Where Is Your Bookmark? (Then & Now: Witches & Ghosts, Anyone?)

As October winds down, I am not quite ready to jump into a Christmas themed book yet. I recently finished Naomi Novik's A Deadly Education (thank you to all who voted for it in my TBR poll!), and decided to settle in with a cozy mystery next. Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, the first in the Salem Bed and Breakfast series, has been calling my name for awhile now, and I decided to give in.

Charlene Morris knew Salem, Massachusetts had a spooky reputation. But when she decided to open her B&B there, she expected guests--not ghosts...

A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start--so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore--and explains that he used to live here--when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won't be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she'll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . .  [Goodreads Summary]

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

Charlene Morris may be impulsive sometimes, but crazy she was not. Yes, buying an 8,000-square-foot estate in Salem, Massachusetts, sight unseen, might seem extreme, but she'd needed a clean break after her husband's tragic death, something new to take her mind off the pain and loneliness of losing her soul mate. [opening of Mrs. Morris and the Ghost]

My initial thoughts: That does seem extremely impulsive, doesn't it? Buying such a large property sight unseen. Just what has she gotten herself into, I wonder?

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

Ernie fled to the front door, but he couldn't open it. Jack was concentrating and keeping it closed, leaning his body against it. "What's going on?" Ernie asked panicked.

"You need to tell me everything. The truth will set you free," Charlene said, walking calmly toward him. [excerpt at 56% from Mrs. Morris and the Ghost]

My thoughts: I have just about reached this section of the book, but am not quite there yet. I kind of read a spoiler pulling out this quote (no spoilers here though), but I already suspected it, so all is not lost. Given what I know of Ernie up to this point, I am not surprised Jack and Charlene had to corner him to get answers. And I really need answers! I can't wait to see what he has to say.

Have you read Mrs. Morris and the Ghost? If so, what did you think? What are you reading today?

A weekly meme in which readers look at what they were reading 

last year at this time and compare it to what they are reading now.  

Hosted by the great Maria from ReadingMaria.

From witches to ghosts, these both seem fitting reads for this time of year. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler is a household favorite, and definitely one of my favorite Halloween stories. It's the story of a witch who is constantly dropping things, from her hat to her wand. Each of the items are picked up by different animals whom she invites for a ride on her broom. Mouse and I read it every year around this time. The movie is cute too. Quite a bit different from the cozy mystery I am reading right now, although both books have a big reveal near the end . . . 

What was the last book you read this past year around this time? How does it compare to what you are reading now? Have you read Room on the Broom? If so, what did you think? 

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A glimpse into what I was reading 5 years ago: 

Hidden by Karen E. Olson

 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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