Shipwrecked!

It’s another summer filled with reading challenges! This summer I have been #Shipwrecked!

I was on a cruise, but unfortunately, I was thrown overboard. Thanks to years on swim lessons I was able to make it to an uninhabited island. In a strange turn of events the island has a cabin filled with books. Here’s a list of 30 that I’m interested in. It’s my partner’s job to pick 5 for me to read while I wait to be rescued.

(Click on the titles to go to bookshop.org and see what they’re about!)

1) The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage

2) A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

3) AI Valley by Gary Rivlin

4) The Palace At The End of the Sea by Simon Tolkien

5) Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore

6) The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese

7) Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

8) Abscond by Abraham Verghese

9) Heart Lamp by Banu Mashtaq

10) American Royals by Katherine McGee

11) Lift by Kelly Corrigan

12) The Supper Club Saints by Claire Swinarski

13) Flamingo Fatale by Jimmie Ruth Evans

14) The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield Claudia Gray

15) The Foursome Christina Baker Kline

16) American Rambler Issac Fitzgerald

17) Cherry Baby Rainbow Rowell

18) The List of Suspicious Things Jennie Godfrey

19) The Jills Karen Parkman

20) The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai

21) Flashlight by Susan Choi

22) Go Gentle by Maria Semple

23) Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

24) Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

25) The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian

26) Endling by Maria Reva

27) Murder by the Book by M.R.G. Davies

28) A Bad, Bad Place by Frances Crawford

29) Monsters in the Archives by Caroline Bicks

30) Where The Sea Lavender Grows by Kitty Johnson

On My Nightstand May 16, 2026

roses from the garden

BREAKING NEWS: I actually calmed down and read all of the books I wanted to read last week. Very exciting. Hopefully this trend continues because even though my reading has slowed down my kindle deals and library check outs have not! It’s supposed to be really hot next week (after being in the 50’s this week) so I’m planning on porch reading nights as often as I can.

Quote of the week

“I took the trouble this morning to call on the pretended count- if he were a real count he wouldn’t be so rich.”

— The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

yard reading

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Another goofy cozy from my kindle- Dirty Water: A Red Sox Mystery.

Audiobook - It’s time for James Monroe in my one president a month buddy read group. I picked James Monroe: A Life by Tim McGrath.

Paper Book - I found a copy of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt in a Little Free Library up the street and can’t wait to dive in.

library haul

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

On My Nightstand April 25, 2026

It’s still spring but the skies are starting to look like summer

The weather has been wild, but I have gotten some good porch reading sessions in. It’s been helping in my quest to actually read books and not scroll social media.

Quote of the week

“All human wisdom is contained in these two words - Wait and Hope”

— The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

books + ice cream = summer

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Still going on The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. It’s so good, just long! I really picked some chunksters this year.

Audiobook - I am cracking up at Secrets of the Purple Pearl by Kate McKinnon. This series is great for audio walking.

Paper Book - I’m about to start Bamboo and Blood by James Church. It’s from a mystery series set in North Korea.

what is up with this cat

Hang in there everyone, and happy reading.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

On My Nightstand April 18, 2026

i love to read under this apple tree when it is in bloom

I was looking at my March stats and it was really heavy on audiobooks. So my goal in April is to read more while sitting on my butt - either in print or on kindle!

Quote of the week

“I had never imagined I would have to explain the significance of chocolate bunnies that laid caramel eggs in nests of shredded green plastic each Easter...”

— A Tender Struggle by Krista Bremer

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - I finally started The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. I’m looking forward to long spring evenings on my porch with this one.

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

Walking Wednesday April 15, 2026

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.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Show Us Your Books April 2026

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!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post will be linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

Walking Wednesday April 1, 2026

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

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

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

Walking Wednesday March 25, 2026

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.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

On My Nightstand March 21, 2026

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

Walking Wednesday March 18, 2026

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.

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Show Us Your Books March 2026

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!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post will be linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

On My Nightstand March 14, 2026

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

Walking Wednesday March 4, 2026

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

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

On My Nightstand February 21, 2026

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

Show Us Your Books February 2026

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!

Note: Links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This post will be linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

On My Nightstand February 14, 2026

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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

On My Nightstand February 7, 2026

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.

Note: links to bookshop.org are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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