Was Lost mostly halted, for no real reason other than I haven’t had a real chance to sit down and pick it up. I am enjoying the book though. I want to finish this trilogy this year too so I am gonna definitely make time for it this upcoming week.

I picked up this ARC of Murder at 30,000 Feet by Susan Walter. Do I have an irrational fear of flying? Yes I do. Why the hell did I sign up for this book you ask? Because I’m crazy, haha! These people are stranded up in the sky with a murderer on board as someone found a mutilated body in the bathroom. Wild!

Just Finished:

My review will be posted at the end of the month, but lets just say that I am very much into this series and liked this book a lot!

I did read this ages ago, but wanted a quick reread to finish the series up later this year. I liked the book. Definitely riding the mid 2000’s YA love triangle coat tails like all dystopian books at that time did, but overall I was into the book and read it at a quicker pace than I normally do.

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 actually listened to the audiobook of His & Hers by Alice Feeney on NetGalley when they first introduced audiobooks to their website. I gave it five stars because of the twist at the end. The audiobook MADE this book absolutely fantastic! So when I heard this was gonna be turned into a show I had to watch it. At the writing up of this post I watched three episodes.

WWW Wednesday
January Mid Month Update

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #25

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.

We were in North Carolina visiting my family for the holidays. We arrived on December 23 and stayed till January 1. We had a good time, but all good things must come to an end. It was definitely nice to see my family and get to spend a lot of quality time with them. We probably won’t see them again till the springtime (unless we Facetime lol).

When we got to North Carolina the weather was crazy warm, then got super cold, then it got warm again… so guess who ended up with a head cold and cough? Ya girl Melissa! Been trying to fight it off the entire trip and this whole weekend too. Ugh!!!!

I straightened up the house all morning while the boys went to church (I didn’t go because I am still coughing like a champ). My daughter slept in, but I like cleaning while no one is under foot lol.

Tomorrow I have work *multiple crying emoji’s*. Definitely not looking forward to going back there.

Currently:

I am making good progress in The Shadow of What Was Lost. And I am really liking this book! It was not finished in 2025 but that is okay. I want to finish this trilogy this year too.

I stopped reading an ARC I wasn’t vibing with, and decided on a whim to borrow the eBook of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard from Libby. I am doing a challenge in January that this book fits into, and since I wasn’t feeling another thriller ARC I changed it up. YA’s are easy reads and I think that’s what my brain needs right now…

Just Finished:

Nothing so far this year.

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.

Nothing so far this year.

All of my 2026 main challenge posts launched

My January 2026 TBR Plans
My Yearly Bookish Review 2025

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #24

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.

My last day of work till the new year was on Monday. Then lots of packing and getting ready for holiday shenanigans happened. Went to North Carolina to visit family for Christmas. We are getting to spend lots of time with them also (since we are going back to New Jersey in January).

When we got to North Carolina the weather was crazy warm, then got cold, then got warm again… so guess who ended up with a dumb cold? Ya girl Melissa! Been trying to fight it off since Wednesday. Ugh!!!!

This is all I have in me for what little energy I currently have…

Currently:

I am making significant progress in The Shadow of What Was Lost. And I am really liking this book! It will not be finished in 2025 so that is what it is.

I am also reading an ARC of Such A Clever Girl. This may be finished by the new year….

Just Finished:

No update here until the new year comes.

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.

These are the challenges I am signing up for next year.

Christmas movies, and football has been on the TV.


The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #23

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.

My husband worked late almost every day this week, so after I got in from work I was mostly home with the dog.

Monday I did take my bests friend out to lunch for her birthday. Did I take a photo of the two of us eating our lunches like I had planned to do? OF COURSE NOT!

I took off of work on Wednesday to go pick up both kids from college, as it’s both of their winter break.

We are exhausted from the long car ride lol

Saturday we went to Lancaster, PA because my husband got us tickets to see Noah at Sight and Sound theater. We absolutely LOVE that place and haven’t missed a show since 2016.

Currently:

I am making significant progress in The Shadow of What Was Lost. And I am really liking this book! Once my library eBook is due back I borrowed the physical copy from the library too, so I can actually finish the book!

Just Finished:

This series doesn’t feel like one of those too cheesy Hallmark Christmas stories so it was a nice change of pace in between other books I was reading. Also, if you’re trying to read a book with Hanukkah in it this is a good choice.

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.

These are the challenges I am signing up for next year.

The kids are home from college till the middle of January, so we threw on some Christmas movies a couple of times this week!

Christmas 2025
The Sunday Salon #24

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #22

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 worked all week of course, and everyday at work was something…. someone calling out and leaving us short handed, someone not pulling their weight on a crazy menu day, etc. When I got home I didn’t want to do much because the work day totally did me in. I should be doing holiday stuff, but it did not happen.

I have been working on getting the blog set up for next years challenges. I always say I will only sign up for a few and then just end up rejoining all the ones I have a good time participating in.

Yesterday my husband started a new video game so I sat on the couch reading my library eBook and drinking lots of hot chocolate. I’m really liking it, but it’s a thick book and I sort of read slow (or so I think). I may need to figure out that “put it in airplane mode” trick so the library can’t take it back when it’s due in a week, haha!!

Currently:

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.

The husband and I love this random musical. I bought him the DVD for Christmas a few years ago because we like the movie so much and can never find it streaming anywhere. On Friday night we decided to put it on before bed.

2025 Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon
WWW Wednesday
National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
The Sunday Salon #23

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #21

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.

Monday was uneventful. Kids are back at school. Parents went back home to North Carolina. Hubby and I went back to work. I barely had the energy to work today lol. When I got home from work I plopped my behind on the couch and did nothing.

Tuesday and Wednesday was also uneventful.

Thursday my husband goes bowling so I am just home with the dog. I had errands to run after work and by the time I got home I barely wanted to cook dinner. I finished an audiobook while in the car, and then I relaxed on the couch to read a book before going to bed.

Friday my husband worked late so I ended up straightening up the house after work, then played a video game to relax. I felt a reading slump hitting so I didn’t read or listen to anything before bed.

Saturday the hubby and I went to our friends Friendsmas party at their house. We had a good time!

Today we are gonna go to church, and then really nothing going on until Santa and Mrs. Claus comes through our neighborhood at night. We used to hear the police sirens nearing our street (Santa’s sleigh gets a police and fire truch escort through town) and the kids and I would throw on our winter coats and run to the corner to go see them. Now I take the dog to the corner, lol!

Currently:

The Woman On The Ledge has been on my TBR for a little bit now, and since I felt a slump coming on I borrowed it from Libby on a whim.

Just Finished:

I wanted to try a little whimsy Christmas book, and I found this one on Amazon Prime Reading.

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.

Review: Friends and Liars by Kit Frick
Review: Warping Minds and Other Misdemeanors
WWW Wednesday
Monthly Wrap Up
The Sunday Salon #21

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #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.

Monday was uneventful. Pretty much went to work and came home to do some house chores so I could get everything ready for everyone staying at my house for the holiday.

Tuesday I woke up feeling like complete shit. I called out of work (which I rarely ever do). While I had a lot to get done I gave myself time to rest in between. Once dinnertime hit I started feeling crappy again so I gave up for the day. And then my husband arrived home with the kids so I made them a quick dinner and went to bed.

Wednesday my husband had off of work so we got everything done before company arrived. My parents arrived first, then my husband went to go pick up his brother and family. We had pizza for dinner and went to bed early.

Thanksgiving consists of Macy’s Day Parade, pancakes, smoking a turkey, throwing the sides in the oven and overeating. And of course family drama, haha!

Friday morning my husband drove his brother and family home after breakfast. The rest of us got naps in. Then leftovers for dinner.

Saturday my parents watched the dog and my family went to north Jersey for a concert (my husband bought tickets as my birthday gift this summer).

Today I skipped church and slept in. The kids go back to college tonight. Only two weeks until they’re home for winter break.

Currently:

Friends and Liars is an Edelweiss ARC which I hope to finish before the end of the month. I borrowed Five Total Strangers from Libby.

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.

No TV this week.

Review: Friends and Liars by Kit Frick
Review: Warping Minds and Other Misdemeanors
WWW Wednesday
Monthly Wrap Up
The Sunday Salon #21

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #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.

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.

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

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #18

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.

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

The Sunday Salon / The Sunday Post #17

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.

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

The Sunday Salon #16

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.

Took a crappy Snapchat selfie of me at work on Friday

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.

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

The Sunday Salon #15

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.

My library has this display up for Halloween

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.


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

The Sunday Salon #14

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: The Wife Deserved It by Darby Kane
Saturday Series: All Of The Series I Am Currently In The Middle Of