2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2026 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
2026 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Booklist Queen's 2026 Reading Challenge
2026 52 Club Reading Challenge
2026 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge
2026 Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge
2026 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2026 Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge
Shelf Reflection Candy Reading Challenge for Kids (and Adults)
2026 Countdown Reading Challenge
Dragon Rambles' Law of Fives Bingo
2026 Southern Literary Reading Challenge
2026 Reading Challenge (by Linz the Bookworm)
2026 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge
European Reading Challenge 2026
2017 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge (retired challenge - doing old boards for fun)
2026 Reading Challenge Addict Reading Challenge
The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge
The Life Skills Reading Challenge
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy This Summer
Today's TTT prompt is a fun one: Top Ten Books I Had to Have IMMEDIATELY But Still Haven't Read. I feel like this describes pretty much every book on my shelf! No titles came readily to mind, though, so I think I'm going to go a teensy bit rogue and spin the topic a tad.
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Books I Had to Buy This Summer
I don't know if it's the excessive heat we've been experiencing here in Arizona, or the fact that I've been on Bookstagram (follow me @blogginboutbooks) a lot trying to beef up my presence there, or what, but I've been on a bit of a book buying spree. The last thing on Earth I need is more books and, yet, I just can't help myself. I'm contemplating a serious book ban in 2027! At any rate, here are the last ten books I have purchased, in no particular order:
1. Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy—This deceased Irish author has long been a favorite. Published in 1982, Light a Penny Candle is my favorite book by her. I've been wanting to reread it, but my library has limited copies and the wait times are lengthy, so I decided to just buy a copy for myself. I'm excited to reconnect with it.
The story is about a long-time friendship between two women and the circumstances that now threaten to tear them apart.
2. The Stargazer of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt—It seems like I've heard nothing but good things about this book. The swashbuckling story about a young woman who stows away on a merchant ship sounds like tons of fun. Into my shopping cart it went!
3. You Had Me at Bigfoot by Nancy Campbell Allen—I've read and enjoyed a few of Allen's books. Described as Nancy Drew meets Scooby Doo, her newest novel sounds like a joy. It's a cozy mystery about a reporter and a photographer who are on assignment to cover a society wedding. Whispers of a missing maid and Bigfoot sightings turn what was sure to be a humdrum story into something much, much more exciting.
4. Murdoku: 80 Murder Mystery Logic Puzzles (Volume 1) by Manuel Garand—This is a Bookstagram Made Me Do It purchase. Someone posted about these fun puzzles for mystery lovers, and I had to give them a try, although I actually haven't done it yet. Soon, I hope.
5. The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff—Everyone seems to be raving about this novel, which is about a family whose lives are turned upside down after their house burns in a fire. Forced to move in with relatives temporarily, the strained situation causes them to reckon with their rocky relationships and family secrets. It's a family saga that is supposed to have it all: humor, heartbreak, and healing.
6. The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer—Have you seen the gorgeous sprayed edges on the paperback version of Rimmer's newest novel? They are BEAUTIFUL. How could I resist buying a copy for my bookshelf? Spoiler alert: I couldn't.
The novel concerns a woman who returns to her family's crumbling mansion intent on restoring it to its former glory. Within the walls, she discovers a mysterious book that tells a tale that is eerily similar to her own. As these factual and fictional worlds collide, old family secrets are revealed, changing the woman's life forever.
7. The Mad Wife by Meagan Church—The Kindle version of this historical novel is only $1.99 on Amazon. I've been wanting to read the book, so I coughed up two bucks and made it mine. The story is about a 1950s housewife who works tirelessly to keep up the perfect house, marriage, and life. When a new woman moves into the neighborhood, she becomes fixated on the newcomer, sure that the woman is hiding dark secrets. Her obsession with her neighbor soon has her questioning her own life and sanity.
8. The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch—I've heard that Patch writes clean thrillers, which I'm very interested in. My library doesn't have any copies of this one, her newest, so I had to take matters into my own hands and buy a copy. It sounds intriguing. The story is about a former homicide detective who moves to an old house in Maine to rebuild her life and marriage. As she and her husband renovate the home, she notices some strange things about the place. Convinced that something terrible happened in her new home, the detective begins an investigation that will reveal some shocking truths.
9. Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu—I blame this purchase entirely on Ethan over at A Book A Week. His review made it sound too good to pass up. When I saw it displayed at the checkout at Barnes & Noble, it felt like a sign from the book gods that I needed to buy it. Bad things happen when you ignore the book gods, so...
The book has a simple premise: on an ordinary day in small-town Massachusetts, everyone receives an emergency message warning that a missile is incoming and they must find shelter immediately. The residents all have different reactions to the news, some of which will lead to devastating consequences when a second message arrives telling them it was a false alarm. What would YOU do if you thought your demise was imminent? How would your actions affect things if it turned out to be false?
10. Count My Lies by Sophie Stava—This one was an impulse buy from my local indie, Changing Hands Bookstore. Sloane Caraway is a consummate liar, spinning tales to make her ordinary life seem more exciting. When a young girl is stung by a bee at the park one day, Sloane professes to be a nurse and removes the stinger. Impressed, the child's handsome father hires her to be his daughter's nanny. As Sloane becomes immersed in the lives of this wealthy family, she begins to suspect that she's not the only one lying about her life. Her employers are hiding dark secrets about their seemingly perfect lives.
There you go, my last ten book purchases. Have you read any of them? What did you think? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Top Ten Tuesday: The Ten Books I've Read So Far This Month
You know that saying about old dogs and new tricks? I've been a book blogger now for 20 years (my blogiversary is in August) in which time I have basically ignored Bookstagram. (I haven't even tried BookTube or BookTok.) I've always told myself that when book blogs go away, so will I. However, in the name of adaptability and keeping myself on publishers' radars, I've been trying to beef up my Bookstagram presence, even though I am no kind of photographer, videographer, or creative content creator. I know my way around Canva, but that's about it. It's been a bit rough and, honestly, I'm not sure this old dog can really learn new tricks. For now, I'm giving it a shot. If you have an account on Bookstagram, especially one that needs a little love, let me know and I'll give it a visit. I would love it if you would return the favor: https://www.instagram.com/blogginboutbooks/. I follow back as long as you don't use a lot of profanity or post content I find offensive. As for mine, it will be all books, no drama!
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...
Today's TTT prompt is a great one—Top Ten Books That Live In My Head Rent-Free—even though my mind is drawing a blank on it. I mentioned that I'm old (turning the ripe old age of 51 this year), so it shouldn't surprise you that my memory is declining rapidly. Even my favorite books are foggy in my mind. To make things easier on myself, I'm going to go rogue and do an easier topic: Top Ten Books I've Read This Month. In addition to being old, I'm also lazy, okay? LOL
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Books I've Read This Month
It just so happens that I've finished exactly ten books so far this month. Here they are in the order I read them:
* Hyperlinked titles will take you to my Goodreads review of each book.
1. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke—This odd little novel was a book club pick, chosen by a woman who adores it. None of the rest of us could quite understand why because we all thought it was confusing and weird. The writing is undeniably vivid, even lovely in places, but man, it's a strange read. Not at all my kind of thing.
The story is about a man who lives in a dreamlike world in a building with endless, empty rooms. Only one other living person exists with him. As Piranesi observes and examines his lonely existence, he begins to understand that there's more going on than meets the eye. What is this world? How has he come to be here? What is his purpose? He's determined to find the answers to his now-burning questions.
2. A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie—Published in 1993, this is the first book in Crombie's popular, long-running Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mystery series. In this series opener, readers are introduced to Kincaid, a Superintendent with Scotland Yard, who is taking a reluctant holiday at a time-share bed and breakfast in the Yorkshire countryside. His vacation is interrupted when the hotel handyman comes to a suspicious end. The local constabulary aren't the brightest bobbies, so Kincaid steps in to help. He knows a murder when he sees one and he will solve this one, with or without help from the locals.
Although A Share in Death is definitely dated and rather slow-moving, I enjoyed it overall. I plan to keep reading the series.
3. The Silent Ones by Anna McPartlin—This Irish crime novel is set in County Kerry in 1980. Mary Shea is one of only a few female gardaà in the country, and the solo one in her quiet coastal town. Her presence is barely tolerated by her male colleagues, who harangue her with sexist jokes and catcalls, demands for tea, and thinly-veiled threats. It's only when she discovers the body of a murdered newborn on the beach, prompting the arrival of a major crimes team from Dublin, that Mary starts to earn some respect. To the astonishment of the local lads, Matt Foley, who heads the investigation, actually wants to hear Mary's opinions. When he makes her his right-hand woman, she feels seen for the first time, in spite of her colleagues' lewd suggestions and insinuations about just how closely the two are working. Mary only cares about helping Matt find out who hurt the tiny baby. It's a horrible, harrowing case that will challenge and try her, causing her to question not only her job choice but her own instincts as a garda and a woman.
Even though The Silent Ones is a heavy, depressing read, it's also atmospheric and engrossing. I blew through it in a day because the story is so compelling. This is the first book in a planned series; I can't wait for the next one.
4. It's Not Her by Mary Kubica—This murder mystery revolves around two related families who go on vacation together at a lakeside resort in Wisconsin. Although the place turns out to be a dive, Courtney Gray is determined to make the best of it, especially for the kids, two spiky teenagers and their lovable younger sisters. There's already tension in the ranks when the unthinkable happens: Courtney's brother and sister-in-law are brutally murdered in their cottage and their teenage daughter is missing. Mouthy, rebellious 17-year-old Reese quickly becomes the police's primary suspect, but Courtney refuses to believe her niece could be capable of such a heinous crime. As the police search for answers and Courtney launches her own investigation, hidden secrets come to light, leading to a shocking conclusion to a puzzling case.
I didn't end up loving this thriller, but it definitely kept me reading. It's an engrossing, twisty page turner.
5. Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti—This zippy YA mystery is about a group of teens who go camping in the woods at the behest of Maylee Hayes, a glossy, self-obsessed social media influencer who never does anything that makes her look less than her glamorous best. Like camping. When Maylee dies mysteriously during the trip, the kids are taken to the police station for questioning. Through transcripts of their interviews with the cops, each person tells a different story about Maylee, the kids' relationships with one another, and what really happened in the woods.
Tell Me What Really Happened is a fast-paced, intriguing mystery that kept me buzzing through the pages. It's predictable, but entertaining. The transcript format gives the story a fresh feel. Incidentally, if you're doing the 52 Book Club's 2026 Reading Challenge, this book fills Prompt #3 (Written Without Quotation Marks) nicely.
6. Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister—McAllister's newest tells the story of a chef who flies to Texas from her home in London to spend two weeks camping with her teenage daughter, who has been in the U.S. attending a music camp. The next morning, Simone wakes up in their AirBnB to find her daughter missing. In her bed, she discovers a burner phone with a message saying that Lucy has been taken. If Simone wants to see her again, she must perform a series of dangerous tasks. If she contacts the police, her daughter dies. Desperate, Simone follows the instructions. Things quickly go from bad to worse, leaving a frantic mother running for her life, doing everything she can to save her daughter.
McAllister is one of my auto-read authors and her books are usually hits for me. Caller Unknown, though, just seems totally far-fetched and unbelievable. I couldn't put it down, true, but it was still just an average read for me.
7. Red Rising by Pierce Brown—This YA sci-fi/dystopian novel is the first in a popular series. It stars Darrow, a hotshot HellDiver who lives in an underground mining colony on Mars. As a lowly Red, his duty is to risk his life harvesting valuable helium-3, an element needed to make Mars and other planets livable for those who are stranded on a dying Earth. Despite his daily sacrifice, he lives in a brutal, impoverished community where Reds are never allowed to get ahead. When a series of tragic events offers him the unbelievable chance to lead a Red rebellion by going undercover as a rich, privileged Gold, he takes it. Proving himself brings him to the brink of death, but he has to endure it to accomplish his task of ushering in the rising of Red.
Red Rising is a bit confusing and slow at first, but once I got into it, I enjoyed it. It's a little too similar to The Hunger Games for me, though. I wanted more originality. Still, I liked it for the most part and plan to read on in the series.
8. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman—This series opener was one of my favorite reads of 2024. It's typical Osman—upbeat, funny, clever, and entertaining—although I enjoyed it more than The Thursday Murder Club. It's a cozy read that stars a bodyguard who ropes her homebody father-in-law into helping her and her fiery new client solve a string of puzzling murders. I wanted to reread We Solve Murders in preparation for the forthcoming sequel, and it was just as fun to read the second time around.
See my full blog review here.
9. We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman (available September 15, 2026)—Stepping back into the world of We Solve Murders was so delightful! Although I didn't dig this sequel quite as much as I did the first book, I still enjoyed it a great deal.
In this outing, the main characters from We Solve Murders have set up their own private detecting agency, which is, sadly, not getting any business. When a small-time British criminal living in Italy contacts them about the murder of his bodyguard, Amy, Steve, and Rosie hop on Rosie's private jet to meet with him. Another bodyguard is killed, then another. Someone is obviously sending a warning to the criminal, but why? And who will be next? When one of the detectives' close friends is targeted, solving the case becomes even more critical. Whodunit?
10. We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry—I've heard the sobering statistics about the disparity between media coverage of missing Black and brown people vs. their white counterparts, but I'm not sure I've ever read a book on the subject. This novel sheds light on that disparity. It's about a journalist who's cleaning out her late grandmother's home when she discovers a photograph of an aunt she never knew she had. She's even more shocked when she finds out that Aunt Carol was one of six Black teenaged girls who went missing from the same Raleigh neighborhood back in 1965, never to be seen again. Turns out, their disappearances were hardly investigated by the police and received no coverage in the newspapers. Incensed by the injustice, the journalist vows to find answers for the families of the Raleigh Six. In doing so, she uncovers dark family secrets that leave her questioning everything she knows. At the same time, she's struggling with questions about her identity as a sister, a daughter, a wife, a career woman, and a potential mother.
Although We Don't Talk About Carol is a heavy read, it's also an important, absorbing, and surprisingly hopeful one. It's a solid debut. I'm looking forward to seeing what Berry does next.
See my full blog review here.
There you go, the ten books I've read so far in July. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What books live rent-free in your head? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Goodman's Newest a Pleasing Mash-up of Mystery/Thriller, Cozy, Indiana Jones-Style Action/Adventure, and Second-Chance Romance
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Twenty years ago, two frustrated American writers found each other in Italy and fell in love. They married, forming a romantic partnership at the same time they began co-writing what would become a popular, bestselling murder mystery series. Two decades later, Thea and Fred Morgan-Lane are flying back to the place where they met to participate in a writers' conference. They should be anticipating a romantic, nostalgic trip into the past, but the couple has not lived together in six years; they're keeping up the image of a happy marriage only to appease their fans. In fact, Thea is working up the courage to confront Fred about ending not just their long-running book series, but also their sham of a marriage.
Amid the usual dramas of a writers' conference—intrusive super fans, jealousies between authors, exhausting social engagements, and more—guests are abuzz about the treasure hunt that's been planned in the medieval castle-turned hotel where the conference is being held. Rumors of a real treasure have always circled about the centuries-old edifice, but Thea—a medieval scholar—strongly doubts it ever existed. When a shocking death occurs on the first night of the conference, it commands everyone's attention. The next dead body confirms that there is a killer at the event, and they're using one of Thea and Fred's books as a blueprint for murder. Under suspicion themselves, the warring couple finds themselves reluctantly working together to unmask the true murderer. Can the duo that solves crimes so successfully on the page unmask a real-life killer? Or will they become the next victims?
Carol Goodman is one of my go-to mystery/thriller authors. Her books feature atmospheric settings, complicated relationships, and twisty plots. Our Marriage is Murder, her latest, which comes out today, is no exception. It does differ from her previous novels; between its tongue-in-cheek title and its lighter tone, it has the feel of a cozy, although it's still darker and more violent than most books in that genre. Our Marriage is Murder is actually a mash-up of genres: it's a little bit mystery/thriller, a little bit cozy, a little bit Indiana Jones-style action/adventure, and a little bit second-chance romance. These extra elements give the story more oomph, which is needed because the tale does get slow in places. It's also pretty predictable. The ending, however, is perfect, with some thrilling scenes and a satisfying conclusion.
The characters are a bit skimpy in the depth and complexity departments. Thea is sympathetic, but she's also rather self-centered and a little cold. Fred is more dynamic, but he's also less likeable. Nevertheless, I was rooting for the couple to work things out, both professionally and personally. Even though I don't read much romance, I always want a nice HEA to look forward to. I prefer a realistic one and, like I said, I enjoyed the way Thea and Fred's story wraps up.
Our Marriage is Murder isn't my favorite of Goodman's novels, but I enjoyed it overall. It kept me entertained, although it was only in the last 1/3 or so that I found it unputdownable. Still, it's a solid read that shows Goodman's flexibility as a writer. I'm excited to see what she does next.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (1 F-bomb, plus a handful of milder invectives), violence, and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Our Marriage is Murder from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, July 20, 2026
Debut Novel About Missing Black Girls Absorbing and Surprisingly Hopeful
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
The statistics tell a disturbing story: not only do a disproportionate number of Black people go missing in the U.S. every year but their disappearances are also less likely to be widely covered by the media than those of their white counterparts. (See The Black and Missing Foundation.) I've long known about this disparity. However, I'm not sure I've ever read a book on the subject, fiction or non. We Don't Talk About Carol, a debut novel by Kristen L. Berry, brings the issue to light in a poignant and impactful story about one woman's plight to find answers about her missing aunt.
When Sydney Singleton's grandmother dies in Raleigh, North Carolina, Sydney flies out to help her mother and younger sister clean out Grammy's home so it can be sold. Formerly an investigative journalist, Sydney's curiosity is piqued when she discovers a hidden photograph of a young woman who looks just like Sydney. Although her deceased father professed to be an only child, she soon discovers that he, in fact, had an older sister who vanished without a trace in 1965 when she was 17 years old. Not only that, but she was one of six teenaged girls who disappeared from the same Black community around the same time. Sydney's even more shocked—and angry—to discover that the string of disappearances were barely mentioned in the newspapers at the time or investigated by local law enforcement. After suffering a mental break caused by covering a heart-wrenching story, Sydney is no longer a reporter. In the middle of IVF treatments, she's supposed to be avoiding stress. Plus, her mother insists she forget all about Aunt Carol, citing her famous refrain: what happens in this house stays in this house. Sydney knows she should let it go, but she can't.
Sydney launches her own investigation into the disappearances of the Raleigh Six 60 years ago. It's not an easy task. While some people are eager to talk, others are reticent. It's clear that, in spite of the decades that have passed, someone out there knows what really happened to the girls. As Sydney digs deeper and deeper, she unearths dark secrets about her family and herself, secrets that only deepen her questions about her identity and her uncertainty about her ability to be a good mother. The more her investigation disrupts Sydney's ordered life, the more dangerous it becomes. Desperate to find answers, she puts everything on the line to solve six very cold cases.
Although We Don't Talk About Carol presents as a mystery/thriller, it's actually more of a family drama. Yes, suspicious deaths are being dug into, but the story is mostly about Sydney and her struggle to define herself within her roles as a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a journalist who has settled for a less-than-satisfying career in PR. As she probes Carol's life for clues, she also examines her own repressed memories of a tense childhood, her mother's reluctance to talk about anything of substance, her sometimes rocky relationship with her sister, and her conflicting feelings about the possibility of becoming a mother. Her personal struggles makes her sympathetic and relatable, while her determination to find the Raleigh Six make her admirable. It's easy to root for Sydney. I wanted her to find all the answers she sought.
As far as plot goes, We Don't Talk About Carol moves a little slowly. It's not exactly a page turner, but I quickly got invested in the story, wanting to know what had happened to Carol and the other missing teens. Although the answers are a bit predictable, I was surprised by at least one plot twist. The story kept me turning pages. In the end, I found it to be an affecting read that is, despite its sad subject matter, surprisingly hopeful.
Because of its eye-opening subject matter and the fact that it's a solid, satisfying debut, I wish We Don't Talk About Carol was getting more attention. I received an e-ARC of the book from NetGalley last year, but forgot all about it until I randomly came across it again the other day. I'm glad I did. I recommend picking up this novel if you're looking for an absorbing, memorable read on an important subject.
(Readalikes: I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus occasional milder invectives), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of We Don't Talk About Carol from the generous folks at Random House Publishing Group via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want to Read By New-to-Me Authors
Today's TTT prompt is a great one—Top Ten Book Titles That Include the Word [Insert Word of Your Choice Here]—but I'm going to scooch ahead to next week's topic instead since I won't be in town on the 14th. That one is: Top Ten Books I Want to Read By New to Me Authors. Naturally, I could make a Top 100 list on this topic, but I'll *try* to stick to just 10.
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Before we get to that, though, I want to give a shoutout to Carol over at Reading Ladies Book Club. Every year, she asks fellow book bloggers to join her for a fun collab called Summer's One Must Read Book in which they recommend the one title they most feel like you should read. I've been privileged to contribute for several years now and I love it! The collab is a great way to get new reading recommendations, find new bloggers to follow, and support ones you may already be familiar with. Curious to know which book I recommended? Check out the post here.
Top Ten Books I Want to Read By New to Me Authors
(in alphabetical order by author's last name)
1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown—I've had this YA dystopian novel, the first in a popular trilogy, on my shelf for years. It happened to come up in a conversation with friends during our Fourth of July getaway and their rave reviews made me want to give it a go. Although the story was a tad confusing at first, I'm finding it a very gripping read now that I'm into it.
The story revolves around 16-year-old Darrow, who lives in a mining colony beneath the surface of Mars. He performs a dangerous job in a brutal environment for very little reward, but he knows that his sacrifices are necessary in order to make the planet habitable for the people living on a dying Earth. When Darrow suffers a devastating loss, which leads him to a secret resistance group, he learns some shocking truths about his community and his real role within it. Feeling angry and betrayed, Darrow agrees to go undercover as one of the enemy in order to bring down the hierarchy from within. Can he accomplish his mission in a glittering Gold world without losing his earthy Red soul?
2. The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan—This is the first book in a series starring a ghostwriter who solves mysteries. In this initial outing, the writer is penning the story of Senator Dorothy Gibson, the first independent candidate to run for President of the United States. After the shocking results of the election, she has become the most talked about woman in America. It's a prime assignment for the ghostwriter, but when Dorothy's neighbor dies suspiciously, the ghostwriter is roped into another job: helping to solve a murder.
3. Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel—At 77, Pepper Mills is forced into living at a retirement home by her three children. Unexpectedly, she not only makes friends in her new home but she also falls in love. When she begins to experience the symptoms of morning sickness, she's astonished to discover that she's pregnant. The news shocks everyone, leading to a media circus that has everyone from Pepper's children to complete strangers voicing an opinion about what should happen next. Such an intriguing premise!
4. The Stargazer of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt—It's 1851 and Winifred Starbuck's parents are about to embark on their last merchant voyage, a trip of a lifetime from Nantucket Island to San Francisco to China. Forbidden from going, Winifred stows away. Soon, she's on a thrilling adventure, one that will test her mettle, break open shocking family secrets, and change her life forever.
5. The Matchbox Girl by Alice Jolly—No one really understands Adelheid Brunner, a girl who doesn't speak, using only her writing and drawing to communicate. No one understands why she's obsessive about her goal of owning 1000 matchboxes. Dr. Asperger is the one person who seems to get her. When he invites her to live at his pediatric clinic in Vienna with other children like herself, she agrees. It's 1938, however, and things are only getting more heated in the city. Adelheid soon realizes she's in the middle of a dangerous game she can't even begin to understand.
6. The Fort by Christy K. Lee—I saw this historical novel recommended somewhere, but I can't remember where. Was it on your blog? Anyway, it's set during the middle of the bustling Canada fur trade and features an Englishwoman who comes to the country in order to leave her scandalous past behind. To support herself and her young son, Abigail Williams plans to mend horseshoes in her father's blacksmith shop at Fort Edmonton. When her past catches up with her, Abby escapes with a group of voyageurs heading to Montreal. It's a grueling trip, one she must survive in order to finally create the new life she and her son deserve.
7. Liberty Street by Heather Marshall—Also set in Canada, this dual-timeline novel centers around a notorious women's prison. In 1961, an intrepid female reporter goes undercover at the facility in order to investigate shocking claims made by an inmate. Once she's in, though, she may not be able to get out...Thirty-five years later, unidentified female remains are discovered in a small Ontario cemetery. The police investigation leads back to Mercer Women's Prison.
8. How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson—A self-help book that teaches people how to get away with murder seems to be the playbook a London serial killer is using to do just that. After being on a mental health leave for six months, Detective Samantha Hansen is eager to prove her competence by catching the murderer.
9. Mother Daughter Sister Stranger by Hank Phillippi Ryan (available September 1, 2026)—This mystery/thriller is about sisters who are the only survivors of the plane crash that killed their parents. The experience forges a tight bond between them that can never be broken. Until it is. When one of the sisters disappears, leaving her daughter behind, the other vows to find her, never expecting her search will expose sinister secrets about the sibling she thought she knew better than anyone.
10. Game, Set, Murder by Monique L. Stover—The first installment in a new cozy mystery series, this book is about Madeline Quinn, a tennis player whose coach is murdered right before an important tournament. Madeline's sister is the chief of police and, although she knows her sibling will do a thorough job investigating the crime, Madeline also knows that, as an insider, she has a unique perspective on the case. Can the sisters figure out who killed the coach?
There you go, ten books I want to read by authors I've never tried before. Have you read any of them? What did you think? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Monday, July 06, 2026
Check Out One Great Summer Read 2026
Every summer, Carol over at Reading Ladies Book Club puts together a fun collab wherein established book bloggers from around the world contribute their one best book recommendation of the year. What results is a great list of newer must-read titles in a variety of genres, perfect for summer (or anytime) reading. It's also a wonderful chance to discover new book bloggers to follow and to support those with whom you might already be familiar. I've been participating in this fun event for years, and I'm always honored to be a part of it. Curious to see which title I recommended? Check out this year's One Great Summer Read post. Your TBR list will thank you! Bonus: At the bottom of this year's post, you'll find links to past years' lists for even more excellent reading recommendations.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Top Ten Tuesday: Thirteen Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026
It doesn't seem to matter how many hundreds of unread books are loading down my bookshelves, my head still swivels when I see a shiny, new release! I haunt NetGalley and Edelweiss, always on the lookout for my next great read. If you are like me, then today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is one you've been looking forward to as well: Top Ten Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026. (As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.) Thanks to the websites mentioned above and generous publicists sending me physical ARCs, I've actually already read a lot of my most anticipated new releases for July-December, including:
Pretty Dead Things by Kelsey Cox (July 7) - ***1/2
Our Marriage is Murder by Carol Goodman (July 21) - ****
How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz (July 21) - ****
The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen (August 4) - ***
Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty (August 4) - ***1/2
The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society by Lindsay Currie (September 15) - ***1/2
A Map to Murder by Michelle Chouinard (September 22) - ****
The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson (September 29) - *** 1/2
Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (October 6) - ****
The ones I have not been able to get my hot little hands on yet are on my list today. And because I really can't resist them, I have thirteen new releases instead of ten. #TheStruggleIsReal
Top Ten Thirteen Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026
- in order of release date -
1. Everything She Didn't Say by Jane Casey (July 16)—In this standalone mystery/thriller, two friends are enjoying a month-long holiday on the Irish coast. One morning, Ruth wakes up, covered in someone else's blood. Maura is nowhere to be seen. Ruth becomes the number one suspect in her friend's murder, but she's also the only witness. What happened to Maura? Does Ruth know more than she's telling?
2. The Unknown by Riley Sager (August 4)—Actress Marin Keane is stunned when she secures a role in what promises to be a blockbuster movie. The gig requires a month of research on location at New Avalon, Vermont, where five women mysteriously disappeared 100 years ago. As Marin and her castmates settle in on the island, they notice weird noises and strange symbols that seem to confirm rumors that something supernatural took the missing women. When the island's occupants are stranded there, things get even more sinister. What is happening on New Avalon? Is someone trying to sabotage the movie or is something even more nefarious at work?
3. A Thousand Little Goodbyes by Lucy Gilmore (August 11)—Gilmore's newest is receiving mixed reviews, but I'll still give it a go. It's about two lifelong friends who decide to finally take the road trip they've been planning for forever. As the journey goes on, it becomes apparent that it's about more than having fun—it's about saying goodbye.
4. My Killer Family Reunion by Dinesh Thiru (August 11)—Jayshree Devi's family reunions are never without drama. She's still shocked, though, when her wealthy Grand Mom has an accident that looks suspiciously like something much more sinister. With the help of her irritating cousins and their hot friend, Jay launches an investigation, one that will unearth long-buried family secrets on the way to finding out who was behind her grandmother's "accident."
5. My Sister is Going to Kill Me by Nina Simon (August 18)—For this year's sisters trip, Liv and Mandy Chisolm have booked a rafting excursion through the Grand Canyon. Although they will be traveling with a group of strangers, they're looking forward to bonding with each other while enjoying an incredible adventure. The two get more than they bargained for when one of their number is found dead and another body is discovered in the water. Trapped on a raging river with a killer and a bunch of people they don't know, all of whom seem to be hiding dangerous secrets, Liv and Mandy have to unmask a murderer before it's too late for all of them.
6. Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty (August 25)—The much-anticipated sequel to Moriarty's well-loved Big Little Lies, this novel is set ten years after the events of the previous book. The moms are back and all of them are dealing with their own challenges and troubles. When the principal of the high school their children attend receives a severed human finger in the mail and a strange man is spotted lurking around campus, the parents are up-in-arms. Confronting this new problem will mean facing secrets from the past, secrets they hoped their children would never have to know. But now? The stakes are too high to keep hiding...
7. Find Me by Holly Craig (August 25)—Two years ago, Pete went missing in the Tasmanian wilderness after visiting a mysterious commune whose members enact rituals to appease a malevolent presence they say dwells in the mountains. From her deathbed, Pete's mother begged his estranged sisters to work together to find their brother. This is easier said than done as they navigate the mountain, the issues between them, and another perplexing disappearance.
8. The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (September 8)—Inspired by a real Irish sea captain, this historical novel tells the story of Grace O'Malley, the proper daughter of an Irish clan chief who defied all the odds and became a famous pirate.
9. Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult (September 15)—After her mother died in the 9/11 tragedy, Molly Fitzgerald developed a fear of disasters. Now the director of the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, she channels her anxiety into saving others in crisis situations. When an unexpected crisis descends on Molly and her husband, their lives turn upside down. Can she save herself from disintegrating under the pressure of her own disaster?
10. We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman (September 15)—This book is actually #1 in terms of 2026 releases I've been looking forward to. I adored We Solve Murders, so I'm stoked for this sequel. This time, Amy, Rose, and Steve team up to solve the case of a suspicious death at a private villa in the Italian hills. Everybody is hiding something. Whodunit?
11. The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay (October 6)—Book lover Gemma Brown has just moved to a sleepy village in the Cotswolds, where she runs the town's first-ever bookstore. Finding it difficult to fit in, Gemma is thrilled to make friends with the enigmatic local baker. It's not long, though, before she begins to suspect that her new pal is a spy. It's 1950; anything is possible. Or is Gemma's fiction-fueled imagination running amok? Soon, she finds herself embroiled in an international intrigue the likes of which she's never seen outside of a book.
12. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter (October 13)—The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was a super fun read. This companion novel (as far as I can tell, it's not a sequel) sounds equally as entertaining. The story revolves around a billionaire's son and the housekeeper's daughter, who have been rivals since childhood. When the former goes missing, leaving only a pool of blood behind, it's up to the latter to prove he's alive—and find the person who desperately wants him dead. Sounds confusing, but entertaining.
13. A Reunion to Die For by K.J. Whittle (October 26)—When a group of classmates gather for a reunion, talk turns to the school bully who tortured all of them with his cruel taunting. As the drinks flow, the victims joke about ways they could get revenge on the guy who made them all so miserable. The next day, the bully is found dead, killed in a way that is suspiciously similar to the hypothetical plans made by the classmates. When a recording of that conversation is given to the police, the group members become suspects. Desperate to clear their names, they scramble to solve the murder they unknowingly planned.
There you go, thirteen books releasing in the second half of 2026 that I want to read. Have you read any of them? What did you think? Which up-and-comers are you most excited about? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
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