A new year of reading is off to a great start! What have you read lately that you have loved? Here are five books I gave five stars to in January 2024.

Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond by Henry Winkler – I listened to this in a day and a half and I’m pretty sure I had a smile on my face the entire time. This was absolutely wonderful. It was fascinating and candid and funny and thoughtful and all the things you want in a memoir. And most of all, I adored the chapters written by (and read by) his wife of over 40 years, Stacey. If you want to be reminded that there is good in the world and in Hollywood, pick this up. It was inspiring. 

The Accidental Alchemist (An Accidental Alchemist Mystery 1) by Gigi Pandian – It’s official. I’m in love with a three-and-half-foot French gargoyle named Dorian Robert-Houdin. This is an absolutely delightful cozy mystery/fantasy. Dorian needs Zoe’s help and Zoe herself is an herbalist and alchemist and with her recent move to Portland, Oregon she’s trying to settle into a quiet life. But when she finds Dorian has stowed himself away in her crates from Paris, she can’t help but see what she can do. And then, just days after her discovery of Dorian, she finds a murder victim on her front porch. So much for a quiet life. 

Old Bones and New Ghosts (The Marti Mickkleson Mysteries 2) by Kay Charles – While book two in the series, it reads perfectly as a standalone cozy mystery. This is a fun and entertaining read that I inhaled in almost one sitting. Readers who enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries full of entertaining characters, witty dialogue and some absolutely hilarious antics should be quick to grab a copy. (And especially if readers enjoy Grandmotherly ghosts with strong opinions!) 

Bluff by Michael Kardos – Holy Cow. Who knew that a book featuring magicians and poker would end up on my Five Star list?!  But oh my gosh it did. This is a mind-blowing, intense mystery that I could not, would not stop listening to. 27-year-old Natalie Webb was a famous magician by the age of 17, earning first place at the World of Magic competition at 18 and then never reaching such fame and success again. Now she has mounting bills and a desperate need for cash. She decides to try and write a feature magazine article on the art of cheating at cards. She meets a dazzling card cheat and is pulled into a heist that could earn millions of dollars. But stakes are high and who exactly is cheating whom? Amazing writing and pacing, especially great on audio. 

How to Solve Your Own Murder (Castle Knoll Files 1) by Kristen Perrin – Mystery fans, Agatha Christie fans, Nancy Drew fans, Thursday Murder Club fans and everyone else who enjoys a clever whodunit, get your preorders or library holds in now as you won’t want to miss this when it publishes on March 26 2024. The book opens in 1965 and teenage Frances Adams is at an English country fair with her two best friends. But night turns out not to go the way anyone planned–France receives a chilling prediction from a fortune-teller: one day Frances will be murdered. While no one takes Frances seriously, she spends her life trying to solve a crime that hasn’t been committed yet. In the present day, Annie Adams receives notice that she is to attend a meeting with her great-aunt Frances regarding revisions to Frances made to her will. But Annie never gets to meet Frances, as by the time Annie arrives in the English village of Castle Knoll, Frances is already dead.