Cats of Rome is a cute book. I had no idea there were so many stray cat colonies in Rome so it was informative. The photography is okay and what has let me down a bit; there are several great photos but most of them leave something to be desired, usually in the way of composition. I looked up this photographer and her other photos are stunning so this could be an issue of just the ARC file having low-quality…
The Gorgon’s Fury (Tales of Newel and Doren #1) by Brandon Mull 5/5 StarsI’ve been an avid reader of Brandon Mull’s since probably 2007 or 2008 and I am just ecstatic that in 2025 we are still getting more books in the Fablehaven world. The Gorgon’s Fury is the first book in a new series based on everyone’s two favorite Fablehaven satyrs, Newel and Doren. I had a difficult time getting into the book because the first chapter gives a…
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young 4/5 StarsA few weeks out from reading this one, it feels like a beach read to me. I did enjoy reading it and love the atmosphere of the whole book, but it is a forgettable one. I had to read the synopsis to begin to remember what the book was about. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten 3/5 StarsThis is not one that I would have picked up on…
I do love a cozy mystery and this one is no exception. It has a strong sense of place and a large cast of characters who I found were very distinguished from each other, making it easy to keep everyone straight. Each character felt real and dynamic. Nora Breen is my first main character that was a former nun and I enjoyed the speculation on what challenges someone becoming a member of the public after so many decades would encounter….
Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods 5/5 StarsWhat a fantastic story. Kell Woods must be a sea maid herself to have created such a tale. I don’t love a character who gives and gives and gives, and Luce is mostly that, trying to give everyone around her the benefit of the doubt. But as her story goes on she gets stronger and stronger and finds herself in the end (I don’t consider this a spoiler). The Bretagne setting is…
Despite this trip being my fifth to Paris, it was one of many firsts. The first time in autumn, the first time not doing a bike tour, the first time eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant, first time at the flea market, first time visiting the Musée de Cluny, and firsts at (almost) all of the restaurants, boulangeries, and coffee shops we visited. This trip feels like such a treasure that I don’t want to revisit the memories. I want to…
At the beginning of 2024 I decided to manifest a trip to France for myself. I hadn’t been since March 2019, which was also my last international trip, and after enduring a global pandemic, having a baby, and two moves (one of which was cross-country), I decided it was time. I knew we weren’t ready for an international trip with a three-year-old and I was so so so lucky enough to have a good friend interested in and able to…
We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa Wees 4/5 StarsA dark magical realism fairy tale, We Shall Be Monsters made me feel that if only I had a forest at the edge of my yard, these creatures would be waiting for me. I liked this story, this world, and I liked that there was adventure as well as deep dark soul searching. I would have liked to see a little more character development and a little more of the protagonists proving…
The third book in The Lost Queen series (no longer a trilogy, woohoo!) was impatiently awaited by me for over a year. I was so happy to get back into this series and world that captivated me so much. The characteristic that sets this third book apart from the first two is what I believe to be its biggest weakness: points-of-view from four different characters. The first book was just Languoreth, the second was Languoreth and Lailoken, and this one…
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas 5/5 StarsThis book took the series in a completely different direction than I thought it would go and it is stunning. Beautiful writing, a transporting love story, and only the second book I can remember being so moved by that I think, “yes, this is why I read.” Just read the book. Eleanor of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier 4/5 StarsI really enjoyed this book. I love a medieval setting, and…