The Great Gatsby is 100-Years Old This Year!!!

 

I remember reading this classic novel decades ago. I don't remember much about the plot details about it... Let alone the writing. 

I remember not liking the novel very much overall. Maybe I was simply too young to appreciate it?

Top Ten Tuesday - Books that start with the Word “THE” in the Title I want to Read in 2025!

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.

Below are ten audiobooks I have waiting to be enjoyed in my 'to be read' pile.I look forward to enjoying them in the future. Have you read any of the following books? Let me know in the comment section below.

1. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

2. The Known World by Edward P. Jones

3. The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

4. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

5. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

6. The House Between Tides by Sara Maine

7. The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann Cox

8. The Rebel Nun by Marj Charlier

9. The Blackboard Jungle by Evan Hunter

10. The Shimmer by David Morrell

Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins, which is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate. Lady Renegades is the third novel in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy.

Hooray, Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins was so much better than the first two novels in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy!! Lady Renegades definitely wraps up the trilogy wonderfully and even with a happy ending!! Lady Renegades wasn't as slow as the first two novels in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy were. I enjoyed the plot twists, the character development, and the storyline so much more with Lady Renegades.

Honestly though, I think the author and the publisher could have combined the plot for all three novels into one novel with a shorter print length instead of one long drawn out trilogy. I think this would have made this trilogy a much better read.

Below is the publisher's summary for Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins from Chirp's website:

Just as Harper Price starts coming to terms with her role as David Stark’s battle-ready Paladin, protector, and girlfriend, her world goes crazy all over again. Overwhelmed by his Oracle powers, David flees Pine Grove and starts turning teenage girls into Paladins; and these young ladies seem to think that Harper is the enemy David needs protecting from. Ordinarily, Harper would be able to fight off any Paladin who comes her way, but her powers have been dwindling since David left town, which means her life is on the line yet again. Now, it’s a desperate race for Harper to find and rescue David before she backslides from superhero to your garden-variety type-A belle.

I am giving Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Four New to Me Little Free Libraries in San Rafael, California!!

 

My husband and I visited San Rafael, California for a few hours on Friday, April 25, 2025. 

Our primary purpose was to visit the Mission San Rafael Arcangel, which I believe is the smallest of the 21 California Missions. 

The Pink Owl

After visiting, Mission San Rafael Arcangel, we stopped by The Pink Owl coffee house for hot beverages and a pastries. The Pink Owl has four locations. We visited The Pink Owl location on 4th Street, which is a block away from the Mission San Rafael Arcangel. The Pink Owl is a very cute place with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy ones food and beverage. I thought my ube flavored mocha with almond milk was okay and the large cookie was very dry and tasteless. My husband faired better with his Americano and pastry.

After our treat, we found four Little Free Libraries in a nearby neighborhood before heading over for a late lunch at Shake Shack in Larkspur, California. It was my first time eating at Shake Shack as we do not have one near where we live.

Mission San Rafael Arcangel

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day!!

 

How will you be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day today? Do you have a favorite independent bookstore you enjoy visiting? Will you be buying books from an independent bookstore?

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

I finished listening to the unabridged audio version of Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins, which is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate. Miss Mayhem is the second novel in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy.

For me, Amy Rubinate's narration of Miss Mayhem may be the best part of this young adult novel. The first chapter is essentially a recap of the happenings from the first novel, which is fine. However, Miss Mayhem is on the slow side for me personally. Plus, the plot details and storyline are not interesting enough to make Miss Mayhem an engaging read. I wasn't excited enough to care about what happens with the characters or the storyline. Some of the plot details and teenage angst seemed way to dramatic and superficial for me. The last few chapters were the best part of Miss Mayhem because the storyline finally picked up a bit. Overall, I found Miss Mayhem boring and disappointing.

I've finished listening to the first chapter of Lady Renegades (third book in the 'Rebel Belle' trilogy) by Rachel Hawkins. I do not have high hopes for this novel, but I am hoping to see some resolution by the end of it.

Below is the publisher's summary for Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins I discovered on Chirp's website:

Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant. Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her…or make her more powerful than ever.

I'm giving Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Throwback Thursday - 10 Random Posts From 2015!!!

 

1. National Steinbeck Center

I am a fan of John Steinbeck's writing! My husband and I had the lovely opportunity of visiting the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California in January 2015. The museum aspect of this National Steinbeck Center was very well done. We also enjoyed visiting the gift shop afterwards.

2. Do condoms kill the mood/feel of an erotica book?

Yes, I've read a few erotica novels and short stories over the years, but not as much in recent years. Back in 2015, while looking for things to blog about, I came across an online article with the above title. It was an attention grabbing article for sure, so I decided to read the article and share it with my blog readers.

3. Author Event/Signing with Paula Hawkins --- The Girl on the Train

I still can't believe I haven't read The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins!! I do have a signed copy of the novel to read and the author event was very worthwhile.

4. Garth Stein Author Event & Signing!!

I loved reading The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. So I couldn't resist attending an in-person author signing event featuring Garth Stein at a local indie bookstore. I really enjoyed this author event.

5. Alexander Book Company in San Francisco, California

I visited the Alexander Book Company in downtown San Francisco, California for the first time in May 2015. This three story bookstore was amazing!! I loved it!! Sadly, the Alexander Book Company is now defunct as of 2023 after 32 years of business. Essentially, they weren't seeing enough customers after the pandemic hit, so they had to close their storefront.

6. The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice by Trevor Corson

I LOVE SUSHI!! So, when I learned about this nonfiction book, I knew I had to read it.

I learned tons of interesting facts about sushi, fish, and rice from reading The Story of Sushi... Too many facts to share here, but the following are some of the interesting factoids I learned while reading The Story of Sushi:

* "The Japanese believe eel meat to be an aphrodisiac." Page 226
* Bluefin tuna are the fastest fish in the sea and can swim 50mph. If they swim too slowly, they'll suffocate. They are also warm blooded and can also weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
* "The modern term for 'sushi' refers not to fish, but to rice -- rice seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Any food made with this seasoned rice can be called sushi, whether it involves fish." Page 27
* "In Japan alone, farmers have cultivated at least 2,000 varieties of rice." Page 38
* The California Roll "was invented in L. A.'s Little Tokyo in the late 1960s, at Tokyo Kaikan, one of the first restaurants to open a sushi bar, and premier Japanese eatery in L. A. The California rolls' inventor was a chef there named Ichir Mashita." Page 81

7. Harriet Klausner, the woman who wrote 31,014 Amazon book reviews, dead at 63

I remember first hearing about Harriet Klausner years ago and found it unbelievable that a single person could read and write so many book reviews on Amazon. But she was actually a real person.

8. Fabulous Wedding Venues For Book Lovers!!

I wish I'd thought of having a bookish themed wedding when I married my husband!! These venues for book lovers look amazing.

9. Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore

This indie bookstore is located in San Diego, California and specializes in the horror, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy genres. I loved the layout for this bookstore.

10. Sesame Street's Best Literary Moments!

Who can resist Sesame Street and literary moments? This was a fun find and post to write back in 2015.

Alta Live: Bonnie Tsui, On Muscle

 

Bonnie Tsui is out with a new nonfiction book titles, On Muscle and was published yesterday on April 22, 2025.

Earlier today, I enjoyed Bonnie Tsui discussing her book, On Muscle, on Alta Live for 37 minutes with host, Beth Spotswood. 

Wow, wow, wow, what a great talk!! I now look forward to reading On Muscle by Bonnie Tsui!! Did you know that there's a muscle that gives you goosebumps? News to me!! Lots of other things are discussed about the science and cultural aspects of muscles.

Below is the replay of this event, should you care to watch it!

Happy World Book Day!!

 

New to Us Little Free Libraries in Alamo, California!!

 

On Easter Sunday, my husband and I found two new

to us Little Free Libraries in Alamo, California.

Both Little Free Libraries were cute as can be!

They were located close to each other in a

residential neighborhood.

The weather was sunny and we saw quite a few

people taking walks on the Iron Horse Trail that connects

several cities together.

Finding Little Free Libraries on Easter seems to be

sort of a thing for us. I believe this is at least the

third time we've found new to us Little Free Libraries

on Easter. I suppose finding new books to read

is better than finding dyed eggs!!

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

 

I've had Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins on my reading wishlist since like 2014 when it was first published. Rebel Belle is the first novel in a young adult fantasy trilogy. Eventually, I ended up adding the unabridged audio version of Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins and the subsequent novels in the trilogy to my 'to be read' pile about two years ago. Rebel Belle is nicely narrated by Amy Rubinate.

I've decided that 2025 has become the year I start and finish the entire Rebel Belle trilogy. I finished listening to Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins on Easter morning and started listening to Miss Mayhem (book two of the Rebel Belle trilogy) by Rachel Hawkins later that same day.

Let's begin by stating that I had high hopes for Rebel Belle based on the publisher's summary and the hype/reviews for this novel by other readers. I will also state here and now that I wasn't as enamored with this novel as I'd hope I would be when all was said and done. If I had not purchased the follow up novels to Rebel Belle, I'd have skipped reading them altogether.

I generally like young adult books. I also find the fantasy genre can be fun and entertaining. The plot is interesting for Rebel Belle and the fantasy aspect was fine overall. The main character for Rebel Belle, Harper Price, is a high school student who has everything going for her... Harper is head cheerleader, class president, homecoming queen, popular with almost the entire student body, involved in many social activities including cotillion, an excellent student, and dating the popular jock. Harper is an overachiever and almost too perfect, in my opinion. Essentially, Harper's life is a cliche.

At the start of Rebel Belle, Harper is attending prom night with her boyfriend, and is about to be crowned homecoming queen. Harper goes to the ladies room to reapply lip gloss just before the crowing happens, when she comes across a scene so unlikely to happen. Harper is turned into a paladin, a sort of knight with special abilities and strength, and she will have to protect an oracle, someone with psychic abilities. This event drastically changes Harper's life in more ways than she can even imagine. Throughout Rebel Belle, Harper learns about her special powers as a paladin, what they mean, how to use them, who the oracle is, and a host of other things.

I was less then impressed with the overall execution of Rebel Belle. I felt it was slow in parts. Certain scenes could have played out differently for more entertaining reading. 

Additionally, I was annoyed by the fact that Harper, and the rest of her high school friends with boyfriends, all assume that they will marry their high school sweethearts and live happily ever after. Really??? This book was published in 2014. I'd have thought the idea of marrying one's first love in high school would not have been a topic or at least one that was not emphasized so much in this novel. Maybe it's just me? I don't know.

Below is the publisher's summary for Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins from Chirp's website:

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper’s destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can’t get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she’s charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper’s least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him - and discovers that David’s own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

I am giving Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins a rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 stars. 

Until my next post, happy reading!!

NYC's Morgan Library and Museum Celebrates 100 Years and Historic Librarian, Belle da Costa Greene!!

 

The Morgan Library and Museum celebrates one hundred years. A current exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum celebrates the life and career of Belle da Costa Greene. Belle da Costa Greene was the inaugural director of the Morgan Library and Museum, She is "widely recognized as an authority on illuminated manuscripts and deeply respected as a cultural heritage executive, Greene was one of the most prominent librarians in American history."

Watch the above video to learn more about the life of Belle da Costa Greene.

Alta Journal's California Book Club Featuring Author, Ishmael Reed and His Novel, Mumbo Jumbo

 

I've become a huge fan of Alta Journal's California Book Club over the years. They offer a superb selection of amazing author guests lined-up throughout the year. One author each month is featured in the California Book Club and the author is joined by host John Freeman along with a guest moderator/interviewer.

On Thursday, April 17th, from 5-6pm PDT, author, Ishmael Reed discussed his novel, Mumbo Jumbo and answered questions from guests attending virtually.

This was a fun virtual event to attend. I've been meaning to read Mumbo Jumbo for a few years now and I'll have to grab it and read it for sure now.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Throwback Thursday - Revisiting Posts I Published Here on My Blog in 2014!!

 

Below are ten random posts I shared here on my blog in 2014! I thought it would be interesting to share some of the blog posts I posted back in 2014 that caught my attention and would be interesting to revisit today.

1. Dr. Gay Hendricks & Tinker Lindsay Book Signing & Discussion

I truly enjoyed attending this live, in-person author event at The Sacred Space in Summerland, California! The joys of attending in-person author events is always an amazing experience and this event was magical!

2. Hercule Poirot's Real-Life Model May Have Been Discovered!

Agatha Christie's character, Hercule Poirot, has always been one of my favorite fictional characters! So, I enjoyed discovering that there may have been a real life model for the character of Hercule Poirot.

3. Maya Angelou Passed Away at Age 86

Maya Angelou is one of my favorite poets!! I had the honor of hearing her speak live twice in the past. What a treat to hear Maya Angelou sing, dance, recite her own poems, and share stories from her life. It's difficult to believe it has been nearly 11 years since her passing.

4. All Aboard!! A Reading List For Train Travel

Train lovers may enjoy this reading list!!

5. Do YOU Love San Francisco?? Read These 16 Books!!

If you've left your heart in San Francisco, then check out the above 16 books.

6. A College Library Without Books?

How can you even call it a library without books? It seems strange to call a place a 'library' without physical books.

7. Literary Halloween Costumes For Duos

These literary Halloween costumes for duos is a fun idea!!

8. Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site

It was a delight to discover that the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site is located in the town of Danville, which is just north of where I reside. Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site is where Eugene O'Neill wrote some of his most famous plays.

9. The Marilyn Monroe Reading Challenge?

Up until October 2014, I never knew that Marilyn Monroe even had a 430 books in her personal library!! There's even a reading challenge out there for people who want to read all 430 books Marilyn Monroe had in her personal library.

10. Top Ten Fictitious Biographies

Fictitious biographies is just a fun topic! It was fun exploring this topic again.

Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles

 

I enjoy reading or listening to cozy mystery novels quite a bit. I have found myself in the mood for reading them this year in between listening to some of the nonfiction books I've already listened to earlier this year.

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles, which is well narrated by Janet Metzger. Lily Charles is a new to me author and Murder at the Estate Sale is the first novel in the 'Molly & Emma Booksellers' series. Lily Charles also happens to be the pen name of writing duo Charlene Ball and Libby Ware.

I really enjoyed listening to Murder at the Estate Sale. As I already stated, this cozy mystery is well narrated by Janet Metzger. I loved the writing, the plot, and the two main characters, Molly and Emma. The entire premise of this novel revolving around two main, female characters, who are booksellers whom stumble across a murder at an estate sell in the first chapter was definitely a lure for me. Who can resist a book about books? 

Molly and Emma make a great team. They are opposites, yet have a lot in common, Emma is more shy/reserved and very organized, while Molly is less reserved and more of a fly by the seat of ones pants kinda of woman. Both women are very smart and knowledgeable about books and the topic/subject of the occult.

Occultism/occult books plays a large part of the plot/storyline for Murder at the Estate Sale. In fact, the start of each chapter begins with a specific book title being mentioned. Each of the books mentioned falls into the occult genre and is simply highlighted at the start of each chapter.

As I mentioned earlier, the writing is excellent for Murder at the Estate Sale. I enjoyed the storyline very much and how the plot unfolded. Whodunnit was a surprise for me as there was a twist at the end of the novel. I don't like guessing whodunnit too early on in a novel. But being surprised by a plot twist is even better! I liked this novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles, which I discovered on the author's website:

When Molly O’Donnell, long-time antiquarian bookseller, and Emma Clarke, new to bookselling, meet at an estate sale, they are both there for the books. But Emma hears a cry, ignores a “Do Not Enter” sign, and discovers the dead body of notorious book thief Buck Hubbell in the basement. She calls Molly, who joins her and finds a slip of paper with a warning written in Elizabethan script that hints at black magic.

Adventurous Molly and cautious Emma seek to discover who murdered Buck and to unlock the meaning of the mysterious note. Their search leads them to a hidden library full of occult books. Suspects abound among booksellers and practitioners of the black arts. Attracted to each other yet wary of involvement, Molly and Emma create an alliance to get to the bottom of the warning note, find a missing book of spells—and solve a murder.

I am giving Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Three New to Me Little Free Libraries in Pleasanton, California!!

Last weekend, my hubby and I found three new to us Little Free Libraries in Pleasanton, California!! All three of them were very cute and filled to the gills with books for readers to discover and enjoy.

The only downside for me was that two of the Little Free Libraries were filled entirely with children's books and the third Little Free Library was filled with mostly children's books and a few adult books mixed in for the adults. I am thrilled to see that there are LFLs devoted entirely to children's books and promoting literacy to youngsters. However, since I do not have children, so I wasn't able to exchange any books at the first two LFLs.

Additionally, I am very blessed to have my husband join me on my Little Free Library expeditions. My husband always enjoys the journey of finding LFLs even though he himself is not an avid read and book nerd like myself.

P. S. Excuse my messy hairdo... I'd been wearing a hat to shade my face, but had decided to take the hat off so one could see my face better.

The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner

 

The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner is the first novel in the Perry Mason series. There are 57 novels in the Perry mason series, which is an impressive number of novels for a series!

I recently wanted to read a book by Erle Stanley Gardner, so I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of The Case of the Velvet Claws, which is excellently narrated by Alexander Cendese.

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at how much I truly enjoyed listening to The Case of the Velvet Claws. It contains wonderful characters, a tight storyline, excellent writing, and a few plot twists too. The Case of the Velvet Claws is definitely a hard-boiled novel... so, if this is appealing to you, then check out The Case of the Velvet Claws! I will definitely be listening to more novels in the Perry Mason series.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner:

Thanks to a bungled robbery at a fancy hotel, the already-married Eva Griffin has been caught in the company of a prominent congressman. To protect the politico, Eva's ready to pay the editor of a sleazy tabloid his hush money. But Perry Mason has other plans. He tracks down the phantom fat cat who secretly runs the blackmailing tabloid -- only to discover a shocking scoop.

By the time Mason's comely client finally comes clean, her husband has taken a bullet in the heart. Now Perry Mason has two choices: represent the cunning widow in her wrangle for the dead man's money -- or take the rap for murder.

I am giving The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts by John Barelli

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts by John Barelli, which is well narrated by Mack Sanderson.

Listening time for Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts by John Barelli is 5 hours, 41 minutes.

Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts by John Barelli is an excellent read! If you're a lover of nonfiction, the history of art and art crime, then this book is for you. I found Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts to be very interesting. John Barelli is the former chief security officer at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for almost 40 years and he writes his book with the candor and expertise.

Below is the publisher's summary for Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts by John Barelli from Chirp's website:

When he retired as the chief security officer of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, John Barelli had spent the better part of forty years responsible not only for one of the richest treasure troves on the planet, but the museum’s staff, the millions of visitors, as well as American presidents, royalty, and heads of state from around the world.

For the first time, John Barelli shares his experiences of the crimes that occurred on his watch, the investigations that captured thieves and recovered artwork, the lessons he learned and shared with law enforcement professionals in the United States and abroad, the accidents and near misses, and a few mysteries that were sadly never solved. He takes listeners behind the scenes, introduces curators and administrators, walks the empty corridors after hours, and shares what it’s like to get the call that an ancient masterpiece has gone missing.

The Metropolitan Museum covers twelve acres in the heart of Manhattan and is filled with five thousand years of work by history’s great artists known and unknown: Goya, da Vinci, Rembrandt, Warhol, Pollack, Egyptian mummies, Babylonian treasures, Colonial crafts, and Greek vases. Over the years, John helped make the museum the state-of-the-art facility it is today and created a legacy in art security for decades to come.

Focusing on six thefts but filled with countless stories that span the late 1970s through the twenty-first century, John opens the files on thefts, showing how museum personnel along with local and sometimes federal agents opened investigations and more often than not caught the thief. But of ultimate importance was the recovery of the artwork, including Celtic and Egyptian gold, French tapestries, Greek sculpture, and more. At the heart of this book there will always be art—those who love it and those who take it, two groups of people that are far from mutually exclusive.

I am giving Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts by John Barelli a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

New to me Little Free Library in Sonoma, California

 

My husband and I visited Sonoma, California on Monday, April 7, 2025 for a few hours.

During our visit, we found a very cute Little Free Library outside of the Sonoma Community Center.

Sonoma, California is such a cute, quaint town in the Napa wine region. I recommend visiting Sonoma as it is a relaxing place.

Throwback Thursday - Revisiting Posts I Published Here on My Blog in 2013!!

 

I've been blogging over 10 years now. It's been fun rediscovering some of my early posts from 2013. Click on the links below to read my full posts of places I've visited, articles I've read, or author event I attended.

1. The Bookstore at the Vedanta Temple in Santa Barbara

2. The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Santa Barbara, California

3. Book Collecting Tips!

4. Life Lessons from Tolstoy's 'Anna Karenina'

5. 7 Ailments Named After Literary Characters

6. How to Spot Fake Rare Books!!

7. Stevenson House in Monterey, California

8. Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, California

9. The 1st Bookless Public Library in the USA!

10. The Search for Meaning in a Medical Life with Abraham Verghese, M.D.

Happy National Library Outreach Day!!!

 

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron. I've had this book in my possession in one format or another since it was first published in 2008.

I am thrilled I finally listened to Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron as it's really good. I love nonfiction books about animals, libraries, and small mid-western towns, especially small towns in Iowa! So, Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World fits the bill in spades for all three categories.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World not only tells the story of Dewey's humble beginnings and his life after arriving at the Spencer Public Library, but the book also talks about the history of Spencer, Iowa as well. Plus, we learn about some of the patrons of the Spencer Public Library, some of the employees of the Spencer Public Library, and about Vicki Myron's life as well. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World is well written and organized. I loved this book!!

Below is the publisher's summary for Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron from Chirp's website:

Experience the uplifting, “unforgettable” New York Times bestseller about an abandoned kitten named Dewey, whose life in a library won over a farming town and the world – with over 2 million copies sold! (Booklist)

Dewey’s story starts in the worst possible way. On the coldest night of the year in Spencer, Iowa, at only a few weeks old–a critical age for kittens–he was stuffed into the return book slot of the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.

As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming community slowly working its way back from the greatest crisis in its long history.

I am giving Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Drawn to Freedom!!!

 

Happy National Library Week - April 6 - 12, 2025!

 

National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.

I found the above definition of National Library Week.

New to Me Little Free Library in Fremont, California!!

 

On Friday, April 4, 2025, my hubby and I visited the Mission in Fremont, California. We loved visiting the Mission in Fremont, which is ironically called San Jose. They'd remodeled the Mission since our last visit there in 2015.

After visiting the Mission, we discovered this cute Little Free Library, which is located outside the Museum of Local History and is near the Mission. We didn't go inside the Museum of Local History. Maybe next time.

The Little Free Library also happened to be located across the street from the Joyful Dim Sum restaurant where we had lunch! It was our first time eating at Joyful Dim Sum and the dim sum was delicious.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Secret Agent Granny Cozy Mystery Series - Books 1-3 Mini Review

I enjoy reading cozy mystery novels every now and again. 

Recently, I'd finished reading a few nonfiction books and decided I needed a change of pace. Cozy, mystery novels make for fun, light reading. So, I listened to the first three cozy mystery novels in the 'Secret Agent Granny' cozy mystery series by Harper Lin. Harper Lin is not a new to me author. I've enjoyed a couple of her previous books and reviewed them here on my blog. 

I'm glad I decided to give the first three novels in the 'Secret Agent Granny' a try as they were a delight to read. I listened to the unabridged audio versions of Granny's Got a Gun, Granny Undercover, and Granny Strikes Back. All three novels are short, quick fun reads. I enjoyed the writing, the humor, the characters, and the storyline. I especially loved the main character, Barbara Gold, who is a 70 year old retired CIA agent and is feisty as heck. Barbara is a widow and she lives in a small town to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Barbara is trying to stave off boredom and in the process stumbles upon crimes that need to be solved.

If you're into fun, light, cozy mystery reads, then the 'Secret Agent Granny' cozy mystery series may be for you. As of this writing, there are 11 books in the series. I haven't decided quite yet if I will continue with the series or not as I have so many books in my 'tbr' pile as it is right now.

I am giving all three novels a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Throwback Thursday - Historical Fiction Novels I Enjoyed Reading!!

I am a lover of historical fiction novels!! I'm hoping you are too!! If so, please feel free to peruse the list of 31 novels I've read and reviewed here on my blog over the years. I've really liked or loved each of the following books listed below novels. Each of the below books have been books I've rated with either a 4 star review or higher. 

1. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

2. I Am Livia by Phyllis T. Smith

3. Murder As Fine Art by David Morrell

4. Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

5. The Taster by V. S. Alexander

6. Romanov by Nadine Brandes

7. The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama

8. Euphoria by Lily King

9. Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

10. The Ruby In The Smoke by Philip Pullman

11. The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull

12. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

13. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy

14. The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

15. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

16. Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

17. Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

18. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

19. The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian

20. Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

21. Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole

22. Aphrodite's Island by Hilary Green

23. Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters

24. Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

25. The Whisky Sea by Ann Howard Creel

26. The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama

27. News of the World by Paulette Jiles

28. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

29. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

30. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

31. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Have you read any of the historical fiction novels I've listed above? If so, please let me know what you thought of the novel(s) in the comment section below. Also, please, share some historical fiction favorites you've enjoyed reading over the years as well. I'm always on the lookout for my next great read!

Earthbound by Richard Matheson

 

I have read and reviewed four previous works written by Richard Matheson here on my book blog. I've enjoyed the four previous books I've read by Richard Matheson. I eagerly looked forward to reading more books written by Richard Matheson.

I decided on listening to the unabridged audio version of Earthbound by Richard Matheson and narrated by Bronson Pinchot as it had been on sale through Chirp Audiobooks website. Earthbound's plot/storyline sounded intriguing enough to warrant my interest, BUT I found Earthbound to be the BIGGEST FLOP ever!! 

In hindsight, I wished I had DNF'd Earthbound after the first couple of chapters. However, I kept reading Earthbound because I'd enjoyed reading Richard Matheson's other books and figured that Earthbound had to get better. Earthbound did pick up and grow somewhat better the second half of the novel, but not enough to warrant a higher rating.

Earthbound is billed as an erotic, ghost story. The plot centers around a married couple taking a second honeymoon in an attempt to rejuvenate their failing marriage. Things fail fast from the very beginning in every way possible. The writing is so painfully, slow and boring. The storyline is repetitious in parts. I found the couple's interactions unrealistic... neither one of them speaks their mind or communicates very well with each other and the husband, David, is quick to anger over stupid stuff. The last half of Earthbound does pick up and grows a tad more interesting when the ghost begins to inhabit Ellen's (David's wife) body, but overall Earthbound is a major dud. Spare yourself!! Skip reading Earthbound.

Below is the publisher's summary for Earthbound, which I discovered on Amazon's website:

A ghost story from the celebrated author of Hell House and I Am Legend, featuring a succubus homewrecker preying upon a troubled marriage.

In 1982, before Matheson had fully achieved the cult-and-grandmaster status that he has today, Playboy Press published a version of his erotic ghost story that was so severely edited that Matheson took his name off the book and instead published it under the name Logan Swanson.

In this restored version of the original manuscript, David and Ellen Cooper’s twenty-one-year-old marriage is nearing the rocks, so they decide to leave Los Angeles for a honeymoon and go to Long Island. Soon after they arrive at their beach cottage, a strange woman, Marianna, appears to David, and he is immediately entranced.

Matheson adeptly explores David’s growing fear and guilt, which becomes intensified after he and Marianna make love in a secret room in the house. Although Marianna is portrayed as an “earthbound spirit” (a ghost who rejects the afterlife, appears real to all senses, believes she is alive, and through psychic attack, sucks life from the living) she’s really more or less a succubus, gussied up in Casper the friendly ghost clothing. With each graphically detailed sexual rendezvous, Marianna pushes David to deeper levels of obsession, loss of will and irrationality. The story reaches an even higher pitch as the evil ghost begins to threaten Ellen, injecting some excellent suspense into unabashed pathos and outright titillation.

I am giving Earthbound by Richard Matheson a rating of 1 star out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Books You’d be a Fool Not to Read

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 was a tough list to comprise for me!! Do I pick audiobooks? Do I select nonfiction or nonfiction books? Do I chose from a specific genre? So many choices to choose from when considering which books to add to this week's Top Ten Tuesday post.

I chose to go with fiction novels and no specific genre chosen for the following list of books. I absolutely loved the following novels and wouldn't hesitate recommending them to others. All of these novels are well written and most of them provide thought provoking characters and content. 

Click on the links to read my review of each novel.

1. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker
2. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
3. The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel
4. The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier
5. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

6. The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

7. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
8. The Vegetarian by Han Kang

9. Asking For It by Louise O'Neill

10. An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

I'm curious, have you read any of the novels I've listed in this week's Top Ten Tuesday post?