It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (May 25, 2026)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

This past week was a nice quiet one. The weather has been cooler than average, but the trees are finally leafing out. The wildfires near Duluth are either out or contained which means no more smoky skies. The new recipes we tried last week both went into the "keeper" folder. I'm still finishing up the pork roast which is making really nice sandwiches. 

This week was an excellent one for adding new review copies. I got eight and all are by authors I've read before. That isn't a guarantee that I'll like them, but it raises the odds. I'm a little concerned about Laurell K. Hamilton's since the previous book came out in 2014. I feel like I'll have to at least read the one before the new one but should probably read more of the previous books. 

I had my first DNF of 2026 this past week when I set aside Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan. I usually enjoy her books (Note: I recently read and reviewed two of them.), but this one was a straight thriller and my mind kept wandering to other books I'd rather read. I substituted A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 6 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. I wasn't going to read this anthology because, while I wanted to own it, I believed that I'd already read all the stories. I was either wrong or my memory is faulty. I discovered a story I didn't remember and revisited a couple that I had enjoyed previously.

Next week I should finish the rest of my June review copies and also fit in some of my 2026 TBR books. I also have to set up my July calendar this week with the draft posts since reviews of this week's planned reading will complete my June calendar. At least for the moment, I have more scheduled posts than draft posts.

Read Last Week

• Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd (Review, June 16) -- Second Nora Breen historical mystery has her working to discover who is murdering attendees at a seance. My review will be posted on June 9.
• A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton (Audiobook, Mine since May 16) -- First in a new series of urban fantasy with intriguing worldbuilding and interesting characters. My review will be posted on June 16.
• Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson (Review, June 10) -- Entertaining romantic fantasy. My review will be posted on June 10.

• The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis (Review, June 16) -- A reunion of campers on the Azores leads to murder and treasure hunting. My review will be posted on June 9.
• Restless Bones by Gillian French (Review, June 16) -- Second Shaw Connelly mystery was packed with action and emotion. My review will be posted on June 11.
• Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle (Review, June 30) -- The latest Harmony novel was filled with action, romance, and snappy dialog. My review will be posted on June 25.

• An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly (Audiobook, Mine since April 8) -- First in the Mercy McCarthy cozy mystery series. Author Mercy and her twin move to Ireland after inheriting a house and bookshop from the grandfather they never met. My review will be posted on June 18.
• A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee Huber (Review, June 23) -- 14th Lady Darby mystery takes place at a house party which is to introduce Trevor's intended bride and her family. My review will be posted on June 18.
• Death in Irish Accents by Catie Murphy (Audiobook, Mine since April 8) -- 4th Dublin Driver mystery has a body fall into Megan's lap and has her driving an American author around Ireland. My review will be posted on June 23.

DNF

• Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan (Review, June 23) -- I quit this one at 32%. I usually like the author, but this thriller just wasn't doing it for me. 

Currently

• A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 6 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Kindle, Mine since May 10)

Next Week

• The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley by Mercedes Lackey (Kindle, Mine since November 18, 2025)
• Storm Tide by Paul Doiron (Review, June 30)
• The Neighbors Are Watching by Aggie Blum Thompson (Review, June 30)

• Death by the Book by Lucy Connelly (Audiobook, Mine since April 8)
• Death at Inishmore Castle by Lucy Connelly (Kindle, Mine since November 21, 2025)
• Dead Men Don't Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt (Review, July 7)

Reviews Posted

• Seven Girls Gone by Allison Brennan (Audiobook, Mine)
• Storm Warning by James Byrne (Review copy)
• Dungeons and Danger by Elizabeth Penney (Review copy)

• Ode to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (Review copy)
• The Final Target by Nora Roberts (Review copy)
• The Missing Witness by Allison Brennan (Mine)

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:

• Unpredictable Magic by Faith Hunter (Review, July 14)
• The Seance Garden by Juliet Blackwell (Review, July 28)
• Murder in Blackfriars by Jennifer Ashwell (Review, August 11)

• Those Who Are Gone by Laurie R. King (Review, September 11)
• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (Review, October 3)
• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (Review, October 13)

• Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (Review; October 27)
• A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (Review; November 3)

Bought:

• You Can Tell Me by Melinda Leigh (Kindle & Audiobook Add-on)
• The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg (Kindle, Prime Reading)

What was your week like?