I’m still figuring out how I want to share what I’ve been reading. These posts are a bit of a challenge for me; when I go to add thoughts in my tracking spreadsheet, I’m more likely to type something like “good” or “not what I thought, still good.” My writing muscles have definitely weakened over the years, and these roundups are as much writing practice as they are book recommendations.
I thought about only doing quarterly updates, but after just a month and a half, that felt too daunting and the volume oppressive. Monthly feels right; it aligns with my month-end reviews and planning sessions. What I’ve read and plan to read should be part of that process.
To my slight surprise, I didn’t make it through any of the summertime rereads I used to do semi-annually. There was no Pern, Valdemar, or Anne of Green Gables binge this year. Instead, other books snagged my interest. There’s something about downloading a library book at 10pm that triggers all the dopamine joy in my brain, and I ignore everything else as I devour that title. I’m missing paperbacks and take some solace that I’m not the only one.
Since my last post in mid-July, let’s start with the data:
Total books finished: 24 (106 for the year)
Total pages read: 7,731 (34,307 for the year)
Average publication year: 2017 (2018 for the year)
Median publication year: 2022 (2022 for the year)
Range: 1979 to 2025 (1966-2025 for the year)
Genres: Mostly Fantasy and Mystery (because when the world is dark and dismal, I reach for fiction) but there’s some History and Science books too
Review copies read and reviewed: 1 more for NetGalley (for the year: 7 from NetGalley, 1 from LibraryThing)
Below is a selection from the list; it’s not exhaustive, but representative. Series tend to be grouped together, and I’ve listed the first in series where applicable. I’ve skipped over books I didn’t enjoy enough to recommend. If I can’t find a reason why someone else might like it, I’d rather stay quiet. As a reminder, a ★ means I received a copy of the title with the hope that I’d write a review.
The Books
The Wrexford & Sloane Series by Andrea Penrose, Historical Mystery
I love the characters and how they grow and change throughout the series. It’s fun brain candy and I’m fascinated by the Weasels and how they navigate the world they were born into and society at large.
Sketching People: An Urban Sketcher’s Manual to Drawing Figures and Faces by Lynne Chapman (2016), 128 pages, Drawing
I checked out a bunch of drawing titles and while there was something in each that caught my eye, this one felt the most useful to my current self-taught sketching journey. I loved many of the suggestions and ways to look for basic body structure to help shape a sketch.
★ Grocery: The Buying and Selling of Food in America by Michael Ruhlman (2017), 307 pages, History; Sociology
We read books at the right time for us, for me that wasn’t 2017 when I requested the review copy, but 2025. After I finished this I was able to step into a grocery store’s grand opening weekend … the ode to Ruhlman’s father surprised me at times but made this a much richer read. I wrote more about it at pennyshima.com/book-reviews
Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI by Karen Hao (2025), 496 pages, AI
This really is several books in one. At times it felt disjointed and a bit chaotic, which in some ways reflects the company. There’s a lot of history, and in exploring the people, it’s better able to help an outsider understand the story of OpenAI.
The King Arthur Baking School: Lessons and Recipes for Every Baker by King Arthur Baking Company (2022), 416 pages, Cooking
I tried to start a sourdough starter and it did well for a while until I think my city water killed it (chlorine). If you want to learn a step beyond basics of baking and dive deeply into the whys, this is a good book for it.
Sift: The Elements of Great Baking by Nicola Lamb (2024), 352 pages, Cooking
This book felt like a cross between McGee’s On Food and Cooking and any King Arthur title. It’s friendly, clearly explaining concepts often with nice graphics. It is still a book for those who wish to geek out on their baking. It wasn’t the right book for me at this moment in time, but it’s a good book.
Lily Adler Mysteries by Katharine Schellman, Historical Mystery
I have a thing for Regency era mysteries right now, and this series was just right for late summer tired brain.
Cloud Warriors: Deadly Storms, Climate Chaos—and the Pioneers Creating a Revolution in Weather Forecasting by Thomas E. Weber (2025), 288 pages, Science
Not what I thought, but still a good overall picture of the people and the changes to climate science. Well organized overall (at least compared to Hao, which I read around the same time). I wrote a little more about the book at pennyshima.com/book-reviews
Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty (2025), 335 pages, Science Fiction Mystery
Way more geek humor and inside jokes than expected, but fascinating characters and an evil cat. Quick mindless romp and a good summer read.
Sweet Revenge (Lady Arianna Regency Mystery #1) by Andrea Penrose (2011), 334 pages, Historical Mystery
Just started this series and just started the second book. I got very hungry for chocolate while reading this one.
Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Series by Anne Perry, Historical Mystery
The Cater Street Hangman (book #1, 1979, 288 pages), Callander Square (book #2, 1980, 256 pages)
I asked AI to recommend a series based on some of the ones I’ve read recently, and I wanted it to be a long-running one. This popped to the top. I’ll give it three books before I decide if I’ll continue. The first was definitely better than the second.
Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn (2025), 356 pages, Mystery
Not as good as the first book, but interesting in its own way.
The Confessor by Daniel Silva (2003), 416 pages, Mystery; Thrillers & Crime
Good enough for nighttime reading. I like having characters I can follow for a while and a timeframe that I can more easily understand than Regency era England.
Together in Manzanar: The True Story of a Japanese Jewish Family in an American Concentration Camp by Tracy Slater (2025), 312 pages, History
Detailed and researched. It’s a time of American history my education is lacking on. Not the easiest of reads, but important.
The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet by Jeff Goodell (2023), 400 pages, Science
Heat is a dangerous killer; Goodell’s book helps you understand why and the challenges to saving more lives as our climate continues its rapid change. See also my review.
Is it conceivable I’ll finish another book or three before Monday? Yes. As always I’m reading several books at once and they’re at different stages of completion. My Now page is being kept current, though I’ve not yet figured out the sanest way to list the books I’m devouring; those that I’m savoring are easier. I have a backlog of reviews I want to write up; they can be found at pennyshima.com/book-reviews.
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