Three Things...

1. Buc-ee's is a must on a road trip. I loved their croissant breakfast sandwich and bought a cool Halloween shirt. The place was super busy and had tons of cool stuff to check out. I can't believe that it's a gas station! So wild!

2. I speed-watched the Twilight movies last night. They were fun, but I couldn't help laughing at how ridiculous they were, too. LOL!

3. The rainy weather is exhausting- made the road trip drag for a bit, because you couldn't see out the car windows. Plus, I am just wanting cooler weather. I want it to feel like fall. 

Alright, just wanted to say 'hi' and wish everyone a great week ahead. Happy reading!

Monday Musings...

Feeling productive, because I finally organize my office and it is no longer cluttered. Hurrah! It took me long enough. Albeit there are still some things I need to sort through, but overall, I can now work without feeling like everything is going to topple over. 

The rain makes for miserable company. When I was younger I loved a rainy day, because it was a reading day. Now that I'm older, it makes me depressed. Ugh, how times have changed. 

I'm still watching Christmas movies on Hallmark - they really do make me smile. I can't wait for the new ones, which will start airing the weekend of October 17th - Huzzah!

I'm reading an ARC - the book will be released in February next year. It's by B. A. Paris and it's called, When I Kill You. So far, I am intrigued and frustrated, because I can't figure out what secrets are being kept. So, I love it!

I've been wanting a small project to work on - something creative. And I found one on Substack - it's an October Daily Doodle Challenge by Kelly Anderson Studio. She's picked 31 prompts for every day in October - they are simple and it should be fun. I'm excited to start. I've already picked a small notebook to work in and decorated it for Halloween. 

And now, I'm off to grab a coffee and get my day started. Wishing you all a terrific Monday. Happy reading!

My Friday Five...

1. 1Q84 by Murakami has been published by The Folio Society. I have the four other Murakami books they've published. However, as much as I want to add this one to my collection, I just can't wrap my head around the price. I feel like every year their prices go way up. This edition, which is broken up into two separate books, is priced at $215 (not including taxes and shipping.) Ugh. I feel like a brat for wanting this. LOL!

2. I'm finally organizing the books I received from publishers and feeling really grateful for them. There are quite a few that I didn't get around to, because of the timing. So, I'm hoping to read and post about them before the year ends. Wish me luck!

3. I chatted with an old friend from college/grad school. We laughed so much and kept referring to "back in the day," which made us laugh harder. I mean, how old are we? Also, I couldn't get over the coincidences of things she mentioned that I had just talked about with my family or I had just revisited as well. One of them was an old TV show called SeaQuest. Another was Designing Women. Talk about blasts from the past. 

4. I'm still reading Notes To Self. It's a collection of personal essays, so I'm taking my time with it. Dipping in and out every day is really nice. 

5. I'm watching a show called Hotel Costiera and really enjoying it. I like the actors and I've loving seeing Italy. Hoping they have a second season. 

And now, I'm off to delete old emails and clean out my inbox. Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Happy reading!

The Unfathomable Curse: An Undetectables Mystery #3 by Courtney Smyth

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A witty, witchy fantasy murder mystery packed with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles. When Cornelia’s twin sisters are taken by the Wickermere Reaper, Mallory, Diana and Theodore must race against time to uncover the buried secrets of the Broadwicks before it’s too late. Perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries and cosy crime by authors such as Ben Aaranovitch, Josiah Bancroft and Tammie Painter.

The summer after the events of The Undead Complex, the unthinkable finally happens – Cornelia’s money is running out. Estranged from her family, furious at her parents following recent revelations, the Broadwick heir finds herself living on her own resources for the first time.

Meanwhile two crimes are rocking the Apparent community. The Wrackton Digger is stealing bodies from the cemetery, and a new serial killer – the Wickermere Reaper – has emerged. But when the Reaper snatches their next victims – Cornelia’s twin sisters – she must return to her family’s home, and seat of the Ghoul Council, to conduct the search.

With their resources split, and a ticking clock on the race to save the twins, The Undetectables must do what they do best – solve the strangest, most well-hidden magical mysteries to save the people they love.

my thoughts:

Book 3 is out today! Hurrah! I'm so excited to share about this fantastic book, The Unfathomable Curse, in Courtney Smyth's unforgettable and unputdownable series, An Undetectables Mystery.  

Think murder mystery with magic - how intriguing doest that sound?! There are witches, vampires, and other magical beings throughout this story and they all make for quite the eclectic cast of characters. And the story itself is chockfull of thrilling and chilling drama - a grave digger, a serial killer, the Ghoul Council, and of course, the Undetectables; along with the usual everyday struggles in life - finances and health. Plus, the writing is top notch - it's smart, captivating, and emotionally moving. I loved it! 

I would happily recommend The Unfathomable Curse to fans of the series, but also to everyone else looking for a new great read - you can definitely read this book as a standalone. However, I advise reading the first two, because they are amazing and you won't want to miss out. So, make sure to grab a copy ASAP!  Happy reading!

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monday Musings...

Good morning! I woke up a little after 4am and finished reading the new Dan Brown book, The Secret of Secrets. It was a solid read and I enjoyed parts of it, but I didn't love it. However, I'm now itching to reread his other books, like The Da Vinci Code. I'm also thinking of rewatching the film versions of his books, and finally watch the tv series, The Lost Symbol. Should be fun. 

I spent yesterday decluttering and had planned on going to bed early, but wound up watching the new documentary about Lilith Fair. Such a treat! I remember going to Lilith when I was twenty and having such a wonderful time. Dancing all day and night, while singing along to my favorite artists - what more could I want? Watching the doc has made me want to get out my CDs and albums and listen to all of those wonderful musicians again and again. 

My current read is:

I'm looking to add a fiction book, so I'm trying to figure out what to pick up. Any recommendations?

And now, I'm off to run errands. Wishing you all a happy Monday!