Nonfiction Quick Reviews

Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum (2024)

I think many of us would probably say that reality tv is our guilty pleasure, but how did this revolutionary genre of television first come to be?  Emily Nussbaum explores the roots of reality tv, from its beginnings in radio, of all places, to the earliest iterations on television, to the lasting legacy of some of the most famous reality shows.  I love reality tv - the Housewives, cooking competitions, and The Amazing Race are all things I've enjoyed over the years, so this was a truly fascinating read for me.  Through research and interviews with many of the people who created or worked on such shows, Nussbaum gives a comprehensive chronological look at the growth of reality tv.  She devotes in-depth chapters to shows like Survivor and even The Apprentice.  Definitely a must-read for reality tv fans!  4 stars

The Hidden History of the White House by Corey Mead (2024)

The White House, one of the most famous buildings in the United States, has seen a lot over its history.  In this book, Corey Mead has compiled a series of the most interesting, dramatic, and scandalous events that have taken place there.  President Obama's watching of the raid on bin Laden's compound, Winston Churchill's visit with FDR during WWII, and the trashing of the White House during Andrew Jackson's inauguration are just some of the stories told in this collection.  I enjoyed Mead's writing style - it's clear and very easy to read, although in terms of research, I wasn't crazy about the fact that he says up front that some information, such as dialogue, has been "invested or embellished."  Some of the stories I'd read about before, but some were new to me, so I thought it was a good mix and also represented a wide variety of time periods.  An interesting read for fans of American history and also those interested in architecture!  4 stars

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

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Mating Game

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

The Mating Game

Lana Ferguson

Expected publication date: December 2, 2025

Two wolf shifters reluctant to love discover there’s no fighting the call of the wild in this steamy romance by USA Today bestselling author Lana Ferguson.

Contractor Tess Covington has spent her entire life as a regular non-shifter human, so after she lands in the Denver ER with flu-like symptoms, it comes as a complete shock to be told that, no, she’s not sick—she’s actually a late-presenting omega wolf shifter. With her family in dire financial straits and a contract for her own television show on the line, she can’t afford not to complete the renovation job she came for. And given that her newly emerged wolf is in danger of going into heat, she’ll just have to do her best to follow the doctor’s advice to keep away from alpha shifters.

Alpha wolf Hunter Barrett has spent most of his adult life living by a routine, and a big part of that involves staying clear of omegas after having one stomp on his heart. So when the tiny contractor shows up at his place smelling like the one thing he’s determined to avoid, he thinks it must be some sort of cosmic joke. But with his lodge on the verge of failing and this sweet-smelling omega his only hope to turn things around . . . he’s left with few other options than to grin and bear it.

Set on avoiding each other as much as possible, they find things unexpectedly starting to heat up between them enough to thaw even the frostiest of hearts. Though even with the pair going head over paws for each other, there’s no changing that their fling has an expiration date. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re playing a dangerous game—one where the only thing on the line is their hearts. - from Goodreads

Michele's Monday Picks #83

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my little 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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Seeing Other People

By Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

Expected Publication: December 9, 2025

From Goodreads:

Two people haunted by their exes find that love isn’t dead in this heartfelt romance from the beloved authors of The Roughest Draft.

Morgan is being ghosted by her ex. No, really. It’s sad Zach died and became a ghost. But Morgan and Zach only ever went on the one date, and now she’s being haunted by him. Zach has no desire to spend eternity with Morgan, but he can’t recall his past and doesn’t know how to move on.

At a support group for humans and their haunters, Morgan and Zach run into Sawyer, whose fiancée-turned-ghost has started to fade. Unlike Morgan, Sawyer isn’t ready to part ways with his ghost. Although they face opposite issues, Morgan and Sawyer decide to work together to solve their problems.

As Morgan and Sawyer try to solve their paranormal conundrums together, they find something even more surprising—a tender, growing affection between them that threatens any unfinished business they’re seeking to close. The ghosts of their past might be there in spirit, but the connection between Morgan and Sawyer is as alive as anything they’ve ever felt.

I have really enjoyed this duo’s previous books and this one sounded so unique! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Nonfiction Recent Reads

Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe (2022)

In Vanderbilt, Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe explore another of America's most famous families - this time, his own mother's family.  For those who don't know, Anderson Cooper's mother was Gloria Vanderbilt, so this gives him unique knowledge and perspective in writing about the rise and fall of the Vanderbilt dynasty.  From "the Commodore's" ruthless beginnings to marrying into British aristocracy to the mansions of Newport, the Vanderbilt family had quite an interesting run, with both professional and personal wins and devastating losses.  As with this duo's other nonfiction book, Astor, I enjoyed learning about the family - some things I already knew, but other stories were new to me, and it was a quick and easy read.  4 stars

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen (2024)

Besides a cataclysmic natural event, what else could bring about the end of the world as we know it?  The answer is nuclear war.  In Nuclear War, Annie Jacobsen imagines (through the use of extensive interviews and documents) what would happen from the moment a nuclear missile is launched at the United States to a devastating conclusion, which would probably happen a lot faster than you would think.  I was fascinated by the idea of this book the minute I heard about it but put off reading it for awhile - I wanted to know but also, I didn't want to know, at the same time.  It scared me, but also felt like information I needed to know.  Jacobsen gives a minute-by-minute account of what is likely happening, in both America and abroad, from just a few seconds after North Korea (hypothetically but also inexplicably) launches a nuclear missile at Washington, D.C.  It was both fascinating and terrifying to learn about the decisions that have to be made (and how quickly), the chain of command that has to be in place, and our various retaliatory measures, while ultimately knowing that this one missile will cause complete destruction, chaos, and devastation the world over through a chain of events that, once started, can't be stopped.  This is definitely not light reading - while it is informative (teaching us about the history of "the Football," for example), it is also brutal and gory.  4 stars

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

Charmed & Bound Prologue Event

 Over the summer, I heard about a new bookstore opening soon near me - a romance-focused bookstore that would be the first of its kind in the area.  Charmed & Bound has been operating as an online bookstore for awhile, offering books, merch, events, and subscription boxes, but the ultimate goal of the co-owners was to open a brick and mortar store.  They've been working on a space in Flemington, NJ, but when their original location became a bust, their opening plans were pushed back.  While their new space is not quite ready yet, they held a "prologue" event on November 1 to introduce themselves to the community.  The event offered books and merch for sale, author signings, and other vendors such as a bouquet bar and coffee truck.

The whole event took place outside, but how cute is this going to be when they open?  I love this historic building.  They had a table with some gorgeous special edition books and other bookcases offering paperback and hardcover books.  Candles, bookmarks, and stickers were also on sale.

I ended up buying a "Blind Date" book and was very surprised at what it ended up being! (No spoilers here!)  I was there browsing and on the checkout line for probably half an hour and there were quite a few people there!  Everyone seemed really excited about the new store.

The two owners, Kelsey and Stefanie, were welcoming and accommodating to all the shoppers, and from what I've read about them and their business, they truly seem to love books and reading and making it a magical experience.  Romance is one of my favorite genres, so I'm really looking forward to coming back when they officially open and giving you a tour of the finished bookstore!

Nonfiction November 2025: Book Pairings

 

Week 3 of Nonfiction November is hosted by Liz at Adventures in reading, running and working from home.  This week is Book Pairings of fiction and nonfiction books - one of my favorite weeks of the event!  I love pairing fiction and nonfiction books, and here are the pairings I've done this year!

 

The Museum Edition

 

The Heiress Edition

 

The Astor Edition

 

The Out of This World Edition

Have you read any of these pairings?

Recent Reads

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins (2025)

Rosie, in need of a heart transplant, has received a donor organ and now believes she's meant to be with the husband of her donor.  This book was a wild ride - Rosie is a bit delusional, a bit obsessive, so desperate for her happily ever after that she tends to see things that aren't there.  The new object of her obsession is Morgan, a local author whose wife recently passed away (and whose heart Rosie now has).  But there are pesky rumors that Morgan had something to do with his wife's death - what will Rosie do now?  There are so many misdirections in this story - it seems like no one is ever telling the truth, which led me to suspect the wrong person until the very end.  I definitely didn't see it coming!  But, the story does ramble a bit, and Rosie was not the most likeable main character.  3.5 stars

Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (2025)

Jennifer is so excited to attend an immersive fan event for her favorite fantasy book series, until she finds out that her co-worker Scott is also there - and he has been so disdainful of Jennifer and her love for fantasy books.  However, Scott wants to learn about the characters in order to help his own love life, and the more time he and Jennifer spend together, the more they realize that they could be the perfect couple in real life.  I have to admit, I have not had luck with this author duo before, but I really liked this book!  Funny that it's also one of their lower-rated ones!  But, I thought this was such a love letter to readers, especially fantasy readers, and there were some good discussions about comparing book characters to real people and never living up to the fantasy.  It did feel a bit overly long, but I enjoyed the journey for Scott and Jennifer and all the side characters, who definitely added some flavor to the story.  4 stars

 

 

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

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday: And Then There Was You

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

And Then There Was You

Sophie Cousens

Expected publication date: November 18, 2025

She's found the perfect man . . . There's just one big twist.

Stuck in a Production Assistant job and living at home with her parents after a painful breakup, thirty-one-year-old Chloe Fairway isn’t where she wants to be in life. The last thing she needs is to face the people who once voted her "most likely to succeed" at her upcoming ten-year college reunion. And she definitely doesn’t want to see her former best friend, Sean Adler, who is now a hotshot film director living the life Chloe dreamed of. Desperate to make a splash—and to save face in front of the man who might be the one that got away—she turns to a mysterious dating service.

Enter Rob, her handsome, well-read, and charming match, the perfect plus-one to take to her reunion. The more she gets to know him, the more perfect he appears to be. Could it be that this dating service knows her better than she knows herself? And can she overlook the one big catch? As Chloe reconnects with old friends, she begins to question everything she thought she wanted. Maybe, just maybe, revisiting the past is exactly what she needs to move forward. - from Goodreads

Month in Review: October 2025

 

October was such a busy month!  We decorated some pumpkins, and I attended my first big puzzle swap, which was a lot of fun!  I came home with so many new puzzles.  Tom and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary (and 22 years together!).  We attended the Morristown Festival of Books and I got to meet one of my favorite authors, Beatriz Williams!  My company had a get-together, a "hoe-down" at a farm, complete with goats and cows and BBQ and s'mores!  We took a little trip to the zoo, and then of course all the Halloween activities started!  My stepmom and dad hosted their annual party for the grandkids and they all had a great time.  We went to a trunk or treat hosted by Henry's daycare and then attended his school parade - the kids were all adorable in their costumes!  Henry did significantly more trick-or-treating than he did last year, covering the whole street instead of just a couple houses.  Our little Captain America had a great time!

The Books

Cold Eternity // The Wife Upstairs // Haunted Ever After // Sally's Lament

Left of Forever // A Cruel Thirst // Cross My Heart // A Rebel Without Claws

Book Boyfriend // Vanderbilt

The Posts

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Boleyn Traitor

Recent Reads

Michele's Monday Picks #79

Little Free Library Sightings: The Cape Cod Edition

Recent Reads

Michele's Monday Picks #80

Indie Bookstore Spotlight: Titcomb's Bookshop

Fiction/Nonfiction Quick Reviews: The Out of This World Edition

Michele's Monday Picks #81

Can't-Wait Wednesday: A Queen's Match

Morristown Festival of Books 2025

Michele's Monday Picks #82

Guest Blogger: My Favorite Audiobooks #5

Nonfiction November 2025: My Year in Nonfiction

Recent Reads

How are you doing?

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

Recent Reads

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca (2024)

Looking for a new start, Cassie buys a house in a small town called Boneyard Key.  She likes her new town - and also Nick, who owns a local coffee shop.  But when she discovers her house is haunted, will she stick around?  This has been on my TBR since last fall, and I finally got a chance to read it - unfortunately, I was pretty underwhelmed.  Is it bad that I was more interested in the ghosts than the two main characters?  Cassie and Nick were just bland - I never really felt like I got a clear picture of who they were or what they wanted, or if they were truly on the same page as each other.  I thought the backstories of the ghosts haunting their homes were much more intriguing; there's a twist involving the ghosts that I clocked almost immediately and I was disappointed that it took the characters so long to realize it.  Cute idea for a seasonal romance, but didn't really work for me.  3 stars

Sally's Lament by Mari Mancusi (2024)

In this installment of the Disney Twisted Tales series, Mari Mancusi explores what might have happened if Sally had discovered Christmas Town instead of Jack Skellington.  Sally is entranced by the village, but she soon discovers an evil undertone to the cheeriness of the town.  I have to admit, I'd never seen The Nightmare Before Christmas before I read this book, but I love this series and so wanted to try it.  For me, this was an incredibly successful story.  I felt like there was enough background from the original movie incorporated that I understood the basic premise, and I enjoyed Sally and Jack's adventures in Christmas Town.  Both Sally and Jack feel a bit stunted in Halloween Town, so figuring out the mystery of this new place and helping new friends along the way really helped them.  I thought the writing was fantastic and the story was clear (some of the Twisted Tales can get a bit convoluted).  And don't get me started on that last chapter - so many happy tears!  5 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Nonfiction November 2025: My Year in Nonfiction

 

It's time to start celebrating Nonfiction November!  The first week is hosted by Heather at Based on a True Story and is all about our year in nonfiction.  At the time I'm writing this, I've read 9 nonfiction books this year, and they've all been 4 stars or higher!  My taste in nonfiction tends to be all over the place - so many things interest me, and here are some of my favorites of the year:

The Indifferent Stars Above // The Ship Beneath the Ice // White House by the Sea

My goals for Nonfiction November are to see what everyone else is reading, find some interesting titles for my TBR, and to celebrate the genre of nonfiction!  Here are some I'd like to read this month:

Women in the Valley of the Kings // Nuclear War: A Scenario // Powder Days

What are some of your nonfiction highlights from this year?

Guest Blogger: My Favorite Audiobooks #5

 Michele is back today to share some more audiobook recommendations!

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Up until a few years ago, I had never even considered audiobooks as a way to increase my reading – but then my husband started working for a major audiobook publisher and I got hooked!  Now I listen to them all the time – getting ready in the morning, in the car, exercising, at my daughter’s swim lessons, you name it.  Audiobooks are fantastic for when you can’t physically hold a book and I have listened to some really fantastic performances.  Here are some of my recent faves:

 

Stranger Things: The Dustin Experiment

While we anxiously await the final season of Stranger Things, it is very fun to catch up with our favorite characters in these books.

 Better Luck Next Time

Cara Bastone simply never disappoints and this was another winner!

Run for the Hills 

I have no idea where I even came across this new release but it totally surprised me and I loved it.  Newly discovered siblings on a road trip across the country to confront the father who abandoned them all – sounds sad but was actually very witty and uplifting!

 

Seven Brides for Beau McBride

It was so fun to be back in Buck’s Creek with Junebug and her meddling ways!

 

Spectacular Things

I have a very hit or miss relationship with Reese’s Book Club picks but this one was incredible – it follows the lives of two sisters: one an elite soccer player and the other who supports her every step of the way.

Do you listen to audiobooks?  Do you have any favorites?

Michele's Monday Picks #82

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my little 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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Fallen City

By Adrienne Young

Expected Publication: November 4, 2025

From Goodreads:

In the great walled city of Isara, political turmoil ignites a rebellion one hundred years in the making. But when a legionnaire falls in love with a Magistrate's daughter, their love will threaten the fate of the city and the will of the gods.

Luca Matius has one purpose—to carry on the family name, maintaining its presence in the Forum once his powerful and cruel uncle dies. But his noviceship with the city's Philosopher places him in the middle of a catastrophe that will alter the destiny of his people.

Maris Casoeria was raised amidst the strategic maneuvers of the Citadel's inner workings, and she knows what her future holds—a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. But her years of serving as a novice to the last Priestess who possesses the stolen magic of the Old War has made her envision a different kind of future for the city. When she meets Luca, a fated chain of events is set into motion that will divinely entangle their lives.

As a secret comes to light and throws the city into chaos, Luca and Maris hatch a plot to create a calculated alliance that could tip the scales of power. But when an execution forces Luca to become the symbol of rebellion, he and Maris are thrown onto opposite sides of a holy war. As their fates diverge, they learn they are at the center of a story the gods are writing. And even if they can find their way back to each other, there may be nothing left.

Adrienne Young is one of my auto-buy authors so I am definitely looking forward to this one! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Morristown Festival of Books 2025

On Saturday, October 11, we headed to Morristown, New Jersey for the annual Morristown Festival of Books!  Over a hundred authors from all genres (fiction, nonfiction, YA, and children's) gathered for this free event, with several special discussions, panels, and meet-and-greets throughout the day.  I went specifically for one particular talk, but we ended up getting there early, so we first went over to KidsFest, which has its own tent.

Here, several children's, middle grade, and YA authors have tables where they can greet fans and sell their books.  They also had some fun activities such as face painting and some outdoor games.  The weather wasn't the greatest while we were there, so we were glad to be under the tent for awhile!

In the early afternoon, my sister and I went down the street to the Church of the Redeemer for the talk we were interested in: Beatriz Williams, Karen White, and Lauren Willig (aka Team W) in conversation about writing as a trio!  Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors, and I have loved all the collaborations between these three authors.

This talk didn't have a moderator; it was really just the three authors having a conversation with each other.  They talked about how they all met and the idea they came up with to write a book together (they've since written five!).  They were all so warm and funny!  They've obviously given this talk before, but you can tell they never really get tired of telling it and are actually all very close.

After the talk, the authors made their way to the signing tent and after quite a long wait, I was able to meet them!  They were clearly a very popular draw at the festival.  Henry was running around nearby as I talked to them, so I pointed him out, and we all had a nice chat about how much energy little boys have.  They were all so sweet and had such a good rapport with each other.  And I got to add two more Beatriz Williams-signed books to my collection!