On My Nightstand June 14, 2025

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I devoured Heartwood by Amity Gage this week, and now I have a book hangover. I have a feeling this weekend will be spent on magazines and short stories, because I’m still feeling all the feels.

School is out and my kids are taking a break from most sports this summer, so we have a slower pace for a few weeks. I plan on spending much quality time on the porch making up for my lost spring.

Quote of the week

“It wasn’t true that the pandemic had been easy for her. The word she refuses to use is “lonely.” A reader is never lonely.”
— Heartwood by Amity Gaige

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’ll probably go back to Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem and Across The Airless Wilds. But it’s also finally hot enough to read Emily Henry’s Great Big Beautiful Life.

Kindle - I’m working my way through Laura Lippman’s I’d Know You Anywhere for book club.

Audio - I switched from paper to audio for The Brothers K by David James Duncan.

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Show Us Your Books June 2025

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I spent most of my reading month of May either in the bleachers reading between games or listening to audiobooks in the car. Needless to say I’m pretty glad May is over. Lots of good stuff happened, but I am not cut out for that kind of pace. I’m more of make a lazy dinner then spend all night on the porch reading type of person. Yay summer! I did read a few gems though. The best of the best are listed below:

May 2025 4 and 5 Star Reads

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride - Wow, this book was something. The teenage experiences of two Black children living with depression, trauma, and being different all told in verse. Through it all fairy tales were woven in. I loved it.

Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga - A compelling book set in pre-genocide Rwanda. The tensions are there and you know what’s coming, but you can’t stop reading. I’m glad I read this.

Dr. No by Percival Everett - This book was wild. I think I might have to listen to it again to figure out what happened. It was funny though. The atheist priest had me rolling. I gave it 4 stars but they’re confused stars.

Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett - This book was a little bittersweet since it was written just before the Queen died. It’s such a fun series though with Her Majesty solving crimes without anyone knowing except her trusty assistant Rozie.

The Parrot and the Igloo by David Lipsky - This book was fascinating. The author thoroughly explained the history of climate science and what goes into the campaigns to discredit it. Everyone should read this.

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On My Nightstand June 7, 2025

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Another week of checking way too many books out of the library, and not reading any of them! This is the last really busy weekend, so hopefully I’ll get to some of them soon.

Quote of the week

“We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it, if it were not the earth where the same flowers come up again every spring that we used to gather with our tiny fingers as we sat lisping to ourselves on the grass, the same hips and haws on the autumn hedgerows, the same redbreasts that we used to call ‘God’s birds’ because they did no harm to the precious crops. What novelty is worth that sweet monotony where everything is known and loved because it is known?”
— The Mill On The Floss by George Elliot

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’m still working on Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem and Across The Airless Wilds. Hoping I get some long nights with these on the porch soon.

Kindle - I started the nap dream that is Audition by Katie Kitamura. What a ride!

Audio - I was lucky enough to get Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. Loving this.

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On My Nightstand May 31, 2025

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I’m looking forward to a weekend in the yard which means audiobooks! We got a massive amount of rain last night so the weeds will come out easily today. Can’t wait to get that done. I think I’ll be looking for a spot to plant some more veggie seeds too. This spring has been so cool I think I’m going to be able to get away with a few more weeks of beans.

Tomorrow starts a new month, but I’m still in the middle of about 5 May reads. Whatever, this is not my year to meet deadlines- even the fake reading deadlines I set for myself.

Quote of the week

“No one ever owns a cat...You share a common habitation on a basis of equal rights and mutual respect...although somehow the cat always comes out ahead in the deal.”
— The Cat Who Turned On and Off by Lilian Jackson Braun

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’m still working on Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem and Across The Airless Wilds. It’s going to take me a while, but it’s so worth the time.

Kindle - The Time In Between by Maria Duenas is just as good the second time as the first. I’m thinking I will finish this chunkster over the weekend.

Audio - I have a bunch of Stephen King books on the go. Right now I’m listening to The Dark Half (not sure if I read this when it first came out), then the new one, Never Flinch, and then finally a re-read of Firestarter. Stephen King books say summer to me.

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On My Nightstand May 24, 2025

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The calendar says it should feel like summer, but the weather says otherwise. I’m regretting that I put my winter clothes away. If you’re looking for me I’ll be under a blanket reading my books.

Quote of the week

“Let the world disapprove if we do what we know to be right; let us take no pride in society’s approval if it rises from that which we know to be wrong.”
— The Rushworth Family Plot Claudia Gray

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I’m still working on Earl Swift’s Chesapeake Requiem. Once I started I realized I also had his other book Across The Airless Wilds out from the library and I’ve been going back and forth between the two. I love his writing so much. Hoping to finish one or both this weekend.

Kindle - I’m planning on starting one of the two books I have about the Spanish Civil War this weekend - The Palace at the End of the Sea by Simon Tolkien and The Time In Between by Maria Duenas.

Audio - I’ve been listening to Dr No by Percival Everett. What a crazy ride.

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

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On My Nightstand May 16, 2025

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This school year is winding up with a bang! Prom is this weekend, plus the last of the league field hockey games, and year two of confirmation prep is almost done. I know I signed up to bring a bunch of different fruit trays to various places, so I need to sit down with my planner this weekend and figure that out. Grateful for Aldi and their wonderful fruit and veggie aisle.

I’m loving the extended evenings with light skies almost until my bed time. Reading on the porch to the sound of frogs signing is a balm in this fraught world.

Quote of the week

“She marveled briefly on how hard humans tried to shape the future, herself included, and how much it was really in the lap of the gods.”
— Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - I finally started Chesapeake Requiem by Earl Swift and it’s really good! Can’t wait to get back to it tonight.

Kindle - I’m working on another mystery - A Muddied Murder by Wendy Tyson.

Audio - Yesterday I started Entitlement by Rumaan Alam. It’s promising so far!

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

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On My Nightstand May 10, 2025

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All of my travels are over for now, so I’m hoping for good weather this weekend. I need to spend some quality time with my garden! I think I should be able to start picking peas and lettuce this weekend which is exciting. Some years it gets too hot before I even can pick those cool weather crops. The big bunny who visits my yard ate all of my cilantro and mint so at least he’s a bunny that enjoys flavor.

I’m excited for all of the summer reading lists coming soon. I also have my own list of books to read before I turn 50, and #CampLitsy on the Litsy app. Again, I ask if anyone knows of any jobs that will pay me to read all day?

Quote of the week

“Growing up may be the most remarkable thing that anybody ever does.”
— A Jane Austen Education by William Deresiewicz

Barnes and noble westport, ct

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper book - Trying to decide between Chesapeake Requiem by Earl Swift and Good Soil by Jeff Chu.

Kindle - I have Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett. I love these books, but they’re bitter sweet as the Queen gets older.

Audio - The Parrot and the Igloo by Dave Lipsky - This book is fascinating. I am really into it.

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

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My May TBR

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On My Nightstand August 24, 2024

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lets go freshmen!

We’re fully back to school now and sports are on every day. That means a lot of outside time for me, but also creating a schedule and sticking to it. Due to all that I’m exhausted, but in a good way. I’ve been mostly working from home this summer so we’ll see what heading back to the office does to all of this careful planning come September.

Reading wise I had been in a bit of a slump at the beginning of the month, but I can feel myself coming back now. I finished 3 books this week, and I’m hoping to do the same next week. I think I just had to give up on some of the books I wasn’t enjoying.

Quote of the week:

“Similarity of opinion is not always—I think not often—needed for fullness and perfection of love.”
— Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell - I’m reading this a chapter a day with a group on Litsy. It’s good so far! (And free on Kindle if you’re interested.)

Audiobook - Winds of the Steppe by Bernard Ollivier - This is the last of 3 books in Ollivier’s series about walking The Silk Road. They’re fascinating.

Print - An Unforgiving Place by Claire Kells - This is a fun series about law enforcement officers in the National Parks. This one takes place in Alaska.

It’s a standoff

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On My Nightstand August 18, 2024

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almost full moon

I know it’s gotten boring and people say this every month, but where did this month go? I can’t believe we’re more than halfway through August. Of all the fast months this year this has been the fastest.

We’re volunteering this morning, and then we’re going to see a movie for my birthday in the afternoon. School starts tomorrow, and the first field hockey games are Tuesday and Thursday. In between all that I plan on finding as much time as I can to read on my porch in between watching the moon and listening to baseball.

Quote of the week:

“It pays to do your best work even when you think there’s no point.”
— Pay Dirt by Sara Paretsky

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Pay Dirt by Sara Paretsky- This is the book I needed right now. I’ve been reading this series since I was in high school, and I love it. I was so excited when the e-book of the latest one came from the library, and I started it as soon as I could.

Audiobook - The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan - This was another very anticipated summer read for me, and so far it is not disappointing me.

Print - Tales From The Torrid Zone by Alexander Frater - I should probably give up on this one soon, but for now it’s what I’m reading when I’m sitting in my car.

Reading in the yard

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On My Nightstand August 10, 2024

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Clouds after debby

Hurricane Debby swept through here yesterday. It was a scary day with tornado and flash flood alerts going off. Luckily the damage here wasn’t too bad, and we got some much needed rain. I have to take the kids to get some back to school stuff this morning, but as soon as we get home I’m throwing on an audiobook and pulling every weed I see while the ground is soft. The things that make you happy in your 40’s!

I thought I was in a reading slump, but it turns out I just didn’t like what I was reading very much. So I bailed on a bunch of books last week and now I’m back on track. Whew!

Quote of the week:

“Rich people, thought Judy- she thought this the, and she thinks it now- generally become most enraged when they sense they’re about to be held accountable for their wrongs.”
— God of the Woods by Liz Moore

tropical downpours while reading the torrid zone

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Bear by Julia Phillips - I have peopley things to do this weekend, but really all I want to do is hide somewhere and read this book. At 17% it’s so good!

Audiobook - Walking to Samarkand by Bernard Ollivier - I am really enjoying this trilogy of travel memoirs about Ollivier’s walk along the Silk Road between 1999-2002.

Print - Tales From The Torrid Zone by Alexander Frater - Still reading this one bit by bit while I wait for field hockey practice to end. It’s perfect for dipping in and out of.

fresh figs from my tree

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On My Nightstand August 4, 2024

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national gallery of art

I worked this week, but I spent a few of the evenings visiting the local sights since my kids are out of town. They don’t love going to art museums or zoos with me, so I just go when they’re gone. Now the kids are back and we’re getting ready for fall sports next week. Summers never last as long as I think they will!

I also spent some time going through my reading plans for the rest of the year. I read quite a few new releases and ARCs this year which has been fun. However I am really behind in my reading goals. So I planned a way so that I can at least finish my Reading Oceania and Reading The USA challenges.

Quote of the week:

“I started doing several different breathing exercises at once that all canceled each other out.”
— All Fours by Miranda July

national botanical garden

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg - An ARC for a historical fiction book coming out in October.

Audiobook - The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty - I bought myself a paper copy of this last year for my birthday, but I realized I just find them much more enjoyable on audio. So I switched to audio but kept my copy of the beautiful book for my shelf.

Print - Tales From The Torrid Zone by Alexander Frater - This one will be with me for a while. I’m enjoying the travel memoir that takes place in various tropical countries, but it’s not something I can curl up with and read for hours.

the national zoo

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On My Nightstand July 28, 2024

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Waking up late today because I stayed up way too late last night watching the Olympics. This will be my life until mid-August. I can’t get enough!

I’ve been reading a lot too, and trying to finish up my July goals. I’m behind this month since we have been on the go so much, and my concentration has been terrible when I do get a minute. Oh well. It’s a hobby not a job. (Talking to myself here.)

Quote of the week:

““Guess what that old family named the house,” he said. “Give me a minute. I’m thinking,” said Delphine, seriously. And then she said: “Manderly.””
— The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells - An impulse read- I love books set in National Parks, and have been looking for something similar to Alice Henderson’s series.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - Listened to a bunch of things before the one thing I really wanted to listen to. This week!

Print - The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes - For a book club. I hope it’s a good one! I have a love/hate relationship with “required reading.”

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

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On My Nightstand July 21, 2024

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We just got back from my annual extended family vacation in New Hampshire. What a time. I am still processing. It’s an awesome thing to see children turn into adults and adults who should be slowing down decide they should do new things like zip lining. I am profoundly grateful for this time with my family. I am also profoundly grateful to be home with my books and my cats!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“both human nature and a pastry are frail...”
— All Fours by Miranda July

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Sandwich by Catherine Newman - Very timely to read this book about a woman on vacation with her kids and parents while on vacation with my kids and parents.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I never got to this last week, but am looking forward to it now. The Olympics start soon!

Print - I’m not sure! I finished My Own Country while I was away and aren’t sure what I’m in the mood for now! Picking out my next book is fun so I’m looking forward to deciding.

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

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On My Nightstand July 13, 2024

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It’s a busy morning. My daughter is on her way home from summer camp. Once we pick her up let the laundry begin!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“I hate estimable young men with brown eyes!”
— Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - Still working on this one. No reflection on the book, just hasn’t been a kindle type week.

Audiobook - The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen - I’ve been wanting to read this book about the Atlanta Olympics bombing for a while, and figured now is the time.

Print - My Own Country by Abraham Verghese - I absolutely love Verghese’s fiction. I’m happy to say his non-fiction is just as immersive. This is a memoir about his early days as a doctor during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.

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

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On My Nightstand July 6, 2024

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This week went by so fast! The weeks with days off always do. I’ve been trying to take advantage and read, but it’s so hot I’ve just been falling asleep a lot. I have also been distracted by season two of The Mole on Netflix. Nothing beats the original Anderson Cooper version, but these new ones are pretty good.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“From past investigations, Juliet had learned that few combinations were more delightful than investigations and scones.”
— The Perils of Lady Cathering de Bourgh by Claudia Gray

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart (ARC) - If this book is as good as the cover it will get a good review from me.

Audiobook - Claws for Concern by Miranda James - These cozies are nice light listens for my audio walks.

Print - I’m about halfway through The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray. This series is so fun.

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July 2024 TBR

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June Beginning TBR: 424
June Ending TBR: 416

I made a tiny dent on my TBR last month. I’ll take it!

Books I Want To Read In July:

1-6 Are all book club reads: FoodAndLit, my postal book club, my work book club, Author A Month, and the next Nancy Drew. I’m not sure what all the titles are yet so I won’t list them.

7) Within Arm’s Reach

8) Tales From The Torrid Zone

9) The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh

10) Myst

11) The Oceanography of the Moon

12) Triumphant Sky

13) The Eyre Affair

14) In Extremis

15) The Earth Cries Out

16) All Fours

17) James

18) The Empire of Gold

That’s all I’ve got so far! I’m hoping a shorter list means I’ll get more done? We’ll see!

#JIAM Audiobook Mini-Challenge Results

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I had fun taking part in the #JIAM Audiobook Mini-Challenge with Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About.

I finished two of the three challenges I was trying for, and started another.

  • Love your Library (listen to 3 audiobooks from your local library)

  • Going the Distance (listen to 3 audiobooks over 12 hours each)

  • Tackle your Audiobook TBR Pile (listen to 3 audiobooks you already own)

If you want to join sign up here and post reviews here.

On My Nightstand June 29, 2024

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It’s almost July, my youngest is away at camp, and the weather report says approximately 3 million degrees with 200% humidity. Summer reading is in full swing!

We’re halfway through the year so I’m going to be working on some best of 2024 so far lists this week, plus starting to think about the reading challenges I’m committed to and how best to finish them before the end of the year. None of that is necessary or required of course, but I really do love planning my reading almost as much as I love reading!

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the Week:

“‘There is nothing in this world so pathetic, so moronic, so meaningless as dieting.’”
— Butter by Asako Yuzuki

On My Nightstand This Week:

Kindle - Long Island by Colm Tóibín I’m loving this one just as much as the first one so far. I’m so glad I was able to get it from the library so quickly.

Audiobook - Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver - I’m not sure if this is working for me on audio so I might switch to print. I’ve read it before so I know I like the story.

Print - Still working on Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. Hopefully I’ll get some time to finish this weekend.

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

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Walking Wedesday June 26, 2024

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It’s been so hot here I’ve had to resort to taking 2-3 short walks a day instead of one long one. Everything is so dry. We need some rain soon! I read this morning that it’s been a month and that sounds about right.

I just started listening to Margo’s Got Money Troubles. This was one of my most anticipated summer reads so I’m really looking forward to it. I hope it lives up to expectations!