Book Journey

Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Published on September 9, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

Second time through this one and still – so so good and laugh out loud worthy ~Sheila

When Ryland Grace awakens, he has no idea where he is and, for that matter, who he is. All he knows is that he has been asleep for a long, long time.

As memories begin to return, he realizes he is on a spaceship, millions of miles from Earth… and in the company of two corpses – his flight mates that did not fare as well as he did.

Memories of earth and what got him here, as well as investigating the vessel that has been his home for 4 years, the fuzzy thoughts just out of reach start to clear… he is on a mission to find the answers to save earth from certain destruction… but he wasn’t meant to do it alone… and he is alone.

Or is he?

Holy all things giddy – I am so thrilled to have a chance to talk about this amazing book (in my case, audio). When this was selected last month as our Bookies Book Club read for September, I was looking forward to a review of this one that I had listened to years ago. While I remember I enjoyed it – I had forgotten how much.

The audio – the narration – the loads of funny moments and snarky comments…. absolutely a joy. Instead of feeling this was a do-over, it felt new… so much I had forgotten.

“Knock-knock-knock
No, that’s not creepy at all. Being in a spaceship twelve light-years from home and having someone knock on the door is totally normal.”
― Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

“I pull the sheet off the bed and wrap it around my torso a couple of times. I pull one corner over my shoulder from behind my back and tie it to another from the front. Instant toga.

“Self-ambulation detected,” says the computer. “What’s your name?”
“I am Emperor Comatose. Kneel before me.”
“Incorrect.”
― Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

You don’t need to be a fan of science fiction to enjoy this one – you bet there are scientific terms, but if I say science can be fun, believe me. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much listening to a book.

Hail Mary is set to be a movie coming March 2026. Ryan Gosling is playing Ryland, and I think that is a perfect choice. I will definitely be going to see this. Our Book Club is reviewing this tonight, and I will have another post of the fun food (I have some ideas!) and the discussion as well as their overall rating – stay tuned. 🙂

I recommend Hail Mary for everyone – an absolute delight, and if you are an audio person, I highly recommend that. AMAZE!!!!

Rated: 5 out of 5 – I was going to rate a little lower, but dang… I really enjoyed this
Read Author Before: Yes (The Martian – also a 5 out ot 5)
Read Author Again: I would! Bring it on, space boy!
Who Should Read This: Honestly, everyone… It’s refreshingly different, it’s fun and ummmm Ryan Gosling 😉

It’s Monday – What Are You Reading?

Published on September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

So there’s a blast from the past. For those of you who have been here since the early days – you may be familiar with the Monday, What Are You Reading meme/series that was passed to me and then I passed to Kathryn at Book Date, who has loved on it and taken care of it ever since. 😀 It’s actually wild to see this still a thing. Love that!

I thought I’d give it a little twist, and do mine as a video to show you the books I am reading or planning to read soon – links below to the books and of course check out Book Date for the main post and links ot others to see what others are reading to put books on your radar as well.

Hail Mary – Andy Weir
Immortal Consequences by I V Marie
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
What Lies In The Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham

Happy Monday!
~Sheila

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Published on September 7, 2025September 6, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

A little too much work ~ Sheila.

When Nick Radcliffe reaches out to Nina Swann, an old friend of her deceased husband, Nina is flattered by his kindness. Ash, Nina’s adult daughter, is not as easily impressed. There’s something a little too extra about Nick.

Martha and Alistair have a wonderful marriage and a sweet baby. But lately, Allistair seems to be distracted, his travelling for work is more often and longer days away. Everything seems legit, but Martha has a bad feeling…

Something is going on, and it involves both Nick and Alistair. While Nina and Martha see things differently in their relationships, Ash is going to keep digging… because there is more at stake here than meets the eye.

Even re-reading the synopsis on Goodreads now, I think, “It sounds so good!” But maybe it was just too much of a good idea.

What starts out as interesting, soon to me, became a little hard to follow as we switch timelines, points of view, back and forth and sideways….
I was listening to this one on audio and great narration… but for the storyline, I felt like I was always trying to catch up to what is happening and where we are now.
It was the ending that pulled it together (#kickass) and probably raised my overall thoughts on this one, but man, the getting there was harder than I wanted in a psychological thriller.

I have enjoyed Lisa Jewell’s book in the past (None of This Is True), and I will most likely read her again. Just too much muchness in this one.

Rated: 2.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Most likely
Who Should Read This: Psychological Thriller readers should give it a try. This one has mixed reviews overall – some really like it, and others, like me, found it confusing

The Best Of Summer 2025

Published on September 6, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

Summer 2025 had quite a few books that wowed me – a couple were Book Club selections, some were random finds I was lucky enough to choose, and one was an early release that I won a copy of.
Check them out here, and review links are below.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
The Tenant by Frieda McFadden
The Book Club For Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
The Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory
The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

Morning Meanderings…Whats The Win… Is It The Book… Or Is It The Discussion?

Published on September 4, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

Recently I read a book that Blew. Me. Away. It was different from anything I had read before – and I always find it refreshing to break out of the cookie-cutter mold of same plot… similar twist… you know what I mean.

But – like all books… what the takeaway is – depends on the individual; and like all books – when I look at reviews, you can see the mix of the love and the not so much…
So….
For myself, being in a Book Club for over 24 years… I am starting to wonder…. when I read a book, is it the anticipated discussion that makes me want to share it with the world… or is it the book itself? Honestly, I don’t always know… 😛

No secret that I love to talk about books, and the particular book I am thinking of has soooooo much to unpack… topics I would love to discuss with others…
How would we/you/I handle such a situation?
Would you be able to ever forgive?
Was justice served?
What outcome would you have liked to see happen?
What lessons came out of this for our protagonist?
Who did you root for?

This is not the first time I have rated a book high because of its discussion value… SO – I present the question to you. For those in Book Clubs or reading groups, does a book get elevated because it would make for great discussion?
Inquiring minds want to know.

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

Published on August 31, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

A fun and plausible read! ~ Sheila

Frick Island is a tiny town in the middle of Chesapeake Bay with residents who like to keep their business to themselves. Piper Parrish among them.
When Piper’s husband, Tom’s crab boat capsizes, and his body is not found, the young “maybe” widow goes right about life as though Tom is still there… making his breakfast, walking him to the dock in the mornings, meeting him in the evening, and of course their standard Friday night date at The One Eyed-Crab.

When Anders Caldwell, want-to-be podcaster with an actual audience, is given an assignment on Frick Island to cover the annual Cake Walk Fundraiser, he is less than pleased. How are assignments like this going to put him on the map? But Anders finds that he has stumbled onto a much more interesting story, not only about Piper’s eccentric behavior of talking to a husband who is not there, but also watching all the residents of Frick Island pretending Tom is there as well for Piper’s sake. Business owners waving and saying good morning to Tom, acknowledging him right alongside Piper…. well… to Anders… this may be the story that will give him a name.

This is one of those books that has been in my peripheral vision… but for whatever reason, I did not pick up. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean… I’m sure you do it too 😀 As much as we may want to read ALL THE BOOKS. You can’t… and I know… It’s heartbreaking.

So many books… so little time….

So… looking for my next listen this summer as I go about my weekly cooking, cleaning, gardening… I chose TIHOFI. And… not disappointed.

My time on Frick Island was enjoyable! Piper is interesting and likable, and the book allows you to explore many outcomes….
Is Tom alive?
Do the residents of Frick Island know something I do not?
Does Piper know something that no one else does?
Is Piper crazy … or crazy in grief?
OR… Or… is something much bigger going on?

Well… I’m not telling. I will tell you, it’s worth a pick up. This is a pleasant, easy, and fun read. And this seems ( at least from my experience) to be Coleen Oakley’s pattern as an author – good books with a touch of fun… as I experienced when I read The Mostly True Story of Tanenr and Louise

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Most likely
Who Should Read This: Anyone who enjoys a fun, interesting read that’s not heavy. This is the perfect time of year for Frick Island.

The Stranger In Her house by John Marrs

Published on August 25, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

Connie connects with a local non-profit to help with odd jobs around her mother, Gwen’s home. As Gwen has dementia, Connie tries to balance her life with the time she spends with her mom and the pursuit of her career. While Connie pops in to check on her mom and to help with cleaning, some of the bigger jobs, such as yard work and home repair, are too time-consuming, and she is grateful for Helping Hands’ mission to send volunteers to assist with chores for the elderly.
Paul, a volunteer from Helping Hands, is kind, easy to talk to, and easy on the eyes, and her mom seems to like him.

But things change quickly as Paul comes to Gwen’s more often than needed, making Connie feel a little awkward, almost like she is intruding when she comes over to help with cooking and cleaning. And Gwen, too, is changing; she dresses up more, wearing makeup and laughing… laughing like Connie has not heard in years. When Paul finds himself between homes, he moves in with Gwen and begins to shut Connie out, both figuratively and literally.

When Paul tells Connie that he can handle the cooking and cleaning, and there is no need for her to stop by, and when the locks to the house are changed, Connie desperately wants to reach out for help – but it’s his word against hers as Paul has put his charm on the neighbors as well, and has not done anything legally wrong. But Connie knows… something is not right, and she has a limited time to do something about it.

Have you read John Marrs? If you like the psychological twists of McFadden, I look at Marrs as the King of the double… no… TRIPLE twist. From my experience with his books, there comes a point where he has you, and you are blown away… and really the book – the story could end there and you would be all like…. “Damn….that was amazing” –
But wait, there is more!

Marrs, from my experience, catches you in the twist where something is revealed that changes everything….
And then…
Within the same book …
He does it again.
And sometimes…. again

The Stranger In Her House, while a bit out there ( a few too many – uhhh… that couldn’t happen) was still crazy wild to read because, honestly, in this world we live in – crazy crazy things DO HAPPEN…. even when we are dumbfounded as to how.

I did enjoy this book on audio… fully engaged in how this would all work out in the end, and not once, not twice, but even a third time surprised….

Well played Marrs.

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Yes, I enjoy his style of writing
Who Should Read This: Fans of McFadden and psychological thrillers for sure, knowing that Marrs can be a bit darker (IMO). If you like your books to be crazy wild puzzles – here you go 😀

She Didn’t See It Coming by Shari Lapena

Published on August 23, 2025August 22, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)Leave a comment

Whiplash is a great word to describe this book. ~ Sheila

Bryden and Sam Frost have a good marriage. They both have amazing careers and are financially well off, living in a luxurious condo with their young daughter, Clara. Bryden, who works from home, admittedly is often pushing her luck on picking up their daughter from daycare on time, so when she is late on this particular day, and Sam receives a call at work from the daycare that Bryden has not shown up to pick up Clara and they cant get ahold of her – while annoying… it is not panic worthy.
But, upon arrival at home after picking up Clara, Sam finds his wife’s car, her laptop open, and her cell phone on the table. Bryden – is nowhere to be found – it’s like she has just

disappeared.

I listened to this on audio over the past few days while doing a little book room cleaning. While I enjoyed the book, I honestly found it to be too character-heavy with too many fingers pointed every which way…. just when I thought I had it, something new comes up and someone else looks guilty – while I know this is all part of the psychological suspense thriller, for me, it was too much – too many turns and in the end it wrapped up so quickly I am still not certain I understand what happened.

I would give this a 3 (average rating), as it did hold my interest and had a good flow, other than the too many red herrings.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: possibly, it looks like she has good ratings and some fun titles 🙂
Book Club Worthy: Hard to say – while there is a chance to talk about who everyone thought did it – I’m not sure I see any deep discussion out of this ( not like they all have to be ( or are, lol) deep

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Published on August 22, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

A fun little romp – I laughed out loud many times- Sheila

January Andrews is the best-selling author of happy ending romance reads. She loves things to come together and end well, and her readers love her for it.

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. His books are deep and insightful, and don’t always end well. His readership is massive.

When January finds herself in a beach house for three months trying to write her next read, despite the writer’s block that has her publicist checking it a little too often, she is shocked to discover that Augustus is in the Beach House next to hers – apparently suffering from the same thing.

One night, they make a pact. They will switch genres. January will learn how to write literary fiction under Augustus’ guidance, and Augustus, in turn, will write a rom-com. The first one to sell their book will receive public recognition from the other.

But bringing out the underlying reason that January needs things to end happily, and trying to get Augustus to lighten up and have some fun, may be a bigger undertaking than either of them bargained for.

Not my typical go-to read, but after finishing Wally Lamb’s new book that ripped me up in so many ways – I needed a palate cleanser, and this one, with a fun cover and a subject line I enjoy ( books that talk about books are almost always a plus!) was the one I picked up.

This book did the trick. Not heavy and appropriately titled, I enjoyed the fun engagement between the two protagonists… several times while listening, I laughed out loud.

“New phone… who dis?” 😛

If looking for an easy, enjoyable read, don’t hesitate to pick this one up.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: I have and recently!
Great Big Beautiful Life
Funny Story
Read Author Again: most likely 🙂

Morning Meanderings: 50+ Beautiful Books and The Past and Present Giveaway!

Published on August 21, 2025 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

So much to share! Where to begin!

First – I am at 52 books for the year! I have not reached such numbers in 10 years. I usually start the year strong… motivated by the Annual First Book tradition, having a little more time on my hands during the colder months in Minnesota, and, of course, vacation.
Then, as the grass begins to turn green and my Event Coordinator job kicks into high gear, it gets harder and harder to pick up a book.

This year, I think an extended time away (by RV, no less!) gave me a nice start to the year with a lot of books read while traveling. Then, for whatever reason, it stuck, and here I am over my Goodreads goal of 50 for the year.

Let me get to the topic at hand, as I imagine I have about a cup of coffee’s worth of time with you ( possibly even a half cup)

The pics above are some gorgeous reads that have graced my doorstep recently…
The Ghost Writer by Julia Clark ( released June 2025)
A Curse Carved In Bone by Danielle Jensen ( released May 2025)
Every Sweet Thing Is Bitter by Samantha Crewson ( released January 2025)

The Man No One Believed by Joshua Sharpe ( released August 2025)

Immortal Consequences by IV Marie (released July 2025)