Sunday plans. ❤️📚 Sweet Hazel at my feet and Hamilton behind my head. ❤️🐾

Based on the actual diary of Martha Ballard, the novel blends historical fiction with mystery, offering a glimpse into the daily life of a midwife in post-Revolutionary America. The historical insight into the justice system—particularly its treatment of women—is fascinating. I didn‘t want the story to end. Don‘t skip the author‘s note at the end—it adds even more depth to an already immersive read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ❤️📚 This was my #bookspin for February.

A conversational deep dive into Bishop‘s impressive career. You can‘t deny how hard-working she is. I found the book a bit difficult to connect with. I think I would have connected with it more if some of her reflections had been woven in earlier. The end resonated, as she shares poignant insights on caregiving, loss, and embracing aging. If you like show business memoirs, I‘d recommend the audiobook. ⭐⭐⭐/5 ❤️📚

This dark psychological thriller kept me in suspense until the end! Amelia & Adam take a weekend getaway to a remote Scottish locale, hoping to save their marriage. Mixed in are anniversary letters from one spouse to another, adding intrigue and character depth. Short chapters make this book propulsive and hard to put down. Best read blind, so I won‘t say much more. Be patient and trust the author to take you on a ride. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5❤️📚

My January reading. Three physical/e-book and two audiobooks. Two 5 star reads - The Women by Kristin Hannah and My Darling Boy by Helen Cooper. ❤️📚

I listened to this on audio, and wow—this story gripped me from the very start and didn‘t let go until the heart-pounding conclusion. A tense, dark, emotional story about two mothers and their sons, exploring the consequences of lies and secrets upon secrets, told through multiple perspectives and shifting timelines. This novel is about fierce love—of motherhood, friendship, and family. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Highly recommend on audio. ❤️📚

My February #bookspinbingo. This morning, I started both The Frozen River and The Third Gilmore Girl as my audiobook. Let‘s go! ❤️📚

Here‘s my #bookspinlist for February!

I still have one more day to finish my January books. I don‘t see a bingo happening though. I think I‘ll finish 7 books (I‘m so close to finishing that 7th book), which is a fantastic reading month for me! But….they didn‘t line up for a bingo. 🤷‍♀️❤️📚

My daughter reading Onyx Storm was its own form of spoiler. 🤣 We got her the first 2 books last year, but she had no interest in them until her winter break this year. My husband preordered the 3rd in the series for me (but we didn‘t order it for her b/c she had no interest before). She timed her read of the first 2 with the release of the 3rd. Of course I let her read it first. She read it in one day. It was a joy to watch her read it. 😊❤️📚

Welcome to Litsy @Lollybooks ! I hope you find bookish community and enrichment here! I‘m tagging some good Littens to follow as you learn to navigate this space.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Mjm1 @Crazeedi @EadieB @Eggs @Andrew65 @dabbe @TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle @DaveGreen7777
@Bookwormjillk @LitsyWelcomeWagon

Starting my #doublespin for January. Hoping to finish before 2/1. Looks like a good wintry read! ❤️📚

(Hazel is not impressed by my book.)

A slow start due to many character introductions, but it picks up midway. This quirky group of retirees solves cold cases—until a fresh murder complicates things. Charming, funny, and cozy with shifting perspectives and journal entries. The mystery is scattered but enjoyable. Stick with it—it‘s worth it! I‘ll grab the next from the library. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)/5 ❤️📚 This was my bookspin for January.
@TheAromaofBooks

This memoir offers a look behind the scenes of one of the most private First Ladies in recent history. Melania has a quiet strength and protective nature. The book could have benefited from better editing. I wonder if this was due to challenges in finding an editor she trusted. (She notes how she was let down by people she relied on, leading her to take more control over her responsibilities.) An interesting, if imperfect, memoir. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

This novel chronicles the life of Frankie McGrath, from a young woman with dreams to a combat nurse in the Vietnam War, and then navigating the aftermath of war. It sheds light on the often overlooked experiences of women who served in Vietnam and the shameful way veterans were treated upon their return. Hannah captures the complexity of a tumultuous era while offering a deep exploration of resilience, trauma, and healing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

About 25% into this novel and struggling. Every time I pick it up, I fall asleep. It‘s more about me than the book, I think, but I‘m still having a hard time keeping the characters straight.

My reading partner had a seizure at 4:30am, hence why I‘m falling asleep today. It‘s been 6 months since her last one. 😔 My brother‘s beloved pup died on Tuesday after a seizure, so my girl‘s this morning was especially scary. Rough day around here.

Twisty, suspenseful mystery about a couple of missing persons cases and the detective trying to solve them. Told in multiple perspectives, this book has deeper themes of moral dilemma, parenting (what would you do to protect your child?), and marriage. Good read! Audio has multiple narrators, but the mystery elements required more of my attention than a typical easy audio listen. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

“…however she healed, it would fall on her to do the heavy lifting. Her friends could be there for her, help her stand, but she had to walk alone.”

I had to pull myself out of a pit after suffering a loss. As much as our friends can help, we have to do the hard work ourselves. And it is very lonely.

I‘m happy to have a sweet reading buddy while reading such an emotionally resonant book. Grounds me back in the present and reality. ❤️📚❤️‍🩹🐾

Here are my 2025 Reading Goals! I‘m looking to continue clearing my shelves, and set a pages goal to help encourage me to pick up some chunksters this year! 🎉❤️📚

In 2024 I set a goal of 40 books. I ended up reading 51! That‘s the most ever since I began tracking my reading on 2017! 🎉

42 of those books were backlist and 9 were published in 2024. My top genre was Mystery/Thriller (31%), followed by General/Literary Fiction (21.5%).

An imaginative new series! This entertaining read introduces Kathy Valence, a transition specialist for the Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences, or SCYTHE – a corporate take on grim reaping. Kathy loves and excels her job, but her latest case throws her into a mystery as she‘s dealing with a personal crisis. Heavier themes are balanced with wit and charm. This series has potential! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)/5 ❤️📚

Cat is a home makeover show host who swoops in to save the Christmas Festival of Merry, CT after a devastating flood. Cat‘s expertise & her show‘s budget might be able to save it, but Noah, the town manager, is determined to protect his town from a reality TV invasion. Enemies-to-lovers with a Hallmark-movie-worthy holiday setting…though this story is too spicy to for Hallmark! Predictable, but also sweet, sentimental, and steamy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

My #bookspinbingo for the month of January. Let's go!! I started a Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer on audio yesterday and I have The Women ready to start today. #bookspin and #doublespin numbers are in the same diagonal line...Maybe a Bingo this month? ❤️📚

Fast-paced, like diving into a salacious tabloid article. Reid keeps you turning pages with the promise of a big reveal, all while unraveling the life of Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood actress with secrets as bold as her career. You‘re not just caught up in Evelyn‘s story; you‘re also trying to uncover why she picked Monique, an unknown journalist, to write her biography. Highly entertaining, moving, and beautifully written. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

An emotional journey that delves into themes of love, loss, and resilience. The middle section of the memoir, while still meaningful, slowed compared to the emotionally gripping beginning and end. This memoir is heartwarming and heartbreaking, a testament to the bonds of family and the complexities of living under immense fame. It‘s a hard story, but told with incredible authenticity. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

Trigger warnings in the comments.

Ready for the first Bookspin of 2025! 🎉❤️📚 Let‘s go!

@TheAromaofBooks

As a longtime fan of the Stephanie Plum series—over 20 years—I anticipate each new installment, knowing exactly what to expect: laugh-out-loud humor, quirky misadventures, and a cast of characters that feel like old friends. This book was fast-paced, entertaining, and filled with laugh-out-loud moments. Not the strongest entry, but still a satisfying and fun read. As long as Evanovich is writing them, I am going to read these books. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ❤️📚

If you love history, memoirs, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into powerful lives, Clint Hill's Five Presidents is a must-read—or in my case, a must-listen! As a former Secret Service agent, Hill's experiences with presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford are recounted with extraordinary detail. Hill's perspective offers a mix of reverence, heartbreak, and raw honesty. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

A spellbinding journey into the magical world of Brookmere, where Fae rule and nothing is as it seems. Brookmere is richly detailed, filled with magic and intrigue. Illiana‘s journey keeps you hooked from the start. I couldn‘t put this book down. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment! If you love strong heroines, magical kingdoms and shadow-daddy romance, this one is a must-read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

This book is a cozy hug! Eve‘s journey through a surprise pregnancy, discovering herself & friends-to-lovers romance is predictable but perfect. The warmth, charm and heartfelt moments shine. There‘s also a found family vibe here. The audiobook was fantastic, bringing these lovable characters to life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

Karen has a car accident that erases her memory of the hours before. Her husband is worried, her neighbor supportive, and everyone is keeping secrets. The plot has potential but the execution misses the mark. The writing is repetitive, lacks subtlety and there is too much 'tell' and not enough ‘show'. Still, the idea behind the plot is decent. If you pick this one up, I recommend going in blind to let the suspense unfold. ⭐️⭐️💫 2.5/5 ❤️📚

This was my book club‘s most recent pick, and while the others struggled to dive in, I was completely captivated! This National Book Award finalist reads more like a memoir than a science text. Through chapters dedicated to the different octopuses she meets, Montgomery explores her admiration and curiosity for these creatures. This book leaves you feeling hopeful and in awe of the wonders of marine life. Great on audio! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars ❤️📚

Emily Henry does it again! After Daphne‘s fiancé calls off their wedding—because he's fallen for Miles's girlfriend—she ends up as roommates with Miles, and the two begin to heal together. This book gave me all the feels, and I related so much to Daphne. Her trauma and mine are different, but the effects feel so familiar. Likable, relatable characters and so much heart, Funny Story is a must-read if you like romance with depth. ? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Runner is book 5 in Peter May‘s China Thrillers series. It‘s another fast-paced thriller that kept me turning the pages! Li Yan and Margaret Campbell are back in China, investigating the suspicious deaths of several top athletes. I enjoyed the mystery, but the resolution felt a little too neatly packaged. Despite that, if you‘re a fan of a good, suspenseful mystery, in an international setting, it‘s worth picking up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/ 5 (3.5/5) ❤️📚

Last weekend was the #deweys24hourreadathon. My plan was to focus on these two books. It was a gorgeous day, and I had a good start, but my son was going through something and needed his Mama to listen. I‘m so grateful that he wanted to talk and that I could help him get some feelings out. I only got 10 hours of reading in, instead of my normal 12-14, so I didn‘t quite finish either book. Being there for my kid was worth it. ❤️📚 #deweysreadathon

This book introduces Inspector Gamache and the residents of Three Pines, a small town in Canada. The mystery kicks off when a beloved resident turns up dead under mysterious circumstances. The quirky cast of characters and cozy setting are what really sell this series. The audiobook format wasn‘t ideal for an intro to so many characters though. I‘ll stick with reading this series in print for now and look forward to more Three Pines. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

This novel centers on a true crime podcast host as she records her next season focusing on a controversial rape trial. She begins receiving notes from a girl who believes her sister was murdered years ago. The story alternates between the two mysteries. It‘s a compelling, plot-driven story, but it‘s also brutal and highlights sexual assault (if this kind of content is triggering, be mindful.) Great on audio! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

The 4th in the China Thrillers begins with a gripping premise - a virus infecting Chinese immigrants that could spark a pandemic. The strongest element is its prescient story nearly 20 years after publication. There is also a heart-stopping conclusion that leaves readers eager for the next book. But the setting in the US doesn't work as well as the other books in the series. An engaging addition, though not the strongest of the series. 3.5/5 ⭐️

This story is set in a robot-ruled future, full of humor, imagination, found family and love in all its forms. The characters were mostly likable, but I didn‘t connect with the story, especially the second half. While it wraps back into its emotional heart by the end, the journey felt tedious. I had such high expectations after absolutely loving The House in the Cerulean Sea, but this one just didn‘t hit the mark for me. ⭐️⭐️💫/5 ❤️📚

Beautyland blends light sci-fi with literary fiction. A sweet coming of age story, charming and emotionally rich offering a perspective on the human experience through the eyes of an outsider. For 80%, I found it charming and compelling, but the story lost steam toward the end. Still, it‘s a unique take on human nature. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 ❤️📚

Nelson DeMille has died. He was one of my Dad's favorites, and everything of his that I read I really enjoyed. I have a couple of my Dad's Nelson DeMille books because he was a favorite.

With each change in the landscape of what used to be known to my Dad, I feel like I lose another piece of him. I am grateful that I have those Nelson DeMille books on my shelf. ❤️

https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/09/18/nelson-demille-author-dead-81-long-island...

This charming novel tells the story of three strong, independent women divided by money and dreams. With humor, heartache, and insights into the male-dominated beer industry, it's a touching family saga filled with Midwestern spirit. If you love stories about family, ambition, and resilience, this one‘s for you. This book gave me all the feels! Audiobook is superb! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

The 3rd in Sarah Grunder Ruiz‘s series “Love, Lists & Fancy Ships”. It follows Raine, a free-spirited singer-songwriter with ADHD and Jack, a local pub owner whose OCD keeps him from making the changes he's dreamed of for his business. It was refreshing to avoid the usual romance tropes—no unnecessary breakups over miscommunication! Feel-good romance, endearing characters and a fun setting. Works fine as a stand alone. ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5/5) ❤️📚

This popcorn thriller was just what I needed, and I‘m so glad I went into it completely blind—no back cover reading, just a recommendation from a bookish bestie. The short chapters and multiple perspectives made this a lightning-fast read; I could barely keep up with how quickly I was flipping pages. Go into this one blind and just let yourself enjoy the ride. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 for pure entertainment value! ❤️📚

Gorgeous morning! ☀️Enjoying this book! It‘s charming. ❤️📚

This novel mixes mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction with a touch of cozy. My book club chose this during a very quick book store visit. However, unpopular opinion here- this slow-paced tale didn‘t quite resonate with me, despite its unique premise. Ultimately, this book didn‘t hit the mark for me and I just didn‘t connect with the characters. Many readers have loved it, including all of the other members of my book club. ⭐⭐⭐/5 stars. ❤️📚

Going into this one blind is the way to go, so I‘ll keep this vague and short. Molloy takes you on a wild ride, flipping the story on its head just when you think you know what‘s happening. It‘s twisty and fast-paced, part mystery, part love story, and part psychological thriller. I listened to the audiobook, and it added so much to the experience with multiple narrators and entertaining performances. ❤️📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Popcorn thriller, fast paced with super short chapters, perfect follow up to my last read which was slower paced. Plus, it‘s Labor Day weekend, just before the start of school here, which makes the timing of this read pretty perfect.

I am going into this one completely blind, except for the recommendation from a bookish bestie who loaned it to me. ❤️📚

Enjoyed reading this one on the beach on vacation. The settings couldn‘t be more different though…. 😆❤️📚🌊❄️

The second in Ruiz's mega yacht series, this story follows the chief stew and chef. It falls short of the first book. The main character's choices feel forced and situations contrived. However, as a light escape, it succeeds. The setting keeps you engaged, even if attempts at depth miss the mark. It's a quick, entertaining read that serves as a good palate cleanser. Not memorable, but fulfills its purpose as easy entertainment. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

The second in Yarros' Empyrean series, continues Xaden and Violet's thrilling journey. Seamlessly blending adventure, romance, and intrigue, it's as unputdownable as Fourth Wing. Yarros expands this rich world and deepens character relationships, keeping readers enthralled. While the ending left me wishing for a different choice, it doesn't diminish my excitement for the series. I'm eager for the next installment. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚