About the book (with thanks to the publisher)

From music and movies to relationships, Gilmore Girls taught us all so much throughout the years. Now, take a walk down Stars Hollow’s memory lane and reflect on the show’s profound impact with author Kristine Eckart, founder of the Gilmore Book Club, in this beautifully illustrated guide to the beloved show.

In Meet Me at Luke’s, you can expect to find a treasure trove of insights, anecdotes, and life lessons drawn from the show’s rich tapestry of relationships, small-town charm, and the enduring bond between a mother and daughter. With a warm stroll through the characters’ lives and loves, the book explores how their world can enrich our own.

Meet Me at Luke’s not only provides a chance to relive your favorite moments but also invites you to delve deeper into the show’s enduring appeal. It offers a space for reflection, sparking conversations about how the lessons learned in Stars Hollow can be applied to our own lives. Using events from all seven seasons, Kristine Eckart will delve into discovering our purpose, creating a home, finding love, and so much more.

The book also includes:

• A steady stream of pop culture references, drawing from movies and music, history and literature 
• Undying affection for the townspeople of Stars Hollow, from the lusty dance teacher Miss Patty to the job-juggling late-bloomer Kirk
• Special applause for the incredible guest stars over the years, from Christiane Amanpour to Norman Mailer
• A roundup of the most quotable lines (“You jump, I jump, Jack.” “We got us a Pippi virgin.” “Copper boom!”)

About the author:

Kristine Eckart is a writer, pop culture aficionado, and diehard bibliophile who is passionate about using books to change lives. Her work has also appeared in The Skimm, Chronicon, Chicken Soup for the Soul, FabFitFun, and in the “Twelve Days of Book-Club-Mas” novella, distributed to readers in the Once Upon a Book Club Box. Kristine is also the host of the Chronicon Book Club and also guest-hosts other book clubs. Founded in 2018, her Gilmore Book Club project was honored by the Good Story Company 2021, and she has been a guest on several pop-culture podcasts, including Thriving Together, Talking Fast Podcast, We Ship It Podcast, and That Chronic Thing. Kristine lives in New York City.

My thoughts:

Like many, I was a tremendous fan of Gilmore Girls with its stellar cast and witty repartee. The series offered a cultural moment when so many enjoyed the show and watched it with their family.

It was lovely to revisit and think about Starr’s Hollow (hard to believe the show premiered twenty-five years ago!) while spending time with this title. I was drawn in by the cover and then just wanted to keep going. I loved the illustrations throughout. I also liked how there were small book and film emojis each time a reference was made. Those who page through this title will have many suggestions on what to do with their reading/movie watching time.

In these pages are reflections from the author along with lots of revisiting wonderful moments from the show. There are many cultural references.

This title would make a lovely gift for a Gilmore Girls fan.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 07 October 2025

I have just finished reading the Iliad for a class that I am taking this semester. While I knew the general outlines of the story, I had never read this work. With Wilson’s translation, a reader is in very good hands.

The story comes to life with evocative (and at times gruesome) language. This story of a period in the long Trojan War makes readers think about so many things. Among these are the roles of the Gods and fate, politics, war, loyalty, grief and much more.

My professor had us track themes as we read which added enormously to my understanding and appreciation of this work. For example, pick an object and think about its meaning (I chose Zeus’s aegis) or pick a passage where the language appealed greatly (I wrote about a dead soldier’s helmet that was compared to a flower) and these are just two of my many journal entries.

I left this work feeling that it resonated with me. I felt sorrow for the many fallen soldiers, the losses of those who were deeply valued and loved, and also thought a lot about fate, gods and why things happen as they do. These issues are still very much alive today.

Wilson’s introduction to the book is absolutely marvelous. I learned so much from it.

I think that it might be hard to motivate one’s self to read this title outside of a class but I am very glad that I did.

Have any of you read anything translated by Wilson?

About the book:

With thanks to the publisher

n The Library Game, Tempest Raj and Secret Staircase Construction are renovating a classic detective fiction library that just got its first real-life mystery.

Tempest Raj couldn’t be happier that the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Known for enchanting architectural features like sliding bookshelves and secret passageways, the company is now taking on a dream project: transforming a home into a public library that celebrates history’s greatest fictional detectives.

Though the work is far from done, Gray House Library’s new owner is eager to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room. But when a rehearsal ends with an actor murdered and the body vanishes, Tempest is witness to a seemingly impossible crime. Fueled by her grandfather’s Scottish and Indian meals, Tempest and the rest of the crew must figure out who is making beloved classic mystery plots come to life in a deadly game.

Multiple award winning author Gigi Pandian masterfully weaves wit and warmth in the Secret Staircase Mysteries. Readers will delight in the surprises Secret Staircase Construction uncovers behind the next locked door.

About the author:

GIGI PANDIAN is the USA Today bestselling and multiple-award-winning author of the Secret Staircase mysteries, inspired by elements from her own family background. She is also the author of the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, and more than a dozen locked-room mystery short stories. Pandian has won Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and was a finalist for an Edgar Award. A breast cancer survivor and accidental almost-vegan who adores cooking, she lives with her husband in Northern California.

My thoughts:

This is the fourth entry in the enjoyable Secret Staircase series by Gigi Pandian. It was a pleasure to welcome back many characters and to catch up with them in this latest case.

Try to figure out what happened at Gray House and why. There is murder, a missing body, a suspect and, of course, a solution.

I only wish that I could commission a staircase from Tempest Raj. I guess I will just have to wait for the next book in the series instead.

Kirkus Reviews states: “There’s welcome character development and a plot that ends with a bang, all with a touch of whimsy.” I agree.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 18 March 2025

Also by this author and in this series:

Beware: The Raven Thief by Gigi Pandian

A Midnight Puzzle (Gigi Pandian)

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About the book:

Courtesy of the publisher

It’s time to revisit the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul.

Though it’s a mysteriously located clinic with an uncertain address, it can always be found by those who need it. And the clinic has proven time after time that a prescribed cat has the power to heal the emotional wounds of its patients. This charming sequel introduces a new lovable cast of healing cats, from Kotetsu, a four-month-old Bengal who unleashes his boundless energy by demolishing bed linens and curtains, to tenacious and curious Shasha, who doesn’t let her small size stop her from anything, and the most lovable yet lazy cat Ms. Michiko, who is as soft and comforting as mochi.

As characters from one chapter appear as side characters in the next, we follow a young woman who cannot help pushing away the man who loves her, a recently widowed grandfather whose grandson refuses to leave his room, the family of a young woman who struggle to understand each other, and an anxious man who works at a cat shelter seeking to show how the most difficult cats can be the most rewarding. This moving, magical novel of interconnected tales proves the strength in the unfathomable bond between cats and people.

How it starts:

With thanks to the publisher

1

Kotetsu, Noelle,
and Bibi

Moé Ohtani suddenly became aware that the ground beneath her was dank and soggy. She scanned her surroundings. Unknowingly, she had wandered into a dimly lit alleyway. Just a moment ago, she had been walking down the lively Kawaramachi Street. One of Kyoto’s premier shopping districts, the street was always bustling with tourists and young people, and the crowds only grew larger from evening into the night. Usually, on her way back from school, Moé and her friends would join the throng, hitting up cafés and shops. But today, she was alone.

Yes, she had headed west on Takoyakushi Street to avoid the crowd but somehow ended up in an unfamiliar location. Standing in a cul-de-sac, she didn’t recognize the narrow, old-fashioned block that towered before her. The door was open, revealing a hallway extending into its depths.

Where on earth . . . ?

She had been so out of it. It was precisely why she’d been called unreliable and accident-prone. Still, this was the first time she’d actually gotten lost because she had been distracted. She let out a deep sigh.

The best way to avoid seeing her boyfriend would be to wander around a bit. She could go to a friend’s place, whine and fuss, and act like she hadn’t noticed anything. She’d ignore her phone. Yes, she could continue to be oblivious. Would that delay the breakup? Or would he end things anyway with a text? It would probably hurt less that way.

She stood still, eyes fixed on the gloomy building. If only her situation would change while she stood right here in this shadowy alley. If only some higher power could flick a magic wand to prevent the impending breakup. Anything would do. She wanted to run away from it all, to look the other way. But her pointless time-wasting only amplified the pain.

For the first time in a while, she was about to see her boyfriend, but the thought brought no joy. If anything, she almost wished it wouldn’t happen. She sniffled and turned her back to the building.

Just then, a small voice called out, “Hey, you there!”

About the author:

With thanks to the publisher

Born in 1975 in Kyoto, award-winning author Syou Ishida is a keen supporter of rescue cats. Her debut in the series, We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, has been a runaway international bestseller. We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat is the second volume in the series to be published internationally. Volume 3 has also been released in Japan and will be published in the English-language next year.

My thoughts:

First of all, I think that the cover of this book is clever and perfect. It invites readers, old and new, right in.

I adored meeting the cats and people. I liked the clever way in which there were connections between one story and the next.

We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat is part of a trend toward books that offer characters who are facing issues in their lives. A bit of magic goes a long way in these stories. To me they seem to reflect an antidote to troubled times and a chance for some optimism and hope as is the case here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 September 2025

Intro:

Amazingly, there are now thirty titles in this series by Carolyn Haines. I have been following Sara Booth, Jitty, Tinky and others since the very first one was published back in 1999. I always come back because I love the characters and their relationships. So, while this title can definitely be read as a standalone, if new to the series, it might be fun to go back and read at least the first one at some point, just to meet the characters as they were first presented.

This time the story centers on dogs. As the publisher describes it:

After a dog belonging to local pet activist Tilly Lawson is snatched right out of her backyard in Sunflower County, MS, Sarah Booth and the Delaney Detective Agency are up to their ears in concerned pet owners. Could Tilly’s work liberating abused animals have come back to bite her, or was this a random act of dognapping?

Delaney Detective Agency has their work cut out for them, especially as a troublesome online pet detective agency tries nosing their way into the investigation. But as Sarah Booth and Tinkie start to sink their teeth into the mystery, they discover there’s much more at play than they thought: neighborhood rivalries, questionable dog breeders, and an illegal dogfighting operation.

As their digging churns up dangerous attention—and with their own beloved dogs, Sweetie Pie and Chablis, possibly next in line to be dognapped—Sarah Booth and Tinkie are in a race against time to track down the thieves and return the missing pets home.

My thoughts:

Here was another good read in the series. I enjoyed the southern setting and watching our detectives at work. At the same time, readers will be reminded of the importance of how our four pawed friends are treated.

Looking forward to the next in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 27 May 2025

#MindfulbyNature #NetGalley

About the book (courtesy of the publisher):

Connection to the natural world, to community, and to ourselves is fundamental to our well-being. When we nurture these connections, we thrive, drawing strength from the web of interdependence that sustains life. In an increasingly fragmented and urbanized world, accessing nature and knowing how to engage with it can be challenging. Mindful by Nature points the way, bridging nature connection and mindfulness practices.

Through personal stories and nature studies, Tim Drake and Jason Hamilton inspire readers to discover their interconnectedness with Life. Guided practices offer ways to deepen sensory awareness, face challenges with compassion, and take wise action in our lives. Whether in urban or rural landscapes, readers are invited to engage with nature, cultivating a deep sense of belonging. The teachings emphasize accessibility and playfulness, encouraging readers to reconnect with the living world wherever they are.

At its heart, this book is a call to dissolve the illusion that we are separate from nature. Mindful by Nature enables readers to rediscover the profound unity between themselves and the natural world and empowers us to become stewards of the Earth.

About the authors:

Tim Drake has worked in environmental education for over twenty-five years, with a focus on nature connection, mindfulness, and natural history. He is cofounder of Primitive Pursuits in Ithaca, NY.

Jason Hamilton is Professor in the Department of the Environment at Ithaca College. He is Founder and Education Director of the Ithaca College Natural Lands reserve system.

My thoughts:

I love going to the Botanical Garden that is near where I live. I most especially enjoy walking in the woods where my mind calms and I am far away from urban noises. I feel that the authors of this book would understand why this is so important to me.

Here is a gentle and inspiring book that invites all of us to connect with nature in whatever ways we can. In addition to the authors’ text and their reflections, there are lovely illustrations, poetry, mindfulness practices, guided exercises and more.

I hope that this book will find a wide audience. Whoever reads it will benefit. Their goal of helping us to realize and enjoy the interconnectedness of self and nature makes so much sense.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cornell University Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 15 November 2025

About the book:

From the publisher

The new cozy crime novel from the bestselling author of The Marlow Murder Club, soon to be a major TV series on PBS Masterpiece

Verity Beresford is worried about her husband. Oliver didn’t come home last night, so of course Verity goes straight to Judith Potts, Marlow’s resident amateur sleuth, for help. Oliver, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, had rented The Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser, to host an exclusive party for the society, but no one remembers seeing him disembark. And when Oliver’s body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in him, it’s time for the Marlow Murder Club to leap into action.

Oliver was, by all accounts, a rather complicated fellow, with a reputation for bullying children during nativity play rehearsals, and he wasn’t short of enemies. Judith, Suzie, and Becks are convinced they’ll find his killer in no time. But things are not as they seem in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, and this case is not so clear-cut after all. The gang will need to keep their wits about them to solve this case… otherwise a killer will walk free.

My thoughts:

I was absolutely delighted to spend time with the gang in this newest entry in the Marlow series. This, like the others, is a traditional mystery with good characters and an interesting plot. Readers will want to see if they can solve the case before the three amateurs and the police.

Anyone who has read others in the series, or who has seen the television adaptations, will I think be happy to pick this one up. It was enjoyable.

Those who are new to the residents of Marlow may want to read this too. They will then pick up all of the others, I think.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 16 September 2025

Others in the series:

Now out: Death Comes to Marlow

Would you join: The Marlow Murder Club

Beware: The Queen of Poisons (Robert Thorogood)

He wrote them:

Robert Thorogood

About the author

I’m the author of THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB books, set in my hometown of Marlow in Buckinghamshire.

The first book in the series has been made into a TV show and can be watched in the UK on the Freeview channel U&Drama and in the USA on PBS/Masterpiece. A second TV series is coming out in 2025 and is based on Death Comes to Marlow, but also includes some brand new murders as well.

Before all of this, I created DEATH IN PARADISE for the BBC and have also written four standalone Richard Poole murder mystery novels. I’m really proud of them, and if you like Death in Paradise, I hope you’ll love the books as well.

#TheLibrarians #NetGalley

The Librarians is the first book that I have read by Thomas who will now become one of my favorite authors. Her earlier books were historical mysteries, I think, while this one is contemporary.

There were many things that I loved about this title. Scenes set in libraries appeal to me most definitely. I also very much enjoyed getting to know the four main characters and their backstories.

Readers meet Astrid, who has hidden something about her identity; Hazel, who has left behind a tricky past involving her husband; Sophie, who did something that she should not have but had reasons for it; and last, Jonathan who has taken time to accept his identity.

When two murders occur, there are complex links and actions binding these four librarians to one another. Who killed a man who ghosted Astrid only to reappear? Why was a woman who came to an evening event at the library found murdered that very night? What is it like for characters when people from their pasts reappear? Finding out will keep readers turning the pages.

Spending time in this book’s worlds (Austin, Singapore, Madeira), with its characters, and in its timeline made for a very fun read.

I am eager to see what Ms. Thomas does next.

Kirkus Reviews states: “This knockout mystery mixes the camaraderie of The Thursday Murder Club with the chic family and romantic drama of Crazy Rich Asians. Thomas’ virtuosity shows in this fast-paced and intricate yet emotionally moving mystery.” True.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 September 2025

From the Publisher

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/09/15/books/review/old-west-quiz.html

#OtherPeoplesHouses #NetGalley

I was lucky enough to hear Clare Mackintosh speak not long after I had read the first book in her Ffion Morgan series. That was an enjoyable experience.

I have since read books 2 and 3 in the series with the third one being Other People’s Houses. I was delighted to spend time in Ffion’s world again, both professionally and in her off duty life.

Mackintosh has created a number of series characters whom I was happy to again see. These include Ffion’s former husband, her new love and his son, her daughter, her mother and, of course her dog. He is a handful.

Ffion is an officer in Wales while Leo, her boyfriend, works with the English police. Their cases often overlap as they do here.

Leo has been investigating a number of break ins in a wealthy enclave. As it turns out, his former wife does not live there but is close by and is trying to ingratiate herself with her upscale neighbors. Meanwhile, there has been a murder in Wales of a female realtor. Readers will observe as the cases intersect.

Readers will also follow a crime podcast of a cold case. Will this become relevant to Leo and Ffion’s case?

I highly recommend this series. The settings are well done, the characters are interesting, readers will hope that Ffion and Leo can keep their relationship going and the snarky bits are fun.

Recommended to fans of Welsh and English crime, those who like series and those who enjoy a good crime story. Publishers Weekly states that “…mystery readers of all stripes will find something to like.”

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 16 September 2025

Another in the series:

Observe: A Game of Lies (Clare Mackintosh)

Another book by the author:

Fasten your seatbelts: Hostage by Clare Mackintosh