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Hi, I’m Gina!

Welcome! I'm the book reviewer behind GinaRaeMitchell.com, where I help readers discover memorable books—especially indie gems, historical fiction, mysteries, middle grade, and uplifting stories that stay with you long after the final page. Every Friday, I send Friday Finds, a warm roundup of new reviews, featured authors, reader resources, seasonal inspiration, and a few bookish surprises. More than 400 readers already receive Friday Finds each week. I'd love for you to join us.

Discover this week's Friday Finds from Gina Rae Mitchell, featuring bookish discoveries, author spotlights, reviews, recipes, and favorite finds. A warm autumn edition with burnt orange marigolds and cozy seasonal style.
Featured Post

An Apple Thief, Three Good Books & a Little Autumn Magic 🍎📚

🍎 Happy Friday, Reader! Remember that apple crisp I shared last week? Well, I finally made it, but not before someone in my household ate the apples I'd set aside! The Great Apple Heist of 2026 has a happy ending, though. The replacement apples survived, the kitchen smelled heavenly, and the finished crisp was absolutely delicious. Even the apple thief himself approved, declaring, "You can't buy apple crisp like this." I suppose that means he's forgiven. Maybe. 😂 And there's plenty more...

Gina's Friday finds banner with burnt orange marigolds on a cream background dated October 9, 2026

Hello, book friends! 📚 🗞️ EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! The October 9 edition of Friday Finds has arrived, and this week's headlines are a delightful mix of mystery, history, and good old-fashioned home comforts. 📚 IN BOOK NEWS: Lauren Carr's Best in Murder delivers diamonds, dogs, and deadly secrets, while J. D. Rasch's The Wandering Stars takes us on a thought-provoking journey through ambition, redemption, and compassion. 🌟 LOCAL HISTORY MAKES HEADLINES: Our Featured Author is Dave...

Gina’s Friday Finds for October 2, 2026, with burnt orange marigolds on a softly textured cream background.

This week's Friday Finds is full of little treasures - stories to discover, something warm to sip, and a few cozy surprises along the way. HiReader, This week's Friday Finds came together around the idea of little treasures for readers. I'm featuring children's author Michelle Olson, whose Bellie Button Books feel a bit like tiny treasures discovered in a craft box. Her stories use photography and handcrafted characters to explore friendship, feelings, confidence, and other everyday moments...

Friday Finds for August 7,September 25, 2026 on GinaRaeMitchell.com featuring a soft floral design on a textured cream background, highlighting curated books, cozy finds, and reader extras.

Hi Reader, I hope your week has held a few good moments and that you have something lovely waiting on your reading stack for the weekend. This week's Friday Finds came together around the kind of comforts I always appreciate this time of year: stories with a strong sense of place, something warm from the oven, and a few small touches that make settling in with a book feel special. I’m delighted to introduce Jennifer Ivy Walker as this week's Featured Author. Her historical worlds are rich...

Hot and iced maple-spiced apple cider with apples and cinnamon on an autumn porch

Hey Reader, September always seems to keep one foot in summer while the other is already stepping into fall. One day calls for an iced drink, and the next has me thinking about warm mugs, soft blankets, and curling up somewhere comfortable with a good book. This week's Friday Finds happily makes room for both. I have two very different books from my reading chair: a humorous Pittsburgh cozy mystery and a heartfelt middle-grade story about one determined young drummer. Elizabeth Pantley is our...

Friday Finds August 28, 2026 graphic framed by peach gladiolus flowers

Hello Reader, Some weeks I seem to fly through books, and other weeks life has different plans. This was one of those weeks when I spent a little less time in my reading chair, but the books I did get to share couldn't have been more different—and I think that makes this week's Friday Finds especially fun. We're starting with a trip to Colorado and a very suspicious jar of carrot marmalade in The Carrot Marmalade Murder by Meg Benjamin. Then we're changing gears completely with My Grandma and...

Gina's Friday Finds blog graphic for August 21, 2026, featuring peach gladiolus flowers

Hi Reader, Friday Finds is ready, and this week's edition somehow turned into the perfect excuse for an afternoon break. I'm sharing a couple of very different reads from my reading chair, catching up with Featured Author Gail Koger (whose wit and wonderfully chaotic characters always make me smile), and making a batch of Raspberry Jam Crumble Bars. There's also a pretty little tea-time find and a Reader Question inspired by those crumble bars: If you were making them right now, what flavor...

Gina's Friday Finds for August 14, 2026, featuring peach gladiolus flowers

Hello Reader, Some weeks my reading stays fairly close to one genre, and then there are weeks like this one. I bounced from children's books to space opera to knitting patterns—and I loved every minute of it. I've always been a reading lane hopper. Give me an interesting story, an intriguing character, or simply something I'm curious about, and I'm willing to wander outside my usual shelves. I think that's part of the fun of being a reader. We never quite know what we'll discover next. This...

Friday Finds for August 7, 2026 on GinaRaeMitchell.com featuring a soft floral design on a textured cream background, highlighting curated books, cozy finds, and reader extras.

Hello Reader, August always makes me want to hold onto summer just a little longer. The sweet corn and tomatoes are at their best, there are still plenty of warm afternoons for reading, and I’m not quite ready to start talking about falling leaves and pumpkin spice. (Although I know some of you are!) This week’s Friday Finds turned into a celebration of those simple late-summer pleasures. 📚 From My Reading Chair, I’m sharing two very different books. Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau is a...

July Friday Finds newsletter banner featuring a soft watercolor yellow calendula on a textured cream background. Green script text reads Gina's Friday Finds with the date July 31, 2026 below. The footer includes the tagline Indie Book Reviews & Literary D

Hi Reader, This week's Friday Finds has a particularly cozy feel. I found myself thinking about the kinds of stories that linger long after the last page, paired with simple summer comforts like blackberry muffins and a favorite cup of tea. I also had the chance to shine a spotlight on an author whose books have become reliable companions over the past few years. Whether you're looking for your next read or just a relaxing few minutes with fellow book lovers, I think you'll enjoy this week's...