Nothing profound here, just a sweet, uplifting read with beautiful illustrations. I have been reading it slowly, savoring just a page or two every couple of days, on an as-needed basis, lol. It's a nice antidote to these troubled times, and a good reminder of the many small things one can do to make each day a little happier.

#5JoysFriday

#5JoysFriday

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

#moodboardcontest @dabbe

Congrats on your impressive milestone! Leave it to you to come up with such a fun and creative way to celebrate! 🎉 You‘re the best! 🩵💚🩵

My mood is so mixed these days. I am SO very blessed with my 3 grandsons, but so worried about their future in this broken country and world.

I am so thankful that my husband and I are able to live our retirement dream after saving for so many years, but worried about the economy.

Packed with adventure! Set during the French and Indian War, the book contains some pretty brutal scenes. I appreciated that one of the main characters was a strong female, especially for a book written in 1826. But the writing also reflects attitudes towards women and Native Americans that were prevalent at that time. Seen as a period piece, the storytelling is excellent, with a strong sense of time and place. ⬇️

There are just some days when this book is exactly what I need. Calming, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. I am really enjoying taking my time and truly savoring it.

@TheBookHippie @kspenmoll

Everything I like in a cozy mystery. Amateur female sleuth, police detective boyfriend, likable supporting characters, small town setting, and a mystery that I can‘t figure out. I‘ll read more of this series. 4⭐️

This was my April pick for #ThematicCozies #Sport, and also my #BookSpin #DoubleSpin

Loss. So much loss in this book. But also resilience. And ultimately, hope. A worthwhile read, but you have to be in the right mood.

#Pantone2025 #WindsorWine @Lauredhel

Just soooo sweet! I want to read this to every child I know! Another winner from @TheBookHippie ‘s #ChildrensClassicRead .

I love books with a strong sense of place, and this one did not disappoint. The author did a wonderful job of depicting life on a remote island, complete with island traditions, food, and a cast of quirky characters. This setting, along with the growth in confidence of the main character, a bit of romance, and the revelation of some long-buried secrets made for a very enjoyable read.

#FictionalTraveler #Island

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

A fascinating story, this historical novel takes place in Strasbourg, during the dancing plague of the 1500s. An informative, atmospheric and reflective read.

#Pantone2025 #AntiqueWhite @Lauredhel

#WondrousWednesdays @Eggs

1. Daffodils

2. My new grandson, rain that helped control the forest fires, dear old friends.

Thanks for the tag @Read4life ! 💙

Want to play, @kspenmoll @Soubhiville @mabell ?

Nope… not for me. My April #ReadOrDonate book is going straight to the donate pile.

#HailTheBail #BetterBooksAhead

Reading along as Mike Gayle tries to tackle his 1200+ item To Do list over the course of one year was interesting, inspiring, and very funny. The items on his list were so relatable! This was my March selection for #MonthlyNonfiction2025 .

Joy doesn‘t seem like a big enough word for me this week…

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

I have no idea where or when I acquired this book, so I think that makes it a perfect #ReadOrDonate candidate! What will everyone else be reading?

This book was a fascinating glimpse into the constantly changing politics of Ancient Rome, from a female point of view. Livia was the wife and trusted advisor of the emperor Augustus. Although I didn‘t always agree with some of the choices she made, I couldn‘t help but admire the way she worked through the constraints placed upon her as a wealthy woman, to become a powerful, influential force for the good of the Roman people.

I‘m really looking forward to traveling to the glorious fictional island of Tuga for #FictionalTraveler this month! What will everyone else be reading for the #Island prompt?

I struggled a bit with the April #Sport prompt for #ThematicCozies, as I‘m not a “sporty” person. But I‘m looking forward to reading this one. In addition to being a runner, the main character also owns a book store. 😉

What will everyone else be reading?

My #MonthlyNonfiction choice for April has been on my TBR forever!

What will everyone else be reading?

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

Lighthearted, humorous, endearing, and uplifting, this book was an absolute delight. A perfect escape from today‘s crazy world. I‘m so glad I chose this for the #FictionalTraveler #BigCity prompt this month!

The romantic plot was a bit eye-rolling and obvious, and the supporting characters felt one-dimensional, but I loved the Irish village setting and the magical realism element. This was my #ReadOrDonate pick for March. Definitely donating it.

#Pantone2025 #Kashmir @Lauredhel

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

Happy Spring! 🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸

#SpringCardSwap cards heading out in today's mail. 📬

Thanks for hosting. @TheBookHippie !

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

Happy Friday, everyone! If you‘re reading this, consider yourself tagged. 😃

#LitsyLove

#TLT @dabbe

Clearly I need to step up my old movie game. 😬😂

Three I‘d like to start with:
Room at the Top
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Kings Row

Thanks for the tag, @Eggs ! 😃

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. I felt like I could be friends with the main character, the New Orleans setting was fun, and the mystery kept me guessing. Plus, I picked up a lot of great scrapbooking tips! I‘ll read more of this series. This was my March pick for #ThematicCozies. #Hobby .⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Here are just a few of the many joys we experienced on our Caribbean cruise this week! 🏝️

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

I have some great #ReadYourKindle choices this month! Thanks for hosting, @CBee !

This sweet story was a loose retelling of Sense and Sensibility, set in modern day Austin, Texas. I enjoyed it on its own merits, and after the first few chapters, forgot to look for similarities with the original. A light fun read, with enough surprises to give it some depth.
#JaneAustenThenAndNow @Crinoline_Laphroaig
#Pantone2025 #PearSorbet @Lauredhel
#LitsyAtoZ #J @Texreader

I‘m hoping to finish more than one of these in March for #MonthlyNonfiction2025 . 🤞☘️

What interesting reads does everyone else have on their lists?

All are welcome to join, just let me know if you‘d like to be added to the tag list.

Optional StoryGraph Challenge: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/05fd860d-5e9b-45d6-bdf4-28410ac...

I enjoy scrapbooking, and I‘m hoping to pick up some tips as I read this book for the March #Hobby prompt for #ThematicCozies. What hobbies will everyone else be exploring?

All are welcome. Let me know if you‘d like to be added to the tag list.

Optional StoryGraph Challenge: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/f5ca22b5-c3a4-47f6-9456-f2df264...

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

Want to play, #LitsyLove members? 🩵

Well, this was interesting! Thanks for the fun, @TheBookHippie !
#Literallymycharacter #Pinterest

The magic of books is taking me to Paris in March, to fulfill the #BigCity prompt for #FictionalTraveler. Where is everyone else going?

Obviously, I need to step up my movie-watching game! Three I‘d like to see are:
1. Rebecca
2. From Here to Eternity
3. Mrs. Miniver
#tlt @dabbe
Thanks for the tag, @Eggs !

This book was a difficult read… bleak and depressing… but also very important. Plath‘s writing is incredible… so immersive. I‘m glad I read this with my #hashtagbrigade friends, led by the fabulous #BarkingMadRead . I‘m not sure I would have finished it on my own. When I reached the end, I was doing fine. And then I read the epilogue, which was a recap of Plath‘s life. Ugh. It plunged me back into despair. So sad.,😭

My #ReadOrDonate choice for March is Jewels of the Sun, by Nora Roberts. What will everyone else be reading and/or donating?

This book made me laugh out loud a couple of times, but more importantly, it made me think. A lot. Roxane Gay‘s down-to-Earth writing style is so approachable. Even when I didn‘t agree with her opinions, she helped me focus on what my own opinions are. In the end, I realized that, like her, I am a Bad Feminist. But that‘s better than not being a feminist at all.

#authoramonth @Soubhiville
#MonthlyNonfiction2025

Sweet story set in a sweet Cotswold village. Charming. This was my #FictionalTraveler choice for February. #APlaceYouLove (The Cotswolds)

This book was a beautiful, quiet, reflective balm for the soul. A lovely escape from the craziness of modern life, perfect for savoring slowly.

This was a wonderful choice for #KindredSpirits #BuddyRead , @BarbaraJean , and I would never have discovered it on my own. Thank you!

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

My #BookSpin and #ReadYourKindle lists for March. ☘️

I have been savoring this book a page or two at a time, over the course of the past year or so. Page after page of gorgeous watercolors depicting flowers, plants and trees, painted with a naturalist‘s eye for detail, and labeled with their (often very quaint) common name. Every single page is pretty enough to be framed. I will miss my daily escape time with this gem.

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and lighthearted, but also surprisingly thoughtful and reflective. The setting at a destination wedding, and the characterization of the group of guests as “the wedding people”, will ring true in a fun, humorous way for anyone who has been to an over-the-top wedding weekend.
#Pantone2025 #DejaVuBlue @Lauredhel

The #ValentineCardSwap was such a delight! I loved seeing everyone's personality and creativity in all the different cards. Thank you so much for hosting this fun event @TheBookHippie ! 💖💖💖

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii