top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Goals for 2026

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish back in June 2010. It is currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and, as is stated on the blog, it was “born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.”


Hello, reader!

For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, I’ll be talking about my goals, bookish and non-bookish, for 2026! This is something I think about at the beginning of every year and 2026 is now different. What is different is that I’m trying to choose goals that will cause me the least amount of stress this year, haha. 2025 was a wild ride and I would like 2026 to bring a much calmer energy, thank you very much.

That being said, let me share my top ten 2026 goals!


  1. Read at least 65 books.
  2. Utilize my library more.
  3. Don’t be afraid to DNF!
  4. Finish at least 5 series, but hopefully more.
  5. Work on my Netgalley backlog.
Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday: Goals for 2026”
goodreads monday

Goodreads/TBR Monday: January 19th, 2026

Goodreads Monday/TBR Monday is a bookish meme hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog invites you to post about what books are on your Goodreads “to read” lists or TBR lists, the progress you have made on your current books and reading challenges, and any other bookish news!


Hello, reader!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day! This is the first MLK Day in awhile that I was off of work and it was nice to be able to chill. Little disappointed in the state of my country on this MLK Day, but that’s a topic for a different post😅

For now, let’s get to my Goodreads Monday pick!


Book:
House of Salt and Sorrows

Author:
Erin A. Craig

Publisher:
Delacorte

Publication Date:
August 6th, 2019

Pages:
403

Genre:
Fantasy/Horror/Retelling

Synopsis:
In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters and their father and stepmother. Once there were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last–the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge–and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that her sister’s deaths were no accidents. The girls have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who–or what–are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family–before it claims her next. House of Salt and Sorrows is a spellbinding novel filled with magic and the rustle of gossamer skirts down long, dark hallways. Be careful who you dance with…

Continue reading “Goodreads/TBR Monday: January 19th, 2026”
the sunday post

The Sunday Post: January 18th, 2025

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme created by @CaffeinatedReviewer! It gives you a chance to post a recap of your last week, whether that pertains to books or not. You can talk about however much (or however little) you would like.


Hello, reader!

Ya girl is coming to you after a looong day at work and I am tired. Thankfully, tomorrow is a holiday and I don’t have to cover it this year, so I get to relax a wee bit. I plan to spend some of that down time reading, of course, but sleeping in is what I’m really looking forward to 😂

Before that, it’s time for this week’s Sunday Post! I actually left the house for things other than work this past week so I have stuff to talk about, haha. Let’s jump into it.


I had a day off this week because I was working the weekend and I spent that hunting down a book. I’m participating in a read-along for the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and I had purchased the first book in 2025 in preparation. I have a bad habit of buying all the books in a series when I haven’t even cracked the first book open (looking at you, Jade City…), so I told myself that I was only going to get Dungeon Crawler Cart, just in case I ended up not being into it. Welp, I spent my Thursday tracking down the next three books in the series and I probably wouldn’t bought all of them if hardcovers weren’t so expensive! So you could say I’m liking the series, lol.

The husband and I were actually social this week, as well, and went out to karaoke with some friends from the choir group we’re in. It was at this tiny Chinese restaurant/lounge that has karaoke every Friday and Saturday night, which apparently is a thing here near Boston. I dunno, maybe it’s a thing everywhere and I just wasn’t paying attention before, lol. Either way, it was a lot of fun! There weren’t a ton of people, so we got to sing pretty much all we wanted to and, as mentioned, it was with a bunch of choir folk, so showtunes were involved. It’s also the reason I’m so tired today because we didn’t get home til midnight and I had to be up by 5:30 am😅 Still, it’s nice to be social every once in awhile!

Now I’m just preparing myself mentally for the fac that we’re supposed to get snow tonight (BOO) and waiting for some comfort food. The plan for after dinner is to curl up with a book, a hot cocoa I extorted my husband into making, and my heating pad. It’s gonna be amazing 💖

Continue reading “The Sunday Post: January 18th, 2025”
book reviews

Book Review: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones




From the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians comes a tale of the American West, writ in blood.

This chilling historical novel is set in the nascent days of the state of Montana, following a Blackfeet Indian named Good Stab as he haunts the fields of the Blackfeet Nation looking for justice.

It begins when a diary written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered within a wall in 2012. What is unveiled is a slow massacre, a nearly forgotten chain of events that goes back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow, told in the transcribed interviews with Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar and unnaturally long life over a series of confessional visits.

This is an American Indian revenge story, captured in the vivid voices of the time, by one of the new masters of literary horror, Stephen Graham Jones.

Continue reading “Book Review: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones”
lets talk bookish

Let’s Talk Bookish: Book Blogging Slumps

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly bookish meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and co-hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits and Dini @dinipandareads! This meme has a discussion format, where participants get to talk about certain topics, share opinions, and spread the blogging love by visiting other posts. You can learn more about this meme here!


PromptsPeople frequently talk about reading slumps, but what about blogging slumps? What gives you motivation for blogging? What makes you lose motivation? Have you ever gone through one before? How did you break out of it? What advice would you give to a book blogger who’s in one?

Was this prompt written just for me??? I’m coming off of a blogging slump that has lasted at least a year and a half😅 And I can’t quite pinpoint what exactly sent me into that particular spiral. Perhaps going through what does and does not motivate me will help me figure out what happened, haha.

Typically, what most motivates me to blog is being in a good headspace mentally. If I’m stressed out, feeling some heavy emotions, or overwhelmed, the last thing I want to do when I get home is sit down at my computer and write a blog post. Even if I’m excited about whatever post I had planned to write! If my cup is empty, I just want to switch off and I can’t blog when I’m shut down. I’ve noticed that if I’m having a particularly good bout of reading, I feel a lot more motivated to talk about books, which makes me a lot more motivated to blog, as well. I want to talk about books more when my reading is going well because I suppose I just want to spread that good feeling! Even if I only reach a small corner of the bookish world. I also feel more motivated to blog when I’m in a creative mood. I’ve been feeling a need for a creative outlet growing over the past few months and one of the first things I decided to do was dedicated more time to my poor, neglected blog.

Now, there is one main feeling that makes me lose motivation to blog: guilt. When I first decided to do a book blog, I was eager to keep to a strict schedule of posts. And, as soon as I missed a day, the guilt started to settle in. Then I would feel less and less motivated to go back to my blog because I felt so guilty for messing my own, arbitrary, does-not-matter-AT-ALL schedule. Yes, I fully recognize that I kinda threw myself into that downward spiral… but tell my brain that! Other than that, if I’m just feeling frazzled, as I mentioned above, my motivation to blog evaporates.

Continue reading “Let’s Talk Bookish: Book Blogging Slumps”
reading-challenge

26 Books in 2026 Challenge

Hello, reader!

We’re not gonna talk about how badly I bombed my 25 in 2025 reading challenge🤐 Last year, my reading felt kind of all over the place. I had some great reads, don’t get me wrong, but I definitely wandered far from my goals for the year, haha.

I think part of the issue was I put some rigid rules on which books I put on my 2025 list. I was trying to have a good mix of genres and put a lot of books that have been languishing on my shelves for forever. The problem is, and this is something I’m still coming to terms with, I am very much a mood reader. So putting a book that I wasn’t necessarily excited about but fit my criteria meant I never felt particularly motivated to pick up books from the 25 in 2025 pile.

So for my 26 in 2026 challenge, I decided there were only two rules I would have while making my list:

  • I could only choose books published before 2026.
  • I could only choose books that I own, either physically or electronically.

That way, I could browse my owned books and pick books that, to borrow a phrase, sparked joy😂 The hope is that my interest in these books will make me more eager to pick them up and actually read them throughout the year. Wish me luck, y’all!


Continue reading “26 Books in 2026 Challenge”
reading project

2026 Reading Project: Library Love

Hello, reader!

I’m coming at you on this Wednesday evening with another 2026 Reading Project I’ve endeavored to undertake this year. Now, I’m the brand of reader that, in previous years, has split my love of books into two separate hobbies: reading books and buying books 😂 That’s why my current TBR is to the point where I’m bordering on 400 books… and that’s a whole different thing to talk about! That’s why, in 2026, I’ve decided that I really need to utilize my local library more.


The main goal of this reading challenge is to go to my local library at least once a month to peruse and check out some books. I would like to get out of my library comfort zone, as well, and go to the non-fiction side of the building each month. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve wandered to that intimidating zone… but I’m going to make it a priority in 2026!

In a lot of ways, I’m really lucky when it comes to my library options. I live so close to my library that I could walk there in about ten minutes! My library is also part of an entire library network, so it’s pretty easy for me to get my hands on even the newest releases. I live near Boston, as well, so I’ve signed up for a virtual library card with the Boston Public Libraries. If my library network doesn’t have a book I want, the BPL certainly will!

I’ve also leaned into using the Libby app, especially for audiobooks. Thinking about it, I think that’s where I listened to a majority of the audiobooks I read in 2025. I love that little app and want to explore it even more this year. My library also has Hoopla, which is an app I’ve not used nearly as much as I should. I want to dig into all it has to offer this year, as well.

But my biggest goal when it comes to using my library in 2026 is actually reading the books I check out, haha! There have been so many times that I’ve come home with a stack of 8-10 books and I turn them back in having read… maybe two 😅 So I want to make sure I’m checking out a reasonable amount of books each month so I can fit them into my reading.

Continue reading “2026 Reading Project: Library Love”
reading-challenge

2026 Audiobook Challenge

Hello, reader!

Today is one of my first posts talking about the reading challenges I’d like to try in 2026. I’ve been spending much of January trying to decide which of the many reading challenges floating around bookish spaces online. Then I saw Leslie @ Books Are The New Black‘s post about the 2026 Audiobook Challenge and I knew this was going on the list!

Last year, with the power of Libby and a functioning pair of over-the-ear headphones, I really leaned into the world of audiobooks. 49.6% of the books I read in 2025 were audiobooks and I was honestly shocked by that! I listened to more audiobooks than I read physical books and for me, a physical book aficionado, that is quite the shift. So I thought this was the perfect challenge to foster my love for this reading format.

Now, let’s talk about the details!


First things first, credit where credit is due! This challenge is hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About. If you’re sharing your sign up or what you’re reading on social media, make sure to use the hashtag #2026AudiobookChallenge!

  • Runs January 1, 2026–December 31, 2026. You can join at any time.
  • The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2026 than you did in 2025.
  • Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
  • All genres count.
  • Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
  • You do not have to be a book blogger to take part; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Facebook, etc. I recommend creating a shelf on Goodreads titled 2026 Audiobook Challenge. You can keep track of and link to the shelf.
  • Grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. You can post on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon, your blog, etc. about the challenge.
  • Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. The first update will be July 4, 2026, and the last update will take place on December 26, 2026. You’ll have one week to link up and share your progress and enter giveaway.
Continue reading “2026 Audiobook Challenge”
goodreads monday

Goodreads/TBR Monday: January 12th, 2026

Goodreads Monday/TBR Monday is a bookish meme hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog invites you to post about what books are on your Goodreads “to read” lists or TBR lists, the progress you have made on your current books and reading challenges, and any other bookish news!


Hello, reader!

It’s the start of a new week and I am not in the working mood. I’m still coming out of the holiday slump, I think. And I think that’s why I decided to explore a new-to-me bookish meme today. I’m trying to spice up my day, haha. That’s why I decided to participate in Goodreads Monday! I’m going to talk about a random book from my Goodreads TBR, why it gets to stay on my TBR (or why it’s getting booted!), and my progress on my current reads.

That being said, let’s dive in!


Book:
Miss Percy’s Pocket Guide to the Care & Feeding of British Dragons

Author:
Quenby Olson

Publisher:
World Tree Press

Publication Date:
October 26th, 2021

Pages:
397

Genre:
Fantasy/Cozy Fantasy

Synopsis:
Miss Mildred Percy inherits a dragon.

Ah, but we’ve already got ahead of ourselves…

Miss Mildred Percy is a spinster. She does not dance, she has long stopped dreaming, and she certainly does not have adventures. That is, until her great uncle has the audacity to leave her an inheritance, one that includes a dragon’s egg.

The egg – as eggs are wont to do – decides to hatch, and Miss Mildred Percy is suddenly thrust out of the role of “spinster and general wallflower” and into the unprecedented position of “spinster and keeper of dragons.”

But England has not seen a dragon since… well, ever. And now Mildred must contend with raising a dragon (that should not exist), kindling a romance (with a humble vicar), and embarking on an adventure she never thought could be hers for the taking.

This is an indie published book that has been on my TBR for far too long because I’m 100% certain that, if I pick it up, I’m going to love it! A cozy fantasy that surrounds raising dragons?! Sign me up, please! I think this is one of those instances where a book gets buried in my ever-increasing TBR, so I’m glad doing this meme brought it back to the forefront. This definitely is staying on the TBR!

Continue reading “Goodreads/TBR Monday: January 12th, 2026”
the sunday post

The Sunday Post: January 11th, 2026

Hello, reader!

Today on the blog, I’m trying out a new sort of post for my little corner of the internet. I’m always yapping about books here but not often yapping about other aspects of my life. And, yes, books take up a significant portion of my daily life, but there is more to it than just reading! Somedays. *cough*

Following that vein of thought, I’ve decided to start doing The Sunday Post created by @CaffeinatedReviewer! This is a blog news meme that gives you a chance to post a recap of your last week, whether that pertains to books or not. You can talk about however much (or however little) you would like. I do love a flexible meme. I’m excited to participate and give you all a little peek into my life beyond books!


You will soon learn through these Sunday Post that my life consists mostly of going to work, coming home, and making sure my family keeps running smoothly 😅 That’s partly why I want to try to go on more adventures in 2026 because, though I do love being at home, I’m feeling the need to broaden my horizons!

That being said, the most exciting thing that got me out of the house this past week was a dentist appointment, lol. But, an activity I’m super happy to be getting back into that doesn’t involve going outside is Dungeons & Dragons! My husband and I are both fans of the game, but we haven’t had a consistent group to play with for the past few years. Finally, he had had enough (the man loves to DM) and gathered a few of our long-distance friends and family to see if they wanted to start a new campaign. Lucky us, they said yes! So we started our run of The Rime of the Frostmaiden. I made an elven wizard, a race and class I haven’t played in D&D as of yet. Well… if we’re not counting Baldur’s Gate 3. I’m excited to dive more into her character!

There was also a library run that I accomplished on Saturday cause I need some library time. I ended up checking out four new books, but I’ll be talking about those in a post later this week. Stay tuned 😉

Continue reading “The Sunday Post: January 11th, 2026”