Waiting on Wednesday: Members Only

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature where I highlight a soon to be released novel I can't wait to read.

This week's pick: Members Only by Emma Rosenblum

Due out: January 12, 2027

Synopsis taken from Amazon:

From bestselling author Emma Rosenblum comes a fast-paced, satirical thriller set at an exclusive country club, where a sudden death on the day of an important wedding unravels the carefully held secrets of its status-obsessed members.

Harrington Country Club is a carefully manicured haven for Greenwich’s wealthy residents. Middle-aged blondes (icy, honey, and golden, respectively) and their khaki-clad husbands sunbathe at the Olympic-size pool, traverse the massive golf course, and play heated tournaments on the much fought-over newly installed pickleball courts. And yet below that shiny veneer bubbles a much messier reality.

Ted Flynn, the president of the club and father-in-law of the bride-to-be, hasn’t been entirely truthful about his financial situation. Despite her mother’s wishes, Jessie Summit doesn’t actually want to marry her Ken doll fiancé, Patrick Flynn. And the chef, Mike Lightbody, who was inexplicably poached from a trendy Brooklyn restaurant to cook at a country club in Connecticut, has more than his fair share to lose.

When a body hits the ground on the morning of Jessie and Patrick’s wedding, everyone is a suspect.

Funny, propulsive, and quietly shocking, Members Only is a story about privilege and the lengths to which people will go to protect it.

Non-Fiction Tuesday: Swan Song

 My love of the royal family started back in 1982 and still continues.  I thoroughly enjoyed Swan Song by Princess Diana's brother, Charles. 

Charles' recollects and shares stories and memories of growing up with his sister, a public person who is instantly recognizable.  I've read everything I could get my hands on about Diana for decades now, so the memories that Charles Spencer shared were a pleasure to hear.  

Charles gained some notoriety for the eulogy he gave at Diana's funeral, and the text of that is contained at the end of this book.  His recollections of Diana's death and the preparations for her memorial do not paint King Charles in a positive light, yet he stated several times how much he cared for his nephews William and Harry.  Although his feelings about Charles are justified, dragging the King's name through the mud seems unlikely to be helpful to his nephews, and run counter to his claims of trying to protect them.

That aside, this is well written and an enjoyable read for anyone who wants a glimpse at Diana's early life by the younger brother who knew her best.

Monday Mini-Reviews: It's Been A While

 Time seems to go so quickly on weekends and my best intentions of getting some blogs written ahead of time seem to go by the wayside rather quickly.

This weekend I woke up on Saturday with a cold and ended up resting much of the day.  I picked up Jodi Picoult's newest book, Hollow Bones, and spent the day curled up on the couch, or resting in bed, while reading.

Picoult always finds a hot-button topic and presents multiple perspectives through her characters and this is no exception.

Molly's mother died in in September 11 attacks and although she had a happy childhood, she has always grieve the loss of her mom.  Now as she is about to become a mother herself, she longs to have known what her own mom was like.

There were a few twists to this story I didn't see coming (Picoult's secret superpower), and I am waiting for a few of my friends to read this one so I can talk with them about the few things I found problematic (that contain spoilers).

My book club is discussing this one in a few weeks as well, so I am curious how other readers found it.

Friday Five: Rainy Weather and Cold Weather Clothing

 So many great clothes come out for the fall and winter.  I love the warm summer weather but it is truly the cold weather clothing I love the most.  We are in the middle of an incredibly rainy and gloomy September.  I think that makes it feel a little bit more like cuddling up in some thick sweaters and sweatshirts, and there are plenty to choose from.  

Enjoy this week's finds!

1.  Aylesford Wool Coat

2.  Low Rise Loose Pant in Corduroy

3.  Mollie Sweater Vest

4.  VintageSoft Oversized Half-Zip Wedge Pullover

5.  Velvet Track Pants

6.  Cashsoft Crop Cardigan

7.   New Balance Women's 327

8.  Casemate Jelly Tote

9.  Current Air Cable Knit Wrap Cardigan

10.  2025 Rollneck Sweater in Tweed Stitch

That's it for me this week.  What's caught your eye?

Waiting on Wednesday: Between You A River

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature where I highlight a soon to be released novel I can't wait to read.

This week's pick: Between You A River by Kimberly Garza

Due out December 1, 2026

Synopsis taken from Amazon:

A sweeping family saga set in Texas and the Philippines, following two sisters unearthing their mother's long-buried secrets.

In the 1960s, on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, the future of Corazon de la Cruz’s family rests with her. She’ll be the first to go to college, to immigrate to the United States, and to support her family back home by becoming a doctor. She can’t remember whether this dream was ever her own, or if she even has a say in it. But after a fire mysteriously breaks out on the de la Cruzes’ land, the family splinters, and Corazon is faced with a fateful choice.

Decades later, Corazon’s death has shaken the family to its very core. Her daughters, Hannah and Mari, are estranged from their roots in the Philippines when a distant cousin urges the sisters to return to settle unresolved business. Together for the first time in years, the sisters find that the future of their family’s ancestral land is now in their hands, and it’s about to slip away. As they fight to protect their inheritance, they uncover long-buried secrets hidden from them by their beloved matriarch―about her life, their homeland, and themselves.

A lush family saga and a love letter to the Philippines, Between You a River follows two generations of de la Cruzes as they confront the sacrifices made by mothers so their daughters can lead different lives, leaving them to wrestle with the lifelong push and pull of home.

Friday Five

 We just drove home from supper and noted that at 7:45 PM it is quite dark out.  I love the summer months when it stays light so much later.  In addition to the decrease in daylight, it's been cold and rainy all week, so a little sunshine would be nice. Fall clothes are all over the place now, and I love so much of what I'm seeing.

Enjoy this week's finds.

1.  Pintuck Chiffon Top

2.  Sherpa Full-Zip Jacket

3.  Zen Twist Sports Bra

4.  Raisonnel Argyle Knit Sweater

5.  Denim Popover Hooded Jacket

6.  Wide Leg High-Rise Corduroy Patch Pocket Pant

7.  Relaxed Textured Denim Jacket

8.  Rails Millie Cardigan

9.  Fisoew Women's Fuzzy Fleece Vest

10.  Women's Polka Dot Zip-Up Jacket 

That's it for me this week.  What's caught your eye?  

Waiting on Wednesday: Madeline McKnight Signs Off

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature I highlight a soon to be released novel I can't wait to read.

This week's pick: Madeline McKnight Signs Off by Evan Brooke

Due out: November 3, 2026

Synopsis taken from Amazon:

“An extraordinary exploration of friendship that spans the broadest universal themes of love and loyalty to the most intricate, intimate and memorable details of a human life.” —Jill McCorkle

It’s Never Too Late to Make Amends

Madeline McKnight is writing her final annual report. A former Wall Street power player, she uses a pie chart to rank her most hated rivals, a line graph to follow the trajectory of her net worth and reputation, and even a formula to predict when the metastasized cancer will kill her. But there’s no equation to solve for whether Bri Davis, Madeline’s ex-best friend’s daughter, will agree to take care of her at the end of her life. Bri is a nursing student fresh off a breakup, ambivalent about her future, and drowning in debt. She accepts Madeline’s strange proposal, mostly for the obscene payday, only to find herself face-to-face with a force of nature rather than an ailing patient. Madeline McKnight has never gone away quietly, and soon she ropes Bri into teaming up with her to handle her unusual bucket list.

An unconventional relationship between women of two generations becomes something transcendent in this vulnerable, heartbreaking, and life-affirming debut novel that proves there’s no age limit to coming of age.

Friday Five on September 12

 

Posting a collection of things to purchase seems wrong on the anniversary of 9/11, so I'm copying Melanie Shankle, who posted her weekly roundup on Thursday, and I'm posting mine a day after this day of remembrance.

I spent Thursday at one of my middle schools sharing books and resources with them about September 11. Obviously this was before they were born, and many of them have just heard snippets about it.  I encouraged them to ask their parents where they were when they found out that the airplanes had flown into the World Trade Center.  The classroom teachers and I shared our personal memories and the impact the tragedy has had on our country.  It is something we will truly never forget.

This Friday is a beautiful fall day here, and we are at the beginning of XC season for Little Sister.  She had a femoral stress fracture after the XC season during her senior year of high school. And then last year, suffered another femoral stress fracture mid-season in her other leg that she has been rehabbing for nearly ten months.  I am hoping that this season she can remain healthy.  

I did collect a variety of things to share with you all.  Enjoy this week's finds as you relax this weekend.

1.  Short Sleeve Sweater in Stripes

2.  Emilia Striped Sweater in Brown

3.  100% Classic Mockneck Sweater

4.  Biscotti Faux Suede Vest

5.  Women's Lug Sole Penny Loafer

6.  A-Line Denim Skirt

7.  Smocked Button Front Top

8.  Wool-Blend Barn Jacket

9.  High Roller Leopard Fleece Jacket

10.  Chad Powers - I'm late to the party on this one (which is no surprise because I rarely watch television). Season 2 just came out, and it sounds interesting enough that I'm thinking of going back and starting with season 1.

That's it for me this week.  What's caught your eye?

Waiting on Wednesday: I Never Knew You At All

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature where I highlight a soon to be released novel I can't wait to read.

This week's pick: I Never Knew You At All by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza

Due out: October 13, 2026

Synopsis taken from Amazon:

Simone Hartwell has made trade-offs to build a life she loves, including giving up her once promising career as a journalist. But as her husband, Alex, stands to finally take the reins of the family business—a chain of high-end grocery stores his grandfather started—Simone vows to settle contently into her role supporting him and raising their son Langston.

But when her college ex and first love, Kwame, resurfaces in her life, her carefully constructed domestic bliss threatens to crumble under the weight of old feelings and new dramas. Kwame, who built the journalism career Simone once dreamed of, is investigating a decade’s old mystery of a young Black man who disappeared from The Tate School—the same elite prep school that Alex’s family has attended for generations. When he discovers a startling connection to the Hartwells, it sets everyone on a collision course that will unearth long-held secrets, test loyalties, and force a major reckoning between the past and the future.

Thorny, urgent, and nuanced, I Never Knew You at All is a story of love, forgiveness, and redemption that asks provocative questions: Who deserves forgiveness? Can people really change? And ultimately—what does it take to hold a marriage together…or break it apart?

Monday Mini-Review: Labor Day Reading

 Even though I've been back at school for nearly a month, Labor Day seems to be the official end of summer - and the end of summer reading.

August reading was a little bit of a struggle, and I needed books that I could read while still having school in the back of my mind.  I picked up a few different mysteries/novels of suspense that I was able to fly through.

Shari Lapena's novel is a fast read.  A couple with money problems plot to kill the husband's wealthy brother in order to inherit his fortune. After his death they face scrutiny as investigators look into the boating accident that killed the wealthy man.  This is probably a novel that won't be memorable, but it did hold my attention.

I was expecting a litte more from The House Wife, but it felt very Freida McFadden-ish.  Jodie seems to have married the perfect guy, but he's got some secrets- and so does she.  While Roy may be worse than anyone could imagine, Jodie is the only one who seems to see that side of him.  This one does have twists and turns and is a quick read, but I was a little let down by this one.

I loved Derva McTiernan's previous novel What Happend to Nina and couldn't wait to read this newest one. This one hooked me right away and I couldn't put it down.  Alexis Turner reports an assault to the police, and then disappears.  Then three different people receive packages that will destroy each of their lives. The contents of these packages have been carefully chosen, and as the investigators race to solve this crime, they realize they are a part of the game that has been crafted by the killer.

Next of Kin is also un-put-down-able.  Leila is on her way to work when her brother-in-law phones to ask if she can drop off her nephew, Max, at daycare.  Leila stops by, Max is loaded in his carseat into her car, and Leila speeds off, only to be interrupted with a call from work.  An emergency at her office sends Leila's thoughts spiralling about the busy day she has ahead. She doesn't think about anything but solving the work problem, until her brother-in-law phones her to see what is going on after receiving a call from the daycare that Max has never arrived.  Max's death is tragic, but Leila is under a microscope for killing her nephew, and there are more twists and turns to this story than you can imagine.

I'm still in the crazy first few weeks of school where I just can't get everything done no matter how much time I spend on work (made worse by the fact that there are only four librarians in our district when two years ago there were seventeen), but I'm hoping I can keep enjoying some great reads in the down time I have.