A criminally under-read historical fiction romance about Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her life with the poet Robert Browning, as told from the fictional perspective of her Lady’s Maid, Wilson.

Based on a remarkable true story about two African giraffes who overcame incredible challenges to come to the San Diego Zoo in America in 1938.

Backman has brilliantly managed to write a laugh-out-loud comedy, a fine and clever mystery, and an insightful, deeply felt character-driven narrative. I’m always rewarded when I stick with his books!

Even if you’ve seen the movie, it’s absolutely worth reading the book “Under the Tuscan Sun” by Frances Mayes. The plot varies from the film (as real life often does!) and will have you craving the tastes, sights, and feelings of Italy.

Nothing gets rid of the “I don’t want this book to end blues” faster than realizing there is another book out there by the same author that you haven’t read yet!

The only thing better than a juicy mystery novel is finding out you get to continue on with the characters and story through a series!

Besides falling in love with the characters and desperately wanting to join their literary society, this book is a virtual history lesson about a piece of the War not much has been written about before.

An Icelandic Christmas tradition, ‘Jolabokaflod’ (aka “Yuletide Book Flood”) begins when a catalog of every new book published that year is delivered to every single Icelander. Then a day is spent reading and eating chocolate (yes, please!). Here are the 4 books I read during Jolabokaflod this year!

I’ve made a Book Gratitude list of 7 books that have in some way made my life better, easier, and at times life-changing. Thank you, books for…

After aging out of the foster care system, Victoria bonds with a new caregiver by learning the ‘language of flowers’ which will carry her through the next several years of her life in different, inspiring, & beautiful ways.

There’s nothing so deliciously exhilarating as burrowing under the covers with a heart-thumping page-turner. These mystery-thrillers are all scary for slightly different reasons, but all of them have this in common: I couldn’t put it down, I couldn’t guess the ending, and I couldn’t slow my heart rate the entire time my nose was buried in its deep, dark pages.

A beautifully told, in-depth perspective of the WWII Siege of Leningrad, highlighting the strength and resilience of human nature. It blends art and life by showcasing the Hermitage and its art in a powerful and provocative way. The author also takes us through the ravages of Alzheimer’s, a cruel disease she treats with dignity and respect.