“Moscow, Idaho, is a nook in the northern forests, a college town most of the year and a working-class whistle-stop for the rest of it.”

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

#5joysfriday @DebinHawaii

1. My pup is finally healed and the cone can come off today!
2. Ravens win last night!
3. My youngest home from college last weekend.
4. Texting with my brothers during that Ravens game.
5. Finishing a really good book, that also happened to be my #bookspin for October.

Listened on audio and loved the full cast narration! The story follows a bestselling author known by three names, finally ready to reveal her true identity. It starts slow but becomes completely absorbing. I loved the meta, 4th-wall-breaking aspects—though the “book within a book” pulled me out a bit. By the end, I wanted more time with these characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5) ❤️📚

Dark, twisty, and impossible to put down. Laura works at a crisis helpline and uses her position in chilling ways, leading to a dangerous cat-and-mouse game. No truly likable characters here—Laura is diabolical, yet heartbreakingly human at times. Grief is written with authenticity. A unique, unsettling read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⚠️ Check trigger warnings! ❤️📚

November #bookspin list!

I read my Bookspin for October (When She Returned), and am currently reading my October #doublespin (While Idaho Slept). I eliminated 4 books from my October list! Hoping to continue the trend in November. ❤️📚 (But I still have 5 previous months‘ spin books to catch up on! 😬)

@TheAromaofBooks

My October list.

Not me looking over at my September #bookspin books that I didn‘t read…👀😳😞

It‘s okay. I‘ll get to them before the end of the year. 🤔😂

@TheAromaofBooks

Late to the game again....how did September 2 get here so fast?! Here's my #bookspin list for September.

Now to go check out the numbers that were pulled... ❤️📚

A whimsical, heartfelt dual-timeline story of Abby and her grandmother Sara, a gifted matchmaker in the early 1900s. More about love, resilience, and women‘s strength than romance itself. Sweet, touching, and quietly powerful—I didn‘t want it to end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚🎧

Rob Lowe‘s memoir is pure delight—funny, genuine, and packed with irresistible Hollywood stories (he dishes on ‘80s Hollywood). He owns his wild moments with charm, making this as entertaining as it is heartfelt. Photos add a personal touch. A thoroughly enjoyable romp with a genuinely nice guy at the center! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

This was an Amazon First Reads pick. A short story about a ghostwriter and the wellness guru she‘s writing for—where things aren‘t as zen as they seem. Suspenseful and fast-paced, though the ending left me scratching my head. Still a fun quick read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5) ❤️📚

Fast, flirty, fun! A journalist and an actor reconnect 10 years after their once-famous interview, sparking a second-chance story. Loved the multimedia touches (articles, blogs, interviews) that gave it a modern feel. Flips between past and present to tell their story. Solid romance, creative format, and perfect as an entertaining beach read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚🎧

This was my June #doublespin.

A cozy fantasy about a former royal guard who dreams of running a tea & bookshop with the realm‘s most powerful mage. Magic, romance, books and tea...what could go wrong? Likable characters and quick pacing, but the plot felt thin and conflicts too easily solved. Lacked the depth to pull me in. I wanted to love it—but sometimes, even a cozy fantasy with tea and magic just isn‘t your cup of… well, you know. ☕📚⭐️⭐️💫 (2.5/5)

A family drama about Julia, whose ordered life unravels. I struggled with Julia in the first half—grating choices and hard to connect—but the second half cracked her open, revealed her past and gave me empathy. Slow burn with messy, layered characters. Glad I stuck with it. A bit of a roller coaster, but if you enjoy slow burn, messy characters and emotional depth, this one may be worth the ride. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

Unpopular opinion incoming.....Sports setting, emotional baggage, honest(ish) characters and spice had potential, but I struggled to connect—especially with Scarlett, whose emotions felt inconsistent. Lukas‘s side rang truer. Fun sports backdrop, good audio, but too long and a bit eye-roll-y. If you are into spicy sports romance with younger, emotionally messy characters this one might be for you. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me. ⭐️⭐️💫/5 ❤️📚🎧

In Olive, Again, Strout returns to Crosby, Maine, with more interconnected stories about the prickly, flawed, complex Olive. Older and slightly wiser, she‘s still hard to love—her honesty often veers into rudeness and her lack of self-awareness can be frustrating. That said, Strout has a gift for capturing the human condition in quiet, deeply resonant ways. Poignant, though I preferred the first book. Excellent audio. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚🎧

A book club winner! Part historical fiction, part fantasy, this lyrical, haunting tale follows Addie, who makes a deal with the dark—freedom in exchange for being forgotten by everyone she meets. Spanning 300 years, it‘s romantic, suspenseful, and dazzling, with a heroine who‘s fierce, clever, and unforgettable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

My first Elizabeth Strout, thanks to the Book Bumble podcast. Olive Kitteridge is a series of interconnected stories about small-town life in Crosby, Maine, with Olive—a sharp-tongued, complex retired teacher—at its center. Slow start, but once I settled in, the emotional depth and flawed, real characters shone. Quiet but powerful, with a satisfying arc. Good on audio. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

Simon‘s Family had the ingredients I usually love—family saga, multiple POVs—but the jumps in time and murky relationships left me more confused than compelled. Many readers adore its sparse style, but I just couldn‘t connect. A miss for me. ⭐️💫 1.5/5 ❤️📚

Giving up on this one. There are just too many other books I want to read and this one‘s not working for me.

Listening to this on audio, and I might need to let it go. There‘s no defined timeline in the story, and I‘m getting confused about how much time has passed. I just don‘t care about the characters (who aren‘t all that likable), and spent the first 30% getting lost on who is who. We start with a murder, and I suppose then are being given the backstory, but I‘m finding that I just don‘t care. Time to DNF? At 42%? Ugh. I‘m a terrible DNF‘er.

Cannot believe August is here already. I have been putting off thinking of this month because of all of the big changes happening. One son graduating from culinary school and moving from his college dorm into an apartment in NYC next week and my youngest son going away to school at the end of the month. 😬 So happy for and proud of them both, but at the same time... 😭💔 Not sure how much reading will get done this month. #bookspin

This summer is absolute chaos in my household. Three kids moving in August (one across town into his first house, one to NYC post college graduation, & one into a college dorm), college orientation, dorm shopping, and helping out with dog sitting because my daughter is triple booked. Here‘s hoping I have time to actually read and that my reading is able to help me through! 😵‍💫🫠❤️📚

#bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

Late again…story of my life these days. Too busy to read, and if I‘m taking time to post to social media, I‘m not spending that precious reading. ❤️📚

No off to check the #bookspin post. 🏃🏻‍♀️

Powerful historical novel that centers on an enslaved family in Red Clay, Alabama as the Civil War ends and a new, uncertain chapter begins. A brutal but beautiful story that doesn‘t shy away from the horrors of slavery and the complexities of the freedom that followed. The writing is compelling with an emotional depth that lingers and unforgettable characters. A tough read, but leaves room for hope. The audio is fantastic! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 ❤️📚🎧

Four post-menopausal assassins on the brink of retirement? Say less - a fun and imaginative premise! These characters kick ass—and are funny, fierce, and full of history. The pacing is quick, but oddly, I still found myself bored at times. The execution just didn‘t match the promise of the premise. Still, if you love strong female leads & spy-style thrillers, it's worth picking up. I listened to this one on audio. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❤️📚🎧

Brutal, heartbreaking, deeply unsettling, but also powerful & beautifully written. Pheby Delores Brown, born into slavery but raised with a degree of protection, believes she‘ll be granted freedom at 18. Instead, she‘s sent away from everything she‘s known. Her strength & determination to survive, her calculated defiance, her heartbreaking choices were devastating & unforgettable. I felt the weight and necessity of this story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❤️📚

Full of whimsy and heart, this sweet novel follows a young woman looking for home. After her mother's sudden passing, Mattie returns to Ivy Ridge—the magical place where she spent her childhood summers. She doesn‘t plan to stay, but the enchanting old house seems to have other plans. My bookclub and I enjoyed our time in this story, full of southern charm & second chances. For fans of Sarah Addison Allen. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❤️📚

The end of April / beginning of May completely got away from me. The real estate market is insane right now. 😅 I haven't looked at the post yet....that will be my next stop. Here is my #bookspin list for May! ❤️📚

Katarina & Heath are friends, lovers & skating partners. Katarina is focused on winning. Heath is focused on Katarina. The story dives into the toxic culture that permeates elite figure skating. Alternating between Katarina‘s voice & excerpts from a documentary chronicling her career, the format keeps the pacing brisk & the tension high. The full cast audio production elevated the experience. A dark, compulsively readable story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❤️📚🎧

A sweeping novel that follows childhood friends Haiwen & Suchi, whose love is torn apart by war. As they each navigate famine, survival, and political upheaval, life moves forward—until decades later, in LA, Haiwen sees his Suchi. Told through dual perspectives—Haiwen‘s story moving backward and Suchi‘s story moving forward—this heartbreaking and hopeful story will stay with me for a long time. The dual narration on audio was excellent. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Oh, this book! 💔 You will fall in love with Lenni (17) as she navigates terminal illness in the hospital. Margot (83) becomes her closest friend. Lenni is a force—bold, full of life, changing those she meets. Margot is kind, wise, and has led a fascinating life. They decide to paint 100 pictures—one for each year of their lives. As they share their stories, you‘re transported through their pasts. Highly recommend this on audio. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❤️📚🎧

April Bookspin list complete. Let's Go! ❤️📚

I haven't even started either my bookspin or doublespin books for March because other books needed to be read first (book club, library hold, etc.). 😬 That's okay. I read 4 books from my March list and I know I will get to the ones that qualify as bookspin books!

Thank you @Lollybooks for the book mail! I‘m so glad an internet algorithm brought you into my world. You truly bring joy with you and I look for your posts here and on IG regularly. ❤️📚🥰 #bookmail #bookcommunity

About halfway through this chunkster - it‘s over 17 hours on audio. I‘m enjoying it so far. The writing is immersive, and the audio is dual narrated. One side of the story being told from present day backward, and the other side being told from the past forward. I assume where the stories meet will hold the choice that altered the course of their lives. ❤️📚🎧

The second book in the Broken Prophecy series released today! Book one (tagged here because Shadows of Ruin isn‘t on Litsy yet) was a 5 ⭐️ read. So so good! If you like romantasy with Shadow Daddy vibes, this series is for you! The third and final book will be out in December, so you won‘t have to wait long for the finale! This is available for purchase on B&N and Amazon, and is a Kindle Unlimited book. Highly recommend!! ❤️📚

A heartfelt story about family, secrets, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. This is a quick, propulsive read filled with flawed yet likable characters. Written in multiple POVs, the reader is given insight into each character‘s struggles, and while some twists are predictable, the emotional depth keeps you hooked. If you love messy, dysfunctional families who fight hard but love harder, this one‘s for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

Marketed as a domestic thriller, this is really a unique story about motherhood and love, and the lengths we would go to for family. When Jen‘s son commits a crime, she wakes up the next day… In the past. As she falls further back in time, she unravel the web of secrets. Can she change the future? Brilliant reverse storytelling makes this a stand out. If you love thought provoking stories with an emotional core, pick this one up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚🎧

Dark, gritty and twisted serial killer thriller. This novel is gruesome and unputdownable. The story kicks off at full speed when the killer‘s identity is revealed early on, making it a why- and how-done-it rather than a who-done-it. A wild ride unfolds as the truth comes to light. Multiple narrators make the audiobook engaging. ⚠️ Check trigger warnings—this one is intense. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 ❤️📚🎧

I listened to this charming epistolary novel on audio, and it was the perfect medium for it. This short, heartfelt story unfolds through letters exchanged between two women in the 1960s—a young, adventurous Californian and a seasoned writer in the Pacific Northwest. The story is filled with warmth, endearing characters, and plenty of delicious food references (and even a recipe or two!). A comforting palate cleanser. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said? This sweeping saga, set against the backdrop of the Civil War & Reconstruction, weaves themes of war, family, friendship, and romance. The vivid descriptions and rich detail made me feel like I was right there. The deep sense of place and fully realized characters allowed me to connect with the story on a deeper level. I can't believe I waited so long to read this classic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ❤️📚

I picked this up on audio based on a recommendation from a podcast on great audiobooks. The story brings together a group of people, all connected by their love for Jane Austen‘s novels. As they come together to form the Jane Austen Society—dedicated to preserving her legacy—their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. A charming, character-driven novel. Overall, an enjoyable, if not particularly exciting, read with a satisfying ending. ⭐⭐⭐/5 ❤️📚

March Bookspin! Now to go look at the post by @TheAromaofBooks ❤️📚

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. 🤷‍♀️❤️📚