Tag Archives: book group books

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/13/2026

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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’m back! My husband and I got back yesterday afternoon from a 10-day road trip through Northern California and Oregon. We had an amazing time! … and I was too exhausted to do much more than throw together a very quick Monday post before heading to bed.

Coming soon: I’m planning to share some trip highlights (hint: lots of waterfalls and Shakespeare!)

A programming note:

I’ll also be away for four days later this week for a friend event… and will most likely be offline the entire time. So — I probably won’t be back to my normal blogging and blog-hopping routine until next week!

What did I read during the last (two) week(s)?

I managed to finish two books prior to hitting the road:

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig: Lovely book, lots of food for thought. My review is here.

Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan: It’s always great to have a new Jenny Colgan book to kick off the summer reading season! My review is here.

While on my trip, I read just one book… but at over 600 pages, getting through it felt like quite an accomplishment!

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett: It took me the full length of my trip, but I finally finished! Very good book. I’ll aim to post a review later this week.

Pop culture & TV:

Absolutely nothing! Other than catching some World Cup highlights (more for my husband than for me), we didn’t have much screen time at all while we were away.

Fresh Catch:

Two new books!

The final volume of Heartstopper arrived! I can’t wait to get started.

While in Ashland, Oregon, we saw an amazing production of Emma — and I just had to buy a copy of the play script. Of course, it won’t compare to seeing it on stage, but I’m eager to read it anyway.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman: I don’t know how much time I’ll have to read in the next few days, but then I’ll be on a plane, and this seems like a great choice for in-flight reading.

Now playing via audiobook:

Julia at the Drive-In by Rainbow Rowell: A new Rainbow Rowell short story seems like the perfect listen for the first half of the week,

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 52%. Coming up this week: Volume 3, chapters 2 and 3.

Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words by John McWhorter: A really entertaining linguistics book! I do love this sort of thing. I’m taking a slow approach when it comes to this book, and haven’t touched it since before I went out of town. I’ve read 3 chapters so far. Progress: 56%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/29/2026

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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.

Another busy week — but the sun finally came out over the weekend, and I was able to get outdoors to enjoy it.

My book group had a Zoom chat with author Marjan Kamali on Saturday, discussing her excellent novel The Lion Women of Tehran. She was very kind and gracious with her time, and the conversation was so interesting!

A programming note:

I’ll be away for about a week and a half starting later this week — my husband and I are heading out on a summer road trip to Ashland, Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge, and various points in between! I expect to mainly be offline while we’ll traveling (maybe some random check-ins here and there). We’ll be on the go every day, but I do hope to be able to unwind each evening with some quiet reading time!

What did I read during the last week?

The Children by Melissa Albert: Chilling, compelling, terrific fantasy/horror. My review is here.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman: This book seems to have exploded on BookTok in the past year. I’m glad I decided to check it out — my review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I finished my For All Mankind binge! I loved seasons 1 and 2, thought season 3 was pretty good, mostly felt that season 4 sucked, and then like season 5 better than season 4. I’m glad to be done at this point. Despite the letdown of the last two seasons, I still intend to watch the 6th and final season whenever it’s released (most likely 2027). Meanwhile, I plan to check out the spin-off series Star City, which covers the space race from the Soviet perspective. I posted an overview about my experiences watching For All Mankind — check it out, here.

And now that my binge is over, I’m looking forward to catching up on other shows I’ve been wanting to watch. So many options!

Fresh Catch:

I try not to give in to the temptations of Prime Day… but couldn’t resist when there was a significant price drop on a book that’s been on my wish list for a long time:

I read The Women soon after it came out via the library, and have been wanting a copy of my own ever since.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig: I got a signed copy of this book at an author event in early June, and I managed to get through about half over the weekend. Hoping to finish before we hit the road!

Now playing via audiobook:

Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan: Jenny Colgan audiobooks are always such great entertainment! I’d hoped to finish over the weekend, but ran out of time. Now my goal is to finish before I leave on my trip… and I think I’ll (maybe) manage just in time. Fingers crossed…

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 46%. Coming up this week: Volume 2, chapters 10 and 11.

Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words by John McWhorter: A really entertaining linguistics book! I do love this sort of thing. I’m reading it in bits and pieces, and this week read the 2nd chapter (called “Poor Little You”). Progress: 46%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/22/2026

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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.

Do you ever have weeks where you feel like you’re just bad at reading? I know I’m not, really, but this past week, I was so busy and had so much going on that even when I had a few minutes to pick up a book, my concentration was not there. I made almost no progress in the ebook I was reading, despite being really interested and wanting to be able to get into it. Thank goodness for audiobooks! At least I’m able to listen during my daily commute.

Work was crazy (what else is new?)… but in real life, it was actually quite a good week! We had our adult kids in town, had a fun family dinner at home one night, then Father’s Day dinner out at a favorite restaurant. It’s always a treat to get to spend time together with our awesome kids and their wonderful spouses.

Random bookish stuff:

Both of these feel very specific to my life:

I feel seen.

What did I read during the last week?

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali: Beautiful story of women’s lives and friendship in 20th century Tehran. My review is here.

Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau: A very fun rom-com with a clever premise and great characters. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’m midway through the 5th season of For All Mankind… and honestly, I about ready for this binge to be done. I loved seasons 1 – 3, but season 4 was such a disappointment. Season 5 is better, but I think overall the show has lost a lot of what made the early seasons so special. I’ll probably share a wrap-up post once I finish this season — and yes, despite not loving the show quite as much at this point, I’ll certainly be back for the sixth and final season whenever it drops (most likely sometime in 2027).

Fresh Catch:

After being fairly restrained about buying physical books lately, I splurged this week! I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket and, well, here we are!

  • This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews: Can’t wait to read this book!
  • Mansfield Park by Jane Austen: I’ve been buying these special editions over the last few years — this is the last one I needed to have the full set!
  • Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune: Read already… and loved.
  • This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page: One of my favorite books of 2026.

Also this week:

A Goodreads giveaway! I was notified that I’d won a copy of The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline back in March, and it finally arrived this week. I’ve already read the book via NetGalley ARC, but I’m delighted to have a copy of my own — and getting a finished, lovely hardcover makes it worth the wait for my giveaway to get here.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Children by Melissa Albert: I started this book early in the week and had no time to really focus on it until the weekend… and then I got totally hooked! I have about 25% left to go, and wish I could just sit and read straight through to the end.

Now playing via audiobook:

Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan: If it’s summer, it must be time for a new Jenny Colgan book! I always enjoy this author’s audiobooks. Just getting started.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 43%. Coming up this week: Volume 2, chapters 8 and 9.

Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words by John McWhorter: A really entertaining grammar book! I do love this sort of thing. I’m reading it in bits and pieces, and have read the first chapter (all about “I” and “me”) so far. Progress: 25%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Book Review: The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

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Title: The Lion Women of Tehran
Author: Marjan Kamali
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication date: July 2, 2024
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Historical fiction
Source: Purchased
Rating:

Rating: 5 out of 5.

In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.”

But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.

Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

The Lion Women of Tehran is a powerful, moving look at the lifelong friendship between two remarkable women, set against the political upheavals of 20th century Iran.

“You know what we’ll both become when we grow up?”

“I do not,” I said.

“Shir zan. Lionesses. Us. Can’t you just see it, Ellie? Someday, you and me—we’ll do great things. We’ll live life for ourselves. And we will help others. We are cubs now, maybe. But we will grow to be lionesses. Strong women who make things happen.”

Ellie and Homa meet at age seven, as Ellie attends her first day of school after moving “downtown” — to a poor neighborhood of Tehran — after her father’s death. It’s 1950, the Shah is in power, and Ellie’s station in life has changed dramatically, something her aristocratic mother seems unable to accept. Homa, from a lower class family, is full of life and energy, and immediately befriends Ellie. While Ellie’s mother bans Homa from their home, Ellie is welcomed by Homa’s warm, loving family.

But three years later, Ellie’s life shifts again when her mother remarries and they return to the privileged life they’d once enjoyed, leaving the downtown neighborhood — and Homa — behind. The girls may be best friends, but at age ten, their ability to stay connected is limited, and over time they drift apart and lose touch. Years later, they’re reunited when Homa transfers to Ellie’s elite high school, and their bond is soon reestablished.

Ellie’s mother wants what she considers a good life for her daughter — marriage, children, and high standing in Tehran’s upper class society. But Homa encourages Ellie to think differently. They both excel in school; why not pursue a university education and careers? Homa dreams of attending law school, becoming Iran’s first woman judge, and making a true difference in achieving a fair and equitable society. As the friends move into their college years, they remain tightly bonded even as their goals diverge, but Homa’s political activism becomes dangerous, and leads to an unimaginable consequence.

As Ellie and Homa become estranged in their adult lives, neither can forget their friendship and what they once meant to one another. When revolution and war devastate Iran in the 1980s, Homa reaches out to Ellie once again, and the two must fight to reclaim what they once had and find a way to safeguard the people they love.

The overarching theme of life-long friendship adds sweetness and sorrow to this emotional story, even as Iran’s political and religious upheavals threaten the characters’ lives. We may all know the headlines from this time period; The Lion Women of Tehran provides an opportunity to learn about the lives of people who lived through these events. By focusing on Ellie and Homa, who represent two very different walks of life, readers are allowed into the day-to-day experiences of life in Tehran under the Shah and during the early years of the revolution. Their journeys — together and apart — provide a personal lens through which to view these events and understand the impact on individuals within the larger society.

Despite the seriousness, the story includes lovely moments of joy as well. The tastes and smells of the food the girls share add texture to the narrative. Their adventures as girls and young women also show the more beautiful aspects of life in Tehran, helping readers understand the yearning for home and love of their country even when life there becomes extremely dangerous.

Overall, I was incredibly moved by the richly described friendship between Ellie and Homa, and profoundly affected by the upheavals and tragedies in their lives. The Lion Women of Tehran is a beautifully written book. Once again, I find myself grateful that my book group led me to such a wonderful reading experience. Highly recommended.

The author’s website (https://marjankamali.com/) includes a link to download of recipes from the book. They all look amazing!

I’m eager to check out the author’s previous novel, The Stationery Shop. Learn more about it, here.

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.

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/15/2026

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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 went to a great book event last week, featuring Matt Haig in conversation with Margaret Sexton Wilkerson (author of On the Rooftop). He was interesting, vulnerable, and funny, and very generous with his willingness to answer audience questions and spend time chatting to each person on the signing line. Yes, I got a book! I’m so glad I was able to attend.

Random bookish stuff:

Libro.fm is offering a BOGO sale, now through June 22. If you’re considering an audiobook membership, Libro is a great option, especially since purchases support the bookstore of your choice. And if you use their SWITCH promo, you’ll get six audiobooks instead of the standard three for a new subscription!

What did I read during the last week?

The Last Lady B by Eloisa James: A fun, sassy historical romance. I liked the light tone and the sense of humor — such a nice break from heavier reading. My review is here.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher: What a glorious fantasy! I’ve owned a copy for a year now, and I’m so glad I finally read it. My review is here.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare: Although I’ve seen several productions in the past, I’d never actually read the play. And now I’m super excited for my upcoming trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival next month — this is one of the plays I’ll be seeing.

Sadly, I had one DNF this week:

I hated doing it, but after reading about 25% of The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden, I had to face the fact that I wasn’t engaged or enjoying the reading experience. I’ve seen quite a few glowing reviews that mention struggling at the start of the book, so I was prepared to push through… and finally, after several days of making little progress, I decided to give myself permission to put the book aside. The setting and storytelling approach just didn’t pull me in. Very disappointing — I’ve loved so many of this author’s books. Still, this was the right decision for me this week, because slogging through this book was really dragging me down! Maybe I’ll pick it up again at some point — never say never!! — but for right now, I’m pretty sure this was a case of the wrong book at the wrong time.

Pop culture & TV:

Onward with For All Mankind! I’m almost finished with season 4, and then, just one more season to go (and then I’ll probably start the new spin-off, Star City). I hate to say it, but season 4, while good, isn’t thrilling me the way previous seasons did. Several contributing factors — the time jumps between seasons mean that by season 4, many of the characters I’d come to care about are no longer on the show. Also, this season is heavily focused on politics and labor issues, and lacks the more exciting space exploration elements of earlier seasons. Still, it’s never dull, and I may revise my opinion once I get through the last two episodes of the season — which, if previous season finales are anything to go by, should absolutely ratchet up the adrenaline levels.

I also actually went out to a movie! Something I rarely do these days, when everything is available to stream sooner or later and my couch is just so comfy. My husband and I went to see Disclosure Day over the weekend. It’s good! I intentionally didn’t watch trailers or read reviews ahead of time, so other than knowing the bare minimum (basically, something to do with aliens), I went in cold — and recommend doing the same, if you can. I enjoyed being surprised by the plot, and even some of the cast, and found it a really interesting and entertaining film.

Fresh Catch:

Here’s the new book I got at the book signing:

I’m looking forward to reading it! (Although I may end up saving it for vacation this summer…)

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali: My book group book for June. I’m getting close to the end, and I’m loving it. A beautiful, powerful story. I’ll share a review later this week.

Now playing via audiobook:

Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau: I just listened to the first couple of chapters yesterday, and this seems like it’ll be a really cute story. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author — fingers crossed this one will be lots of fun!

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 36%. Coming up this week: Volume 2, chapters 6 and 7.

Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words by John McWhorter: I picked up this book last year, because it really appeals to my inner grammar nerd. I’m planning to read it in small installments over the next few weeks. Just about to start.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/8/2026

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

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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.

Oof. Last week at work was intense, and I felt like I barely came up for air. Maybe because of that, my reading was really scattered, and it wasn’t until the weekend that I felt like I had time to read more than a few pages in a sitting.

Luckily, the weekend ended up being pretty mellow, so I did a deep dive into a few different books, and also had time to make progress on some travel planning, get outdoors, and have a fun dinner out with my husband and son at a neighborhood pizza place.

Random bookish stuff:

I love my audiobooks, and love being able to borrow them from the library… and I’m so annoyed with the Hoopla app. Libby is my usual go-to for library audiobooks, but sometimes, what I want is only available on Hoopla. Its functionality is so wonky — each time I try to use it while driving, I have to start from scratch, reopen the app, select the audiobook, and hit resume. If I forget to do all this before starting my drive, I either have to do it while driving (unsafe!) or find a place to pull over. In contrast, Libby just picks right back up with a simple touch on my touchscreen. Argh. Hoopla, fix yourself!

In other bookish developments… I’m on the verge of being caught up on ARCs through the end of June, and that means I can indulge in much more spur-of-the-moment mood reading! I have one more ebook ARC that I’ll likely finish this week, and my remaining two ARCs for June are books that I prefer to experience via audio. My Kindle is beckoning me to just come choose random books from my library! How exciting!

What did I read during the last week?

Take Me with You by Steven Rowley: A funny, moving novel about long-term relationships and… alien abduction. Trust me, it’s a delight. My review is here.

Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier: My most recent Classics Club Spin book. Absolutely gorgeous. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

Continuing my For All Mankind binge! I cannot stop watching this show. I’m almost finished with season 3 — and then just two more seasons to go. The storytelling and characters are amazing, and there are moments that are so intense that I can barely breathe.

I was so sad to hear about the passing of Anthony Stewart Head, an amazing actor who’s had my heart ever since his Buffy days. RIP.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Last Lady B by Eloisa James: Such a fun read! I’ve never tried anything by this author until now. I could be wrong, but my sense is that this is the only one of her books with a more comedic tone — judging just by covers and synopses. Someone correct me if that’s not accurate! I’m very close to the end… just need a good solid hour of reading time today to finish.

So, what’ll I read next? Well, I think most likely I’ll turn to:

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden: I always love this author’s writing, and I’m really curious to see how this story plays out.

Now playing via audiobook:

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher: Finally! I’ve had a copy of this book on my shelves ever since its release, and I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to pick it up. The audiobook narration is terrific. I’m about halfway through, and I’m enjoying every moment.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s newest classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 32%. Coming up this week: Volume 2, chapters 4 and 5.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare: I’m reading a little bit at a time; about to start Act IV.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/1/2026

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

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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.

It’s June already! Bring on summer sunshine and blue skies!

I had a nice week last week — after a long holiday weekend, I took one more day off mid-week to spend time with an old friend visiting the area. It was lovely to reconnect and have time to catch up, and we also hit some local tourist spots and went to a beautiful Matisse exhibit.

Bookish odds and ends:

Each week, there seems to be some new and exciting book release news! Tor just shared this cover reveal and release date:

The Double Dorothy by Olivia Waite, 3rd installment in the Dorothy Gentleman series of sci-fi novellas, will be released in March 2027.

What did I read during the last week?

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan: Terrific summer fiction. My review is here.

Obstetrix by Naomi Kristzer: Chilling, tense story set in a near-future world. My review is here.

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell: My book group’s pick for May. Highly recommended. My review is here.

Take Me with You by Steven Rowley: Finished Sunday afternoon — watch for my review later this week!

Pop culture & TV:

I’m completely hooked on For All Mankind! I’d originally thought I’d take a break after the first season… but once I got to the final episode, I couldn’t do anything but keep going. I’m just past the halfway point of season 2… and unless something really changes, I’m guessing I’ll want to binge straight through until I catch up with the newest season (#5)!

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier: My newest Classics Club Spin book! Just getting started. I’m excited to have the spin as motivation to finally read this book.

Now playing via audiobook:

I have quite decided what I feel like listening to next… but I think it’ll be one of these two options:

Let’s see where my mood takes me!

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s newest classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 26%. Coming up this week: Volume 2, chapters 2 and 3.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare: I’m reading a little bit at a time; about to start Act II.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Book Review: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

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Title: The Marriage Portrait
Author: Maggie O’Farrell
Publisher: Knopf
Publication date: September 6, 2022
Length: 355 pages
Genre: Historical fiction
Source: Purchased
Rating:

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf.
 
Having barely left girlhood behind, Lucrezia must now enter an unfamiliar court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her new husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate he appeared to be before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble?
 
As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court’s eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchess’s future hangs entirely in the balance.
 
Full of the beauty and emotion with which she illuminated the Shakespearean canvas of Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell turns her talents to Renaissance Italy in an extraordinary portrait of a resilient young woman’s battle for her very survival.

I hesitated about picking up The Marriage Portrait, despite having loved Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet. I tend to shy away from “literary” fiction, and assumed this book might not be for me. Fortunately, with a book group discussion to motivate me, I went ahead and started… and then couldn’t put it down.

The Marriage Portrait is a taut, beautifully written story about a powerless young girl forced into marriage and a life she never wanted. Set in the mid-1500s, the book starts with a shock: Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara, is at dinner with her husband, and realizes with utter certainty that he intends to kill her.

From there, we move back to the beginning of her story. The middle child and youngest daughter of the Duke of Florence, Lucrezia de Medici has always been a bit odd — defiant, artistic, and with her own private passions and flights of fancy. When her oldest sister dies on the eve of her marriage, Lucrezia is expected to wed Maria’s fiance, despite the fact that Lucrezia is only thirteen. The marriage can only be delayed so long, and by age fifteen, she’s wed to Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara.

Alfonso seems at first to be good-hearted, but his kindness is a veneer for a ruthlessness that Lucrezia only uncovers through missteps and dangerous confrontations. Slowly, she comes to see that theirs is not a marriage of companionship or even affection, as her own parents’ marriage is. Instead, she’s firmly under Alfonso’s control, cherished when she behaves, but shown just how badly things could go for her if she doesn’t. As a year passes and Lucrezia does not become pregnant, her situation becomes more dire. Timelines converge, as the chapters where Lucrezia anticipates her own murder are interspersed between longer sections following her earlier life and the timeline of her marriage.

From the historical record, we know that the real Lucrezia died at age fifteen after a year of marriage, supposedly of a sudden, severe illness, and that doubts remained about the true cause of death. In The Marriage Portrait, the author keeps readers on our toes, providing room for doubt and for the possibility of other outcomes while building a sense of growing dread with each passing chapter.

The book shows how devastatingly trapped Lucrezia is, even leaving aside the issue of what a sociopath her seemingly charming husband turns out to be. She wishes for rescue, and wishes that she hadn’t been forced into this marriage — but being forced into a marriage is literally the point of her and her sisters’ existence. A marriage for her family’s political gain was invitable; if she’d been lucky, she may have ended up with a kinder man, but the prospective husband’s character was never going to be a deciding factor. For girls of her status and rank, the power and advantages of a marriage are all that matters.

The theme of being trapped is established early on, as a young Lucrezia is allowed to see the exotic tiger newly added to her father’s menagerie:

The cry again! It was not so much a roar, no, which is what Lucrezia had expected: this had a yearning, desperate rasp to it. The sound, Lucrezia thought, of a creature captured against its will, a creature whose desires have all been disregarded.

There’s a sense of doom in even the most mundane of descriptions. Lucrezia can never escape the signs that her future is full of danger:

In the square room, from a hook in the wall, hangs the skirt of the gown. The bodice and sleeves are separate entities, draped over the credenza and the table. To Lucrezia, as she steps over the threshold, it looks as if a woman has been cut into four pieces and calmly arranged around the furniture.

Once I started The Marriage Portrait, I found myself completely immersed and didn’t want to put the book down. Lucrezia is a fascinating, tragic character, trapped in a world that offers her no safe refuge and no true allies. She possesses an artist’s soul and a fiery will, and neither trait is valued by her husband or his court. As Lucrezia senses her own violent death looming just ahead, there seems to be few options. No one is coming to save her. She’ll have to save herself… or literally die trying.

Once again, this was a terrific book group pick, and I’m so thankful I had that little push that I needed to dive in and read this gorgeous, terrifying, powerful story. Highly recommended.

Purchase links: Amazon – Audible audiobook – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
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The Monday Check-In ~ 5/25/2026

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879

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.

Four day weekend! Due to a holiday this past Friday as well as Memorial Day today, I’ve had a nice long weekend to mainly just relax, read, and de-stress! Weekend plans included dinner with friends, a few errands and minor chores, and then all day Sunday on an outing with my husband for a walk through redwoods and then a visit to a cute seaside town.

Bookish odds and ends:

Another 2027 new release to get excited for!

Emily Wilde’s History of Dark Faerie by Heather Fawcett will be released in January 2027!

What did I read during the last week?

The Shippers by Katherine Center: A silly, light rom-com from a favorite author. My review is here.

A Town with Half the Lights On by Page Getz: Epistolary fiction with a quirky small town setting. Lots of fun. My review is here.

The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline: Fascinating historical fiction told from the perspective of a woman in one of the most famous marriages of the 19th century. My review is here.

My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows: A delightfully bonkers reimagining of the life and times of Mary, Queen of Scots. So much fun. My review is here.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan: Loved it! Watch for my review later this week.

Pop culture & TV:

I was mostly satisfied with the outcome of Survivor 50. I can’t say that I cared all that much by the time we got to the end. My real favorites were all eliminated earlier, but of the finalists, I was happy for the winner.

I liked the season finale of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and I’m glad the show will be back for a 2nd season. I’m enjoying being creeped out by Widow’s Bay, and I’m trying to find time for more episodes of For All Mankind — I have just one episode left from the first season, and I plan to keep going!

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I finished my last read late Sunday, so I’m not entirely sure what I’ll be starting next, but I’m leaning toward…

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer: Sounds disturbing and so, so good!

Now playing via audiobook:

Take Me with You by Steven Rowley: Starting this audiobook today!

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s newest classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 21%. Coming up this week: Chapters 13 and 14.

Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier: My new Classics Club Spin book! I’ll be leaving it here until I get started — I have until July 5th to read it, so there’s no particular rush.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare: This is the 2nd play I’ll be seeing this summer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival — and while I’ve seen several different productions of it in the past, I’ve never actually read it on the page. I’m planning to take my time over the next month, probably reading a few scenes per week. Looking forward to getting started!

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

The Monday Check-In ~ 5/18/2026

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879

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.

It’s been a busy week, both with un-fun (work) craziness and very fun (non-work) outings and activities! I’m already counting the days until the long weekend coming up — I need a break!

Last week, I drove across town to check out a newly opened romance bookstore. It’s quite cute, with shelves organized by romance trope (grumpy sunshine, mythology, dark academia, etc). I didn’t actually buy anything on this visit (I’m a bit overloaded with stacks of books waiting to be read at the moment), but I’ll be going back!

Bookish odds and ends:

It feels a little crazy to be getting excited about a book that not coming out until April 2027, and yet, here we are!

The Enigmas by Emilia Hart: I loved this author’s previous two novels, and this one sounds just as good. Yet another books for my (never-ending) anticipated reads list.

What did I read during the last week?

An Ordinary Sort of Evil (A Rip Through Time, #5) by Kelley Armstrong: An excellent new installment in a favorite series! Time travel + Victorian Edinburgh + detectives + a séance! My review is here.

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: How weird is it to review Shakespeare… and only give it 3 stars? I’d never read this play before, although I’ve seen adaptations (hello, 10 Things I Hate About You!). This is either a deeply misogynistic play… or a commentary on misogyny. I suppose a lot depends on how it’s presented, but just reading it on paper, it’s pretty awful. I’ll be going to a live production this summer in Ashland, Oregon (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and I’m eager to see how they spin it!

Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir: A creepy, gory novella that’s both fascinating and a bit frustrating. Don’t worry, the cats are safe! My review is here.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune: Another gorgeous love story (with a gorgeous setting) from a favorite author. My review is here.

The Shippers by Katherine Center: A silly rom-com that’s a quick, entertaining read. Watch for my review later in the week!

Pop culture & TV:

The Outlander TV series aired its finale this past week, and my reaction is very mixed. Overall, it’s been a beautiful journey over the eight seasons of the show, and yet, some of the story and character choices this final season have been deeply unsatisfying (and frustrating). I’m not thrilled with just where the show decided to end the story. Perhaps it was a moving ending for those who haven’t read the books, but as a fan of the book series, I’d hope for something different. Ah well… I’m still grateful that the series was brought to life with such loving care and so much talent. And now, I’ll be (not so) patiently waiting for the 10th book in the series!

Other than Outlander, I’ve been spending time with a few AppleTV series, including Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Widow’s Bay, and For All Mankind. I’ve only watched the first episode of For All Mankind so far, but I liked it a lot and I’m eager to keep going.

The Survivor 50 finale is coming up this week. I think it’s been a fairly “meh” season, with my favorite competitors all getting voted out already. I don’t particularly have a strong preference among those who remain, but I’ll be tuning in anyway to see how it works out.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

A Town with Half the Lights On by Page Getz: This book has been on my TBR for a while now, and I’m glad that I’m finally reading it.

Now playing via audiobook:

My Contrary Mary (Mary, #1) by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows: It’s so much fun to be back in this alternate (and very funny) version of history!

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s newest classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 17%. Coming up this week: Chapters 11 and 12.

Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier: My new Classics Club Spin book! I’ll be leaving it here until I get started — I have until July 5th to read it, so there’s no particular rush.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1