SqueakyChu's Book Menu for 2026 - 2nd Quarter

Hi all!

I'm continuing to enjoy reading this year. I guess I've picked some rather terrific books recently. My anxiety persists about things in general, but I have a plan to deal with it. Reading sure helps, though.

I continue to garden a bit with a mini-succulent box that was inspired by my daughter's success with succulents. I am still a softy for jigsaw puzzles. I do free swaps, buy them at thrift stores, and rent them as well! A new thing I do is dad's jokes. I have a friend who has been sending me two riddles a day on my phone since pandemic. I now counter her riddles each day with one of my own. Here's one from today:

Why can't fish fall in love?

Give up? Well...it's because love is in the air, and fish are in the water. LOL!

Today is day #2 of a second set of new hearing aids. I hope these work out better for me than a previous set I recently trialed.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!



Pages Read YTD: 4,595
Pages Read per Day: increased to 29
Books in my To Read Pile: decreased to 340
BookCrossing Books to be Released: decreased to 1,538

APRIL


This is an applesauce spice cake with an orange glaze. I don't make these any more because, as my husband and I age, such sweet cakes are no longer on our menu. :`(

BOOKISH EVENTS: Potbelly in Alexandria, Virginia - 11/26/26

COMPLETED:
10. Where We Keep the Light - Josh Shapiro - TIOLI #2: Read a 2025 Nebula finalist, or a book that shares a title word of 4 or more letters with a finalist (where) - 260 pages
11. Young Man in a Hurry - Gavin Newsome - TIOLI #3: Read a book for the rolling FANBOYS conjunction challenge - 291 pages

MAY


My husband loves to garden. This is a cucumber he grew!

BOOKISH EVENTS:
1. The Gaithersburg Book Festival in Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland was great!

COMPLETED:
12. Nobody's Girl - Virginia Roberts Giuffre - TIOLI #2: Read a book by a woman about a woman or women - 367 pages
13. Holy Cow - David Duchovny - TIOLI #1: Read a book with a title which includes JUST ONE four-legged animal or TWO two-legged animals (cow) - 206 pages
14. The Mother: A Graphic Memoir - Rachel Deutsch - TIOLI #23: Read a book which refers to, but does not name, a person - 172 pages
15. The Devotion of Suspect X - Keigo Higashino - TIOLI #23: Read a book which refers to, but does not name, a person - 374 pages
16. The Grip of It - Jac Jemc - TIOLI #14: Read a book about a family tragedy - 283 pages

JUNE


These are tiger cupcakes I made with a friend who was making them for a party at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore where she is a volunteer.

BOOKISH EVENTS:
1. BookCrossing meetup in Virginia on June 14, 2026.

COMPLETED:
17. When We See You Again - Rachel Goldberg-Polin - TIOLI #1: by an author whose published name has three parts - 266 pages

CURRENTLY READING:
18. Butter - Asako Yuzuki - TIOLI #13: Read a book that matches a category on the 2026 Seattle Public Library Summer Book Bingo Card (Own choice) - 6/452 pages = 1%

Happy new thread, Madeline! I'm really glad to hear that you finally got the new hearing aids. That has to be such a relief. I sure hope they work well for you!

Happy new thread, dear Madeline. I still have a sweet tooth, I must confess, but I also adore cucumber - especially pickled.

>5 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I’m going to try really hard to make them work for me. It is quite a relief to be able to communicate again. It is so sad and depressing for me not to be able to hear and understand family and friends.

>6 PaulCranswick: Jose does such a great job in the garden. This week he started some heirloom tomato seeds in the house. We love those tomatoes. We got the seeds from our former housemate who lives in Pennsylvania. There are two kinds of tomatoes: one is pink; the other is yellow!

Diet restrictions (low sodium) will probably keep me from ever pickling our cucumbers.

>7 SqueakyChu: I would love to be able to have a small patch and grow my own vegetables, Madeline. Heirloom tomatoes are almost always delicious.

Happy new thread!

>9 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. I miss seeing you from time to time!

We should get together soon!

>10 SqueakyChu: I agree!

I'm glad you got your new hearing aids, Madeline!

And happy new thread!

>13 Dejah_Thoris: Me, too! :D

Thank you, Dejah!

10. Where We Keep the Light - Josh Shapiro


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TIOLI #2: Read a 2025 Nebula finalist, or a book that shares a title word of 4 or more letters with a finalist (where)
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What a great read! One thing I especially love about this book is the pride that Josh Shapiro expresses in being Jewish despite being a public figure and facing the current challenge of antisemitism. He opens his book with a chapter on the deliberate act of arson that was committed at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion where he was with family and friends on the first night of Passover in 2025. He is part of a very traditional Jewish family. Being Jewish myself, this makes me proud!

I am impressed by Shapiro’s determination to stand up for what is right, to be unafraid of those who oppose his viewpoints but desire to interact with them, and to be willing to change his point of view if he sees that the opposition is correct. As they say in Yiddish, he’s such a mensch.

Reading about Shapiro’s time as Pennsylvania attorney general was very interesting to me. I never knew how much they do in that role and how much of what they do affects public policy!

I now see why Shapiro had been vetted as a possible Vice Presidential candidate. His voice is such a breath of fresh air in the current, bitter political climate in the USA. After reading that chapter about the vetting process and learning what his reaction was, I have even more respect for him.

I usually hate reading about politics, but this book was so good that I really gobbled it up. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it to others. I also thank Governor Shapiro for sharing his story with me and others.

Rating - 5 stars

I still fundamentally, at my core, believe that we have more that unites us than divides. When we make space for these conversations, for relationships with people we don't always agree with despite the space between our views, good things can happen. Compromise is possible. It may not feel comfortable all the time. It'll take patience. But if we choose to look at each other with a good eye, to practice our faith in one another, to show up in these in-between spaces, we will, more often than not, find common ground.

i need to rread this

>16 cindydavid4: I just loved it. I think you will, too, Cindy. I got my copy at the library because it just came out.

>15 SqueakyChu: This sounds like a good one, Madeline. Unfortunately, my local cluster of libraries hasn't bought it, although in a few months I'll be able to get it from other libraries further away. I've always liked Shapiro.

>18 Dejah_Thoris: I was glad to read this book to learn more about Josh Shapiro. i didn't know that much about him before other than he is the Jewish governor of Pennsylvania. I also knew about the horrific arson that occurred last year during Passover at the governor's mansion when he and his family were there for first Seder.

Great review of Where We Keep the Light, Madeline. As you know I'm now a resident of Pennsylvania, and I have the highest respect for Governor Shapiro, who currently has a 22 point lead over his Republican challenger in this fall's gubernatorial election. He would also be my favored choice in the 2028 presidential election at this point. My local library currently has 15 copies of this book in stock, so I'll plan to read it this summer.

>20 kidzdoc: He would also be my favored choice in the 2028 presidential election at this point.

He is most likely not going to run for president, Daryl. Read the last chapter of his book to find out why he was not Kamala's vice presidential candidate. I found that chapter so interesting!

I have mixed feelings about Shapiro as president. He would be a fabulous president, but I fear that being Jewish would always make his faith (and mine) a target. Jews are targeted enough these days. We just want to live quiet, peaceful lives.

...Governor Shapiro, who currently has a 22 point lead over his Republican challenger in this fall's gubernatorial election...

Hurray! I was initially surprised to see that Pennsylvania had a Jewish governor, being the purple state that it is. However, one of Shapiro's main goals is to work across the aisle to help all folks who are struggling. He is really dedicated to a life of service to all. He's amazing. I have the utmost respect for your governor!

>21 SqueakyChu: Hmm. That's unfortunate that Shapiro isn't planning to run for president, although I'm happy that he is very likely to serve another term as Governor of Pennsylvania.

I was also afraid that Barack Obama would be assassinated in office, even though the political climate in 2008 was far less hostile than it is now. We certainly need a fresh face in the White House that has the ability to reach voters of all backgrounds to unify this country, and at the moment Josh Shapiro seems to be the best person to accomplish this task.

>22 kidzdoc: I was also scared for Obama as well the whole time he was in office. It's good to see him aging gracefully out of office now.

I agree with you about Shapiro actually being the best person to accomplish a healing and unification of this country.

11. Young Man in a Hurry - Gavin Newsom


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TIOLI #3: Read a book for the rolling FANBOYS conjunction challenge
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This is the story by and about Gavin Newsom, how he started as a dyslexic child, grew into a young adult entrepreneur in the wine and food industry and finally made his way into politics in his home city of San Francisco. During his childhood, his parents were divorced early. He continued his relationship with both of his parents, hobnobbing with his dad’s ultra rich friends while helping his struggling mom meet her financial needs as well. Newsom gave quite a detailed history of his parents’ families, much of which was distressing to read. I was particularly interested, though, in reading about two issues, gay marriage and homelessness, with which he dealt early on during his term as mayor of San Francisco. If truth be told, I mostly read this book to learn more about a possible future President of the United States and wanted to get an idea if he might win my vote in a future national election.

I enjoyed reading his book and found Gavin Newsom to be a hard-working guy who hustles at all times to get his job done. This book gave me a good picture of the “young man in a hurry”.

Rating - 4.5 stars

In the eyes of the press, I was forever the “golden boy” whose daddy had prospered because of his tours to the Gettys and now the son was simply following suit.

>24 SqueakyChu: I really need to read Young Man in a Hurry for the very reason you did 0 I need to learn more about him. I'm gald you enjoyed it - I won't be able to join you this month, but soon!

>25 Dejah_Thoris: It was an interesting book, Dejah, and waaaaay different than the book by Josh Shapiro. I'll be curious to hear what you think of it.

It's going to be tough to pick a Democratic presidential candidate for 2028. I find that locally the same issue prevails. In my county (Montgomery County, Maryland), there are at least two people running for two different offices in which I simply cannot decide whom I like better. I'll keep reading about them and try to decide before November.

Hi, Madeline! I'm interested to see that you're reading political biographies of men I want to know more about!

Stasia wanted me to let you know that her modem is dead and she's offline until next Friday at the earliest when a Frontier tech can come to replace it and do the necessary. She worked with them 30 minutes yesterday to no avail. She's concerned that she won't be able to enter her final TIOLI tally for April until May. She says she'll do it as quickly as she can. Now she has free time and will easily finish everything she's committed to except one book that she's already put in the Give To Catey's Shop pile. (I'd love to visit Catey's shop!!!)

Happy New Thread! Read and comment in good health!

>27 LizzieD: Tell Stasia I'll hold off on doing the TIOLI stats until she gets back online, finishes her TIOLI entries and lets me know. Thanks for the heads up, Lizzie!

>27 LizzieD: >28 SqueakyChu: Thank you both for your help!

Madeline, I just found this thread and see that it wasn't starred! Sorry about that.

I just finished Eli Sharabi's Hostage and hope to get a review on my thread this weekend.

>30 jessibud2: Oh, Shelley, wasn't Hostage a heartbreaking read...and yet, I found it inspirational. I'm glad you had a chance to read it.

12. Nobody's Girl - Virginia Roberts Giuffre



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TIOLI #2: Read a book by a woman about a woman or women
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Be prepared for a heart-wrenching read. Even the beginning of this book stopped me in my tracks. The author, as a child, was first sexually abused by the person whom she should have been able to trust the most to protect her…her own father.

At this point, my husband asked why I was reading such a difficult book. My answer was that it was for the truth the author wanted to reveal about this topic. I as a reader felt the need to bear witness to such unbelievable cruelty for my own future quest to find ways to make this world a safer place for young girls. This was even before I got to the more chilling part of the description of the author's experiences with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

This book is not pleasant to read, but it is well written. If you can tolerate reading about the author’s miserable experiences in countless episodes of sexual abuse, you will find this book a compelling read. Midway through the book, you will get some relief and learn about Guiffre’s escape from Epstein and Maxwell and then about her brave fight on behalf of herself and other victims of sexual abuse and trafficking.

The author's point at the end of this book (although sadly she died by suicide after its publication) is that, although Epstein and Maxwell were found guilty and imprisoned, they are not the only adults still freely preying on young girls. Everyone needs to be part of this fight.

Rating - 5 stars

I hope for a world in which predators are punished, not protected; victims are treated with compassion, not shamed; and powerful people face the same consequences as anyone else.

13. Holy Cow - David Duchovny -


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TIOLI #1: Read a book with a title which includes JUST ONE four-legged animal or TWO two-legged animals (cow)
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This is a cute and entertaining book. I much needed a light read plus a few laughs, and Duchovny’s story about a cow who wanted to travel to India truly cracked me up. I also found the pen-and-ink drawings by Natalya Balnova adorable.

The idea was that the cow, Elsie Bovary, discovers that people eat cows so she decides to travel away to a place where cows are not eaten. Before she can do that, a pig and a turkey decide they need to travel with her as well. This trio then have to figure out how to accomplish that.

The most hilarious part was when Jerry, a pig renamed Shalom, interacted with the Jewish population of New York! I just loved that!

The conversations between the trio, always in the script of a play, were so funny!

I liked this book quite a bit because it is unlike anything else I’ve read, deals with animals, and is written simply for the joy of fantasy. It worked well for me and left me feeling happy. I appreciate the author reaching out with his prose to keep his readers smiling.

I used to love watching Duchovny as Fox Mulder on "The X-Files" years ago and really enjoyed experiencing his work as an author. I hope others get a chance to read this book as well.

Rating - 4 stars

“You, pig, your name is Shalom?”
”Yes.”
“Funny. You don't look Jewish,” said the wolf…

>33 SqueakyChu: That sounds like a fun one, Madeline!

>34 Dejah_Thoris: I had been reading such heavy books lately that this one was such a relief, Dejah!

14. The Mother: A graphic Memoir - Rachel Deutsch


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TIOLI #23: Read a book which refers to, but does not name, a person
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I picked up this book at whim at my local library because I love graphic novels and saw that this book was about motherhood. My expectations for this book were different from what it actually was. A lot of this book talked about the different relationships the author had - from guys she dated to her parents to her grandparents. I felt a lot of sadness as I read this book. I was expecting it to be mostly humorous, but I felt the strains the author had in her relationships with various people before and during her pregnancy and the first year of her motherhood. The artwork was great. I guess the message of of this book is that a satisfactory motherhood is worth working toward.

Rating - 4 stars

I so desperately wanted a family, it was hard to enjoy anything that didn't seem to be directly leading to that.

15. The Devotion of Suspect X - Keigo Higashino


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TIOLI #23: Read a book which refers to, but does not name, a person (suspect X)
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Crime fiction is not my thing; however I do love reading contemporary Japanese fiction. Someone recently placed this book in our Little Free Library. After browsing through it for a few minutes, I was hooked. I loved the way it was written. Japanese literature in English translation has such an easy flow. This story was no exception. The plotting of the story and the conversations between its characters were amazingly well done. I did have to write down the list of characters because each had a typical and not yet common Japanese name. I didn’t want to get confused over who was who.

At one point in the story, I could no longer put this book down. I was mesmerized by the relationship between head investigator Kusanagi, the man under murder investigation and maths professor Ishigami and physics professor Yukawa. All three had been friends from their days as college students. I was blown away by the ending of this story and am now super eager to pass this novel along to other people I know. What a reading experience!

Rating - 5 stars

Sometimes, all you had to do was to exist in order to be someone's saviour.

>37 SqueakyChu: Ooh, you hit me with a BB for that one! Sounds great. I’ve already requested it from my library.

Karen O

>38 klobrien2: Karen, that book was soooo interesting. I really want to read more works by this author...even though they will also be murder mysteries! I'm saving my copy of this book for my husband to read. I think he'll really like it.

16. The Grip of It - Jac Jemc


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TIOLI #14: Read a book about a family tragedy
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A creepy book for sure! The story is of James and Julie, a young couple trying to improve their relationship after the husband agrees to stop his compulsive gambling. They move to a house in a small town, but not too far from city life to which they are more accustomed. The house they buy is totally involved in the story of the older gruff man next door, Rolf Kinsler, whose family suffered a major tragedy.

The story deals with strange happenings in and around the couple’s house, but there is an over-abundance of details and so much is happening that it’s almost hard to concentrate on the story itself. It’s a compelling read, but I’m not sure if it’s the strange happenings that make it so or the need to finish this tale and exit this house. It’s a chaotic read, but quite a page turner!

Rating - 3.5 stars

There are times when saying nothing means nothing, and then there are times when nothing holds an answer.

>40 SqueakyChu: That one sounds interesting - gonna check into it.

>41 drneutron: After you read it, let me know what you think of it, Jim. It was totally chaotic, but such a page-turner that I felt compelled to read it through to the end. I never heard of either this book or the author, but it showed up one day in our Little Free Library. After browsing through this book, I put dibs on it and read it right away!

17. When We See You Again - Rachel Goldberg-Polin


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TIOLI #1: Read a book by an author whose published name has three parts
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I was scared to read this book. I felt it would just be a devastating read and only make me sad. However, the beginning of Hersh’s family’s story made me happy because, as I was reading about Rachel’s youth and experiences in Jewish communities both in the USA and in Israel, it reminded me of some wonderful experiences of my own as part of the Jewish communities in both countries during my younger days. Rachel then quickly recalled the experience of being Hersh’s mom from his birth through the holiday of Simchat Torah, 2023. That was the Before. Then came the hard part: The After.

The After I read slowly. It was too heartbreaking to read in big chunks. Being Jewish, having lived in Jerusalem, and being a mother myself made this book a most difficult read. I wish not to discuss it in-depth but to say I read it in memory of Hersh and to honor the other 7 October, 2023 hostages—those who survived and those who didn’t survive their horrendous captivity in the tunnels of Gaza.

What I got from this book presently is that Hersh’s mom is still understandably torn apart by the devastating loss of her son and hopes for better days ahead as she seeks the WHY of her life.

Rating - 5 stars

She explained that we all have “attachment people” with whom we have genetic and emotional bonds that connect us eternally. Even after a person with whom we are deeply bonded dies, that attachment continues. The need for that person still persists.

>43 SqueakyChu:- I am on the wait list at the library for this one, Madeline.

>44 jessibud2: It's a tough one to read, Shelley. Be prepared.

I am moving my thread to third quarter of 2026.