Carla Loves To Read

Beat the Backlist: Hello From the Gillespies and The Long Walk Home #BookReview #BeatTheBacklist2026 #FinishingTheSeries2026 One of my goals this year (and in past years) is to read more of my backlist books, especially those from Netgalley and Edelweiss. This challenge helps me focus on that. These are two of the oldest books on my Netgalley list, published in 2014. I really enjoyed both of them, and once again, wish I had read them years ago.

Beat the Backlist: Hello From the Gillespies and The Long Walk Home #BookReview #BeatTheBacklist2026 #FinishingTheSeries2026

One of my goals this year (and in past years) is to read more of my backlist books, especially those from Netgalley and Edelweiss. This challenge helps me focus on that.…

Top Ten Tuesday: Genre Freebie – Crime Thrillers (2026-03-10) Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.

Top Ten Tuesday: Genre Freebie – Crime Thrillers (2026-03-10)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome…

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 9, 2026) 📚📚 Welcome to It’s Monday! What are you Reading? It’s hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 9, 2026) 📚📚

Welcome to It’s Monday! What are you Reading? It’s hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Reading Ireland Reviews: The Elements by John Boyne and Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise #BookReview #Audiobook #ReadingIrelandMonth26 #Begorrathon26 #12Friends12Books We are beginning the second week of Reading Ireland, and I have read or listened to 3 books. I am sharing my thoughts on the first two today. The first is a book that was recommended to me by Jonetta@Blue Mood Café. I probably wouldn't have picked up The Elements by John Boyne, as it is a long one. It was originally published as 4 separate books, but is now published with all of them in one volume.

Reading Ireland Reviews: The Elements by John Boyne and Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise #BookReview #Audiobook #ReadingIrelandMonth26 #Begorrathon26 #12Friends12Books

We are beginning the second week of Reading Ireland, and I have read or listened to 3 books. I am sharing my thoughts on the first…

Stacking The Shelves (March 8, 2026) 📚📚 Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, books for review from authors, Netgalley, Edelweiss or publishers, as well as gifts or books you won.

Stacking The Shelves (March 8, 2026) 📚📚

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you…

Death at the Dock by Carmen Radtke #BookReview #BlogTour #Giveaway Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Death at the Dock, the third book in Carmen Radtke's Alyssa Chalmers Mystery. I jumped into this series at this point, and this book read fine as a standalone, but I will be going back to read books 1 and 2 to find out about Alyssa and her group of friends sailing to British Columbia from Australia to become brides.

Death at the Dock by Carmen Radtke #BookReview #BlogTour #Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Death at the Dock, the third book in Carmen Radtke's Alyssa Chalmers Mystery. I jumped into this series at this point, and this book read fine as a standalone, but I will be going back to…

Love is in the Air: The Do-Over, The Love Algorithm, and A Shore Thing #BookReview During the month of February I had picked out some romance stories that were on my NG shelf. Unfortunately, I didn't get to them due to my monthly challenge and Black History Month. I still wanted to read them, so finished them this month. All are from Boldwood, and I have to say they have some great romcom/romance authors. These books find us with a character that realizes she has not life but work trying to become a managing partner in her law firm, so she quits.

Love is in the Air: The Do-Over, The Love Algorithm, and A Shore Thing #BookReview

During the month of February I had picked out some romance stories that were on my NG shelf. Unfortunately, I didn't get to them due to my monthly challenge and Black History Month. I still wanted to read them, so…

The Girl With The List by Shari J. Ryan #BookReview #BlogTour @Bookouture @sharijryan Welcome to my stop on the blot tour for The Girl With The List by Shari J. Ryan. This is a WW2 story set in Auschwitz, where 2 young people in love with do everything they can to save each other.

The Girl With The List by Shari J. Ryan #BookReview #BlogTour @Bookouture @sharijryan

Welcome to my stop on the blot tour for The Girl With The List by Shari J. Ryan. This is a WW2 story set in Auschwitz, where 2 young people in love with do everything they can to save each other.

Read NonFiction Challenge: Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide, Nobody’s Girl and Stand by Your Pan #BookReview #Audiobook #ReadNonFicChal2026 My goal for the Nonfiction Challenge this year is to read 2 nonfiction books each month, and hopefully, 1 from each category. These are the 3rd, 4th and 5th books. The Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide fits the television category, and Nobody's Girl fits the Biography/Memoir. The last is Stand by Your Pan: 100 Easy and Affordable Comfort Food Recipes So Good They'll Hurt People's Feelin’s, a lovely cookbook that fits the food category.

Read NonFiction Challenge: Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide, Nobody’s Girl and Stand by Your Pan #BookReview #Audiobook #ReadNonFicChal2026

My goal for the Nonfiction Challenge this year is to read 2 nonfiction books each month, and hopefully, 1 from each category. These are the 3rd, 4th…

Thriller Thursday: This Is How It Ends, It’s Not Her, Make It Out Alive, and Final Descent #BookReview #Audiobook #ThrillerThursday #FinishingTheSeries2026 #BooksIOwn I've had This is How it Ends sitting on my bookshelf at home since 2018 and I decided it was time to pick up this slow burn story. Next I was able to get the audiobooks from the library of two recently released thriller. One from a series I love, Quinn & Costa, and the other from an author that I enjoy.

Thriller Thursday: This Is How It Ends, It’s Not Her, Make It Out Alive, and Final Descent #BookReview #Audiobook #ThrillerThursday #FinishingTheSeries2026 #BooksIOwn

I've had This is How it Ends sitting on my bookshelf at home since 2018 and I decided it was time to pick up this slow burn story.…

Can’t Wait Wednesday (March 4, 2026) #WOW Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link up as well! Find out more here. This week, I’m waiting for ….

Can’t Wait Wednesday (March 4, 2026) #WOW

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to…

Top Ten Tuesday: Genre Freebie – Crime Thrillers (2026-03-03) Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.

Top Ten Tuesday: Genre Freebie – Crime Thrillers (2026-03-03)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome…

Black History Month: Sisters in Arms and Yellow Wife #BookReview #Audiobook #BlackHistoryMonth #BooksIOwn During the month of February, I try to read books by Authors of Colour, learning about Black History where possible. This year I didn't read as many as I usually do, but read 6 this month. Here are the links to the previous reviews this month, and the last two are included below. The Illegal by Lawrence Hill, We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartel…

Black History Month: Sisters in Arms and Yellow Wife #BookReview #Audiobook #BlackHistoryMonth #BooksIOwn

During the month of February, I try to read books by Authors of Colour, learning about Black History where possible. This year I didn't read as many as I usually do, but read 6 this month.…

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 2, 2026) 📚📚 Welcome to It’s Monday! What are you Reading? It’s hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 2, 2026) 📚📚

Welcome to It’s Monday! What are you Reading? It’s hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

February Challenge – Oldest Audiobooks (ALCs) still on my NG shelf: Hearts on Thin Ice, Pitch Dark, Jenny James is Not a Disaster, and Happy Harbor #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge My personal January Challenge was to listen to the 15 books that I had wanted to read or listen to last year, or those audiobooks I had purchased. I easily completed that challenge. For February, I wanted to listen to 12 to 15 audiobooks that have been on my NG shelf the longest. The ones I listened to this week have been waiting for me to listen to them since June of 2024.

February Challenge – Oldest Audiobooks (ALCs) still on my NG shelf: Hearts on Thin Ice, Pitch Dark, Jenny James is Not a Disaster, and Happy Harbor #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge

My personal January Challenge was to listen to the 15 books that I had wanted to read or listen to last…

March is Reading Ireland! #readingirelandmonth26 #begorrathon26 Reading Ireland Month (or The #Begorrathon as it is affectionately known) will return for the 12th year during March 2026, although this will only be the 6th year I have participated. It is hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books. Cathy is a supporter of everything Irish and a promoter of Irish culture. Check out her page for suggestions of what to read and listen to some wonderful Irish music from her spotify list.

March is Reading Ireland! #readingirelandmonth26 #begorrathon26

Reading Ireland Month (or The #Begorrathon as it is affectionately known) will return for the 12th year during March 2026, although this will only be the 6th year I have participated. It is hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books. Cathy is a…

Stacking The Shelves (March 1, 2026) 📚📚 Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, books for review from authors, Netgalley, Edelweiss or publishers, as well as gifts or books you won.

Stacking The Shelves (March 1, 2026) 📚📚

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you…

Dead Woman Walking by Carolyn Arnold #BookReview #BlogTour Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Carolyn Arnold's newest addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series, Dead Woman Walking. This is one of my favourite crime thriller/police procedural series and one that I highly recommend.

Dead Woman Walking by Carolyn Arnold #BookReview #BlogTour

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Carolyn Arnold's newest addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series, Dead Woman Walking. This is one of my favourite crime thriller/police procedural series and one that I highly recommend.

Bookish Travel: February 2026 I saw this bookish travel post on It’s All About Books and thought, I like this!! So, I decided to try and do it at the end of every month. Hopefully, I will be able to keep track. I would love to be able to travel more, but I have to settle for armchair travel. I am only including actual places which is fine as I don't read a lot of fantasy.

Bookish Travel: February 2026

I saw this bookish travel post on It’s All About Books and thought, I like this!! So, I decided to try and do it at the end of every month. Hopefully, I will be able to keep track. I would love to be able to travel more, but I have to settle for armchair travel. I am…

Historical Romance: A Dilemma For The Duke and Ne’er Duke Well #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge #FinishingTheSeries2026 Historical Romance is a genre I enjoy every once in awhile. I do find that they often are a bit spicy and Ne'er Duke Well definitely is that. A Dilemma For The Duke is part of the Barrington's Brigade series which is not spicy at all, which makes these books very different from one another. I am working on finishing both of these series.

Historical Romance: A Dilemma For The Duke and Ne’er Duke Well #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge #FinishingTheSeries2026

Historical Romance is a genre I enjoy every once in awhile. I do find that they often are a bit spicy and Ne'er Duke Well definitely is that. A Dilemma For The Duke is…

Murder at Sea by Helena Dixon #BookReview #BlogTour @Bookouture @NellDixon Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Helena Dixon's newest addition to her Miss Underhay Mystery Series. Murder at Sea is the 23rd book in the series and I'm still enjoying the books. This time the murder takes place on an ocean liner heading across the Atlantic to New York. A fun story!

Murder at Sea by Helena Dixon #BookReview #BlogTour @Bookouture @NellDixon

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Helena Dixon's newest addition to her Miss Underhay Mystery Series. Murder at Sea is the 23rd book in the series and I'm still enjoying the books. This time the murder takes place on…

Thriller Thursday: Anatomy of an Alibi, Murder in My Backyard, and What The River Knows #BookReview #Audiobook #ThrillerThursday #FinishingTheSeries2026 Anatomy of an Alibi was one of my anticipated books for 2026, and it didn't disappoint. The other two books are more mystery/suspense than thriller, but they have some twists. Murder in my Backyard is the second book in the Inspector Ramsay series by Ann Cleeves, and What The River Knows is the first book in the Secrets of the Nile series by Isabel Ibañez, a historical mystery with a bit of fantasy.

Thriller Thursday: Anatomy of an Alibi, Murder in My Backyard, and What The River Knows #BookReview #Audiobook #ThrillerThursday #FinishingTheSeries2026

Anatomy of an Alibi was one of my anticipated books for 2026, and it didn't disappoint. The other two books are more mystery/suspense than…

February Challenge – Oldest Audiobooks (ALCs) still on my NG shelf: Masquerade, The Cicada Spring, and The Forgotten Names #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge #BlackHistoryMonth My personal January Challenge was to listen to the 15 books that I had wanted to read or listen to last year, or those audiobooks I had purchased. I easily completed that challenge. For February, I wanted to listen to 12 to 15 audiobooks that have been on my NG shelf the longest. The ones I listened to this week have been waiting for me to listen to them since June of 2024.

February Challenge – Oldest Audiobooks (ALCs) still on my NG shelf: Masquerade, The Cicada Spring, and The Forgotten Names #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge #BlackHistoryMonth

My personal January Challenge was to listen to the 15 books that I had wanted to read or listen to last year, or…

Our Song by Dani Atkins #BookReview #BlogTour @Bookouture

Our Song by Dani Atkins #BookReview #BlogTour @Bookouture

Top Ten Tuesday: Quotes From or About Books (2026-02-24) Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.

Top Ten Tuesday: Quotes From or About Books (2026-02-24)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to…

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (February 23, 2026) 📚📚 Welcome to It’s Monday! What are you Reading? It’s hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (February 23, 2026) 📚📚

Welcome to It’s Monday! What are you Reading? It’s hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Improbable Meet Cute: Second Chances Collection #BookReview #Audiobook Improbable Meet-Cute Second Chances is a collection of short stories by well-known romance authors, three of which I've never read before. They increase in steaminess from sweet, suspenseful and eventually steamy. I enjoyed them all and was able to fast forward through the few open door scenes in the last two stories. Each of them is set on or around Valentine's Day, but you can read them anytime.

Improbable Meet Cute: Second Chances Collection #BookReview #Audiobook

Improbable Meet-Cute Second Chances is a collection of short stories by well-known romance authors, three of which I've never read before. They increase in steaminess from sweet, suspenseful and eventually steamy. I enjoyed…

Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee #BookReview #BlogTour #Giveaway Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee. This is an action adventure story, one with twists and a mystery that kept me reading even after I should have gone to sleep. It is a bit different from other books in the genre, but I really enjoyed it. Scroll down to learn more about the book and see my thoughts, as well as to enter the giveaway for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card

Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee #BookReview #BlogTour #Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee. This is an action adventure story, one with twists and a mystery that kept me reading even after I should have gone to sleep. It is a bit different from…

Stacking The Shelves (February 22, 2026) 📚📚 Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, books for review from authors, Netgalley, Edelweiss or publishers, as well as gifts or books you won.

Stacking The Shelves (February 22, 2026) 📚📚

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you…

Love is in the Air with the Skymar Trilogy: Authentically Izzy, Positively Penelope and Loyally Luke #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge February is upon us and I wanted to read some romance this month. I had the Skymar Trilogy on my TBR shelf, so thought this would be a good time. I was able to get the audiobooks on hoopla, so listened to them. Penelope and Luke are siblings, and Izzy is their cousin who was raised with them after the loss of her parents.

Love is in the Air with the Skymar Trilogy: Authentically Izzy, Positively Penelope and Loyally Luke #BookReview #Audiobook #FebruaryChallenge

February is upon us and I wanted to read some romance this month. I had the Skymar Trilogy on my TBR shelf, so thought this would be a good time. I was…