Happy Halloween!!

 

I hope your day is filled with scary books!!

The 2025 Word of the Year is 6-7!

Until this very evening, I'd never even heard of '6-7' before until it was named the 2025 word of the year.

'6-7' is an ambiguous slang word meaning 'so-so'.

Horror Novels I Want to Read!!

I didn't any read horror novels this month in honor of Halloween. So, I thought it would be fitting to share a list of horror novels I hope to read in the future.

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

The Eyeballs Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

The Lamb by Lucy Rose

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez

The Burning Girls by C. J. Tudor

The Midwives by Duncan Ralston

If You Could See Me Now by Peter Straub

Have read any horror novels this month to celebrate Halloween? Do you have any favorite horror novels? Lastly, have you read any of the above novels? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

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

 

My husband and I returned last weekend from a long, roundtrip roadtrip that began in the San Francisco Bay Area to Monument Valley and the Four Corners Monument and back again to he San Francisco Bay Area.

Our first overnight stay was in Barstow, California. During our brief visit to Barstow, we found a Little Free Library the following morning before hitting the road again to our next overnight stop.

I left two books at this Little Free Library and only took one with me.

Traveling by car across the country is interesting as you see the landscape you'd not encounter while flying on an airplane. The vast difference in landscape throughout the state of California is really something else.

We traversed mainly desert landscapes on our way to Arizona, where major cities become far and few between. This can be difficult/frustrating when one needs a potty break. Cellphone service is also very spotty, where we'd have only a couple of bars of LTE vs 5G on our cellphones... Sometimes, we encountered no cell service at all for periods of time.

Love the cloud formations during this leg of the trip.

We noticed tons of windmills at various points in our travels. They are HUGE in person!

One of the gas stations/rest stops along the way during the 1st leg of our trip.

More posts of our journey to come!

Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me by Lorina Mapa

 

Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me by Lorina Mapa is a book that's been on my reading wishlist for quite a while!! I'm really into reading books by Filipina/Filipino writers as my husband was born in the Philippines and moved to the USA with his family as a young boy.

Anyway, I'm so thrilled that I finally read the paperback edition of this graphic memoir. The artwork is really well done for this book. I love how the author incorporates several themes in her book... Like her favorite music as a child/teen, life in the Philippines during the Marcos regime, her life in Canada after she moves away from the Philippines, her family, her father's death, and more.

I highly recommend this book if you like graphic memoirs, artwork, and learning about other cultures.

Below is the publisher's summary for Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me by Lorina Mapa from the Goodreads website:

When she learns of her beloved father's fatal car accident, Mapa flies to Manila to attend his funeral. His sudden death sparks childhood memories. Weaving the past with the present, Mapa entertains with stories about religion, pop culture, adolescence, social class and politics, including her experiences of the 1986 People Power Revolution which made headlines around the world. It is a love letter to her parents, family, friends, country of birth, and in the end, perhaps even to herself.

I am giving Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me by Lorina Mapa a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Halloween Freebie - Halloween Treats to Enjoy While Reading!!

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.

Here's a list of ten Halloween treats and beverages to enjoy with your spooky themed reads this year!

1. Candy Corn
2. Candied Apples
3. Carmel Apples
4. Pumpkin Spice Latte
5. Spiced Apple Cider
6. Pumpkin Bread
7. Toasted and Lightly Salted Pumpkin Seeds
8. Popcorn Balls
9. Brach's Pumpkin Mellowcremes, Halloween Candy
10. Jelly Belly, Monster Mash Mix

Do you have any favorite snacks or beverages you enjoy drinking on Halloween?

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

 

I first learned about The Queen's Gambit from the promotion of the Netflix miniseries of the novel. I didn't initially know that the Netflix miniseries was based on a novel until some time later on. By the way, I still haven't watched the Netflix series, but my husband and I plan to do so now that I've read the novel.

I chose to listen to the unabridged audio version of The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis, which is well narrated by Amy Landon. I am a beginner chess player and truly enjoyed the storyline, which focuses on chess as one of the major topics.

Walter Tevis is a new to me author. I loved the pacing and writing for The Queen's Gambit. The character building and plot development are well done and definitely kept my interest throughout the entire novel. 

I also liked leading character, Beth Harmon. As a young girl, Beth is orphaned early in life and is sent to live in a religious orphanage in Kentucky. While at the orphanage, Beth begins learning to play chess at 8 years old from a janitor at the orphanage. She quickly becomes a prodigy at playing chess. 

Beth is eventually adopted around the age of 12 years old and goes on to live an unorthodox lifestyle with her adoptive parent. Beth starts playing in chess tournaments shortly after being adopted and winning tournaments with ease. Additionally, Beth is able to earn big money from her winnings at chess tournaments.

The Queen's Gambit isn't just about chess though. It's also a coming of age novel. It's also about addiction as Beth initially becomes addicted to prescription pills while at the orphanage. Later on in life, Beth has issues with alcohol consumption as well.

We also see the loneliness and social awkwardness Beth endures throughout the novel and seeing her try to fit in while pursing her passion for playing chess. We read a lot about Beth's growth as a chess player, which leads her to the upper echelons of the chess world. Beth becomes a household name as a chess player and plays against world champion chess players.

Politics, religion, and feminism are all topics that are touched upon in The Queen's Gambit as well, which makes this novel a multilayered one to read. I look forward to reading other novels by Walter Tevis.

Below is the publishers summary for The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis from Chirp's website:

Engaging and fast-paced, this gripping coming-of-age novel of chess, feminism, and addiction speeds to a conclusion as elegant and satisfying as a mate in four. Now the basis for a highly acclaimed, award-winning Netflix series.

Eight year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control.

By the age of sixteen, she is competing for the US Open championship. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, the stakes get higher, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting.

I am giving The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Cozy/Atmospheric Reads

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.

I am not even sure what a cozy/atmospheric read is supposed to look like... Are we supposed to pick one genre or the other? Or try to find books that fit both genres? I'm going to stick to atmospheric reads for this week's Top Ten Tuesday post.

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

2. Tangerine by Christine Mangan

3. The Sister by Poppy Adams

4. The Seas by Samantha Hunt

5. Soon by Lois Murphy

6. The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco

7. A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

8. A Stir of Echoes by Richard Matheson

9. Euphoria by Lily King

10. Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

Click on the above links to read my review for each novel listed.

Have you read of the books from my Top Ten Tuesday post this week? Do you have any atmospheric books to recommend?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Quick Status Update - General FYI

During the next 10-12 days, I will most

liking be unable to publish or respond to comments during this timeframe due to other obligations. So, if you do not see your comments being published right away on my blog, you'll know why.

I'll be sure to publish and reply comments as soon as I can. Additionally, you'll see some blog posts pop during my absence.

In the meantime, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Non-book Freebie - Favorite Flowers

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 of my favorite flowers... Granted I have many more flowers I love and adore, but these are a few of my personal favorites.

1. Dahlia

Dahlias come in a wide variety of colors. I like many of the colors. It's the shape and look of this flower I enjoy the most.

2. Rhododendrons

I love the color variations for rhododendrons too... Plus, the fact that they grow on trees/shrubs, which grow very large.

3. Ranunculos

The variety of colors and the interesting texture of ranunculos are what make it a winner!!

4. Orchid

I simply adore all orchids, but Oncidium Sharry Baby orchid really stands out as it smells like chocolate!!

5. Peony

Again, I love all the color variations and the texture for peonies.

6. Lotus

I love the symbolism of the lotus - purity, rebirth, strength, and spiritual enlightenment.

7. Camellia

I love the various colors of camellia flowers.

8. Canna & Calla Lillies

I have adored the look of both canna and calla lilies for decades. They are such beautiful flowers. Both types of lilies come in a wide variety of colors.

9 . Magnolia

The magnolia flower is another beautiful flower, which symbolizes dignity, beauty, nobility, and strength.

10. Ylang ylang

I love the smell of ylang ylang essential oil! Little did I know how beautiful the actual flowers are. Ylang ylang is a tropical flowering tree native to the Philippines.

Share your favorite flowers in the comment section below!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

And the Nobel Prize For Literature Goes to... Hungarian Writer, László Krasznahorkai

 

Congratulations to László Krasznahorkai on winning the 2025 Nobel Prize for Literature!!

I read an online article titled, 'Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai wins the Nobel Prize in literature' by Kostya Manenkov, Jill Lawless, and Mike Corder.

In the above mentioned article, I learned the following information:

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai, whose surreal and anarchic novels combine a bleak world view with mordant humor, won the Nobel Prize in literature Thursday for work the judges said upholds the power of art in the midst of “apocalyptic terror.”

The Nobel judges said the 71-year-old author, whose novels sometimes consist of just one long sentence, is “a great epic writer” whose work “is characterized by absurdism and grotesque excess.”

Frankly, I'd never even heard of László Krasznahorkai until this morning. So, I am curious to read one of his novels in the future. Have you read any of his novels before now? If so, what did you think of the novel?

Click on the very top link to read the full story about László Krasznahorkai winning the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Book Riot - What Books Do Readers Find Most Confusing?

 Yesterday, I came across an interesting article published on Book Riot's website titled, What Books Do Readers Find Most Confusing? by Kelly Jenson.

In the article, Kelly Jensen wrote the following:

To start, the team at Aura Print generated a seed list of titles from multiple sources, including the 100 bestselling books, as well as other resources like user-generated lists of “confusing books” and book-to-screen adaptation lists. They also sought titles that appeared among the best selling and highest rated in outlets like The New York Times, Amazon, and Goodreads. The team then searched each of those books on Goodreads and stuck to titles with 50,000 or more reviews. From there, they searched the reviews of each title for the word “confusing.” It’s a pretty straightforward methodology, focusing on reviews that readers write for themselves and for other book lovers on the site, if not all together the most scientific.

So what topped the list of most confusing books?

The most confusing book according to Goodreads users was Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. Over 8,000 of the reviews include the word “confusing” to describe their experience with the book.

Click on the top link to read the full article and to view which books made the list. I was surprised to find many classics made the list, like Little Women and Fahrenheit 451.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton made the list as well. I've read this novel and although I found it to be a unique read, it was difficult to keep track of the characters and the storyline.

Have you read any of the novels in the list of books seen in the above article? Did you find any of them confusing? Which other books would you add to the list of confusing books?

The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank

 

Yes, I realize it's a bit early for a Christmas themed read when Halloween hasn't even passed yet.

I was looking for a short and quick read and The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank fit the bill perfectly. I listened to the audio version of this novel, which was delightfully narrated by Celia Weston. You may recall that Celia Weston is the actress who played Jolene Hunnicutt on the television series, 'Alice'.

I enjoyed the storyline, pacing, and plot for this novella. It's a nice, lightweight read for the Christmas holidays. My only major complaint regarding The Christmas Pearl is that it could have had a bit more depth/development to it. But I think that would have required it to be a full length novel vs novella.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank from Chirp's website:

Theodora is the matriarch of a family that has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. While she’s finally gotten them all together in South Carolina to celebrate, this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey holidays of her childhood.

What happened to the days when Christmas meant tables groaning with home-cooked goodies, over-the-top decorations, and long chats in front of the fire with Pearl, her grandmother’s beloved housekeeper and closest confidante?

Luckily for Theodora, a special someone who heard her plea for help arrives, with pockets full of enough Gullah magic and common sense to make Theodora’s Christmas the love-filled miracle it’s meant to be.

I am giving The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite and delightfully narrated by Adepero Oduye.

I had seen the buzz for My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite online and also read a couple of blog reviews for this novel. So, I had an idea what this novel was about, but I wasn't sure if it would live up to the hype. 

Well, My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite exceeded my expectations. I really, really liked it! I loved the shorter chapters, the characters, and the storyline. The writing for My Sister, the Serial Killer packs a punch despite its short length. My only minor complaint is the ending of the novel, which leaves me wondering about its meaning. Otherwise, an enjoyable novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite from the Goodreads website:

A short, darkly funny hand grenade of a novel about a Nigerian woman whose younger sister has a very inconvenient habit of killing her boyfriends.

"Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer."

Korede is bitter. How could she not be? Her sister, Ayoola, is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola's third boyfriend in a row is dead.

Korede's practicality is the sisters' saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the trunk of her car is big enough for a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures of her dinner to Instagram when she should be mourning her "missing" boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.

Korede has long been in love with a kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where she works. She dreams of the day when he will realize she's exactly what he needs. But when he asks Korede for Ayoola's phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and how far she's willing to go to protect her.

Sharp as nails and full of deadpan wit, Oyinkan Braithwaite's deliciously deadly debut is as fun as it is frightening.

I am giving My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!

17th Annual Iowa City Book Festival -October 5 - 12, 2025

 

The University of Iowa is my alma mater and is located in Iowa City, Iowa. The Iowa City Book Festival did not exist during my time spent attending the University of Iowa or I would have gladly attended the festivities. 

One of these days, I'd love to return to Iowa City and not only revisit the campus and all my favorite spots around Iowa City, but I'd also love to attend the Iowa City Book Festival.

Below is more information about the Iowa City Book Festival from their website:

WELCOME TO IOWA CITY! The 17th annual Iowa City Book Festival will be held Oct. 5-12, 2025, at locations throughout downtown and beyond. It will showcase a dynamic mix of original events and collaborative programs with partner organizations, all celebrating the power of the written word and the exchange of ideas.

The Iowa City Book Festival is organized by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, a nonprofit 501(c)3 that manages the Iowa City area’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. The City of Literature works to advance its mission of celebrating and supporting literature on a local, regional, national, and international level, connecting readers and writers through the power of story.

The line up of events for this year's book festival looks great! Authors, John Scalzi, Patricia Lockwood, Jennifer Fawcett, and Tatiana Schlote-Bonne will be speaking at the Iowa City Book Festival this year. I'd love to hear each of them speak about their new books.

Director of Eisenhower Library in Kansas Ousted After Refusing to Give Trump Administration a Sword

I am tired of the Trump Administration's bullying!! It seems like every time you turn around someone is being called out by President Trump for being a bad person and/or fired for no good reason.

Case in point, I recently read an article titled, 'Director of Eisenhower Library in Kansas ousted after refusing to give Trump administration a sword' by Zane Irwin. 

In the article, I learned that Todd Arrington, the "director of the  [Eisenhower] presidential library and museum in Abilene, Kansas, said he was suddenly told to resign or be fired."

I also learned the following information from the above mentioned article:

Todd Arrington’s resignation came shortly after Arrington refused to relinquish one of President Eisenhower’s swords from the museum’s collection. President Trump’s administration wanted to give one of the artifacts as a gift to King Charles III on Trump’s most recent state visit to the United Kingdom.

Arrington said his direct superior informed him on Monday evening that he would be asked to resign. The supervisor, who Arrington declined to name, said he was passing down orders from unknown higher-ups.

All Arrington heard is that he “could no longer be trusted with confidential information” due to conduct related to the sword disagreement.

“I was obviously shocked and saddened and heartbroken,” Arrington said in an interview with the Kansas News Service. “I have almost 30 years of government service. I've never had a bad mark against me.”

The National Archives and Records Administration, which operates presidential libraries like Eisenhower’s, replied to a Kansas News Service inquiry with an automated message that said it was closed due to the U.S. government shutdown that began Wednesday. The White House Press Office sent a similar message.

Click on the first link above to read the full news story. 

I feel like I am living in a fascist/authoritarian regime right now when I read articles like the one cited above. How dare Trump request a sword from a presidential library to give as a gift to King Charles III... And then proceed to fire Todd Arrington for not relinquishing the sword to him!!

Celebrate Banned Books Week - Read For Your Rights!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle

 

I've had Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle in my 'tbr' pile for 15.5 years now and FINALLY listened to the unabridged audio version this year. 

In all honesty, I'm not sure why it took me so long to finally read this novel as it was a novel I'd wanted to read for several reasons. I love historical fiction. Especially, historical fiction novels that feature famous people from real life in them. 

Additionally, I lived in the Santa Barbara, California area for 16 years. Riven Rock is a real life place and located in the super, affluent area of Santa Barbara known as Montecito. Riven Rock was the former 84-acre estate once owned by the McCormick Family of the International Harvester fame. The estate was eventually sold off and subdivided. 

As a side note, it is my understanding that Prince Harry and his family now live in a home, which is currently located on the grounds of the old Riven Rock Estate. Click on the above highlighted link for Riven Rock to read the full history of the Riven Rock Estate on Wikipedia.

As far as the novel goes, Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle was horrible, in my opinion. Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle was a complete let down and waste of my time. I found it to be extremely boring, very long and drawn out as the listening time for Riven Rock was 20 hours, 23 minutes. 

I thought the two main characters were going to solely be Stanley McCormick and his wife, Katherine Dexter McCormick... And that the rest of the characters would be secondary ones... But I was wrong! Yes, they were the main characters, but they also shared the limelight with Eddie O'Kane, Stanley's alcoholic, womanizing male nurse. There was too much focus on Eddie O'Kane's life as a byline in Riven Rock, which I personally didn't enjoy.

Lastly, the narration for Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle, wasn't my favorite either.

I didn't like the storyline, characters, writing, or pacing for Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle.

The following is the publisher's summary for Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle from Chirp's website:

T. C. Boyle's seventh novel transforms two characters straight out of history into rich mythic figures whose tortured love story is as heartbreaking as it is hilarious. It is the dawn of the twentieth century when the beautiful, budding feminist Katherine Dexter falls in love with Stanley McCormick, son of a millionaire inventor. The two wed, but before the marriage is consummated, Stanley experiences a nervous breakdown and is diagnosed as a schizophrenic sex maniac. Locked up for the rest of his life at Riven Rock, the family's California mansion, Stanley is treated by a series of confident doctors determined to cure him. But his true salvation lies with Katherine who, throughout her career as a scientist and suffragette, continues a patient vigil from beyond the walls of Riven Rock, never losing hope that one day Stanley will be healed.

Blending social history with some of the most deliciously dark humor ever written, Boyle employs his hallmark virtuoso prose to tell the story of America's age of innocence—and of a love affair that is as extraordinary as it is unforgettable.

I am giving Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle a rating of 1 star out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!