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asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2025-02-06 09:08 am
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2025-02-06 09:08 am
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January 2025 Reading Wrap Up
January was a mixed bag of genres for me, which is something that I always enjoy.
The list:
Murder in the Marais by Cara Black. Book #1 in the Aimee Leduc Investigations. Audio. I tend to stay away from anything relating to WWII, but this was a really good, intense mystery. Even though it brought forth the horrors of the war, it wasn't as bad as a historical novel set during the time. 4/5
The Sapphire Intrigue by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe. Book #3 in the Crown Jewels Regency Mysteries. Audio. This is such a fun series! Never thought that historical cozy mysteries would be my thing, but here we are. 5/5
She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke. eARC. Review. I had thought this was going to be a typical cozy mystery going in and it wasn't. But that wound up being for the better because the heroine was a complete hot mess and was rather endearing. 4/5
Hunter’s Moon by Dana Stabenow. Book #9 in the Kate Shugack series. Audio. I started this book last year and then stopped when I accidentally spoiled myself on a major character death. I finally pushed through and finished it, crying myself hoarse when I was done. Kaige, this is the book we discussed back in August, in case you were wondering. Still, a solid 4/5.
Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. Paperback and audio. I grabbed this one from my review coordinator since no one else wanted it. Wasn't sure how I'd feel about a historical, post-WWII Christmas story, but it turned out to be super cute. Loved the bits from Queen Elizabeth's POV, too. 4/5
Murder at the Dolphin Hotel by Helena Dixon. Book #1 in the Miss Underhay Mysteries. Audio. Another historical cozy mystery, but this one set closer to the modern day. These historicals are kind of fun since they have to use actual sleuthing and not rely on computers and such. 4/5
Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction by Shannon Richard. Book #2 in the Cruickshank series. Paperback and audio. This was the other book I grabbed for review that no one else wanted. I was more sure I'd like this one though, becuase puppies! A very cute contemporary holiday romance featuring a big, pregnant stray dog and two frenemies. 4/5
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Audio. I don't even know what to say about this book. Historical women's lit, I guess, but also a murder mystery of sorts. Robust and interesting characters set in the height of the Red Scare. Enjoyed this so much that I immediately told my daughter that she needed to read it. Asked her if she was enjoying it when I saw her on Sunday and she said, "I wish the chapters weren't so long. An hour to read, really?" Hahaha. Same, kid, same. 5/5
Total books: 8
Ebooks: 0
ARCs: 1
Print: 2
Audio: 5
Favorite of the month: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My first by her, but such a great book.
What I'm reading now:
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. Ebook. This has been taking me forever, but it's been pretty good. I think the stress of the new year has gotten to me.
Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes by Marika Ray and Sylvie Stewart. Audio. Not been too bad so far. I've laughed a bit. Although am regretting my choice of grabbing this in audio. HAH.
I think that's all. I could list what I need to read next, but no one's got time for that.
OH! And I forgot to mention my big score for January. I was in the new Barnes & Noble down on the south end of the Strip and found an autographed copy of The Waiting by Michael Connelly. I was so stoked. Hahaha.
The list:
Murder in the Marais by Cara Black. Book #1 in the Aimee Leduc Investigations. Audio. I tend to stay away from anything relating to WWII, but this was a really good, intense mystery. Even though it brought forth the horrors of the war, it wasn't as bad as a historical novel set during the time. 4/5
The Sapphire Intrigue by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe. Book #3 in the Crown Jewels Regency Mysteries. Audio. This is such a fun series! Never thought that historical cozy mysteries would be my thing, but here we are. 5/5
She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke. eARC. Review. I had thought this was going to be a typical cozy mystery going in and it wasn't. But that wound up being for the better because the heroine was a complete hot mess and was rather endearing. 4/5
Hunter’s Moon by Dana Stabenow. Book #9 in the Kate Shugack series. Audio. I started this book last year and then stopped when I accidentally spoiled myself on a major character death. I finally pushed through and finished it, crying myself hoarse when I was done. Kaige, this is the book we discussed back in August, in case you were wondering. Still, a solid 4/5.
Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. Paperback and audio. I grabbed this one from my review coordinator since no one else wanted it. Wasn't sure how I'd feel about a historical, post-WWII Christmas story, but it turned out to be super cute. Loved the bits from Queen Elizabeth's POV, too. 4/5
Murder at the Dolphin Hotel by Helena Dixon. Book #1 in the Miss Underhay Mysteries. Audio. Another historical cozy mystery, but this one set closer to the modern day. These historicals are kind of fun since they have to use actual sleuthing and not rely on computers and such. 4/5
Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction by Shannon Richard. Book #2 in the Cruickshank series. Paperback and audio. This was the other book I grabbed for review that no one else wanted. I was more sure I'd like this one though, becuase puppies! A very cute contemporary holiday romance featuring a big, pregnant stray dog and two frenemies. 4/5
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Audio. I don't even know what to say about this book. Historical women's lit, I guess, but also a murder mystery of sorts. Robust and interesting characters set in the height of the Red Scare. Enjoyed this so much that I immediately told my daughter that she needed to read it. Asked her if she was enjoying it when I saw her on Sunday and she said, "I wish the chapters weren't so long. An hour to read, really?" Hahaha. Same, kid, same. 5/5
Total books: 8
Ebooks: 0
ARCs: 1
Print: 2
Audio: 5
Favorite of the month: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My first by her, but such a great book.
What I'm reading now:
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. Ebook. This has been taking me forever, but it's been pretty good. I think the stress of the new year has gotten to me.
Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes by Marika Ray and Sylvie Stewart. Audio. Not been too bad so far. I've laughed a bit. Although am regretting my choice of grabbing this in audio. HAH.
I think that's all. I could list what I need to read next, but no one's got time for that.
OH! And I forgot to mention my big score for January. I was in the new Barnes & Noble down on the south end of the Strip and found an autographed copy of The Waiting by Michael Connelly. I was so stoked. Hahaha.
no subject
Kate Quinn was one of the writers in Year of Ravens, I think the bit about the father warrior near the end.
You had quite the cozy month didn't you?
no subject
Yes, she wrote the last story! Definitely made me want to find something full length by her. I can't remember if this was your suggestion or mine, but either way, it was a good pick.
I did, but then, I usually do. It doesn't help that a particular publicist with St. Martin's Press emails me with a download link every time she has a new cozy mystery for review. Hahaha.