Book ~ "Far and Wild: Adventures of The Worldwide Vet" (2026) Cliff Redford

From Goodreads ~ You might know Dr. Cliff Redford as the friendly veterinarian who answers burning pet questions on Canada’s Global News but Dr. Cliff is also a globetrotter, a risk-taker, a marathoner, a black belt, a loving father and a guy who just can’t sit down. But his best-known role is as a champion to animals the world the Worldwide Vet.

In this charming memoir, Dr. Cliff opens up about his life and travels as a veterinarian without borders, sharing insights from his surprising, funny, sometimes heart-wrenching and often dangerous work. From well-fed Athens street cats, to a monkey in India in a dangerous situation, a cyclopean crocodile in Jamaica named one-eyed Jack, and people’s beloved pets around the globe - Dr. Cliff helps them all, with his vast veterinary knowledge, his jovial wit, and his big heart.

Part vet stories and part personal odyssey, "Far and Wild" shines a light on the trials and tribulations of veterinary medicine as Dr. Cliff carefully details the techniques and procedures he uses to diagnose and treat his patients. It will also teach you a little about that most enigmatic of animals - people - as he tells the story of his own journey and highlights passionate teams all around the world who dedicate their lives to fight for the creatures who can’t fight for themselves.

In this book, Dr. Cliff shares his stories of a being veterinarian whose work takes him beyond the walls of his clinic in Markham, just north of Toronto, and around the world. From helping street cats in Greece and treating an injured monkey in India to performing surgery on a crocodile in Jamaica, Dr. Cliff has encountered all kinds of animals and some pretty unusual situations along the way. His travels also take him to Ukraine, where he helps animals affected by war, working alongside rescue groups and dedicated volunteers. 

Through a collection of real-life adventures and pictures, Dr. Cliff shares the challenges, unexpected moments and rewarding experiences that come with caring for animals in all kinds of circumstances. Along the way, he tells of the people who dedicate their time and energy to helping animals in need. It's a combo of stories about veterinary medicine, animal rescue and the ways people around the world work to make life better for animals.

I like reading memoirs and stories about animals. Though I've never heard of Dr. Cliff, needless to say, this book caught my eye. I can't imagine leaving the safety of Canada to head to war torn Ukraine or less progressive countries to take care of their pets. Props to him! It was hard to read at times about the conditions and injuries of the animals Dr. Cliff and his colleagues were treating and how some countries have no qualms about culling the dog and/or cat populations. I admired them for their dedication and patience. It takes a special kind of person. I like the writing style. I found it was written with honesty and compassion. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "My Trivial Pursuits: The Inside Story of the Board Game That Conquered the World" (2026) John Haney

From Goodreads ~ My Trivial Pursuits is the definitive account of how Trivial Pursuit - a cardboard sketch dreamed up in a smoky Montreal kitchen - exploded into one of the best-selling and most recognizable games ever created. John Haney, one of the original co-creators, takes readers inside the chaotic early the first hand-drawn board, the heated debate over categories, the breakthrough of the scoring "wedge," and the marathon writing of thousands of questions pulled from newspapers, memory, and barroom lore.

What began as a lightbulb moment over drinks ignited a global trivia craze, selling tens of millions of copies, spawning imitators, and reshaping the board-game industry through the 1980s and beyond.

Told with clarity, humour and a front-row view of the game's improbable rise, My Trivial Pursuits reveals how an offbeat idea became a cultural phenomenon - and why its impact still endures.

This book tells the story behind one of the most recognizable board games ever created, Trivial Pursuit. Haney, one of the game's co-creators, tells how it all started in Montreal, when a simple idea turned into an unexpected worldwide success. He shares how the game was developed, the challenges of getting it off the ground, the creation of its questions and categories and the twists and turns that helped make it a household name. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, hard work and business decisions that transformed Trivial Pursuit from a Canadian idea into an international sensation.

I don't think I've ever played Trivial Pursuit but I thought it would be interesting to learn how it was created since it was a Canadian sensation and it was. Lots of hard work, that's for sure. For some reason I wasn't crazy about the author or his writing style and didn't find him overly likeable, maybe a bit too cocky. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Next of Kin" (2021) Kia Abdullah

From Goodreads ~ ON AN ORDINARY WORKING DAY …

Leila Syed receives a call that cleaves her life in two. Her brother-in-law’s voice is filled with panic. He’s at his son’s nursery to pick up Max. But he isn’t there.

YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE …

Leila was supposed to drop Max off that morning. But she forgot.

Racing to the carpark, she grasps the horror of what she has done. Max has been locked in her car for three hours on the hottest day of the year.

IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE …

But she’s too late.

What follows is an explosive, high-profile trial, that will tear the family apart. But as the case progresses, it becomes clear there’s more to this incident than meets the eye.

Leila is a successful architect whose life falls apart after a tragic accident involving her three-year-old nephew, Max. When Andrew, her brother-in-law, asks her to take Max to nursery, she agrees. But with work demanding her attention, Leila forgets that Max is in the back seat of her car. By the time she realizes what has happened, it’s too late and Max has died. 

The tragedy has devastating consequences for the entire family, particularly Leila’s relationship with Yasmin, her younger sister and Max’s mother. There's grief, guilt and anger and everyone struggles to come to terms with what happened. 

Leila is charged in connection with Max’s death and the case goes to trial. As the prosecution examines the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, questions arise about whether the death was just a terrible accident. The courtroom proceedings reveal tensions within the family, along with secrets and details that complicate the story. As the trial continues, we learn more about the sisters’ relationship, their family dynamics and the events leading up to Max’s death. 

This was an interesting story and I liked it. There were lots of twists and turns as it went along ... some were kind of farfetched but I just went with it. It's written in third person perspective. I didn't find any of the characters likeable so didn't really care if Leila was found guilty or not. As a head's up, there is swearing. 

It's the first book I've read by this author and I liked it enough to check out another of hers.

Book ~ "Table Boss: How to Build a Restaurant When Your Life Falls Apart" (2026) Jen Agg

From Goodreads ~ Jen Agg had a thriving restaurant group, a beautiful marriage to a handsome artist husband and extremely good skin. If anyone could give advice on living well in your forties, it was her. Then, disaster struck. As a global pandemic threw the restaurant business into chaos, Jen’s husband, Roland, suffered a catastrophic stroke.

In her new memoir, Jen captures what it felt like to rethink everything just when she thought it was all working out as she’d planned. Table Boss makes you understand what Anthony Bourdain loved about her - her singular combination of wry humour, unflinching honesty and real depth. Readers will love the book for its painful rendering of what it’s like to care for a loved one through a health nightmare, its witty analysis of restaurant culture, and its insights into building a business on your own terms.

I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs. Agg is a Toronto restauranteur, many of her places are nearby, and from her descriptions, it sounds like she lives just north of me. I read her first book when it came out in 2017 and liked it.

This one is a personal account of what happens when life takes an unexpected turn. Agg writes about trying to keep her restaurant business going during the COVID-19 pandemic while dealing with a major personal crisis ... her husband, artist Roland Jean, suffered a stroke. 

The book follows Agg as she deals with the challenges of running restaurants while also becoming a caregiver to her husband and adjusting to a very different life than the one she had planned. She explores the impact of his stroke on their relationship, the realities of caregiving and the demands of keeping a business afloat during an incredibly uncertain time. 

Along the way, Agg discusses the restaurant industry, running a business, ambition, relationships and the role that food and hospitality play in our lives. She also touches on the challenges women face in the restaurant world and the realities behind building a successful restaurant. 

As with her first book, Agg has a mouth and she's not afraid to use it. I think you'd either like her or you wouldn't as she seems to have a strong personality but she also showed her vulnerability in her love of Roland. 

I eat out a fair amount and it was interesting to learn about the restaurant industry. I found it especially interesting to read about her views about the expectations as a customer of a restaurant ... friendly engaging staff, appropriate music, delicious food, etc. It does make a difference in the dining experience. When Gord and I were in Saint John last month, we had supper at a fairly nice restaurant and our server could have cared less about us. On the other hand, I had supper at a fairly nice restaurant here in Toronto a couple months ago with a friend and our server went above and beyond with her friendliness and taking care of us.

As a head's up, there is swearing (she likes to use the F-bomb frequently). There are lots and lots of colourful photos of food, her restaurants and more.

Book ~ "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister" (2026) Charles Spencer

From Goodreads ~ In September 1997, Charles Spencer stood in Westminster Abbey before a watching world and shared his grief at losing his beloved sister, Diana. Now, nearly thirty years later, he tells the astonishing story of his life with Diana and the tragic week of her death.

In childhood, Charles and Diana, the youngest Spencers, were inseparable – secretly calling one another Duch and Carlos. As each other’s closest confidantes, they roamed the family estate, endured extremely challenging boarding schools, survived terrifying nannies and helped each other through the agony of their parents’ divorce.

Yet everything changed when Diana married the Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, and overnight became a global icon. Charles saw his older sister serve the world’s marginalized and relish being mother to her treasured sons.

But pursued by a barbaric press as her royal marriage crumbled, she was left desperately alone. Charles always tried to be there for Diana – until that black night in August, 1997.

I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs and was curious about this one. It will be 30 years next year since Diana passed away ... I guess that's why he wrote it at this time.

It's Spencer's account of the life and death of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales. He looks back on their childhood, their family life and the events that shaped Diana’s life, from her marriage to Prince Charles to her years in the public eye. He writes about Diana’s struggles within the Royal Family, her difficult marriage, her charitable work and the constant attention from the media. 

The book covers Diana’s final days, her death in Paris in 1997 and the events surrounding her funeral. Spencer shares his memories of the funeral arrangements, the decision to bury Diana at the family estate of Althorp and his experience of delivering the eulogy at Westminster Abbey. There is a great deal of time devoted to talking about the eulogy (it's even included a few times along with his handwritten version)!

Through personal memories and accounts of key events, Spencer offers a look at Diana’s life from the perspective of her brother, including their family history, her experiences as a royal and the circumstances surrounding her death and funeral.

I thought it was interesting and learned things I didn't know before. I thought the writing style was okay, though it's long. It bounced back and forth from the time period around when she passed away to their childhood. Not surprising, the royal family doesn't come off in a good light. I didn't find Spencer overly likeable but it was interesting to read how one lives when one is an earl and hanging out with royalty. I liked that there were photographs (about 12% of the book is devoted to them).

Book ~ "Tempted: My Story" (2026) Rick Campanelli and John Meyer

From Goodreads ~ “Though nothing came my way without a great deal of hard work, I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my life. Being a mostly open book in the public eye for over thirty years, people think they know me pretty well but it’s time for me to shed light on a few deep dark secrets that will shock many. 'Tempted' is a story of accomplishments and living life to the fullest but not without mistakes along the way. A cautionary tale of what can happen when you lose control. This is my full story, flaws and all.”

Rick Campanelli’s journey of winning a nationwide contest to become a MuchMusic VJ on the iconic Canadian music station launched him quickly from an unknown Hamilton kid to an on-air national superstar known as “Rick the Temp,” as his warm, affable personality won over millions of Canadians from coast to coast. But while in front of the camera his star was rising, behind the scenes all was not as it seemed. Revealed for the first time ever in Tempted, Campanelli shares the story of the secret demons he battled that nearly destroyed his life.

I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs. By the time Campanelli was on MuchMusic, I wasn't really watching it and haven't followed his life or career since. But I know who he is and was curious about his story. It's a quick read and I'm not sorry I read it.

Campanelli opens up about his rise to fame and the personal struggles he faced behind the scenes. He is/was known to Canadians as "Rick the Temp" and became known after landing a job as a VJ at MuchMusic in the 1990s. He went on to work in entertainment television, interviewing celebrities and building a successful broadcasting career. 

While things looked good on the outside, Campanelli was dealing with a serious gambling addiction. What started as an interest in winning eventually spiralled into compulsive gambling, mounting debts and difficult situations. For example, in 2008, he was detained by U.S. Homeland Security while returning from Las Vegas over unpaid casino debts. The memoir talks about how his addiction affected his finances, career and personal life.

It was interesting to read about his love of music and how creative he was to turn it into a career. I had watched MuchMusic so I enjoyed his descriptions of what it was like to work there and what it took to stay working in the industry. I recently read Denise Donlon's memoir so it was interesting to get another perspective of working there (they were at different levels). I also like reading about getting the inside scoop into the entertainment world and it sounds like Campanelli experienced quite a lot. 

I didn’t have an opinion of Campanelli before reading this book but I didn’t find him all that likeable by the end. I found his relevations quite surprising and unexpected. I’m not a gambler so I have a hard time understanding how someone can risk throwing everything away for the thrill. He seemed okay knowing he was potentially hurting people and would be pretty shady to get what he wanted/needed. 

While I appreciated his honesty, at times I thought he shared a little too much, especially when talking about his relationship with his first wife. I couldn’t help wondering how she felt about him airing their dirty laundry (like his cheating and having a "mistress") for everyone to read. What was also surprising is the lack of photographs, given what he does for a living. The only one is one the cover.

Book ~ "The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland" (2021) Jim DeFede

From Goodreads ~ When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17, 000. 

The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill. As the passengers stepped from the airplanes, exhausted, hungry and distraught after being held on board for nearly 24 hours while security checked all of the baggage, they were greeted with a feast prepared by the townspeople. 

Local bus drivers who had been on strike came off the picket lines to transport the passengers to the various shelters set up in local schools and churches. Linens and toiletries were bought and donated. A middle school provided showers, as well as access to computers, email and televisions, allowing the passengers to stay in touch with family and follow the news. 

Over the course of those four days, many of the passengers developed friendships with Gander residents that they expect to last a lifetime. As a show of thanks, scholarship funds for the children of Gander have been formed and donations have been made to provide new computers for the schools. This book recounts the inspiring story of the residents of Gander, Canada, whose acts of kindness have touched the lives of thousands of people and been an example of humanity and goodwill.

This book tells the story of what happened in Gander, Newfoundland, after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. When U.S. airspace was closed, 38 international flights were diverted to Gander, bringing nearly 7,000 passengers to a community of only a few thousand people. 

The book follows the passengers and the people of Gander during the five days the travellers were stranded. Local residents, schools, churches, businesses and community organizations provided food, clothing, shelter, transportation, medical assistance and places for people to communicate with their families. 

The passengers came from many different countries and backgrounds and many were dealing with uncertainty about their families, their safety and when they would be able to continue their journeys. During their stay, they formed connections with local residents and with other passengers. Once flights were able to resume, the passengers continued their journeys, with many remaining in contact with the people they had met in Gander. 

I liked the writing style. It's told through the experiences of individual passengers, airline employees and Gander residents. The book also describes the practical challenges of accommodating thousands of unexpected visitors, including finding places for everyone to sleep, preparing meals, arranging transportation and meeting medical and communication needs. It's an updated version of the original book that was written about 20 years earlier so there's an update chapter. It was especially interesting to read as Gord and I recently saw Come From Away in Charlottetown.

Book ~ "Bark Humbug" (2026) David Rosenfelt

From Goodreads ~ This time Andy is serious about retiring. Besides he can't hear the sound of his phone ringing over the football game. But when the local newspaper asks him to participate in their Christmas spread of local celebrities and their dogs, he pauses the game and brings Tara along for the ride.

When the photographer comes to take pictures of him and the dogs, he instead opens the door to Sharon Lowery, who devised the newspaper story just to get Andy's attention and beg him for help. Her brother, Jon, is wanted for murder and is on the run. However, if Andy agrees to hear Jon out, he'll turn himself in with the hope that Andy will represent him and reunite him with his dog.

It's a dangerous situation and between the media circus surrounding the murder and Jon's volatile position, Andy knows that when Jon is found, someone could get hurt. But Andy respects Sharon's dedication to her brother and in an effort to keep Jon - and the public - safe, Andy agrees to talk to Jon. Andy decides to help Jon and slowly uncovers a web of conspiracies. Determined to keep Jon out of jail, Andy gathers the crew to investigate.

Andy is a defense attorney who has been trying to retire so he can spend more time with his family, his dogs and the Tara Foundation. His plans change when Sharon Lowery approaches him for help. Her brother, Jon, is wanted for the murders of Paterson Mayor Craig Henley and Steven Tiller, a wealthy political donor. Jon is a former Marine and trained sniper, making him a convincing suspect. He had publicly confronted Henley and made angry statements about him. Evidence also appears to place Jon near the crime scene. Jon insists he is innocent and agrees to surrender if Andy will represent him.

Andy takes the case and begins investigating the evidence against Jon. With help from his team, he looks into the victims, their political connections and the people around them. As the investigation continues, Andy discovers that the murders are connected to corruption, hidden dealings and a larger criminal operation. The more Andy uncovers, the less straightforward the case becomes. Several people have reasons to hide the truth and Andy must determine how the murders were connected and who was actually responsible. 

This is the 34th book in the Andy Carpenter series. I've read them all and I'm still enjoying them. While there are references to previous books, this one works well as a standalone so new readers can jump right in without feeling lost. The story is told primarily from Andy's first-person perspective and his observations are funny, sarcastic and amusing. 

I like Andy. He seems like he'd be a lot of fun to spend time with, and he's generous with both his time and his money. He never charges clients for his services and always picks up the tab for his friends at his favourite restaurant, even when he's not there. Andy is the first to admit that he's a wimp, which is why he relies on the K-Team ... Laurie, Andy's wife and a former police officer turned investigator, handles much of the legwork, Marcus has his own unique way of dealing with bad guys, Cory, another former police officer, rounds out the team along with his former police dog, Simon Garfunkel and Sam, Andy's accountant and computer hacker, who is always eager to get involved in the action whenever he can.

Book ~ "Not a Word" (2026) Linwood Barclay

From Goodreads ~ Every family has secrets but when Reece visits his parents’ house, he’s shocked to find them in bed, dead. At first glance it looks like a murder-suicide perpetrated by his father but on closer inspection there’s clearly more to the story. For starters, inconsistencies in the crime scene suggest his dad may not have shot himself.

As Reece, shaken by his horrifying discovery, awaits questioning from the police, his phone lights up with a call. It’s the last person he ever would have expected to hear from.

Reeling from the day’s events, Reece finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew about his parents - and whether he and his own family are in danger now. While the authorities work to untangle the baffling crime scene, Reece is pulled into a web of secrets linked to the unscrupulous pharma company his father worked for years ago.

In order to protect the people he loves most, he’ll have to dig deep into his own past to understand who his parents were, what they did and who they hurt - before he ends up paying for their sins.

When Reece goes to visit his father, Brent, he finds him dead in his bed. Beside him is a woman who appears to have been shot by Brent before he took his own life. At first Reece assumes it's his mother but then discovers his mother is actually alive. As Detective Janice McCabe investigates the apparent murder - suicide, it starts to appear that things aren't as they seem. Near the end of the story, Reece discovers what really happened to Brent and the secrets his family has been keeping.

I've read many of this author's books and thought this one was just okay. It was a bit convaluted with some coincidences. The ending (the whodunnit) was farfetched and disappointing and I wasn't buying it. It's written in first person perspective in Reece's voice and third person perspective when the focus is on everyone else. It moves back and forth between the present and 1999. I didn't find the characters overly likeable and thought a couple were extreme and unbelievable. Usually with this author, his stories are set in some small town in the States. I like that this one was set outside of Toronto and he didn't try to hide it. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "You've Seen Me Before: Over 700 Roles and 70 Years in Hollywood" (2026) James Hong and Jeff Yang

From Goodreads ~ You might not know actor James Hong’s name but we can guarantee you’ve seen him before. With over seven hundred acting credits and counting, James is one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors and a pioneer in Asian American entertainment.

Born to Chinese immigrants in Minneapolis, Hong endured the aggressive anti-Asian racism of the 1930s, served in the army during Korean War, and - somewhere in the mix - was bitten by the performance bug that would eventually lead to a seventy-year long career in showbiz (and counting).

From his iconic role as Chi-Fu in Disney’s "Mulan" to the hilariously terrifying Lo Pan in "Big Trouble in Little China" and "Kung Fu Panda"’s beloved Mr. Ping, James has been capturing viewers hearts for years. And who could forget his powerful, viral speech as he accepted the Best Ensemble Cast honors on behalf of Everything Everywhere All at Once at the Actor Awards?

Drawing on never-before-seen archival materials and hours of interviews, this is a powerful first-person journey through James’s incredible life and unique family history: a quintessential Asian American post-immigrant story, filled with new anecdotes and wisdom drawn from an unprecedented career, threaded through with an incisive look at nearly a century of Hollywood history.

When I first saw this book, the only role of his that stood out for me of James Hong's is his role as the host in Seinfeld. But I like reading memoirs and at age 97, I figured he would have an interesting story to tell ... and he did.

In this memoir, Hong looks back at the people, experiences, challenges and turning points that shaped his journey. He shares stories from his childhood and early life, his decision to pursue acting and the years he spent building a career in Hollywood at a time when opportunities for Asian American actors were often limited. This is a book about Hong the person as well as Hong the actor, the experiences he had, the relationships he formed and the lives and characters he encountered during more than 70 years in Hollywood.

Hong was born in Minneapolis, MN, in 1929 to Chinese emigrant parents. The family relocated to Hong Kong when he was young and then moved back to the States when he was ten. He talks about how hard it was being the only Asian kid in school and experienced bullying and racism.

Hong writes about the many different jobs and roles he took on throughout his career and the people he met along the way. His memories include working on television shows and movies, meeting major Hollywood stars (the good and bad experiences), attending auditions, dealing with rejection and finding ways to keep working in an industry that could be difficult. He also discusses his experiences as an Asian American performer. Many of his early roles were shaped by the stereotypes and limited opportunities available to Asian actors and he describes what it was like to work within those limitations while continuing to pursue his career. As Hollywood changed, so did the kinds of opportunities available to him. His stories also touch on family, friendships, colleagues, perseverance and the importance of staying active and engaged throughout a long life. 

I liked the writing style and found it more intersting than I thought I would. It was interesting but not surprising to read how Asian (and other minorities) were treated back in the day in Hollywood. He would audition for an Asian role only to find it had been given to an obvious non-Asian and he would be awarded a stereotypical lesser Asian role. Thankfully things have changed and a lot of that is thanks to Hong. What would have made this book better would be including photographs.

Book ~ "160 Things Women Can Finally Stop doing at 60" (2026) Mina Karr

From Goodreads ~ After forty years of saying yes, apologizing first, keeping everyone else comfortable and quietly carrying the invisible load ... maybe it's time to stop.

"160 Things Women Can Finally Stop Doing at 60" is a witty collection of observations every woman over sixty will recognize. From saying sorry when someone bumps into you, to keeping gifts you never liked on display, to explaining why you're tired, to reminding your husband to call his own mother, each short entry offers one small permission to let something go.

Warm, sharp and laugh-out-loud relatable, this isn't a book about becoming a different person. It's about dropping the habits, expectations and obligations that no longer deserve your time.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this book. But since I'm over 60, I thought I'd check it out. 

There are 160 bite-sized things we can stop doing and the chapters cover a wide range of topics:

• Forty years of being nice is plenty
• You can't negotiate with your knees
• You are allowed to sit down
• He's standing right in front of it
• You've been the one calling for thirty years
• You are are standing right there
• You already raised them
• Nobody is coming to inspect the grout
• You have worn enough uncomfortable clothes
• The coupons expired in 2019
• The yes you regretted immediately
• You are not the one keeping track
• Eat it while it is hot
• You walked in and forgot why
• Everything needs a password now
• Nothing falls apart

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I will say, though, I'm not a fan of the cover. It's a fun quick read yet a reminder of the things we do to accommodate people but often we get nothing in return or no one even notices. So why are we doing them?

Most I could relate to (not so much the adult children advice since I don't have any). I will try put to use many of the things. I especially liked and will use the advice on stop softening every "no" (instead of rambling on, just say, "I can't but thank you for thinking of me").

Some things I'm already doing like ...

• Stop watching the shows he chose - Gord watches a lot of sports and scifi ... I read or watch something else on my laptop or find something more fun to do
• Stop being the one who always texts first - you will find out what a friendship does and goes when you're not carrying it
• Stop feeling guilty about the friendship you let drift - I didn't feel guilty but I made peace that we were good for each other at the time and they are now just someone I used to know
• Stop doing full make-up for the grocery store - since I retired 4 years ago, I've worn make-up maybe 3 times

Book ~ "When Lemons Give You Life" (2026) Anna Johnston

From Goodreads ~ Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite. He’s done with grief, guilt and the beige slop they dare call food at Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility, where he now resides.

Six decades of life have given him all the lemons he can handle so he breaks into the nursing home kitchen to bake himself one last tart. It’s supposed to be his final meal but the act of cooking stirs a dormant joy. Soon he’s regularly sneaking in after dark, serving up flavor and comfort to fellow residents, who, in turn, begin to come alive with each bite of Griff's delicious concoctions. Yet behind the apron is a lie so big it could destroy the one thing Griff has left to protect.

Lisa, the only family and visitor Griff has, is clueless to what's happening behind the closed kitchen doors. Their sibling relationship fractured long ago, plus she has her own navigating an ADHD diagnosis in middle age, the spark of a new romance, and unexpected news that might change life as she knows it. Any hope of reconciliation between the two is long gone, buried in the silence between them.

But the truth has a way of boiling over, and when secrets, soufflés and second chances collide, Griff and Lisa may discover a recipe for forgiveness.

Griff isn’t happy with life at Sunny Glen Aged Care. He’s pretending to have dementia and has reached the point where he’s considering ending his life. But when he sneaks into the nursing home kitchen one night to make himself a lemon tart, something changes. Cooking reminds him of how much he used to enjoy food and sharing it with other people. He starts secretly cooking meals for the residents, bringing some excitement into their otherwise routine days. As he gets more involved with the people around him, Griff begins to reconnect with life while continuing to hide his secret. 

Meanwhile, Lisa, his sister, is dealing with changes of her own. She’s recently been diagnosed with ADHD in middle age, has started a new relationship and is facing some unexpected developments in her life. She continues to visit Griff, who she thinks has dementia, despite the complicated and strained relationship between them. 

This is the second book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed her first one, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife ... this one was just okay. I found it was a bit too long and draggy at times and could have been tighter.  It's written in third person perspective, alternating in Griff and Lisa's voice and bounces back and forth between present day and the past (the chapters are labeled).

There was so much (too much!) going on ... being shamed at a young age for being gay, gay marriage, early onset dementia, death of a spouse, adult diagnosis of ADHD, suicide, a life threatening illness, domestic violence, keeping family secrets, a seven food man with anxiety, nursing homes being run poorly and ripping off their residents and more!

Book ~ "The Shampoo Effect" (2026) Jenny Jackson

From Goodreads ~ When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a kid: His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one. 

Together the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next - in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak - exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather. 

Caroline is a 28-year-old writer who leaves her job in New York and moves to a small coastal Massachusetts town for an 18-month writing fellowship. She is the daughter of a successful novelist and is trying to establish herself as a writer independently of her mother. Caroline meets Van, a local environmental scientist. The two begin a relationship and Caroline becomes involved with Van's close-knit circle of lifelong friends, which includes Bailey, Van's former girlfriend; Augusta, who is married to Colin; Fran, who is married to RJ; and Eben, Colin's brother and one of Van's closest friends.

Caroline's relationship with Van changes when Bailey reveals that she is pregnant with Van's child. The pregnancy is the result of Van and Bailey reconnecting shortly before Caroline began dating him. Van and Bailey attempt to establish a co-parenting arrangement, which leaves Caroline feeling isolated. As she becomes more shut out from the group, she writes a story based closely on these people and events surrounding her, changing names and details but leaving enough for the people involved to recognize themselves. When the story is published, it attracts a lot of attention but its success exposes secrets. 

I thought this story was okay, not great. It could have been tighter as it seemed to drag. It's written third person perspective in Caroline, Bailey, Augusta and Fran's voices (the chapters are labeled). I didn't really care about any of the characters. As a head's up, there is swearing, drug use and adult activity.

Book ~ "Love You More" (2026) Emily Giffin

From Goodreads ~ Billie has built the perfect life. Her practice as a doctor in New York City is thriving and she’s finally found the right partner in Dean after years spent trying to move on from her high-school sweetheart, Mick. Their young love had been intense and true but distance and ambition pulled them apart when she left Wisconsin for medical school.

Then one morning, just after accepting Dean’s romantic marriage proposal, Billie’s phone rings. It’s Mick - calling for the first time in nearly a decade. His news is urgent, and in a moment, everything changes.

As Billie boards a plane back to Wisconsin, the past comes rushing in - her friendships from home, the love she shared with Mick and the choices that shaped them. What awaits her is a reckoning with what she’s lost, what she’s built, and what she still wants.

Billie is in her late 30s and is a successful doctor in New York City who is newly engaged to Dean, a trauma surgeon. She believes she has moved on from Mick, her high-school sweetheart in Wisconsin, who had broken up with her when she moved away for medical school. Shortly after accepting Dean’s proposal, Billie receives an unexpected call from Mick, who tells her that her longtime best friend, Erin, has died in a car accident. Erin leaves behind her eleven-year-old daughter, Phoebe, and Billie returns to her Wisconsin hometown to help with the situation and support Phoebe. 

Though she's visited back home over the years, Billie reconnects with old friends and with Mick in their grief, bringing back memories of their relationship and the life she once had. Taking responsibility for Phoebe has some life changing decisions to make that will affect her life with Dean.

This book was a quick read and it was okay, not great. It is written in first person perspective in Billie's voice. As a head's up, there is swearing.

I found the story unrealistic. Billie is in her late 30s, has a successful career, a life and friends she loves in New York City and is in an adult relationship with Dean. Yet the second she is back home, her feelings for Mick, who she hasn't seen in about 15 years when he broke up with her, are still there? I found that hard to believe. It didn't seem like she has the maturity of someone who has achieved so much and is almost 40. She was prepared to throw it all away to take guardianship of Phoebe, regardless of how Dean felt about it and how this would disrupt their lives. It was odd that Mick and Billie are surprised to find out from Erin's mom, who has Alzheimer's, that they are expected to have custody of Phoebe. I would think that in the 30 years Billie and Erin had been friends that the topic would have come up. No one seemed overly sad Erin had unexpectedly died. Instead chores were checked off. The day after the funeral her friends packed up her condo. A couple days later Erin's mom was moved into a home.

Book ~ "Playing the Changes: A Musician's Memoir" (2026) Colin James

From Goodreads ~ From the prairies of Saskatchewan to sharing the stage with arguably the most influential guitarists of all time, Colin James is one of Canada’s greatest musical talents. His career spans over 30 years, with a track record that includes 20 studio albums, eight Juno Awards, 30 Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales.

In "Playing the Changes", Colin James invites readers to look back at the formative years that would see him emerge as a full-formed musical talent at such a young age. We see the young Colin James Munn growing up in Saskatchewan, the son of social worker parents, always surrounded by music  from the records played at home, to the folk clubs in Regina and the Quaker gatherings his family attends throughout the province. At a very young age, he picks up his older brother's guitar and teaches himself to play along to some of the vintage blues records he adores so much. He ultimately masters the mandolin and penny whistle as well; before long he’s sitting in with folk bands before he’s even a teenager.

Next readers are introduced to young adult Colin, an endearing young man who is trying to navigate and understand the world around him. There is Colin the hypochondriac, who is convinced that any malady he has may be fatal; Colin the romantic; Colin the compulsive cleaner, whose efforts to keep a tidy house by vaccuming floors and polishing furniture is an attempt to prevent the impending separation and divorce of his parents.

Readers go on the road with teenage Colin as he plays with veteran musicians much older than him, in venues throughout Saskatchewan and Winnipeg where he’s under the legal age to enter, let alone perform. The years of road work lead to the pivotal moment of Colin's at the age of eighteen, with a day's notice, he’s asked to put together a band and open for legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan in Saskatoon. That performance leads to a remarkable friendship between Colin and Vaughan, who goes on to become an incredible mentor and momentously christens Colin James (it sounds more rock'n'roll than Colin Munn).

Finally, Colin brings the reader to 1988, just before the release of his debut album, Colin James. By turns entertaining and open-hearted, Playing the Changes is a celebration of music and the joy of playing it, and of one of the most remarkable childhoods in Canadian music history.

I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs and am a fan of Canadian musician Colin James (though I haven't listened to his later albums but will now!) so was interested to read his story.

This is James’ story of growing up in Saskatchewan and discovering his passion for music at a young age. He talks about his family, his struggles with anxiety and insecurity, quitting school and how he taught himself to play the guitar and began playing with older, more experienced musicians. A major turning point comes when, at just 18, Colin gets the chance to open for blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. The two become friends, and Vaughan becomes an important influence on the young musician. The memoir follows James through his early years on the road and ends just before the release of his first album in 1988 (which I had on cassette).

I liked this memoir and the writing style. It would have been nice to have some pictures included throughout. It was interesting to read about the people, experiences and musical influences that helped shape him into the Canadian blues and rock musician he became. It's amazing all he'd done at such an early age to achieve his goals. As a head's up, there is some swearing and talk of drug use.

Book ~ "Shock and Awesome" (2013) Camilla Chafer

From Goodreads ~ When a thief who preys on the super rich women of a high-end dating website turns up in Montgomery, it’s up to Private Investigator, Lexi Graves, to lure him out before he goes to ground. To make matters worse, he's evaded capture numerous times and this might be the last chance to catch him before he retires altogether from the high stakes game.

Newly single and thoroughly confused, the last thing Lexi wants to do is date a string of men whose photos are optimistic, to say the least. But one on her short list is the thief and a rogue. Faux-dating a string of Not The Ones could help her discover not only which one he is but also help her decide whom and what she wants in her personal life. Will it be her sexy, mysterious, boss, Solomon? Or handsome cop, Maddox?

Posing as a wealthy, glamorous, eligible bachelorette, complete with walk-in closet of designer clothes, sports car and mansion, can be fun and games but Lexi may have met her match when she becomes the next target in the thief’s sights. After all, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. Along with her cash and borrowed jewels, this master thief might also want to steal her heart in the ultimate sting.

But as the case comes together, tragedy strikes, causing Lexi to question what is more important to her: racing to the aid of her best friend, or solving the case, no matter the cost.

Private investigator Lexi goes undercover to investigate a thief who has been targeting wealthy women he meets through an exclusive online dating site. Her job is to pretend to be one of his potential victims, get close to the suspects and figure out who is behind the thefts. Her undercover role involves fancy clothes, an expensive car, a mansion and plenty of pretending to be someone she isn't. 

And while she's busy trying to catch a criminal, her own love life is just as messy. She's still trying to sort out her feelings about Solomon, her boss, and Maddox, her ex-boyfriend, two very different men who both have a complicated place in her life. 

This story is written in first person perspective in Lexi's voice. I liked the writing style ... it was amusing at times. It wasn't overly deep and was a fairly quick read. It's the fourth in the Lexi Graves mystery series (there are currently 19 in the series and I've read the first three) and I liked it enough to keep going with the series.

Book ~ "Yours Truly" (2023) Abby Jimenez

From Goodreads ~ Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game ... by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet”, and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable - a kidney for her brother - she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor ... especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

Briana is an emergency room physician who is dealing with several challenges in her personal life, including her divorce and her brother’s health problems (he needs a kidney transplant). Her life becomes more complicated when Jacob, also as an emergency room physician, joins the hospital where she works. Jacob initially makes a poor impression on Briana but she soon discovers that he is very different from the person she thought he was. 

After Jacob writes her a heartfelt letter, the two begin communicating through letters and gradually develop a friendship. Jacob's younger brother has become engaged to his ex-girlfriend. To show everyone that he is okay with it, Jacob asks Briana to pretend to be his girlfriend and Briana agrees to do this favour because he is giving one of his kidneys to her brother. Their relationship eventually grows into something deeper, although both of them have personal circumstances and emotional insecurities that make the situation complicated. As Briana and Jacob spend more time together, they navigate misunderstandings, family expectations and their own fears about love and vulnerability. 

This was an easy quick read. It's written in alternating first-person perspectives between Briana and Jacob, with each chapter labeled. It's #2 in the Part of Your World series (Briana is best friends with Alexis, who is the main charactor in the first in the series, which I read a couple days ago, and is a minor charactor in this one). As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

I liked the concept of the letter writing relationship and thought they were cute. This only lasted a couple chapters before it progressed to sticky notes, following each other on Instagram, phone calls and lunch. 

The miscommunication between Briana and Jacob was tiring. Not surprising they fell in love but each assumed the other was only acting ... Jacob thought Briana was only grateful Jacob was donating one of his kidneys and Briana thought Jacob was putting on a brave face because he was still in love with ex-girlfriend (his brother's fiancée ). It went on and on and on and on. One of them should have taken a chance sooner and be honest about how they were feeling. It would have cut out many many pages. 

It was also tiresome hearing often how Briana's first husband had hurt her and now they are divorced. Get over it and move on! 

Finally I hate when stories end with a woman pregnant or just having a baby ... as if a woman can't be complete without a child.

Book ~ "Part of Your World" (2022) Abby Jimenez

From Goodreads ~ After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come - the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

Alexis is an emergency-room doctor, who will soon be 40, from a wealthy and influential family of surgeons. Her family has strong expectations for her career and personal life and Alexis has spent much of her life trying to meet those expectations. After her car ends up in a ditch while she is travelling through rural Minnesota, she meets Daniel, a carpenter, 10 years younger than she is, who lives in the nearby small town of Wakan. Daniel helps her with her car and the two unexpectedly begin spending time together. 

Daniel is deeply connected to his community and has a very different lifestyle from Alexis, whose life is centred around medicine, professional achievement and her family’s legacy. What begins as a casual relationship develops into something more significant. Alexis finds herself drawn to Daniel and to the people and community around him. At the same time, she remains tied to her family, career and the expectations that have shaped her life. 

Alexis is still dealing with the effects of a previous relationship with Neil, a surgeon her parents love and see as an appropriate match for her. As her relationship with Daniel develops, she is forced to consider what she wants for herself and how much of her life has been determined by other people's expectations. Alexis must decide how to balance her career, family responsibilities and relationship while determining what kind of future she wants.

I thought this story was okay and found it to be an easy quick read. It's written in alternating first-person perspectives between Alexis and Daniel, with each chapter labeled. It's #1 in the Part of Your World series. As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

Considering it takest brains to become a doctor, I found Alexis to be immature and too dumb in the ways of the world. She's almost 40 and she still cares what people think and is trying please everyone so she keeps her relationship with Daniel hidden from everyone except her best friend, Bri. But she was emotionally abused by Neil and her parents so I guess that's why. Her father still treats her like crap (and she takes it) and her mother allows it. Though she was raised with money and still lives that lifestyle, I found it unbelievable that she didn't know how to sweep a floor (she didn't even know what a broom was called!) or peel a potato. Daniel was  a nice fella but too perfect to be realistic.

****

I followed that up with All Roads Lead to Here, a short story that explains how Derek, Alexis' twin brother, meets Nikki/Lola, the pop star from The Happy Ever After Playlist. It's free when you subscribe to the author's email list (I only signed up to get this free story). Derek appears briefly at the beginning of Part of Your World.

The story takes place in Cambodia, where both Nikki and Derek are involved in humanitarian work following a typhoon. Nikki is volunteering at a women’s shelter, while Derek is working as a doctor, providing medical assistance to people affected by the disaster. Nikki is a successful singer but the story gives more attention to the person behind her public image (there's no mention of her career). Away from her career and celebrity status, she is focused on helping the women at the shelter. Derek, being in Cambodia, shows his commitment to helping people in difficult circumstances. It was a quick read.

Book ~ "The Solo Honeymoon: A Brief Beautiful True Love Story" (2026) Laura Murphy and Bret Witter

From Goodreads ~ Laura and Devon were on the cusp of their wedding. Both young professionals, they lived a full life in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, where they were often found hiking the rugged and beautiful coastline with their two Bernedoodles.

When they sat down to plan their honeymoon, Chianti, Italy, was at the top of the list. Four months later, Laura found herself standing at the edge of an Italian village, watching the sunset. It would have been perfect, if Devon had been there with her. But Laura's fiancé, the love of her life, had died in her arms a month before their wedding.

The Solo Honeymoon follows Laura as she faces her fears and heartbreak by going alone on the honeymoon she had planned with Devon. From screaming from the mountaintops in Ireland to wandering the busy streets of London, to dining on the French Riviera and watching the Tuscan sunset, Laura travels across Europe to find solid ground. Along the way readers learn her unique love story with Devon and what made their relationship so special.

The result is a beautiful exploration of what it means to choose life in the face of unimaginable pain. The Solo Honeymoon shines a light on the joy of love, the depths of grief and all the beauty there is in the world.

This is a memoir about love, loss and the journey that follows an unexpected tragedy. The book tells the story of the author's relationship with her fiancé, Devon, from the day they met through their engagement and plans for their future together. Just weeks before their wedding, Devon dies suddenly, leaving Laura to face a future she never imagined. 

Rather than canceling the honeymoon they had planned, Laura decides to take the trip on her own. As she travels through England, Ireland, France and Italy, she reflects on the life she and Devon shared while experiencing the places they had hoped to visit together. Along the way, she reconnects with friends and family, meets new people and documents her travels on TikTok, where her story resonates with others. 

I like reading memoirs and bios/autobios and I thought this one was okay. Not surprising it's not a happy read. It moves between memories of their relationship and her solo travels, showing how she navigates grief while learning to carry forward the life and love they shared. I hadn't heard of her story before (I found this book on a top 10 list) but apparently it's been covered extensively in the media and on her TikTok account as she was traveling, which she talks about in the book.

Book ~ "The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing and Healing" (2024) Lara Love Hardin

From Goodreads ~ No one expects the police to knock on the million-dollar, two-story home of the perfect cul-de-sac housewife. But soccer mom Lara Love Hardin has been hiding a shady secret: She is funding her heroin addiction by stealing her neighbors’ credit cards.

Lara is convicted of thirty-two felonies and becomes inmate S32179. She learns jail is a class system with a power structure somewhere between an adolescent sleepover party and Lord of the Flies. Furniture is made from tampon boxes, and Snickers bars are currency. But Lara quickly finds the rules and brings love and healing to her fellow inmates as she climbs the social ladder to become the “shot caller,” showing that jailhouse politics aren’t that different from the PTA meetings she used to attend.

When she’s released, she reinvents herself as a ghostwriter. Now, she’s legally co-opting other people’s identities and getting to meet Oprah, meditate with The Dalai Lama, and have dinner with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. But the shadow of her past follows her. Shame is a poison worse than heroin—there is no way to detox. She must learn to forgive herself and others, navigate life as a felon on probation, prove to herself that she is more good than bad, and much more.

This memoir follows the author's life from addiction and crime to recovery and a successful writing career. At first, she appears to have a stable suburban life as a wife and mother but behind the scenes she is struggling with heroin addiction. As her addiction worsens, she begins stealing from friends and neighbours to support it. Eventually, she is arrested, convicted of multiple felonies and sentenced to jail. 

While incarcerated, Hardin earns the nickname "Mama Love" because she becomes a source of comfort and encouragement for the other women around her. After her release, she faces the difficult task of rebuilding her life. She works to stay sober, reconnect with her children and family, complete probation and find employment despite having a criminal record. Over time, Hardin builds a new career as a ghostwriter, helping others tell their stories before deciding to share her own. 

I like reading memoirs and bios/autobios and this one sounded interesting. And it was. It was the author's apparent account of becoming addicted to drugs, doing whatever she had to support that habit and the consequences of those actions ... getting arrested, losing her children, spending time in jail and having to rebuild her life from nothing.

While I applaud how far the author has come, it was annoying to read how frustrated she was with all the hoops she had to jump through with the judicial system to try to rebuild her build her life. I didn't feel all that sorry for her. She knew what she was doing when she started using drugs and eventually stealing. No one forced her. So she should expect to accept the consequences. It didn't seem to me that she took responsibility for her actions. She used her crappy childhood as an excuse. Most of us have crappy childhoods but we don't become drug addicts and steal from our friends and neighbours. 

When she was arrested, she spent time in jail and detoxed. Pretty well the first thing she did when she was bailed out was get stoned with her husband, who had also been arrested. I wasn't feeling a lot of sympathy for her. Not only was she getting readdicted to drugs but she was risking losing her children for good (she's lucky she never got caught). As a mother, I think her first responsibility was to ensure her children are taken care of and she neglected to do that. She was more concerned with doing all she could to get high rather than keeping her children safe.

As a head's up, there is swearing and descriptions of drug use.