Melanie’s reading…
@shelovestoread.bsky.social
This account is for books, coffee and tea…but mostly books.
You can find my other content (mostly political/news) @macsmail.bsky.social
You can find my other content (mostly political/news) @macsmail.bsky.social
Pinned
I have been an avid reader all my life and continue to this very day! While physical books still have my heart, I have grown comfortable with ebooks and audiobooks. I will usually have an assortment of all 3 media types in the works at any given point.
“The Black Wolf” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I accomplished my goal of completing the entire series this year. But... did not end on a high note. This book is barely a 3 star for me, it is more of a thriller, not a cozy mystery, I want Gamache
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I accomplished my goal of completing the entire series this year. But... did not end on a high note. This book is barely a 3 star for me, it is more of a thriller, not a cozy mystery, I want Gamache
1/2
December 31, 2025 at 11:23 PM
“The Black Wolf” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I accomplished my goal of completing the entire series this year. But... did not end on a high note. This book is barely a 3 star for me, it is more of a thriller, not a cozy mystery, I want Gamache
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I accomplished my goal of completing the entire series this year. But... did not end on a high note. This book is barely a 3 star for me, it is more of a thriller, not a cozy mystery, I want Gamache
1/2
“Christmas in the Scottish Highlands” by Donna Ashcroft.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Cute, holiday romance, very enjoyable read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Cute, holiday romance, very enjoyable read!
December 31, 2025 at 11:12 PM
“Christmas in the Scottish Highlands” by Donna Ashcroft.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Cute, holiday romance, very enjoyable read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Cute, holiday romance, very enjoyable read!
“The Paris Assignment” by Rhys Bowen.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyable read, after the heartache of the book I was glad to see a happy ending, however unlikely it may be.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyable read, after the heartache of the book I was glad to see a happy ending, however unlikely it may be.
December 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
“The Paris Assignment” by Rhys Bowen.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyable read, after the heartache of the book I was glad to see a happy ending, however unlikely it may be.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyable read, after the heartache of the book I was glad to see a happy ending, however unlikely it may be.
“The Lies They Told” by Ellen Marie Wiseman.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a good, but sad book. This book deals with discrimination (particularly against the rural, mountain folk) fear of immigrants, eugenics, the displacement of families to build a national park, and more.
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a good, but sad book. This book deals with discrimination (particularly against the rural, mountain folk) fear of immigrants, eugenics, the displacement of families to build a national park, and more.
1/2
December 31, 2025 at 11:01 PM
“The Lies They Told” by Ellen Marie Wiseman.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a good, but sad book. This book deals with discrimination (particularly against the rural, mountain folk) fear of immigrants, eugenics, the displacement of families to build a national park, and more.
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a good, but sad book. This book deals with discrimination (particularly against the rural, mountain folk) fear of immigrants, eugenics, the displacement of families to build a national park, and more.
1/2
“Sugar and Spite” by M. C. Beaton.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been reading the Agatha Raisin series for decades, and will continue to read them as long as someone is writing new books.
This was the first Agatha book that made me cry, and that's all I'll say about that.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been reading the Agatha Raisin series for decades, and will continue to read them as long as someone is writing new books.
This was the first Agatha book that made me cry, and that's all I'll say about that.
December 31, 2025 at 2:02 AM
“Sugar and Spite” by M. C. Beaton.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been reading the Agatha Raisin series for decades, and will continue to read them as long as someone is writing new books.
This was the first Agatha book that made me cry, and that's all I'll say about that.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been reading the Agatha Raisin series for decades, and will continue to read them as long as someone is writing new books.
This was the first Agatha book that made me cry, and that's all I'll say about that.
“All We Thought We Knew” by Michelle Shocklee.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Dual timeline spanning WWll and the Vietnam war - very enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Dual timeline spanning WWll and the Vietnam war - very enjoyable read.
December 31, 2025 at 1:50 AM
“All We Thought We Knew” by Michelle Shocklee.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Dual timeline spanning WWll and the Vietnam war - very enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Dual timeline spanning WWll and the Vietnam war - very enjoyable read.
“The Stolen Queen” by Fiona Davis.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another dual timeline book, the Egyptian component was
ntriguing, the the pook wa
enjoyable but not my favorite by this author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another dual timeline book, the Egyptian component was
ntriguing, the the pook wa
enjoyable but not my favorite by this author.
December 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
“The Stolen Queen” by Fiona Davis.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another dual timeline book, the Egyptian component was
ntriguing, the the pook wa
enjoyable but not my favorite by this author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another dual timeline book, the Egyptian component was
ntriguing, the the pook wa
enjoyable but not my favorite by this author.
“The Lilac People” by Milo Todd.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have read many books about WWIl & Nazi Germany, but had not heard about the transgender community that existed in Germany during this time. I did struggle to connect with some of the characters, but still highly recommend it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have read many books about WWIl & Nazi Germany, but had not heard about the transgender community that existed in Germany during this time. I did struggle to connect with some of the characters, but still highly recommend it!
December 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
“The Lilac People” by Milo Todd.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have read many books about WWIl & Nazi Germany, but had not heard about the transgender community that existed in Germany during this time. I did struggle to connect with some of the characters, but still highly recommend it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have read many books about WWIl & Nazi Germany, but had not heard about the transgender community that existed in Germany during this time. I did struggle to connect with some of the characters, but still highly recommend it!
“The Grey Wolf” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another great book in the Armand Gamache series! (#19)
To enjoy this book you really need to read the previous books in this series, there are so many references to previous events.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another great book in the Armand Gamache series! (#19)
To enjoy this book you really need to read the previous books in this series, there are so many references to previous events.
December 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
“The Grey Wolf” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another great book in the Armand Gamache series! (#19)
To enjoy this book you really need to read the previous books in this series, there are so many references to previous events.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another great book in the Armand Gamache series! (#19)
To enjoy this book you really need to read the previous books in this series, there are so many references to previous events.
“A World of Curiosities” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While many books of this series are more character driven than mystery driven, this book felt more like a true mystery book. It was utterly delightful!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While many books of this series are more character driven than mystery driven, this book felt more like a true mystery book. It was utterly delightful!
December 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
“A World of Curiosities” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While many books of this series are more character driven than mystery driven, this book felt more like a true mystery book. It was utterly delightful!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While many books of this series are more character driven than mystery driven, this book felt more like a true mystery book. It was utterly delightful!
“The Widow” by John Grisham.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book felt like some of the earlier works by this author. I enjoyed the small town lawyer mystery aspect, the book was a little long, felt it dragged in places, and the ending was a tad bit of a letdown, but still an enjoyable read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book felt like some of the earlier works by this author. I enjoyed the small town lawyer mystery aspect, the book was a little long, felt it dragged in places, and the ending was a tad bit of a letdown, but still an enjoyable read!
December 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“The Widow” by John Grisham.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book felt like some of the earlier works by this author. I enjoyed the small town lawyer mystery aspect, the book was a little long, felt it dragged in places, and the ending was a tad bit of a letdown, but still an enjoyable read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book felt like some of the earlier works by this author. I enjoyed the small town lawyer mystery aspect, the book was a little long, felt it dragged in places, and the ending was a tad bit of a letdown, but still an enjoyable read!
“The Women on Platform Two” by Laura Anthony.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I chose this book for a book club read and it was such a good book to discuss! Based on real events that occurred in Ireland during the 1970's, this book will enrage you and give your hope.
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I chose this book for a book club read and it was such a good book to discuss! Based on real events that occurred in Ireland during the 1970's, this book will enrage you and give your hope.
1/2
December 30, 2025 at 4:05 PM
“The Women on Platform Two” by Laura Anthony.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I chose this book for a book club read and it was such a good book to discuss! Based on real events that occurred in Ireland during the 1970's, this book will enrage you and give your hope.
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I chose this book for a book club read and it was such a good book to discuss! Based on real events that occurred in Ireland during the 1970's, this book will enrage you and give your hope.
1/2
“The Madness of Crowds” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Happy to be back in Three Pines! This book has lots of our favorite characters, good food and drinks, chats around the fire, all the delightful components of a good Gamache book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Happy to be back in Three Pines! This book has lots of our favorite characters, good food and drinks, chats around the fire, all the delightful components of a good Gamache book!
December 30, 2025 at 4:09 AM
“The Madness of Crowds” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Happy to be back in Three Pines! This book has lots of our favorite characters, good food and drinks, chats around the fire, all the delightful components of a good Gamache book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Happy to be back in Three Pines! This book has lots of our favorite characters, good food and drinks, chats around the fire, all the delightful components of a good Gamache book!
“A Column of Fire” by Ken Follett.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I did enjoy re-reading this book again, but the first book will always be my favorite. While this book is fascinating and set during an interesting point in history, the characters do not grab me in the same way…
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I did enjoy re-reading this book again, but the first book will always be my favorite. While this book is fascinating and set during an interesting point in history, the characters do not grab me in the same way…
1/2
December 30, 2025 at 3:07 AM
“A Column of Fire” by Ken Follett.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I did enjoy re-reading this book again, but the first book will always be my favorite. While this book is fascinating and set during an interesting point in history, the characters do not grab me in the same way…
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I did enjoy re-reading this book again, but the first book will always be my favorite. While this book is fascinating and set during an interesting point in history, the characters do not grab me in the same way…
1/2
“All the Devils are Here” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I really enjoyed this book, much better than the last book! This book does have a different feel to it since the main setting is in Paris rather than Three Pines. But I feel like I am back…
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I really enjoyed this book, much better than the last book! This book does have a different feel to it since the main setting is in Paris rather than Three Pines. But I feel like I am back…
1/2
December 30, 2025 at 2:53 AM
“All the Devils are Here” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I really enjoyed this book, much better than the last book! This book does have a different feel to it since the main setting is in Paris rather than Three Pines. But I feel like I am back…
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I really enjoyed this book, much better than the last book! This book does have a different feel to it since the main setting is in Paris rather than Three Pines. But I feel like I am back…
1/2
“A Better Man” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book is not my favorite of the series. If you love this series then you will enjoy keeping in touch with the characters, but it is not as good as the other books.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book is not my favorite of the series. If you love this series then you will enjoy keeping in touch with the characters, but it is not as good as the other books.
December 30, 2025 at 2:44 AM
“A Better Man” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book is not my favorite of the series. If you love this series then you will enjoy keeping in touch with the characters, but it is not as good as the other books.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
This book is not my favorite of the series. If you love this series then you will enjoy keeping in touch with the characters, but it is not as good as the other books.
“The Surgeon” by Leslie Wolfe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Fast paced thriller, had a twist I did not see coming, entertaining read, fans of Frieda McFadden will enjoy this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Fast paced thriller, had a twist I did not see coming, entertaining read, fans of Frieda McFadden will enjoy this book.
December 30, 2025 at 2:32 AM
“The Surgeon” by Leslie Wolfe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Fast paced thriller, had a twist I did not see coming, entertaining read, fans of Frieda McFadden will enjoy this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Fast paced thriller, had a twist I did not see coming, entertaining read, fans of Frieda McFadden will enjoy this book.
Same.
My New Year’s resolution is to read more books, eat more scones, and use more Oxford commas.
December 29, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Same.
“The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been a fan of Dan Brown since The Da Vinci Code was published. I had the privilege of meeting him in NOVA at a book signing when the book came out. He was funny, fascinating, a captivating speaker,
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been a fan of Dan Brown since The Da Vinci Code was published. I had the privilege of meeting him in NOVA at a book signing when the book came out. He was funny, fascinating, a captivating speaker,
1/2
December 29, 2025 at 2:52 AM
“The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been a fan of Dan Brown since The Da Vinci Code was published. I had the privilege of meeting him in NOVA at a book signing when the book came out. He was funny, fascinating, a captivating speaker,
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
I have been a fan of Dan Brown since The Da Vinci Code was published. I had the privilege of meeting him in NOVA at a book signing when the book came out. He was funny, fascinating, a captivating speaker,
1/2
“Circle of Days” by Ken Follett.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While I enjoyed this book, I did not enjoy it as much as the Kingsbridge series. This story is set in 2500 BCE, given the limited amount of knowledge about that time, I think Follett does a good job of creating a world for us.
1/3
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While I enjoyed this book, I did not enjoy it as much as the Kingsbridge series. This story is set in 2500 BCE, given the limited amount of knowledge about that time, I think Follett does a good job of creating a world for us.
1/3
December 29, 2025 at 2:33 AM
“Circle of Days” by Ken Follett.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While I enjoyed this book, I did not enjoy it as much as the Kingsbridge series. This story is set in 2500 BCE, given the limited amount of knowledge about that time, I think Follett does a good job of creating a world for us.
1/3
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
While I enjoyed this book, I did not enjoy it as much as the Kingsbridge series. This story is set in 2500 BCE, given the limited amount of knowledge about that time, I think Follett does a good job of creating a world for us.
1/3
“Kingdom of the Blind” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
The 14th in the series & they just keep getting better! You need to have read the previous books to understand this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
The 14th in the series & they just keep getting better! You need to have read the previous books to understand this book.
December 29, 2025 at 2:07 AM
“Kingdom of the Blind” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
The 14th in the series & they just keep getting better! You need to have read the previous books to understand this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
The 14th in the series & they just keep getting better! You need to have read the previous books to understand this book.
Reposted by Melanie’s reading…
I was thinking about what gifts people used to give to readers (besides gift editions of famous poets' work and illustrated histories of wars and such), and while I was thinking about it, somebody brought a book to the counter....
(1/10)
(1/10)
December 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I was thinking about what gifts people used to give to readers (besides gift editions of famous poets' work and illustrated histories of wars and such), and while I was thinking about it, somebody brought a book to the counter....
(1/10)
(1/10)
“Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Enjoyable read, the ending was unsatisfactory to me, but I can see why so many love this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Enjoyable read, the ending was unsatisfactory to me, but I can see why so many love this book.
December 28, 2025 at 10:44 PM
“Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Enjoyable read, the ending was unsatisfactory to me, but I can see why so many love this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Enjoyable read, the ending was unsatisfactory to me, but I can see why so many love this book.
“Glass Houses” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another delightful Gamache book! At times I did have issues with the timeline, the jumping around was a bit confusing, but overall a very enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another delightful Gamache book! At times I did have issues with the timeline, the jumping around was a bit confusing, but overall a very enjoyable read.
December 28, 2025 at 10:33 PM
“Glass Houses” by Louise Penny.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another delightful Gamache book! At times I did have issues with the timeline, the jumping around was a bit confusing, but overall a very enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Another delightful Gamache book! At times I did have issues with the timeline, the jumping around was a bit confusing, but overall a very enjoyable read.
“The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Very enjoyable read, though perhaps not memorable? According to Goodreads I read this book in 2021 and yet had basically no recollection of it…?
Dual timelines can be tricky, but in this book they worked for me, I didn’t
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Very enjoyable read, though perhaps not memorable? According to Goodreads I read this book in 2021 and yet had basically no recollection of it…?
Dual timelines can be tricky, but in this book they worked for me, I didn’t
1/2
December 28, 2025 at 10:11 PM
“The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Very enjoyable read, though perhaps not memorable? According to Goodreads I read this book in 2021 and yet had basically no recollection of it…?
Dual timelines can be tricky, but in this book they worked for me, I didn’t
1/2
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#MelsReading2025
#booksky📚💙
Very enjoyable read, though perhaps not memorable? According to Goodreads I read this book in 2021 and yet had basically no recollection of it…?
Dual timelines can be tricky, but in this book they worked for me, I didn’t
1/2