What I've Read

These are the books I've read to date, as the year ends. As you can see, I'm a rather eclectic reader, moving from cozy mysteries to nonfiction to magic to literary classics, depending on my mood. There are 61 books on this list.

High Orbit, Mario Rosanda

A near‑future story exploring ambition, risk, and the fragile connections that hold people together in extreme environments. It blends science‑driven tension with a very human emotional core.

The Women Founders, Kristin Hannah

A reflective narrative about the women who shape communities and movements through quiet persistence. It highlights resilience, sacrifice, and the power of collective action.

Orbital, Samantha Harvey

A contemplative novel set aboard a space station, following astronauts as they confront isolation and wonder. It’s a meditation on perspective, fragility, and what it means to be human.

The Grey Wolf, Louise Penny

A mystery steeped in atmosphere, following characters who must confront old secrets and shifting loyalties. Penny blends emotional depth with slow‑burn suspense.

The Diary of Anne Frank (drama play), Frances Goodrich et al

A stage adaptation that brings Anne Frank’s voice and courage into a dramatic format. It emphasizes the intimacy, fear, and hope of a family in hiding.

Now or Never, Janet Evanovich

A light, fast‑moving story with Evanovich’s trademark humor and romantic tension. It follows characters who must make bold choices when life refuses to wait.

Sandwich, Catherine Newman

A warm, funny, and bittersweet novel about a woman navigating family, aging, and the messy beauty of everyday life. Newman captures the emotional chaos of midlife with tenderness.

Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine

A beloved fairy‑tale retelling about a girl cursed with obedience who must reclaim her agency. It’s charming, clever, and full of heart.

Beach House, Rachel Hanna

A gentle Southern story about healing, new beginnings, and the comfort of community. Hanna’s coastal setting adds warmth and serenity.

Silver Alert, Lee Smith

A quirky, heartfelt tale about an unlikely friendship formed during a spontaneous road trip. It blends humor with a poignant look at aging and independence.

Counting Miracles, Nicholas Sparks

A sentimental story about love, loss, and the small wonders that shape a life. Sparks leans into emotional turning points and heartfelt connections.

A Memory Called Empire, Arkady Martine

A richly imagined space‑opera about political intrigue, identity, and cultural collision. Martine builds a world where loyalty and survival are constantly in tension.

You Will Find Your People, Lane Moore

A candid exploration of adult friendship—how hard it is, how necessary it is, and how to build it with intention. Moore blends memoir and guidance with honesty and humor.

A Christmas Duet, Debbie Macomber

A cozy holiday romance about rediscovering joy and companionship. Macomber’s gentle storytelling brings warmth and hope to the season.

The Nature of Witches, Rachel Griffin

A magical coming‑of‑age story about a young witch whose powers are tied to the changing seasons. It explores identity, responsibility, and the courage to embrace one’s gifts.

The Plot, Jean Hanff Korelitz

A literary thriller about a struggling writer who steals a dead student’s story—and faces the consequences. It’s sharp, suspenseful, and full of moral tension.

The Sequel, Jean Hanff Korelitz

A follow‑up that examines what happens after success, fame, and the secrets behind them. Korelitz blends psychological insight with slow‑building suspense.

The Invisible Life of Addy LaRue, V.E. Schwab

A sweeping fantasy about a woman who makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but be forgotten by everyone she meets. It’s lyrical, romantic, and deeply introspective.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Frank Baum

A classic American fairy tale about courage, friendship, and the search for home. Baum’s imaginative world remains timeless and enchanting.

Once & Future, Cory McCarthy & A.R. Capetta

A queer, sci‑fi reimagining of the King Arthur legend set in space. It’s bold, funny, and full of found‑family energy.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain

A mischievous boy’s adventures along the Mississippi River capture childhood freedom and troublemaking. Twain’s humor and social commentary shine through.

Pretty Dead Things, Lilian Westover

A dark, atmospheric story about grief, secrets, and the supernatural. Westover blends emotional depth with eerie tension.

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits, Jennifer Weiner

A warm, witty novel about sisterhood, reinvention, and the stories families tell about themselves. Weiner balances humor with heartfelt insight.

A Circle of Uncommon Witches, Paige Crutcher

A magical tale about a coven bound by loyalty, power, and the challenges of belonging. Crutcher mixes whimsy with emotional stakes.

Like Mother, Like Mother, Susan Reiger

A sharp, character‑driven novel about family expectations and the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters. Reiger explores identity with wit and nuance.

Frankie, Graham Norton

A coming‑of‑age story set in a small Irish town, full of secrets and shifting relationships. Norton writes with warmth, humor, and empathy.

The Baking Games, Rachel Hanna

A sweet, small‑town story centered around a baking competition that brings people together. It’s comforting, light, and full of community charm.

The House at Watch Hill, Karen Marie Moning

A gothic‑tinged tale involving mystery, memory, and a house full of secrets. Moning blends atmosphere with emotional suspense.

The Correspondent, Virginia Evans

A reflective novel about journalism, truth, and the personal cost of uncovering difficult stories. Evans weaves together professional tension and emotional vulnerability.

Expiration Dates, Rebecca Serle

A magical‑realist romance about a woman who receives mysterious notes predicting the length of each relationship. Serle explores fate, choice, and the meaning of love.

The Measure, Nikki Erlick

A speculative novel where everyone receives a box revealing the length of their life. It’s a thoughtful look at destiny, fear, and how society changes under pressure.

Ordinary Time, Annie B. Jones

A gentle, introspective story about faith, family, and the rhythms of everyday life. Jones writes with warmth and quiet insight.

Obsession, Stuart Woods & Brett Battles

A fast‑paced thriller involving danger, secrets, and high‑stakes pursuit. Woods and Battles deliver action with polished ease.

The Rulebreaker, Susan Page

A character‑driven novel about ambition, reinvention, and the cost of breaking the rules that hold us back. Page blends emotional depth with sharp observation.

What Are You Going Through, Sigrid Nunez

A contemplative novel about friendship, mortality, and the act of bearing witness to another’s life. Nunez writes with clarity, compassion, and philosophical depth.

Bait and Witch, Angela M. Sanders

A cozy paranormal mystery featuring a librarian‑turned‑witch who stumbles into magical trouble. It’s light, charming, and full of small‑town whimsy.

Smolder (Stuart Woods), Brett Battles

A sleek thriller full of danger, shifting alliances, and escalating stakes. Battles keeps the pace brisk and the tension high.

My Friends, Fredrik Backman

A tender, humorous novel about connection, loneliness, and the people who shape us. Backman blends emotional honesty with gentle wit.

Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes

A classic science‑fiction tale about intelligence, humanity, and the ethics of experimentation. It’s deeply emotional and thought‑provoking.

Murder in the Mystery Suite, Ellery Adams

A cozy mystery set in a book‑themed resort where secrets lurk behind every shelf. Adams mixes charm with clever plotting.

Funny Story, Emily Henry

A romantic comedy about two opposites forced into close quarters—and unexpected chemistry. Henry balances humor with heartfelt emotional growth.

Tehanu, Ursula K. Le Guin

A quiet, powerful fantasy about healing, identity, and the changing nature of magic. Le Guin writes with wisdom and emotional depth.

The City of Brass, S.A. Chakraborty

A lush Middle‑Eastern–inspired fantasy about a con artist who discovers a hidden magical world. It’s full of political intrigue, rich world‑building, and complex characters.

Murder in the Paperback Parlor, Ellery Adams

Another cozy mystery set in a literary retreat, this time involving romance authors and hidden motives. Adams delivers comfort and cleverness in equal measure.

Golden Hour, Stuart Woods & Brett Battles

A high‑stakes thriller involving danger, deception, and international intrigue. The pacing is brisk and cinematic.

Murder in the Secret Garden, Ellery Adams

A botanical‑themed cozy mystery where plants and secrets intertwine. Adams blends atmosphere with gentle suspense.

Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire, Don Martin

A whimsical fantasy adventure about a girl uncovering magical mysteries in her town. It’s imaginative, lively, and full of charm.

Thank You for Listening, Julia Whelan

A heartfelt novel about an audiobook narrator confronting love, loss, and her own creative identity. Whelan writes with warmth and emotional intelligence.

Book Lovers, Emily Henry

A sharp, funny romance about a literary agent who discovers love in the last place she expects. Henry plays with tropes while delivering real emotional depth.

A Sorceress Comes to Call, T. Kingfisher

A darkly humorous fantasy about a young woman confronting a dangerous magical threat. Kingfisher blends folklore, wit, and creeping dread.

Rejected, Shamed & Blamed, Rebecca C. Mandeville

A nonfiction exploration of family trauma, estrangement, and healing. Mandeville offers insight, validation, and practical guidance.

My Name is Lucy Barton, Elizabeth Strout

A quiet, intimate novel about a woman reckoning with her past during a hospital stay. Strout’s writing is spare, tender, and deeply observant.

Broken Country, Claire Leslie Hall

A haunting story about survival, memory, and the fractures left by conflict. Hall writes with stark beauty and emotional weight.

Water Moon, Samantha Sotto Yambao

A lyrical novel blending romance, myth, and mystery across time. Sotto creates an atmosphere of longing and gentle magic.

Tom Lake, Ann Patchett

A reflective family story about storytelling, memory, and the choices that shape a life. Patchett writes with grace and emotional clarity.

The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

A classic novel about shame, judgment, and resilience in Puritan New England. Hawthorne’s symbolism and psychological insight remain powerful.

Strange Practice, Vivian Shaw

A quirky urban fantasy about a doctor who treats supernatural patients in London. It’s witty, atmospheric, and full of charm.

Hideaway, Nora Roberts

A romantic suspense novel about a woman rebuilding her life after trauma. Roberts blends mystery, healing, and slow‑burn romance.

Hidden Nature, Nora Roberts

A story about secrets, discovery, and the ties that bind people to place. Roberts mixes emotional warmth with gentle suspense.

Beautiful Ugly, Alice Feeney

A psychological thriller about identity, deception, and the masks people wear. Feeney keeps the twists sharp and the tension high.

Something to Look Forward To, Fannie Flagg

A warm, uplifting novel about community, kindness, and the small joys that brighten life. Flagg’s storytelling is comforting and hopeful.

Chatter, Ethan Kross

A nonfiction look at the voice in our heads and how it shapes our lives. Kross blends science and practical advice with clarity.