What is the nature of: The Family Inheritance (Tricia Stringer)

I recently “discovered” Australian author Tricia Stringer. This has been part of my exploring and reading women’s fiction by several Australian authors including Sophie Green, Maya Linnell, and Sandie Docker.

The Family Inheritance is the second book that I have read and enjoyed by Ms. Stringer. It might be a little predictable at times but it offered exactly the kind of escape that I was wanting. At over 400 pages, I got to spend lots of time with the characters.

This is the story of three generations of women and the many family and friends who surround them. In the oldest generation readers meet Hazel and Alice. They are sisters with both ties and secrets. Next is Felicity-what is her connection to both Hazel and Alice? Then, in the youngest generation, meet Greta.

The relationships of each of these women to the men in their lives is one significant thread of the book. Each considers what has happened to them and what they want for their future.

Will these characters find their peace and happier endings by the end of the book? Read this one to find out.

By the way, Stringer has a novel coming out in October 2025. I will be purchasing it.

It takes a lot of energy: Keeping up Appearances by Tricia Stringer

It’s time to find: The Pleasures of Wintering by Erin Niimi Longhurse

#ThePleasuresofWintering #NetGalley

About this title (with thanks from the publisher)

Discover the enriching lessons of winter through practices that promote rest, contemplation, and rejuvenation, including rituals for self-care, slow living, mindfulness, and creativity. Perfect for fans of Wintering and How to Do Nothing.

Wintering is the practice of slowing down to rest and recuperate, just as nature does in the quiet winter months. This enchanting little book makes it easy to discover the joys of these essential pauses that allow us to nourish our bodies, quiet our minds, and rejuvenate our spirits so we can welcome the bright promises of spring. A mix of evocative photography and charming illustration enriches the experience, inviting us to browse, linger, contemplate, and engage with the reflections and suggestions.

Organized around the five senses—with advice on what to see, what to listen for, what to touch, how to breathe, and how to taste—these pages make it easy to create your own wintering practice through:

  • Nature-inspired rituals for rest, stillness, and contemplation
  • Recipes, meditations, and creative projects to encourage slow living
  • Inspiration from wintering traditions throughout the world
  • And so much more.

Brimming with enlightening lessons and lovely, nature-inspired artwork throughout, this cozy companion from the author of A Little Book of Japanese Contentments reminds us that moments of peace, beauty, and joy are always available if we know how to look for them.

EASY GUIDE TO SELF-CARE: This petite handbook-sized volume is filled with inspiring wisdom and simple-to-follow tips, offering easy ways to incorporate rituals for well-being into our everyday lives. 

DIGITAL DETOX: Filled with screen-free activities, The Pleasures of Wintering offers an enriching alternative for anyone exhausted by social media and invites us to experience the joys of being present, slowing down, and embracing simple pleasures.

WELLNESS GIFT: This beautifully designed hardcover book is infinitely giftable to friends, family, partners, co-workers, students, or anyone who needs a gentle pick-me-up. 

Perfect for:

  • Meditators and mindfulness practitioners
  • Nature enthusiasts and people interested in cold-water plunging and other forms of contrast therapy
  • Anyone interested in digital detoxing and stress relief
  • Crafters, artists, knitters, journalers, or anyone seeking to kickstart a creative habit
  • Readers of personal development and self-help bestsellers like Wintering and How to Do Nothing

My thoughts:

A number of years ago, I changed my mindset about the winter. I used to dislike that it got dark so early but came to love that, because of this, I felt less pressure to be out and about. Instead, sometimes in the evening, I would light a candle, make a cup of tea and read a good book. Bliss.

Anyone who can relate to this mindset (or who aspires to do so) may want to take a look at this title.

I liked the photos and graphics in this title. I also liked the many quotes and some of the facts. For example, I thought about the bees in winter after reading about them.

Readers will also find many suggestions for how to approach this time of year. In addition, there is also personal reflection in this book. This may speak more to some readers than others.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 October 2025

From the Publisher:

a mountain and moon background from the pleausres of wintering with short intro text to the book
an image of a mug nestled in a blanket with the text infusing your own teas
a group of friends gathered around a fire with the text intentional listening
a person knitting with purple thread with the text activites for finding a state of flow

Top About this item Similar From the Brand From the Author Reviews

The Pleasures of Wintering: Winter-Inspired Rituals for Rejuvenation, Serenity, and Joy

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A lovely book that encourages readers to choose a slower, more mindful way of living through embracing meaningful and reflective behaviors… a helpful self-care guide for anyone seeking to ease life’s hectic pace.” ― Library Journal

About the Author

Erin Niimi Longhurst is a Japanese-British writer based in London. Her writing explores self-care, food, travel, and Japanese practices for well-being. She is the author of Little Book of Japanese Contentments and Omoiyari: The Japanese Art of Compassion.

There are surprises at: The Midnight Book Club by E.W. Anderson

#midnightbookclub #NetGalley

When I read the description of this title, I was eager to pick it up. I loved that it was centered on a book store (that only sold books from before 1900) and that literary ghosts were said to appear nightly.

This is the story of Aurelia who inherited a small shop from a relative. As the story opens, she has faced loss and is adrift. The reader hopes that the magic of this bookstore will lead Aurelia to a sense of peace and happiness.

While I liked this book, I did not love it. For me, it was a bit slow to get going. For instance, I watched as Aurelia observed the ghosts and felt like I was kept waiting for her to be in contact with them.

This is a nice story with a slow moving romance that those who can suspend disbelief may want to read. I just wish that I had liked it a tiny bit more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 November 2025

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…[A] charming tale of a writer finding inspiration and a chance at true love via the characters in her favorite classic novels… [A]n appealing blend of fantasy and romance… A delightful love letter to great literature.” —Kirkus Reviews

“In a love letter to readers and dreamers, debut author Andersen crafts a richly layered world in which beloved characters come to life … From the warmth of Marmee from Little Women to the wisdom of Sergeant Cuff from The Moonstone, each character she meets in her literary explorations enriches Aurelia’s world … Readers will find themselves eagerly turning the page, breathless for more in this new series.” —BookLife

Meet Me at Luke’s by Kristine Eckart

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

The Iliad-Emily Wilson’s Translation

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?

Spotlight on: The Library Game by Gigi Pandian

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)

Spotlight on: We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat by Syou Ishida

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