Musings of a Literary Wanderer

Friday, March 20, 2026

Fiction/Nonfiction Quick Reviews: The Storm Edition

Northeaster: A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952 by Catherine Pelletier (2023)

In 1952, a huge snowstorm hit New England, and Maine in particular, and Northeaster tells the true stories of what happened to several real people during those days. The narrative flows in a chronological way and moves from person to person, giving you brief insights before revisiting them later. Pelletier covers a wide range of individuals, from teenagers, to housewives/mothers, to soldiers. Where I live experiences occasional blizzards and northeasters, so in one sense I was able to relate to the individuals, although I've never been in a storm of this magnitude, with snowdrifts piling 20 feet high, causing people to be trapped for days, so many of the stories were also shocking to me. There were so many instances of neighbors helping neighbors, people helping strangers, doctors going above and beyond to help their patients. However, be prepared because not every story has a happy ending. 4 stars

This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen (2025)

A grandmother and granddaughter are trapped at a lavish estate when a snowstorm crops up during a party, and to make matters worse, the party host is found dead in her room. With the police unable to get there during the storm, the duo takes it upon themselves to investigate the murder. Although not without its issues, this was a fun little murder mystery. Grandmother Mimi is blackmailed into going to her neighbor's charity auction/party, and she invites her granddaughter Addie to go with her. Addie is the co-inventor of a popular murder mystery video game, so she believes this gives her experience in crime solving. In any event, the two interview suspects and look for clues, while the bodies continue to pile up. I did think the story moved kind of slowly, and I couldn't get a good read on Mimi - although she doesn't seem like a loving grandma, she is also consistently referred to as someone that people are drawn to and open up to. Kinda contradictory. But, the story had its humorous moments and I did not guess the killer, so there's that! 3.5 stars

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Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Write Off

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

The Write Off

Kara McDowell

Expected publication date: April 7, 2026

Two rival authors are forced to confront a decade of love and heartbreak on the campus where it all started in this captivating debut romance by Kara McDowell.

It’s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry turned into a best friendship and then, for a brief time, a romance. Now over a decade later, as Mars stands at their college campus as a once-esteemed YA fantasy author, ready to take on a book festival, she comes face to face with West—the muse behind her infamous trilogy’s heartthrob hero, the man who betrayed her in the worst way.

Mars is determined not to let her comeback tour be ruined by the fact that West is also at the festival as an author. But the longer they are on the campus that holds so many shared memories, the more time they have to untangle their past, and Mars starts to question if maybe it’s not only her writing career that deserves a second chance.

Told in two unfolding timelines—Mars and West’s frenzied college days where they grapple with their undeniable connection, and their tension-filled present of heartache and familiar yearning—this charming romance shows that while you can’t rewrite the past, it’s never too late to chase your happily ever after and get back the one that got away. - from Goodreads

Monday, March 16, 2026

Michele's Monday Picks #91

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my series, Michele’s Monday Picks! I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you. Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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The Geomagician

By Jennifer Mandula

Expected Publication: March 31, 2026

From Goodreads:

When a Victorian fossil hunter discovers a baby pterodactyl, she vows to protect him with the help of a fellow scholar—her former fiancé—in this enchanting and transporting historical fantasy.

Mary Anning wants to be a geomagician—a paleontologist who uses fossils to wield magic—but since the Geomagical Society of London refuses to admit women, she’s stuck selling her discoveries to tourists instead. When an ancient egg hatches in her hands, revealing a loveable baby pterodactyl Mary names Ajax, she knows this is the kind of scientific find that could make her career—if she’s strategic.

Mary contacts the Society about her discovery, and they demand to take possession of Ajax. Their emissary is none other than Henry Stanton, a distinguished (and infuriatingly handsome) scholar... and the man who once broke Mary's heart.

Henry claims he believes in the brilliant Mary, and that he only wants to help her obtain the respect she deserves. She knows she can't trust her fellow scholars, who want to discredit her and claim Ajax for their own—but can she even trust Henry, who seems intent on winning Mary back?

Now Mary has a new mystery to solve that's buried deeper than any dinosaur She must uncover the secrets behind the Society and the truth about Henry. As her conscience begins to chafe against her ambition, Mary must decide what lengths she’s willing to go to finally belong—and what her heart really wants.

This book sounds so unique! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Friday, March 13, 2026

Review: My Name is Rusha

My Name is Rusha

Tirusha Dave

Published February 8, 2026

Rusha is a joyful, curious little girl who loves to play, learn, read, dance, and make new friends. But one day, when someone says her name the wrong way, Rusha feels a little unsure. Is her name really that hard to say?
With courage, kindness, and a big heart, Rusha learns that her name is special — and that her voice matters. As she gently teaches others how to say her name correctly, Rusha discovers something important: being yourself is something to be proud of.
This is a story about her name, her voice, and her bright heart that shines just the same.
Perfect for children ages 3–7, this beautifully illustrated picture book encourages:
Confidence and self-expression
Respect for names and identities
Kindness, empathy, and friendship
Early conversations about diversity and inclusion

Whether read at home, in classrooms, or during storytime, My Name is Rusha is a heartwarming reminder that every name deserves care — and every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. - from Amazon

Recently, Tirusha, a friend of mine who is also an early childhood education professional and content creator, had her first children's book published! So, of course we had to get a copy of it and add it to our home library!

My Name is Rusha tells the story of young girl whose name is mispronounced. At first she's a little upset, but then she remembers that her name is an important part of who she is and she proudly explains to her friends how to pronounce it.

This book is absolutely adorable! The illustrations are bold and colorful, totally engaging for younger readers. The story is told in simple rhyming sentences, letting children easily follow along. But most importantly, it has a great message. Rusha is a little girl who many children will relate to, in the way she likes to dance, read, and play with her friends. But, she also has a name that some children might not have heard before - and that's ok! It's a chance for children to both learn from and teach others about identity, culture, and the things that make us perfectly, uniquely "us!"

5 stars

Monday, March 9, 2026

Michele's Monday Picks #90

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This Will Be Interesting

By EB Asher

Expected Publication: March 24, 2026

From Goodreads:

Set in the same magical, madcap world as E. B. Asher’s USA Today bestseller This Will Be Fun, this heartwarming, hilarious fantasy follows an unlikely band of heroes who must get to the bottom of an assassination plot gone wrong without breaking the one rule of do not fall in love with your questmates.

Galwell True was the perfect hero, the legend who sacrificed himself to save the realm…only for his friends to unexpectedly resurrect him ten years later. These days, he’s feeling less “Galwell the Great” and more “Galwell the Lost.”

River Pricemark is an excellent assassin. When the Deathrose Guild, an organization known for banishing evil, tasks her with eliminating Galwell, she sees her chance to climb the ranks. So, it’s bad luck when her ambush is interrupted by Celine Hazelton, a scribesheet reporter who questions why the Guild is targeting Galwell at all. It’s worse luck that Celine is also her childhood crush.

Queen Thessia of Mythria is tired of being the damsel. She’s just married the kind and handsome King Hugh and is meant to live happily ever after—but her story feels incomplete. Upon learning Galwell, her ex, is in danger, she turns her royal honeymoon into a rescue, bringing everyone overseas to the opulent land of Vestriya.

Between underground lairs, magical grottos, horseball matches, and masquerades, Galwell must rely on his newfound questmates—including beautiful Vestriyan criminal Mona Grandhart, who seems determined to corrupt him in more ways than one. Good thing he’s set a single rule for everyone on this quest: no romance.

But we all know how this ends, don't we?

Filled with dangerous impersonators, the inimitable power of friendship, and the realm’s most infamous horseball championship, This Will Be Interesting is a slow burn, cozy, and hilarious quest romantasy.

I read the first book in this series last year and absolutely fell in love! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Friday, March 6, 2026

Recent Reads

The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave (2025)

Maya is a new mom, struggling in her new role while also trying to maintain her job as CEO of her company. When she meets successful entrepreneur Liz Anderson, she finds Liz might have the answer to all her problems - a pill that erases her feelings of guilt, allowing her to move forward without constantly second-guessing herself. But the pill comes with some major downsides, and Maya finds herself on the brink of losing it all. I thought portions of this book were really relatable - I think most working moms feel a struggle between their personal and professional lives, feeling like they're never able to fully give 100% to either without the other suffering. So, I enjoyed those messages, even if it was a little heavy-handed at times. I had to laugh at some of the double standards between Maya and her husband, too. The climax of the book went a little off the rails for me, unfortunately, but overall, this was a decent read. 3.5 stars

Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich (2025)

Julie is a middle-aged woman who believes her co-worker, 25-year-old Sean, is her soulmate - the problem is, he's with someone else. But Julie isn't about to let that get in her way; she'll help Sean "escape" his relationship, even if it means resorting to murder. This book was so fun - I mean, I know that's weird to say about a serial killer story - but it's true! Julie is so deliciously delusional, finding meaning in the smallest things, and constantly convincing herself that men are in love with her and need her help in getting out of their current relationships. The way Julie sees herself and the way others see her are so drastically different, it was comical at times. I felt a bit sorry for her, because she's just looking for connection, but instead of it happening organically, she misinterprets everything, making for some very cringey and awkward moments. The story moved a tad too slowly, especially when the reader just wants to know if Julie is ever going to have to take responsibility for her actions. 4 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Monday, March 2, 2026

Month in Review: February 2026

February was a pretty mixed month! I took my niece on her annual birthday outing - Panera and Barnes & Noble, with a stop at a craft store, too! I had my yearly physical and unfortunately the results were not what I hoped, so I have some work to do! I celebrated Valentine's Day with my guys and we also volunteered that day, cooking a meal for a homeless shelter. Then, we had the blizzard! More than a foot of snow was dumped. Thankfully, it is starting to warm up and the snow is melting!

The Books