May 2025 Books

* The Forgotten Door ¹ by Alexander Key - I first read this book back in grade school. It was one of the few that I checked out of the school library and read. I liked to own the books I read, so I could see them like a trophy and also go back to them whenever I wanted. I'm still this way. The Forgotten Door is still a good story, all these years later.

The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene - This one was probably my least favourite of the Nancy Drews by Mildred Wirt Benson. It was a so-so story line but it involved a group of travelers, most of whom were the baddies and the word gypsy was used a lot (which I actually really like as a word, but apparently it's a slur against the Romani people and I try to steer clear of hate speech). I get that it's an old book, and times have changed a bit, but it made me a bit uncomfortable. Although I did like that Nancy actually said that not all of them are bad and tried to dispel the myth that the Romani people are thieves. Anyway, I'm not sure I'll keep this one and I won't be re-reading it.

* The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman - I fully believe in the whole five love languages thing and this book went a bit more in depth on it. (In case you're wondering, my love language is quality time.)

* The Ghost of Blackwood Hall by Carolyn KeeneThis was my last never-read-before Mildred Wirt Benson Nancy Drew book. It was really good and I'm sure in a couple years I will completely forget the entire story and re-live it all over again. 

♥ Better Living Through Birding ¹ by Christian Cooper - I saw Mr. Cooper on an episode of CBS Sunday Morning and he seemed like such a good guy and I made a note of his memoir. I'm not a bird watcher by any means, but I do love people with passion and Christian Cooper had me in the palm of his proverbial hand with all of his stories of birding and traveling and living a great big beautiful, simple life. So glad I listened to this fabulous audiobook! Can't wait to binge his series, Extraordinary Birder (which I just this minute bought off Apple TV!)

♥♥ The Goliath Bone ¹ by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins - Quite possibly my favourite work of fiction of all time.

* The Clue in the Velvet Mask by Carolyn Keene - I had forgotten much of this story and really enjoyed re-reading the last of my Nancy Drew books. Next up - The Hardy Boys!!

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.