Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Book Covers Featuring Cool/Pretty/Unique/etc. Typography, with the prompt Typography is the art of arranging letters so they look visually appealing and more interesting than, for example, the body text of this blog post you’re reading now.
I’m not always great at visuals and graphics (my artistic side is… let’s say… rather under-developed). Still, perusing my shelves, I was able to find books where the cover lettering feels different and really fits the theme or subject:
Paperbacks From Hell by Grady Hendrix
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
White Cat by Holly Black
I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
You Suck by Christopher Moore
Doll Bones by Holly Black
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
I also have in mind a couple of series with iconic typography:
Can you think of any others, similar to Harry Potter and Outlander, where the font/typography is so strongly associated with the book series?
My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.
Life.
I’ve had a busy yet mostly uneventful week! Work, work, work… but at least my household bounced back from our various sniffles of the week before. It was a nice cheery weekend with good enough weather to be outdoors — so really, what more could I ask for?
Bits & bobs from the universe of books:
Sharing a few things that caught my eye this week…
First, a really exciting announcement:
Author Audrey Niffenegger’s follow-up to The Time Traveler’s Wife will be published this fall! This book will focus on Alba, Henry and Clare’s daughter. It sounds amazing! For more, check out this Guardian article or view info via the publisher.
On another bookish note, I enjoyed this article via Reactor about feeling guilty (or not) about our TBR piles. I particularly loved this little parenthetical aside, which makes me feel infinitely better about my Kindle library:
(A small caveat: I am not talking about ebooks, because those don’t exist unless I’m reading them. Out of sight, out of mind. I used to feel bad about this, and avoided buying them, but that’s silly. As Delilah S. Dawson pointed out on Bluesky just yesterday, “If you buy an e-book while it’s on sale, you never have to read it. If you have $2 to spare & want to help that particular author, you can just chuck the book into the oubliette of your TBR.” They still sold a book! No one ever has to know what you did with it.)
Wow! To me, that feels so empowering. Like, okay, I bought a whole bunch of ebooks because they had price drops… and then I used to feel bad about not reading them, but now I can reframe these purchases as supporting authors! That’s fantastic.
Finally, maybe everyone but me is already aware of this… but I stumbled across romance.io this week, and while I don’t need yet another site for tracking my reading, this is the only site I’ve found so far that has a ratings scale related to steaminess. As someone who’s picky about how much steam/spice I want in my reading (mild is okay, open door/extreme closeup is not!), this could really save me a lot of irritation and grumpiness down the road!
What did I read during the last week?
Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon: My book group’s January pick. Captivating historical fiction about a real-life heroine of WWII. My review is here.
Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra: A sweet contemporary romance inspired by Anne of Green Gables. My review is here.
The Names by Florence Knapp: I really didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book. I’m so glad I gave it a try. Really a great read. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
Bridgerton is back! But… Netflix’s decision to release the new 4th season in two parts is really annoying. I already binged all four available episodes… and it feels like such a letdown to have to wait a month for the second half of the season. Arrrgh. Still, I did enjoy the episodes that I saw! There’s a nice Upstairs, Downstairs feel to the storytelling that hasn’t been a focus in previous seasons, and I do like the way the central romance is unfolding so far.
Also great: Violet’s garden is blooming! (IYKYK) And Penelope in a pirate costume is everything:
Over on AppleTV, the first episode of Shrinking season 3 dropped, and it’s great. I have a hard time with one-episode-per-week schedules, though — bingeing has ruined me for weekly TV.
And I finally watched Kpop Demon Hunters! It was really good! Although I’ll have this song in my head on a loop now…
Fresh Catch:
No new books this week.
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
The Boy Who Cried Bear (Haven’s Rock, #2) by Kelley Armstrong: Back to Haven’s Rock! This series is so good. I couldn’t wait any longer!
Now playing via audiobook:
The Lark by E. Nesbit: I decided to read/listen to The Lark as part of my 20th Century Decades Challenge, and I’m so glad I did! I’m really liking it so far.
Ongoing reads:
My longer-term reading commitments:
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 55%. Coming up this week: Chapters 19 & 20.
The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien: My book group’s journey through the LOTR books continues! Progress (relative to the entire LOTR opus): 70%.
The extraordinary novel that asks: Can a name change the course of a life?
In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register the birth of her son. Her husband, Gordon, respected in the community but a controlling presence at home, intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and name the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates….
Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of their lives, shaped by Cora’s last-minute choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities for autonomy and healing.
Through a prism of what-ifs, Florence Knapp invites us to consider the “one … precious life” we are given. Full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family and love’s endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store.
The Names is a fascinating look at decisions and possibilities:
Yes, people’s lives bump and collide and we send one another spinning off in different directions. But that’s life. It’s not unique to you. We each make our own choices.
Before going further:
Content warning: While I don’t typically read or provide content warnings, I do feel it’s important to make clear that this book deals very heavily with domestic violence and abuse.
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up The Names. I knew it made a lot of “best of” lists for 2025 and had been a Goodreads Choice nominee. I vaguely knew that the plot had to do with deciding what to name a baby. Not much to go on! So I was both surprised and pleased to find myself completely immersed in this unusual, moving story.
As the book opens, Cora is on the way to the registrar’s office to officially register the birth and name of her newborn son, accompanied by her nine-year-old daughter Maia. Cora and her husband have already picked a name — he’ll be called Gordon, just like his father and grandfather before him. But as mother and daughter walk, they start to talk. Cora shares that she likes the name Julian, which means “sky father” — and the “father” element could be a nod to her husband while not passing on the actual traditional name. And Maia, full of creativity and whimsy, says that if she could pick, she’d name him Bear — because “it sounds all soft and cuddly and kind […] but also, brave and strong.”
From there, the story splits in three, providing three chapters in the immediate aftermath of the registrar’s office — Bear, Julian, and Gordon. In each, we see the consequences and fallout of Cora’s naming decision. How does her life — and Maia’s, and the baby’s — change depending on what she named him? The structure of the book follows this three-branched approach, moving forward in seven-year increments, each one showing this new period with Bear, Julian, and Gordon versions of their lives.
I’m not providing details, as it would spoil much too much to go into the specifics of the variations, how very different each version of their lives is, and why their lives develop as they do. This is a book that should be allowed to unfold for the reader, without foreknowledge or expectations. There are beautiful moments as well as pain, sorrow, and regrets. The characters are complex, and the ramifications of their choices are shown through the textures of the lives they live.
As I stated in the content warning, domestic abuse is the driving force — the origin story, in a way — for much of what happens, as well as the secret weight behind Cora’s naming choice. The violence isn’t gratuitous in any way, but it is painful to read, making certain sections of the book feel practically overwhelming.
Still, at its core, The Names is a story about love and family, finding beauty in life and in the people who we care about. It’s fascinating, powerful, and deeply emotional. I’ll be thinking about this book long after closing the cover. Highly recommended.
Purchase links: Amazon – Audible audiobook – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
Title: Anne of a Different Island Author: Virginia Kantra Narrators: Kathleen McInerney and Will Collyer Publisher: Berkley Publication date: January 20, 2026 Print length: 368 pages Audio length: 10 hours 54 minutes Genre: Contemporary romance Source: Library (audiobook); ARC via NetGalley (ebook) Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
A woman learns to be the heroine of her own life in this heartfelt novel inspired by Anne of Green Gables by New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.
She believed life could follow a plotline—until the story she was living unraveled.
Anne Gallagher has always lived by the book. Anne of Green Gables, that is. Growing up on Mackinac Island, she saw herself as her namesake; the same impulsive charm, the same wild imagination, even the same red hair (dyed, but still). She followed in Anne Shirley’s fictional footsteps, chasing dreams of teaching and writing, and falling for her very own storybook hero.
But when a string of real-life plot twists—a failing romance, a fight with the administration, and the sudden death of her beloved father—pulls her back to the island she once couldn’t wait to leave, Anne is forced to face a truth no story ever prepared her for. Sometimes, life doesn’t follow a script.
Back in the house she grew up in, Anne must confront her past and the people she left behind, including Joe Miller, the boy who once called her “The Pest.” It’s time to figure out what she wants and rewrite her story to create her own happy ending. Not the book version. The real one.
Anne (with an E!) is a 24-year-old high school teacher who enjoys inspiring her students by making sure they find the books that might change their lives. She lives alone, waiting for the day when her doctor boyfriend Chris is ready for them to move in together. Anne dreams of being a writer, but meanwhile, everything is fine, and her happy ending seems within reach.
And then, her life more or less implodes. Anne’s beloved father dies — the man who was always her greatest source of love and support, the man who first put a copy of Anne of Green Gables into her hands, the man who always seemed to appreciate Anne’s nonstop chatter and big dreams. Going back home to Mackinac Island for the funeral, she is wracked by guilt over not visiting more, and has to deal with the sense of abandonment she feels when Chris chooses to stay behind to take care of a patient rather than going with her.
Back on the island, Anne at first is reminded of her own isolation. Her mother isn’t emotionally accessible. Anne has never quite repaired the distant relationship with her childhood best friend. Her father’s former apprentice and business partner — who nicknamed her the Pest when she was a child — seems to always be around, apparently closer to her parents than she herself was. By the end of the funeral, Anne can’t wait to get back to her “real” life in Chicago.
But when a parent complaint leads to a temporary leave from work, and Chris makes a unilateral decision about their future, Anne retreats back to Mackinac for the summer to take a break, recharge, and take stock of what she really wants. And the longer she spends on the island, the more she starts to see the potential of a good life back where she started from, especially as she reforges relationships with the people who matter most to her.
Anne of a Different Island is, obviously, filled with references to and inspiration from Anne of Green Gables, but it’s not a retelling. Anne Gallagher holds up Anne Shirley as her idol (she even has a tattoo of a favorite Anne quote, “tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet”). The Anne of this book shares Anne Shirley’s optimism and imagination, and uses the Anne books as a point of reference when she feels lost in her own thoughts and quandaries.
Seeing Anne find her place on the island is heart-warming, and while we may figure out long before Anne does that (a) Chris sucks, (b) her old school sucks too, and (c) she really can have a future on Mackinac, it’s still sweet to see how Anne finally realizes all this too. The romance with Joe is mostly a slow-burn, as each deals with the baggage of former relationships, but there’s really no doubt that they’ll work it all out eventually.
The story is mainly told through Anne’s point of view, with a scattering of Joe chapters mixed in. The narrators do a nice job of voicing the characters and their friends and neighbors; Kathleen McInerney is particularly charming as she brings out Anne’s quirkiness, self-doubt, and irrepressible brightness.
One thing I really loved about this book is the emphasis on how reading can change lives. We get the sense that Anne is an amazing teacher. She reaches her students through books, and makes sure that they have access to books that can open their eyes or speak to their inner fears and needs. I was pleased that teaching remains a focus for Anne throughout; even though she finds more time and commitment for writing, she never views teaching as just a fallback until she makes it as an author.
Anne of a Different Island is a sweet, lovely story that made me yearn for a little island community of my own… and reminded me that it’s about time for me to revisit the world of Anne of Green Gables.
Purchase links: Amazon – Audible – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
BASED ON THE THRILLING REAL-LIFE STORY OF SOCIALITE SPY NANCY WAKE, comes the newest feat of historical fiction from the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia, featuring the astonishing woman who killed a Nazi with her bare hands and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII.
Told in interweaving timelines organized around the four code names Nancy used during the war, Code Name Hélène is a spellbinding and moving story of enduring love, remarkable sacrifice and unfaltering resolve that chronicles the true exploits of a woman who deserves to be a household name.
It is 1936 and Nancy Wake is an intrepid Australian expat living in Paris who has bluffed her way into a reporting job for Hearst newspaper when she meets the wealthy French industrialist Henri Fiocca. No sooner does Henri sweep Nancy off her feet and convince her to become Mrs. Fiocca than the Germans invade France and she takes yet another name: a code name.
As LUCIENNE CARLIER Nancy smuggles people and documents across the border. Her success and her remarkable ability to evade capture earns her the nickname THE WHITE MOUSE from the Gestapo. With a five million franc bounty on her head, Nancy is forced to escape France and leave Henri behind. When she enters training with the Special Operations Executives in Britain, her new comrades are instructed to call her HÉLÈNE. And finally, with mission in hand, Nancy is airdropped back into France as the deadly MADAM ANDRÉ, where she claims her place as one of the most powerful leaders in the French Resistance, armed with a ferocious wit, her signature red lipstick, and the ability to summon weapons straight from the Allied Forces.
But no one can protect Nancy if the enemy finds out these four women are one and the same, and the closer to liberation France gets, the more exposed she–and the people she loves–become.
After reading The Frozen River last year, I was excited when my book group picked Code Name Hélène as our January read. Ariel Lawhon is a gifted writer; it’s stunning to see how well she captures two vastly different historical periods in the two books of hers that I’ve read so far.
In Code Name Hélène, Lawhon tells the story of real-life heroine Nancy Wake, an Australian woman in her 20s living in Paris as war looms in Europe. Working as an occasional freelance writer, she enjoys her unrestrained life, with good friends, romantic flirtations, wine and good food and constant excitement. Her path veers toward a new, more serious direction when she travels to Vienna and then to Berlin to witness first-hand the dangers of the growing Nazi power.
Once war breaks out, Nancy’s life changes even more. Madly in love with her husband Henri and building a life with him in Marseille, Nancy finds herself alone once he’s called to the front lines. She decides she can’t just sit by and wait while people’s lives are destroyed, and becomes involved first as an ambulance driver, then as a member of the underground working to rescue those in danger from both Nazis and the Vichy collaborators in their midst.
Eventually, Nancy is forced to flee, and after a harrowing escape, ends up in England, where she’s recruited into a special operations unit and prepared for a mission back to France, where she and her teammates will be tasked with arming and organizing the French resistance fighters in advance of D-Day.
Told through alternating timelines, we first meet Nancy in 1944 as she’s about to jump out of a plane and parachute into occupied France. As this story moves forward, interwoven chapters take us back to 1936, when Nancy meets Henri and takes the first step on her journey toward becoming a spy and a fighter.
Nancy Wake (1945)
Nancy’s story is powerful and would feel incredible — as in, hard to believe — were it not for the fact that she really lived the life described in Code Name Hélène. The author’s notes at the end of the book identify her sources and explain places where she had to condense or alter details for artistic purposes. So, while it may feel like too much to accept that one young woman did all the things described in this book, it’s clear that Ariel Lawhon pulled from the historical record to the greatest extent possible.
In terms of the reading experience, Code Name Hélène is phenomenal. It took me a few beats to really warm to the story (more on this in a moment), but within the first quarter or so of the book, I was hooked, and couldn’t put it down. I simply had to know what happened to Nancy, Henri, and all of her various friends and allies introduced throughout this story.
I did struggle with the writing, especially at the beginning, for several reasons. First, the opening scene has a few issues that pulled me out of the story before I could get invested. In one passage, Nancy tells us about her code name on this mission and notes that it’s sexist — which startled me, because I didn’t think “sexist” was a term in use at that time. (According to Wikipedia, the word “sexism” appears to have been coined in 1965.) Maybe that’s too picky of me — but surely a more time-appropriate description could have been used? Beyond that, in the dramatic scene leading up to Nancy’s jump from the airplane, she’s told to jump as they reach the drop zone — and she refuses to do so until she applies a fresh coat of her beloved red lipstick. Okay, perhaps the author was trying to find a memorable way to introduce us to the red lipstick that we see Nancy turning to for courage at key moments throughout the book — but it felt unrealistic to me that a serious operative would act that way in that particular moment.
Fortunately, the book gets better and better — and while, yes, there still were occasional moments that felt anachronistic to me, they bothered me less once I was fully absorbed in the narrative.
I will say, however, that the dual timelines didn’t work particularly well for me, and I think the story would have been stronger overall with a sequential chronology. Going from the big parachuting scene back to Nancy drinking in a Paris bar in 1936 is jolting — and it takes much too long before we learn how and when Nancy was trained for this mission, which left me with a constant question about how she was qualified to do the things we see her doing, and even whether this was her first, tenth, or hundred mission.
Quibbles aside, Code Name Hélène is a truly powerful book that tells the story of a remarkable woman, and I’m very glad to have read it. My quibbles keep me from giving this book a full 5-star rating, but at the same time, I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction about strong, dynamic women. Fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah may also appreciate Code Name Hélène; there’s some overlap in terms of subject matter and setting, which made reading Code Name Hélène especially poignant and resonant for me.
I’ve now read two books by Ariel Lawhon, and I’m eager for more. As of now, I think my next book by this author will be I Was Anastasia — if you’ve read it, let me know your thoughts!
Purchase links: Amazon – Audible audiobook – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I must have somehow missed the announcement… but I stumbled across this book on a retail site this week, and jumped for joy!
The October Daye series is one of my favorites, and it’s always a thrill to see that the next book has a cover and a release date.
Book #20, A Divided Duty, will be released September 29th:
Seanan McGuire’s New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-nominated October Daye series finds Toby Daye torn between caring for her newborn daughter and keeping the world of Faerie—and her found family—safe.
October “Toby” Daye is settling into life with a baby, remembering the ins and outs of motherhood, and trying to find ways to balance her work with her desire to keep her baby safe at home and away from all the terrors Faerie has to offer. Her whole household is pitching in, from May all the way down to Raysel, the estranged daughter of Toby’s liege lord who is currently serving out a term of offense in Toby’s home.
Naturally, as everything is beginning to find a balance, it’s time for Raysel’s term of offense to end, and Luna Torquill very much wants her daughter back.
But Toby has been helping Raysel get the help she desperately needs, from giving her a safe place to hide all the way to finding her a licensed therapist who works with the fae, and Raysel isn’t ready to leave. Luna isn’t taking no for an answer, and before anyone can realize what she’s planning, she steals her own child away to Blind Michael’s lands.
Not even Luna knows all the terrible secrets her father and his works hid from the world, and not even she can protect her daughter from the monsters in their lineage. All too quickly, Toby must race the clock to save Raysel—before it’s too late for her to ever come home.
It’s been years, but now the question will be asked again: can she get there and back by the light of a candle?
I’m so happy to have “discovered” that this book is on the way! I’ll be keeping an eye on NetGalley for the ARC… meanwhile, A Divided Duty is available for preorder and to be added to our TBR lists.
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025, with the prompt New-to-you authors you discovered, new genres you learned you like, new bookish resources you found, friends you made, local bookshops you found, a book club you joined, etc.
I always enjoy taking a moment to reflect on and appreciate new-to-me authors whose books I experienced for the first time… and there were quite a few in 2025!
Here are ten new-to-me authors I read in 2025 — all of whom are authors whose books I’ll be looking for in the future as well:
Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (co-authors)
Freya Marske
Mike Gayle
Richard Osman
Liz Moore
Kirsty Greenwood
Janelle Brown
Ariel Lawhon
Rachel Koller Croft
Kiersten White
Do you have other books by these authors to recommend?
Which new-to-you authors did you discover in 2025?
My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.
Life.
Sadly, winter sniffles caught up with my household this past week — just enough to keep us housebound and force us to cancel some plans, but fortunately, not bad enough to cause any real problems!
The upside for me was lots more reading time than I might otherwise have had… although on the negative side of the scale, barely leaving the house meant that I barely listened to audiobooks, so I’m way behind where I thought I’d be.
Puzzle of the week:
Being home all week gave me extra time for puzzling — yet another silver lining! This week’s puzzle was from Cobble Hill. I loved the intricate design, and it was nice to shift to another puzzle company after doing a bunch of Ravensburger puzzles, to get to enjoy different shapes and connections.
As always, my puzzle photos are never good enough to really show how pretty they are in person… so here’s what it’s supposed to look like:
This puzzle is hereby approved by our kitty. Or anyway, the puzzle box gets the stamp of approval!
What did I read during the last week?
For a Limited Time Only by Peng Shepherd: Free via Amazon’s Prime Reading program. This short fiction with a unique time travel twist packs a surprisingly powerful emotional punch. I’m so glad I read it! And now, I’m eager to try more by this author.
107 Days by Kamala Harris: I found this political memoir to be informative, but of course also quite a bittersweet experience. My review is here.
Murder at Haven’s Rock (Haven’s Rock, #1) by Kelley Armstrong: I wasn’t at all surprised to find that I loved this book! A great start to a spin-off from one of my favorite series (the Rockton books). My review is here.
The Man Who Died Twice (The Thursday Murder Club, #2) by Richard Osman: Just as much fun as the first book! I’m eager for more. My review is here.
A Jane Austen Year: Celebrating 250 Year of Jane Austen: I also thoroughly enjoyed leafing through this gorgeous coffee table book! I took a slow, leisurely approach, and loved it — find out more here.
Pop culture & TV:
I’m slowly working my way through a selection of Oscar-nominated movies and roles. This week, I watched One Battle After Another. I can see why it’s getting so much buzz! It’s action-packed and, on the surface, not something I would typically gravitate toward, but there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye, and the individual performances are terrific.
After that, I finally sat down to watch Frankenstein on Netflix. What a gorgeous production! It’s visually stunning and so well done. Honestly, Oscar Isaac was robbed by not being nominated for the best actor Oscar for this film, and same goes for a lack of a best director nomination for Guillermo del Toro.
I’m certainly not trying to watch ALL the nominated performances — there are plenty that just don’t interest me. Besides these two, I’ve also seen Sinners (which was excellent). Hamnet is high on my list of movies to watch, but I’m waiting for streaming, so it might be a while. Same for Marty Supreme. And I still need to watch KPop Demon Hunters!
How about you? Have you seen any of the other nominated movies or performances? Any you’d particularly recommend?
Fresh Catch:
No new books this week.
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon: My book group’s January pick. My library hold came in later than I’d hoped, so I’m behind… but made good progress over the weekend.
Now playing via audiobook:
Version 1.0.0
Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra: I missed out on most of my usual audiobook time this past week, so I really only got to start this one a couple of days ago. I like it so far!
Ongoing reads:
My longer-term reading commitments:
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 51%. Coming up this week: Chapters 17 & 18.
The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien: My book group’s journey through the LOTR books continues! Progress (relative to the entire LOTR opus): 68%.
Title: A Jane Austen Year: Celebrating 250 Years of Jane Austen Authors: Jane Austen’s House curators Publisher: Pitkin Publication date: March 11, 2025 Length: 208 pages Genre: Non-fiction Source: Purchased Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
This beautifully illustrated book charts the life of one of the world’s most beloved authors through the letters, objects, and manuscripts that shaped her life.
Published in partnership with the curators of Jane Austen’s House, the enchanting Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen’s genius flourished that now attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Arranged over the course of a calendar year, from snowy scenes in January to festive recipes in December, specially commissioned photography of Austen’s home and possessions are brought together with extracts from her books, reproductions of her letters, and stories of her life throughout the seasons. Highlights include the first time Austen read a published copy of Pride and Prejudice to an enraptured audience in her drawing room, affectionate letters to her sister Cassandra reproduced in full and an exquisite miniature portrait of Tom Lefroy, the man she nearly married.
Read this book for a unique and intimate insight into Austen’s world. Dip into it as you will, or visit each month, and enjoy a full year of Austen—her life, works and letters, people and objects she knew, and of course her idyllic, inspiring home.
Note: Photos from book page on Amazon and the Jane Austen House website, plus a few photos I took myself…
If you’re looking for a special gift for the Austen-lover in your life — or if you’re just in the mood to treat yourself! — then look no further! A Jane Austen Year is a gorgeous illustrated book that’s perfect for anyone who loves the works and world of Jane Austen.
Put together by the curators of Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, this coffee table book is a delight to read through cover to cover, or simply to open at random to enjoy a page or two at a time.
The book is organized by month, highlighting a combination of historical events in the author’s life, seasonal references from her books, letters she wrote at that time of year, and other tidbits about the environment and the countryside where she lived. Photos, recipes, and book excerpts offer something different on every page.
I read through A Jane Austen Year over the course of about a week and a half, reading one month at a time, and savoring the photos and other content. The monthly approach is an interesting way to organize the material. I suppose it could be a bit confusing, since as a whole it’s not chronological — Jane’s birth and death, for example, are discussed in the months when they occur, as are other events from her life, so that we’re constantly jumping between years. That’s okay: If you’re looking for a biography of Jane Austen, this isn’t it. Nor does it pretend to be!
A Jane Austen Year truly is what its subtitle promises — a celebration. The variety of material is an absolute treat, which left me hungry for an opportunity to finally travel to Chawton and visit the Jane Austen House!
I’ll close by sharing a few photos that I took while leafing through the book one more time:
Title: The Man Who Died Twice Series: The Thursday Murder Club, #2 Author: Richard Osman Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books Publication date: September 16, 2021 Length: 355 pages Genre: Mystery Source: Library Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
It’s the following Thursday.
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He’s made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn’t that be a bonus?
But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn’t bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them?
Another outstanding adventure with the dynamic foursome of the Thursday Murder Club! We’re back in the world of the Coopers Chase retirement village, where Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron enjoy their comfortable surroundings, good friendship, and solving murders together.
When former spy and all-around bad-ass Elizabeth receives a letter from a man she knows to be dead, it sets of an unlikely chain of events involving an arms dealer, the mafia, stolen diamonds, and local drug dealers… to say nothing of chess matches, home-baked goodies, and various outings in the Coopers Chase minivan.
It’s always great fun to see these characters in action. Their group dynamics, with room for each of their distinctive personalities to shine, are a hoot. This book’s escapades are unpredictable, convoluted, and a winning combination of silly and dangerous. There are high stakes… but also plenty of laughs.
Count me in as a new-ish fan of this delightful series! With three more books currently available, it’s great to know that I have more murders and adventures to look forward to!
Up next: Book #3, The Bullet That Missed
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