Collections

It's Walkin' and Readin' Wednesday!

A rag-tag collection of items today:

New stray in the yard, taken as Henry and I watched through the window.

Smith Street Black and White kitty.

Woodpecker feather, found on sidewalk.

See the kitty next to the mailbox?

Hickory Tussock Moth Catepillar.

👣 👣 👣 

Recent audiobook listens that I recommend:

Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

The Empyrean Series Book #3.5

Narrated by large cast

Fourth Wing Book #1

Iron Flame Book #2

Onyx Storm Book #3

Goodreads blurb: "Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders."

My two cents: Action-packed, magic, dragons, venin (really bad guys), scribes, royalty, war, love, and a cat named Broccoli.  It's so action packed, and both the dramatized (multi-cast) and duet style of narration are terrific.  Hold onto your seat!

Check the trigger warnings.

Reliquary by Hannah Whitten

Narrated by Lauren Fortgang

Audible blurb: "A young woman is lured to her late fiancé's remote island estate—only to uncover eerie family secrets, a haunting past, and a monstrous hunger stirring beneath the sea in this deliciously atmospheric horror debut from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten."

My two cents: Whoa, did NOT see that coming!

Can't say much more, so I don't spoil this wild private island horror story.

The Nightmare's Kiss Book #1 by Skyla Gray

Monster Research Facility Series

Narrated by Rachel Lebland

The Revenant's Heart Book #2

The Imaginary Friend's Obsession #3

The Harbinger's Redemption #4 (haven't listened to it yet)

Goodreads blurb for each book:

"How can a living nightmare bring such sweet dreams?

Can a dead heart learn to beat again?

Could her imaginary friend be a real threat?

Will their love save the world, or end it?"

My two cents: Sure, romance, but we've got sirens, Frankenstein's monsters, ghosts, shadows, nightmares come true...oh, it's just a load of fun, but not for the creatures imprisoned at the government facility. 

📚 📚 📚 

Mugging

 It's PO'Monday!

Enjoy the two-minute slideshow below; all images snapped of Celestial Paddy O'Malley on June 18, 2016.

What a goof, and you'll smile...I guarantee it.

He loved to mug for the camera.

AT LAST!

The end of June is Audiobook Month.

Am an audiobook aficionado; every one listed this month is an audiobook that I've listened to.

I recommend these stand-alone novels, written by women:

Objects of My Affection by Jill Smolinski, narrated by Xe Sands (2012)

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James, narrated by Billie Fulford-Brown (2012)

The Woman In Black by Susan Hill, narrated by Paul Ansdell (2001)

And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman, narrated by Linda Emond (2012)

Spied

A few cuties seen while walking in my neighborhood:

Very friendly, but I've not met this cat before.

This cow-colored kitty is not afraid of me.

Am almost sure that this is Eightball, who needed medical attention in April.

Not seen regularly, this cat had a growing-out shaved area under his chin, just like Eightball had, even if it was several blocks from his feeding station.

😻

In honor of June is Audiobook Month, I recommend the following books by Fredrik Backman:

A Man Called Ove (2012)

Narrated by George Newbern

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (2013)

Narrated by Joan Walker

My Friends (2025) 

Narrated by Marin Ireland

This author brings charm, humor, and attention to the poignant details of everyday life.

I finished "My Friends" yesterday, while acquiring a couple of new tattoos; it's a masterpiece worth the five star rating that I gave it.

📚

Happy Tabby

It's PO'Monday!

Late May, 2017, and we were in a good mood.

His fur had so many wonderful colors and patterns.

~~~

In honor of June is Audiobook Month:

I recommend the Susan Ryeland series, written by Anthony Horowitz.

Magpie Murders, 2017

Narration: Samantha Bond and Allan Corduner

Moonflower Murders, 2020

Narration: Lesley Manville and Allan Corduner 

Moonflower Murders, 2025

Narration:  Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan

Susan Ryeland works for a book publisher, dealing with authors.

That is, until one is murdered.

Anthony Horowitz writes these stories from both Susan's point of view, and the mysteries that the private detective character Atticus Pünd solves from the book she is editing.

Clever, gripping, a touch of humor, and always jaw-dropping solutions.

And poor Susan is always in the heart of the action, whether she wants to be or not.