Walking Wednesday April 15, 2026

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We’ve been everywhere lately. We’ve done six college tours, countless field hockey and lacrosse games and tournaments, plus family walks in the last two weeks. I have the step count to prove it.

I’m looking forward to getting back to my strolls through my neighborhood with my audiobooks. Right now I’m listening to Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park. It’s a good counterpoint to the Little House on the Prairie books.

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Show Us Your Books April 2026

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March was a upside down month, but looking back I read some good books. One of my reading groups was reading from Northern Ireland and that led to some good reads. I also finally read a few ARCs I had lingering on my kindle. Here are some brief reviews of the best of the best from March 2026.

Four and Five Star Reads From March (In No Particular Order)

Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose - Stephen Ambrose focused on the adventure of the mission and it was a thrilling take (though complicated from a modern lens.) Fair warning the end of this book is completely heartbreaking.

Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptise Andrea - I started this book way back in December, but it’s such a hug in a book I just didn’t want it to end. If you love art and historical fiction you should read this book about Mimo, an Italian sculptor, and the love of his life Viola. Beyond that it’s hard to explain. (I got an ARC from NetGalley and I am very late in reviewing it.)

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe - I’m amazed that I knew so little about this period of time. This book was extremely compelling and meticulously researched. Great on audio too. By the end I didn’t really know who was good and who was bad, but my heart broke for the kids.

The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty - I liked this a lot. A Catholic police officer during The Troubles in Northern Ireland tries to solve a gruesome murder. So many twists and turns. Happy to see it’s a series.

Wild Swans by Jung Chang - Anyone who wants a revolution or who idolizes any political figure should read this book.

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny - This was a great thriller from Louise Penny and Melissa Fung. From Washington, DC and Akron, Ohio to China and Taiwan my head was spinning trying to figure out how everything would get resolved. Highly recommend for fans of political thrillers and the Gamache series. (This comes out on May 12. I got an ARC from NetGalley.)

The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon - This was so much fun to listen to while I did my chores. I really enjoyed the audiobook even if I didn’t look at the PDF once!

Have a great month everyone!

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Walking Wednesday April 1, 2026

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Can we just all agree this year has been enough of a joke, and we don’t need to try and fool each other?

Anyway, it’s undeniable that this is the best time of year to walk in the DC area. We just have flowers everywhere. Even the weeds are gorgeous this time of year.

I’m rushing to listen to Katabasis before the library takes it back. Yes, another long book!

My April TBR

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March Beginning TBR: 502
March Ending TBR: 521
(Not a good sign going into summer reading season, but can I help it of people keep writing books?)

My reading has slowed down this year, but I’m hoping with the better weather and the return of porch reading season things will pick up again. Concentration issues are a problem too, but I just need to keep reminding myself that the world is going to keep turning no matter if I’m watching it or not. It’s a rough time. I’m hoping books will keep me sane.

I’m looking forward to my April list. I’m going to try to get through a bunch of books I’ve had on my shelves (physical and virtual) forever. A bit of spring cleaning if you will. We have a trip planned so I’m hopeful I can get my mojo back.

My April TBR

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt

How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

My Fourth Time, We Drowned by Sally Hayden

The Fatal Unpleasantness and Netherfield by Claudia Gray

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny

The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub

At Wits’ End by Kiersten Weiss

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

The Clue of the Velvet Mask by Carolyn Keene

The Price of Greatness by Jay Cost

Nothing To Envy by Barbara Demick

The Bone Seeker by M.J. McGrath

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

A Perfect Union by Catherine Allgor

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Bamboo and Blood by James Church

Happy reading!

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On My Nightstand March 28, 2026

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cherry blossom time!

Another busy week here. Looking at the calendar it will stay that way until graduation. I hope my brain can stay calm enough to read.

It’s almost midnight as I write this, and I just got back from dropping a car full of teens off. I’m still a little wired from being out so late so I think I will catch up on my chapter a day classic reads before I go to bed. Maybe a late night snack too?

Quote of the week

“Life is choice. All day, everyday. Who we talk to, where we sit, what we say, how we say it. And our lives become defined by our choices. It’s as simple and as complex as that. And as powerful. so when I’m observing that’s what I’m watching for. The choices people make.”
— Still Life by Louise Penny

catching up on some reading and journaling

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I’m about to start Unshakable by Fr. Mike Schmitz as this year’s Easter Read.

Audiobook - I’ve got another long one- Wild Swans by Jung Chang. I started it on paper, but it was taking me too long to get through so I switched to audio so I could multi task.

Paper Book - I’m trying to finish Heaven’s Keep by William Kent Krueger before the library repossess my car or something. Paper books have just been so slow going for me lately.

lunch and a book on a warm day

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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Walking Wednesday March 25, 2026

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Spring walks mean wildlife and flowers! I love this time of year when fast growing flowers mean something new to see almost every day.

I’m listening to Fingersmith this week. I read somewhere it’s based on Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

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On My Nightstand March 21, 2026

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flowers just before the rain (Asheville, nc)

Spring is official now! I still haven’t put my winter clothes away though. We’ve been touring colleges and getting ready for a French student to come stay with us. There’s so much going on! My audiobook consumption is still outpacing my physical book consumption by a lot.

Quote of the week

“All human wisdom is contained in these two words - Wait and Hope”
— The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

PJs and book all laid out on a busy day

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I have the ARC of The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung.

Audiobook - I’m in the middle of the very long Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose.

Paper Book - I’m still reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang. I picked so many long books this month!

morning skies

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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Walking Wednesday March 18, 2026

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Mid-March already, wow. This month is flying and it’s only going to go faster as my son finishes his senior year. Thank goodness I have my walks to keep me sane.

This week I have a bunch of middle grade books downloaded to keep my ears happy. I’m starting with Secrets of The Purple Pearl by Kate McKinnon. I loved the first in this series and grabbed the second from the library as soon as I could.

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Show Us Your Books March 2026

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February is a short month, but the cold nights make for great reading. Here’s the best of the best of the books I read last month.

Four and Five Star Reads From February 2026

King Sorrow by Joe Hill — I absolutely loved this book. It was long, but I could have definitely kept reading. I loved the characters even the evil ones. Just so good.

Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor — I enjoyed this book about an isolated community off the coast of Wales just before WWII. The audiobook was excellent and really added to the sense of time and place.

Stolen by Ann-Helen Laestadius — When she was 9 a young Sami girl witnessed someone illegally butchering her reindeer when she was skiing at night. As the years go by and she devotes her life to her reindeer the crimes don’t stop and the police do nothing. This was a great winter read and gave good insight into life in Northern Sweden.

A Tender Struggle by Krista Bremer — I found this book to be well written and really relatable. A blonde American marries a Libyan ex-pat and they try to blend their lives in North Carolina. The author did a really good job of describing their struggles to blend their beliefs and raise their children but also shows how much they care for each other.

Have a great month everyone!

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On My Nightstand March 14, 2026

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snow on the flowers

There is so much going on good and bad I don’t even know what to say. Thank goodness I have my books to get me through. I have been flying through my audiobooks, and inching through my print and kindle books. Just that time of year I guess. Multitasking is the way to go when it gets like this.

Quote of the week

“For my private plans, I’ll keep them to myself; which is very easy, as at present I have none: no private life is permitted a man in my position, a man in debt.”
— Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

My growing nancy drew collection

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I just started The Director by Daniel Kehlmann. I have no idea what is going on but I like it.

Audiobook - I’m listening to Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe. It’s interesting but stressful.

Paper Book - I’m in the middle of a bunch, but the one that’s standing out right now is Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

a stack of books on every surface

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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Walking Wednesday March 4, 2026

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We’re having ALL the seasons here lately. Most of the snow has melted though and it’s been pretty easy to get outside. It just hasn’t been particularly pleasant. I have to force myself despite the blah weather because my neck problems get really bad when I don’t walk (as does my attitude if we’re being honest.)

This week I’m listening to The Last Emperor of Mexico by Edward Shawcross. It’s interesting so far!

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On My Nightstand February 28, 2026

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morning skies

I think we had all four seasons this week. It started with snow and ended with warm sun. Weather like this makes me unhappy with all my clothes because nothing seems right. So I think I will take myself thrifting tomorrow to see if I can find something that makes me happy. If I happen to end up at the store that has the huge selection of books? It can’t be helped.

Quote of the week

“Don’t mess with statistics.”
— Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

the birds are confused by this weather too

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I settled on Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptise Andrea. I have it as an ARC but it looks like it’s already been published. I really need to catch up.

Audiobook - I started The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald. These people are terrible for each other. I’ll finish but it feels like a train wreck I can’t look away from.

Paper Book - Still going with Heaven’s Keep by William Kent Kreuger. I’m hoping to finish this weekend. I like this series.

pretty kitty

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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On My Nightstand February 21, 2026

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Night walks have been very pleasant lately

Another week in the books. Somehow we persist. We had lacrosse tryouts and wisdom teeth surgery, and work commitments here in this house. Plus the start of Lent. Is it any wonder I’m feeling scattered? Sometimes I am way too hard on myself.

Quote of the week

“The alternative is resistance, but you’re too busy reading novels.”
— The Book Censor' Diary by Bothayna Al-Essa

cat naps

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Still working on my ARCs. I think I’ll pick a mystery this week.

Audiobook - I have When I’m Gone Look For Me In The East by Quan Barry going for my book club.

Paper Book - I just started Heaven’s Keep by William Kent Kreuger. I was mad at the previous book in this series, but I decided to keep going.

winter walks

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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Show Us Your Books February 2026

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February feels

January saw me reading all over the world. It makes sense- we were snowed in so I partook in some armchair travel. Reading stories set all over is my favorite thing so I’ll count this as a good reading month!

Four and Five Star Reads From January 2026

(in no particular order)

The Memoir of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller - Sven was a loner so arctic Norway suited him just fine. Eventually though people (and dogs) found their ways into his life. Sven was a great character and this book was perfect for winter reading. I‘m glad this came into my life when it did.

Eight Very Bad Nights Edited by Tod Goldberg - I love noir in the winter, and Hanukkah related noir at the beginning of the month made it extra fun. (Started in December but I’m slow.)

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - I read this because Sybil wrote to Ann Patchett about it in The Correspondent. I liked it. Somehow it was both slow and fast all at once with good complicated characters. I was a little bit torn about the ending but I guess it all made sense.

Slow Noodles by Chantha Nguon - This book from the survivor of the Cambodian genocide will stay with me for a long time. The recipe for making noodles in a refugee camp was gut wrenching from getting black market noodles to procuring water to cook them in. Everyone should read this.

Travels With George by Nathaniel Philbrick - George Washington meets Travels With Charley meets the life and times of Nathaniel Philbrick. I enjoyed learning about all 3. I also learned a few things about Alexandria, the town where I’ve lived for 20 years or so. I thought the reflections at the end were great and hopeful. Washington, Steinbeck, and Philbrick all had similar experiences when it came to everyday people.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - My first read of 2026.

I liked this, but found it a little depressing knowing the games would still be going on when Hamitch was a grown man. Very hopeless. Well written hopelessness though.

Have a great month everyone!

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On My Nightstand February 14, 2026

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winter sunrise

Happy Valentine’s Day if you’re into that. Happy Saturday if you’re not. The super busy end of year weekends seem to have started early this year, so I’m just hoping for some down time with my books and my cats. If not summer is only 126 days away.

Quote of the week

“I believe, in my heart, we were intended to prize life and enjoy it, so long as we retain it.”
— Shirley by Charlotte Bronte

snack and a book

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Still trying to get through my ARCs. This week it’s Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptiste Andrea.

Audiobook - I’m about to start something new. I have a few choices on Everand, but I haven’t decided yet.

Paper Book - Still working on Malinalli by Veronica Chapa. It’s good but slow.

my internet is misbehaving so i just need to keep this cat pic here i guess

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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On My Nightstand February 7, 2026

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well hello there

We’re starting to get back to normal here. Those who needed them are on the right meds for covid and the schools are open again in person for at least most of the day. (Full days next week PLEASE??) I’m actually looking forward to going back to my physical therapy tomorrow.

Quote of the week

“Did you really think you were the hero of this story?”
— Kind Sorrow by Joe Hill

she is always judging me

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I have an ARC for Death by Java by Alex Erickson.

Audiobook - I am making my way through the maze that is The Unveiling by Quan Barry.

Paper Book - I got a book called Malinalli by Veronica Chapa out from the library. It’s really different and interesting so far!

see?

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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My February 2026 TBR

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January Beginning TBR: 448
January Ending TBR: 502 (Hoping to get this under 500 by Feb. 28)

I’m just a few days late which isn’t bad after battling covid and snowcrete for the past couple of weeks. I fell behind on my ARCs late last year so I’m trying to get a few read this month. I also have a few challenges going on and am trying to read from the TOB Shortlist before the tournament happens in March.

My February TBR

The Director by Daniel Kehlmann

Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte

The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline

Deadly Appearances by Gail Bower

Malinalli by Veronica Chapa

Endling by Maria Reva

If You Love It, Let It Kill You by Hannah Pittard

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Death by Java by Alex Erickson

The Beautiful and the Damned F Scott Fitzgerald

Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

A Tender Struggle by Krista Bremer

The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman

Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptiste Andrea

When I’m Gone Look For Me In The East Quan Barry

Sea of Grass by Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty

First Family by Joseph J. Ellis

So Far Gone by Jess Walter

That’s all for this month. Happy reading everyone!

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On My Nightstand January 31, 2026

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cat model

Well the storm did materialize, and luckily we did keep our power. Unluckily covid is making rounds around our house which isn’t pleasant when you need to shovel every day. Things are looking up though, and this weekend’s storm will likely miss us. We’re all ready for things to go back to normal. Or as normal as things get these days.

Quote of the week

“There was a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued”
— Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

sunshine on snow

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I’m about to start Stolen by Ann-Helen Laestadius.

Audiobook - I was reading King Sorrow by Joe Hill on Everand when they abruptly took it off the platform! I got my credit back and was able to use a credit on another platform so I can start again this weekend. This wasn’t a pleasant development mid-shovel session though! Has this happened to anyone else?

Paper Book - Nothing at the moment. Kindle has just been easier lately.

the Potomac river a few hours before the storm

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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On My Nightstand January 24, 2026

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hiking along the potomac

We’re waiting to see if this giant storm actually materializes. Fingers crossed it’s enough to keep me in reading all weekend, but not so much that we lose power.

Quote of the week

“Every friendship is distinct. And, my dear Sven, allow me to say that if you never allow for the possibility that someone might care for you on your own merit, their way of demonstrating it will always feel unusual or inadequate.”
— The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller

dirty looks from the cat

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - We’re on Cambodia for #FoodAndLit this month so I’m reading Troubling The Water by Abby Seiff.

Audiobook - I started King Sorrow by Joe Hill. It’s SO GOOD!

Paper Book - Nothing yet. I’m thinking about South of Broad by Pat Conroy.

sheep!

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.