I miss Tuukka. Look at the photo above. Can you remember the last time you trusted someone that much? Tuukka was great at giving himself over to the joys of the belly rub. He would get our attention, and then lie down like this, knowing that he was about to get exactly what he wanted–belly…
“Why”…Wednesdays
NetGalley Review of The Book Tour
title: The Book Tour author: Emily Ohanjanians publisher: Dell publication date: March 3, 2026 pages: 320 peppers: (on this scale) warnings: summary: When podcaster Ana finds out on the publication day of her debut book that her publicist is leaving the company and Ryan will be replacing her on tour, she’s not amused. Ryan has…
NetGalley Review of Lady Tremaine
title: Lady Tremaine author: Rachel Hochhauser publisher: St. Martin’s Press publication date: March 3, 2026 pages: 352 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: discussion of death violence incest cruelty summary: Every version of Cinderella you’ve ever heard centers Ella, canonizes Ella, shows Ella in the best light. This version gives Elin’s stepmother voice, and she’s…
373. Why CTV
Have you ever streamed a show created by Canadian Television? After watching Heartland and Sullivan’s Crossing, I wanted to write about the joys of watching shows made in Canada. I find myself getting completely sucked into them for so many reasons. I’ll share a few (in no particular order): Everyone hides from their feelings for…
NetGalley Review of Last Bite
title: Last Bite author: Amy S. Peele publisher: She Write Press publication date: February 24, 2026 pages: 256 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: death, food-poisining, mentions of vomit, violence, gun shots, hospital, surgery, mention of cancer, pot-smoking summary: At her husband’s funeral, Angie discovers two things: that people are getting lucky in the bathroom,…
372. Why Add Sauce
If the cookbook above looks good to you, click on the link for a place to purchase it. Since I haven’t seen more than the cover, I can’t recommend or warn. When I was young and my family dinner had more than one layer, the pre-plating question was always, “On top of or next to?”…
NetGalley Review of Still Into You
title: Still Into You author: Erin Connor publisher: Forever publication date: February 10, 2026 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: drug use (past) alcohol hangovers pot smoking summary: Sloane, who’s working as a freelance music critic/writer, gets the chance of a lifetime: to write the first interview with a band that hasn’t given…
371. Why Sign Up
Though I don’t spend nearly as much time as I’d like at our house in Maine, I do subscribe to several regular email newsletters about what’s going on in our town. I know when the Windham Town Council meets, what’s going on at the Windham Town Hall, and all of the many events sponsored by…
NetGalley Review of Maybe This Once
title: Maybe This Once author: Sophie Sullivan publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: February 10, 2026 pages: 336 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: none summary: After her potential, future step sisters post a horrible (and doctored) video of her that goes viral, Charlie needs to escape California, where her drama-queen mother plans to remarry…
NetGalley Review of Racing Hearts
title: Racing Hearts author: Ann Adams publisher: Dell publication date: February 10, 2026 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: mean people summary: When her perfect-on-paper boyfriend says something rough in the minutes before the most important race of her life, Kath, who knows that routine and superstition is what keeps her rowing at…