With the spooky reading season approaching, I was in the mood for a book involving a haunted house. Scrolling through books I saved on the Hoopla app, I came across this one. Fantasy is always a bit out of my wheelhouse; however, I couldn‘t resist a story set just after WWI in an old, gothic English manor with a library. The book description sounded spooky and dreamy!

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/the-last-heir-to-blackwood-library

I participated in The Back Room author event hosted by Hank Phillipe Ryan and Karen Dionne for the first time. It was a lot of fun seeing authors Madeline Martin, Rose Carlyle, Mansi Shah, and and Marybeth Mayhew Whalen discuss their latest books and interact with participants. I wrote about my experience on my blog. 💕

https://abookandadog.com/author-events/the-back-room-riveting-stories

It‘s always a good day when there is a book in my mailbox. I‘m grateful for The Poisoned Pen, an independent bookseller, in Scottsdale, Arizona, who sent me a signed copy of The Forest of Lost Souls by Dean Koontz. The gorgeous end papers are perfect for fall! The dust jacket protects a beautiful hardcover. I look forward to reading this!

More pictures on my blog at https://abookandadog.com/blog/the-forest-of-lost-souls-signed

TNH explains the power of silence by slowing down the mind so that we can recognize the surrounding beauty. Many people search for happiness; however, they spend their days frantically running from one place to another. Silence is about cultivating quiet in our minds amid chaos. TNH offers techniques to remind us to be present in the moment with equanimity in a noisy environment or mind. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/silence

I‘ve been a fan of Grisham forever, so I was disappointed to not have liked this one as much as I hoped. Especially since I attended Grisham‘s author event in 2017 for the release of this book and purchased a signed copy. While I have a few issues with this book, it was still an okay read. The story kept my interest enough that I finished it and didn‘t feel compelled to bail.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/the-rooster-bar

Alright #hygge hour Littens, I see you! I had a vague understanding of Hygge from my use of the Calm app and mindfulness practice. I wanted to learn more about it, so I added this book to my Libby wishlist. Thanks to your recent posts, I finally read and very much enjoyed this little book. Now I understand what you all are doing! Great idea!! 😅

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/the-little-book-of-hygge

I like how I never know what to expect from a Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery novel. Each installment in the series is unique. The only constant is that poor Horowitz has to figure out how to navigate the walls put up by Hawthorne. Trying to learn more about Hawthorne is like trying to enter an impenetrable fortress. Each murder mystery is complex and impossible for me to figure out.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/close-to-death

I‘m getting close to finishing the Alphabet series. I‘ve enjoyed all books in the series, otherwise I wouldn‘t keep reading them; furthermore, U is for Undertow, stands out as one of my favorites.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/u-is-for-undertow

Evan Smoak answers a person‘s frantic call for help. Soon after saving that person, Evan is captured, drugged, and whisked away. He awakens, realizing he is someone‘s prisoner, but he has no idea who has kidnapped him, what they want from him, or where he is. Evan expends all of his energy and skill in an effort to escape his confinement. Meanwhile, he receives another call for help. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/the-nowhere-man

I‘m easily drawn to stories about abandoned houses or villages. I think that is what kept me reading this novella — there were many times I came close to bailing. The story seemed to often deviate from the main story, which was the mysterious girl in the lake and the abandoned village, by the MC‘s lengthy interactions with his parents and another boy at the resort.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/lost-girl-of-the-lake

The thing I love about horror stories is how they can creep me out and get my mind racing in a million different directions trying to figure out what‘s happening. When I close the book, I can return to my relatively calm, peaceful life. But I can‘t with this new novella, because this horror story won‘t leave my head! 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/when-you-leave-i-disappear

I admit, I judge books by their covers. I assumed this book was about external beauty based on the title and the image of a beautiful woman. I was finally drawn to reading this book because it was constantly popping up in my book feeds. Many readers seem to love this book, so I read the description and decided it sounded like something I would find interesting.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/hello-beautiful

-Not the tagged book- Audible Original Podcast offered this six-part series about Arthur Conan Doyle, and I was intrigued to learn about his personal life and the creation of Holmes. There‘s a lot of information packed into this two-hour podcast. I recommend giving this a listen if you're interested in learning the highlights of Doyle‘s life. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/the-real-sherlock

I have an innate curiosity to learn about the lives of other people. Identified as a biographical fiction novel, Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck, spoke to my interests about F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. The novel opens in 1932 with Zelda being admitted to the Phipps Psychiatric Clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, and meeting her assigned nurse, Anna Howard.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/call-me-zelda

I had never heard of Rakiya before, but I became quickly acquainted with the knowledge that it‘s a type of alcohol, or fruit spirits. Rakiya is consistently present in this short story collection. It is either the main focus of the story, as in the story titled, Rakiya, or briefly mentioned as a modest character. This book contains an impressive 12 short stories. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/rakiya-stories-of-bulgaria

Professor Ben Garrod offers a lot of knowledge in just a couple of hours. He teaches listeners what defines a dinosaur, the various kinds of dinosaurs, and what led to their extinction. I was amazed to learn that some dinosaurs had feathers, and birds today are technically considered dinosaurs. Ben explains recent research that has revealed fascinating discoveries.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/a-grown-up-guide-to-dinosaurs

For the longest time, I had no intentions of reading this one. After seeing people read and love this book for about six months, I decided I would see what all the hype was about. I put the audiobook on hold with my local library and waited another eight months for my chance. I enjoyed this story and am glad I read it. If I hadn‘t read it, I think I would have been okay, too.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/yellowface

I‘m a latecomer to the writings of Neil Peart. Ghost Rider is the book I was most looking forward to reading. His 19-year-old daughter died in a car accident in 1997. Ten months later, his wife died of cancer. I remember thinking, ‘How does someone survive that magnitude of loss?!‘ Well, Neil tells readers exactly how he survived in Ghost Rider. I love everything about this book.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/ghost-rider

Set in Ireland, Niamh is a young woman employed as a teacher living with a roommate. She wakes up one morning, assuming her roommate is still asleep, when police, Cormac Reilly, knocks on her door. Curious why her roommate didn‘t rouse with the knocking, Niamh realizes her roommate is missing. As the investigation into her missing roommate evolves, Niamh‘s life becomes increasingly chaotic and confusing. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This book was originally published in 2001. It was updated and re-published with the new title in 2020 to include information about the reopening of Wood‘s death investigation in 2018. A complete biography is the best way to describe this book. Author, Suzanne Finstad, clearly spent years of her life researching and interviewing everyone associated with Wood. It is extremely detailed and thorough.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This is my first time reading anything by Caroline Overington, so I didn‘t know what to expect when I started this book. I was pleasantly surprised by the development of this story line. I liked the characters, the beach town seemed lovely, and the suspenseful buildup was great.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I loved learning about Geddy Lee and Rush. I chose the audiobook format for this book; it‘s so cool that Geddy narrates. The book illustrates the life of Rush, including how the band was initially formed, the resignation of their first drummer, how Neil Peart joined the band, and highlights from their impressive 40-year career. I included some cool videos in my full review.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

The ending was satisfying in a way that left me wanting more. I wasn‘t ready for it to be over. There is a conclusion to what happened to the missing person. I was also left with curiosity about what happened to the characters next. This ending left room for the reader to draw their own conclusions, which I kind of like. It‘s fun to dream about what I hope happens next. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This book is incredibly good! I have quickly become a huge fan of Hurwitz and want to read everything he has written. The Survivor immediately surprised me with the emotional weight the story holds. I often felt physically heavy while reading this book. It might seem strange to have immensely enjoyed that feeling, but it just illustrated the talented writing of Hurwitz. I loved every minute of it!

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This is my first time reading a book by these authors, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I picked up The Getaway from one of Audible‘s amazing offers awhile ago. Kate Mara‘s narration made for a fantastic listening experience! I‘m so glad I never attended a weekend retreat like this one! The suspenseful build-up in this story was perfect. I generally have a hard time liking short stories, but I loved this one.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I read the fourth book in the Beach House series, Beach House for Rent several years ago, and have finally made my way back to this series. I decided to read the first book, The Beach House, to see how things started. Reading a beach-themed book in July seemed like the best idea. It worked out perfectly, as The Beach House takes place over the course of one summer in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. 🏖️

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

You know how books are so amazing because they can transport you to another place? That‘s what I love about the Lighthouse Library Mystery series set in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, where I love to vacation. Not only that, the heart of the story takes place at the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Eva has created a fictional library inside the lighthouse with a tiny apartment. It‘s purely dreamy!

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

A few months ago, I overheard a coworker say to someone that she was exhausted because she stayed up late the previous night reading a book she couldn‘t put down. Naturally, I casually inserted myself into the conversation by asking what book she had been reading. She replied that it was by Freida McFadden. It was time for me to see what all the hype was about.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

Happy Fourth of July from me and Nikolette! 🇺🇸🎆📚

https://abookandadog.com

Second Skin is a short story about a widower and a 9-year-old girl who believes she is the man‘s wife reincarnated. The story was engaging and inceasingly suspenseful. There is a nod to Stephen King in the story that I enjoyed.  The listening length is about four and a half hours, perfect for this short story. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

It‘s been a while since I‘ve read a novel by Kimberly Belle and I felt in the mood for a suspenseful thriller, so it seemed perfect timing to read Stranger in the Lake. I enjoyed this book of suspense, secrets, lies, and murder. It‘s always a pleasure to listen to an audiobook narrated by Xe Sands.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

Thanks to an incredible Audible sale, I recently purchased all of Neil Peart‘s nonfiction books. In this one, Neil joined a group through African villages for one month on his bicycle. The ride itself was physically and mentally challenging, and Neil shares the struggles of bike repairs, long rides up steep hills and treacherous terrain, and searches for food and drink.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I found this to be different from French‘s Dublin Murder Squad books. The story didn‘t have the quick-paced, suspenseful twists and turns that are common in a lot of thrillers. I found the pace of the story smooth and engaging. The overall outcome wasn‘t surprising, but the details and people involved were unexpected. The Searcher contained more emotion than fast-paced crime-solving tactics. 

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I rarely enjoy short stories, but this one was perfect! At only 16 pages on my iPad, Hurwitz tells a suspenseful story succinctly and completely. I was not left wanting more of the story as there didn‘t need to be more. I enjoyed learning how the Nowhere Man started his work. I‘m ready for book two!

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This is an excellent book. It‘s a powerful and emotional read. Steven Hale, is a journalist who accepted an unusual invitation to witness an execution by the state of Tennessee. This is exactly the type of book that fueled my interest and subsequently guided my passion to build a career working with inmates. I share more about my professional experience in my full review.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I became a fan of Lisa Scottoline when I met her in 2018 on her book tour for After Anna. I was immediately drawn to her warm, excitable personality. She tells great stories, in person and her writing. I love all her books I‘ve read. Sadly, Lady Killer is my least favorite. ☹️

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I decided I better get my act together and read this book before I retire in a few months! I adore Sharon Salzberg and appreciate her wisdom. In this book, she teaches readers how to incorporate meditation into their work life to better cope with stressful meetings, pressing deadlines, and difficult people. ☮️

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I love vacationing in Key West and enjoy reading cozy mysteries, so I was eager to try this series. The murder mystery was good, and the characters were likable. I appreciate that the story didn‘t have the cheesy, immature tone like some cozy mysteries. At less than five hours on audio, it‘s a pretty quick read. I liked this book, but I didn‘t love it. I‘m on the fence if I will continue to read the series.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I have seen a lot of readers posting their praise for Sara Paretsky‘s books and decided to give her a try. She writes a series of books based on a woman private detective, V.I. Warshawki, set in Chicago. She is a tough detective and quite sharp at her detecting skills. I enjoyed Indemnity Only, but I didn‘t love it as I hoped.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

The Ink Black Heart is the sixth installment of the Cormoran Strike series. Robin and Strike investigate the death of cartoon co-creator, Edie Ledwell. This is my least favorite book in the series. I don‘t care for cartoons and there was a lot of online dialoge I find painful to listen to in an audiobook format. Fortunately, I enjoyed other aspects of the story very much. It‘s a low pick for me.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

McMurtry opens this memoir sharing about his upbringing, which contained very few books. He first opened Booked Up in Washington, DC in the 1970s. The store expanded to Houston, Dallas, and Tucson before opening the final storefronts in Archer City, Texas. This memoir contains short, quick chapters of informative and entertaining stories about McMurtry‘s experiences buying books. 📚

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This book was much more than I expected. Suzanne intelligently shares the science of how forests function, which she learned through extensive study and her own research. Her book also reads like a memoir, which really made me connect to her life-long work. 🌳

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

When I purchased The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee ages ago, I somehow completely missed that this book is classified in the YA genre. (I rarely read YA.) I enjoyed it more than I expected. It‘s a good story that kept me engaged, and has a suspenseful ending. I‘m sure people who enjoy YA and science fiction would very much enjoy this book.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This novel kept me on the edge of my seat as the story alternated between Betty‘s life in 1995 and Arlette‘s time in London in the early 1920‘s. This novel is full of secrets, romantic relationships, curiosity, and life development. There are many moments of excitement and hope while also moments of sadness and devastation. The ending was very satisfying and left me feeling sad the story was over.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

This is an investigative podcast from Audible where the author seeks to find the truth of who killed Jimmy. The murder occurred in the Australian Northern Territory during the hottest season of the year. Jimmy‘s body was discovered in a creek bed, mummified, with his genitals removed. Phillip Mather, Jimmy‘s best friend, was convicted of the crime and served 11 years in prison.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination with institutions. I suppose it‘s because I have a curiosity for places not accessible to everyone and the people who live and work in those places. I‘ve looked forward to reading this book as I had never heard of Blackwell‘s Island and the subject matter seemed a perfect fit for my interests.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I‘m such a huge fan of Karin Slaughter. I think I‘ve rated every book of hers with five stars. Criminal is the sixth installment in the Will Trent series and it‘s DEEP! This novel tells the tale of Will Trent‘s birth and parentage in a way I never expected. This is a fascinating book!

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

Intriguing and suspenseful. I enjoyed how the characters pulled at my heart strings. I appreciate the message Mitch concludes with. As expected from the book description, there is a significant God presence in the book as the survivors in the lifeboat debate their beliefs. I‘m not a religious person as I prefer Eastern philosophy and it did not hinder my ability to become fully engrossed in the story.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

I truly enjoyed my time with the Count of Monte Cristo/Edmond Dantes. I anxiously awaited the famous prison break, which was everything I hoped for. There are so many characters, at times it felt like I was reading several different stories. The book pretty much covers Dantes‘ entire life, yet at the end I wanted there to be more. I liked the ending, and yet, I feel like there is more story to be told.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

Bittersweet! I‘m so excited for today‘s book mail of Don Winslow‘s latest book, City in Ruins. I‘m also sad that Don is retiring from writing. City in Ruins is his final book and the third installment in the Danny Ryan trilogy. I received my signed copy of City in Ruins from The Poisoned Pen, an independent bookseller, in Scottsdale, Arizona. They included a collectible set of three poker chips representing each book title in the trilogy. 🌵