DeltaQueen wanders through literary doorways in 2025 - Part 3

I have a couple of books that will be taking me to Texas in June so I opened this thread with pictures from that state.

Welcome to my 2025 thread. My name is Judy and I love to read. I am a senior citizen living with my husband in the suburbs of Vancouver, British Columbia. We are lucky enough to have both of our daughters living close by and we have been gifted with two grandchildren, one male, one female that help to keep our lives interesting. We have experienced some health warnings in recent years so we live a quiet life. I spend a lot of time reading although I also enjoy cooking, puzzle building, and watching television. I have been participating in the Category Challenge for a good number of years and it suits my reading perfectly. I enjoy participating in reading challenges both from here at Library Thing and imported from various places. This year I am looking forward to participating in a variety of challenges.

I love the visual idea of a book being a door and that opening that book can lead you through the doorway to discover new places, new characters or new ideas. My challenge this year is all about entering literary doorways with each category. My categories will be named for various doorways that a book can draw a reader through. I have 15 different categories but I am not going to set any specific goals as I don’t really care how many books I read, just as long as I enjoy the process!

I love having visitors and enjoy conversations about books and any other subject that comes up. We live in contentious times but I am hopeful that here on LT our similarities mean that we can reside in harmony.

2025 Doorway Challenge

1. Doorway to the Past – Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, I will be reading books from many different time periods and this is where I will also place any books that I read for the Reading Through Time Challenges.

2. Doorway to the Library – The Library is a fantastic source for books, from the current best sellers to older forgotten volumes as well as non-fiction reads and graphic novels. I will place my library borrows here.

3. Doorway to Fantasy – This is where I will place the reads that lead me to strange places and other words that are populated by dragons and magical beings.

4. Doorway to Dark Fantasy – At times I like my fantasy to be on the dark side so this category is for my horror and dystopian reads.

5. Doorway to Science Fiction – When my book leads to outer space or to distant corners of the universe, they will be placed here.

6. Doorway to Mystery/Crime – My fall back genre. I love a good mystery and/or crime story, and this is where I will place them.

7. Doorway to Series – One of my on-going goals is to stay current with the many series that I am following – I am never successful with this but here is where I will list the series books that I do read this year.

8. Doorway to Vintage Mysteries - I love to read the mysteries of yesterday so whether it is a polite British whodunit from the likes of Agatha Christie, a dark and gritty noir by Raymond Chandler or even a hard-boiled thriller by John D. MacDonald, this is where I will place them.

9. Doorway to the Alphabet Challenge – I always participate in the AlphaKit so alphabet choices from A – Z will be placed here. This is the one category that I will allow some overlap with other categories.

10. Doorway to Global Reading – Great stories come from all over the world so this is where I will place books that are set in foreign countries.

11. Doorway to the 1,001 Books - I have been reading a few books from the 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die List over the last few years and this is where I will place these classics

12. Doorway to Romance – There are times when I need to step away from the more serious reads and embrace a romantic tale. Some are from days long ago and others are from modern days, but they will all fit here.

13. Doorway to Adventure – When I really need to escape to another time and place, I pick books that are filled with adventure and excitement. Those books will find a home here.

14. Doorway to Kindle Unlimited – Practically free books – the more you read the more you save - but they do need to be read and returned in a timely fashion. I need to keep rotating these books so this category will help me “read and return”.

15. Doorway to Extra Books - There may be books that don’t fall into any of the above categories so they will find a home here.

Ticker

2025 Reading Challenges

I can't resist a good reading challenge and along with some of our 2025 Cats/Kits, I will also be working on these challenge

: 2025 Bingo
: 2025 Around the World Reading Challenge
: 2025 Personal Reading Challenge
: 2025 Reading Through Time Monthly Challenges
: 2025 TIOLI Challenges

While I won't be reading books for every Cat or Kit during 2025, when I have a book that fits I do intend to participate in the following

: Colo(u)rCat
: CoverCat
: MysteryKit
: RandomKit
: ScaredyKit
: SFFKit

2025 Bingo



1. Features winged creatures: Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
2. features fire: Valley of Fire by Johnny D. Boggs - 4.0 ★
3. travel: Turn Right for Japan by Steve Anthony Tallon - 4.0 ★
4. newly in public domain: The Seven Dials Mystery - 3.0 ★
5. child main character: We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
6. long title (5+ words)
7. non-traditional family: The house in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - 5.0 ★
8. totally random - True Grit by Charles Portis - 5.0 ★
9. author has your first/last name: Red Water by Judith Freeman
10. holiday in title: A Lady's Easter Romance by Alice Kirks
11. nonhuman narrator
12. published in a language not your own
13. read a cat: Lone Women by Vicor LaValle - 4.0 ★
14. furniture on cover
15. medical topic
16. features a birth: Moon of Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice - 4.5 ★
17. Hollywood: The Hollywood Daughter by Kate Alcott
18. place you've never been - Leopard At the Door by Jennifer MVeigh - 3.6 ★
19. profession in title: The Wheelman by Duane Swierczynski - 4.3 ★
20. sun on cover
21. oldest book on your TBR: Look to the Mountain by LeGrand Cannon - 4.0 ★
22. set in your favorite season: The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie - 4.2 ★
23. recommended by a friend: Chenneville by Paulette Jiles - 4.0 ★
24. "Library" or "Thing" in title: The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander - 4.0 ★
25. writing about writers

Personal Reading Challenge

1. A book you meant to read last year: The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
2. A book with more than 40 Chapters: The haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Cotes
3. A stand alone novel: When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash
4. A book in a series of more than 5 books: Upon a Dark Night by Peter Lovesey
5. The word white is in the title:
6. A book set in mountains:
7. Something pink is on the cover:
8. A coming of age book: Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
9. A book about friendship: The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies
10. A book with a character named after a flower: Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
11. A new-to-you author: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
12. Book with one person on the cover: What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan
13. A Title word starts with the first letter of your first name: Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones
14. A book chosen by someone else: Frog Music by Emma Donoghue
15. A fruit in the title: Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree by Margaret Thornton
16. An award nominated book: The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
17. Pick the 7th book on your shelf or listed on your e-reader: River Spirit by Leila Aboulela
18. A cover with no people on it: Dust by Hugh Howey
19. A book with wings on the cover: The Penguin Lessons by Tom Mitchell
20. A book with a map: The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati
21. A book with 5 to 7 words in the title: This is Not A Test by Courtney Summers
22. A book with a dystopian setting: Prepared by Courtney Konstantin
23. A short story collection: Specialty of the House and Other Stories by Stanley Ellin
24. A directional word in the title: East of Alice by Annie Seaton
25. “ing” in the title: When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald
26. An animal in the title: Leopard At the Door by Jennifer McVeigh
27. A book with a connection to music:
28. Recommended by a friend/ a book bullet: Chenneville by Paulette Jiles
29. A romance novel: The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie
30. A book whose title begins with the last letter of your previous read: The Trackers by Charles Frazier
31. A book set in Asia:
32. A book set in Colonial America: Look to the Mountain by LeGrand Cannon
33. A book set in the decade that you were born (1950s): Meet Me In Monaco by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb
34. A book that celebrates a holiday: A Lady's Easter Romance by Alice Kirks

2025 Around the World Reading Challenge

Read 3 books for each continent. Except for the Arctic and Antarctica – read 1 book each.

Total books = 20

AFRICA

: Leopard at the Door by Jennifer McVeigh (Kenya) - Completed
: River Spirit by Leila Aboulela (The Sudan) - Completed

ASIA

: Turn Right For Japan by Steve A. Tallon - Completed
: A Choice of Evils by Meira Chand - Completed
: The Lantern Boats by Tessa Morris-Suzuki - Completed

EUROPE

: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (Italy) - Completed
: The Photographer by Mieke Zierogel - Completed
: When We Were Brave by Suzanne Kellman Completed

NORTH AMERICA

: True Grit by Charles Portis - Completed
: A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz - Completed
: When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash - Completed

OCEANIA

: East of Alice by Annie Seaton - Completed
: A Dangerous Land by Marisa Jones - Completed

SOUTH AMERICA

: The Puma Years by Laura Coleman (Bolivia) - Completed
: The Penguin Lessons by Tom Mitchell - Completed

NORTH & SOUTH POLES

: South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby - Completed

Doorway to History



Books Read

1. Frog Music by Emma Donoghue - 3.4 ★
2. The Night of the Comet y George Bishop - 4.3 ★
3. Jewel of Medina by Shery Jones - 3.4 ★
4. American Duchess - kren Harper - 3.6 ★
5. Red Water by Judith Freeman - 3.8 ★
6. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman - 5.0 ★
7. When We Were Brave by Suzanne Kelman - 3.5 ★
8. A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz - 4.5 ★
9. The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies - 4.2 ★
10. Early Days by Miss Read - 3.8 ★
11. Look to the Mountain by LeGrand Cannon - 4.2 ★
12. The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger - 5.0 ★
13. The Night Crossing by Karen Ackerman - 3.7 ★
14. Under the Sun by Justin Kerr-Smiley - 4.0 ★

Doorway to the Library



Books Read

1. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley - 3.5★
2. The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan - 5.0 ★
3. The Hollywood Daughter by Kate Alcott - 4.0 ★
4. When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald - 5 ★
5. We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry - 3.4 ★
6. Mrs. Porter Calling by AJ Pearce - 4.1 ★
7. Dark Ride by Lou Berney - 4.5 ★

Doorway to Fantasy



Books Read

1. The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden - 4.0 ★
2. The House in the Cerulean Sea - 5.0 ★
3. The Garden of Promises and Lies by Paula Brackston - 4.0 ★
4. Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey - 4.0 ★
5. Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster Bujold - 4.0 ★
6. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie Dao - 4.2 ★
7. The Tangled Lands by Paolo Bacigalupi - 4.0 ★

Doorway to the Dark Side



Books Read

1. Lone Women by Victor LaValle - 4.0 ★
2. The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates - 4.0 ★
3. The Killing Floor by Craig DiLouie - 2.5 ★
4. Skitter by Exekiel Boone - 3.6 ★
5. When the English Fall by David Williams - 4.5 ★
6. The Ritual by Adam Nevill - 3.4 ★
7. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers - 3.4 ★
8. A Ghost in the Glen by Richard M. Pearson - 4.0 ★

Doorway to Science Fiction



Books Read

1. Lost on Mars by Paul Magrs - 3.4 ★
2. Reap What You Sow by S. M. Anderson - 3.4 ★
3. Dust by Hugh Howey - 3.0 ★
4. Goldilocks by Laura Lam - 4.3 ★
5, Stars Beyond by S.K. Dunstall - 4.0 ★

Doorway to Crime & Thrillers



Books Read

1. You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott - 4.2 ★
2. No Less the Devil by Stuart MacBride - 4.0 ★
3. They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman - 3.1 ★
4. What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan - 4.2 ★
5. The Vicarage Murder by Faith Martin - 3.6 ★
6. The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens - 4.2 ★
7. Silence the Dead by Jack Fredrickson - 4.5 ★
8. The Wheelman by Duane Swierczynski - 4.3 ★
9. East of Alice by Annie Seaton - 3.8 ★

Doorway to Series



Books Read

1. Upon a Dark Night #5 by Peter Lovesey - 4.0 ★
2. Turbulent Priests (3) by Colin Bateman - 4.0 ★
3. Bank Shot (2) by Donald E. Westlake - 4.2 ★
4. Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie - 4.2 ★
5. The Water's Edge (7) by Karin Fossum - 3.8 ★
6. Bobby March Will Live Forever by Alan Parks - 4.0 ★
7. Careless Love by Peter Robinson - 4.0 ★
8. Sunday Silence (7) - Nicci French - 4.2 ★
9. Redemption Point (2) - Candice Fox - 4.3 ★

Doorway to Vintage Crime



Books Read

1. The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin - 4.0 ★
2. The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie - 3.0 ★
3. The Specialty of the House and Other Stories by Stanley Ellin - 4.0 ★
4. The Con Man by Ed McBain - 4.0 ★
5. Beast in View by Margaret Millar - 4.2 ★
6. N or M? - Agatha Christie - 4.1 ★
7. The Yellow Room by Mary Rineheart Roberts - 3.7 ★

Doorway to the Alphabet



Books Read
A The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler - 4.0 ★
B
C A Choice of Evils by Meira Chand - 4.0 ★
D Buster Midnight's Cafe by Sandra Dallas - 4.0 ★
E A Hasty Wedding by Mignon Eberhart - 3.7 ★
F
G Meet me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor - 4.2 ★
H
I Deep as Death by Katja Ivar - 4.0 ★
J
K A Lady's Easter Romance by Alice Kirks - 3.7 ★
L The Sackett Brand by Louis L'Amour - 4.0 ★
M
N
O Country Dark by Chris Offutt - 4.5 ★
P
Q The Girl with the Make Believe Husband by Julia Quinn - 3.5 ★
R
S South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby - 3.7 ★
T Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree by Margaret Thornton - 4.0 ★
U The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea - 5.0 ★
V
W Moon of Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice - 4.5 ★
Y

Doorway to Global Reading



Books Read

1. Leopard at the Door (Kenya) by Jennifer McVeigh
2. Turn Right For Japan (East Asia) by Streve Anthony Tallon - 4.0 ★
3. The Puma Years (Bolivia) by Laura Coleman - 4.2 ★
4. The Photographer (Germany) by Mieke Ziervogel - 4.1 ★
5. River Spirit (Sudan) by Leila Aboulela - 3.8 ★
6. The Penguin Lessons by Tom Mitchell (Argentina) - 4.0 ★
7. A Dangerous Land by Marisa Jones - 3.5 ★
8, The Lantern Boats by Tessa Morris-Suzuki - 3.5 ★

Doorway to the 1,001 List



Books Read

1. Cakes & Ale by W. Somerset Maugham - 3.8 ★
2. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante - 4.0 ★
3. The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante - 4.0 ★
4. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante - 3.2 ★
5. Woman At Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi
6. The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante - 3.0 ★

Doorway to Romance



Books Read

1. A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer - 4.0 ★
2. Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop by Rebecca Raisin - 4.0 ★
3. Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen - 4.0 ★
4. The Original Miss Honeyford by M. C. Beaton - 3.5 ★
5. The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander - 4.0 ★
6. The Tuscan Contessa y Dinah Jefferies - 4.0 ★
7. Miss Buncle Married by D. E. Stevenson - 4.2 ★
8. The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie - 4.2 ★
9. Summer Pudding by Susan Scarlett - 4.2 ★

Doorway to Adventure



Books Read

1. The Last Ranger by Peter Heller - 4.5 ★
2. Strongheart by Jim Fergus - 4.5 ★
3. True Grit by Chales Portis - 5.0 ★
4. Primordia 3 by Greg Beck - 3.8 ★
5. The Buffalo Hunters by Gary McCathy - 2.0 ★
6. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George - 4.0 ★
7. Like Rum-Drunk Angels by Tyler Enfield - 3.8 ★
8, The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati - 4.0 ★
9. Valley of Fire by Johnny D. Boggs - 4.0 ★

Doorway to Kindle Unlimited



Books Read

1. Blood Mountain by Alisa Valdes - 4 ★
2. The Trackers by Charles Frazier - 3.3 ★
3. Prepared by Courtney Konstantin - 4.0 ★
4. Survive by Courtney Konstantin - 4.0 ★
5. Alive by Courtney Konstantin - 4.0 ★
6. Torment by Courtney Konstantin - 3.8 ★
7. Vengeance by Courtney Konstantin - 3.7 ★

Doorway to Extra Books



Books Read

1. Greenwillow by B. J. Chute - 4.1 ★
2. Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau - 4.3 ★
3. Eden Mine by S.M. Hulse - 4.1 ★
4. Chicken Boy by Arthur Parkinson - 3.5 ★
5. When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash - 4.2 ★
6. One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus - 3.7 ★
7. The White Robin by Miss Read - 4.0 ★

2025 Hosting & Other Reading Plans



January
February: Hosting MysteryKit: Vintage Mysteries
March: Hosting Reading Through Time Monthly Challenge: Sweet, Sweet Revenge
April: Hosting SFFKit: Women Authors
May: Hosting ScaredyKit: Out in the Wild
June: Hosting RandomKit
July: Hosting CoverCat: Fruit on Cover
August: Hosting ColorCat: Grey
September
October: Hosting MysteryKit: Police Procedurals
November
December: Hosting ScaredyKit: Your Favorite Scary Trope

Welcome All!

Happy new thread, Judy!

>25 NinieB: Thanks, Ninie. It's hard to believe that we are about to enter the 6th month of the year!

Happy New Thread.

>27 lowelibrary: Thanks, April!

Book Number 93

The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to Romance
May CoverCat: Two Planes on Cover
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: Friendship
May TIOLI #6: Double letters in author's name

Happy new thread, Judy. I hope all is well with you!

Happy New Thread, Judy. Love those Texas toppers. Whereabouts are you going to in the Lone Star State? I lived in Texas for a short time and visited a couple other times.

Love all your visuals. Happy reading!

>30 MissWatson: Thanks, Birgit!

>31 msf59: Hi Mark, my bookish travels in June will include Chenneville by Paulette Jiles and The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati. I am looking forward to both of them!

>32 Nickelini: Welome Joyce, I hope your 2025 reading is going well.

I just realized that my 17th Thingaversary is coming up in June and this year I haven't preplanned for any books. I will start now and buy 4 books over the next 4 months plus 2 more to be fitted in.

Happy New Thread and have fun shopping for books for your Thingaversary.

Happy new thread Judy. Best of luck finding your thingsversary books!

Happy new thread, Judy, and hope you have a wonderful visit to Texas. Have not been there since the mid-70's, when my aunt and cousins lived near Houston.

Happy new thread, Judy! I love all your doorways :-) I just did the maths for my own Thingaversary and it is also 17 years! Oh my word. I hope you have fun shopping for your books.

Happy new thread, Judy! I love catching up on your category lists.

>29 DeltaQueen50: I was intrigued by the Dinah Jeffreries book but when I checked, all her books seem to be doorstoppers! I can't hold those heavy books anymore :(

>35 RidgewayGirl: I am having fun book shopping already. I've picked up the first two books of a police procedural series and I am making lists of other books that catch my eye. One I know I want for sure is James by Percival Everett.

>36 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. I always love a chance to go book hunting!

>37 threadnsong: Thanks threadnsong. I am looking forward to reading my western adventures.

>38 susanj67: Where did all these 17 years go! It just seems like yesterday I stumbled on Lirarything and was hooked!

>39 VivienneR: I read very few "real" books these days - maybe one or two a month. The rest are e-books so the thickness doesn't matter.

Happy new thread! And glad you had a good visit with your family!

Happy New Thread, Judy! My Thingaversary is early in January, so I usually spread my buying out over the last six months of the year before. Or if I get a gift certificate for Christmas, I use that for a few.

>41 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer!

>42 dudes22: I am usually on top of my Thingaversary and on planning what books to buy but this year it just crept up on me. Oh well, I love planning my book buying and I am already off to a good start.

It was my 17th thingaversary this year too. They must have been recruiting in 2008. It took months for me to get the requisite number.

>44 Familyhistorian: 2008 was a good year for us - finding LT was wonderful!

Happy newish thread, Judy.

>46 BLBera: Thanks, Beth.

Hi Judy! Happy new thread! I hope you have a grand visit to Texas!

Book Number 94

Torment by Courtney Konstantin - 3.8 ★
Category: Kindle Unlimited
June TIOLI #11: 2025 Seattle Summer Bingo Challenge

>48 LadyoftheLodge: Thanks Cheryl. I am off to Texas shortly with Chenneville by Paulette Jiles - a favorite author!

Book Number 95

Silence the Dead by Jack Fredrickson - 4.5 ★
Category: Doorway to Crime & Mystery
June TIOLI #4: Noise Reduction

>50 DeltaQueen50: I wish I lived closer to Texas so I could get to meet you. If you ever visit Indiana, I would love to get together.

>51 DeltaQueen50: This looks good and as a resident of the great state of Illinois, I'm extra interested.

Book Njmber 96

Mrs. Porter Calling by AJ Pearce - 4.1 ★
Category: Doorway to the Library
June TIOLI #7: Double Consonents in a Title Word

>52 LadyoftheLodge: I would love to travel to Indiana, in fact my dream trip would be a road trip all over the U.S. meeting fellow LTers. Unfortunately health constraints seem to mean that my travelling will mostly be by books.

>53 RidgewayGirl: I hope you are able to come by a copy, Kay. I thought it was different and a very good read.

Silence the Dead sounds very good. And my library has it!

>56 katiekrug: It certainly held my attention, Katie! I was going to drop by your thread today to let you know that I tried the herbed potato salad that you spoke of. It was a hit with both of us and we will finish it off tonight with some BBQed pork chops. Thanks for posting that link!

>57 DeltaQueen50: - Oh, I'm so glad you both enjoyed it! It's definitely going in my summer rotation...

>58 katiekrug: ours, too!

>54 DeltaQueen50: - I've been hoping that Libby will get an audio copy of book 2 so I can continue listening to the series as I enjoyed the audio of the first book so much. But I may have to read it instead as it's readily available.

>60 dudes22: I wish you luck in getting hold of an audio version, Betty.

Book Number 97

The Wheelman by Duane Swierczynski - 4.3 ★
Category: Doorway to Crime & Mystery
June CoverCat: Wheels

>54 DeltaQueen50: I didn't realize there was a new Emmy Lake book coming out, so thanks for the heads-up! Off to see if I can place a library hold yet. :)

>63 christina_reads: I was surprised to see the 4th book as well, Christina, but the way the third book ended, it seemed that there must be at least one more book to come.

>62 DeltaQueen50: Action, violence and humour sounds like a fun combination, Judy. I'll have to check that author out.

Sweet Thursday, Judy. Happy Thingaversary. Am I too early or too late? I also like Duane Swierczynski. He always puts a neat twist on the crime genre.

>65 Familyhistorian: He puts together a fun story, Meg. I have previously read The Blonde and it was another wild ride.

>66 msf59: Hi Mark. He does give his readers quite a package, I am looking forward to more from him. You are early in regards to the Thingaversary, The actual date is June 24th. I knows is right around this time - you were ahead of me by a couple of weeks. 😄

Book Number 98

Woman At Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to 1,001 Books
June TIOLI #9: The word "Zero" is in the title

Book Number 99

Early Days by Miss Read - 3.8 ★
Category: Doorway to History
June TIOLI #15: A Title word begins with "E"

Book Number 100

Chenneville by Paulette Jiles - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to History
Bingo: Recommended by a friend
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: Reommended by a friend
June TIOLI #7: Double Consonents in title

My first excursion into Texas this month was well worth the read. 😊

Congrats on 100 books this year!!

Wow, 100 books already, that's so impressive! (I'm barely a quarter of the way there!)

>72 GraceCollection: Thank you. I try to read as many books as I can as I am very aware of how short a reading time I have left.

>73 Jackie_K: Thank you, Jackie. I am constantly trying to put a dent in my TBR but actually I seem to be adding to it faster than making it smaller!

Book Number 101

The Story of The Lost Child by Elena Ferrante
Category: Doorway to 1,001 Books
June TIOLI #11: Fills a 2025 Seattle Library Bingo Prompt

>70 DeltaQueen50: - I really enjoyed this book when I read it.

>75 DeltaQueen50: - The first book - My Brilliant Friend was our book for book club this month. I haven't finished reading it yet, but the discussion was interesting and the leader this month did a lot of research into the author and how it was named first place on the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century list. (or whatever that list is) I haven't finished it yet because I'm one of the few who just didn't like it that much. I still have about 100 pages to go and it's going slowly.

>76 dudes22: You are one of the many that I took a book bullet for this book from. I do love the way she writes!

If you didn't like My Brilliant Friend very much I would not recommend that you continue with the series. I thought this first book was the best of the four.

Book Number 102

A Choice of Evils by Meira Chand - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to the Alphabet
June AlphabetKit: C
Around the World Challenge: Asia (China)
June RandomKit: Invasion
June TIOLI #11: Seattle Book Bingo

Book Number 103

The Girl with the Make Believe Husband by Julia Quinn - 3.5 ★
Category: Doorway to the Alphabet
June Alphakit: Q
June TIOLI #16: A Character shares a name with an American Revolutionary War leader

>70 DeltaQueen50: You've reminded me that I want to read Chenneville but it somehow didn't make my hold list at the library. It looks like your reading is going well, Judy!

I am absolutely amazed at your book reading pace! Roughly 16 books per month! I am at 2 books per month this year. And you are clearly reading these books with great understanding. Bravo to you!

Happy Wednesday, Judy. Sorry I was a bit premature on your thingaversary greetings. I celebrated mine on Tuesday. Hooray for Paulette Jiles. She always delivers consistently. May that continue.

>80 Familyhistorian: Over the years Paulette Jiles has become a favorite author and I pick up her books as they come out. I was also encouraged that many of my friends reommended it to me.

>81 JoeB1934: Thanks Joe. I dread the idea that reading may one day be too much for me. My mother was an avid reader who had to give it up at the end of her life as she just couldn't retain what she was reading.

>82 msf59: No matter when my Thingaversary falls, I am always very thankful that I found LT! Have a good week.

Book Number 104

N or M? by Agatha Christie - 4.1 ★
Category: Doorway to Vintage Crime
June TIOLI #2: Question Mark in Title

I ask for everyones' kind thoughts as tomorrow we have to go to Vancouver's Cancer Clinic for my husband to have an indepth scan. He has a skin cancer on his chest and they are trying to see if it has spread to his interior, which would complicate matters.

>85 DeltaQueen50: Blessings and prayers for you both.

>85 DeltaQueen50: I will be thinking of you both and praying.

>85 DeltaQueen50: Sending prayers your way.

>85 DeltaQueen50: Sending all good thoughts to you and your husband.

You will be in my thoughts.

Thinking of you and your husband, Judy.

Sending good thoughts to you and your husband, Judy.

Hope you're getting good news today - thinking of you!

Hope things are going well today, Judy

Sending good thoughts to your husband, Judy.

I loved Chenneville, certainly not a bad way to visit Texas.

Woman at Point Zero sounds like one I would like and you remind me that I have always meant to get back to Elena Ferrera's books. I really liked the first one.

I'm adding my hopes that things went well for your husband.

I appreciate all the good thoughts. Yesterday went fairly smoothly, my husband had a Pet Scan which took about an hour and a half. Now we wait, apparently his doctor will contact him to hear results. This coming week I have a zoom appointment with a doctor about getting a pace maker. I think this upcoming year is going to be full of health concerns for the two of us.

>97 DeltaQueen50: Ugh! Be well, stay strong. I guess that's a stage of life we all have to deal with

>97 DeltaQueen50: I had a surprise this week, a pacemaker! We may become members of the same club. In my case it was placed in my thigh and the surgery was about 40 minutes. No problems as far as I can tell. It was done at 2:00 Monday afternoon and I was released at 10:00 the next morning.

>98 Nickelini: Becoming a wise elder certainly isn't eaay - that's for sure!

>99 clue: Congratulation for coming through with flying colors. Have you noticed an improvement?

>97 DeltaQueen50: That’s a lot to be worrying about, Judy. I hope you can escape into books.

Late in reading the messages. Sending hugs and prayers.

I too am wishing the best for you and your husband!

>99 clue: Yes, I didn't realize how tired I was before! I was having episodes of very low heart beat, primarily at night but all seems well now.

>101 MissWatson: Thanks Brigit, books re usually the best escape for me so fingers crossed ...

>102 mnleona: Thanks Leona,

>103 mstrust: We both feel better now that things are starting to happen - the worse is waiting around.

>104 clue: Glad to hear you can feel an improvement. I need to regulate my heart beat the other way. I need to slow it down.

Thank goodness for books! Without them, I'm not sure I could survive. Or that I'd even want to. I hope the medical news is good for both your husband and you and that you have a lot of great books to keep you calm while you wait! Speaking of good books, I also enjoyed Chenneville when I read it last year. It's only the second Giles I've read; News of the World was the other. Can you recommend the next one I should pick up?

>106 Storeetllr: Mary, I have enjoyed all the Paulette Jiles that I have read but if you like stories about pioneers then I recommend The Color of Lightning. It's about a family that come to Texas to homestead and are attacked by the Comanches.

Book Number 105

The Tangled Lands by Paolo Bacigalupi - 4.0 ★
Category: Fantasy
SFFKit: Anthologies & Collections

>108 DeltaQueen50: - Although this doesn't sound like something I'd like, my friend recommended The Water Knife to me and it's something I probably need to get to.

Keep us updated on your husband, Judy. Sorry he has to go through all this. 🙏🙏

I’m just now catching up on your thread. I’m sorry to hear about your and your husband’s health issues, and I hope everything turns out all right for you both.

>109 dudes22: I read The Water Knife as a group read a few years ago. I really liked it, but there were a few that didn't care for it. His writing just seems to resonate with me. I hope you enjoy it, Betty.

>110 msf59: Thanks, Mark. We are currently waiting to hear the results of my husband's scan, hopfully I tend to let off stress will hear something next week.

>111 Charon07: Thanks. I tend to let off stress here so I am sure I will be posting about our health.

>109 dudes22: very good book esp if you live somewhere that has droughts fromm time to time

Book Number 106

This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers - 3.4 ★
Category: Doorway to the Dark Side
June RandomKit: Invasion (Zombies)
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: Title has 5 or more words
June ScaredyKit: YA
June TIOLI #11: 2025 Seattle Book Bingo

Hi Judy, I'm about halfway through the Mary Roberts Rinehart book you put into your TIOLI challenge, The Yellow Room. Really enjoying it and I definitely want to track down more of them.

How have I missed her in my 50+ years of reading mysteries?

UPDATE: I picked up her book, The Swimming Pool via Kindle Unlimited. I'll have to check but it'd be nice if other MRR books are available that way, too.

>115 lindapanzo: ME TOO!

Book Number 107

The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to Adventure
June Reading Through Time: People on the Move
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: Book Contains a Map
June TIOLI #1: Title Hs a word that rhymes with New or Old

Book Number 108

The Yellow Room by Mary Rinehart Roberts - 3.7 ★
Category: Doorway to Vintage Mysteries
June Color Cat: Yellow
June TIOLI #7: Double Consonents in Title Word

We have been informed that my husband has cancer in both lymph glands as well as the tissue in his chest. Today he is having more tests, a colonoscopy, to see if it has spread internally. We haven't been able to sit down with anyone to discuss what's next but have another appointment this Friday, so hopefully will get more information then.

Personally I had a zoom meeting to discuss plans for my treatment but all I really found out is that I am at the very beginning for my journey. I have an actual appointment in August so hopefully will be put on the waiting list for a pace-maker then.

>119 DeltaQueen50: Judy, I'm so sorry. Hoping that the follow-up information is positive.

> 119 Judy, I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope that you get the answers you need about next steps and wish both you and your husband well.

>119 DeltaQueen50: Pardon my language, but cancer sucks. You both will be in my thoughts.

Judy, prayers and best wishes for both you and your husband.

So sorry to read your update, Judy. Sending you and your husband strength and best wishes.

Oh, Judy - so many things all at once. Hope you get some good answers soon.

Wishing you and your husband well.

These are difficult times you are going through, and your strength and resilience will be very important. My thoughts are with you both.

Judy, so sorry to hear this news about your husband. Prayers for both of you.

Judy, thank you for sharing. The more people you tell, the more shoulders to help carry the burden of this news. Finding out next steps will be key in moving forward. I hope you get the answers you seek.

Oh Judy, I'm so sorry you and your husband have this to go through. Will keep you both in my thoughts.

I so appreciate everyone's comments and concern. We had a rather useless day as they didn't complete the procedure and he has to try again with a different doctor. He has Diverticular Disease which isn't too great a concern but makes this procedure difficult to complete. We've come home tired and worn out and my husband is not looking forward to going through all that prep. again!

I'm so sorry to hear this, you are in my thoughts. Remember that treatments for cancer are better than they ever have been, and getting better every day! Do not lose hope. Sending you love.

>131 DeltaQueen50: Iam so sorry to hear this, Judy. Wishing you both strength and fortitude for the difficult time ahead.

Judy, you and your husband are in our thoughts and prayers.

>132 GraceCollection:, >133 MissWatson:, >134 LadyoftheLodge: Thank you. We are simply trying to keep our spirits up and take it one day at a time.

Book Number 109

East of Alice by Annie Seaton - 3.7 ★
Category: Doorway to Crime & Thrillers
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: Directional word in title
June TIOLI #3: Woman's Name in Title

I am very sorry to hear this news, Judy. Our hearts go out to you and your husband. We are hoping for the best outcome. 🙏🙏

My 17th Thingaversary was yesterday and here is my first batch of books that I got to celebrate:

Cold As Hell, (1) by Lilja Sigurdardottir
Red As Blood, (2) by Lilja Sigurdardottir
The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris
Killer's Choice by Ed McBain
Brave the Wild River by Melissa Sevigny

5 books got - 13 more to go!

>138 DeltaQueen50: Happy Thingaversary! What a great selection of books! I like Nordic crime fiction, so I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the Lilja Sigudardottirs when you get to them.

>138 DeltaQueen50: Happy Thingaversary.

Happy Thingaversary! Books set in Iceland are perfect for this time of the year!

Happy Thingaversary, Judy. I am sorry to hear about your husband's cancer. My best wishes are with you both.

Happy Thingaversary, Judy. Enjoy picking xour books!

I'm so sorry to hear your husband's news, and wish you strength and grace as you take each day at a time.

>139 Charon07: & >140 lowelibrary: Thank you, it's been a great 17 years!

>141 RidgewayGirl: The way I feel about hot summers, I should live in an icy country!

>142 BLBera: Thank you, Beth.

>143 MissWatson: Thanks Brigit, there's nothing I enjoy more than shopping for books!

>143 MissWatson: Thank you so much, Jackie!

Happy Thingaversary and good luck getting the rest of your reads. So sorry to see the news about your husband's health.

Book Number 110

A Dangerous Land by Marisa Jones - 3.4 ★
Category: Doorway to Global Reading
Around the World Reading Challange: Oceania
June TIOLI #5: Short Title - Many Vowels

>146 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg.

The book recommendation you gave me for Only Killers and Thieves: A Novel by Paul Howarth was absolutely perfect for me. My only problem is that it is so difficult for me to read that I have had to take frequent breaks by reading other historical mystery novels.

When I finish, I won't be able to do it justice with a review, but I will be able describe how it affected my understanding of the plight of indigenous peoples in all countries in the world.

Happy Thingaversay! Looks like a good start on the books you chose. Brave the Wild River is particularly appealing tome.

>149 JoeB1934: Hi Joe! I really liked Only Killers and Thieves and I am happy to report that there is a sequel entitled Dust Off the Bones which I also enjoyed.

>150 dudes22: Thanks Betty! I am looking forward to Brave the Wild River. I doubt that it will be sitting and waiting for very long.

Today we saw the oncologist and he is recommending radiation for my husbands' treatment for the skin cancer on his chest. As for the lymph glands, they are going to do a biopsy of both sides and this will most likely lead to an operation, plus radiation. He doesn't want to put him thru chemo at this point in his life, and at age 83, my husband is very agreeable to this.

Book Number 111

Miss Buncle Married by D. E. Stevenson - 4.2 ★
Category: Doorway to Romance
June TIOLI #7: Double Consonents in a Title Word

Hi Judy! Happy Thingaversary! Good to know there is a treatment plan in place. Best wishes, prayers, and good thoughts coming to you and your hubby.

Good to know that there is a plan in place for your husband, Judy. All the best for Canada Day!

Book Number 112

Vengeance by Courtney Konstantin - 3.7 ★
Category: Doorway to Kindle Unlimited

>154 LadyoftheLodge: & >155 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Cheryl and Meg. Happy Birthday to Canada!!

Happy Canada Day, Judy!

>158 RidgewayGirl: Thanks, Kay, and she doesn't look a day over 100!

Book Number 113

Sunday Silence by Nicci French - 4.2 ★
Category: Doorway to Series
July MysteryKit: Series

Hi, Judy! I've been away for June, and I'm sorry to hear now about your husband's health issues. I wish you both the best and hope the procedures are a painless as possible.

Thanks, Jennifer. I guess you are home now and I sure hope your Mom is doing fine!

Book Number 114

Valley of Fire by Johnny D. Boggs - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to Adventure
2025 Bingo: Fire

Book Number 115

Dark Ride by Lou Berney
Category: Doorway to the Library

After a stretch when I was not able to keep up with reading threads - or even books, I am just catching up with your news.

I am so very sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. And your need for a pacemaker. I'll be sending positive vibes your way and hope you both get the treatment needed without too much distress or disruption to your lives. Take care.

>164 DeltaQueen50: I really liked this one -- Hardy was a great protagonist.

>164 DeltaQueen50: Good to hear. I remember enjoying November Road a few years ago.

I hope all is well with you, Judy.

>165 VivienneR: Hi Vivienne, I have fallen behind here at Lt as well. We have been busy with medical appointments. My husband had a biopsy yesterday and now we are waiting for the result which we have an appointment for on July 22nd. I had planned on reading quite a few books in July but my reading has slowed right down. Currently however,I am reading The River We Remember and loving it.

>166 RidgewayGirl: Yes, I fell a little in love with Hardy! Lou Berney is a great writer.

>167 msf59: Hi Mark, if you haven't read Dark Ride I think you should. I'm pretty sure you would love it as well.

>168 DeltaQueen50: I hope you get good news on the 22nd (or at least, not too bad). I'll be thinking of you. I have enjoyed William Kent Krueger's books too but I don't think I have that one. On the list it goes...

>168 DeltaQueen50: I'm reading The River We Remember too and if my current opinion holds to the end it will go on my favorite books list. As for Lou Berney...I'd like to reread Dark Ride already. Did you know he has a new book coming out in early September? I've already pre-ordered it.


Crooks: A Suspenseful Multigenerational Saga of a Crime Family's Dark Legacy, Unforgettable Corruption, and the Inescapable Shadow of the Underworld Across Four Decades.
by Lou Berney

>169 VivienneR: Thanks, Vivienne!

>170 clue: Wow, thanks for the heads up! I am definitely going to be pre-ordering the new Lou Berney book.

Book Number 116

Look to the Mountain by LeGrand Cannon - 4.2 ★
Category: Doorway to History
Bingo: Oldest Book on my TBR
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: Set in Colonial America
July TIOLI #8: Leaves Pictured on Cover

Hi Judy: I hope you and your husband are doing well. Medical stuff can really be a time suck. I loved the Miss Buncle books as well, and they are good reads when one is preoccupied.

I'm wishing you the best, Judy. I hope you get good news. 🌻

Book Number 117

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger - 5.0 ★
Category: Doorway to History
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: A book I meant to read in 2024
July TIOLI #1: A Body of Water in Title

>175 DeltaQueen50: It was on my best of 2024 list. William Kent Krueger has written several books of comparable interest.

>176 JoeB1934: He is definitely a favorite of mine!

Book Number 118

The White Robin by Miss Read - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to Extra Books
July Color Cat: White
July TIOLI #8: Leaves pictured on Cover

>175 DeltaQueen50: - I love his stand-alone books too, Judy, and this one was no exception. I need to get back to the series though.

>179 dudes22: I am needing to get back to the Cork O'Conner series as well. Thunder Bay (7) is next up for me.

>180 DeltaQueen50: - #4 is next for me. I'm really behind.

Best wishes to your husband for the radiation treatment and to you for the pacemaker, Judy.

>182 pamelad: Thanks Pamela!

Book Number 119

Redemption Point by Candice Fox - 4.3 ★
Category: Doorway to series
July Mystery Kit: Series
July TIOLI #3: Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Book Number 120

The Lantern Boats by Tessa Morris-Suzuki - 3.5 ★
Category: Doorway to Global Reading
Around the World Reading Challenge: Asia
July TIOLI #11: Bibliophile

Ah, you reminded me of the Cork O'Connor series. I've only read two so far.

Happy Wednesday, Judy. How is your husband doing? How are you? You certainly got me with The River We Remember. I must have missed that one.

>186 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, I need to get back to that series as well.

>187 msf59: Hi Mark, we are taking everything day by day. Today he has to go for another Ultrasound and tomorrow they moved our appointment up so we go for the biopsy results.

Book Number 121

The Night Crossing by Karen Ackerman - 3.7 ★
Category: Doorway to History
July RandomKit: The Sound of Music
July TIOI #12: New author, set in a country I've never been to

Book Number 122

Moon of Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice - 4.5 ★
Category: Doorway to the Alphabet
July AlphaKit: W
Bingo: A Birth
July TIOLI #8: Leaves on Cover

>190 DeltaQueen50: - I listened to this on Libby last year, Judy, and really enjoyed it - maybe more than the previous book. He really does a great job of description.

>190 DeltaQueen50: This is one of my favorites this year. I too listened on audio. I appreciated the language being spoken in the authentic voice.

>190 DeltaQueen50: I just got both of these books from Hoopla! I have never gone wrong getting books that you like!

>191 dudes22: & >192 beebeereads: I can imagine that Moon of Turning Leaves would make an excellent audio book. It certainly left me with a desire to drive through Ontario to see all the lakes and forests he described.

>193 Dianekeenoy: I am sure you will enjoy these books, so well written and evocative!

Book Number 123

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree by Margaret Thornton - 4.0 ★
Category: Dooreay to the Alphbet
July AlphaKit: T
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: A Fruit in Title
July CoverCat: Fruit
July TIOLI #9: Six plus words in the title

>175 DeltaQueen50: I've enjoyed the Cork O'Connor series by William Kent Krueger but I haven't read any of his standalone books. This sounds like a good one. He does know how to tell a story.

>196 BLBera: I have found that his standalone books are in a class, for me, above the series. Each of the standalones are among my most memorable.

Having a crazy time right now as they have decided to do my husband's surgery tomorrow. I have to have him there at 7:30 am and I don't know how long they will be keeping him. They are going to remove his right breast and his left lymph gland. Fingers crossed that they get it all! Meanwhile I am all strapped up with a Holter Moniter today. It needs to be returned tomorrow so luckily my granddaughter will be able to drop it off for me tomorrow morning.

>196 BLBera: & >197 JoeB1934: I agree with Joe above, William Kent Krueger's stand alone books are in a class of their own and are excellent. I hope you give one a try, Beth. If you do, I bet you won't stop at one!

>198 DeltaQueen50: Keeping you and your husband in our thoughts and prayers.

What a trying time for you and your husband. I hope you'll be back with a very good report after his operation. I'm wishing you both the best.

Hi Judy, I’m wishing you and your husband all the best.

Judy, what a difficult time for you and your family. Thinking of you and wishing for the best of news. Hugs.

I'll be keeping you both in my prayers, Judy.

judy keeping you and your husband in my thoughts, hoping for good news

Judy, that is a lot all at once. Wishing your husband an uneventful and complete recovery and peace and calm for you.

I am sorry to hear about your husband's upcoming surgery. Keep us updated, Judy. You are in our thoughts.

Thinking of you and your family. Hugs.

I hope your husband’s surgery is successful. If they wanted to monitor your heart at its most stressed, I guess they picked a good time.

Thinking of you both from here too, Judy x

Thinking of you and your husband. I hope the surgery goes smoothly with no complications.

Sending you good wishes for the best possible outcome, Judy!

I hope everything went well with your husband's surgery, Judy.

Sending you all my best wishes for you and your husband, Judy.

My thanks goes out to everyone for their heartfelt messages. My husband came through with flying colors. He hardly has any pain and is in good spirits. They are pretty sure that they got it all but still want him to have a week of radiation. I think he may be coming home today, I am just waiting for his call.

>214 DeltaQueen50: - That's great to hear, Judy!

>199 LadyoftheLodge:, >200 mstrust:, >201 lsh63:, >202 VivienneR:, >203 dudes22:, >204 cindydavid4:, >205 RidgewayGirl:, >206 msf59:, >207 beebeereads:, >208 Charon07:, >209 Jackie_K:, >210 japaul22:, >211 katiekrug:, >212 Familyhistorian:, >213 MissWatson: Thank you so much for your support and concern. Ken is a determined guy so I know he will follow up with his exercises, diet and care. Hopefully we will have him back on his feet in short order!

>214 DeltaQueen50: What wonderful news!

Book Number 124

Under the Sun by Justin Kerr-Smiley
Category: Doorway to History
July TIOLI #6: An "Un" Book

Great news! Hooray!

Great news about your husband's successful surgery, Judy.

Woo hoo! Great news!

Judy, that's wonderful news.

Wonderful news, Judy!

That is such wonderful news Judy!

That's great news, Judy.

>214 DeltaQueen50: Great news! Thanks for sharing it!

Good news indeed! Keeping you and hubby in our prayers.

I am glad the op went well, Judy, that must be such a relief to you.

Well, he was doing fine but once he got home things took a turn for the worse. I took him into emergency last night as he was in horrible pain. They figured out that he was very constipated and fixed that and sent us home. Today he is not in good spirits, has stayed in bed and doesn't want to talk at all. He asked to just be left alone so I am doing that but when I checked on him a few minutes ago he was asleep which is probably the best thing for him. My nurse daughter is thinking of coming here this afternoon although I am telling her not to take more time off work for now. Hopefully a good rest will restore his spirits as we are all afraid that he will shut down on us.

Thanks again for all the warm wishes.

>229 DeltaQueen50: I hope he perks up after a day or two at home. That's often been my experience: feeling fine before leaving hospital and then a big downturn once I get home, usually temporary. The worry must be exhausting for you both. Wishing you well.

I am so glad the surgery went well, but am sorry to hear he feels worse. I am keeping you both in my thoughts.

I want to thank you for sharing your personal life challenges with us. All of your LibraryThing friends have you in their hearts and minds every day.

>231 GraceCollection: Thank you so much.

>232 JoeB1934: Hi Joe. I would go crazy without a place to vent. I like to show a unstressed face to the world so I appreciate being able to express my inner thoughts here. Actually he is doing better today. He got up and had breakfast and is now napping in his favorite chair. I think he is happy that his grandson is stopping by today to water all the plant pots on the patio.

>233 DeltaQueen50: I am glad to hear your husband is doing a little better. Sleep can do so much to help.

Book Number 125

The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie - 4.2 ★
Category: Doorway to Romance
Bingo: Favorite Seaon
2025 Personal Reading Challenge: A Romance Novel
July TIOLI #8: Leaves on Cover

I'm so sorry to hear about the cancer diagnosis but glad your husband's surgery went well and that he seems to be doing better after a slight downturn. (My doctors stressed the need to get "regular" as soon as possible after my surgeries so strongly that I was right on top of it, and I still had a couple of rough days. I'm glad the ER visit helped him with that.) And you having to wait to get a pacemaker. That must be maddening on top of all the rest. I'm so sorry you're going through this, Judy, but glad you have such good LT friends to share your worries with, and that you've been able to keep reading, even if it's lighter fare. Though some of your reading isn't all that light, as far as I can see. If you can concentrate enough, reading can help you get through a lot. {{{hugs}}}

>236 Storeetllr: Thanks Mary. Life has been handing us lemons recently but the friends I have here at LT really do help me turn it into lemonade!

Book Number 126

A Ghost in the Glen by Richard M. Pearson - 4.0 ★
Category: Doorway to the Dark Side
July ScaredyKit: Ghosts
July TIOLI #15: 2 Title words Begin with a Vowel

I am glad to hear that he is doing better today, Judy. Keeping you in our thoughts and wishing you and hubby the best.

Happy to hear that your husband is on the mend! Also >235 DeltaQueen50: I enjoyed that Anne Gracie series! Book #2, The Winter Bride, is the standout for me.

>240 christina_reads: Thanks, Christina. And thanks for the reccie for The Winter Bride. I will be reading another Anne Gracie book this month with Marry in Haste.

I hope your husband's recovery goes smoothly.

I hope your husband's recovery goes smoothly.

>242 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. We have a follow up appointment booked with the surgeon next week and I am eager to hear what she has to tell us.

I hope everything continues to improve for you two!

Book Number 127

Summer Pudding by Susan Scarlett - 4.2 ★
Category: Doorway to Romance
July TIOLI #10: Set in Summer, Summer in Title

>246 DeltaQueen50: Oh, that sounds like fun. I do love the Noel Streatfield children's books.

>247 RidgewayGirl: I am really enjoying these "Furrowed Brow" series of books. I never read Noel Streatfeild when I was younger but I have picked up a couple just to check them out.

>248 DeltaQueen50: If you've never read any of the Shoes series, you are in for a treat. The most famous is, of course, Ballet Shoes but they are all delightful.

>249 RidgewayGirl: Ballet Shoes is one of books that I picked up! Looking forward to it.