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The Maid: Worth the Read

Sometimes things get hyped on bookstagram, or booktok (of which I’m a lurker) and I wonder is it really good? The Maid had been floating around for a bit and I thought I’d give it a go. Is The Maid worth the read? The Maid had been sitting in my pile for a while. Summer is a really busy time for me with work, and I often find myself re-reading favorites: Persuasion, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax,…

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The Secret, Book, and Scone Society: Do you like cozy mysteries?

I like cozy mysteries. I nice plot, not too much angst. Easy to reading when I’m tired, or a light listen while I’m commuting. I like angsty mysteries too, but something in the beginning of fall makes me want a soft blanket, a huge pot of tea, rain on the window panes, and a cozy mystery. Do you like cozy mysteries? The Secret, Book, and Scone Society is a cozy mystery. Set in a quaint North…

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Some Books for Your TBR

If we have anything in common you’re always ready to expand your TBR. This past year has been a bit rough and I haven’t managed to get around to reviewing all the books I’ve finished, or posting the reviews I did write. Even so here’s some books for your TBR. Crooked House by Agatha Christie Can you go wrong with any of Ms. Christie’s books? While I haven’t read them all, I have enjoyed the…

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Il Forno Pizzaria: The Place for Neapolitan Pizza

Covid restrictions or not; no one should have to with out pizza. If Thai Angel is the place for Thai food in New Bern; Il Forno is the place for Neapolitan pizza in Wilmington. Neapolita pizza is, probably my favorite kind pizza. Thin, chewy, crispy crust, the best cheese! There is nothing not to love. Il Forno is barely a stones through from where I stay in Wilmington, which makes resisting a…

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The Ghost of Marlow House: Can ghost stories be cozy?

I started my October TBR list thinking it was going to be all spooky thrillers, and creepy ghost stories. Then The Ghost of Marlow House popped up, and I had to ask myself: Can ghost stories be cozy? Can a cozy ghost story be good? I finished The Ghost of Marlow House in October, even wrote the review. Things got away from me so… Spooky spring reading? The Ghost of Marlow House is a sharp turn…

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A Night Out in Greensboro

Everyone needs a night out. Occasionally my work sends me away for training and I get to have a great night on the town. If you ever get the chance to spend sometime in Greensboro, NC – which should be on anyones list if they are traveling to NC – you should definitely have a night on the town. If you want to make a night out in Greensboro great you should check out these places. We started out…

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The Book of Cold Cases: A good start to spooky season!

The Book of Cold Cases by Simon St. James was awesome! To be fair I went in with really high expectations because I loved The Haunting of Maddy Clare so much. I was feeling a a lot of pressure to pick a book that would be a good start to spooky season. And to pick follow up books and write reviews. Then October and November stomped me. So I missed spooky season, and Turkey season if you’re in the…

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The Word is Murder: Can an author insert be good?

The Word is Murder: Can an author insert be good?

An author insert? Yes. The Word is Murder is an actual author insert in a published novel. To be honest, I missed this in the description, and got a bit of a surprise, almost did a double take while driving. Which left me with the question: can an author insert be good? The Word is Murder1 by Anthony Horowitz is murder mystery. Which is pretty on theme with what’s been catching my interest…

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Where to grab a work lunch in Wilson, NC

Where to grab a work lunch in Wilson, NC

Working lunches can be really horrible. For some reason people always want to head to the nearest chain restaurant, somewhere you can eat any time. I can almost understand, you want something you will like, don’t want to gamble on cleanliness, or the meal taking too long to arrive. However, one of the best things about traveling (even for work) is eating somewhere new. Somewhere you can only eat…

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Eight Perfect Murders: A Mystery Lovers Mystery

Eight Perfect Murders: A Mystery Lovers Mystery

Even though the first book I read (rather listened to) after crawling out of my two year long reading slump was literary fiction, it’s been all mysteries all the time. Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson is a mystery lovers mystery. I don’t know if Eight Perfect Murders would make my top five list, but not only did I finish, I am recommending1 it to you! Years ago bookseller Malcom Kershaw…

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4:50 from Paddington: My First Miss Marple

4:50 from Paddington: My First Miss Marple

Sourdough by Robin Sloan was the first book I read in over a year. 4:50 from Paddington was the next. Once I finished Sourdough I needed something else, 4:50 from Paddington popped up and I couldn’t stop myself. I already knew that I enjoyed Agatha Christie. I wasn’t disappointed. Even though it’s out of order I am happy that it was my first Miss Marple. (Don’t tell my aunt though! It will…

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Sourdough by Robin Sloan is Just That Good

The first book I've been able to finish in two years. It was really awesome. Check it out!

I haven’t posted since last September. I haven’t posted a book review since November 2020. The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald. That’s the last book I read. Writing that out makes me a little sad. I tried, picked different things up, I couldn’t finish anything until now. Sourdough by Robin Sloan is just that good. Is it that good? Yes, yes it is. I read his first novel Mr. Penumbra’s 24 hr…

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Tips for Setting and Keeping Goals

Tips for Setting and Keeping Goals

July might seem like an odd month to be writing about goals. Maybe? I think July is equally as an important time for thinking about goals. Something about being midway through the year, makes me start thinking about what I want to accomplish again. Hence the post, mid-July about setting goals. Over the years I’ve learned a few tips for setting and keeping goals that have helped me. When I was…

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Where to eat in Blowing Rock NC

Where to eat in Blowing Rock NC

This post is about where to eat in Blowing Rock, NC, however, if you’e planning a trip you should consider The Green Park Inn. A charming historic inn (150 years), family run, with excellent COVID safe practices. I didn’t get to many pictures as I was there on a work function. Definitely planning a fun trip when that is back on the table for me. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCTYSm6Fq1T/ Now that…

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A New Venture

So it’s been a while, things have been overwhelming, and our family has still needed to practice social distancing. No fun meals out, or trips to the symphony, or splashing around at the pool. I’ve also found it really hard to concentrate on a book. Even so like the undeniably adorable Fritz, I need enrichment activities too. Which led me to a new venture: making digital journals. While I…

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Fritz

Fritz on the porch

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What's the hype about garlic confit?

What's the hype about garlic confit? Check it out!!!

So if you spend any time on foodstagram you’ve probably seen people raving about garlic confit, smearing it on bread, popping a whole clove in their mouth. If you’ve never had it you’re probably wondering what’s the hype about garlic confit? The hype is, it’s the best, easiest spread you can make. If you’re a person that loves information rabbit holes (like me!) you know what confit is. If not…