Check Out the Psychology Behind Reading Several Books at Once!

 

I usually read several books at a time. I fall into categories one and two. What about you? Do you read multiple books at once? If so, which category do you fall into?

Top Ten Tuesday - New to Me Authors I Discovered 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.

Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to read several books by new to me authors. Below are the top ten authors whom I enjoyed reading books written by the most in 2025.

1. Samantha Hunt

2. Erle Stanley Gardner

3. Ekwaeke Emezi

4. R. J. Palacio

5. Charlotte McConaghy

6. Hilary Green

7. Patti Callahan

8. Juliet Blackwell

9. Marie Benedict

10. Oyinkan Braithwaite

Which authors topped your list of new to you authors in 2025?

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is my second read of 2026! I listened to the unabridged audio version of this novel through Hoopla for a book club pick later on this month. 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is a long listen at 16 hours, 15 minutes, which is very nicely narrated by Moira Quick.

Normally, I don't gravitate towards reading science fiction or fantasy reads. They're usually not my thing. However, this year, I decided to join a book club, which meets monthly and Gideon the Ninth was this month's pick to read and discuss.

There are pros and cons for for me in terms of Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. 

I loved the world building and the mystery involved in this novel. The writing is good overall. The narration for the audio edition is excellent. I also enjoyed the snarkiness of the leading character, Gideon. 

I disliked the fact that it was initially difficult for me to get onto this novel for two reasons. Reason one is that there were so many characters with odd names to keep track of and they had nicknames or were called by different names throughout the novel, that trying to keep track of who was who was a chore. At the start of the audiobook edition, there is a list of characters and who they are, but this is not easy to refer like it would be in a physical book or ebook. Additionally, I found it difficult initially to figure out the storyline for this science fiction/fantasy read, which was kind of a turn off for me. It wasn't until several chapters in when the storyline FINALLY became interesting to me.

Below is the publisher's summary for Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir from Chirp's website:

The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense. Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy. Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die. Of course, some things are better left dead.

I am giving Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir is the first novel in the 'Locked Tomb' series. I will be skipping the rest of the novels in the series. It's a great read if you like great world building, mystery, fantasy or science fiction books. There just is not strong desire for me to finish this series.

Until my next post, happy reading!

MORE NEW TO ME LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES IN LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA!! ROUND TWO!!

Once again, my husband and I found ourselves in Livermore, California this weekend. 

We found five new to us Little Free Libraries while in Livermore yesterday. We could have found more of them, but it was starting to grow darker and colder. We stopped for the evening and enjoyed an early dinner.

We only left and took books from three of the five Little Free Libraries we found this weekend.

Below are our latest Little Free Library finds. Enjoy!!

This LFL seems to be popular with Bookcrossers.

This LFL is cute!

This LFL is cute and had dog treats and a water bowl for dog walkers. Only books for children.

Another cute LFL with nice landscaping surrounding it.

A very small LFL!! Nothing interesting in terms of books to bring home with me.

Have you found any Little Free Libraries lately?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Seven New to Me Little Free Libraries in Livermore, California!!

This was the 1st LFL we found. It had a ton of books, but none that I wanted.

 

This LFL was pretty picked over and had mostly books for kids.

I found 3 books from this LFL to take home with me and left 3 books inside.

This was the last LFL find for the day. Cute, there were no books I wanted.

This was my favorite LFL find for the day! So unique!

This is one of the smallest LFLs I've encountered.

I love seeing repurposed objects being used as LFLs! This one was messy inside though.

Over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, my husband and I found seven new to us Little Free Libraries in Livermore, California!! 

We've found plenty of Little Free Libraries in Livermore over the years the past 12 years (approximately 19 of them). There are still plenty of Little Free Libraries we haven't visited yet in Livermore, California.

So many Little Libraries to find, so little time it seems to find more!! 

Earlier this month, I revisited two local LFLs and  dropped off books for other to find.

Top Ten Tuesday - Bookish Goals For 2026

 

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 my ten bookish goals for 2026!!

1. Read 52 books (or more) in 2026!!

I read 83 books in 2025, so I should be able to reach this reading goal.

2. Join and participate in a book club this year

I've taken part in various book clubs over the years, but I have never participated in one long term.

The good news is that I have signed up to participate in a book club through my local public library, which occurs on a monthly basis. I hope to enjoy both the novels featured for this book club and also the people I will be interacting with during the book.

3. Make more use of the services provided by the public library

I've signed up for both Kanopy and Hoopla. I look forward to using both programs to watch movies and read or listen to books. In fact, I will be listening to the audio version of the book selected for the public library book club I will be attending. I am already using Kanopy, but would like to make more use of it more in 2026.

4. Read twelve physical books from my 'tbr' pile

I have plenty of digital books in the form of ebooks and audiobooks. But it is time I return to reading and move some of my physical books along by leaving them inside various Little Free Libraries.

5. Knit either a genre snake or genre baby blanket

Okay, here's the explanation for number five. I am an avid knitter as well as an avid reader. So, I would like to combine my two favorite hobbies in a meaningful way.. Based on the various genres I read last year in 2025, I would like to knit either a striped snake plushie using different colors to represent the various genres I read in 2025. Or knit a striped baby blanket using different colors to represent the various genres I read for this blanket. Which idea sounds more appealing - a  snake plushie or a baby blanket?

6. Buddy read in February 2026

I have paired up to read Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates with another avid reader! This will be my first time doing a buddy read. I look forward to reading a book with another person and discussing the book as we read it. I'd love to have another book buddy lined up later in the year!

7. Learn skills to create a podcast

It's been a dream of mine to start a bookish podcast and grow my audience in a different way. Our public library had offered a six-week podcast essentials workshop later this year, but it has been cancelled. So, now I will be looking into other options.

8. Social Media Ambassador for our public library

On New Year's Eve, I signed up to be a Social Media Ambassador for our public library!! It will be a low key way to help promote our public library by sharing what I love about the public library itself, promote library events, and so on. I am excited about participating and promoting our public library.

9. Create an Online Book Group/Club

I am not sure how this would/will play out exactly quite yet. This online book group/club would be a focused/themed club in terms of topic. Ideas include reading all Joyce Carol Oates novels, historical fiction novels, cozy mystery novels, The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, the Perry Mason series of novels by Erle Stanley Gardner, indie published books, etc.  Or something similar.

Is anyone interested in this type of small group reading club?

10. Attend an in person author event

Prior to the pandemic, I use to attend live author events and book festivals regularly until the pandemic hit. Now all the author events I've attended have been virtual ones. I'd like to start attending author events again in person this year. Granted, they'd have to be ones I am interested in attending.

What are your bookish goals in 2026?

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!!

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. today and always. I really enjoyed reading and highly recommend reading Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Here's what I really enjoyed learning about over the course of reading Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.:

* Learn the Civil Rights Movement through Martin Luther King Jr.'s words and perspective.
* Read a detailed history of the Civil Rights Movement with special emphasis on Birmingham, Alabama, which in 1963 was the most racially segregated city in the USA at the time.
* MLK, Jr. goes on to describe why 1963 was the right time for the 'Negro Revolution' to begin and he also emphasized why the Birmingham Campaign was the perfect starting point for this revolution.
* MLK, Jr. also describe's what direct nonviolent action is, why it was used, and why it is so powerful.
* Read MLK's letter from jail in Birmingham, Alabama, which was his response to a published statement by eight clergymen who felt King's activities at the time were 'unwise and untimely'. Not everyone agreed with how to proceed/move forward, which is also discussed in the book
* MLK, Jr. emphasized 'Why We Can't Wait' was so important.
* The afterward by Jesse L. Jackson was also worth the read as well.
* And so much more!

I really learned so much through reading Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr. The information I've learned through reading Why We Can't Wait has only enriched my understanding of American history as it pertains to the Civil Rights Movement.

Click on the above link to read my full review for Why We Can't Wait.

Happy National Thesaurus Day!!

 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

RIP - Scott Adams

Last November, I blogged about Scott Adams having metastatic prostate cancer. This morning I learned that he passed away today.

This morning, I came across an NPR article titled, Scott Adams, the controversial cartoonist behind 'Dilbert,' dies at 68 by Rachel Treisman. Rachel Treisman wrote the following:

Scott Adams, the controversial cartoonist who skewered corporate culture, has died at age 68, He announced in May 2025 that he had metastatic prostate cancer and only months to live.

Months later, in November, Adams took to X to request — and receive — some very public help from President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in addressing health insurance issues that had delayed his treatment with an FDA-approved cancer drug called Pluvicto.

Adams said he was able to book an appointment the next day. Despite the Trump administration's public intervention, Adams shared on his YouTube show in early January 2026 that "the odds of me recovering are essentially zero."

Adams' former wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death Tuesday during a YouTube livestream, and then read a statement from Adams who said, "I had an amazing life. I gave it everything I had. If you got any benefits from my life, I ask you pay it forward as best you can."

Rachel Treisman writes quite an in-depth article about the life of Scott Adams. Click on the top link to read the full obituary.

The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney

I received an ARC/pdf version for The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney for FREE from Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.

The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney is a work of historical fiction and it also falls into the mystery genre as well. The release date for The Green Baize Door is on January 27, 2026. 

I am a fan of historical fiction novels and also mystery novels, which is why I was drawn to The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney as this novel falls into both genres equally. 

Eleanor Birney is a new to me author. What better way to explore a new to me author than by reading the ARC edition for FREE to see how I enjoy their writing?

I was hoping for more when it came to The Green Baize Door. I was drawn to this novel's cover, the storyline, the fact that it has a female leading character, and the genres it falls into. However, I found the first 30% of this novel to be kind of boring after the first chapter or two, which made me not want to continue reading it. I'm glad that I did finish reading The Green Baize Door as the storyline did pick up and become more engaging and continued to be more captivating as the story moved along.

I enjoyed the characters of both James Lett and Marie Chevalier. I didn't expect the murderer to be the person revealed at the end of the novel!! 

The writing was good overall for The Green Baize Door, but I won't go out of my way to read another novel by Eleanor Birney.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney, which I discovered on Amazon's website:

An atmospheric historical mystery where every character has their own agenda, and their own truth.

In the fashionable mansions on Chestnut Hill, a simple green baize door separates the masters’ world from the servants’. That door is thrown wide when an elderly housekeeper is found brutally murdered on the first day of the new century. Marie Chevalier, the housekeeper’s poor but ambitious granddaughter, and James Lett, the mansion owner’s kind but indolent son, suspect the killer is connected to one of their families—but which one?

From drawing rooms to alleyways, their separate investigations lead them through the sometimes lavish, sometimes brutal, landscape of turn-of-the-century New England. When long-buried secrets begin to unravel the fragile threads that hold both households together, Marie and James must find a way to bridge the gulf between them—if only to prove that the murderer belongs not to their own world, but to that strange and foreign land on the other side of the green baize door.Inspired by real-life events, The Green Baize Door is a richly layered historical mystery that explores themes of class identity, family loyalty, and the sometimes blurry line between virtue and vice.

I am giving The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney a rating of 3 stars out of 5 Stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

NASA Permanently Shuts Down Its Largest Research Library!!

 

What the everliving HECK? I am not onboard with this news at all!! Yes, I understand the need to save money on the annual cost to run  NASA's Goddard Library and the additional money needed for repairs to fix issues and the continued upkeep of such a massive library.... But isn't the expense worth it for this unique library for the future of space travel, sending telescopes into space, the development of rockets, and so on? It's not like there isn't a future for exploration outside our planet. The information provided within Goddard Library is valuable for researchers, students, historians, and more.

Additionally, there is so much material that hasn't even been digitized from the Goddard Library for future reference to be used in aiding scientists and engineers!  Goddard Library has materials which came from the former Soviet Union space program. It feels like we're erasing history by not keeping and maintaining this library's physical presence. We do not want to lose valuable material that will help future space programs.

I am fine with the concept of digitizing scientific materials for onsite and online research purposes. But I also overwhelmingly feel there is a need for the balance between digital and analog resources. Why not have both a physical and digital presence with regards to NASA's Goddard Library?

What are your thoughts regarding the shutdown of NASA's Goddard Library?

7 Libraries Set Inside UNESCO World Heritage Sites!!

After coming across an article on the Conde Nast Travel website titled, 7 Libraries Set Inside UNESCO World Heritage Sites by Navya Verma, I now I want to visit these unique libraries and see them for myself!

In the article, Navya Verma wrote the following:

For book lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and travelers who read a place through its past, some libraries offer more than quiet rooms lined with manuscripts. A rare few are set within UNESCO World Heritage Sites—meaning that whether they are perched on hillsides, embedded in historic city centers, or surrounded by forested mountains, they show how knowledge has been shaped, stored, and protected across centuries. From monastic scriptoria and Renaissance design experiments to purpose-built repositories for sacred texts, each space reflects the intellectual and cultural priorities of its time. Below are seven stunning libraries housed within UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from Portugal to South Korea and beyond.

Check to see which libraries made the list by clicking on the above link. 

I Finally Signed Up For Hoopla Account With My Public Library Card!!

 

In an effort to start using more of the services/products provided by our public library system, I signed up for a Hoopla account at the end of December 2025!

I look forward to using the Hoopla benefits in 2026. In fact, I already have an audiobook lined up for later on this month. The benefits for Hoopla are described below (information provided from the Hoopla website):

Your public library at your fingertips.

Borrow and enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines, or music everywhere you have a screen-your computer, your phone, your car, even your TV. All you need is a library card. hoopla syncs across all your devices, so you can stream titles immediately or whenever you're in the mood. Most titles can also be downloaded to your phone or tablet. hoopla offers more content, in more places, than any other digital library platform and it's all FREE thanks to your public library! Titles may vary based on library catalog.

Is anyone else using Hoopla's services? If so, how do you like using Hoopla?

Top Ten Tuesday - Best Books I 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.

I read 83 books in 2025. I surpassed my goal of reading 52 books this years. I gave a lot of both 5 star book reviews and 4 star book reviews this year. So, I had a difficult time narrowing down my choices for this post with all the great books I read in 2025! Sure, I read some stinkers, but overall a great year in reading.

I've included both fiction and nonfiction books on my list of best reads for 2026. You'll also see my rating for each book and also whether it is fiction or nonfiction below. 

I've added a link to each review should you care to read my thoughts for each book.

1. The Seas by Samantha Hunt (fiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

2.  Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (fiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

3. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (fiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

4. Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants by Fez Inkwright (nonfiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

5. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron (nonfiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

6. The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner (fiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

7. Millionaire Mission: A 9-Step System to Level Up Your Finances and Build Wealth by Brian Preston (nonfiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

8. Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue (fiction 4.5 stars out of 5 stars)

9. The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul (nonfiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

10.  Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (fiction 5 stars out of 5 stars)

Have you read any of these books?

20 Must-Read Books by Filipino and Filipino American Authors

I am always on the look out for new to me books to read by Filipino and Filipino-American writers as my husband was born in the Philippines. 

I recently came across the following online article from Penguin Random House Books titles, Must-Read Books by Filipino and Filipino American Authors. 

I've already read Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn more than a decade ago. I also have several other books listed in the above article on my reading wishlist. 

I thought I'd share this post with others looking to read books by Filipino and Filipino-American writers.

Mass Market Books Are Disappearing!

I came across an interesting piece on NPR titled,  Mass-market books are disappearing from grocery store racks. It's an interesting piece, which I enjoyed listening to about the publishing industry and how book size has evolved.

As a youngster, I remember mass market books were the norm and trade paperback were definitely not a thing from what I recall.

Then things changed in the publishing industry when they flooded the market with trade paperbacks! 

I actually prefer mass market paperbacks to trade paperbacks as they are more portable to bring with you than trade paperbacks. So, what's your take? Which format do you prefer - mass market paperbacks to trade paperbacks?

Click on the above link to listen to the NPR story. It's roughly a 5 minutes listen.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

I signed up to be a Social Media Ambassador for my Public Library!

I received an email from my county's public library recently asking for Social Media Ambassadors. Curious about what the role of a Social Media Ambassador entails, I looked into the program and have decided to become a Social Media Ambassador for my public library! 

Below is a description of what is being asked of Social Media Ambassadors for my public library entails.

Social Media Ambassadors

You can support public relations at the Library from the comfort of your home by volunteering as a Social Media Ambassador. You can help the Library extend its reach into the community and raise awareness of library collections, resources and programs at the same time.

No application is required. Simply sign up to receive Social Media Ambassador emails. They'll come once or twice a month. Each email will include information about library initiatives and topics. Ambassadors will be asked to post about the Library in their own words and to share stories about what they love about the Library – maybe an upcoming event, a recent blog post, a favorite branch or what they’re reading or watching. The Library is looking for ambassadors on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Nextdoor.

What Social Media Ambassadors Will Do

Add the Library on your favorite social media platforms and tag the Library in your posts
Share, like, and comment on Contra Costa County Library’s posts to help the library stay visible in the community
Tell your stories about the Library and use social media to tell the world what you love about the Library. Creativity is encouraged.

Participate as much or as little as you are able. Every post about the Library helps to grow a social media community.

Does your public library have a Social Media Ambassador program? If so, would you consider becoming a Social Media Ambassador?

Which Book Will Be Your First Read of 2026?

 

Last autumn, I received the free PDF version of The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney from BookSirens to read in exchange for an honest review. 

I need to have this novel read and reviewed towards the end of this month. So, this will be my first read for 2026.