Bookish Thoughts
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📚Cozy Mysteries Featuring Libraries: A Book List

I adore books featuring libraries and librarians – especially cozy mysteries. Since we just celebrated National Library Week earlier this week, I’ve compiled a list of five of my favorite cozy mystery series that involve libraries. Library Lover’s Mysteries by Jenn McKinlay Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook Bookmobile… Continue reading
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🪡Hobbies & Books: A Book List 🧩

Years ago, I read a line in an obituary that read “she cultivated a deep contentedness with her life.” And since then, I’ve thought about that line frequently – even putting it up by my computer. For me, hobbies add to my happiness and contentedness with life, so I thought it would be fun to… Continue reading
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☔April Showers: A Book List

Tis the season for April showers in hopes of those wonderful May flowers! Here are four books with umbrellas on the cover to celebrate the rainy reason. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon “A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this charming romantic comedy.” Maisie… Continue reading
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Netgalley Checkin & Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading In April & May

Netgalley Catch Up: Time to Check In (March 2026) Here is my monthly Netgalley Check In as part of my promise to check in once a month and see how many Netgalley titles I’ve read. My feedback ratio is currently 81%! I only reviewed one title on Netgalley in February 2026 – Oh dear! So… Continue reading
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🌸When I Think Of Spring: A Book List

What do you think of when you think of Spring? Certainly not the random 90 degree days we have had. Go away summer weather, wait your turn. Here’s a list of things I think of when I think of Spring and an accompanying book for each item. 💐Flowers: Gardenias and a Grave Mistake (Diana Flowers… Continue reading
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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
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
- ✔Netgalley Catch Up: Time to Check In (April 2026)
- ☕The Sunday Salon: May 3, 2026 💐
- ⭐ Five Star Reads: Monthly Favorites (April 2026)
- 🕰️Time Travel Thursday: What Was I Reading Last Year At This Time (April 2026 Edition)
- 🪄Virtual Book Tour & Book Review & #Giveaway: Dead Focused and Hocus Pocused (The Empty Nest Mystical Cozy Mystery Series) by Marcy Blesy

