Category: The Sunday Post

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-22-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

This week’s schedule fell completely to bits, because last weekend turned out to be a lot busier than I thought it was going to be. One of the things that made it so busy was running out to get our new gaming chair. Which you wouldn’t think would be THAT big a deal, but it turned out to be. I’m thrilled with the chair as it’s a lot more supportive for my back when I play.

Luna is equally thrilled, as you can see from the picture. Not about the new chair, but about her sole possession of the old one, complete with additional pillows and lumbar seating and every other thing I stuffed into or onto it to make it incrementally better. For my back, it wasn’t enough. But all of those extra accoutrements turned the chair into Princess Luna’s perfect throne. She’s VERY happy to have it all to herself and have a cushier place from which to oversee all of her minions.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Wish Big Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop

 

 

 

 

Blog Recap:

Wish Big Giveaway Hop
B+ #AudioBookReview: The Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery
Grade A #GuestReview: Waging a Good War by Thomas E. Ricks
#A- #AudioBookReview: Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren
B+ #BookReview: Perūn’s Hammer by Ian Heller
Stacking the Shelves (693)

 

Coming This Week:

Inside Man by John McMahon (#AudioBookReview)
Spring Giveaway Event! (Begins 2/24 at Reading Reality)
A Pretender’s Murder by Christopher Huang (#BookReview)
At Star’s End by Anna Hackett (#BookReview)
Monster in the Moonlight by Annelise Ryan (#BookReview)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-15-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, so it seemed like a good idea to include a lovely picture of one of our little loves. This is obviously Princess Luna of the little white feets, catching a nap in a sunbeam and looking cute and adorable. As she does. She’s certainly more ‘beautifully’ posed than last week’s snap of her brother Tuna!

This is one of those week’s where there’s both a BOOK of the week and an AUDIOBOOK of the week. Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter was a lot of fun, filled with magic and cats and even a cat who takes off with the villain of the piece. Because cats.

Trailbreaker was just every bit as compelling as Homemaker – and even a bit more. I’ve been talking the series up with every reader I know. Any story that could keep me riveted by both its mystery AND its domesticity is definitely something to shout about!

Current Giveaways:

Autographed copies of Homemaker and Trailbreaker and MORE from the authors of Trailbreaker
$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop

Blog Recap:

A- #BookReview: The Rainseekers by Matthew Kressel
Grade A #BookReview: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
A- #BookReview: After the Fall by Edward Ashton
Grade A #AudioBookReview: Trailbreaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare + Giveaway
B #BookReview: The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera
Stacking the Shelves (692): Valentines Day Edition

Coming This Week:

Wish Big Giveaway Hop
The Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery (#AudioBookReview)
The Patient by Tim Sullivan (#BookReview)
Perun’s Hammer by Ian Heller (#BookReview)
Remember That Day by Mary Balogh (#BookReview)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-8-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Reading-wise, it was a very good week. In the getting-things-done department, it was a bit less successful. I started out behind because of Monday’s post, which was not what I’d originally planned. We also had insulation installers in on Wednesday and the plumbers on Friday, so more disruption than I care to have. But it was all necessary, and I’ll get caught up eventually. Probably. Hopefully.

We always say that there is a LOT of Tuna to love. This picture is proof. Admittedly, the Tuna-butt isn’t quite as ginormous as it looks here but let’s just say the perspective was unfortunate for Tuna’s ego. If Tuna HAD an ego, that is. While Hecate and Luna are trying to out-queen each other, Tuna is definitely diving for the position of omega-cat. He’s not quite as self-effacing – and even self-erasing – as poor, sweet, dim Erasmus, but he’s not exactly putting his rather large self front and center in any way. Still, he knows he’s loved and that’s what really matters!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop

Blog Recap:

The Overachievers’ Book Club AKA 2026 Reading List Awards
A- #BookReview: No Matter the Cost by Anna Hackett
B+ #BookReview: Stolen in Death by J.D. Robb
A- #BookReview: Nightshade and Oak by Molly O’Neill
Grade A #BookReview: The Daughter Who Remains by Nnedi Okorafor
Stacking the Shelves (691)

Coming This Week:

The Rainseekers by Matthew Kressel (#BookReview)
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett (#BookReview)
After the Fall by Edward Ashton (#BookReview)
Trailbreaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare (#AudioBookReview, #BookTour)
The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera (#BookReview, #BookTour)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-1-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

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)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-25-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

We’re supposed to be getting an ice storm today. So I’m probably huddled under a comforter with a good book and as many cats as I can get to cooperate. Not that cats are generally all that cooperative. OTOH, it could all blow over, or pass us by, or just not be, well, all that.

The last option is what we’re hoping for. Although I wouldn’t mind being the human under this particular cuddle puddle if it comes to it.

As far as the coming, hopefully post ice storm week, I’m nearly certain that these are the books I’ll be looking at. The order in which the reviews will appear feels a bit up for grabs, but c’est la reading vie on that score. I just finished listening to Junkyard Riders so that might move up the queue a bit. We’ll see as the week progresses – or regresses – or whatever happens!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop

Blog Recap:

#GuestPost: Martin Luther King Day 2026
B #BookReview: Boy with Accidental Dinosaur by Ian McDonald
Grade A #BookReview: Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier
A+ #BookReview: The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan
A- #AudioBookReview: Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire
Stacking the Shelves (689)

Coming This Week:

Homemaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare (#BookReview)
Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan (#BookReview)
Fire Must Burn by Allison Montclair (#BookReview)
The Case of the Murdered Muckraker by Rob Osler (#BookReview)
Junkyard Riders by Faith Hunter (#AudioBookReview)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-18-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

As you read this, I’m on the last day of a four-day marathon Zoom meeting and my brain is probably toast. This is a once a year thing, as whatever ALA committee I’m on for the year has its final deliberations meeting. It’s generally a lot of fun, it’s always fun to talk about good books, but four solid days of Zoom is just, well, A LOT.

I’m sure that each of the cats will keep me company in one way or another for a bit each day. Several of us have pets and they generally serve as both comfort and comic relief – and we’ll all need both of those things before it’s over. One year, Hecate had OPINIONS and started waving her bunghole in front of the camera. Being obedient humans, we immediately changed whatever subject had ‘Her Highness’ so incensed.

Today’s cat picture is of Miss Luna, who hasn’t been featured for a while, participating in one of Galen’s work meetings. She also looks very much like she’s posing for her close-up. And she’s gorgeous at it, which of course SHE KNOWS. She absolutely KNOWS.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the New Year, New You Giveaway Hop is Polly

Blog Recap:

Grade A #BookReview: Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher
A- #BookReview: The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
A- #BookReview: The Demon of Beausoleil by Mari Costa
Grade A #AudioBookReview: The Architect of New York by Javier Moro, translated by Peter J. Hearn
Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop
Stacking the Shelves (688)

Coming This Week:

Martin Luther King Day 2026 (#GuestPost by Galen)
Boy with Accidental Dinosaur by Ian McDonald (#BookReview)
Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier (#BookReview)
The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan (#BookReview)
Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire (#AudioBookReview)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-11-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Last week, it seemed like there was all the time in the world. This week, not so much. Not nearly so much. Possibly not even enough.  And how was your first week back to the full-on daily grind?

It’s not that I’m not actually enjoying the return to routine – just that’s there’s so much of it!

Even Tuna is tired by it all. So exhausted, in fact, that he’s practically disassembled himself in his search for a good position to nap in. The picture also does an excellent job of showing that there is rather a lot of Tuna to love. Which we absolutely do!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the New Year, New You Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop

Blog Recap:

A- #BookReview: The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz
B+ #BookReview: We Will Rise Again edited by Karen Lord, Annalee Newitz and Malka Older
Grade A #BookReview: A Lion’s Ransom by Candace Robb
A- #BookReview: Sorcerous Plates by Tao Wong
B #BookReview: Intergalactic Waste Management LLC by Ash Bishop
Stacking the Shelves (687)

Coming This Week:

Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher (#BookReview)
The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao (#BookReview)
The Demon of Beausoleil written and illustrated by Mari Costa (#BookReview, #GraphicNovelReview)
The Architect of New York by Javier Moro, translated by Peter J. Hearn (#AudioBookReview)
Winter Wishes Giveaway Hop (starts at 9 am EST!!!)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-4-26

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Last week’s cat picture was of Hecate looking back at the year that was passing. Not really, it was Hecate seeming to utterly reject the new cat we put out for her. What a difference a week makes! Today’s picture is Hecate, IN that cat bed, giving me more than a bit of tortitude but claiming the whole thing for herself after all.

Now that the holidays are drawing to a close, we’re moving out of “no time’s land” and back into more of a routine. It was fun to have lots of time off for the holidays, and now it’s comforting for life to go back to normal. Except for the parts where 2026 is looking like 2025 part two.

But speaking of routine – or at least routine-ish – I signed up for the 2026 Audiobook Challenge hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I’m Talking About. I’ve looked at it for years, but hadn’t wanted to formally commit because I didn’t want to deal with tracking. I took a look back at last year to tally just how many audiobooks I listened to, and I was somewhere on the challenge levels between “Binge Listener” and “My Precious”. They had me at “My Precious” so I’m in for this year and we’ll see how it goes. (I’m already in the middle of my first audiobook for the year!)

I hope that your return to the usual routine isn’t too traumatic – AND that you’ll continue reading along with me as 2026 continues!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the New Year, New You Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 in Books in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Holiday Giveaway is Rochelle
The winner of the Dashing December Giveaway Hop is Bonnie

Blog Recap:

A+ #BookReview: Dance with Death by Will Thomas
B+ #AudioBookReview: A Ruin Great and Free by Cadwell Turnbull
B #BookReview: Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, translated by Jordan Taylor
New Year New You Giveaway Hop
Most Anticipated Books of 2026
Stacking the Shelves (686)

Coming This Week:

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz (#BlogTour #BookReview)
A Lion’s Ransom by Candace Robb (#BookReview)
Sorcerous Plates by Tao Wong (#BookReview)
We Will Rise Again edited by Karen Lord, Annalee Newitz and Malka Older (#BookReview)
Intergalactic Waste Management, LLC by Ash Bishop (#BookReview)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 12-28-25

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

This is the FINAL Sunday Post of 2025! It’s almost time to say goodbye to this year – and I’m more than ready. But ready or not, 2026 is ON ITS WAY! I hope that each and every one of you has a fantastic New Year’s celebration of the kind you most prefer and can look forward to a HAPPY 2026!

Today’s picture is of Hecate turning her back on the whole thing. Technically, it’s Hecate turning her back on the new cat bed we got specifically FOR HER in the hopes that I wouldn’t have to wrestle my coat out from under her fuzzy butt every time I want to go out. Yes, I know I could hang the coat up, and yes, I know I’m bigger than she is and I can just move her, BUT she’s so cute nestling sleeping in my coat that I hate to make her move. Howsomever, this picture clearly demonstrates her thoughts about the whole mommy’s coat vs. new cat bed situation. Her Majesty is not amused and does not approve.

She probably won’t approve of Wednesday night’s fireworks, either, and neither will the rest of the clowder. Which doesn’t stop her humans from again wishing you HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Dashing December Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book PLUS EVENT-WIDE AMAZON/PAYPAL PRIZE in the Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Holiday Giveaway Event! (ENDS WEDNESDAY NEW YEARS’ EVE!!!)
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop

Blog Recap:

Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop
Best Books of 2025
A- #AudioBookReview: You Better Not Pout by Mia Sosa
#GuestPost: Christmas 2025
B #AudioBookReview: Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-Reum, translated by Shanna Tan
Stacking the Shelves (685)

Coming This Week:

Dance with Death by Will Thomas (#BookReview)
A Ruin, Great and Free by Cadwell Turnbull (#AudioBookReview)
Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, translated by Jordan Taylor
New Year New You Giveaway Hop (starts at 9 am EST!!!!!)
Most Anticipated Books of 2026

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 12-21-25

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

This is the penultimate (meaning next-to-last) Sunday Post of 2025. This year is winding down. A lot of people are not going to be sorry to see this one go, myself included.

I couldn’t resist this picture of Luna for this week, because she looks like she’s bracing for impact right along with the rest of us!

Is that a face, or is that a FACE?  She’s always adorable but she’s looking spooked or scared or ready for action or all of the above in this one.

She’s not the only one uncertain about what’s heading our way. I’m not even 100% certain about what’s heading towards this week. The whole time period between Xmas and New Year’s is always a bit of a limbo, not quite work, not quite break, not quite this year, not quite next year, and all in all, not quite like real time. We’ll see how it goes – and what Luna decides to do about it – as the week continues.

Happy Holidays!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Dashing December Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book PLUS EVENT-WIDE AMAZON/PAYPAL PRIZE in the Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Holiday Giveaway Event!

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the #2025HoHoHoReadathon Holiday Book Bingo is Jackie
The winner of the Holly Jolly Giveaway Hop is Nicole
The winner of the Fall 2025 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop is Viki

Blog Recap:

A- #AudioBookReview: All Wrapped Up in You by Rosie Danan
Dashing December Giveaway Hop
A+ #AudioBookReview: The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum by Valerie Wilson Wesley
B #BookReview: The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer
A+ #BookReview: Edge by Tracy Clark
Stacking the Shelves (684)

Coming This Week:

Winter 2025-2026 Seasons of Books Giveaway Hop (begins MONDAY at Reading Reality!)
Best Books of 2025
You Better Not Pout by Mia Sosa (#AudioBookReview)
Christmas Day 2025 (#GuestPost by Galen)
Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-Reum, translated by Shanna Tan (#AudioBookReview)