It’s our second “Winter Wonderland” weekend in a row! This is not what we moved to Atlanta for at all. But it sure is pretty as long as one is on the inside while the blizzard is OUTSIDE.
But it’s not completely outside as this picture of George certainly attests. The catio is fully screened in so the cats can’t get out, but very small things can get in. Like leaf bits. And bugs. And SNOW! George, who tends to be more of a Serious George than a Curious George, nevertheless can’t resist exploring the strange, cold white stuff that has invaded his domain.
Today is February 1, and a cold blustery one it is. It’s also the day that new terms start for the various American Library Association Book Awards Committees. I served on the 2026 Reading List Award Council this past year. While I can’t talk about which books are in contention while the contention is going on, I can now that they’ve been officially announced. The press release detailing all our winners and shortlisted titles is at https://rusaupdate.org/2026/01/2026-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/.
I’m including this information in this Sunday Post for two reasons. Tomorrow’s post will be about the process and the results in a bit more detail. It’s kind of a shout out both to the wonderful people I worked with on the committee this past year, and to celebrate the authors who provided us with the marvelous books that we read. In the past, these awards were announced and celebrated at the ALA Midwinter Conference, but the Midwinter Conference is no more. So I decided on a little bit of hoopla of my own.
Also, this note is here to serve as a transparency notice. I will be serving on Reading List again this year, and our new terms officially start today. That there is a bit of a lull between the final deliberations of the 2026 committee and the start of the 2027 committee, means that my Stacking the Shelves posts have been a bit lighter than usual. Once the new committee gets into its full swing, they’ll embiggen again. During the year, I do not mention which books are in the Stack or are being reviewed because of the committee. After all, the first rule about Book Club is that we don’t talk about Book Club. At least not until the official Press Release comes out!
Current Giveaways:
$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop
Winner Announcements:
The winner of the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop is Amber
Blog Recap:
A- #BookReview: Homemaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare
Grade A #BookReview: Fire Must Burn by Allison Montclair
B #BookReview: The Case of the Murdered Muckraker by Rob Osler
B+ #BookReview: Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan
A+ #AudioBookReview: Junkyard Riders by Faith Hunter
Stacking the Shelves (690)
Coming This Week:
The Overachievers’ Book Club AKA 2026 Reading List Awards (#FeaturePost )
No Matter the Cost by Anna Hackett (#BookReview)
Stolen in Death by J.D. Robb (#BookReview)
Nightshade and Oak by Molly O’Neill (#BookReview)
The Daughter Who Remains by Nnedi Okorafor (#BookReview)
Congratulations on joining the committee/Book Club. George looks unsure about the snow. ^_^ Have a wonderful Feb.
Angela (Angel’s Book Nook) recently posted..February is Library Lovers Month! #NationalLibraryLoversMonth
George is always unsure. It’s part of his charm. Have a great and hopefully not too snowy February yourself!
Marlene Harris recently posted..Grade A #BookReview: The Daughter Who Remains by Nnedi Okorafor
Congratulations on serving on the 2026 and 2027 Reading List Award Councils. That’s a big responsibility, but I hope it’s also a pleasure. Love the photo of George.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm’s Hoard recently posted..Sunday Post – 2/01/2026
It IS a pleasure. Also a lot of work that’s just begun again, but we’re all up for it.
George is a darling. Very serious, but a darling. It’s great to hear that he’s appreciated!
Thanks for commenting!
Marlene Harris recently posted..Grade A #BookReview: The Daughter Who Remains by Nnedi Okorafor