Week in Review #36

This week I read eight books.

98. Whispers of Shadowbrook House. Rebecca Anderson. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [adult fiction, adult historical, adult romance, 3 stars]

Read this if...

• You enjoy gothic romance
• You enjoy historical romance
• You enjoy books with mediums/spiritualists

92. Days with Frog and Toad. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1979. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book]

Read this if...

• You enjoy early chapter books
• You enjoy books about friendship
• You enjoy children's classics
• You enjoy animal fantasy

93. Board book: The Feelings Book: A Touch-and-Feel Playbook. Mike Henson. Miguel Ordonez. 2025. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, touch and feel, interactive]

Read this if...

• You enjoy board books
• You enjoy interactive board books

62. Board book: Otter B Helpful. Pamela Kennedy and Anne Kennedy Brady. Illustrated by Aaron Zenz. 2019/2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, christian board book]

Read this if...

• You are looking for Christian board books
• You enjoy books strong on morals

63. Board book: Otter B Honest. Pamela Kennedy and Anne Kennedy Brady. Illustrated by Aaron Zenz. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, christian board book]

Read this if...

• You are looking for Christian board books
• You enjoy books strong on morals

64. Board book: Otter B Brave. Pamela Kennedy and Anne Kennedy Brady. Illustrated by Aaron Zenz. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, christian board book]

Read this if...

• You are looking for Christian board books
• You enjoy books strong on morals

65. Teach Me to Pray: Praying God's Word from A to Z. Kristen Wetherell. 2025. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy] [4 stars, children's book, prayer book]

Read this if...

• You are looking for a prayer book for children
• You are looking for Christian children's books

66. Last Light Over Galveston. Jennifer L. Wright. 2025. 356 pages. [Source: Library] [christian fiction, historical fiction, survival story, 4 stars]

Read this if...

• You enjoy historical fiction
• You enjoy survival fiction

Century of Viewing #36

2000s

• 2001 Star Trek Enterprise, season 1. I really enjoyed rewatching this one. It has been almost two decades since I watched the show. I LOVE some of the characters. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the dog.
• 2009 Primeval Series 3. MANY twists and turns this season...and quite a cliffhanger season.

2010s

• 2011 Primeval Series 4. The show had been canceled after series 3. Series 4 happens 'one year' later on the show, quite a few years later in real life. MANY new characters, new stories. Took a while to get used to the new stuff. But still enjoyable more than not.
• 2011 Primeval Series 5. This series had some GREAT episodes in it. There were some great lines in it as well. Definitely enjoyed it. Wish less episodes had been bug-focused. But definitely glad I watched this series.
• 2017 Batman vs. Two-Face. Animated movie starring Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar, and William Shatner as Two-Face. It was quite good. Definitely enjoyed it. I wish there had been more Batman animation starring the original cast of the 1960s series.
• 2018 City of Lies. I don't want my time back. I don't. But this one was out of my comfort zone. Johnny Depp plays a police detective haunted by a case that the higher ups wouldn't allow him to investigate and solve.

2020s

• 2024 Great British Baking Show, season 15. It is what it is. I have a love-hate relationship with this show. I don't like the host or the judges, but, seeing the contestants cook is pleasant and it is something I can watch with mom.
• 2025 Thursday Morning Club. Murder mystery set in a retirement village; four friends solve a cold case murder AND a new murder. It is based on a book. I wish I'd read the book first. But I am on hold for it.

Alphabet Viewing #6


A Admirable Crichton
B Big Fish
C  The China Syndrome.
D
E Enterprise (Star Trek)  Star Trek Enterprise, season 1. I really enjoyed rewatching this one. It has been almost two decades since I watched the show. I LOVE some of the characters. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the dog.
F First Contact
G The General.
H Home.
I Insurrection (Star Trek)
J -- Johnny Mnemonic.
K
L
M Murder by Death
N
O
P Primeval Series 1 and 2 and 3, 4, 5
Q
R Return of the Caped Crusader (Batman).
S Slipper and the Rose
T Thursday Murder Club. Murder mystery set in a retirement village; four friends solve a cold case murder AND a new murder. It is based on a book. I wish I'd read the book first. But I am on hold for it.
U
V Valley of Vision
W
X
Y You Can't Run Away From It.
Z

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

98. Whispers of Shadowbrook House

98. Whispers of Shadowbrook House. Rebecca Anderson. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [adult fiction, adult historical, adult romance, 3 stars]

First sentence: The rolling River Hamble weaves through land grown think with trees.

Premise/plot: Whispers of Shadowbrook House is a clean, gothic romance set in Victorian England. Oliver Waverly, the male main character, has returned to Shadowbrook House. He's not inherited--yet. He's unsure of the welcome he'll receive from his eccentric, reclusive uncle [or great uncle?]. His childhood was not the coziest--far from it. Pearl Ellicott is governess to young Maxwell, a sickly boy not expected to live to adulthood. Maxwell, I believe, is the grandson of the 'eccentric' uncle of Oliver. (Though I think he may be illegitimate? or the son of a daughter who can't inherit?) Pearl and Oliver take a great liking to one another. Pearl, Oliver, and Maxwell are soon often in each other's company. Maxwell has several health scares. Oliver and Pearl disagree on the best treatment for him. Pearl sides with the boy's grandfather in using the local doctor. Oliver wants the boy to see a specialist from the city. There's some conflict between the two because of disagreements about what is best for Maxwell and what is best for Shadowbrook (estate). He wants to sell when he inherits. Can Oliver and Pearl work out their differences and have a happily ever after?

My thoughts: Whispers of Shadowbrook is an almost for me. I wanted to love it. I didn't quite love it.

I enjoyed the characters of Oliver and Pearl and Maxwell. These three characters by far are the most developed in the novel. I wanted Oliver and Pearl to work out their differences. I enjoyed Maxwell.

I liked but didn't love the setting. The book is aiming to be gothic, to be vaguely spooky. I think this felt a bit forced. I did LIKE the hidden tunnels and rooms. I did like the old house with secrets yet to be discovered vibes. But I didn't like the way it felt forced to make the house be somehow, someway supernatural. I didn't want hints of is this house haunted? I didn't want the house to have feelings, needs, wants, etc.

I did NOT care for the spiritualist/medium story line. I get that this was legitimately 'a thing' that was trendy at the time. It is not out of line with history. I just hated the focus being on let's talk with dead people to see if we can heal the house, heal Maxwell, heal Pearl, heal all that live in the house. If only they'd make peace with their dead relatives, their futures will be brighter and happier.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

August Reflections

In August, I read thirty-one books!

Books reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews

83. Unboxing Libby. Steph Cherrywell. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, MG Fiction, MG speculative fiction, MG science fiction]

84. The Return of the King. (Lord of the Rings) J.R.R. Tolkien. 1955/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 440 pages.

85. Time Travelling with a Tortoise. Ross Welford. 2024. 220 pages. [Source: Library] [MG speculative fiction, time travel, dinosaurs, 4 stars]

86. Pocket Bear. Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Charles Santoso. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars, J fiction, J fantasy, animal fantasy, toy fantasy]

87. Lost in Time. A.G. Riddle. 2022. 455 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, adult science fiction, adult speculative fiction, alternate universes, time travel]

88.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. J.K. Rowling. 1997. 345 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, mg fantasy, mg fiction, audio book]

89. The First Men in the Moon. H.G. Wells. 1901. 213 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, adult science fiction, classic]

90. Clara the Triumphant Rhinoceros. Jane Kurtz. Illustrated by Claire Messer. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction picture book, 5 stars]

91. 4:50 From Paddington. (Miss Marple #8) Agatha Christie. 1957/2007. 288 pages. [Source: Bought]
92. Into the Bewilderness. Gus Gordon. 2025. 192 pages. [Source: Library] [graphic novel, children's graphic novel, 5 stars]
93.  Station Eleven. Emily St. John Mandel. 2014. Knopf Doubleday. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, speculative fiction, adult science fiction, apocalyptic]
94. Old School. Gordon Korman. 2025. 288 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, mg fiction, mg realistic fiction, multiple narrators, school, inter-generational friendships]
95. Stitch: Reimagining Frankenstein. Padraig Kenny. 2025. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, mg speculative fiction, mg fantasy]

96. How To Train Your Dragon. Cressida Cowell. 2003. 214 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars, children's fantasy]
97. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) J.K. Rowling. 1998. 341 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

Books reviewed at Young Readers

82. Who Meows? A Book of Animal Sounds. Robin Page. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, concept book]
83. A Scrub in the Tub. Jan Thomas. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, humor, 5 stars]
84. The Elephant's Birthday (Mouse and Spoon). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, ready to read level 2, animal fantasy, series book; 5 stars]
85. George & Lenny Are Always Together. Jon Agee. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, friendship, picture book]
86. [Board book] I Will Love You Till the Cows Come Home. Anne Matheson. Illustrated by Kim Crumrine. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, parental love]
87. [Board book] Grumpkin. Nicola Edwards. Illustrated by Sian Roberts. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, board book, Halloween]

88. Kitty vs. Kindergarten. Martha Freeman. Illustrated by Eda Kaban. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, pets, school]
89. Do You See the Tiger? Philip Ardagh. Illustrated by David Melling. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]
90. Norman and the Smell of Adventure. Ryan T. Higgins. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars]

91. Frog and Toad Are Friends. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1970. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [Source: Bought] [3 stars, early chapter book, children's classic, animal fantasy]


Books reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible


59. The River of Grace: A Story of John Calvin. Joyce McPherson. 1998. 180 pages. [Source: Bought] [biography, children's book, 5 stars]
60. The Bible, Simplified. Zach Windahl. 2025. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy] [4 stars, christian nonfiction]
61. CSB Scripture Notebook: Psalms. God. 2020. 432 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Psalter]

Bibles reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

8. New King James Version. Audio Bible. Narrated by Tinasha LaRay. God. Accessed through YouVersion Bible App. 1982 for NKJV translation. Not sure when the audio was recorded. [5 stars, Bible, audio book]
9. KJV Thompson Chain Reference Bible. God. 1923 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]
10. NASB 2020 Giant Print Reference Bible, Holman Published. 2022. 1776 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]

Totals for 2025

2025 Totals
Books read in 2025	259
Pages read in 2025	63,631
January 2025
Books read in January	30
Pages read in January	7,020
February 2025
Books read in February	30
Pages read in February	4,782
March 2025
Books read in March	34
Pages read in March	8,595
April 2025
Books read in April	34
Pages read in April	8,293
May 2025
Books read in May	31
Pages read in May	7,698
June 2025
Books read in June	32
Pages read in June	6,072
July 2025
Books read in July	37
Pages read in July	10,460
August 2025
Books read in August	31
Pages read in August	10,711

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #35

This week I read seven books.

96. How To Train Your Dragon. Cressida Cowell. 2003. 214 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars, children's fantasy]

Read this if...

• You enjoy children's fantasy
• You enjoy dragons
• You enjoy audio books narrated by David Tennant

97. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) J.K. Rowling. 1998. 341 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

Read this if...

• You enjoy children's and middle grade fantasy
• You enjoyed the first Harry Potter book
• You enjoy audio books narrated by Stephen Fry

91. Frog and Toad Are Friends. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1970. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [Source: Bought] [3 stars, early chapter book, children's classic, animal fantasy]

Read this if...

• You enjoy children's classics
• You enjoy animal fantasy
• You enjoy friendship stories
• You enjoy early chapter books

60. The Bible, Simplified. Zach Windahl. 2025. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy] [4 stars, christian nonfiction]

Read this if...

• You enjoy christian nonfiction
• You are looking for a book summarizing books of the Bible

61. CSB Scripture Notebook: Psalms. God. 2020. 432 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Psalter]

Read this if...

• You enjoy the book of Psalms
• You are interested in journaling Scripture

9. KJV Thompson Chain Reference Bible. God. 1923 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]

Read this if...

• You love the King James Version
• You enjoy the Thompson Chain Reference Bible

10. NASB 2020 Giant Print Reference Bible, Holman Published. 2022. 1776 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]

Read this if...

• You enjoy the NASB 2020
• You are looking for a Giant Print Bible

Century of Viewing #35

1920s

• 1926 The General. Johnnie Gray loves two things--his girl and his train. When both are kidnapped by the enemy, he goes on a rescue mission.

1970s

• 1974 Airport 1975. There are, I believe, three Airport movies in the disaster series. This one involves a head-on collision between two airplanes. A stewardess is left to fly the plane, her boyfriend, a pilot, may just do a heroic assist...if he can survive what it takes to get to the plane.
• 1977 Airport 77. This is the third and final in the Airport series. This one stars JACK LEMMON as a heroic pilot. This one is perhaps the MOST intense of the three. And it is my personal favorite of the three. An art thief gets a little more trouble than he probably reckoned on, when his plan goes terribly, terribly wrong and the plane plunges into the ocean. Can they be rescued in time?!
• 1979 The China Syndrome. JACK LEMMON is not having a good day. I watched The China Syndrome and Airport 77 on the same day. In this one, journalists uncover a dangerous situation at a nuclear power plant. Jack Lemmon plays a whistle blower who risks his life to get the truth out. This is DRAMATIC and INTENSE.

1980s

• 1987 Adventures in Babysitting. I found this one SUPER entertaining. One babysitter has a terrible, horrible, no good very bad time. It starts when her boyfriend cancels their date. She takes a babysitting job. Her best friend calls with an emergency. She decides to take the kids with her to 'rescue' her friends. But, who will need rescuing by the end of the night?! Or who doesn't need rescuing! This one is over-the-top silly adventure. I think my favorite part was the blues song she is forced to sing.

2010s

• 2016 Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader. This animated Batman adventure stars Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar. (Batman, Robin, and Catwoman). It is essentially an ANIMATED episode--though an extended story--of the original Batman. The dialogue is AWESOME if you loved the original show. The story is ridiculous--in a good way. And overall, I just loved revisiting these characters. It is almost a love letter to the original series.

2020s

• 2025 How To Train Your Dragon (live action). I definitely enjoyed this one. More than the animated original? Probably not. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the animated movie. This one was worth watching however. Hiccup, our hero, is anything but a "hero" according to everyone in his viking village. When he captures a dragon and trains it, well, folks doubt he has what it takes. But Hiccup and Toothless may just prove everyone wrong.
• 2025 Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan. Is this one about Ed Sullivan? Yes. No. Maybe. It is 95% focused on the Civil Rights movement and how 'shocking' it was that black artists were performing on the Ed Sullivan show. I was more curious about Ed Sullivan in general instead of such a narrow focus. However, it was fine.
• 2025 Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser. Another documentary. This one is the story of The Biggest Loser reality series--some details I'd either blocked or forgotten. It features interviews with many who were either a) on the show as trainers, hosts, producers, etc. or b) a contestant on the show. It presents the story the good, the bad, the ugly. The verbal abuse is disturbing--it always was.

Alphabet Viewing Challenge #5

A Admirable Crichton
B Big Fish
C  The China Syndrome. JACK LEMMON is not having a good day. I watched The China Syndrome and Airport 77 on the same day. In this one, journalists uncover a dangerous situation at a nuclear power plant. Jack Lemmon plays a whistle blower who risks his life to get the truth out. This is DRAMATIC and INTENSE.
D
E
F First Contact
G The General. Johnnie Gray loves two things--his girl and his train. When both are kidnapped by the enemy, he goes on a rescue mission.
H Home.
I Insurrection (Star Trek)
J -- Johnny Mnemonic.
K
L
M Murder by Death
N
O
P Primeval Series 1 and 2
Q
R Return of the Caped Crusader (Batman). This animated Batman adventure stars Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar. (Batman, Robin, and Catwoman). It is essentially an ANIMATED episode--though an extended story--of the original Batman. The dialogue is AWESOME if you loved the original show. The story is ridiculous--in a good way. And overall, I just loved revisiting these characters. It is almost a love letter to the original series.
S Slipper and the Rose
T
U
V Valley of Vision
W
X
Y You Can't Run Away From It.
Z

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Century of Viewing, month 8

In August, I watched thirty-one things. (If my math was right). I started my ALPHABET VIEWING CHALLENGE and I'll keep tracking my movies by year as well for the Century of Viewing challenge.

August 5 Star Movies (Shows, Etc.)

• Admirable Crichton
• Adventures in Babysitting
• Airport 77
• Back to the Future
• Batman (1966) Season 1
• Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
• Big Fish
• Final Countdown
• First Contact (Star Trek)
• The General
• Home
• Insurrection (Star Trek)
• Primeval (Seasons 1 and 2)
• Slipper and the Rose
• Station Eleven
• You Can't Run Away From It

August 4 1/2 and 4 Star Movies (Shows, Etc.)

• First Men in the Moon (H.G. Wells)
• How To Train Your Dragon live-action
• Who Done It? The Clue Documentary
• Johnny Mneumonic
• Valley of Decision
• Airport 1975

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews