This is how it’s going with my NetGalley shelf as of today. I have a lot of backlogged books from previous years I need to get to. I absolutely have cut back my requesting to “barely even bothering”.
I do have quite a few summer thrillers on the list, so I think I am gonna plan those for May/June/July time.
How’s your Netgalley shelf looking?
Title: Inside Man
Author: John McMahon
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Will Damon
Length: 9 hours 35 minutes
Publication Date: January 13, 2026
Inside Man by John McMahon is a gripping, smartly constructed thriller that kept me fully invested from start to finish. McMahon writes his cast with depth and emotional realism, making it easy to become immersed in their world and genuinely care about what happens as the story unfolds.
The dual investigations are especially compelling. As the two cases gradually intertwine, the tension builds in a way that constantly pulled me forward. Just when I thought I understood where things were heading, new connections emerged, keeping the story fresh and unpredictable without ever feeling forced or confusing. The pacing strikes a great balance between thoughtful development and propulsive suspense.
The audiobook elevates the experience even further. Narrator Will Damron does an outstanding job, bringing nuance and authenticity to each character’s voice. His performance enhances the emotional beats and sharpens the tension, making it hard to stop listening.
I received a complimentary audio copy. Thank you to the lovely people I reached out to at Macmillan for allowing me to have this ALC on my NetGalley Shelf.
This is where I will be keeping track of my NetGalley/Edelweiss Challenge books to share with everyone. You know I also track everything on multiple spreadsheets like a huge nerd!
My goal is Bronze – 10 books (as I am no longer requesting ARCs this year and plan to focus on my backlog for this challenge)
January 2026
February 2026
February 2026
Title: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer
Author: Ragnar Jónasson
Narrator: Cicely Whitehead, Jane Slavin, Rufus Wright
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 283 pages / 5 hours 54 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: September 9, 2025
Challenges: Audiobook, COYER, HRCYED 2.0, NetGalley
Review: We get to meet up with Helgi Reykdal again, as he solves the case of a missing crime writer named Elín S. Jónsdóttir. As Helgi interviews the people closest to her (a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge) he realizes that Elín’s life wasn’t what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than the fiction she wrote. I was totally invested in this story and could not believe the ending!
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie type books, with a Nordic flair, this one is for you!
I received two complimentary copies. Thank you to Sara Beth at St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this ARC via Netgalley widget, and Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for sending me an ALC.
Title: Death At The Sanatorium
Author: Ragnar Jónasson
Narrator: Sam Woolf
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 279 pages / 6 hours 42 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: September 10, 2024
Challenges: Audiobook, Beat The Backlist, COYER, HRCYED 2.0, Mount TBR, NetGalley
Review: Ragnar Jónasson’s love for Agatha Christie shows in all of his work. This book was a rather good representation of that. It was all slowly building up to who the murder was at the very end. I enjoyed getting to know Helgi also. Another Christie-like detective you are rooting for.
I will recommend this to all my friends who enjoy mystery novels.
I received two complimentary copies. Thank you to Sara Beth at St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this ARC via Netgalley widget, and Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for sending me an ALC.
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 I spent getting both kids ready to head off to college. (I’m probably driving my son to his college as you’re reading this lol). He really only needed to make a small Walmart run to get some drinks, snacks, and minimal school supplies. Today I am helping him set up his dorm room, then plan to take him out to lunch before heading home.
Last week we also made a family trip to the boardwalk and walked the boards. The weather was perfect out, we didn’t even need our hoodies on! Boarwalk snacks are always a treat, and it was nice to just be outside enjoying time with the kids.
Friday my husband finally wasn’t working late so when he came home we had dinner and played board games with the kids (something we love doing as a family).
Currently:
I am currently reading The Deceiving Look by Victor Methos, book 3 in the Shepard & Gray trilogy on my Kindle. I should be done with it before the end of the week.
I borrowed a physical copy of All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby from my library. I am not that far into the book as of the writing up of this post. Note: this book didn’t get much love this week as I was busy…
I am listening to Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham. This one isn’t hitting like her other books, and it’s really not doing it for me. I have to decide if I am gonna just push through it so I can put up a NetGalley review or just DNF it.
Just Finished:
My reviews are on Storygraph [here] and [here] respectfully.
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: The Shepard & Gray series by Victor Methos
WWW Wednesday
Sunday Salon #8
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.
I’m enjoying my time off of work this summer. Lots of sitting in the yard reading has been my go to this past week. The weather has been in the high 70s which is perfect for New Jersey.
The only notable thing I did was take my daughter to a concert. We were supposed to go on Thursday. Thursday was a bad storm here and the show was cancelled early in the morning. My husband and I decided to surprise my daughter and take her to the next show (which was in Pennsylvania) so she didn’t miss out on seeing her favorite band in concert. AT THE CONCERT we got Gold Circle tickets through Ticketmaster which means you get to be front area by the stage. There was a group right by the fence and we were right behind them in the middle, it was perfect! The show was amazing of course! THEN two of the band members were hanging around so we went towards them to see if my daughter could say hello to them. Long story short, she was thrown a set list by a crew member while waiting in line, she got a photo with BOTH band members and the lead singer SIGNED her set list. We were literally fan-girl squealing with excitement the rest of the night!
Currently:
I am currently reading The Grave Singer by Victor Methos, book 2 in the Shepard & Gray trilogy. I should be done with it by tomorrow the latest.
I borrowed a physical copy of The Haunting In The Arctic by CJ Cooke. I am into this book and have really gotten a lot of pages read, which is on the rarer side for me when it comes to physical books. I think I should be done with this one by Tuesday the latest.
I am listening to All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers. It was recommended by my library for summer reading, and I just haven’t had a huge chance to listen to audiobooks this week. I’ve really focused on being present for my kids as they’ll be off to college in two weeks.
Just Finished:
My reviews are on Storygraph [here] and [here] respectfully.
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.
Birthstone Book Covers
HRCYED2.0
WWW Wednesday
Sunday Salon #7
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.
I’m enjoying my time off of work this summer. Lots of sitting in the yard reading, floating in the pool, and playing cozy video games.
Mostly I am just getting housework done during the day, and getting both kids all situated for heading off to college at the end of August. It will be my son’s Senior year and my daughter’s Freshman year of college. Empty-ish Nest come September!
My daughter had a Rheumatology appointment, her last follow up for awhile as she is doing great!
The kids have a VBS meeting after church today. My kids attended vacation bible school when they were little kids until they aged out at sixth grade, and have been volunteering since seventh grade.
My puppy Rollo is almost one and a half years old, and I’m absolutely loving watching him grow up and play and learn. He’s my baby! I’m trying to figure out more ways to get him to play and be active during the day (I feel he does a lot of laying &/or sleeping). I’ve been taking him for more walks and got him a new toy so we can actively play together. I was half joking to my husband and was like, “Maybe we can get him an agility course for the backyard”.
Currently:
I am currently reading A Short Stay In Hell by Steven L. Peck. Michael Kist raved about the short story last year (at the 9:38 mark) and my library finally had a copy available for me to borrow through Libby.
I borrowed a physical copy of Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence from my library. I wanted to start a shorter fantasy series and after doing some research online, I decided on this one. Plus, I like the cover lol. Also, I am a little confused with the plot thus far, but I am just going with it and I am sure it’ll all explain itself as it goes.
I just started listening to The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. The audiobook I was listening to before this one was NOT holding my interest one freaking bit. I searched for my favorite narrator on Libby and chose a random audiobook that wasn’t too long.
Just Finished:
I was not ready for the heaviness of this story, but it was such a good one. Jennifer Hillier is a great author! I gave this four stars on Storygraph.
I also finish this one. My review will be posted on the blog in two weeks.
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.
Library Love Audiobook Challenge of 2025
Library Stats and Savings For July 2025
Books Acquired In July 2025
Monthly Wrap Up: July 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.
Wednesday was Graduation Day!
Thursday was my last day of work till September!
Friday was all about getting the house and yard ready for the graduation party!
Saturday was the graduation party!
Sunday was my day to recooperate from all the excitement of the week!
Currently:
I started Kill Your Darlings last week, then with everything going on it just sat on my nightstand collecting dust lol. It’s definitely being a priority this week!
I borrowed an ecopy of Lifeguard by James Patterson & Andrew Gross from the library. I am also not that far into it. This is a reread from when it came out years ago.
I am listening to Angels & Demons by Dan Brown, and also annotating a traveling hardcover book copy at the same time. This is a reread from when it came out years ago (and in anticipation for the newest book in the series coming out in September).
Just Finished:
This story has definite And Then There Were None vibes (and even a very small Clue (the movie) reference early on), so while it absolutely started off slow… it got more interesting once the characters were being killed off. I guessed the murderer incorrectly, and did not see any of the twist coming. I like how each character had a different personality and it felt like a real writing retreat (minus the murders lol).
I enjoyed each narrator and am glad they gave each characters chapter their own narrator. It helped keep the story flowing.
Note: I gave this one 3.5 on Storygraph, but marked it as 4 stars on NetGalley because they do not use half 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.
Title: You Are Fatally Invited
Author: Ande Pliego
Narrator: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, Alejandro Ruiz , Victoria Villarreal, Feodor Chin , William Damron, John Lee , Dawn Harvey , Jeremy Carlisle Parker
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 363 pages / 11 hours 02 minutes
Rating: 3.5 stars
Publication Date: February 11, 2025
Challenges: Audiobook, COYER, Library Love, NetGalley
Review: This story has definite And Then There Were None vibes (and even a very small Clue (the movie) reference early on), so while it absolutely started off slow… it got more interesting once the characters were being killed off. I guessed the murderer incorrectly, and did not see any of the twist coming. I like how each character had a different personality and it felt like a real writing retreat (minus the murders lol).
I enjoyed each narrator and am glad they gave each characters chapter their own narrator. It helped keep the story flowing.
Note: I gave this one 3.5 on Storygraph, but will mark it as 4 stars on NetGalley because they do not use half stars.
I received a complimentary e-copy. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I borrowed the audiobook through my local library to immerse myself into the story.
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 soooooooo busy! It was my second to last week of work, so lots of getting the kitchen put away and cleaned up before the end of the school years. I am also getting my house and yard all set up and ready for my daughter’s graduation party. My family is coming up to New Jersey to visit as well.
Had to take the dog to the vet yesterday. He wasn’t putting pressure on one of his back legs and we were concerned. Turns out, joker stubbed one of his toes and it was swollen, causing him pain. He was Rx pain meds and he’s on the mend!
Today is my daughter’s 18th birthday! We are gonna go out to dinner tonight to celebrate. Restaurant of her choice of course.
Currently:
I just started Kill Your Darlings on Friday. I am not far in but I am already intrugued!
I am almost done listening to the audiobook of my NetGalley ARC You Are Fatally Invited. Definite And Then There Were None vibes (and even a very small Clue (the movie) reference early on) but I want to know how it all ends up for these characters. Should be done in a little bit.
Lie In The Tide is starting off slow, and I think I am not really feeling it is because there are a lot of characters and You Are Fatally Invited has a lot of characters too so my brain is overloading lol. You readers all know what I mean! I think I am going to give it one more day and if it’s not drawing me in I’m gonna put it aside and find something else to read.
Just Finished:
Gemma James finally published the latest book in the Zodiac Queen series, Capricorn, and since I am absolutely invested in this crazy story I needed to read it. Best one in the series so far, but check those trigger warnings on this series before getting into it.
I needed a cover with a bathing suit on it, and this Elin Hilderbrand short story was an Amazon First Reads bonus pick sometime last year. I gave it three stars- story was pretty good but the ending reallllllllllllly tanked my rating.
Read another short story from Amazon First Reads titled When We Were Friends. This one was pretty decent for a short read. I could see this one being made into a made for TV movie on Lifetime lol.
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.
Title: Jill Is Not Happy
Author: Kaira Rouda
Format: eBook / audiobook
Length: 256 pages / 7 hours 11 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
Some secrets keep a couple together.
If you ask Jill Tingley, she’ll tell you she and her husband Jack are college sweethearts living the dream in Southern California. Wealthy, popular and genetically blessed, theirs is an enviable life, though they’ve grown distant in recent years. Newly empty nesting with their daughter Maggie away at college, Jill suggests a road trip to reconnect.
Jack would rather do anything else than drive to Utah with his wife. He’s only stayed in this marriage because of a shared secret, a tragedy in the past he wanted to keep buried. And for his daughter’s sake. But Jack is finished with the charade of his marriage. He’s filing for divorce as soon as they return, no matter what.
But he doesn’t realize what else Jill is hiding.
So begins a cat-and-mouse road trip as a cunning wife–think Ripley in yoga pants–and a reluctant husband match wits and drive each other to the edge. But everything will be fine. Jill still loves Jack and believes he’s the only one for her. She’ll do anything to keep him. Anything. She always has.
Challenges: Audiobook, COYER, NetGalley
Review: This was a wild ride! Jill is delusional in her relationship with Jack. Jack wants out of this marriage and keeps getting trapped into staying by Jill’s words and actions. The more the story goes on the more unhinged Jill becomes. A really good thriller I would recommend to people who read the genre.
I would like to note that I feel this book could of used another narrator, a man, for Jack’s chapters, instead of Marnye Young reading both Jack and Jill’s chapters.
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for allowing me to read and listen to this book. I received a complimentary eBook and audiobook.
Title: So Happy Together
Author: Olivia Worley
Narrator: Michelle H. Lee
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 304 pages / 8 hours 47 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Challenges: Audiobook, Backlog Board of Books, COYER, NetGalley, Read For The Stars
Review: This book kept my interest, as Jane is pretty much a stalker girl obsessed with her ex boyfriend Colin. You could see exactly where the plot is heading for most of the book, so it was sort of annoying. The characters are in the mid 20s but I feel like they act immature at times. I did not mind the narrator, Michelle H. Lee. This is the first time I am hearing her voice, and it fits the story perfect. This is a good thriller book and most readers will probably enjoy it. I gave it an average three stars because it just felt average to me.
I received two complimentary copies. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press Early Readers for allowing me to read this ARC and Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for sending me an ALC, which I used Netgalley to listen to.
Good morning fellow readers! I am a mood reader, but since I am doing a summer reading challenge I wanted to plan out all the books I want to get to in June, July and August.
I have a good amount of ARCs publishing in the summer months, so I am prioritizing getting through them before publication day! Gonna try my best. Trying to get that Netgalley ratio up!
I also want to read these beachy summery cover books by the author who got me back into reading as an adult, James Patterson. His books are short chapters and quick plots and I devour them!
This list is by no means permanent. If any Libby holds come in I will more than likely accept them, and they are not on the graphic above.
Q: How many books do you plan to read in the summer?
Title: Skin and Bones
Author: Paul Doiron
Format: eBook
Length: 368 pages
Rating: I have not read it yet
For the first time in print, Skin and Bones features a collection of eight gripping original short stories in the bestselling Mike Bowditch series—including one brand new, never-before-published story—from Edgar-award nominated author Paul Doiron.
In THE BEAR TRAP, legendary Maine woodsman and bush pilot Charley Stevens tries to convince young Mike of the dangers awaiting rookie game wardens.
RABID draws Mike into the story of a gruesome case involving a bat with rabies from his Charley Steven’s past (2019 Edgar award nominee for Best Short Story).
When a visiting hunter goes missing in the middle of a snowstorm, a young Charley Stevens sets off to rescue him—but begins to suspect the man may not want to be found in BACKTRACK.
In THEIMPOSTER, Mike is confronted with a baffling case of stolen identity when he discovers a dead body whose driver’s license claims he is none other than Mike Bowditch himself.
Mike tracks down a sinister prowler who turns a couple’s dream vacation home into a nightmare in THE CARETAKER.
An investigation into the killing of a bald eagle in SKIN AND BONES unearths an old case of a missing young man whose physically abusive brother might have murdered him.
In SNAKEBIT, Mike must hunt down a killer who uses the unlikeliest of murder weapons: rattlesnakes.
(Brand New!) Mike suspects there’s more to a grisly murder-suicide than meets the eye in SHEEP’S CLOTHING.
Critically acclaimed for his brilliant crime novels, Paul Doiron proves he is also the master of short story in Skin and Bones.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press Early Readers for sending me a complimentary ebook.
Title: Parents Weekend
Author: Alex Finlay
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 320 pages / 7 hours 24 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: May 6, 2025
Challenges: Audiobook, COYER, NetGalley, Read For The Stars
Review: I have listened to other Alex Finlay books and really liked them. I am also a big fan of Brittany Pressley as a narrator. But this story wasn’t holding my interest at times and I found my mind wandering a good amount. I wish the college students had more backstory at the beginning, because I honestly was not invested in their lives and did not emotionally care what happened to any of them by halfway through the book. I think other readers will enjoy the book, and it wasn’t a bad story, so this is why I gave it an average three stars rating.
I received two complimentary copies. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press Early Readers for allowing me to read this ARC and Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for sending me an ALC.
Title: Dead Of Night
Author: Lisa Gray
Format: eBook / Audiobook
Length: 267 pages / 7 hours 11 minutes
Rating: 4 stars
Challenges: Audiobook, COYER, NetGalley
Review: While I was not a fan of the narrator, I was hooked into the story. The plot is real simple, a writer vacations in a small town with a rental property whose previous renters disappeared. Of course the author has to investigate what happened and figure out why they disappeared. You also get the POV from Ruby, a young mom whose child is missing. The stories intertwine, and the plot twist at the end comes out of nowhere! Four stars!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for allowing me to read this ARC, and listen to this ALC.
