Goodreads Update 2/3/2026

I was going back through my posts and I realized I have not actually done a Goodreads Update since OCTOBER. Excuse me? I knew that in November I was a crazed lunatic and couldn't get it posted. Then in December I was on vacation and doing a million other things, so yeah, I guess I'm waaaaaay behind.

So, instead of a Reading In/Out (which would have been very boring as not much has changed) I am going to do a major catch up on the old Goodreads list. Maybe get a snack and a drink. I have no idea how wild this will be.

A Disability History of the United States by Kim E. Nielsen - This book starts before 1492 and works its way to the present with primary sources, telling the story of this country through the eyes of its disabled citizens. I thought this sounded fascinating.

Defend the Dawn

Destroy the Day

Warrior Princess Assassin

Sparking Fire Out of Fate all by Brigid Kemmerer - I'm not entirely sure what happened here, but I love Kemmerer and I think I just went nuts adding all the books I could find that I didn't already have on my TBR.

The Second Sleep by Robert Harris - I like the single Robert Harris book I've read (being Pompeii), but I have no idea what prompted me to put this on my TBR. Set in 1468 in England, there may be a mystery behind the death of the priest Christopher Fairfax has come to replace. I do see that there is a dog on the cover, which is never a good sign. We shall see.

Freaky in Fresno by Laurie Boyle Crompton - I see that this one also has a dog on the cover, but it's okay because A) it's a comedy, so the dog is unlikely to get unalived and B) I don't like Chihuahuas anyway. This is a retelling of Freaky Friday with cousins instead of mom and daughter.

Followers by Raziel Reid - I didn't put this on my list for a very long time because I thought it was nonfiction. Jokes on me, this is a novel about a teenage girl on a reality TV show.

Olive the Lionheart: Lost Love, Imperial Spies, and One Woman's Journey Into the Heart of Africa by Brad Ricca - Brad Ricca writes interesting biographies of women. That in itself is a feat, being that he is a man. But this also sounds like a cool story. Olive MacLeod, Scottish noblewoman, goes to Africa to find her fiance who is reported to be lost there. No word on whether he got lost on purpose to avoid marriage, but I'll report back. In 40 years when I finally get around to reading it.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao - This author is an absolute riot to follow on social media. This book caused a big ruckus when it was coming out. People who got advanced copies pitched a big fit about the way certain people were portrayed. It went back into editing, and now it's a highly praised work of fantasy. Very interesting.

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow - Someone close to me read this and really liked it, so I put it on my list. I like the one book by Harrow that I have read. And I have at least one other of her books on my list. Easily done.

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins - I pretty much already know the gist of this book, but I'm hoping there will be more applications for this theory than I can think of.

Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay - I know nothing about this book. My husband gave it to me for Christmas. His favorite thing in the world is to give me books I've never heard of. This does look really cute. He did well.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1 by Beth Brower - This is a slim little book. Again, it was a Christmas gift from my hubby. And again, I had not heard of it. Since I received it, I have seen it mentioned favorably in several places online.

Mercury Raine: Ghost Broker by Sarah M. Eden - Yes, this is another gift from the husband. Stay with me here. Mercury Raine is a guy who sells ghosts. Apparently, being part of the ton is having the right ghost, which he can provide. Something goes haywire when someone comes to trade a ghost and chaos ensues. Sounds like fun.

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas - So okay, apparently this one is about 4 Librarians at a tiny branch in Austin, Texas. They have all come to work at the library for shelter from the world, but they all have secrets. When two customers are murdered, they have to open up to each other and team up to save the library. The last of the gifts from the husband.

Strange Houses by Uketsu (translated by Jim Rion) - Is this a horror novel? Yes. Do I avoid horror novels? Also yes. Did I get drawn in by the floor plan drawings? Definitely yes. When I was a kid, I would get those floor plan magazines at the store and pretend to walk through the houses and imagine what they looked like inside. I am still a big fan. So yes, I have purchased this book to be scared out of my wits by floorplans.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne - Add this to the cozy fantasy pile. I've heard amazing things about it. Also, that cover is fantastic!

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann - I have been aware of this book for at least a decade. I overheard a bookstore employee recommend it to another customer and sort of mentally filed it away. I finally bought it in November or maybe December. A couple of weeks ago it came up in conversation with my sister and I guess it's being made into a movie. Oh. I guess it does say that on the cover there. I wonder if my cover has that sticker. I hate stickers.

Excursion to Tindari by Andrea Camilleri - This series is like a grittier Commissario Brunetti series. They were all released in Italy first, then translated to English and released here. I've read the first two, and I've been collecting the series as I see them at the used bookstore or wherever. This is number 5.

Rounding the Mark by Andrea Cammilleri - This is the 7th in the series. I went to the used bookstore after Christmas and found these.

Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools by Mary Annette Pember - I found this in a New York Times Book Review and immediately put it on hold. It has been sitting on my desk for at least 3 weeks now. I do intend to read it. The Indian Boarding Schools were a thing in these parts.

The Summer War by Naomi Novik - This calls itself a novella, but the summary sounds pretty epic. A girl unknowingly casts a spell on her brother after he leaves her in a war-torn country to go find love and belonging. She is trying to figure out how to take the spell off him, but first she has to understand the war between her people and the Summerlings.

The Dead by James Joyce - Christopher was getting rid of some of his school books and I took this one. I don't hold out much hope that I will understand any of it, but I've added it to my TBR.

And that's it! We did it! Good job.