So here’s a look at some recently published books. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for these advance review copies:

Good Intentions by Marisa Walz. A story about two identical twins and how one has to navigate life after the death of the other. Cady seems to have a perfect life but when her sister dies everyone thinks she’ll be consumed by grief but enter a new person in her life and so begins a tale of obsession. On sale 2/3.

The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera. Siriwathi Perera drives a taxi in NYC but when her last fare ends up dead and she’s singled as the prime suspect, she must do everything in her power to clear her name. On sale 2/10.

Children of the Savage City by Elizabeth Heider. When an au pair is killed during a mass at a quiet chapel in Naples, Italy, there’s a witness but she is only willing to speak with one person. Can the truth come out when the team investigating the case are faced with corruption and secrets? On sale 2/17.

A Good Animal by Sara Maurer. A coming of age and first love story. Everett Lindt is comfortable with a life on a farm in Michigan when most young adults are anxious to get out. However, when he meets Mary they fall in love but soon realize their dreams may not align. On sale 2/24.

All We Have is Time by Amy Tordoff. A time travel tale between London in 1605 and Woodstock 1969, will be the setting for this novel about a woman who will finally learn what it means to truly love. On sale 2/24.

Blood Relay by Devon Mihesuah. A thriller featuring a Choctaw Detective investigating the disappearance of a beloved women’s Indian Horse relay rider. As the case deepens she realizes there’s a growing threat to the reservation. On sale 2/24.

If you have any of these on your radar let me know. I hope you’ve been doing well and more book talk soon.

Oh friends, it’s been a bit of a rocky start to the month. Unfortunately one of my dear aunts passed away last weekend and while we knew she wasn’t well, it was still so sad. I feel for my one cousin who has now lost both of his parents and I feel for my mom who lost her younger sister.

I was going to talk about my current reads in this post but I’ll just say that the book I turned to was The Magic Hour by Charlotte Moore. This is a collection of 100 poems which also has a section on poems for grief and loss. If you have any poetry to recommend please share. I always find poetry so comforting.

The other thing I’ve done is finally picked up my art supplies to start creating. I had been busy with other things and I had put off my creative pursuits the past few weeks but to honor my aunt, I thought it was fitting to pick up my pencils, paints and brushes and just have some fun. My aunt enjoyed drawing, sewing and other crafty pursuits.

As this is the month of love, I encourage everyone to stay close to your friends and loved ones. Check in on them. The news certainly makes you feel like nothing good is happening in the world so we have to take care of one another. For Valentine’s Day my husband and I will probably make our traditional stop at World Market to check out the German chocolates section. I already have a few in mind I definitely want to get.

Hope you have a peaceful weekend and hope you are reading some great books!

Now on to the books. I set my Goodreads goal as 50 books and can tell you I’m already behind. Ha. That’s just for fun anyway but I had some good reads this month so I think that’s already a win. Here is what I read: Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo, A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao and Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. All were enjoyable and I’ll definitely continue to follow the Castillo and Rao series.

As I started strong with mysteries this year, I’ve been thinking a bit about my reading goals. Not necessarily goals, but areas of focus. I try to incorporate fiction in translation, poetry and graphic novels into my reading every year and that still stands. Even if it’s just a title or two. But, one area I’ve fallen behind on is keeping up with some mystery series.

I was doing a bit of searching online and realize I’m way behind on some favorites. What can I say, new books keep coming out! So anyway, I think I’ll add this to one of my reading goals and that is to visit with a favorite series or two.

Anyway, thank you again for visiting my blog and I’m glad I was able to be a bit more present in this space. My mom is doing a bit better after her fall in December so I’m happy she’s gaining a bit more independence which of course also helps me a bit. Wishing you all a wonderful February and hope you’re reading some great books!

This week I got a chance to go to my Mystery book group and we discussed The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Turned out to be a 4 star read for several of the participants. I had read this one a couple of years ago so I did not re-read for the meeting but as we were discussing it so many things did come back to me. I think what I liked best was the locked room aspect with the added mystery that we don’t even know who died. That was my first Lucy Foley book but definitely would like to read some other of her novels.

Next up we plan to read With No One As Witness by Elizabeth George, Gravel Roads & Shallow Graves by D.L.S. Evatt (who is also one of our members!), The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths and The Indian Bride by Karin Fossum. I think we have some great reads ahead!

Did you guys also see that The Edgar Awards nominees were announced this week? Not surprised that I haven’t read any of these books but of course do have some on my radar.

Now to bundle up, enjoy coffee and tea on rotation and hopefully make a dent in my Elizabeth George book. We are expecting very cold temperatures here in Austin and I think we are all still shell shocked from the winter storm we had several years ago. We lost power and water for days! Fingers crossed it’s not a repeat of that. Stay warm and safe everyone and enjoy some good reads this weekend!

Definitely Maybe Not a Detective by Sarah Fox. Emersyn Gray is not a detective but she becomes involved in a fake murder investigation when her fake detective agency is enlisted to solve it! This sounds like a fun rom-com. On sale 1/6/26.

The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara. In 1869 Tibet is closed off to Europeans but in order to continue explorations, Britain begins training Indians to undertake these sometimes dangerous missions. One person in particular, Balram, is determined to go and find his friend who went missing on a previous exploration. On sale 1/13/26.

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead. If you are fans of musical group stories, this one about a music executive who is trying to bring a rock band back from the brink may be one not to miss. On sale 1/20/26.

The Society by Karen Winn. Vivian Lawrence was born into old-money Boston, but when her family fortune vanishes so does her carefully curated life. What can she do but turn to the Knox, an elite club, but there are secrets that surround this group. On sale 1/20/26.

Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg. Dell Danvers is barely keeping it together. She’s behind on rent, she’s plagued by perpetual stomach pain, and her younger sister, Daisy, is in a coma at a hospital that wants to pull the plug. Dell decides it’s time for drastic measures and starts a 24-hour livestream to help fund private life support for her sister. On sale 1/20/26.

The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski. Thornwalk, a once-stately English manor, is on the brink of transformation. Its keys are being handed over to a luxury hotelier who will undertake a complete renovation—but in doing so, what will they erase? Through the keen eyes of an enigmatic neighbor, the reader is taken on a guided tour into rooms filled with secrets and memories, each revealing the story of the five Gilbert siblings. On sale 1/20/26.

Any of these sound good to you?

Have a wonderful weekend!

We had a very nice and quiet holiday. Believe it or not, the only new books I got were two books from Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories collection. For the past several years, it has become a tradition for me to read one of these on Christmas. They are quick and with some really striking black and white artwork.

I really wanted to read a holiday story for the wintery atmosphere as here in Austin I was in shorts and t-shirts for both Christmas and New Year’s. Unfortunately one book I started in December was just not the one for me and so I DNFd it. Let me tell you last year I must have DNFd at least seven books. I think I was just really having a hard time focusing.

Now a new year and I’m excited about what new books I’ll discover. I’m carrying over one read, Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo. This is the eighth book in the Kate Burkholder series. I’m half way through and it’s really good. Typically I wouldn’t read another mystery at the same time but for my new book of the year I started With No One As Witness by Elizabeth George. I’ve read several of the first books in the series and wanted to read in order but this is a book for my February book group so making the exception. I needed to start this one too as it’s quite a chunkster at 774 pages.

I also have my new reading journal ready! Someone had asked me if I do graphs and all other kinds of trackers but this is just a simple notebook where I keep track of reading notes. For example, characters, quotes, etc. I do add a picture of the book cover and a sticker or two just for fun. I have found that keeping notes helps me remember the books much more which is great as I’m so behind on my book reviews! We’re not going to talk about just how behind I am!

So that’s a bit of the start to my new year. Let me know if you got any bookish presents or what new books you’ve started. I hope you have a great weekend!

Favorites in Fiction: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawson, How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz, and Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes.

Favorites in Mystery: The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte, The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

The Numbers:
Total books read in 2025: 33
Books by women: 27
Books by men: 6
Fiction: 12
Mystery: 14
Nonfiction: 1
Romance: 4
Poetry Collections: 2
Books in translation: 2 (Swedish and German)
Audiobooks: 18

My reading took a big hit this year due sheer exhaustion. Unfortunately my mom fell twice this year and while we were super lucky she didn’t break anything, now that she’s in her late 80s it is much harder for her to recuperate after a fall so I’ve taken on even more caregiving duties. Thankfully she does live with us but as we don’t have any family in the country all caregiving falls on me. Luckily my wonderful husband takes care of a lot of the household details. Another major event was that my father-in-law passed away this fall and while it wasn’t something unexpected given some health issues he’d been dealing with, it is still hard to process such a huge loss.

So while books have always been a great source of comfort, unfortunately I just haven’t had as much time to read or when I do have time some time, sleep wins over and I end up only reading a page or two. Needless to say, thank goodness for audiobooks which I can use during my work commute and/or when I’m running errands.

I am so grateful though for the wonderful times I did have this year, like friends who came to visit, my dear cousin who stayed with my mom while my husband and I made a quick getaway to Salt Lake City and my enjoyment in creative pursuits.

I wish I could say I’ll be back to blogland regularly as somehow a new year always fills me with hope, but we’ll see. I do miss spending time with you and just want to thank you so very much for your patience and kind words throughout the year. I’m taking a couple of days off from work so here’s to a bit more extra time for reading and relaxing!

Wishing you a wonderful 2026, and may it be filled with all the best things in life! Happy New Year!

Smiles,
Iliana

Isola by Allegra Goodman. Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. That journey takes an unexpected turn when Marguerite, accused of betrayal, is brutally punished and abandoned on a small island. A story of survival. On sale 2/4/25.

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass. When Shelby Dawson survives a harrowing attack that should have left her dead, she tries to move past it. Fifteen months later, with the help of her best friend she finally feels safe again in the snowy Minnesota town she calls home. But when an anonymous note appears on her windshield bearing the same threats her attacker made, Shelby realizes that her nightmare has only just begun. On sale 2/11/25.

Rio Muerto by Ricardo Silva Romero; translated by Victor Meadowcroft. On the outskirts of Belen del Chami, a town that has yet to appear on any map of Colombia, the mute Salomón Palacios is murdered a few steps away from his home. His widow, the courageous and foul-mouthed Hipolita Arenas, completely loses her sanity and confronts the paramilitaries and local politicians, challenging them to also kill her and her two fatherless sons. On sale 2/18/25.

Yours, Eventually by Nura Maznavi. A novel about a tight-knit Pakistani family. The Ibrahim family is facing a crucial moment after having lost their fortune. At the family’s core is Asma—successful doctor and the long-suffering middle daughter. Despite what the prying aunties think, Asma is living the life she has always wanted, fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a doctor . . . or so she thinks. On sale 2/18/25.

The Grand Scheme of Things by Warona Jay. Two unlikely friends hatch an extraordinary scheme to expose the theater world. Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo, or, for short, Eddie: an aspiring playwright dreams of making it big in London’s theater world. But after repeated rejections from white talent agents, Eddie suspects her non-white sounding name might be the problem. On sale 2/25/25.

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce. Newly-minted child psychologist Mina has little experience. In a field where the first people called are experts, she’s been unable to get her feet wet. That is, until she meets journalist Sam Hunter at the grief group one day. And he has a proposition for her. Treating Alice Webber a young girl who claims she’s being haunted by a witch. On sale 2/25/25.

What do you think, which one sounds good to you?

I’m finishing up this month having read four books. Almost done with another but I’m so tired this evening that I don’t think I’ll be able to read more than a page or two before falling asleep.

The books I finished were A Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson, Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns, Dearly by Margaret Atwood and Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano.

Dearly was a poetry collection I picked up last year but put down and so started re-reading it again this year. While not my favorite work by Atwood there were still some powerful poems especially some about the environment which really made me want to re-read them again.

My favorite read was Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano and it’s about a plane disaster where a young boy survives. Unfortunately the last chapters I read the same day of the recent American Airlines Flight disaster and let me tell you, it was hard to read those last few chapters, especially the ones that describe the last moments of the flight. It was a very good book and despite the sadness at the heart of it there was also a bit of hope shining through.

Anyway I do have a couple of other books I’m reading and eagerly looking at my stacks because I want to add some more books to my current pile.

I hope you’ve had a great reading month and read some good books. Take care of each other and hope you have a great reading weekend ahead!

We had a very quiet Christmas and I really enjoyed having a bit more time off and just being able to read a bit more and catch up with family and friends via email and calls. My husband’s family sent us some goodies from Germany so that was so fun to have some German chocolates and other holiday treats to enjoy.

And, despite reading a bit more (actually my total books read ended up being 42 books) I still had a few books to carry over into the new year and so I didn’t do my traditional “first read of the year” post as I want to finish some of these before adding a new book.

This morning I did finish A Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson. Quite predictable but it was an easy and cozy Christmas novella. The other books I’m carrying over are Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns,  The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon and Dearly by Margaret Atwood.

Did you start off the year with some new reads or are you also carrying over some reads?

Here’s to a year of great books and stories!