I'm late to post again this month. September is already getting away from me and it's barely even started. Yikes! This is going to be a quick post, too, because I only read two bookish books in August. They were:

The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows—This historical novel, which I listened to on audio, takes place in a small West Virigina town in 1938. When a wealthy socialite from Washington, D.C. is cut off by her father, who insists she needs to learn how to live independently, she is forced to take a job with the Federal Writers' Project. She is tasked with writing a town history of a berg in the middle of nowhere, exactly where she does not want to be. As she gets to know the quirky Romeyn family, however, she finds her attitude toward many things changing. 

Writers and Liars by Carol Goodman—Goodman's newest mystery/thriller stars an antiquities museum director who is invited back to the privately-owned Greek island where she once lived for a summer during a writers' retreat. Unable to write after suffering a heartbreaking betrayal, she has done her best to put the whole terrible experience behind her. Now, fifteen years later, she vows to go back and confront those who did her wrong. She counted on drama, but not a dead body...

Those are the only bookish books I read last month. How about you? What bookish reads did you enjoy in August?

I'm not sure yet what exactly I'll be reading this month. Here are three possibilities:

The Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin—I like the sound of this historical novel. It's about a woman who is left penniless after her father wracks up enormous debts with his gambling, leaving her and her mother destitute. In order to keep them from the poorhouse, the daughter applies for a position at a bookstore. Much to her chagrin, she's not the only one who wants the job. Can she and her handsome, enigmatic competitor find a way to work together so they both win? 

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas (available September 30, 2025)—I was fortunate to receive an e-ARC of this novel from NetGalley. When a murder at their workplace shatters the peace and refuge they've found at the library, a ragtag group of librarians must band together to save the library they love.

The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble (available March 3, 2026)—Okay, so I don't actually have a copy of this book, which doesn't come out until next year, but I'm praying to the gods of NetGalley and Edelweiss that I can snag an e-ARC. It sounds like a great bookish read.

Based on real circumstances, this historical novel is set in 1915 Manhattan where a vicious censor named Anthony Comstock is eagerly outlawing the publication of any works he deems inappropriate or dangerous. The three Applebaum sisters, owners of a Book Row bookstore, are determined to stop him at any cost.

Even though it's 105 degrees here in Arizona today, I'm sure it's starting to feel like Fall somewhere, so I'm breaking out an Autumn-themed TTT banner. It will still feel like summer in the Phoenix area for awhile, unfortunately, but at least I can pretend, right?

In honor of Labor Day, which we celebrated yesterday here in the U.S., today's TTT theme is: Top Ten Books With Occupations in the Title. I'm going to scour my TBR list to see what I can find. Shouldn't be too tough. (Actually, it was a bit hard. I only found eleven, which surprised me since it seems like occupation titles are all the rage these days. Interesting...)

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

1. The Widow Spy by Megan Campisi—This historical novel is based on the true story of Kate Warne, the first female detective in the U.S. In the summer of 1863, she's tasked with gaining the trust of a Confederate socialist and spy. What is already a seemingly impossible task is made even more risky by the secrets Kate herself is hiding.

2. The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill—When attorney Theodosia "Theo" Benton abandons her career in order to concentrate on finishing the novel she's been writing, she knows it's going to cause a stir. Then, her writing mentor is murdered, the police target her brother for the killing, and Theo finds herself following clues left by the dead man in order to solve the crime. 

3. And the Band Played On: The Titanic Violinist and the Glovemaker: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Betrayal by Christopher Ward—In this "outstanding piece of literary detective work," Ward presents the research he did on his grandfather, a violinist who continued to play music with his Titanic bandmates as the great ship sank. The author examines the effects of Jock Hume's death on his pregnant fiancée and other family members.

I'm not sure where the glovemaker comes in, but hey, bonus points for me for finding two occupations in one title! This cover photo actually doesn't show the subtitles. Hmm...

4. The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra—This is the first book in a cozy mystery series set in 1920s India. It stars a new bride who spots a suspicious shadowy figure at a party. When a guest turns up dead and a frightened young woman is accused of the crime, the newlywed can't help herself—she has to investigate. Little does she know just how dangerous sleuthing can be...

5. The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose—I love this fun mystery series! The third installment finds our plucky heroine organizing a shoot at the hotel for a popular antiques appraisal television show. On a whim, she brings in some of her gram's treasures, one of which is, shockingly, of enormous value. When the item is stolen, Molly and her friends launch their own investigation to catch a thief.

6. The Artist of Blackberry Grange by Paulette Kennedy—It's 1925 and a devastated Sallie Halloran is in desperate need of a change. When she learns that her great-aunt, who is suffering from dementia, needs a live-in caretaker, she heads to the woman's crumbling mansion in the Ozarks to take the job. When her great-aunt starts painting strange, haunting pieces hinting at secrets from the past, a curious Sally starts digging into the artist's life for answers.

7. The Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin—Left penniless by her father's gambling debts, Evelyn is desperate to find a way to support herself and her mother. When she learns about a position at a bookstore, she eagerly applies. She's not the only applicant. Can Evelyn and William, an enigmatic writer with his own secrets, find a way to work together to their mutual benefit?

8. The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis—This cozy fantasy features a panicked mother whose daughter has just been bitten by a werewolf. Whisked away to a secret magical school community, she is grappling to understand its many oddities—from frightening prophecies to terrifying PTA politics. Will she and her family ever find their way in a strange new club they never asked to join?

9. The Librarians by Sherry Thomas—In a quiet Texas suburb, four quirky librarians have found peace and acceptance working at the local library. When a murder occurs during a library event, their neat world is completely upended. Suddenly, their refuge is at risk and the only way to save it is to trust one another and work together to save their beloved library.

10. The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman—Inspired by the author's family history, this novel tells the story of a war refugee who has found freedom in Vienna. Struggling to survive on very little, Chana risks everything each night as she sneaks back into the hotel kitchen where she works during the day to bake her father's beloved recipes. When she finds herself at the center of a dangerous love triangle, things become even dicier. How can Chana figure out what her heart really wants when she must concentrate her every effort on ekeing out enough of a living to keep herself and her family alive?

There you go, ten books on my TBR list that feature occupations in their titles. Have you read any of these? Which occupation titles did you choose to highlight today? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!  

Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is: Non-bookish Freebie. You can make a list about literally anything as long as it doesn't have to do with books (unless you really want it to be about books—that's okay, too). My mind always goes blank when confronted with freebie topics, especially if they're not about reading, so I did a slight twist on Jana's idea from the last time we did this prompt: Top Ten Most Memorable Places I've Visited. In the many years I've been doing TTT, this is a topic I've never done. Woo hoo!

As always, this fun weekly blogging event is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

I'm not the most well-traveled person in the world, but I added it up and, not counting the United States where I live, I've visited nine countries (eleven if you add in airport layovers in Peru and Japan). I'll cross two more—Jordan and Israel—off in December, provided our tour doesn't get cancelled. In addition, I've been to 33 of the 50 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C. In October, I'll be visiting three new-to-me Southern states, which will put me at 36. I've been around a little bit, so I thought it would be fun to share the ten most memorable places I've visited in my country and around the world. In no particular order, they are:

1. The Columbia River Gorge (southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, U.S.A.)—I'm a bit biased having been born and reared in this GORGEous National Scenic Area, but it really is a stunning place featuring majestic Mt. Hood, the glittering Columbia River, lush forests, gushing waterfalls, and more.

Runners-up in Oregon: the rugged coast, especially Astoria and Tillamook

2. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmarte (Paris, France)—This beautiful basilica sits atop a hill, giving it a sweeping view of Paris, especially if you climb up the steep, claustrophobic stairs to the dome. The view at the top is almost as breath-stealing as the hike to get there!

Runner-up in Paris: the Palace of Versailles

3. Boracay Island (the Philippines)—White sand beaches, crystal clear water, swaying palm trees...what could be more relaxing? Ahhh...take me back!

Runner-up in the Philippines: Camiguin Island

4. Capilano Suspension Bridge (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)—My maternal grandmother's second husband (who also happened to by my grandfather's first cousin) was Canadian. They lived in the Vancouver area before he died in the early 1990s, so I visited them there many times as a kid. This suspension bridge and the park that surrounds it was one of my family's favorite attractions there.

Runner-up in Canada: beautiful Victoria, British Columbia

5. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C., U.S.A.)—Washington, D.C., is full of interesting, important sites, but the one that stands out to me is this one. My uncle was killed in the war when he was just 22 and seeing his name on that vast wall along with all the other fallen soldiers is just...sobering. I've been there twice and was equally moved by the experience both times.

Runner-up in Washington, D.C.: the gorgeous Library of Congress 

6. Whitby (England, Yorkshire, U.K.)—My mother's maiden name is Whitby and, while none of us has ever been able to make a connection between the city and our family, she has always wanted to check it out. I have, too, so last year on a trip to the U.K., my husband and I made a point to stop there. We spent a fun day exploring the old town, strolling its cobblestone streets, shopping in cute boutiques, climbing the 199 steps to see the Abbey ruins and cemetery, and enjoying the stunning views from up high.

Runners-up in England: Chester, the Lake District, and the Dales

7. Dunn's River Falls (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)—This mighty waterfall is a big tourist attraction and, no wonder, it's awesome!

Runner-up in Jamaica: the beaches (I haven't seen much of Jamaica, honestly. Both times I've been there, I mostly stuck around the resort.)

8. Castell Conwy (Conwy, Wales, U.K.)—After a whirlwind two-week family trip to England, Scotland, Wales, and Paris in 2021, I asked my kids what their favorite part of our vacation was and they both said Castell Conwy. Conwy is a vibrant market town with a scenic riverside setting. My kids had a blast running all over the grounds of Castell Conwy, exploring the ruins. The views from the castle's towers are simply spectacular.

Runner-up in Wales: Snowdonia

9. Culzean Castle (Ayrshire, Scotland, U.K.)—My father's ancestors come from the proud Clan Kennedy of Ayrshire. Of all the clan's castles, Culzean is the grandest and most beautiful. Its clifftop setting is as picturesque as can be.

Runners-up in Ayrshire: Dunure Castle and Turnberry Lighthouse (even though its owned by He Who Shall Not Be Named, the grounds are open to the public and the views are stunning)

10. Salto del Laja/Laja Falls (south central Chile)—Although the most memorable site I visited in Chile was the El Chiflon del Diablo under-the-ocean mine in Lota, it was an uncomfortable and rather terrifying experience, so I'm going to highlight this lovely waterfall instead. It was much more pleasant. 

Runner-up in Chile: the scenic Bio Bio River, which reminds me of the Columbia River (see #1)

There you go, ten of the most memorable places I've been. Have you traveled to any of them? Where are the most memorable spots you have visited? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Today's TTT prompt—Top Ten Books With a High Page Count—is all about lengthy books. Are you a fan of thick, detailed door stoppers or do you avoid them like the plague? For me, it just depends. If a book is keeping me engaged and entertained, then I'll continue reading it no matter how many pages it has. If a book isn't holding my attention, then it doesn't matter if it's 50 pages or 5000, I'm going to DNF that sucker! I always read a mix of adult and children's books, most of which are mysteries/thrillers, historical fiction novels, or historical mysteries. Depending on which authors you read, these genres don't tend to produce the kind of epic tomes you see in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. I'd guess the page count of the books I read in any given year is around 200-250. Most years, I do take on a few thicker tomes, which for me usually means around 500 pages. This year, I've picked up more of them than I usually do, so for my list today, I'm going to share the ten longest books I've read in 2025 so far. 

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. 

1. The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7683524304

Genre: nonfiction/U.S. history/Black history

What it's about: the massive migration of Black people out of the American South to northern, western, and midwestern states, from about 1910 to the 1970s

Page count: 622

Read for: book club

Affect of page count on reading experience: This book is interesting, but it definitely feels overly long and tedious. Other than the woman who recommended it, I'm the only one in my book club who finished it. Everyone else got too bored with it to read to the end.

2. Shift by Hugh Howey (SILO trilogy #2)

My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7362810129

Genre: Dystopian/sci-fi

What it's about: With the world on the brink of certain destruction, select groups of people are invited underground to live in protected silos. Generations later, it's forbidden to even talk of the outside world, but there are always those whose curiosity and desperation get the better of them. What do they find beyond the silos? No one knows because those who leave never come back...

Page count: 579

Read for: I've been wanting to finish this series, which I started in 2018.

Affect of page count on reading experience: Although I really like the SILO books, there's no doubt that they get REALLY long. Longer than necessary. They don't have much plot to them, really, so the stories do get tedious and dull in places.

3. It Happened On the Lake by Lisa Jackson

My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7528355859

Genre: mystery/thriller

What it's about: Harper Reed Prescott owns a large Victorian home on a beautiful private island which is also hers. She has no interest in either. After the mysterious deaths and other happenings that have occured there, she just wants to sell the whole property and be done with it. Unfortunately, there is much in her past and that of her family that still needs to be reckoned with... 

Page count: 586

Read for: NetGalley review 

Affect of page count on reading experience: This book is overwritten in every possible way. It was a huge slog for me and I'm still not sure why I plowed through the whole thing!

4. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking series #2)

My original blog review (2011): http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2011/01/i-mean-seriously-could-patrick-ness-get.html

My Goodreads review (2025): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7717949658

Genre: YA dystopian/sci-fi

What it's about: Todd Hewitt has grown up on a planet other than Earth. Viola has come to his planet because Earth is no longer habitable. Todd's world is at war. Can he and Viola stop the violence, save their civilization, and protect the refugees from Viola's spaceship who are hurtling toward them hoping for peace and safety?

Page count: 553

Read for: re-reading the series because I LOVE it

Affect of page count on reading experience: The tension and action in this book are so unrelenting that the pages fly by. You barely notice how long it is.

5. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking series #1)

My original blog review (2011): http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2011/01/knife-of-never-letting-go-leaves-me.html

My Goodreads review (2025): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/874857816

Genre: YA dystopian/sci-fi

What it's about: Todd Hewitt's parents came to a new planet to find refuge away from a dying Earth. Now an orphan, Todd has become disillusioned with the rules of his town. He is running away when he encounters Viola, whose scouting ship has just crashed nearby. Together, the parentless teens flee toward a city where they've heard they can find safety. The mayor of Todd's town, who isn't about to let them go, is in hot pursuit, determined to catch them no matter the cost.

Page count: 528

Read for: re-reading the series because I LOVE it

Affect of page count on reading experience: Ditto what I said above about The Ask and the Answer.

6. Wool by Hugh Howey (SILO trilogy #1)

My original blog review: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2018/01/subterranean-dystopian-trilogy-starts.html

Genre: Dystopian/sci-fi

What it's about: See summary for Shift above.

Page count: 509

Read for: I want to finish the SILO trilogy, which I started in 2018.

Affect of page count on reading experience: Wool moves at a faster pace than Shift, so it doesn't feel as long, but it does get slow in places.

7. The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan (available November 25, 2025)

My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7573787746

Genre: Mystery/thriller

What it's about: When Dr. Anya Brown publishes a translation of an ancient folio, she receives the attention of a secret women's organization that has been hunting for a certain book of power for over a century. A rival group also wants the tome. Caught in the middle of a deadly fight she doesn't understand, Anya has to figure out how to get herself out of it—before she's the next person to be mysteriously murdered.

Page count: 496

Read for: pleasure - Macmillan is one of my go-to mystery/thriller authors

Affect of page count on reading experience: Macmillan usually writes contemporary mysteries and thrillers that are quick-paced and engrossing. This book is a big departure from her norm. Unfortunately, I found The Burning Library overly long, tedious, confusing, and boring. 

8. The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows

My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7843112501

Genre: historical fiction

What it's about: When her father cuts her off, insisting she become financially independent, Layla Beck is forced to take a job with the Federal Writers' Project. Tasked with writing a history of backwards Macedonia, West Virginia, she is unenthusiastic to say the least. As Layla gets to know the Romeyns, the quirky family with which she's boarding, her attitude slowly changes. She changes their lives as well, bringing unwanted tension, unwelcome questions, and unasked for observations that force the Romeyns to acknowledge some painful truths.

Page count: 486

Read for: pleasure and for the Literary Escapes Reading Challenge

Affect of page count on reading experience: Overall, this novel is quite charming and engaging. It is excessively long, though, and definitely would have benefitted from some serious trimming.

9. The Women by Kristin Hannah

My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5736912487

Genre: historical fiction

What it's about: The life of a privileged young nurse is changed irrevocably when she volunteers to serve in the Vietnam War. When she returns home to California after two tours expecting a hero's welcome, she's dismayed to find her family dismissive of her experiences and her countrymen critical. Dealing with PTSD and these issues takes her to the very edge of her sanity. Can anything bring her back?

Page count: 471

Read for: pleasure

Affect of page count on reading experience: This is another book that is way longer than it needs to be. There's no real plot, so it feels episodic, repetitious, and dull, especially in the latter half when the main character is back in the U.S.

10. The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes

My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7136265693

Genre: historical fiction

What it's about: After being involved in a political scandal, a young writer is shipped off to Montana to work with a Works Progress Administration team to write a guide for the state. There, she encounters the intriguing mystery of a long-missing boxcar librarian. She's determined to find out what really happened.

Page count: 446

Read for: Goodreads review

Affect of page count on reading experience: This book kept my attention through all of its many pages. I enjoyed it.

I'd like to complete the Chaos Walking and SILO trilogies before the end of the year as well as a few more chunksters, so I've still got some hefty reading in front of me. What about you? What lengthy tomes have you read this year? Which door stoppers are your favorite? What's the longest book you've ever read? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.