Top Ten Tuesday - Freebie - It's All About Trilogies!!

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This is a redo post for me as I recently made a Throwback Thursday Post on this very topic earlier this year. I thought it would be a good Top Ten Tuesday post as well.

I've read quite a few trilogies since I began blogging at the start of 2012. In fact, I've read more trilogies than I thought I'd read. Below is a list of trilogies I've read in no particular order of importance:

1. Wolf Hunt trilogy by Jeff Strand

Jeff Strand is a horror author who had been on my radar for a while.

I finally read the Wolf Hunt trilogy back in October 2021.

This is a fun trilogy and would highly recommend it.

The Wolf Hunt trilogy contains nonstop action from start to finish, which never makes for a dull moment.

If you love the idea of werewolves, then the Wolf Hunt trilogy may be right up your alley! But the Wolf Hunt trilogy is more than just werewolves... Meet George and Lou, low level thugs for hire. George and Lou need to transport a werewolf in human form to its final destination in the first installment of Wolf Hunt when things go VERY WRONG for George and Lou early on. George and Lou are great characters! Bad things seem to happen for them routinely. The fun and nonstop action follow George and Lou into the last two novels in the Wolf Hunt trilogy.

2. Rebel Belle trilogy by Rachel Hawkins

The 'Rebel Belle' trilogy is the most recent trilogy I've read. I started and finished reading in April 2025. The 'Rebel Belle' trilogy had been on my reading wishlist for at least a decade. I'm glad I read it finally... But honestly, I didn't love it like I hoped I would. The 'Rebel Belle' trilogy falls into the young adult, fantasy genre.

3. Angel Catbird by Margaret Atwood

I am a Margaret Atwood fan, which is the main reason I selected this tilogy to read in the first place. I was curious about her comic book series, 'Angel Catbird', and wondered what a comic book series would look like from Ms. Atwood.

The Complete Angel Catbird by Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas, & Tamra Bonvillain is written for kids ages 8-12. I thought the artwork was just okay and the storyline was very simplistic... A half human-rat wants to take over the world with the desire to have rats rule the world. But his plans for world domination are thwarted by half human-cats and owls.

There were a lot of cat puns throughout this series that were funny/cute to begin with, but did grow old after a while. There are also a lot of cat facts sprinkled throughout this comic series that were interesting and informative.

4. The Moon Marked trilogy by Aimee Easterling

Ugh, this trilogy had such high ratings online!! But it was a big flop for me!! Seriously, the narration for this series was the best part of it.

The 'Moon Marked' trilogy falls into the paranormal romance/fantasy genre. There was too much senseless drama/action throughout the entire trilogy for the sake of propelling the plot forward.

5. March (Trilogy Slipcase Edition) by John Lewis

I read March (Trilogy Slipcase Edition) by John Lewis during Black History Month in 2021. By reading the March trilogy, I learned a lot about the Civil Rights Movement with regards to many of the major events. Additionally, I enjoyed reading about many of the major movers and shakers and organizations that helped propel the Civil Rights Movement forward, which eventually lead to the successful passing of both the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act.

6. Seal Island trilogy by Sophie Moss

I listened to the audio version of the 'Seal Island' trilogy.

It's set in Ireland on an island and spotlights Irish folktales

and mythology. Overall, a very good series.

7. The Syrena Legacy trilogy by Anna Banks

I enjoyed this young adult, fantasy/paranormal romance series.

The first novel wasn't as good as the two remaining novels in the series. I listened to the audio version, which was well narrated by Rebecca Gibel.

8. His Fair Assassin trilogy by Robin LaFevers

I love the 'His Fair Assassin' trilogy!! All tree novels are addicting to read. Robin LaFevers writes so well. This young adult series will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

9. Splintered trilogy by A. G. Howard

The 'Splintered' trilogy was loads of fun!! It falls into the young adult genre with elements of sci- fi, fantasy, and paranormal romance! Also, if you're an Alice In Wonderland fan, then this may be the trilogy for you.

10. A Mapwalker trilogy by J. F. Penn

I enjoyed listening to this young adult, coming of age, fantasy trilogy!! All three books were fun.

2025 Half Yearly Reading Update!!

 

So far 2025 has been a fun year of reading!! I've listened to audiobooks exclusively this year vs reading physical books or ebooks. 

I've listened to a total of 40 books since the start of 2025. I've discovered plenty of new to me authors and explored a wide array of both fiction and nonfiction along the way.

My favorite fiction books to date include:

1. The Seas by Samantha Hunt
2. The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner

3. Aphrodite's Island by Hilary Green

My favorite nonfiction books to date include: 

1. Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants by Fez Inkwright
2. Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston
3. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

4. Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC

Which books have been your favorite reads so far in 2025?

Audiobook Burnout

 

I never thought I'd see the day where I'd be writing a post stating that I currently have burnout from listening to audiobooks! 

I love listening to audiobooks and have been listening to audiobooks for more than a decade now. However, in recent years I've relied more heavily on listening to audiobooks vs. reading books due to an ongoing eye/visual issues, which have fluctuated in my left eye since November 2022. Because of my ongoing left eye issues, audiobooks have been a way for me to continue devouring books uninterrupted, avoid eye strain/fatigue, and so on. Without audiobooks, I'd probably be reading far less than I currently do and not writing or posting many book reviews throughout the year.

This year alone, I've exclusively listened to audiobooks. In other words, I haven't read a single book in 2025, which seems kinda of strange to write. I don't there's been a time in the past where I've exclusively listened to books and not read any books. At any rate, I've listened to 40 audiobooks to date. Also, in recent years, I've listened to more audiobooks and read less books as a trend.

I started noticing burnout from listening to audiobooks beginning last month. Audiobooks just weren't and still aren't holding my attention as much as they use to in the past. At times, I'd find my mind wandering instead of focusing on the content of the book despite the fact that the book was a good one.

Maybe it's simply time to take a break from audiobooks and return to reading books again. I'm thinking of sticking with ebooks on my Kindle app for the time being, so that I may adjust the font size to best suit my visual needs. Plus, read a few physical books here and there too.

I doubt I'll quit listening to audiobooks altogether. I simply plan to mix things up a bit for more variety and mental stimulation. Reading vs. listening are two different skills altogether and require a different focus.

How do you feel about audiobooks? Do you like listening to audiobooks or do you prefer reading books exclusively?

Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC, which is narrated by the author. 

Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC is a quick read at 3 hours, 24 minutes!

I love that the author, Jill Sylvester, presented 100 ways to transform ones life with bitesized chunks of information to help instill daily, actionable changes in relatable, realistic ways. I dislike it when self-help authors make things way too complicated in order to make beneficial changes in ones life... Or they write long winded and sometimes complicated ways to make changes in ones life in their books. Keep it simple, please!

Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC is a down to earth read, which provides practical solutions. I'm not a licensed mental health counselor. But, it seems to me that the transformative ways to change ones life provided within this book would be beneficial in numerous ways beyond dealing with anxiety and/or depression. Building stronger mental health before one encounters major issues seems like a worthy goal to attain/achieve.

Below is the publisher's summary for Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC from the Goodreads website:

Are you struggling with anxiety or feeling depressed?

Do you wish there was a better way to deal with your emotions than perhaps taking too many pills or remaining stuck in the past? What if there was a better way to deal with your negative emotions?

There is--and Trust your 100 Ways to Transform Anxiety and Depression for Stronger Mental Health will show you how.

Written by licensed mental health counselor and wellness expert, Jill Sylvester, Trust Your Intuition provides 100 simple tips and techniques designed to teach you how to harness the power of your intuition, find the hidden meaning in your suffering, transform depressed feelings and emerge stronger and more powerful than ever.

Why your intuition can be your most powerful ally in overcoming depression. How to feel more energy - starting today! How to transform sadness and despair into positive feelings by understanding the true meaning of your depression or anxiety. The secrets for bringing more joy and happiness in your life. How to eliminate self-doubt and worry as you supercharge your self-confidence. A book packed with tools the author has successfully used personally for over thirty years and for over thirteen years in working with thousands of clients including adults, adolescents, and children, Trust Your Intuition will show you how to truly feel better by tapping into the wisdom that exists inside of you.

I am giving Trust Your Intuition by Jill Sylvester LMHC a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Colorful by Eto Mori

 

I'm always on the lookout for new to me authors and books to expand my reading horizons. One never knows when they'll discover their next favorite author or book!

I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of Colorful by Eto Mori, which is well narrated by Brian Nishii. I've never read anything by Eto Mori before, let along heard of her before. Eto Mori is a Japanese writer.

I liked this coming of age novel. It deals with the topic of teenage suicide in a unique way. The topic of suicide is depressing, of course, but the storyline itself makes you think about suicide in a different way... Colorful is about second chances... I felt like Colorful is about hope... Or at least gives one hope that things in life will not always remain the same, which is an important concept for youngsters going through tough times.

Below is the publisher's summary for Colorful by Eto Mori from the Goodreads website:

A beloved and bestselling classic in Japan, this groundbreaking tale of a dead soul who gets a second chance is now available in English for the very first time.

"Congratulations, you've won the lottery!" shouts the angel Prapura to a formless soul. The soul hasn't been kicked out of the cycle of rebirth just yet—he's been given a second chance. He must recall the biggest mistake of his past life while on 'homestay' in the body of fourteen-year-old Makoto Kobayashi, who has just committed suicide. It looks like Makoto doesn't have a single friend, and his family don't seem to care about him at all. But as the soul begins to live Makoto's life on his own terms, he grows closer to the family and the people around him, and sees their true colors more clearly, shedding light on Makoto's misunderstandings.

Since its initial release over twenty years ago, Colorful has become a part of the literary canon, not only in Japan—where it has sold over a million copies—but around the world, having been translated into several different languages. Now, Eto Mori's beloved classic is finally available in English.

I am giving Colorful by Eto Mori a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

The Big Chicken Barn in Ellsworth, Maine

Wow, the Big Chicken Barn in Ellsworth, Maine looks like a fabulous place to visit for avid book and antique collectors!! I want to visit the Big Chicken Barn for the books alone.

Click on the above link to visit the Big Chicken Barn website. Additionally, watch the above short video footage about the Big Chicken Barn.

Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin by Danny Fingeroth

 

Earlier this year, I listened to and reviewed an audiobook about Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife, Marina, titled, The Oswalds by Paul R. Gregory. Essentially, I wanted to learn more about the life of Lee Harvey Oswald and his role in the assassin of President John F. Kennedy.

After listening to The Oswalds by Paul R. Gregory, I wanted to learn more about life and times of Jack Ruby. Jack Ruby fatally shot Lee Harvey Oswald approximately 48 hours after Oswald's arrest for shooting President John F. Kennedy on live television. This happened while Lee Harvey Oswald was being transferred from the Dallas City Jail to the County Jail!

This has always brought up loads of questions for me. Like how did Jack Ruby gain access to a restricted area with a loaded gun when he wasn't a police officer or a reporter? Decades ago, I'd heard wild tales that Jack Ruby had been paid by the mob to act as a hitman to kill Lee Harvey Oswald to keep Oswald from testifying in court.

So, when I came across the audio version of Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin by Danny Fingeroth, I figured why not listen to it and hopefully, learn more about Jack Ruby and perhaps his true motives for shooting Lee Harvey Oswald.

First off, Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin is narrated by author, Danny Fingeroth. I've heard several authors narrate their own books before with success. However, I think Danny Fingeroth was a distraction. I wished someone else had narrated his book instead.

Although parts of Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin by Danny Fingeroth were fascinating, I felt some parts of this book were lackluster. Additionally, I felt like Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin was too long and could have been condensed for a more pleasurable read. There was just too much detail in sections for my liking.

Below is the publisher's summary for Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin by Danny Fingeroth from the Goodreads website:

Jack Ruby changed history with one bold, violent killing accused presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald on live TV two days after the November 22, 1963, murder of President John F. Kennedy. But who was Jack Ruby—and how did he come to be in that spot on that day?

As we approach the sixtieth anniversaries of the murders of Kennedy and Oswald, Jack Ruby’s motives are as maddeningly ambiguous today as they were the day that he pulled the trigger.

The fascinating yet frustrating thing about Ruby is that there is evidence to paint him as at least two different people. Much of his life story points to him as bumbling, vain, violent, and neurotic; a product of the grinding poverty of Chicago’s Jewish ghetto; a man barely able to make a living or sustain a relationship with anyone besides his dogs.

By the same token, evidence exists of Jack Ruby as cagey and competent, perhaps not a mastermind, but a useful pawn of the Mob and of both the police and the FBI; someone capable of running numerous legal, illegal, and semi-legal enterprises, including smuggling arms and vehicles to both sides in the Cuban revolution; someone capable of acting as middleman in bribery schemes to have imprisoned Mob figures set free.

Cultural historian Danny Fingeroth's research includes a new, in-depth interview with Rabbi Hillel Silverman, the legendary Dallas clergyman who visited Ruby regularly in prison and who was witness to Ruby’s descent into madness. Fingeroth also conducted interviews with Ruby family members and associates. The book’s findings will catapult you into a trip through a house of historical mirrors.

At its end, perhaps Jack Ruby’s assault on history will begin to make sense. And perhaps we will understand how Oswald’s assassin led us to the world we live in today.

I am giving Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin by Danny Fingeroth a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Throwback Thursday - Reminiscing on Some of My 2020 Blog Posts!!

 

It's been fun reminiscing with regards to the blog posts I've made over the years!! I try to pick some of the most unique posts I've posted to my blog from 2020. Click on the links below to read what I've written.

1. Seriously?? Amazon Sells Books That Claim Satan Caused The Coronavirus...

2. Jackie as Editor: The Literary Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis by Greg Lawrence

3. The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel

4. Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

5. Today is the 75th Anniversary of Animal Farm by George Orwell

6. Cain’s Jawbone - A literary puzzle solved for just third time in almost 100 years!!

7. Out of Print - Documentary Trailer

8. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

9. The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson

10. Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson

Alta Live - Leigh Bardugo - Author Event

 

I love these weekly 30 minute Alta Live events!!

This week's Alta Live virtual event featured author, Leigh Bardugo.

Leigh Bardugo discussed her creative writing process

and answered audience questions at the end of the interview session.

I enjoyed this excellent live event.

I have yet to read anything written by Leigh Bardugo.

I may just pick up a copy of her novel, The Familiar, to read

in the future.

Have you read anything written by Leigh Bardugo?

If so, which book(s) do you recommend reading by Ms. Bardugo?