I read: The Survivor by Andrew Reid-Definitely a contender for the Best Thriller of 2026. I listened to Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden and it was a great audiobook! I’m now listening to Everyone in this bank is a thief-not to sure about this one yet.
So glad you are getting to spend time in Colorado with your family! I have a 3 day weekend and I’m ready to spend it doing nothing but read. It’s been a good week for books. I read Good Intentions by Brandon Massey it was an interesting thriller. Kind of a slow burn story. Next up was the absolutely wild and super spicy Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsey Straube. I’m currently reading Whispers of The Lake by Shanora Williams. And I came home to THE BEST book mail. Walter Mosley’s Been Wrong So Long It Feels like Right. I feel like I’ve been eating 9 years for this to be in paperback, okay maybe it was like 9 months. 😂
I love your Friday Reads and how you touch on a bit of news. I wish there were heart emoji options for specific sentences within a post. “Writing is how I process the strong emotions these events cause.” <3
I watched Notting Hill this week too. How could I not? It’s love week in my house.
I am reading Gene Stratton-Porter’s Freckles and listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. Hope you have a beautiful Valentine’s Day.
A huge happy birthday to your mom!!! I hope y'all continue to have a great time together, and that your writing goes a bit easier.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has thoughts on the Nancy Guthrie abduction. Their poor family.
I've been filling up my well by playing Mahjong with a group of neighbors and friends so not a ton of reading over here. I read Matthew Quirk's THE METHOD and enjoyed it. I'm in the middle of TWO BODIES ARE BETTER THAN ONE. It's about an older, retired female fixer for the mob who finds a dead body on her lawn in her Wisconsin neighborhood. It's like a love note to Wisconsin and Minnesota. I have a friend who lives on the border of the two states, and I love reading about all the things she's talked about over the years. I've also been lucky enough to experience a hot dish and a supper club.
A gal here in the small town i live in is trying to get a group to start playing Mahjong...the problem is no one here knows how to play it! She's trying to find an instructor to come to our community college. I'm kind of hoping she's successful as i think it sounds like fun!
The Ending Writes Itself is a fun read so far. Kind of like Knives Out blended with elements of Yellowface. I just barely started The Last One at The Wedding.
Yay for family time and happy birthday to your Mom!
We've been watching the Olympics every night and I love it. Feel a little bad for the ice dancers as it appears the judging may have been a little biased.
The whole Nancy Guthrie thing is horrifying and disturbing...something feels off there?
I went to look at CONFORM and possibly buy it and guess what...I already own it...just haven't read it yet. I'll have to go to that next.
Not as much reading this week as its all Olympics all the time at my house. I just finished STOLEN IN DEATH by JD Robb. Another winner from her!
We're going to a Pitch card party tomorrow night at my brother in laws. There will be several of my husband's siblings and nieces/nephews there. This has become an annual thing and is so much fun. There's prizes for the winner and the loser takes home a mini plunger. I unfortunately took home the plunger 2 years ago...lol
It's a card game called Pitch. Most of my in-laws played it growing up....whereas I did not. I only play this one time per year and it takes me half the night to remember how to play.
The winner's prize is always something different. The losers prize is the plunger. I just hope to go home WITHOUT the plunger!
Thanks Amy - I told her and she lit up! Agree, the judging controversy needs to be addressed. Blatant favoritism. And all the scandal behind it, too!!! Something is definitely off on Guthrie. Thriller brain has been in overdrive.
I read: The Survivor by Andrew Reid-Definitely a contender for the Best Thriller of 2026. I listened to Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden and it was a great audiobook! I’m now listening to Everyone in this bank is a thief-not to sure about this one yet.
So glad you are getting to spend time in Colorado with your family! I have a 3 day weekend and I’m ready to spend it doing nothing but read. It’s been a good week for books. I read Good Intentions by Brandon Massey it was an interesting thriller. Kind of a slow burn story. Next up was the absolutely wild and super spicy Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsey Straube. I’m currently reading Whispers of The Lake by Shanora Williams. And I came home to THE BEST book mail. Walter Mosley’s Been Wrong So Long It Feels like Right. I feel like I’ve been eating 9 years for this to be in paperback, okay maybe it was like 9 months. 😂
You have such wonderfully diverse book taste! Sounds like a fabulous weekend ahead. I forgot it was a three day weekend! Happy reading!
I love your Friday Reads and how you touch on a bit of news. I wish there were heart emoji options for specific sentences within a post. “Writing is how I process the strong emotions these events cause.” <3
I watched Notting Hill this week too. How could I not? It’s love week in my house.
I am reading Gene Stratton-Porter’s Freckles and listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. Hope you have a beautiful Valentine’s Day.
Too kind, TM. I appreciate it. And another Notting Hill fan yay!!! That script is priceless.
I have heard great things about Emma Lion. Audio must be fun!
A huge happy birthday to your mom!!! I hope y'all continue to have a great time together, and that your writing goes a bit easier.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has thoughts on the Nancy Guthrie abduction. Their poor family.
I've been filling up my well by playing Mahjong with a group of neighbors and friends so not a ton of reading over here. I read Matthew Quirk's THE METHOD and enjoyed it. I'm in the middle of TWO BODIES ARE BETTER THAN ONE. It's about an older, retired female fixer for the mob who finds a dead body on her lawn in her Wisconsin neighborhood. It's like a love note to Wisconsin and Minnesota. I have a friend who lives on the border of the two states, and I love reading about all the things she's talked about over the years. I've also been lucky enough to experience a hot dish and a supper club.
She says thank you! And yes, the Guthrie kidnapping gets weirder and weirder. My thriller brain is on overdrive.
I like Quirk's work - will look it up.
Did you see Blake Lively got bored in court and had her driver deliver her Mahjong set? I'd love to learn to play. It looks like fun.
A gal here in the small town i live in is trying to get a group to start playing Mahjong...the problem is no one here knows how to play it! She's trying to find an instructor to come to our community college. I'm kind of hoping she's successful as i think it sounds like fun!
Happy Birthday to your mom!
Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Friday the 13th to everyone!
This week's list:
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough
Hi Brandee! It is happy Friday the 13th! I nearly forgot! Happy Valentine's to you too.
Mom says thank you! : )
Great list as always! I started The Ending Writes Itself and had to set it aside, but I will tackle it next week again. So far so great!
How is THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF? Im super intrigued by that one!
Me too. I've been eyeing it and would love to know your thoughts. I also read The Last One at the Wedding. Did you like it.
The Ending Writes Itself is a fun read so far. Kind of like Knives Out blended with elements of Yellowface. I just barely started The Last One at The Wedding.
Sounds perfect for me. Thanks.
Yay for family time and happy birthday to your Mom!
We've been watching the Olympics every night and I love it. Feel a little bad for the ice dancers as it appears the judging may have been a little biased.
The whole Nancy Guthrie thing is horrifying and disturbing...something feels off there?
I went to look at CONFORM and possibly buy it and guess what...I already own it...just haven't read it yet. I'll have to go to that next.
Not as much reading this week as its all Olympics all the time at my house. I just finished STOLEN IN DEATH by JD Robb. Another winner from her!
We're going to a Pitch card party tomorrow night at my brother in laws. There will be several of my husband's siblings and nieces/nephews there. This has become an annual thing and is so much fun. There's prizes for the winner and the loser takes home a mini plunger. I unfortunately took home the plunger 2 years ago...lol
What is a Pitch card party and why would you win the plunger??? Love it tho'.
It's a card game called Pitch. Most of my in-laws played it growing up....whereas I did not. I only play this one time per year and it takes me half the night to remember how to play.
The winner's prize is always something different. The losers prize is the plunger. I just hope to go home WITHOUT the plunger!
Awesome!! Sounds fun. Fingers crossed for no plunger.
Thanks Amy - I told her and she lit up! Agree, the judging controversy needs to be addressed. Blatant favoritism. And all the scandal behind it, too!!! Something is definitely off on Guthrie. Thriller brain has been in overdrive.
Have fun at the party!!
Happy birthday to your mom! 🎉
Thanks Barb! She had a good one.