Bookish Thoughts
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🌟Five Star Reads: Monthly Favorites February 2026

For a month that was supposed to be short but felt incredibly long, I did read 31 books, 14 on audio. Cozy mysteries came in the lead for the top genre, followed by middle grade fantasy. For a post highlighting the picture books I read in February, click here. I’ve included a list of all… Continue reading
Annie Mare, beth brower, book blog, Book Review, books, Favorite Reads, february 2026 five star reads, five star reads, laura ingalls wilder, little house in the big woods, mildred d taylor, monthly reading, rachel hawkins, reading, roll of thunder hear my cry, Ruthie Knox, steven banbury, the pumpkin princess and the forever night, the selected letters of laura ingalls wilder, the storm, the unselected journals of emma m lion, trailbreaker -
Five Short Books For A Short Month

While January 2026 felt like it went on for a 100 years, February is a shorter month and hopefully a more positive one? We can dream. Here are five short(ish) [how we each define short is personal] books that I loved! No. 10 Doyers Street by Radha Vatsal (273 pages) Set in New York City… Continue reading
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♥️Books I’ve Loved 2015-2025♥️

It’s the month of love so here’s a list of 10 books I’ve loved over the last 10 years! These are books I read each year, not necessarily published in that year. 2015 All Four Stars (All Four Stars #1) by Tara Dairman 2016 10% Happier by Dan Harris 2017 The Hate You Give by… Continue reading
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2025 Reading Challenges Recap & Reading Highlights

Here’s a look back at the reading year of 2025. So many stats, so much fun! What a fun year of reading! In 2025, I read 348 books, with 141 of those being on audio. My most read genre was mystery, followed by romance. It’s clear working in an elementary school has reinvigorated my reading… Continue reading
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Top Ten Books of 2025

Here are the top ten books I read in 2025, not necessarily published in 2025. Here’s to many more years of wonderful reading. 10. A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole 9. The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss 8. Coach by Jason Reynolds 7. The Booklover’s Library by Madeline… Continue reading
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Happy New Year! Books to Celebrate A Gentle and Creative New Year

Happy New Year! I like to think of the New Year as a time to set intentions. One of my intentions is to reacquaint myself with creativity. I heard someone say to think about what you loved as a child and try to emulate that as an adult. I found the following books to dive… Continue reading
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Ten Bookish Wishes

Like many book lovers, I love reading AND thinking about books, making lists of books, thinking about ways to make my life more bookish…and on and on. Here are ten bookish wishes – some realistic and some that would require a fairy godmother to sprinkle some major bookish magic. Continue reading
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Middle Grade Monday: Highlighting Recent Middle Grade Reads (December 2025)

On or around the third Monday of the month, I’ll highlight recent middle grade reads that I’ve enjoyed. I am so happy working part time in a school library – it’s wonderful to be with kids and books, and my reading life is so much richer! I read the following middle grade books between November… Continue reading
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Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Vengeance in Venice (A Jane Wunderly Mystery Book 7) by Erica Ruth Neubauer

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. This Wednesday I’m excited to talk about… Continue reading
About Me
Welcome! I started my career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now I’m a stay at home mom. While my career might have changed, my love of reading has been a constant since I was in 4th grade, and I read over 200 books a year. I love talking about books and connecting readers of all ages with just the right book. Thanks for reading!
Recent Posts
- 👰🏻Virtual Book Tour & Book Review & #Giveaway: Terror in Taffeta (Destination Wedding Mysteries) by Marla Cooper
- Picture Book Friday on a Thursday! Spring & March Favorites
- Way Back Cozy Wednesday: March 2026 Edition
- ☘️Happy St. Patrick’s Day – Books With Green Covers☘️
- Middle Grade Monday: March 2026 Edition
