Weekly Mewsings: Wishing You a Happy New Year (Please Vote in my January TBR Poll!)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.  

Happy New Year! I am not sure I am ready for 2025, but here we are. My husband and I enjoyed dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and then spent a quiet New Year's Eve together. Mouse was off celebrating with a couple of friends. Anjin and I caught sight of the fireworks lighting the night sky as we drove to pick up Mouse shortly after midnight. It was back to work all too soon for us after the holiday. 

I actually posted this week! If you haven't already, check out my 2024: A Year In Review post. You might also be interested in my other recent posts: 

Where Is Your Bookmark: My Bookish Mewsings on The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco & Other Friday Fun

Books Read in 2024 (by rating)

First Sentences 2024

I am still considering possible reading goals for this year. They will likely include book clubs and adding more nonfiction to my reading. 

What have you been up to? Did you do anything special to bring in the New Year? 

Finished Recently:

On my e-reader ~ The House with the Golden Door (Wolf Den Trilogy #2) by Elodie Harper

From the library ~ Neon  Gods (Dark Olympus #1) by Katee Robert, narrated by Zara Hampton-Brown & Alex Moorcock

Reading Now: 

On my e-reader ~ Million Dollar Demon (The Hollows #15) by Kim Harrison

From the library ~ Sandwich by Catherine Newman, narrated by Nan McNamara

Print ~ Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande

Print ~ The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang

What are you reading right now?

My TBR List was the idea of Michelle at Because Reading, and while Michelle has not been hosting this monthly event for some time now, it's one of my favorite traditions that I cannot bring myself to give up. It's just too much fun! The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books from my TBR pile I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).

Welcome to a new year of reading! I always struggle with which books to choose for each month's poll, trying to guess my reading mood ahead of time and make it fun for you as well. I am leaning toward a mystery and these three sound especially appealing right now. Which one do you think I should read? 

Misery Hates Company (Marigold Manners #1) by Elizabeth Hobbs

A young woman is invited to a mysterious relative’s estate and winds up entangled in a murder investigation in this witty historical mystery that pits the gothic eeriness of Crimson Peak against the comic absurdities of Cold Comfort Farm.

Miss Marigold Manners may be steeped in the etiquette of her old-money, Boston family, but she is also an accomplished, modern woman and an avid student of archaeology who can handle any situation with poise. When the death of her parents leaves her too destitute to pursue her academic career and she receives a letter from a distant relative on Great Misery Island, Marigold decides she must do what any person of superior sense and greater-than-average curiosity she mounts her trusty bicycle and heads up the craggy, fog-shrouded coast of New England for a date with fate. Marigold arrives at Hatchet Farm, a moldering, gothic pile of a house inhabited by relatives so mired in the sins of the past, they have no future. She sets out to modernize the recluses with a brisk, ruthless efficiency, but her well-intentioned plans to manage their lives leads to malice—and murder. When Ellery Hatchet is found dead in the garden of the estate, Marigold finds herself accused. She must enlist the help of an eccentric, colorful cast of friends and found family to save herself—and everything she holds dear. As secrets are uncovered and lies exposed, the question of “who done it” turns into “who didn’t do it?”, and Marigold must face a truth that shatters her steely poise and shakes her very sense of self. [Publisher synopsis]

 

After the Ocean by Lauren E. Rico

How do you find your way back when you’ve left yourself behind? A painful unsolved mystery resurfaces after decades of confusion, sending one woman and her daughters on a journey of redemption in this emotional story about intergenerational trauma, family, and the beauty of Puerto Rico for fans of Nina LaCour, Xochitl Gonzalez, Elizabeth Acevedo, Annette Chavez Macias, and Julia Alvarez.

Thirty years ago, young music student Emilia Oliveras married her dream man. Their Caribbean honeymoon cruise was idyllic—until the night Paul disappeared from their ship, presumed drowned. Reeling from loss, Emilia was horrified when his wealthy, vindictive family tried to railroad her as a gold-digging murderer. She escaped home to Puerto Rico and then across the country, where she became Emily Oliver, suburban wife and mother of two. Still, the trauma and secrets of her past ruined her second marriage, and created a disconnect with, and between, her grown daughters, Meg and Gracie. But now, a mysterious phone call suggests Paul alive and well . . . Emilia immediately delves into a search, no matter the cost. Unknown to her, Meg and Gracie are following close behind, each on a search of her own. . . . A gifted musician, Meg wants to understand why she's always felt like an imposter, raising self-sabotage to an art form. And Gracie, soon to discover that she’s Paul’s daughter, is fleeing yet another shattered relationship, hoping the truth can shed light on her choices. As Karen and her daughters’ paths converge, they will be forced to see each other anew, reconcile their mistakes and misunderstandings, and find a way to forgiveness—for a chance to both uncover Paul’s fate, and shape their futures on their own terms . . . [Publisher synopsis]

 

The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid #2) by Nita Prose

Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J. D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tearoom floor.

When Detective Stark, Molly’s old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know: Who killed J. D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?

As the high-profile death threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer’s identity. But that key is buried deep in her past, as long ago, she knew J. D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery posthaste. Because if there’s one thing she knows for sure, it’s that secrets don’t stay buried forever. [Publisher synopsis]

Thank you to everyone for voting in this month's TBR List poll!

What are you reading next? 

My family was good to me this year. I got several books for Christmas, both print and e-books: 

The Empire of Gold (The Davevabad Trilogy #3) by S.A. Chakraborty

Apprentice to the Villain (#2) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Exit Strategy (Murderbot Diaries #4) by Martha Wells

Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot Diaries #6) by Martha Wells

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, illustrated by H.J. Kihl (graphic novel originally published in 1947)

Unbecoming a Lady: The Forgotten Sluts and Shrews Who Shaped America by Therese O'Neill, illustrated by Lisa Jonté

The Dead Take the A Train (Carrion City #1) by Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey

I've Tried Being Nice by Ann Leary

Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City by Jane Wong

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? 

My husband and I recently watched Cross, based on James Patterson's Alex Cross suspense/thriller series, and thought the series was very well done. We found ourselves needing to take a break from it in between episodes though because the subject matter was so disturbing. I expected that though, having read several books in the series years ago. We are currently in the middle of watching the third season of Lincoln Lawyer, based on Michael Connelly's Mickey Haller books. It continues to be one of our favorite television shows. 

What have you been watching lately?

Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz, who shares three good things in her Sunday Salon posts, I thought I would try to do the same. With all the worries and stressors in life, I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff. 

1. Mouse introduced Anjin and me to the musical concept album Epic by Jorge Rivera-Herrans, which is based on Homer's Odyssey; the three of us have been listening to it together. It's really good, and I recommend it! 

2. I re-organized my bookshelves and donated books to my mom's community library. Any she isn't able to take will go to the public library. I always find it hard to give up books, but it also brings some relief. Not to mention, I like the process of organizing my shelves.

3. When I was looking into getting a library card from a neighboring county to see if I could get access to Libby (California allows state residents to get library cards anywhere in the state, although some you have to go to in person), I discovered that my county now offers access to the app too. They had gotten rid of it in 2023. Perhaps enough people complained and they decided to offer it again? Whatever the reason, I am grateful for another avenue to get books. I have been happy with Hoopla and Cloud Library, but it's nice to have another option!

Nina and the pink cat

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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