Bookmarks 'n Blankets

I have two huge announcements - my website has been redesigned, AND I'm moving!! Come find out what's been going on in my world and what to expect over the next month or so regarding the podcast. Take a peek at the new website here ! If you have been thinking about creating a website or redesigning your current site, my husband has openings for new clients. You can learn more and schedul...

As the weather cools down and we head into the autumn season, my reading mood has shifted. I’m looking for my next favorite gothic fantasy book, so I’m trying five novels in the genre to see what I think. Come find out which book I chose to read in real time. You can find the companion blog here . Books I Try in This Episode: House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone Wea...

Just like last year, I’m in the mood for cozy fantasy, cute witchy, and sweet paranormal romance books this Halloween Season. Come find out all the spooky but cozy fantasy books I want to read this month.  Plus, I'll let you know what I've been into lately and 25 new books coming out this month! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet,...

Spooky Season is here, and I thought it would be fun to celebrate with a Halloween Book Bingo challenge! Come find out how you can participate, plus get plenty of book recommendations and reading ideas to help you fill your bingo board. You can find the companion blog here . Shop at Book Outlet and use my link to save $5 off your first order when you spend $25 or more . Follow me on: Facebook Inst...

It’s time to conclude this angsty teen paranormal romance love triangle once and for all. I’m excited to see what happens with Bella, Edward, and Jacob in this final book. Come find out what I think of this YA fantasy book as I share my thoughts and reactions in real time. (Note: This does contain spoilers!) You can find the companion blog here . If you haven't listened to my thoughts on book...

We have finally arrived at the ‘Ber months! I’m ready for all the atmospheric, gothic, magical, and cozy books. Come find out which books are perfect to read in September. Plus, I'll give you a quick life update and let you know about 18 new books coming out this month! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet, but they all sound interesting...

Autumn is the perfect time of year to curl up with a good seasonal romcom story. I’m so excited for many new releases this year. Come find out which fall romance books I can’t wait to grab this fall season.  *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet, but they all sound interesting to me, so I'm excited to read them at some point. You can find...

We are more than halfway through the reading year, so I’m doing the very popular mid-year freak-out book tag. I will talk about the good, the bad, and the surprising. Come find out which books I’ve deemed the best and worst of the year so far.  You can find the companion blog here . **If you want to listen to previous mid-year check-in episodes, go to episodes 30, 73, and 111. Mid-Year Freak-Out B...

I’m in the mood for a sweet, wholesome YA summer romance, and I’ve heard so many good things about this trilogy. Come find out my thoughts in real time as I read all three books and then watch the popular series on Amazon Prime. You can find the companion blog here . **If you want more YA summer romance book reviews, you may enjoy listening to episodes 27 and 28.  Shop at Book Outlet and use my li...

It’s time for my annual historical fiction TBR book list. I have a variety of time periods included in this list, and many of them are brand-new releases from this year. Come find out the 12 historical fiction books I’m excited to read.  Plus, I'll give you a quick life update and let you know about 19 new books coming out this month! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I hav...

If you’re looking for some isolated island thrillers, murder in the woods, theme park horrors, and summer vacations gone deadly wrong, then I’ve got you covered with these 12 mystery, thriller, and horror books that are perfect for Summerween. Come find out which books I’m excited to check out this summer. Plus, I'll let you know about 12 new books coming out this month! *Please note that thi...

The weather has warmed up, and I’m ready for some swoony, sizzling romances but without the spice. So I thought I would try six brand-new closed-door romcoms to see what I want to read. Come find out which book I chose to read in real time. You can find the companion blog here . Books I Try in This Episode: Just Friends by Haley Pham More Than Friends Denise Hunter  A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Ba...

It’s time to jump back into this super popular teen angsty paranormal romance fantasy with Bella, Edward, and Jacob. I’ve had a lot of time to recharge, so I’m ready to read book three and give you my thoughts and reactions in real time.   You can find the companion blog here . If you haven't listened to my thoughts on books one and two, you can check out episodes 79 and 102. Shop at Book Out...

It’s time to beat the heat with 12 books that are perfect for summertime reading. I have a variety of genres to fit my mood reading. Come find out which beach reads I’m excited to check out this summer. Plus, I'll let you know about 12 new books coming out this month! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet, but they all sound interesting to...

I’ve decided to read my first Fredrik Backman book. I’ve heard so many good things about his novels, so now I’m interested to see if I’ll like this contemporary fiction book and its movie adaptation. Come find out my thoughts about this story in real time. You can find the companion blog here . **If you like contemporary fiction stories with elderly characters, you may enjoy listening to episode 1...

I’m ready to dive into a genre that I don’t normally read - contemporary fiction. There are three very popular novels that everyone is talking about right now, so I wanted to see if the hype is worth it. Come find out which books I’m excited to read and react to in real time. You can find the companion blog here . Books I React to in this Episode:  Theo of Golden by Allen Levi The Borrowed Life of...

At the beginning of the year, I was craving some historical fiction stories, especially once spring rolled around. Come find out all of the historical and Regency romance books I read in the first quarter of 2026…and which six books have my whole heart, and I gave five stars.   You can find the companion blog here . Books I Review in This Episode: A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin Bri...

Lately, I’ve been in a huge fantasy mood, but I prefer light fantasy. For this Magical May, I’m excited to check out more magical realism novels. Come find out which titles are highest on my TBR list to check out. Plus, I'll let you know about 14 new books coming out this month! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet, but they all sound int...

With the flowers blooming, the sun shining, and the spring season upon us, it’s time to dive into novels that feel like a cozy, warm spring day. Come find out which spring books I want to read during this budding time of year. Plus, I'll let you know about 12 new books coming out this month! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet, but they...

It’s officially springtime, and I’m in a cottagecore mood, so I thought I would try five Regency Romance books to see what I want to read. Come find out which book I chose to read in real time. You can find the companion blog here . Books I Try in This Episode: A Fortunate Miscalculation by Karen Thornell Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham To Con A Gentleman by...

There is some highly disturbing news emerging in the book world about YA (or Young Adult) books, and we need to talk about it. Come find out all the controversy surrounding this genre of novels. You can find the companion blog here . Shop at Book Outlet and use my link to save $5 off your first order when you spend $25 or more . Follow me on: Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest GoodReads Letterbo...

Spring is almost here, which means it’s Cottagecore Season. I’m ready to read all the Regency Romance books. Come find out which titles I’m excited to read this spring season. Plus, I'll let you know about 11 new books coming out this month! *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet, but they all sound interesting to me, so I'm excited to...

So, how many books did I read in 2025? I’m ready to reveal all my reading stats from last year and answer these fun book tag questions. Come find out my favorite books, least favorite books, biggest surprises, biggest disappointments, and so much more! You can find the companion blog here . Shop at Book Outlet and use my link to save $5 off your first order when you spend $25 or more . Follow me o...

If you’re a fantasy reader, then you’re probably aware of how much mature content is packed into these types of books today. However, you don’t have to compromise your morals and values with books in this popular genre. You can still enjoy clean fantasy stories. Come find out 12 spice-free fantasy books you can read instead. *Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any...

Unfortunately, not every book you pick up will be a winner. There will always be books that just don’t work for a reader. Come find out which books did not work for me and were my biggest disappointments of 2025. You can find the companion blog here . Shop at Book Outlet and use my link to save $5 off your first order when you spend $25 or more . Follow me on: Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest...