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...
19 days ago • 1 min read
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...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
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...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
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...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
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...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
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...
2 months ago • 1 min read
📚 Friday Finds is here! This week's edition celebrates discovering books beyond the bestseller lists. Inside you'll find: ✨ Two thoughtful featured reviews 🌟 A new Author Spotlight featuring Kirsten Weiss 📖 Self-Published Author Appreciation Week 📚 Gina's Bookish Find 🍓 A simple summer dessert 💬 A reader question I'd love you to answer Come discover something unexpected. 🔗 Read the full post here! Thank you for spending part of your Friday with me. I hope this week's discoveries inspire your...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Some weeks seem to fly by, while others invite us to slow down and savor the little things. With summer heat settling in across much of the country, this felt like the perfect week to share stories that encourage us to pause, pour something refreshing, and spend a little time getting lost in a good book. I'm especially excited because this edition introduces a newly updated recurring feature: Author Spotlight. Each week, I'll highlight an author whose work has left a lasting...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I hope you've had a wonderful week. Mine included one of those small victories that feels surprisingly satisfying—I finally solved the mysterious Google "pills" that had been appearing all over my website! With that mystery behind me, I was able to focus on something much more enjoyable: putting together this week's Friday Finds. Inside you'll discover an award-winning middle-grade fantasy, a gripping dystopian thriller, my newest Author of the Week feature, a fun summer reading...
3 months ago • 1 min read