Natalie
@abookandadog.com
I love to read and hang out with my dog. I blog about it at
https://abookandadog.com
https://abookandadog.com
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Natalie
@abookandadog.com
· 21d
Nikolette and I are wishing you cozy nights with hot chocolate, a stack of great books, and the people (and pets) you love most. 🎄☕️🍫📚🎅🐾
Merry Christmas!
abookandadog.com
Merry Christmas!
abookandadog.com
The Asheville Christmas Cabin is the last holiday-themed book I’ll read this season. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, from its captivating cover to its enchanting Christmas-themed narrative. Each of the main characters was endearing and easily relatable.
#booksky
#booksky
The Asheville Christmas Cabin (by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott) — A Book and A Dog
The Asheville Christmas Cabin , the last holiday-themed book I’ll read this season, caught my attention through the countless book-related emails I receive daily. When my husband and I lived…
abookandadog.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:11 AM
The Asheville Christmas Cabin is the last holiday-themed book I’ll read this season. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, from its captivating cover to its enchanting Christmas-themed narrative. Each of the main characters was endearing and easily relatable.
#booksky
#booksky
In Laurie Gilmore’s The Christmas Tree Farm, I enjoyed the story, the main characters, and the festive setting. The narrative maintained a balance of suspense through the appropriate amount of conflict. I appreciate how the characters’ experiences were mostly handled maturely. 🎄
#booksky
#booksky
The Christmas Tree Farm (by Laurie Gilmore) — A Book and A Dog
I’m thrilled that I’ve completed my library holds, allowing me to dive back into the enchanting world of Christmas-themed books before the holiday season fades away. After a few beautiful…
abookandadog.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
In Laurie Gilmore’s The Christmas Tree Farm, I enjoyed the story, the main characters, and the festive setting. The narrative maintained a balance of suspense through the appropriate amount of conflict. I appreciate how the characters’ experiences were mostly handled maturely. 🎄
#booksky
#booksky
Reposted by Natalie
Of all the things I've written, this @nytimes.com Modern Love essay is the only one framed on my wall. 11 yrs ago, it changed my life. Every December, someone reminds me to repost it, but it seems especially needed this year, when the news feels so heavy. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/f...
www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/f...
An Extra Angel on Top of the Tree (Published 2014)
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Of all the things I've written, this @nytimes.com Modern Love essay is the only one framed on my wall. 11 yrs ago, it changed my life. Every December, someone reminds me to repost it, but it seems especially needed this year, when the news feels so heavy. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/f...
www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/f...
While My Next Breath mainly focuses on the incident, Jeremy Renner incorporates details about his family, childhood, and the pivotal moment that led him to acting. He expresses gratitude for his life, family, friends, and those who saved his life. I love that he narrates the audiobook.
#booksky
#booksky
My Next Breath (Jeremy Renner) — A Book and A Dog
I was introduced to Jeremy Renner through the movie, The Hurt Locker, which was fantastic. Since then, I’ve noticed his roles in other movies that I’ve also enjoyed. In 2020, I watched him…
abookandadog.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
While My Next Breath mainly focuses on the incident, Jeremy Renner incorporates details about his family, childhood, and the pivotal moment that led him to acting. He expresses gratitude for his life, family, friends, and those who saved his life. I love that he narrates the audiobook.
#booksky
#booksky
Unfortunately, I found myself abandoning Happy Place after listening to the audiobook for two hours. I felt bored with the narrative, and the premise lacked any compelling elements. I didn’t connect with the characters. They seemed ordinary and lacking unique qualities to draw me in.
#booksky
#booksky
Happy Place (by Emily Henry) — A Book and A Dog
I recently read Emily Henry’s book, Book Lovers , and was thoroughly impressed. Despite being a newcomer to romance novels, I instantly became impressed by her writing. Since then, I’ve…
abookandadog.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Unfortunately, I found myself abandoning Happy Place after listening to the audiobook for two hours. I felt bored with the narrative, and the premise lacked any compelling elements. I didn’t connect with the characters. They seemed ordinary and lacking unique qualities to draw me in.
#booksky
#booksky
I had high hopes for Isola by Allegra Goodman—a literary novel of strength, defiance, and a fight for life. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. The beginning was slow, and it took forever for Marguerite to be marooned. This story failed to evoke the emotional response I had anticipated.
#booksky
#booksky
Isola (Allegra Goodman) — A Book and A Dog
I had no intention of reading Isola by Allegra Goodman when it was first released. However, I noticed a lot of praise for the book and decided to give it a try. Inspired by the true story of 16th-ce...
abookandadog.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I had high hopes for Isola by Allegra Goodman—a literary novel of strength, defiance, and a fight for life. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. The beginning was slow, and it took forever for Marguerite to be marooned. This story failed to evoke the emotional response I had anticipated.
#booksky
#booksky
Joe Hill is one of my favorite authors. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of King Sorrow, and it was worth the wait! I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this story and its characters. The dragon character was a fascinating component to a story about the theft of rare books.
#booksky
#booksky
King Sorrow (by Joe Hill) — A Book and A Dog
Joe Hill is easily one of my favorite authors. I’ve been a fan of his since he published Heart-Shaped Box. I’ll never forget the way that book caught my eye in the bookstore—I had to buy it.
abookandadog.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Joe Hill is one of my favorite authors. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of King Sorrow, and it was worth the wait! I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this story and its characters. The dragon character was a fascinating component to a story about the theft of rare books.
#booksky
#booksky
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman is filled with action and tension as a plane crash causes structural damage to the nuclear power plant, compelling the town of Waketa to take immediate action. Her suspenseful thrillers are a must-read for me!
#booksky
#booksky
Worst Case Scenario (by T.J. Newman) — A Book and A Dog
About six months ago, I read TJ Newman’s debut novel, Falling , and was so engrossed that I immediately went on to read Drowning . Now, I’ve finished Worst Case Scenario , and I must say…
abookandadog.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman is filled with action and tension as a plane crash causes structural damage to the nuclear power plant, compelling the town of Waketa to take immediate action. Her suspenseful thrillers are a must-read for me!
#booksky
#booksky
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman is filled with action and tension as a plane crash causes structural damage to the nuclear power plant, compelling the town of Waketa to take immediate action. Her suspenseful thrillers are a must-read for me!
#booksky
#booksky
Worst Case Scenario (by T.J. Newman) — A Book and A Dog
About six months ago, I read TJ Newman’s debut novel, Falling , and was so engrossed that I immediately went on to read Drowning . Now, I’ve finished Worst Case Scenario , and I must say…
abookandadog.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman is filled with action and tension as a plane crash causes structural damage to the nuclear power plant, compelling the town of Waketa to take immediate action. Her suspenseful thrillers are a must-read for me!
#booksky
#booksky
Starting My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner this weekend. Wow! So far, it’s really good. ❄️
#booksky #FridayReads
#booksky #FridayReads
December 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Starting My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner this weekend. Wow! So far, it’s really good. ❄️
#booksky #FridayReads
#booksky #FridayReads
I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Authors Andrew Child, Tracy Clark, Hannah Mary McKinnon, and Ryan Steck engaged in fascinating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog and it’s loaded with book recommendations.
#booksky
#booksky
The Back Room - Outstanding Winter Reads — A Book and A Dog
An evening at The Back Room: Cocktails and Conversations with Your Favorite Authors, hosted by authors Hank Phillippi Ryan and Karen Dionne, was a delightful way to conclude the 2025….
abookandadog.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Authors Andrew Child, Tracy Clark, Hannah Mary McKinnon, and Ryan Steck engaged in fascinating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog and it’s loaded with book recommendations.
#booksky
#booksky
The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole exceeded my expectations and is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas-themed books I’ve ever read. A heartwarming novel follows fashion-focused Meg Julliard as she returns to manage her late father’s apartment building in her hometown.
#booksky
#booksky
The Christmas Dress (by Courtney Cole) — A Book and A Dog
This holiday season, I yearned for a beautiful and heartwarming Christmas-themed book to immerse myself in. After exploring various library apps, I found nothing that truly resonated with…
abookandadog.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole exceeded my expectations and is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas-themed books I’ve ever read. A heartwarming novel follows fashion-focused Meg Julliard as she returns to manage her late father’s apartment building in her hometown.
#booksky
#booksky
Over several months, my husband and I meticulously assembled the Lego of Endurance, the magnificent ship of Ernest Shackleton. My book review of Endurance by Alfred Lansing has been updated with photos and info.
#booksky
abookandadog.com/blog/endurance?rq=endurance
#booksky
abookandadog.com/blog/endurance?rq=endurance
December 17, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Over several months, my husband and I meticulously assembled the Lego of Endurance, the magnificent ship of Ernest Shackleton. My book review of Endurance by Alfred Lansing has been updated with photos and info.
#booksky
abookandadog.com/blog/endurance?rq=endurance
#booksky
abookandadog.com/blog/endurance?rq=endurance
So excited for this! 🤓
As the year winds down, it's wonderful to have something BIG to look forward to in 2026! My 8th novel, THE QUITTERS CLUB, is something a little different... And it officially has a cover! Coming this spring! Learn more, add on Goodreads +/or preorder: jessicastrawser.com/the-quitters... #booksky
December 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
So excited for this! 🤓
The Gunslinger is the December pick for the in-person Constant Reader book club I attend. It’s a reread for me, and it’s been a while since I last read it. I struggled through it again. I’m hoping that the book club discussion will help me understand this installment better.
#booksky
#booksky
The Gunslinger (by Stephen King) — A Book and A Dog
The Gunslinger by Stephen King is the December selection for the in-person Constant Reader book club I attend. It’s a reread for me and it’s been a while since I last read it. Unfortunately, I …
abookandadog.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:56 AM
The Gunslinger is the December pick for the in-person Constant Reader book club I attend. It’s a reread for me, and it’s been a while since I last read it. I struggled through it again. I’m hoping that the book club discussion will help me understand this installment better.
#booksky
#booksky
I’m thrilled that Lisa Unger has written another holiday short story! I loved this story! It’s an absolute gem of a suspenseful thriller set during the Christmas season. A professional hitwoman discovers the presence of the target’s young daughter, compelling her to confront her conscience.
#booksky
#booksky
The Kill Clause (by Lisa Unger) — A Book and A Dog
I’m thrilled that Lisa Unger has written another holiday short story, The Kill Clause! Paige, a professional hitwoman, receives a contract to eliminate a target in a grand mansion. However…
abookandadog.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I’m thrilled that Lisa Unger has written another holiday short story! I loved this story! It’s an absolute gem of a suspenseful thriller set during the Christmas season. A professional hitwoman discovers the presence of the target’s young daughter, compelling her to confront her conscience.
#booksky
#booksky
I’ve been neglecting my unread Dean Koontz books, so it was a delight to read The Bone Farm, a prequel novella in the Jane Hawk series. Jane, a sharp FBI agent, races against time to stop a sadistic serial killer who abducts and tortures young women before murdering them.
#booksky
#booksky
The Bone Farm (by Dean Koontz) — A Book and A Dog
I’ve been neglecting my unread Dean Koontz books, so it was a delight to read The Bone Farm, a prequel novella in the Jane Hawk series. Jane, a sharp FBI agent, races against time to stop a…
abookandadog.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I’ve been neglecting my unread Dean Koontz books, so it was a delight to read The Bone Farm, a prequel novella in the Jane Hawk series. Jane, a sharp FBI agent, races against time to stop a sadistic serial killer who abducts and tortures young women before murdering them.
#booksky
#booksky
What makes The Gift by Freida McFadden stand out is how relentlessly dark it gets for a story that’s literally wrapped in Christmas paper. She fully embraces the bleakness, resentment, and betrayal that can lurk even within the “perfect” festive season.
#booksky
#booksky
The Gift (by Freida McFadden) — A Book and A Dog
Freida McFadden’s The Gift, a short and quick read that clocks in at just an hour, served as a great introduction to my holiday reading in the thriller genre.
abookandadog.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:34 PM
What makes The Gift by Freida McFadden stand out is how relentlessly dark it gets for a story that’s literally wrapped in Christmas paper. She fully embraces the bleakness, resentment, and betrayal that can lurk even within the “perfect” festive season.
#booksky
#booksky
This weekend I’m starting Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman. ✈️ Additionally, I’m joining Shannon O’Brien on her travel journey in her memoir, Stray. 🧳
#BookSky
#BookSky
December 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
This weekend I’m starting Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman. ✈️ Additionally, I’m joining Shannon O’Brien on her travel journey in her memoir, Stray. 🧳
#BookSky
#BookSky
Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare is excellent! It’s moving and emotional. The book addresses Prince Harry’s father and brother, who claim to not understand why he and his family left Britain. It begins with the “disappearance” of his mother, and it’s heartbreaking to hear his perspective.
#booksky
#booksky
Spare (Prince Harry) — A Book and A Dog
I’ve never been a follower of the Royal family; however, I grew up loving Princess Diana and will always remember her kindness, beauty, and compassionate…
abookandadog.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare is excellent! It’s moving and emotional. The book addresses Prince Harry’s father and brother, who claim to not understand why he and his family left Britain. It begins with the “disappearance” of his mother, and it’s heartbreaking to hear his perspective.
#booksky
#booksky
Darcy Coates’s gothic horror novella, The Haunting of Gillespie House, begins as a typical housesitter encountering the eerie occurrences of an old mansion. However, as the narrative unfolds, it delves into the mansion’s history, transforming into a genuinely spine-chilling tale.
#booksky
#booksky
The Haunting of Gillespie House (by Darcy Coates) — A Book and A Dog
Darcy Coates’s gothic horror novella, The Haunting of Gillespie House, immerses readers in the eerie ambiance of a beautiful Victorian mansion. When young house-sitter Elle Schafer accepts a…
abookandadog.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Darcy Coates’s gothic horror novella, The Haunting of Gillespie House, begins as a typical housesitter encountering the eerie occurrences of an old mansion. However, as the narrative unfolds, it delves into the mansion’s history, transforming into a genuinely spine-chilling tale.
#booksky
#booksky
December’s Amazon First Reads offers a complimentary bonus short read, titled “The Last Father-Daughter Dance” by Lisa Wingate, along with a new book of your choosing. I opted for “The Water Lies” by Amy Meyerson.
#booksky
#booksky
December 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
December’s Amazon First Reads offers a complimentary bonus short read, titled “The Last Father-Daughter Dance” by Lisa Wingate, along with a new book of your choosing. I opted for “The Water Lies” by Amy Meyerson.
#booksky
#booksky
Embracing the Unknown, featuring Pema Chödrön, explores how awareness of death can lead to a fuller, more courageous present. It covers topics like the bardo, rebirth as a continuous process, and practical ways to manage fear, grief, and uncertainty.
#booksky
#booksky
Embracing the Unknown (by Pema Chödrön) — A Book and A Dog
Buddhism has always been an easy practice for me to connect with because its teachings make perfect sense in a practical and logical way. Pema Chödrön, an American Buddhist nun…
abookandadog.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Embracing the Unknown, featuring Pema Chödrön, explores how awareness of death can lead to a fuller, more courageous present. It covers topics like the bardo, rebirth as a continuous process, and practical ways to manage fear, grief, and uncertainty.
#booksky
#booksky
Nikolette and I are wishing you cozy nights with hot chocolate, a stack of great books, and the people (and pets) you love most. 🎄☕️🍫📚🎅🐾
Merry Christmas!
abookandadog.com
Merry Christmas!
abookandadog.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Nikolette and I are wishing you cozy nights with hot chocolate, a stack of great books, and the people (and pets) you love most. 🎄☕️🍫📚🎅🐾
Merry Christmas!
abookandadog.com
Merry Christmas!
abookandadog.com
Indie publisher Bad Hand Books and author Benjamin Percy are collaborating with Stephen King to publish a monthly newspaper called The End Times. A post-apocalyptic newspaper set during the time of The Stand. I loved the first issue. Details on my blog.
#booksky
#booksky
The End Times (by Benjamin Percy and Stephen King) — A Book and A Dog
The facilitator of my Constant Reader book club shared exciting news with the group. Independent publisher Bad Hand Books and author Benjamin Percy are collaborating with…
abookandadog.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Indie publisher Bad Hand Books and author Benjamin Percy are collaborating with Stephen King to publish a monthly newspaper called The End Times. A post-apocalyptic newspaper set during the time of The Stand. I loved the first issue. Details on my blog.
#booksky
#booksky