5⭐️ It‘s hard to formulate words for this one in a small space. The horror elements are less about the witchcraft and more about the horrors these “wayward girls” had to endure. They had no bodily autonomy nor free will in decision-making. Hendrix did such good work here with generational and religious traumas. He also paid great care to the labor, delivery, and postpartum process (L&D nurse here). My thoughts are LARGE, it‘s so astoundingly good.

5⭐️ I *really* liked this. I read the pitch comparing it to Station Eleven, which is one of my all-time favorites and a book that completely changed the way I think of and interact with people. This one is very similar, where climate changes have forced a life that is unrecognizable. A slow story, beautifully written, with lots of emotion and longing in the pages. Toward the middle, it really started to pick up until I absolutely HAD to finish it.

A wonderful novella, just 2hrs long, taking place in Ireland, 1985. Bill Furlong is a kind, quiet man who was born to an unwed mother but shown kindness and care by his mother‘s employer. Now a successful adult with a good marriage, and five daughters of his own, he cannot help but contemplate compassion. He knows he is fortunate and always tries to pay it forward to others in need, even though his wife nags him about it. Bill stumbles upon…

Finished this morning before work ☕️🐾

Twisty with several POV‘s and a load of red herrings. An exotic, tropical setting and a group of women on vacation, celebrating a divorce in their group. It got crazier the further I read and the twists weren‘t entirely surprising, but I enjoyed every word. Something about a group of friends with a ton of secrets and betrayal always entertains me. I also have enjoyed this author‘s other work as CJ Cooke.

Not many things I love as much as reading with Beau asleep beside me. He‘s so warm!! And he‘s such a good reading buddy #dogsoflitsy

Enjoying the tagged book. Fast-paced and twisty! And set during the end of summer 🏖️🌊🍹

I loved this! I‘m a huge Josh Malerman fan and I think I definitely liked this one as much as Bird Box and Malorie. The 8yr old protagonist Bela is a great narrator. She‘s extremely perceptive about what‘s happening even as her young age means she doesn‘t always understand. This is a super creepy story, with a lot to say about the weight of secrets and how we can‘t run from them. A slow burn, then very intense! With an open ending.

A great third installment in the After Series featuring a community in the NC mountains that struggles to survive and thrive after an EMP attack back in the first book. A new US government has formed, but the characters from this series doubt its intentions and the Constitutionality of its actions. I gasped out loud several times in the second half. Gripping and thought-provoking, with crazy revelations. These characters have been thru so much.

I met my goal of 100 books on Christmas Day and haven‘t really wanted to read much since then. So we‘ve done holiday things and watched a lot of movies and football. I like a nice, round number, so I‘m setting my 2025 goal for 100 books again.

My February favorite was a title that I‘d had on my NetGalley backlog for a looong time. I expected to read something a little bit easy, breezy because of the cover, but NOPE! This one was intense and really packed an emotional punch. I remember enjoying the thought-provoking nature of the story, and I wished I hadn‘t waited so long to read it.

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

The Drift by CJ Tudor was my favorite read from January. I remember reading the bulk of it while my family was on a ski trip which was a great backdrop for such a dark, snowy horror thriller. It was also my first book by this author, and it made me want to read more of her backlist. Fast-paced, snowy, bloody, and dark with three POV‘s that were seemingly not connected-until they were. Such fun, this one!

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

I finished this one while having coffee from my Grabdmother‘s Christmas china ♥️☕️

This was cute! It drew my attention because it has a food-centric story where Emma is a culinary instructor trying to move her business to an industrial kitchen space. She falls for a professor who is really the crown prince of a fictional European country. I loved all of the food and cooking, Emma and Michel were cute, and I adored all of the supporting cast.

Noooo nope nope. Make it stop 🤢 I can never unhear this.

This was so cute!! At 2 hours, it was a perfect listen for my drive time today. The story is a forced proximity story between two childhood friends-to-lovers. The tropes are all fantastic and even though this is a quick read, it didn‘t feel too short. This is my 4th novella by Hazelwood and I think she does a great job making shorter-length stories feel pretty developed. The narrator, Vivienne LaRue, did a wonderful job.

I thought the first book (tagged👇🏻) was great, but this sequel is even better. Fast paced, tons of action, and the stakes are incredibly high for the characters that I‘ve come to appreciate. Events like those in this story could happen to us, which made for a much more intense reading experience. The fact that the setting is in my own state of NC made it feel personal. The story is: can the US come back after a global EMP attack? And how?

Another cute romcom novella! A quick read at just 67 pgs and available on KU. The MC‘s are in their 40‘s and 50‘s, and I love reading characters in this age range. They have a fun meetcute: Abraham is trying to spread Christmas cheer by decorating Annette‘s house while she is out of town. She comes home early and thinks he is a thief! This story is tied into this author‘s Romancing The Spy series. So cute, I loved it. 🛷❄️🎅

Cute Christmas novellette coming in at a fun-sized 51 pages and available on KU.

Victor is a young Christmas tree farm owner and Adelaide has a homemade Christmas ornament business. The two are business partners with big dreams and big crushes on one another. It‘s set in the 1970‘s and I loved the nods to the great 70‘s music and life before cellphones. It‘s a short read but so cute and there is plenty of Christmas in it with all of the trees🎄

The second novella in King‘s Four Past Midnight collection, another story by King about a writer going mad. It started off very promising, dragged a little in the middle, and ended with a bang. I liked it! And I liked the MC Mort Rainey. There was a very specific place in the story, after something unexpected happened, that I sat up straight and thought “This is getting good!” King writes the descension into madness so well! #readingStephenKing

So cute! Noelle and Jack both have their own reasons for avoiding Christmas, but they come together when they team up to give Jack‘s young nephew a Christmas he won‘t forget. There are a lot of fun Christmas experiences in here and Noelle‘s family are all wonderful. Jack is Noelle‘s boss so there is good discussion in here about whether having a relationship like that is ethical or not, and the resulting power differential.

The first novella in the Four Past Midnight collection is absolutely crazy. How does King come up with this stuff? There is a time rip and people missing from the plane and suspicion of bad, hungry, monsters called “langoliers.” It‘s a long buildup until the langoliers finally land on the page and WHOA once they do. The idea of this happening is horrifying, but I could not look away. This reads sort of like sci-fi horror lite. #readingStephenKing

Bear is snoring and it‘s a perfect time to start the next book on my #readingStephenKing list 🐾☕️🎄

I liked it, especially when things finally started coming together toward the end. Multiple POV‘s, multiple timelines, and a lot of redirecting meant it took me a while to get my bearings. I had a suspicion about halfway thru that ended up being correct! The characters were not easy to like, they were all fairly unbearable actually. But I was kept entertained thru a particularly busy workweek, which worked well for me.

I liked this. Most of the story takes place in the year following an EMP attack. It‘s how a rural mountain community is able to gather and ration what they have and work as hard as possible to survive impossible conditions. Many don‘t survive and there is a lot of violence. Not the most polished writing, but the story is thought-provoking and engaging. And bleak, especially near the end. It inspired some great conversations with my family.

A very cute novella featuring single Dad Grant, his daughter Casey, and chocolate shop owner Emma, who is new to town and desperately wishes for a family of her own. Grant‘s family is warm and inviting, and they fold Emma in easily. There is plenty of Christmas in this story and it was a nice quick and refreshing holiday read after finishing a darker Stephen King story. Next in this series is a Valentine‘s novella which I will read soon.

I went into this book completely blind and really liked it! Unlike most of King‘s other work, I feel like it started off with a bang and maintained its pace throughout the entire story. I love the supporting cast here, especially Sheriff Alan Pangborn, and I think the concept of the story is a pretty great one. The ending was a bit lackluster, though, and all of the birds completely creeped me out.

Next up #readingStephenKing: Four Past Midnight!

It has been such a long week. This is my busy season at work. I worked extra long days Monday thru Thursday, so I‘m taking today off to catch up around my house and hang out with my doggos. But first, coffee and a few pages of my current read ☕️ #readingStephenKing

This was a super cute novella featuring Tanzy, who runs a shelter and dog-grooming business, and her friend Jake, who is new to town, handsome, kind, and a little mysterious. It was a great length to read along with my coffee over two mornings before work. Not a lot of Thanksgiving in here, sadly, but there were a bunch of dogs! 🐾 There‘s also a lite mystery and one storyline that is quite heart-wrenching (but doesn‘t involve the dogs). Loved it!

This was great! It took a long time to get into it and I considered DNFing. I‘m so glad I didn‘t! There are a lot of twists and I didn‘t predict the end. I loved Lucy‘s grandmother so much! I‘ve never listened to a true crime podcast, so that whole angle was foreign to me. There is subtle feminism in here along with some very frustrating situations happening toward some of the female characters, but overall I think Tintera‘s points are effective.

Second-chance romance-lite where Hollywood actress Tallula has retreated home after the humiliation of a scandal. She reacquaints with Jesse, a reformed bad boy-now-cop who she shared a kiss with many years ago. This is extremely easy reading from the Coffee Loft collection, featuring a chain of coffee store locations. The story isn‘t developed enough for its 215-page length, but it was fine to wind down with a chapter or two nightly before bed.

I liked it more than I thought I would! But it‘s nowhere near my favorite by King. Started and finished strong, dragged throughout the middle. Loved the nods to his other books & characters, IT & Firestarter especially. King is THE MASTER at taking inanimate objects and making them killers. A Coke vending machine, an Electrolux vacuum cleaner, a lawn edger-these things were out for blood!

Next in my #readingStephenKing challenge: The Dark Half!

Eliza is on her way home to Vermont to surprise her parents for Christmas-during a blizzard. When her car skids off the road, the only person close enough to help is her ex-husband River. She has to stay at his cabin to ride out the storm. From there, it‘s a forced proximity second-chance romance. Nothing especially new, but I enjoyed it. I adore seasonal novellas and this fit the bill while my husband and I watched football last night.
🏈🎄❄️

I loved this nearly as much as I did the (tagged) previous book. The Bergman family is fantastic! Ren js a pro hockey player who is secretly in love with Frankie, the team‘s social media manager. She is on the autism spectrum and doesn‘t pick up on the clues that he is into her. Ren is gentlemanly, respectful, and obsessed with Shakespeare. I adore him! A little steamy for my taste (usually) but I love this family so much that I didn‘t even care.

Ev Hillman from The Tommyknockers left Haven, Maine when the town started creeping him out. He went to Derry, Maine, where other things creeped him out. !!!!!!!!!

#iykyk #readingStephenKing

p. 201/747: There is a point in each of King‘s books where the slow, descriptive foundation has finally been set and I feel like I finally know the characters well. Then things really start to pick up for me. From that point on, I can‘t stand to put the book down. I‘m totally there now. Still not a huge sci-fi fan, but King has my attention and I wish I didn‘t have to stop reading to “adult” (aka work) for a little while.

#readingStephenKing

I have SO loved this novella series. I wish there were more published so I could keep reading. There is no drama, and the characters all get along well and care for one another. There is a found family aspect, and I adore the author‘s love for animals and cooking/baking, which comes thru wonderfully in these stories. I hope she continues writing these.

I always love the chance to sit in my chair with my best reading buddy, Beau!

#dogsoflitsy

This is the 2nd in the Paws & Pastries series of novellas following Clara Conway as she rebuilds her life in the charming community of Pinewood after her marriage ends. Picks up immediately after the first book and mostly details the steps Clara took to open her patisserie. Her dog Noelle is adorable and the found family of people around her are all supportive. Very easy, very enjoyable, happy novellas involving baking and dogs, and I love them!

Super cute novella covering the time leading up to Thanksgiving thru Christmas. Newly-single Clara has a dream of opening a bakery of her own, but her dreams are delayed when she is stuck in Pinewood while her car is being repaired. Only about 150 pages, very Hallmark-y. I loved all of the baking in the story and I adore the little stray dog that finds Clara. I‘m definitely reading the rest of this series. This was delightful!

#dogsoflitsy

My current #readingStephenKing and I‘m not sure how excited I am about it. I don‘t particularly love sci-fi or aliens BUT I do trust the King!! I‘m on page 66/747, so I‘m still in King‘s usual very slow, getting-to-know-the-characters part. Short chapters make for great car reading.

My third book by this author and all have been very firmly in the horror-lite category, with a little bit of camp and a lot of dark humor. I liked this one more than the others. Sloane and BFF Naomi go on a girls‘ trip for Sloane‘s birthday when things escalate and they are turned to vampires. Most of the story involves Sloane learning to lean-in to life in practically every way, with Naomi‘s help. I liked her growth into a more confident Sloane.

I loved this! Ryder lost his hearing two years ago due to illness and he subsequently lost his athletic scholarship as well. Willa is a student athlete who struggles in her business math class. Their professor forces them to work together on a project, and a delicious slow-burn, frenemy relationship ensues. I adore Ryder‘s large family and his capacity for empathy too. Willa is tough to love in the beginning, but I eventually grew to like her.

Starting a new book, snuggling with my reading buddy, Beau 🐾

Another cute seasonal novella from the Coffee Loft fall collection, this time only around 72 pages. So a very cute, very quick romance read. Coffee barista Edwin is obsessed with Elvis Presley and loves to sing Elvis tunes along with the jukebox while he‘s working. When a huge talent show comes to Tahoe, Charlotte encourages him to enter.

This one could easily be expanded to a full length story. I would have loved more from these characters!

Cute romance novella set in the fall around a chain of Coffee Loft coffee shops. Features coffee and football ☕️ 🏈 It has a lot of the things I love in it, and the romance is sweet. It‘s a second chance, brother‘s best friend relationship. As typical with a novella, it isn‘t super duper developed and moves fairly quickly, but I adore seasonal romance novellas so I didn‘t mind. They‘re easy to read and perfect for my own morning coffee time.

Based on the story of Alice Kyteler, the first Irish woman condemned of witchcraft. The language, story structure, and atmosphere are wonderful, and medieval tales are my favorite. Alice isn‘t a likable woman, know that going in. But her story is compelling as a woman with money and power during the 1300‘s made her a target for hate and jealousy, as did her many marriages.

Reminded me of Eleanor from Karen Brooks‘ wonderful The Wife of Bath.

My favorite part of the weekend is mornings with my coffee, my book, and my napping pups!

I‘ve just started this tagged book from Knopf via NetGalley which looks to be atmospheric and inspired for the coming fall (crossing my fingers!). The story features Alice Kyteler who was the first known woman to be accused of witchcraft in Ireland.

#dogsoflitsy #weekendreads

*Not in Litsy database, but I have requested it be added.*

I went into this expecting a quick, lighthearted read, which it was! Funny with good-hearted characters in some silly circumstances. And I loved the dragons!

There is also an expected depth in here-a commentary of sorts on living in rural America with drug addictions, poverty, and an understanding of rural diversity which I believe is far more accurate than not. I enjoyed it! 🐉

We‘ve been renovating our kitchen since we moved here which included doubling its size and adding a wall of cabinets for my collection of dishes and cookware.

Three contractors and fourteen months later: I‘ve just put the very first things inside my cabinets. What went first? My beloved cookbooks, of course! I have had most of them packed away for months and months. Now I can finally re-join the #mtcookbook fun!! #shelfie

My first by Sally Hepworth and I flew thru it in just about 24 hours. I loved the bond Jessica, Alicia, and Norah had as three foster siblings, and their foster mother was absolutely horrible. I‘m not sure that any of the twists shocked me, but I still felt delighted every time I came to one. Just a tight, fast-paced thriller story with a very satisfying ending. Except for the last chapter which, frankly, didn‘t add anything to me.

I loved this. The cover makes it look like it would be a Halloween read but actually takes place in Florida during the summer. The ghosts that haunt the town are (mostly) friendly and playful, and there are comedic moments associated with them. The romance between Cassie and Nick is nice and doesn‘t overshadow the mystery involving the ghost that inhabits Cassie‘s house. I‘ll definitely pick up more by Jen DeLuca after this one. Lots of fun.

I‘ve been meandering my way thru this one over the past week when I can find a few minutes here and there. I‘m almost halfway thru but hoping to finish it up today or tomorrow. This is my first time reading one of Jen DeLuca‘s books.

It‘s cute so far! The ways the ghosts haunt this town are a lot of fun.

When I saw the pitch saying this was a toxic female friendship with vampires, I thought it would be a lot of fun because I LOVE both types of stories. And it probably will be fun to some people-the reviews are mostly good! I just feel like it wasn‘t toxic enough and it also wasn‘t vampire enough. I think if the author had chosen one of those tropes to really lean into, the story would have been better. But it felt not-quite-there on both fronts.