December 2025

 

I haven't worked my way through the blind books I received for my birthday in October and now there's more! So now I have another TBR pile! 

I'm not doing an end of year recap, nor am I making any predictions for 2026 other than "Read." 

December brought lots of good reading, some duds. I continued with my theme of books with the word "last" in the title. I'm still not sure if I want to embark on one with "city" in the title. All library books. Once again my "owned but unread" TBR gained on me.

Fiction:

The Silver Book by Laing, Olivia

Excellent novel about the making of two films (Fellinii's Cassanova and Pasolini's Salò) and the death of Pasolini.

Deeper than the Ocean by Ojito, Mirta 

I really liked this multi-generation, dual timeline story, Mara in 2019 explores her Canary Island/Cuban ancestry and finds all sorts of family secrets.

The Ferryman and His Wife by Grytten, Frode ; translated from the Norwegian by McCullough, Alison

Last day in the life... 

Sacrament by Straight, Susan 

Nurses on and off duty in San Bernardino hospital during Covid surge in the summer of 2020. 

The Sunshine Man by Stonex, Emma

Very different from Stonex's  The Lamplighters but every bit as good.

The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore by Fajardo, Anika 

An adult orphan travels to Cali, Columbia to learn about her birth parents.

The Man Next Door by Roberts, Sheila 

Three generations of whiny, nosy women in a slow paced  story that can't make up it mind whether it's a mystery, drama, or romcom.

City of All Seasons  by Langmead, Oliver  

This was an OK read, not great, not bad.

The Restoration Garden by Blaydes, Sara 

I liked the idea of this but the execution was rather flat. I never got a real feel for the garden, the house,  nor either of the time lines (present day/1940). The characters' motivations didn't make much sense. 

The Italian Secret  (Billie Walker Mystery #3) by Moss, Tara

Another just OK read. I figured out the "secret" way to early. It could have been tighter.I don't think this is an author I will follow.

 

The Last Queen by Rochette, Jean-Marc
Graphic novel about WW1 soldier, an artist, and a bear. The best of this Month's "last" books.

Last Call at the Savoy by Carleton, Brisa 

A very nice addition to the "last" titles. I do enjoy novels set in hotels and resorts. 

Last Call at the Nightingale (Nightingale Mysteries, #1) by  Schellman, Katharine  

I almost didn't finish this and was thinking "too bad because it's the first in a series and the all have "last" in the title." After setting it aside for a week or so I finished it and enjoyed the last half. So maybe I'll read the others. #2 is now in my library TBR stack

 

Nonfiction:

The Route 66 Cookbook: The Best Recipes from Every Stop Along the Way by Ly, Linda 

I probably won't try to fully reproduce any of the dishes presented but there is a nice mix. Lots of burgers, some Mexican dishes, a taste of German cookery, and, when we make it to the terminus, seafood.  I liked the historical notes on the various eateries along the way. 

 

The history of the bistro chair – a Paris icon by Pappas, Charles

Ah, yes, I remember it well. In the early 90s when I was recovering from major surgery My doctor was dubious about my upcoming Paris trip (arranged and paid for prior to the unexpected medical hing). He was concerned that I would spend too much time on my feet. I told him not to worry, this wasn't my first Paris trip--it was my tenth. I would find a nice cafe  and sit and sip and let Paris walk by. It was a splendid week!

 

Ancient Carved Ambers in the J. Paul Getty Museum by Causey, Faya 

  

Checked out from library but decided not to read:
Lucky Seed by Huang, Justinian 

Felt like I was being yelled at.
Canticle by Edwards, Janet Rich 

Started out OK but got boring fast.

Suggested in the  Stars (Scattered All Over the Earth #2) by Tawada, Yōko 

Last year I enjoyed the first book, but this one was a reject. 

Rabbit Cake by Hartnett, Annie

A lot of reviewers found this charmingly quirky.  I found it annoyingly silly. I quit at p. 60. I was disappointed because I liked Harnett's The Road to Tender Hearts.