So, you know how Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter? Well, someone forgot to inform Arizona. We've barely had any cold weather at all. Instead, we're breaking winter heat records. It was 83 degrees today and it's supposed to be 86 on Wednesday! That's just insane. Ick. Why do I live here?

In other news, today is Tuesday, meaning we have a new TTT topic du jour: Top Ten Book Covers Featuring Cool/Pretty/Unique/etc. Typography. I enjoy a fun font as much as anyone, but since I didn't get a chance to do last week's prompt—Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025—I'm going to do that one today instead. As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025 

1. Bluebird by Sharon Cameron—Okay, this one is a cheat. Not only is it a re-discovery, but I also experienced it last month. Ahem. ANYway, I first read (and loved) Bluebird when it was published in 2016. The story captivated me because it was such a gripping and moving read. Even though I have read tons of World War II fiction, it's one that has really stayed with me. I recommended it to my book club, which prompted a reread. Guess what? Although I remembered some of the twists, Bluebird still kept me riveted. My husband just finished it for the first time and loved it as well. My book club is meeting in a few hours to discuss the novel. I can't wait!

Here's the publisher's blurb: A historical novel, set in postwar New York City.

But Eva hasn't come to America for secrets or power. She hasn't even come for a new life. She has come to America for one thing: justice. And the Nazi that has escaped its net. 

2. Kindle Scribe—I've been a dedicated Kindle Fire user for a long time, but when I saw some ads pushing the Kindle Scribe, I decided to try it out. My husband gifted me one for an early birthday/Christmas present, and I love it. Instead of taking notes on paper while I read, I now use the "Notebook" feature on my Scribe. I prefer writing them by hand, but it's much easier on my Scribe since I can easily add and erase information while keeping my notes looking neat and orderly. Toggling between two screens isn't the easiest thing to do on this device, but otherwise, I really dig it for distraction-free reading and note-taking. I'm itching to get the new ColorSoft version, not gonna lie, but at $679.99, it's a wee bit out of my price range!

3. Connie Berry—My favorite author discovery of 2025 is mystery writer Connie Berry. Last year, I enjoyed the first four books in her Kate Hamilton series, which stars an American antiquities dealer who solves mysteries in her adopted U.K. home. There are two more full-length novels and a novella in the series so far, and I'm planning to read all of them in 2026.

4. Audiobooks + cross-stitching = a winning combination—I've enjoyed cross-stitching since I was in my 20s, but I haven't always done it consistently. I rediscovered the hobby during the Covid lockdown when I got bored with just reading all the time (Right? I didn't know that could happen!). I would stitch for hours while watching t.v. with the kids. A few years later, I stopped stitching when I started having trouble with severe tendonitis in my hands. After having surgery in mid-2025, I am able to enjoy cross-stitching without pain again. Huzzah! However, I'm no longer much of a t.v. watcher. Enter audiobooks. Now, I can enjoy my two favorite hobbies at one time. With that discovery, I hope 2026 will be the year I finally finish the birth announcement I've been working on for my granddaughter, who turns three this year!

5. Celebrity memoirs on audio—Maybe it's because I'm not big on t.v. or maybe it's because I'm really old, but I don't care much about celebrities. Their dramatic, glamorous, disastrous lives are just not of much interest to me. Shockingly, I've actually listened to two celebrity memoirs over the last few months: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins. Both are narrated by the authors. Both are funny, poignant, interesting, and entertaining. The former is weirdly reverent and irreverent at the same time; for a book about spirituality, it's actually quite crude. The latter is better written and more engaging than I thought it would be. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed either book as much had I read them. Listening to the authors' own words in their own voices seems to be the key for me. I'm not saying I'll be listening to a lot of celebrity memoirs in the future (although I admit to being on the waitlist for Dick Van Dyke's 100 Rules for Living to 100 on Libby), but I did discover that I don't hate them. Who knew? P.S. My husband and I also enjoyed listening to Surrender by Bono a couple years ago.

6. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins—I read the original Hunger Games trilogy as the books came out, and I have never reread them, although I've definitely thought about doing so. Finally reading this much-anticipated prequel reintroduced me to the HG world, reminding me how engrossed I was by the books, and rekindling my desire for a reread of the original trilogy. Will it happen this year? May the odds be ever in my favor...

7. Barbara Ross—This cozy mystery author is another writer I discovered last year. I enjoyed the first book in her Maine Clambake Mystery series in 2025 and am currently reading the second installment. The story revolves around a New Yorker who returns to her Maine hometown to help save her family's long-running clambake business. Along with that, she gets to tangle with family drama, troubles with townspeople, a new boyfriend no one approves of, and, oh yeah, murder. 

8. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—When books are really hyped up, I tend to avoid them rather than snatch them up. And, you have to admit, the plot of this novel sounds a bit strange. An octopus narrator? Count me out. Then, it came up as an "Available Now" audiobook on Libby and I remembered how much Athena had been raving about the greatness of the audio version, so I caved. Spoiler alert: I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures. Spoiler alert #2: Athena was right—the book is excellent on audio.

9. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman—As a member of the Whitney Academy, I'm invited every year to help judge the Whitney Awards, which is a program that celebrates fiction written by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year, one of the finalists in the Middle Grade category is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. I enjoyed Hartman's first book, but I was still a little skeptical of her sophomore effort becuase its plot sounds a little...odd. Plus, animal narrators and I don't always get along. I read it anyway, and loved it for its uniqueness and heartwarming vibe. Guess who agrees with me about its awesomeness? The American Library Association. The book just received a well-deserved Newbery Honor Award. Congratulations!

10. Books read counter—Another bookish gift my husband got me for my birthday/Christmas was this cute counter for my desk. I enjoy tracking what I read on Goodreads, but it's also fun to count my books this way. My husband purchased this particular one on Amazon (he's addicted), but there are all kinds of cute ones on Etsy as well.

There you go, ten bookish discoveries I made in 2025 (and one re-discovery from this year). What did you discover last year? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. If you posted for last week's TTT, leave me a link so I can check out your 2025 discoveries.

Happy TTT! 

I love Christmastime—the lights, the carols, the food, the traditions, the generosity and goodwill in the air, just all of it. Even though it can be stressful to make all the magic happen for my family, this is still my favorite time of year. In spite of all the chaos in the world, I hope you're able to feel the joy of the season and take comfort in the goodness that still exists out there. I don't talk about my religion on here much, but I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer. Each nativity scene I see displayed reminds me of the gift of His birth, the example of His life, and the tremendous sacrifice He made to redeem us all. Throughout my life, I have felt the presence and love of my Heavenly Father and His Son and I will be forever grateful for that. For those of you who celebrate the holiday, Merry Christmas! For my Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah!  I hope we are all able to enjoy time together with our friends and loved ones this holiday season and that we can be both the recipients and the givers of cheer and love. 

Since I won't be back on TTT until mid-January, after my Holy Land trip, I also want to wish you all a Happy New Year! Thank you for sticking with me for another year. I truly appreciate everyone who drops in here at BBB and all who make the book blogosphere a wonderful place to hang out. Here's to more great reads and bookish fun in 2026.

Oh, and remember that if your holiday isn't turning out to be so merry and bright, we always have books to provide us with comfort, companionship, entertainment, and joy!

Speaking of books...let's get on with Top Ten Tuesday (hosted, as always, by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl). The topic du jour is Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings/Bookish Wishes. For this annual prompt, we're encouraged to post our Amazon book wishlists; visitors to your blog can then grant wishes by buying you books, if they choose. I've always been uncomfortable with this prompt, so I'm going to twist the topic a tad and talk about the last ten books I have gifted myself. (Who needs Santa, anyhow?)

1. Pearls and Poison by Erin Lindsey—I talked about this book in my last TTT post. It's the fourth installment in a Gilded Age mystery series starring a former New York City housemaid who becomes involved with a special branch of the Pinkerton Detective Agency that investigates paranormal mysteries. Now a Pinkerton agent in her own right and with Thomas Wiltshire (her mentor and object of affection) away in California, Rose Gallagher is on her own to investigate a series of strange deaths as well as some missing jewels. 

This is a fun series, and I've enjoyed all the books, which I've been able to find at my local libraries. Unfortunately, they do not carry Pearls and Poison, so I bought the e-book from Amazon. I started it today and I'm already hooked! 

2. The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson—My local indie, Changing Hands, offers a $10 discount during your birthday month, so I always go in December. This mystery novel looks fun, so I grabbed it. It's about Nora Davies, a newcomer to Cornwall who starts a book club at her local community center. So far, it's been a huge disaster, with attendees disagreeing over everything. When one of the members disappears and a dead body is found at his home, the remaining book clubbers must come together to figure out what happened to their missing member.

3. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—This book got so much buzz when it came out, that I immediately bought a copy of it in hardcover. It has been gathering dust on my shelf ever since! Then, a blogger (I can't remember who, unfortunately) mentioned how good the audio version is. When I got a new Audible credit in December, I cashed it in right away. The story is about several lonely souls whose lives converge in surprising ways. It really is a lovely book, one I really enjoyed, and the audiobook narrators truly are wonderful. 

4. Shadows in the Mind's Eye by Janyre Tromp—I couldn't find this historical novel at my library, so I bought it with Audible credits as well. The story is about a man who returns home to Arkansas after serving in World War II. After the horrors he experienced in the Pacific Theater, he's hoping to find peace and solace in his beloved hills. When he starts noticing strange things happening on his property, he's sure something sinister is going on. Considering the shell-shocked behavior he's been displaying ever since his return, no one believes the dismayed veteran. What's really going on? He's determined to find out.

5. The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace—Another pick from my Changing Hands shopping spree, I just realized this is actually the second book in a series. Oops! I'll have to read The Framed Women of Ardemore House first, then move on to this sequel. The series stars an "amateur autistic sleuth" working in North Yorkshire. Sounds promising!

6. Upgrade by Blake Crouch—I've enjoyed a number of books by Crouch, but I hadn't read this one yet so I grabbed it while I was at Changing Hands. It concerns Logan Ramsey, a man whose genome has been hacked, giving him some enhanced abilities. Of course, he's been "upgraded" for a reason, just as the rest of humanity will be if Logan doesn't stop it from happening. And fast.

7. James by Percival Everett—Everyone's raving about this historical novel that tells the story of Jim, the escaped slave who accompanies Huckleberry Finn on his grand adventure. I haven't read the book yet; hopefully, I'll get to it soon.

8. The Land of Sweet Forever by Harper Lee—To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book of all time, so naturally, I had to buy this newly-released volume of essays and stories by the iconic TKAM author.

9. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus—In order to fulfill a prompt for my 2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge, I need to read a book with a tv or movie screen on the cover. This novel qualifies and I've been curious about it ever since it came out, so I snatched up a copy when I saw it at Changing Hands.

10. Murder Buys a T-shirt by Christy Fifield—This is the first book in a cozy mystery series that features a Florida souvenir shop that is haunted by its deceased former owner via his pet parrot. When a local football star dies, the bird has a lot to say to its new owner. Can she trust a chatty pet to help her find out what really happened to the teenager? 

I bought a copy of this book because I couldn't find it in my local libraries. It was okay. Not very original, although I did like the crime-solving bird approach. That's unique and fun.

There you go, the last ten books I bought for myself. 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 your blog.

Good morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was delightful, with lots of laughs, baby snuggles, good food, and quality time spent with family and friends. My kids' favorite gift was surprise tickets to see U2 perform at The Sphere in Las Vegas. A few months ago, my husband went to see the concert with a buddy, and he hasn't stopped talking about it, so we decided to road trip to Vegas in February with our two youngest and experience it together. 

Thank you for all of your good wishes for my daughter-in-law. She was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon. Although she's still in a lot of pain, she and my son are thrilled to be back home. I'll be delivering their dog to them later today so their little family can all be reunited after a long week apart. My DIL still has a long recovery in front of her, so continued prayers/good vibes are very much welcome!

For those of you who have been dying to know what my son added to my Jesus collection this Christmas, wonder no more:

Buddy Christ makes me laugh. I'm not a dashboard figurine kind of person, so he'll be joining the other Jesuses on my desk.

Updated (12.28.23): My aunt thinks this Jesus giving tradition is sacrilegious. Since some of you might feel the same way, I better reiterate that I love and honor Jesus Christ as not just my loving elder brother (the son of my Heavenly Father) but also as my Savior. I do, however, have a sense of humor about being a "Jesus freak," and this tradition has been a way for my son and I to connect over the sometimes sticky issue of religion. So, even though it might seem a little irreverent, I love that we have this fun tradition. 

Anyway, today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is, not surprisingly, Top Ten Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf. "Santa" hid a fun bookish goodie under my tree. I've also gone a little crazy with the book buying lately thanks to Christmas, my recent birthday, and Barnes & Noble's new rewards program. I'm also heading to my favorite indie this afternoon to take advantage of the discount I get during my birthday month. Bottom line: I have a *few* acquisitions to share with you today. Funnily enough, when I mentioned to my husband that I really needed to put myself on a book buying ban in 2024, he just said, "You don't have to do that." My bookshelves are stuffed to the gills with unread books, so I really DO need to do that. Ha ha. 

TTT is hosted, as always, by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. She's sick today, so click on over there and give her some extra love, won't you?

1. Melanie Jacobson book box—Let's start with the cute bookish gift I found under my tree yesterday. When Melanie Jacobson—an author who writes sweet contemporary romances and was a very enthusiastic supporter of my own attempts to pen a novel years ago—announced that she was sponsoring a Christmas book box in conjunction with Hares and Hatters Bookshop (an indie in Pocatello, Idaho), I decided to order it for myself. It came with three hardcovers from her cozy Creekville series (Cocoa Kisses, Kiss the Girl, and Scrooge and the Girls Next Door), plus some cute surprises: an apron, a mug, hot cocoa mix, cookies, etc. Lots of fun!

2. Artifice by Sharon Cameron—Cameron is one of my favorite YA authors. I have enjoyed all of her books and I especially loved Bluebird, a World War II novel. I've been eyeing her newest, Artifice, ever since it came out. Since I was at Barnes & Noble anyway and I had rewards points to use, I went ahead and bought myself a copy.

3. Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson—Since my B&N point bank needs to be refilled, I sacrificed and bought a copy of this buzzy murder mystery.

4. Gull Island by Anna Porter—This thriller about a woman who travels to her family's cottage seeking answers about her missing father looked intriguing, so it came home with me as well. Huh. I just looked the book up on Barnes & Noble and Amazon to get a cover image and Gull Island does not get very good ratings/reviews. Oops. At least it was 50% off!

5. Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper—I love Johnson's murder mysteries. I've been wanting to read this one ever since it came out. My parents got me an Amazon gift card for my birthday, so I used it to purchase a copy. I'll be in a few quaint English villages this Spring and as much as I love researching my ancestors, I really don't want to die where they did. Thankfully, I've got this guide to keep me safe!

6. The Pact by Sharon Bolton—I love Bolton's Lacey Flint series and I haven't been able to find this newest installment in my local libraries. Amazon gift card to the rescue!

7. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose—Earlier this year, I signed up for the Book of the Month club. After a few months, I decided it really wasn't worth the cost for me. This murder mystery, sequel to The Maid (which I loved), was my last request from BOTM before I cancelled my membership.

8. Women of the Post by Joshunda Sanders—I've been wanting to read this historical novel ever since it came out. It's based on the real story of a battalion of Black women who found purpose in serving with the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Their job was to sort the copious amounts of mail being sent to soldiers every day from their loved ones.

9. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—Deanna has convinced me that I need to read this book, even though it doesn't necessarily sound like my kind of thing. When someone in my book club suggested we read it next year, it seemed like another sign from the universe. I listened and bought myself a copy.

10. The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan—Another World War II novel, this one is about a Malayan woman who made the desperate decision to become a spy for the Japanese government ten years ago. That action has brutal consequences in her present. When the woman's teenaged son disappears, she must risk everything to save her family.

There you go, the last ten (actually thirteen, but who's counting?) books that have found their way onto my already overcrowded bookshelves. Have you read any of them? Did Santa bring you any bookish goodies? Which titles have you acquired lately? I'd truly love to know. Leave a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here (although I am a week or so behind).