I have loved joining in the LMM readalong of short stories by LMM hosted by @Barbara This month! The stories have similar themes, broken relationships, giving gifts to those who are less fortunate, etc. they are always uplifting and such a treat in this season.

Another Firefly book, they‘ve been perfect audiobooks for this busy season. This one takes the crew to a frozen planet that‘s home to a prison and search of a doctor to save Inara‘s life. Simon, Zoe, Mal and Jayne are thrown together while River, Kaylee, and Wash go toe-to-toe with an Alliance cruiser.

2024 TOP 10 PART 2:
6) The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
7) Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
8) The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt
9) Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
10) Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
 
5 Bonus Ones:
- Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- Women in White Coats by Olivia Campbell
- The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
- Stolen Focus by Johann Hari

PART 1:I‘ve read 161 books so far this year and here are my top ten. It wasn't my favorite reading year, but it included so many rereads of my favorites for my milestone birthday. I'd love to hear your favorites!

1) The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
2) The Six: The Untold Story of America's First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush
3) To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
4) The PLAN by Kendra Adachi
5) Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

This was my 5th time reading this one and it just gets better each time! One of my favorite elements, besides the incredible descriptions, is that the author gives us the opportunity to view the circus from both the inside, from the perspective of the performers and creators, and the outside through the characters of Herr Thiessen and Bailey. It provides a complete picture of the enchanting world. It‘s a forever favorite for me.

I grew up reading Gunn's novels, so each time I read a new one it feels like putting on a comfy familiar sweater. This one took two friends on an adventure in Africa. I've always wanted to take that trip. I loved how Fern & Lily are able to truly see & help each other see the strengths in each of their lives that they can‘t spot for themselves. I'll also never forget learning the word fernweh: a longing for distant places, a yearning for travel.

I tried reading this so many times and it was just an uphill battle (I'm the worst at refusing to DNF, but I‘m working on it). I finally made it halfway through, switched to audio and it just came to life for me. A black Texas ranger finds himself in a small town trying to solve multiple murders. I loved her descriptions, but I don't think I'll continue the series.

I read both volume one and two and would recommend only the second volume. The first was too full of filler, the second had some fun stories and details connected to Hogwarts. Only recommended for people who are huge Harry Potter fans, like I obviously am. I loved the details about the painting in the Muggle Prime Minister‘s office, the descriptions of the Hufflepuff common room, and learning more about McGonagall.

I started this one before the total eclipse in April of this year. I lost interest after that and just picked it up. It was definitely interesting, especially the history of how eclipses were used to help map the size and shape of the world centuries ago. It's my own fault for losing interest after seeing the eclipse. Definitely recommend if you'd like to learn more about eclipses.

I've loved Firefly for years but hadn‘t read the books. I was pleasantly surprised that it maintained the tone of the show. They managed to capture the characters' ticks & personalities. It picks up where the show ends, but before the movie takes place. Mal finds himself in trouble & Zoey is left in charge. I loved learning more about Mal & Shepherd's history before we meet them. I'll read more of the series & maybe re-watch the show again.

A nonfiction meditation on nature & humans & the way we interact. The book is at its strongest when the author is writing about her personal experiences, & not just facts & history. She is a scientist and her passion for the world around her is evident in her reflections.

“That is the power of ceremony. It marries the mundane to the sacred. The water turns to wine; the coffee to a prayer.”

“I close my eyes & listen to the voices of the rain.”

I read this with my daughters who couldn't help but see themselves in the lovely fox sisters. We all adored the story of exploring nature on a chilly winter day & letting our imaginations run wild. The illustrations were mood & gorgeous. I love that they have strong personalities & want to be leaders. A snow dragon doesn't scare them at all. This is going on our favorites list to be enjoyed each year when the air is crisp. @PenguinRandomCa

Just perfection. A lovely holiday read about a young woman who ends a courtship only to find her suitor is exactly the man she wants. I‘ll read this one again over the holidays and future years. There‘s just the right amount of chemistry and innocent connection. I liked that we got to hear the point of view of both the man and the woman at different points in the story.

If you can read this entire book without being furious, I would be shocked. It's a nonfiction account of the 1st female doctors who had to fight just to be allowed to earn medical licenses. It focuses on 3 women & the impact they had on the world of medicine. The stupid things they had to fight against made my blood boil. It's so well-written & will give you a greater appreciation for the women who fought so hard to have the right to be doctors.

The historical aspects of the story were interesting, but the writing wasn‘t for me. Too many repetitive descriptors and unbelievable dialogue. It was so much like Water for Elephants but without the compelling characters. Books like this that are loosely based on a real historical event, but add in dramatic back stories for the fictional characters tend to lose my interest. I‘d usually rather read a nonfiction account of whatever happened.

Absolutely the most beautiful ornament for a book lover! This one‘s made with maps, but there are others made with book pages. Just gorgeous and the perfect way to memorialize my big trip to Greece this summer. You can find the Etsy shop at BookologyCo if you are looking for a gift for a book or travel lover. 😊

Some young boys on a soccer team in Thailand were stranded in a cave in 2018 while exploring with their coach. The country and people from across the world came together to save them. Obviously, the rescue was incredible and it‘s a wonderful true story, but the book is written in a way that made it drag even though it was short.

I always dread reading the final book because it means the series is almost over. One thing that really stood out to me this time is how lost Harry would‘ve been without Hermione. Yet even with their friendship, in the end he had to take the final steps alone. Neville‘s transformation into a brave leader is one of my favorite parts of the story. I love meeting Aberforth and hearing his POV too. It‘s such a wonderful end to the series.

I will always read the new Flavia book and love them on audio. Her acerbic wit and calculating mind make each mystery delightful. When a former hangman is murdered, she jumps to find the killer. I loved diving into the bigger intelligence agency mystery in this one. We get a few more answers & watch Flavia mature a bit. She might be cold and calculating, but she‘s loyal to her core and loves deeply despite herself. Dogger is still my favorite.

Oh my gosh, I loved this! Mystery writers hunker down at an English manor and find themselves trying to solve a locked-room missing person case. Amazing chemistry, real issues to deal with, Agatha Christie vibes, character growth, just enough conflict to keep it interesting, it ticked all the boxes for me. A perfect read for Christmas time and one I‘ll probably revisit next year just for fun.

If you loved Taste, this one is for you. If you haven‘t read that yet, start there. Tucci‘s conversational style, sense of humor, and love of food make this such a fun read. I loved the diary style, which reminded me of the Alan Rickman book. We see one year of dinner parties, nights at home, lunch on the go, and airport food through his eyes. I highly recommend the audiobook, which he narrates. It makes the whole experience just delightful.

I‘ll never grow tired of Three Pines. Not my favorite in the series, but still good. This one focused on domestic terrorism and monks. I always wish for more time in the village for the books that include a lot of travel. I love the way Gamache‘s mind works. I loved learning more about the history of his relationship with his son.

6 astronauts orbit the Earth & reflect on what brought them to that point. A beautiful & poetic book. Who knew I‘d need a book set in space to gain a little perspective this week.

“We matter greatly and not at all. To reach some pinnacle of human achievement only to discover that your achievements are next to nothing and that to understand this is the greatest achievement of any life, which itself is nothing, and also much more than everything.”

A typewriter & an introverted boy are trying to find out what happened to the boy's missing mother. It has serious "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" vibes, but without the humor. I thought it was sweet & loved the theme of not assuming you know what's happening inside someone else's head. Grief & pain can elicit such different reactions from people. The various reactions shown by the family felt so real to me. I loved the story & the typewriter's POV.

This remains my favorite in the series & I always look forward to rereading it. I‘m still frustrated that Dumbledore didn‘t give Harry more information while he had the chance & he knew his death was imminent. But I love seeing Voldemort‘s history & watching Harry take on responsibility as the Quidditch captain and as Voldemort‘s ultimate foe. I also love that Dumbledore tells Harry to share all the info with Ron & Hermione so he‘s not alone.

I loved this book & had a chance to meet the author today! It focuses on time management, but from a woman‘s POV. She encouraged integration and leaning into each unique seasons instead of constantly striving to do everything all at once and be great all the time. I love that she includes details about monthly cycles and seasons to incorporate into your planning. There were so many helpful tips and I know I‘ll refer back to it frequently.

Phoebe arrives at a Rhode Island hotel after reaching rock bottom in her life, but a wedding is happening & she‘s swept up in the chaos. The level of crassness felt unnecessary at times, but I did love the honesty of the characters. They found how freeing it was to tell the truth & the liberation was exhilarating. The chemistry between 2 of the characters (no spoilers) was electric. I liked but didn‘t love it.

TW Infertility, suicide & infidelity

Ready for the perfect October read? Cordelia has always been controlled by her mother. When they move into a rich man‘s house she starts to realize what true friends feel like. It‘s like a grownup version of Ella Enchanted. Hester, the rich man‘s sister is my fav! She‘s clever & sassy & her fear of losing her independence feels so real. This one wasn‘t as scary as I was worried it would be, but it‘s just creepy enough to be perfect right now.

A quick reread while my kids played at the park. I love this reminder to cherish the small moments and not just get caught up in work. “Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement.”

Absolutely delightful! Annie‘s sweet earnestness, paired with Will‘s tattoo-covered heart of gold personality created the perfect blend for great chemistry. This is my first by this author, and it made for the perfect vacation read. Fun and just enough character development to make it work. I loved watching Annie and Will figure out how they saw themselves versus how the world sees them and find the balance of who they really were.

The one is about the heaviness of human life & the lightness that we can sometimes bring to it by sharing our burdens. The book continues the stories of Olive, Bob & Lucy, intermingling and overlapping them as the three characters walk through their later years in Maine. There‘s a focus on the importance of sharing our stories, even the ones that don‘t seem to have a point. It helps mitigate the loneliness that can come. It‘s a bit heartbreaking.

A big fat book about predestination vs. making your own choices and the grief that shapes us. It felt a bit like The Measure and Lessons in Chemistry combined. Cherry is the main character & she‘s hard to know at first, but she grew on me. It runs long & there are so many characters, but it was a perfect vacation read. Save it for when you have time to sink into the story & appreciate the layers. It‘s a satisfying read if you can give it the time.

This one was a super quick vacation read. Something in a young politician‘s past haunts him, and his chief of staff is determined to find out what. A thriller, but with nothing graphic or too scary. Definitely predictable elements, but still enjoyable. I like the exploration of what drives peoples‘ motives and where power comes from. Entertaining, even if it is forgettable.

Found another beautiful bookstore! Discovering new independent bookstores is always one of my favorite parts of travel.

Stumbled upon an absolute gem of a used bookstore today! He had first editions of Steinbeck and even a copy of Jane Eyre that was so old there‘s no publication date. But there was an inscription dated in the 1890s! I was in heaven. 😍

I‘m wary of memoirs written by young people, but this paired well with my rereading of the Harry Potter series. Read it for the onset anecdotes if you‘re a fan. He never takes himself too seriously and seems pretty grounded for someone who grew up in the spotlight. He doesn‘t pretend to be someone he‘s not. Great on audio since it‘s read by Tom Felton.

Slow and steady is the best way to describe this story. A trio of adult siblings from Maine reconnect when one of their kids is charged with a hate crime. Bob is the quiet force that holds them together. I had a hard time getting into it, but once you understand the pace it hits its stride. I loved Bob's character growth throughout the story. It had me thinking about how we surround ourselves with the people we think we deserve.

Book two in the series is just as readable as the 1st. I didn't love Sloan as much as her spitfire BFF Kristen, but the love story with a famous musician was sweet. I'm always a little wary of the immediate can't live without each other idea, but I loved the visit to his family in Minnesota. Another one that I didn't want to put down.

I loved the novella that started this series, but I struggled with this one. It took me month to finish. It's more of a coming-of-age take as Binti returns to her home planet. I highly recommend the original novella Binti and the short story: Binti: Sacred Fire. I‘d pass on Binti: Home.

This is my 1st by this author & I have mixed feelings. It was absolutely compulsively readable & I couldn‘t put it down. But it also had one of the main tropes that I don‘t enjoy, which is a misunderstanding or lying to the other person “for their own good”. I‘d always rather they tell the truth & let the other person make their own decision. That being said, I did care about the characters, and I immediately picked up the next book in the series.

This was the perfect road trip book with my daughter! We particularly loved the first few chapters which introduced the characters. A secret society of clever children who tackle saving the world? Sign me up! It was such a fun adventure. It's a bit like Lemony Snicket, but with a lot more heart.

Watching my daughter become a reader and seeing her joy in finding new books is just about the best thing ever. 📚

This weekend I got to see Much Ado About Nothing at my favorite outdoor theater in Wisconsin. The witty banter, the electric chemistry, it was wonderful! It was my daughter‘s first performance to see at the theater and I was reminded how even centuries later Shakespeare‘s work still entertains and resonates.

I just reread this one and loved it just as much the second time. This time I listened to the audio and it was as wonderful as everyone said. Since I knew the ending, I was able to focus more on the characters and less on the plot. The reflections of a woman to her adult children is beautiful. It‘s about memory and nostalgia, the secrets we hold and the experiences that shape us. I know it will stay with me.

There‘s a lot of teen angst in this one, but there‘s so many beautiful moments. The one that breaks my heart is when Mrs. Weasley faces the boggart and sees the deaths of her family members. I recently read somewhere that both of her brothers were killed in the first fight against Voldemort, so it makes sense that this fear would be so real for her.

Another delightful gem that I somehow missed when I was growing up. A small town family lives in a rented yellow house. Their life shifts when the house is put up for sale by their landlord. Each little adventure from a dancing dog to hiding in a bread box is incredibly sweet. I particularly loved the unplanned field trip of the little kindergarten who hopped on a local train.

The loveliest wall of female authors in a local Indianapolis bookstore. Visit Pen & Pink if you‘re ever in Indy!

I love a good memoir and this one by a woman who came to America from Iran in the 1970s was wonderful. Just enough humor to balance stories with a more serious tone. In America, she was met with kindness and open arms, but that doesn‘t mean there wasn‘t also bullying. Cultural differences brought some hilarious moments, but others were more painful. She also talks about her marriage to a French man. I‘d love to read more of her work.

I wasn‘t a fan of this one. A woman is living with her brash mother who is undergoing chemo and her teenage daughter who works leading kayaking tours. They find themselves in the midst of a murder investigation. The plot felt unnecessary I‘ll convoluted. It lost momentum. It seemed like it couldn‘t decide if it was a murder mystery or a family drama completely unrelated to the murder. This was almost a DNF but I kept waiting for things to pick up.

Mrs. Weasley is such a powerful character in this series. Making Harry feel welcome in their home, showing up for him as family during the TriWizard tournament, and fiercely protecting him at the end of the book, she mothers him in a beautiful way.

“Mrs. Weasley set the potion down on the bedside cabinet, bent down, and put her arms around Harry. He had no memory of ever being hugged like this, as though by a mother.”