Book of Interest: The People's Library

This sci-fi book, The People's Library by Veronica G. Henry seems very interesting. With the way the world continues to be digitized, it's not hard to imagine human consciousness being as well. And a anti-tech rebellion is also something that's not hard to imagine, especially since there is already a growing anti-AI sentiment. And couple that with the librarian, Echo London uncovering secrets about the library, I so want to read this book. Because what does she find out and is it connected with the anti-tech rebellion?

Book: The People's Library by Veronica G. Henry

Publication: February 1, 2026

Description:

From critically acclaimed author Veronica G. Henry comes a thought—provoking science fiction fantasy set in near—future Cleveland that follows a reluctant curator of digital human consciousness who must uncover twisted secrets and navigate ethical quandaries and dangers when anti—technology rebels attack the futuristic library.

Echo London never wanted to be the curator of the People’s Library, a digital collection of human consciousness. But when she’s assigned as its head librarian, Echo is entrusted with humanity’s greatest minds and historical figures, all of whom have been recreated through controversial consciousness—capturing technology that lets visitors interact with the dead.

But an anti—tech rebellion is stirring. When a rebel attack results in tragedy, a mysterious woman wearing an ancient death mask leaves behind cryptic final words for Echo: It all begins with nothing. Caught between the resistance and a potentially virtual evolution, Echo begins to fear that there’s more to her job than meets the eye and the mind. There are secrets here. And the People’s Library may be less of a promise of things to come than a warning of the danger that lurks beneath the surface. Now the fate of humanity lies in uncovering the truth.

Book of Interest: The Dead Romantics

Is The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston a supernatural romance? I was wondering if the ghost of Florence's late editor is there to help her see that love isn't dead which will lead to not only get her back to writing but to also find love. Also, what is his unfinished business? This seems like an interesting and fun story. I'm really surprised that I don't read a lot of ghost stories. I want to read this, so I'll be adding this to my list.

Book: The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Description:

Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead.

When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won't give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father.

For ten years, she's run from the town that never understood her, and even though she misses the sound of a warm Southern night and her eccentric, loving family and their funeral parlor, she can’t bring herself to stay. Even with her father gone, it feels like nothing in this town has changed. And she hates it.

Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is.

Romance is most certainly dead . . . but so is her new editor, and his unfinished business will have her second-guessing everything she’s ever known about love stories.

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it so sad the way this country continues to go backwards whenever there is any form of progress. Hatred is unfortunately thriving and there's an American Gestapo terrorizing people under the evil so-called leadership of this country. Not to mention this so-called leadership is also trying to terrorize other countries into doing what they want. Thankfully more countries are pushing back against them.

Dr. King's enduring message of fighting against hatred and seeking peace, justice and equality continues to live on. Despite the current times, people continue to push for change in making this country a better place. Diversity is wonderful and should never be seen as something bad. We have to continue to fight for our rights.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. may his message never be forgotten.

Fandom Thoughts: 9-1-1's Ninth Season and Heated Rivalry

Happy Saturday! I had some fandom thoughts on my mind and wanted to share them. And here they are:

- What is going on with the writing on 9-1-1? Why does Henrietta "Hen" Wilson have to be written out of character to try to make this terrible storyline of her being sick and hiding it work? Which by the way, it didn't. It's definitely one way of ruining her character. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever that Hen would have done any of the stuff the writers had her doing. And at this point, it truly feels like character assassination especially with her blaming others and lashing out at her best friend and now 118 Fire Captain Howard "Chimney" Han. I'm starting to wonder if the writers are using AI (which I hope not and it's just bad writing) to write this ninth season because so far this has been a very lackluster season with boring storylines and characters being out of character. I guess since they couldn't have any more repetitive storylines of Hen and her wife Dr. Karen Wilson either not being able to have a second child or have something dealing with their children. So, now it's a ridiculous storyline about Hen's out of character response to having a health issue.

Something I have no interest in is the writers most likely planning on giving Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz yet another random love interest this season. The same most likely for Evan "Buck" Buckley. I never understood why they just don't want to put Buck and Eddie together. It's kind of hilarious that this show has one of the most popular ships (albeit non-canon) and instead of seeing what the fans and viewers are seeing and enjoying. The Showrunner and writers would rather baits fans and viewers instead of actually putting them together. I guess it's more fun for them to bait fans but it's not fun for fans. Anyway, it looks like one if not both of them will probably be getting new random love interests. I would love to be proved wrong with the Showrunner and writers no longer baiting fans and they stop writing the same storylines over and over again and finally put Buck and Eddie together. But I'm not holding my breath for that.

- Something I hope that Heated Rivalry will showcase more of in the second season is Canada. This is a Canadian show and I want to see more of Canada especially since I've never been there. I know this show has a low budget and it doesn't look like it's changing, so maybe they can get creative with how they showcase Canada. Since Shane Hollander lives in Montréal and plays for the Montréal Metros, I want to see more of the city. And with Ilya Rozanov thinking of leaving the Boston Raiders to play for the Ottawa Centaurs, it would be cool to see more of the city of Ottawa. And with Ilya moving they will both be in Canada and it would be nice to see them going out and showing viewers more sites in both cities. I don't know, it's just when I think about Sex and the City, it truly made New York City a focus and almost like another character on the show. I just hope Heated Rivalry could add a little more essence of Canada to the show.

(Montréal    Photo Credit: Vogue magazine)

Book of Interest: Unrivaled

I know I haven't read the other six books in the Game Changers series (but I will) which I recently bought but that doesn't stop me from wanting to pre-order this book, Unrivaled by Rachel Reid. I've never pre-ordered a book this far in advance, Unrivaled which is the seventh book in the series is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026.

Although, I'm new to the Game Changers fandom, prior to this new book being announced, I had read that the author had written the final book in the series, The Long Game. So, it's pleasantly surprising that Rachel Reid secretly wrote a new book that I'm sure old and new fans will be happy to read. I can't believe that Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are getting a new and third book, that's pretty cool.

Book: Unrivaled (Game Changers book #7) by Rachel Reid

Publication: September 29, 2026

Description:

A line has been drawn—and the hockey world is divided.

For the first time in their professional hockey careers, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander have nothing to hide. For more than a decade, they kept their love a secret, but now they're out, married, and even playing on the same team. The support is incredible.

Most of the time.

They've gotten a lot of love from fans who are thrilled for them. But some people in the hockey world are still reeling from their relationship reveal, and the backlash—led by popular hockey podcast Top Shelf and the #TakeBackHockey movement—is getting louder.

Ilya and Shane are finally able to stand together in the light, the way they'd always wanted. And now they might be facing their biggest challenge yet.

Book Girl Thoughts: Thank You

Happy Wednesday!

I feel like I haven't said this enough, but I truly mean it, thank you for being here and reading my blog, Book Girl and my other blog Truly Outrageous Buck and Eddie (which I need to update). I want to thank you for your support, for reading my posts about books and my book reviews, for reading my geeky lifestyle posts which I hope are helpful, my posts about shows and movies and for posts about life. With time being so valuable, I am so grateful that you choose to visit my blogs.

So, thank you so much.

~ Book Girl

(Photo Credit: Martha Stewart)

Book of Interest: Scooby-Doo! and the Attack of the Scooby Snacks Cookbook

Happy Tuesday!

I've mention this plenty of times but I love fandom cookbooks, and I was thinking about getting Scooby-Doo! and the Attack of the Scooby Snacks Cookbook by Elena Pons Craig and Marc Sumerak. I love Scooby-Doo and my love of mysteries is definitely can be a attributed to this franchise. From the classic series Scooby-Doo! Where are you? to some of the newer adaptations, I'm just a huge fan. Whether they're having picnics at the beach, going to diners, restaurants, guests at friends homes, hotels, inns, the Mystery Inc. gang do eat quite a bit of food and especially Shaggy and Scooby. So it will be interesting to see what Scooby-Doo related recipes are included in this.

Book: Scooby-Doo! and the Attack of the Scooby Snacks (An Official Cookbook): From Scooby Snacks and Pickled Vampire Wings to Fried Moonbeams and More by Elena Pons Craig and Marc Sumerak

Description:

Scooby-Doo, where are you? Join Scooby, Shaggy, Daphne, Fred, and Velma to solve their latest mystery—just how delicious the 55+ recipes included in Scooby-Doo! and the Attack of the Scooby Snacks are!

Zoinks! Scooby-Doo! and the Attack of the Scooby Snacksallows Mystery Incorporated fans to finally answer the question, “Would you do it for a Scooby Snack?” This family-friendly cookbook’s recipes takes fans on an immersive journey through the incredible snacks that Scooby, Shaggy, and the rest of the gang encounter during their mystery-solving antics alongside complementary sidebars with party ideas inspired by all the ghouls and frights of Coolsville.

Fans will have the courage to face any monster head on as they recreate delicious, easy-to-follow recipes for Scooby Snacks, Shaggy’s Jaw-Stretcher Special sandwich, Pot Pie Pizza, Fruitmeiers Ice Cream, a Spooky Haunted House Cake, and so much more.

55+ SNACKS: Jinkies! With more than 55 recipes inspired by the meddling kids and ghoulish monsters of Coolsville, there’s something to delight everyone

STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY: Features beautiful photography of the delicious, fully prepared recipes to help ensure success

MENUS FOR EVERY OCCASION: Includes suggested, themed menus featuring recipes for delicious snacks, stuff to go with snacks, really big snacks, drinkable snacks, and sweet snacks

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RECIPES: Perfect for kids, adults, and families, this book has easy-to-follow recipes and everyday ingredients, making it ideal for every chef, meal, and occasion

OFFICIALLY LICENSED: Created in conjunction with the studio behind Scooby-Doo

Book of Interest: Star Wars: The Last Order

I had no idea that Finn and Jannah had a Star Wars book, Star Wars: The last Order by Kwame Mbalia. According to the description, it takes place after the final Disney Star Wars sequel trilogy movie The Rise of Skywalker which was an okay movie that could have been better. Anyway, at the end of the movie, Finn and Jannah left with Lando Calrissian in search of their past. And with the way Finn was sidelined throughout most of the sequel trilogy, it's nice to see him get some attention with this book. As well as Jannah who was introduced in The Rise of Skywalker.

I think it will be interesting to see what parts of their past will be uncovered and focused on. I'm sure their past as former stormtroopers will be explored especially with how the First Order abducted and brainwashed children and turned them into soldiers. I wonder if Lando will make an appearance in this story. Anyway, The last Order seems like it'll be an interesting read.

Book: Star Wars: The Last Order by Kwame Mbalia

Description:

New York Times best-selling author Kwame Mbalia makes his Star Wars debut with this exciting YA novel!

Following the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the Resistance rescues a ship full of young passengers who had been kidnapped by the First Order. As Finn and Jannah set out to find the First Order officer responsible before he can endanger any more children, the two former stormtroopers must wrestle with their own complicated pasts as soldiers of the oppressive regime.

Take a deep dive into the pasts of popular characters Finn and Jannah in this richly-drawn, action-packed story that fans have been asking for.

Quote: Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander (Heated Rivalry)

Ilya: You scared me.

Shane: I'm sorry I didn't text you last night.

Ilya: No, it's OK.

Shane: I was excited about last night. I'm mostly mad at Marleau for fucking that up.

Ilya: He feels really bad.

Shane: You know, I had a whole plan to ask you something.

Ilya: Maybe it's better if you just rest now.

Shane: I was gonna ask you...

Ilya: Hollander...

Shane: Will you come to my cottage this summer? Don't go to Russia. Come to my house. We'll have so much fun. It's so private. No one will know.

Ilya: Hollander, you know I can't do that.

Shane: We could have a week or even two. We'd be completely alone. Together.

Ilya: Maybe. Maybe.

~ Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, Heated Rivalry season 1 episode 5: I'll Believe in Anything

Ilya must have been so worried about Shane. Because after Shane had gotten knocked out during the game, he couldn't be by his side. He had to stand by and let the medical staff take care of Shane and take him to the hospital. And since they are in a secret relationship, Ilya couldn't leave the game and go to the hospital with Shane. Which means he had to continue the game while during all that time being worried about Shane. And then by the time the game was over, so was most likely visiting hours at the hospital. So, he had to wait until morning just to finally see Shane and find out how he was.

Meanwhile, Shane was all drugged out on whatever medicine or painkillers his doctor had him on. And despite the concussion and a fractured collarbone, he probably didn't have a care in the world. Well that is except for wanting to ask Ilya to come to his cottage for the summer. All in all, he was just so happy to see Ilya. He was just so cute and adorable and loopy throughout this scene meanwhile Ilya was all worried and concerned. What I found so interesting is that the love they have for each other was very present not just in this moment but throughout the entire scene. But it's also very funny with how loopy and slightly loud Shane was which had Ilya trying to quiet him down. I really like this scene.

(Heated Rivalry season 1 episode 5: I'll Believe in Anything)

Video: The Rookie season 8 preview with the cast

I'm really looking forward to watching the eighth season of The Rookie (especially with the current state of the world) and this video is a good interview with the cast. As much as I can't wait to watch the new season, I also have mixed feeling about Monica Stevens. After she received immunity last season which seemed unfair but terrible people somehow get away with their crimes.. And now she will be working with the police and FBI when she should have been charged with all the crimes she committed. But I'm sure she'll try to double cross everyone and try to disappear for good. I find it interesting that Bailey Nune will be part of this investigation but as the reporter said maybe this will give her and John Nolan a chance at a second honeymoon since their first was something out of a horror movie.

As for Lucy Chen and Timothy "Tim" Bradford, I can't wait for them to finally get back together. Especially since they really love each other and not to mention their break up was so forced when they could have easily worked through their issues. It reminds me of when Maddie Buckley and Howard "Chimney" Han broke up (off screen) in the second half of the fifth season of 9-1-1. It still makes no sense that they broke up and not to mention it happened off screen like so many of 9-1-1's other important scenes that continue not to be shown on screen.

Anyway, back to The Rookie, I can't see Celina Juarez staying in that relationship for long with that musician. For one I find him annoying but I also don't see how a long distance relationship is going to work in the long run. Not that it will happen but I could see her being paired up with the newest rookie Miles Penn. I think they have an interesting chemistry that could work romantically. One of my favorite duos on The Rookie is Detectives Nyla Harper and Angela Lopez. Because if they are on the case, they are sure to solve it.

Currently Reading: Murder on Cape Cod

This is the first book I'll be reading in the new year, Murder on Cape Cod by Maddie Day. It's a cozy mystery that follows Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida trying to clear her name with help from the her book club, who read mystery books. I wonder what information they're going to use to try to help her. I do wonder if someone tried to frame her or was it a murder of convenience with that fishing knife being right where the murderer found it and used it. It will be interesting to see how Mac and her friends solve this murder.

Book: Murder on Cape Cod (A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery book #1) by Maddie Day

Description:

A Cape Cod shop owner and her book club must find a crafty killer in this charming new series from the Agatha-nominated author of the Country Store Mystery series.

Summer is busy season for Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida’s bicycle shop, nestled in the quaint, seaside hamlet of Westham, Massachusetts. She’s expecting an influx of tourists at Mac’s Bikes; instead she discovers the body of Jake Lacey. Mac can’t imagine anyone stabbing the down-on-his-luck handyman. However, the authorities seem to think Mac is a strong suspect after she was spotted arguing with Jake just hours before his death. Mac knows she didn’t do it, but she does recognize the weapon—her brother Derrick’s fishing knife.

Mac’s only experience with murder investigations is limited to the cozy mysteries she reads with her local book group, the Cozy Capers. So to clear her name—and maybe her brother’s too—Mac will have to summon help from her Cozy Capers co-investigators and a library’s worth of detectives’ tips and tricks. For a small town, Westham is teeming with possible killers, and this is one mystery where Mac is hoping for anything but a surprise ending…

Happy New Year!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! And a belated Kwanzaa, Boxing Day and Hanukkah to all my readers who celebrate.

It's 2026, a new year full of new ideas, opportunities and experiences. However, before I focus on 2026, I wanted to think about last year. I was wondering how was your year in reading? Did you have any reading goals for 2025 and if so, did you meet them? My year of reading wasn't that great I only read and reviewed seven books but it was better than 2024 where I only read and reviewed three books. My reading goal was 100 books and in the past that would have been no problem to reach because I was reading hundreds of books but the last nine years I haven't been able to get even close to that. So, I'm going to continue my goal of 100 books and see how I do in this new year. My reading goals for 2026 is to continue to find, read and review interesting books. I have a tendency to buy a lot of books which is why I really just want to read more of my books. I also want to finish organizing my books, I still have to get another bookcase to put away the rest of my books that I wasn't able to shelve.

Now moving on to fandoms, how was your experience last year? For me, let's see, first, my local comic book store closed. It was sad because that was a place where all us comic book nerds went and not only bought comics but it was a place where everyone there shared this wonderful interest of comics and geek culture. I'm going to miss going there because the owner was this fun cool guy who treated all us as not just customers but friends. He never over charged or hiked up the prices for older books and merchandise. Everything was just fair and reasonably priced. The store had been open for years but the owner was older and wanted to retire. As of now, I'm not sure I want to go looking for another comic book store. I'll probably just buy my comics in the trade edition.

Another fandom related thing is, I joined two new fandoms, Heated Rivalry and KPop Demon Hunters. This show, Heated Rivalry turned out to be really good and the story and characters were interesting. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov's story will go in the second season. I was finally able to buy all the books in the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid and the author's two other hockey romance books. Not sure when I'll start reading this series but I'm hoping to start sometime this year. As for KPop Demon Hunters, I love this movie and the soundtrack. It's just a fun movie that follows a pop group who also fought against the supernatural. This was just a fun watch. I'm happy this will also have a second movie.

I love finding a new fandoms while still having interest in all my other usual group of fandoms. As for some of my usual fandoms, I loved Wicked: For Good as well as the soundtrack. I can't wait to buy the Blu-ray when it's released later this month. As for 2026 fandom goals, I hope to find more shows, movies and characters.

With that said, Happy New Year!

Book Review: Congo

Book: Congo by Michael Crichton

Description:

Deep in the African rain forest, near the legendary ruins of the Lost City of Zinj, an expedition of eight American geologists is mysteriously and brutally killed in a matter of minutes.

Ten thousand miles away, Karen Ross, the Congo Project Supervisor, watches a gruesome video transmission of the aftermath: a camp destroyed, tents crushed and torn, equipment scattered in the mud alongside dead bodies — all motionless except for one moving image — a grainy, dark, man-shaped blur.

In San Francisco, primatologist Peter Elliot works with Amy, a gorilla with an extraordinary vocabulary of 620 “signs,” the most ever learned by a primate, and she likes to fingerpaint. But recently, her behavior has been erratic and her drawings match, with stunning accuracy, the brittle pages of a Portuguese print dating back to 1642 . . . a drawing of an ancient lost city. A new expedition — along with Amy — is sent into the Congo where they enter a secret world, and the only way out may be through a horrifying death…