It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (September 14, 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 was another nice, quiet week. My dentist appointment for my new crown went without any excitement. My dentist and I both wanted a boring appointment since the last was so exciting. I did dream all week about swallowing the crown AGAIN but it was a completely trouble-free experience this time. 

Since I was out and about, I stopped at my pharmacy and got both my flu shot and a Covid booster. As usual, my only reactions to the shots were slight soreness at the injection sites. The Covid site is still sensitive to the touch but not really a bother. 

I gave myself a week off to finish my In Death reread and to listen to the audiobook of the latest which I had reviewed earlier. Now, I'm back to reading what is on my calendar. I have five review books on the pile for this week. Well, six if you count the one I have listed as currently reading but which I haven't actually started yet. 

I see that most of my book reviews posted this week have blue covers which I hadn't notice previously since I read on my black & white Kindle. I also see that it will be Christmas time this week as I have four books centered around Christmas on my stack. 

I'm also watching baseball as the season is winding to a close. My Braves would need a disaster to miss the playoffs this season. I hope they do well there this year. 

There has been no change in my review stack. I still have 39 books on the pile. I did lower my 2026 TBR pile to 16 this week. 

This week I'm the designated cook since my brother works all day shifts. I have some plans but not very firm ones beyond a pot of lentil soup for Monday. I've been looking at the remainder of a bag of red lentils in my pantry for a while. So, when I saw a ham hock in the "sell now" bin of meat at the grocery store, a plan was born. I have been saving a lot of recipes from my Facebook feed which will give me some options too. 

Read Last Week

• Passions in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)
• Bonded in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)

• Framed in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)
• Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)
• Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)

• Dragon Blood by Eileen Wilks (Kindle, mine since September 2) -- Urban fantasy. Fourteenth in a series. My review will be posted on September 30.
• The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (Kindle & Audiobook, mine since August 30) -- An excellent love story for books and libraries. My review will be posted on October 1.

DNF

• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (Review, October 6) -- I read 20%. I like the author but really don't like horror.
  

Currently

• The Lady Jewel Diviner by Rosalie Oaks (Kindle, mine since July 20)
• Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (Review, October 13)

Next Week

• Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks (Review, October13)
• Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (Review, October 13)
• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (Review, October 13)

• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (Review, October 13)
• Don't Look Back by Amanda Quick (Kindle, mine since August 13)
• The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (Review, October 20)

Reviews Posted

• Shards of Glass by Michelle Sagara (Audiobook)
• The Case of the Christie Conspiracy by Kelly Oliver (Audiobook)
• Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander by Christian Hurst (Audiobook)

• A Field Guide to Death & Deceit by Michelle L. Cullen (Review copy)
• A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau (Review copy)
• I Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas (Review copy)

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

Review:

Bought:

• Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (Kindle and Audiobook)

What was your week like?

State of the Stack (August 31, 2026)

This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.

1. Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima (September 2)
2. Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (September 3)
3. The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle (September 3)
4. A Field Guide to Death and Deceit by Michelle L. Cullen (September 8)
5. A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau (September 9)
6. I Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas (September 10)
7. Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander (September 15)
8. The Pumpkin Vice Cafe by Ellie Alexander (September 22)
9. The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves (September 22)
10. The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson (September 24)
11. Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose (September 24)

DNF

1.  

Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.

1. Murder in Blackfriars by Jennifer Ashley (August 4)
2. Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly (August 5)
3. The Matchmaker's Cottage by Kat Sloan (August 6)
4. Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan (August 6)
5. Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols (August 11)
6. For Services Rendered by Will Thomas (August 13)
7. The Bravest Hour by Anna Lee Huber (August 18)
8. The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury (August 25)
9. Until She Dies by Kendra Elliot (August 27)

New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.

1. The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas (September 29)
2. The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (October 20)
3. The Trial of Magdelena Overmorrow by Caitriona Moran (November 3)
4. Cry of the Rain Crow by Laurie L. Dove (December 8)
5. A Murder Most Irregular by Vicki Delany (January 5)
6. The Magical Cheese Emporium by Sarah Beth Durst (January 19)
7. Last Mission to Paris by Susan Elia MacNeal (January 19)
8. The Book Hunter by Jayne Ann Krentz (January 26)
9. A Rogue's Guide to Winning a Wife by Meredith E. Phillips (February 2)
10. Murder Most Cryptic by Alys Cummings (February 16)
11. Peril in the Night by Katharine Schellman (March 23)

All TBR Review Books

September

• Cursed City by Kate Golden (September 29)
• The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas (September 29)

October

• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (October 6)
• Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams (October 6)

• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (October 13)
• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (October 13)
• Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (October 13)

• Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (October 13)
• Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks (October 13)
• The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blake (October 20)

• The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (October 20)
• Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (October 27)
• The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton (October 27)

• Murder at Pellhurst Pond by Clara McKenna (October 27)
• Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley (October 27)

November

• A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (November 3)
• Midnight in the House of Commons by Charles Finch (November 3)
• Sunflower Season by Danica Nava (November 3)

• The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow by Catriona Moran (November 3)
• Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (November 10)
• Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally (November 10)

• You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (November 10)
• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (November 10)
• Bad Company by Sarah Paretsky (November 10)

• Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin (November 10)
• The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos (November 17)
• Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (November 17)

December

• Murder Unabridged by P. J. Nelson (December 1)
• Revenge in a Small Town by Delia Pitts (December 1)

• Meet Me at Midnight by Sophie Sullivan (December 8)
• Cry of the Rain Crow by Laurie L. Dove (December 8)

January 

• A Murder Most Irregular by Vicki Delany (January 5)
• Roundabout by Jeff Rake & Rob Hart (January 19)
• The Magical Cheese Emporium by Sarah Beth Durst (January 19)

• Last Mission to Paris by Susan Elia MacNeal (January 19)
• Scream City by Hannah Morrissey (January 26)
• The Book Hunter by Jayne Ann Krentz (January 26)

February 

• A Rogue's Guide to Winning a Wife by Meredith E. Phillips (February 2)
• Murder Most Cryptic by Alys Cummings (February 16)

March

• Tell Me What You See by Samantha Jayne Allen (March 2)
• Peril in the Night by Katharien Schellman (March 23)

State of the Stack (August 1, 2026)

This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.

1. Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst (July 21)
2. Pride Comes Before a Fall by Virginia Heath (July 22)
3. Fossil Feud by Maggie North (July 23)
4. Probable Caws by Donna Andrews (July 28)
5. A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett (July 28)
6. Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert (July 29)
7. Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty (July 30)
8. (Mostly) Human Resources by Grace Viall (July 31)
9. Murder in Blackfriars by Jennifer Ashley (August 4)
10. Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly (August 5)
11. The Matchmaker's Cottage by Kat Sloan (August 6)
12. Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan (August 6)
13. Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols (August 11)
14. For Services Rendered by Will Thomas (August 13)
15. The Bravest Hour by Anna Lee Huber (August 18)
16. The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury (August 25)
17. Until She Dies by Kendra Elliot (August 27)
18. The Chase by Felix Francis (September 1)
19. Those Who Are Gone by Laurie R. King (September 1)

DNF

1.  Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard (July 28)

Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.

1. Dead Men Don't Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt (June 30)
2. The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen (July 1)
3. Pretty Dead Things by Kelsey Cox (July 2)
4. Killer Vibes by Jack Friday (July 7)
5. Unpredictable Magic by Faith Hunter (July 7)
6. The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon (July 8)
7. Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead (July 9)
8. If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle (July 14)
9. Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils by Sandra Jackson-Opoku (July 15)
10. Death at King's Cross by Rosanne Limoncelli (July 16)
11. Deadly Does It by Abbi Waxman (July 16)
12. The Seance Garden by Juliet Blackwell (July 21)

New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.

1. The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson (September 29)
2. Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose (September 29)
3. Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks (October 13)
4. Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (October 13)
5. Murder at Pellhurst Pond by Clara McKenna (October 27)
6. Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley (October 27)
7. Sunflower Season by Danica Nava (November 3)
8. Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin (November 10)
9. The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos (November 17)
10. Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (November 17)
11. Roundabout by Jeff Rake & Rob Hart (January 19)

All TBR Review Books

September

• Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima (September 8)
• Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (September 8)
• The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle (September 8)

• A Field Guide to Death & Deceit by Michelle L. Cullen (September 15)
• A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau (September 15)
• I Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas (September 15)

• Murder on the Secret River by Tasha Alexander (September 22)
• The Pumpkin Vice Cafe by Ellie Alexander (September 29)
• Cursed City by Kate Golden (September 29)

• The Dying Light by Ann Cleaves (September 29)
• The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson (September 29)
• Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose (September 29)

October

• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (October 6)
• Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams (October 6)
• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (October 13)

• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (October 13)
• Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (October 13)
• Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (October 13)

• Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks (October 13)
• The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke (October 20)
• Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (October 27)

• The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton (October 27)
• Murder at Pellhurst Pond by Clara McKenna (October 27)
• Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley (October 27)

November

• A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (November 3)
• Midnight at the House of Commons by Charles Finch (November 3)
• Sunflower Season by Danica Nava (November 3)

• Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (November 10)
• Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally (November 10)
• You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (November 10)

• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (November 10)
• Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (November 10)
• Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin (November 10)

• The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos (November 17)
• Birth of a Witch by Nora Roberts (November 17)

December

• Murder Unabridged by P. J. Nelson (December 1)
• Revenge in a Small Town by Delia Pitts (December 1)
• Meet Me at Midnight by Sofie Sullivan (December 8)

January

• Roundabout by Jeff Rake & Rob Hart (January 19)
• Scream City by Hannah Morrissey (January 36)

March

• Tell Me What You See by Samantha Jayne Allen (March 2)

State of the Stack (July 1, 2026)

 This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.

1. Dead Men Don't Play Fetch by David Rosenfelt (June 30)
2. The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen (July 1)
3. Pretty Dead Things by Kelsey Cox (July 2)
4. Killer Vibes by Jack Friday (July 7)
5. Unpredictable Magic by Faith Hunter (July 7)
6. The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon (July 8)
7. Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead (July 9)
8. If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle (July 14)
9. Savvy Summers and the Po'boy Perils by Sandra Jackson-Opoku (July 15)
10. Death at King's Cross by Rosanne Limoncelli (July 16)
11. Deadly Does It by Abbi Waxman (July 16)
12. The Seance Garden by Juliet Blackwell (July 21)
13. The Lightning Girl by Sam Ripley (December 3)

DNF

1.  

Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.

1. Beach Thriller by Jamie Day (June 2)
2. A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery by Kate Khavari (June 3)
3. Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd (June 9)
4. The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis (June 9)
5. Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson (June 10)
6. Restless Bones by Gillian French (June 11)
7. A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee Huber (June 18)
8. Storm Tide by Paul Doiron (June 23)
9. The Neighbors Are Watching by Aggie Blum Thompson (June 24)
10. Enter the Nightmare by Jane Castle (June 25)

New This Month

Date indicates when the book will be released.

1. If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle (July 21)
2. Homeward for a Spell by Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos (August 18)
3. The Bravest Hour by Anna Lee Huber (August 25)
4. The Chase by Felix Francis (September 8)
5. Until She Dies by Kendra Elliot (September 8)
6. A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau (September 15)
7. Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams (October 6)
8. Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (October 13)
9. The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton (October 27)
10. Midnight in the House of Commons by Charles Finch (November 3)
11. You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (November 10)
12. Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (November 10)
    
13. Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (November 10)
14. Murder Unabridged by P. J. Nelson (December 1)
15. Revenge in a Small Town by Delia Pitts (December 1)
16. Meet Me at Midnight by Sophie Sullivan (December 8)
17. Scream City by Hannah Morrissey (January 26, 2027)
18. Tell Me What You See by Samantha Jayne Allen (March 2, 2027)

All TBR Review Books

July

• Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst (July 28)
• Pride Comes Before a Fall by Virginia Heath (July 28)

• Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard (July 28)
• Fossil Feud by Maggie North (July 28)

August

• Probable Caws by Donna Andrews (August 4)
• A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett (August 4)
• Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert (August 4)

• Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty (August 4)
• (Mostly) Human Resources by Grace Viall (August 4)

• Murder at Blackfriars by Jennifer Ashley (August 11)
• Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly (August 11)
• The Matchmaker's Cottage by Kat Sloane (August 11)

• Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan (August 11)
• Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols (August 18)

• Homeward for a Spell by Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos (August 18)
• For Services Rendered by Will Thomas (August 18)
• The Bravest Hour by Anna Lee Huber (August 25)

September

• The Oxford Guide to Scandal & Lies by Kate Westbury (September 1)
• Until She Dies by Kate Elliot (September 8)
• The Chase by Felix Francis (September 8)

• Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima (September 8)
• Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (September 8)
• The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle (September 8)

• Those Who Are Gone by Laurie R. King (September 8)
• A Field Guide to Death & Deceit by Michelle L. Cullen (September 15)
• A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau (September 15)

• I Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas (September 15)
• Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander (September 22)
• The Pumpkin Vice Cafe by Ellie Alexander (September 29)

• The Dying Light by Ann Cleaves (September 29)
• Cursed City by Kate Golden (September 29)

October

• Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams (October 6)
• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (October 6)
• Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (October 13)

• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (October 13)
• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (October 13)
• The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke (October 20)

• Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (October 27)
• The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton (October 27)

November

• Midnight in the House of Commons by Charles Finch (November 3)
• A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (November 3)

• You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (November 10)
• Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally (November 10)
• Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (November 10)

• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (November 10)
• Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (November 10)

December

• Murder Unabridged by P. J. Nelson (December 1)
• Revenge in a Small Town by Delia Pitts (December 1)
• Meet Me at Midnight by Sophie Sullivan (December 8)

2027

• Scream City by Hannah Morrissey (January 26)
• Tell Me What You See by Samantha Jayne Allen (March 2)