For 2021, I set monthly categories to read from, in an effort to feel less constrained by reading challenges that I’d participated in previously, while continuing to work through the massive collection of books that I already own or have borrowed from friends and family. Each month I’ll include the books that I finished within the month’s category reading, books finished outside of the category reading, books in progress, and books abandoned. And I’ll tell you where the book was sourced from. For September 2021, my reading list is from the category of Mysteries!

Mystery Books Finished:

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths

Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.

In the fifth novel of the Ruth Galloway series, Ruth finds out that her college friend has been killed, and receives a mysterious letter from him. She goes to Blackpool to help with an archaeological dig that he had been working on, and danger and mystery abound in a new location. This book was just as good as the previous books in the series. A solid and enjoyable mystery.

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths

Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.

Book number 6 of the series involves a potential baby murderess being discovered in an archaeological dig, missing children, and television documentary filming. It was a quick read, and just as enjoyable as the rest of the series.

The Real Sherlock by Lucinda Hawksley

Already owned Audible audiobook.

This audible original is episodic, much like a podcast, and covers the history of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes series of books. It was a fascinating look at a very interesting man. And what amazed me was how close Sherlock Holmes came to never existing, and to being cut short of the full number of books.

Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne

New Audible audiobook.

This is book number two of the Ink and Sigil series. This series is a spin-off from the Iron Druid Chronicles. And this book includes the Iron Druid quite heavily in its plot, which takes place in Australia after a sigil agent has gone missing. The book is so fun, and funny, and exciting. I’ll definitely keep reading Kevin Hearne, and can’t wait for the next book.

The Man Who Played with Fire: Stieg Larsson’s Lost Files and the Hunt for an Assassin by Jan Stocklassa

Kindle First e-book, so new but free.

A real-life mystery involving the assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, and the theories of Stieg Larsson, an author who went on to write the popular Millennium Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest). Stocklassa had access to Larsson’s archives, as well as did extensive research and investigation of his own. This book is not a dry nonfiction look at true crime, but is exciting and well written. And at the end, you can decide for yourself whether his theories, and those of Larsson make sense to you, as the Palme assassination remains unsolved.

Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie

New physical book.

A Hercule Poirot mystery, this story is set in Ramat and in a girls school in the English countryside. A murder has happened at the girls school, and it is somehow connected to a deposed prince from Ramat and his lost  gemstones. But you don’t know how until the very end. I love that with Agatha Christie novels, I think I’ve figured out the solution to the mystery, only to find out at the end that I had it all wrong.

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

New physical book.

A Miss Marple mystery, this story starts with the body of a young woman being found in the library of an English manor house. But the occupants and servants of the house have no idea who she is, or how she ended up there. Miss Marple is recruited by the wife of the house to help solve the mystery and clear her husband of involvement. This is a fairly short book, with the mystery unveiled and wrapped up pretty quickly. It was enjoyable to read.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

Already owned Audible audiobook.

This book is true crime, but because true crime inevitably involves a mystery, I decided it would be a good month to finally get it read. The book includes both the writings of Michelle McNamara herself, as well as sections that were written based on her notes posthumously, and examines the case of the Golden State Killer. It’s very good, but I decided probably not the best book to read while your husband is gone on a trip and you’re alone in the house.

Survive the Night by Riley Sager

Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby app.

Oh my gosh! My friend Janelle recommended this book to me, and it was one of the most intense and exciting books that I’ve read in quite awhile. The main character is a young woman in college whose roommate and best friend has been murdered by a serial killer after they had a fight. She decides to leave school in the middle of the semester and goes home with a young man using a ride share board. The young woman has her own mental health and trauma baggage, making you never quite sure whether to believe in the accuracy of what she is telling you. But the path is far from a straight one, and the twists and turns in the story will leave you flabbergasted. I can’t wait for more people I know to read this book, so that we can talk about it.

Other Books Finished:

Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World by Scott Keyes

New Kindle e-book.

I’m obviously a lover of travel, and have read travel blogs for years. I’ve scored some fantastic deals on travel, and use points and miles to make our dollars go further. I heard about this book on one of those travel blogs, and knew that I had to read it. Scott Keyes is a master at finding amazing flight deals (hence his own site and newsletter), and this book had some great tips, tricks, and things to think about.

Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff

Borrowed Kindle e-book from Library using Libby app.

This book is about radical love to our neighbors, friends, and even those that we may be keeping our distance from and secretly judging. Goff has some interesting stories, as he’s lead a pretty remarkable life. This book had some real food for thought and for action.

Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study by Barb Ravelin

Already owned Kindle e-book.

My bible study had been working through this book, and I finished it this month. It had some elements that were very good, and which made me really think about why I eat and help me make better choices. But lately I have been working on trying to listen more to my body and what it is telling me that it needs, as well as stopping thinking about foods as good and bad. This book at times reinforced the good food/bad food thinking that I’ve been trying to get away from. So my opinion of it is a little bit mixed.

Luke’s Story: The Jesus Chronicles by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Already owned physical book.

This is the second book that I’ve read in The Jesus Chronicles Series, and I really do just adore them. They take the books of the bible and make them come to life. When I go back and read my bible, I feel like it is so much more meaningful being able to visualize what was going on in the lives of the authors of those books. So powerful, and so wonderfully written.

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

Already owned Kindle e-book.

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t love this book, and almost quit reading it. I kept going though when I realized how little was left, and how little time it would take to finish it. The goal of the book is to make readers desire a deeper connection with God, but I just didn’t connect with the author’s writing. Oh well. Maybe just wasn’t the book for me, or the right time to read it.

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby app.

In my continued reading of everything Brene Brown, this book was next up. This book is for leaders of organizations and businesses, and helps to implement her research in that environment where leaders have inherent power over others. The book included an exercise where you identify your top two values, which I felt was very powerful. One of my favorite takeaways from the book was this quote: “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; it’s choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast or easy; and it’s practicing your values, not just professing them.” Whoa.

Can I Have Joy in My Life? by R.C. Sproul

Already owned Kindle e-book.

R.C. Sproul is such a great writer. Truly. These Crucial Questions books are short and easy to understand. It occurred to me that I hadn’t read any of them in awhile, so I decided to dive back into them. And it’s funny how sometimes God puts the right book in your hands at the right time. Here’s a great quote from this book that spoke to me: “It is anxiety that robs us of our joy. And what is anxiety but fear. Fear is the enemy of joy. It is hard to be joyful when we are afraid. The prohibition that Jesus gave more than any other in all of His teaching was “Fear not.” This, too, is an imperative, and again, the only solution is to go back to our Father. We need to go to Him in prayer, to fellowship with Him.” Such good stuff.

Who Is the Holy Spirit? by R.C. Sproul

Already owned Kindle e-book.

Next up in the Crucial Questions series for me was this short little book explaining the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t as powerful as the previous book on joy, but was informative and good reminders of information that I was aware of.

Life in the Fasting Lane by Dr. Jason Fun, Eve Mayer, and Megan Ramos

Borrowed audiobook from library using Libby app.

I’ve considered intermittent fasting for quite some time, as I’ve heard really good anecdotal evidence that it can help with weight loss and general health. I decided to do some reading and research about it, before making a decision. I read this book, which had some very helpful information (apart from the stuff about Keto, which I’m not the least bit interested in pursuing, and which I think can be really harmful to health). And after reading this, as well as some other articles, I decided to give intermittent fasting a shot. So far so good, with some weight loss right off the bat, and more energy.

Books in Progress:

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.)

The Stand by Stephen King (Already owned Audible audiobook.)

Influence by Robert B. Cialdini (New Audible audiobook.)

An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears (Already owned physical book.)

You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown (Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby app.)

Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World by Anthony Doerr (New Kindle e-book.)

Books Abandoned:

The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin (New physical book.)

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan (Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby app.)