January Book Update
Feb. 4th, 2026 11:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
asphaltcowgrrlFor like the one person who might actually care. 😂
I had a good month and finished 11 books! One of which has been straggling along for a couple of years now. *facepalm*
EDIT: I was updating Goodreads and Storygraph this morning (2/5) and realized that the actual number is 12.
What I read:
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hollie Rubenhold. E-book and paperback.
The Girl Beyond the Gate by Becca Day. Audio.
The Secret Advesary by Agatha Christie. Audio.
Murder on the Île Saint-Louis by Cara Black. Library loan, audio.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Audio.
Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott. Library loan, audio.
Calico Confusion by Katherine Hayton. Audio.
The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave. Library loan, ebook.
Moonlight Over Muddleford Cove by Kim Nash. Audio.
Once Upon a Haunted Moor by Harper Fox. Audio.
Arsenic in the Azaelas by Dale Mayer. Audio.
Favorites:
Sense and Sensibility. I'd never read this before and while I wanted to throttle some of the characters, I really enjoyed it. I can easily see how she became such a beloved author to so many people.
The First Time I Saw Him. This is the follow-up to The Last Thing He Told Me, which is also now a series on Apple TV. The first book got a lot of hate online but I enjoyed it. I think I enjoyed this sequel more because it focused on Hannah and her relationship with her stepdaughter, Bailey. (The show has been very good so far, too. Season 2 starts on 2/20.)
Once Upon a Haunted Moor. A m/m mystery series sent in a small, Cornish village. Gideon is a policeman and Lee is a psychic. They work together to find a missing child and fall for each other in the process. It was short, a couple of hours in audio/70 paegs in print, but a well done story.
Least Favorites:
Just one - Ghostwalk. This book had so much potential, but was a hot mess of a plot. Also, killing the cat and leaving the poor thing on the doorstep for Lydia to find was too much. If you have to have animal abuse (in this case, it was a supposed animal rights group trying to shut down a testing lab, so it made sense in a way), LEAVE IT OFF THE PAGE.
Okay, sorry. As an animal lover (and a certified crazy cat lady), it was too much for me.
What I'm reading now:
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. Library loan, e-book. I started this last year, but didn't get finished before it had to go back to the library (which it's about to do again lol). Highly recommend this if you're a fan of the Little House books (or even the TV show).
Good Intentions by Marisa Walz. Netgalley eARC. This just released yesterday and I'm almost done. All I can say is that while Cady is certifiably batshit, her husband is a raging asshole. However, I am engrossed.
What I'm reading next:
This is always a bit up in the air, depending on what the library throws at me next. However, I do have one ARC due in April, so I should start that next.
A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDmizio. Netgalley eARC
Though Not Dead by Dana Stabenow. Group read for Women Mystery Writers. Haven't obtained my copy yet, but likely audio. I kind of love the lady who narrates this series.
The next book in mine and Kaige's buddy read (Murder on the Links, maybe?)
One last thing and then I'll leave you alone. I started using Pango Books last year to try and clear out some of the books I have overtaking the house. Most of what I read and listen to are library loans or other digital media. However, I am trying to read more of the actual print books I have, so I will try and remember to link to my bookstore when I do these monthly updates. Pango has recently instituted a way for buyers to send offers to the seller, so if you do join, and you find something you like, send me an offer. I'll likely accept since I'm not doing this to make money, I'm just trying to get rid of some stuff. And making a couple of bucks while doing it never hurts.
My storefront is here. Check back often (if you want!) as I'm hoping to post more books as we go along.
I had a good month and finished 11 books! One of which has been straggling along for a couple of years now. *facepalm*
EDIT: I was updating Goodreads and Storygraph this morning (2/5) and realized that the actual number is 12.
What I read:
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hollie Rubenhold. E-book and paperback.
The Girl Beyond the Gate by Becca Day. Audio.
The Secret Advesary by Agatha Christie. Audio.
Murder on the Île Saint-Louis by Cara Black. Library loan, audio.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Audio.
Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott. Library loan, audio.
Calico Confusion by Katherine Hayton. Audio.
The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave. Library loan, ebook.
Moonlight Over Muddleford Cove by Kim Nash. Audio.
Once Upon a Haunted Moor by Harper Fox. Audio.
Arsenic in the Azaelas by Dale Mayer. Audio.
Favorites:
Sense and Sensibility. I'd never read this before and while I wanted to throttle some of the characters, I really enjoyed it. I can easily see how she became such a beloved author to so many people.
The First Time I Saw Him. This is the follow-up to The Last Thing He Told Me, which is also now a series on Apple TV. The first book got a lot of hate online but I enjoyed it. I think I enjoyed this sequel more because it focused on Hannah and her relationship with her stepdaughter, Bailey. (The show has been very good so far, too. Season 2 starts on 2/20.)
Once Upon a Haunted Moor. A m/m mystery series sent in a small, Cornish village. Gideon is a policeman and Lee is a psychic. They work together to find a missing child and fall for each other in the process. It was short, a couple of hours in audio/70 paegs in print, but a well done story.
Least Favorites:
Just one - Ghostwalk. This book had so much potential, but was a hot mess of a plot. Also, killing the cat and leaving the poor thing on the doorstep for Lydia to find was too much. If you have to have animal abuse (in this case, it was a supposed animal rights group trying to shut down a testing lab, so it made sense in a way), LEAVE IT OFF THE PAGE.
Okay, sorry. As an animal lover (and a certified crazy cat lady), it was too much for me.
What I'm reading now:
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. Library loan, e-book. I started this last year, but didn't get finished before it had to go back to the library (which it's about to do again lol). Highly recommend this if you're a fan of the Little House books (or even the TV show).
Good Intentions by Marisa Walz. Netgalley eARC. This just released yesterday and I'm almost done. All I can say is that while Cady is certifiably batshit, her husband is a raging asshole. However, I am engrossed.
What I'm reading next:
This is always a bit up in the air, depending on what the library throws at me next. However, I do have one ARC due in April, so I should start that next.
A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDmizio. Netgalley eARC
Though Not Dead by Dana Stabenow. Group read for Women Mystery Writers. Haven't obtained my copy yet, but likely audio. I kind of love the lady who narrates this series.
The next book in mine and Kaige's buddy read (Murder on the Links, maybe?)
One last thing and then I'll leave you alone. I started using Pango Books last year to try and clear out some of the books I have overtaking the house. Most of what I read and listen to are library loans or other digital media. However, I am trying to read more of the actual print books I have, so I will try and remember to link to my bookstore when I do these monthly updates. Pango has recently instituted a way for buyers to send offers to the seller, so if you do join, and you find something you like, send me an offer. I'll likely accept since I'm not doing this to make money, I'm just trying to get rid of some stuff. And making a couple of bucks while doing it never hurts.
My storefront is here. Check back often (if you want!) as I'm hoping to post more books as we go along.
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no subject
Date: 2026-02-04 10:54 pm (UTC)Im glad you enjoyed S&S!!
We can move onto Links as soon as i finish this. I tell myself that if i dont hit 10% a day i'll back burner it until after our next 3 books. And i did 13% today. I will let you know. Worse case scenario is next Wednesday. Sorry
no subject
Date: 2026-02-04 11:10 pm (UTC)I did — I read it at the end of last year before I knew you were struggling with The Last Witch of Scotland.
I'm glad you suggested it! Eager to get into more of her stuff this year.
Don't apologize, this is all supposed to be low stress and enjoyable. Plus, I know you're dealing with a LOT right now. Are you enjoying it at least or is the narrator still bothering you? Basically, I don't want you to put it aside because you think I'm waiting. Trust me, I can find something to keep me occupied. LOL
no subject
Date: 2026-02-05 12:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-02-05 02:12 am (UTC)I can understand that! I broke and read Heated Rivalry and found myself wondering which one was going to bite it before realizing that it's not that kind of book.
Although, now I want a cozy mystery series where the sleuth is a hockey player. Hmmm.
Maybe Bronte then The Austen Affair so we're not doing Austen and then Austen-lite. Make sense?