House hunting wars go to a new level in the suburbs of Washington DC for Margo and Ian Miyake. After 18 months of house searching and 11 failed bidding wars, Margo is feeling her dreams of the white picket fence and the tire swing in the back yard to raise their future children slipping from her grasp. Will they ever catch a break?
Then, just as she is about to give up, Margo gets a hot tip about a house that will be listed in the upcoming weeks… sworn to secrecy, Margo can not believe her luck – this house checks off all the boxes (including the tire swing!). But how will they beat out the other interested buyers… what can be done differently than what they have done before?
While Ian, an EPA Lawyer, is more level-headed and realistic, Margo has become obsessed with the house – HER HOUSE, and will stop at quite literally nothing to be sure that when the dust clears, it is her… err… their name on the title. After all, what’s too much when it comes to your dreams?
Honestly, you are getting a mixed bag of nuts on this one. When the book started – I loved it. It was just fun to watch Margo slowly lose it over the pressures of securing a home and then finding the holy grail. Months of trying and failing will do that to a person, and in the start, Margo’s wild antics are humorous, and for most of the book, I am all in.
Deeper in – the book takes a pretty dark turn – totally changing the feel of the book for me. Maybe it was because it was unexpected (I mean – I’ve read some pretty creepy psychological thrillers), maybe I was looking for something lighter – but it left things a little wonky in the end. Some things in the book felt unnecessary and did not add to the book; in fact, IMO, took away. I’m a little sad about this, as 3/4 of the way through the book, I thought I had hit on another 5-star read.
And the moral of this story – be careful what you wish for.
Rated: 3.5 out of 5 Read Author Before: No – this is a debut author Read Author Again: unsure
Themes: unhinged, infidelity, Going TOO FAR
Book Club Worthy – As much as I have mixed feelings about this, I think a good book club discussion could happen. Who hasn’t gone to great measures to get something they really wanted – even to the point of being a big unhinged ;P
What an absolutely beautiful book that will stay with me forever~ Sheila
When a mysterious older gentleman moves to Golden, Georgia, little is known about him other than that he goes by the name Theo. When in a coffee shop one morning, where 92 framed sketches of various residents are on display, Theo comes up with the idea to purchase each of these portraits and gift them to their “rightful owners” – the person in the frame. And what a wide variety of people! An accountant, a custodian, a landlord, a bookstore owner, a street musician, a one armed mixolist, a young girl, and a homeless woman, just to name a few. As Theo sets out on his mission, each sketched person is invited to meet. All Theo asks in return is that they sit with him and tell him about themselves… stories are told, long-lasting hurts are shared, treasured memories revealed, and in the process, lives are changed.
This is my planned first book of 2026. Only recently did this book draw my attention – and in an even shorter time, when a friend posted about this book on social media, the deal was sealed. Not only did I need to read this, but the timing, the beginning of a New Year, seemed to be perfect.
Having just finished this book yesterday afternoon, I am fresh from the words and all the feels. As I think about this today, I honestly don’t know if I can name another recent book that I have read that left me feeling this emotional, inspired, and with chills.
What a perfect book to start the year with. Beautifully and thoughtfully written. May we all take each day as a gift and a chance to quietly make a difference in a positive way. May we all long for Heaven the way that Theo does – and may we be the type of people that bring a little bit of Heaven to earth.
Absolutely read this book.
Rated: 5 out of 5 Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: Maybe – this feels so good I kind of don’t want to touch it 🙂
Book Club Worthy – YES, and if I have anything to say about it – it absolutely will be. There is so, so much that would make for great discussion here.
Good morning, fellow readers. I hope your Holidays were wonderful, and you are not as confused as I am that we are back in full swing and…. It’s Friday. I am posting an update to yesterday’s First Book. We had a few more trickle in throughout the day, so I am reposting the pictures below to provide a full look at what people are reading. The links to the books will remain on the previous post.
I am excited about books this year, and that in itself is exciting, as I have not been a strong reader/reviewer for many years – in 2025 I set a goal of 50 books and ended with 78.
Happy New Year! It’s snowing here in Central Minnesota. I’m at my kitchen table with my COFFEE looking out the glass sliding door to the deck. This morning, I have spent time putting together this annual post. Thank you, friends, fellow book lovers, and Authors who sent me what book you are starting the New Year with. It’s so fun to see the variety – both new and old titles… hopefully some will get added to your TBR pile (mountain). Be sure to watch for the authors – Thank you to PJ Tracy, Cary Griffith, William Kent Krueger, Jill Hannah Anderson, Allen Eskens, Randy Sue Meyers, Lorna Landvik, Kao Kalia Yang, Barbara Claypole White, Heather Gudenkauf, Joshilyn Jackson, Adriana Trigiana, Julie Schumacher, Laurie Frankel, Nadia Hashimi, Erin Soderberg Downing, and Jenna Blum. So fun to see you in the mix and what you are reading 😀 If I missed anyone, please let me know.. pictures come to me by text, email, Facebook, PMs…. I can easily miss someone, so please resend, and I will get you added.
And with no further babbling from me – here are this year’s wide variety of First Books (titles linked below for easy access.
Note about my pick: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. As usual, I was back and forth on my choice… for a while there I felt certain I was going to go with a re-read (#comfort read) and then I recently was reunited with a book that I thought was a standalone and found out there are more and that this would be a great time to dig back in ( more about this later), there was also one I am intrigued by that a friend is also reading and I could not decide if it was for me now- or better to read once we travel to Florida when I can be all in when I have nothing but time over that three days of travel… – and then finally, Theo Of Golden caught my attention. This book was already in my peripheral vision as a “I need to read this,” and a recent post by a friend sharing her experience with this book sealed the deal.
If you missed this year’s participation deadline, feel free to send it today. I almost always have a few trickling in on New Years and I am happy to update to include your First Read.
Happy Happy New Year to you all! May 2026 bring JOY and Peace.
The age old adage with a knife twist …trying to have your cake… and eating it too. `Sheila
Wes Drake does not like to do anything small. As a wealthy Wyoming rancher and horse breeder at his and his wife Madeline’s sprawling ranch called Lone Tree, he is all about being seen, and of course, others want to be seen with them. When the couple hosts the party of the year, Pistols and Pearls, a gender reveal party so sensational that every A-lister wants to be invited, it makes headlines, not only before the party, but (in unfortunate ways) after the party as well.
When the vintage truck filled with colorful explosive powder blows up when shot, it leaves behind far more than the sex of the baby – it leaves several guests injured, and a good friend of Madeline’s dead.
As the police get involved to get to the bottom of what happened, things are revealed that make it clear that this was no random accident, but a premeditated plan… intended to keep some people quiet… But who was the intended target? And what are they hiding?
It’s no secret that I love me some Heather Gudenkauf. Known for engaging discussion-worthy thrillers, when this one popped up on my radar, it was a no-brainer to dig in. Heather did not disappoint. What a fun subject to plan a crime around – a Gender reveal? Excellent.
In her usual style, Heather brings us delightful, well-developed characters that make you feel like you were also a guest at this party-gone-wrong.
And trust me you are in for a treat as all is not as it appears, and when you think you know you know….
you don’t know… But you will 🙂
Rated: 3.5 out of 5 Read Author Before: Yes Read Author Again: Yes
Triggers: Marital abuse
Book Club Worthy – Yes! What a fun discussion to have around the whole gender reveal party trends – yay or nay – have you been to one? What was cool about it ( or not cool)? Would you do one/host one? In the book, they had some ideas for the catering team for after the reveal. If money were no objecy how would you plan a reveal? The history some of the characters have with one another – good/bad/indifferent
Hey all – another Christmas here and gone, and in a few short days, we will be closing the chapter on 2025. For me its been a great reading year – my best in 10 years. I am closing out the year at 77 books (possibly 78). Not only has it been a good year for quantity of reading, but also quality. I have read some great reads thanks to Book Club picks, recommendations from friends, and some lucky random picks as well. Here are some of my favorites – a few of these (3) I have not read yet, but will be soon.
Meet Georgia…she comes across as having it all, but there is a price to pay for maintaining such status.
Meet Aubrey – Bold, Beautiful, with an amazing career… but not so amazing marriage
Meet Libby, a working mom, coming to terms with her recent divorce, and raising her teenage son And meet Hannah. New to the neighborhood with a past that is nipping at her heels
Hawthorne Lane is a coveted place to live, with beautiful homes and tree-lined streets. The envy of the town. Every Halloween, the residents of Hawthorne Lane put huge efforts into hosting the famous Fall Festival – but this year…. this Halloween, not everyone is going to make it through the night.
It’s clear there’s more going on behind the closed doors of Hawthorne Lane than one would imagine… and who is holding the secret that is worth dying for?
Immediately, after reading the synopsis, I had the essence of Big Little Lies (which I LOVED!) … friendships in a close neighborhood, secrets held by all the women involved, and murder centered around an annual event…admittedly, this was a draw for me.
While similar in layout, The Wives of Hawthorne Lane has a stronger focus on domestic abuse, where in BLL, this is also a topic; however, it is more balanced in BLL with all the other things going on.
I enjoyed this book, not to the extent I enjoyed Big Little Lies ( sorry – it’s impossible for me not to compare them), but it did feel like a revisit to a beloved book, and it was like unwrapping another storyline – different women, different back stories, and a different outcome.
You could also say it has a little “Desperate Housewives” vibe.
Overall – enjoyable.
Rated: 3.25 out of 5 Read Author Before: No Read Author Again: maybe
Book Club Worthy – being in a book club of 16 women, I think this would be a fun book club choice. With the comparisons to TV shows and other books, as well as topics of the secrets we keep for better or worse, much to discuss! Grab your popcorn!
True Crime Podcaster, Harley Granger, shows up at Madeline Martin’s bookstore unannounced and apparently intent on digging up Madeline’s past – a decade-old past that Madeline would very much prefer remain buried.
Granger is known for some unethical practices to get the story, a style that has served him well in making his name, as well as his podcast, quite famous. And Granger is coming in fully loaded with questions for Madeline, with questions about the night that Madeline survived, and her best friend was killed by Evan Handy.
While Handy has been behind bars for a decade for this murder, as well as suspected to be involved in the disappearance of two young girls around that same time frame, more recently, three other young women have disappeared in similar circumstances… causing questions if Handy worked alone.
As Christmas nears, and a blizzard traps the town, another young woman goes missing…. and Madeline feels she must reopen the doors to the past if she wants to have any peace in her future.
Long-time fan of Author Lisa Unger, I was excited to pick up this book and see what she has been up to. And… with less than a week to Christmas, it seemed timely for this title.
I really do enjoy Lisa’s writing, and found this one to be no exception… well written – if anything, I would say it felt a little compact as there is much to unpack here with Madelyn’s back story creeping into her present… the missing girls of the past and the present… Yet a worthy little read for a cold winter night/weekend… curled up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a taser.
Enjoy!
Rated: 3 out of 5 Read Author Before: Yes, many times Read Author Again: Most likely
Book Club Worthy – Good question. I can pretty much make a discussion out of any book, so yes – topics such as trust, young infatuation, disobeying parents ( what insane things did you do as a teenager), and friendships could all be part of that discussion as well.
First Book is a long tradition that I have had long before I started sharing it with others to join in.
For me, there was always something fun about choosing the first book I would read in the New Year. It could be an old favorite I have been hoping to re-read, it could be a long awaited read that has been on my shelf or on my radar for far too long…. it could be just released…. or hundreds of years old…
You may ask – “Why is that a big deal, Sheila? I mean, it’s just another book. It’s just another day.”
Is it? IS IT?
The why is… I like traditions. I like having something special to look forward to and over the holiday weeks – even more so because, honestly, it keeps my mind busy during what for many of us can be harder days. And ( yes, there is more…) I enjoy seeing what others choose for their first book, and from what I hear, a lot of you like to see the books as well. For some, this becomes a reading list of sorts… it may remind you of a book you meant to read, and forgot about, or introduce you to a new book you were unaware of. I enjoy seeing the variety as well if there is a title or two that many have on their list to kick off 2026.
Does it mean you are reading through the night, crossing over from 2025 to 2026? Cool – but no… only if you want to 🙂 It means that you are reading this between the years, or it is the first book you are picking up in 2026. Refer to the rules above.
b) email me ( Put 1st Book in the subject line so I don’t miss it)
c) Text me if you have my number
d) Private Message me on Facebook
And – please, when you send in, send a picture of you with the book. It’s fun, and it makes for a great collage of readers all over the world 🙂 Here are some (not all) from last year to give you the idea:
Hope to see what YOU are planning for your first book of 2026 😀
Things are not always as they seem… Thank goodness! ~Sheila
When almost 70-year-old Daphne joins the Senior Center group that meets several times a week, she envisions tea drinking, discussions on how the weather affects their bones, card playing, and perhaps the occasional round of bingo… a good fit for her goals of being more social….
Instead, Daphne finds herself among a variety of interesting characters, such as Lydia in her early 50s – #empty-nester/neglected by her husband, who started the group, Art ( failed actor and occasional shoplifter), Ruby and Anna, and Ziggy, a young single dad and a senior dog. )
While this may not be the group that Daphne imagined, carrying her own secret baggage as well, it turns out it is the exact group she needs when their beloved senior activity center risks being shut down, and their pooled experiences, along with the sweet children of the also housed daycare, use their skills ( as well as secrets) to fight against the odds.
Our Bookclub the Bookies, has had some great and deep reads this year. In fact, this may be one of our best years of selecting excellent discussion books in quite a while. Of course, some of these heavier books take a little longer to read – and while creating great discussion, can also bring up triggers when you have a group as large as our book club is ( 16 strong).
Going into December… we must have all been on the same thought on this, as the books being nominated were not the deep dive reads we have been selecting – but instead, a selection of lighter topics, with How To Age Disgracefully by Claire Pooley among them – and as you can see here – winning the vote.
This review is my opinion, and once our group meets, I will update to add the Bookclub’s overall thoughts as well. Sadly, for the first time in Bookie history, the weather cancelled our December discussion and Christmas Party, and we have put a pin in this discussion until we meet on the secodn Tuesday of January. By then, I will have most likely read several other books, so I felt it best to get my review in now before I lose it to something shiny on my brain 😀
Admittedly, early pages felt slow…. slog-worthy. I can chalk that up again to not being one of the big titles we have read recently that hit you in the face with a shovel full of synopsis right from the start, and you are struck dumb and powerless to stop reading until you reach the final page… This one…
more like…
knit one
pearl two…
But then – it picks up. In a word, it’s fun. I like fun. As you get to meet this hodgepodge duct-taped-together group… flaws and all… You start to feel for them. And if they know it or not… they need each other. Written from 4 different perspectives, they give each other a little something something to dig into… a little purpose. I enjoyed the fun flow of this read, hoping for myself as the clock turns that I too can surround myself with such an interesting group of people.
Rated: 3.6 out of 5 Read Author Before: no Read Author Again: I would be interested in looking at what else she has written
Book Club Worthy – yes! Book clubs can discuss that groups gathering ( much like book clubs) each bring a little something to the group, and we can discuss what that is – as well as what aging looks like and the importance of staying connected to others. Adventure awaits!
Book Journey 