May 22, 2026 SWEET MAGNOLIA

Everyone knows that I'm obsessed with books and running but not sure if you know about my other passion. As an art history major/art minor AND art teacher I have to let you in on a little secret--I absolutely LOVE museums. Whenever I plan a trip--it's always around museums/culture/history AND famous book stores. One of my favorite little haunts in NYC in the Frick. Originally the home of Henry Clay Frick and his family, this incredible gilded age mansion opened to the public in 1935 as an art museum. It houses over 1,800 paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. The collection is absolutely amazing as is the history of the Frick family. AND most of the work at the museum was purchased by the Frick family while it was still their home. It blows my mind that these people lived with MASTERPIECES on their walls to gaze at whenever they wanted. The reason I bring up this incredible place is because I just finished a lovely novel set at the Frick called The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis. This historical thriller follows two story lines--that of Lillian Carter in 1919 and Veronica Weber in 1966. As the story unfolds, Lillian is an artist model/muse who has worked for many famous artists. One day after work, she finds herself running from the scene of a murder and ends up seeking refuge at the Frick, where the servants think she is a job applicant. Lillian ends up working for Miss Helen, daughter of Henry Frick, as her private secretary. It is in this position that Lillian becomes linked to a missing diamond and her story intertwines with events in 1966. In 1966, Veronica Weber is a model on a photo shoot for Vogue at the Frick. After a blizzard, she is stuck at the museum with an intern named Joshua where they find clues that might solve the mystery of the missing  diamond. I totally enjoyed this mystery and found the characters to be well developed and interesting. Find out all about the museum, its collection and the Fricks when you read this page turner. I totally recommend going to the museum before reading this novel because it will help bring this lovely story to life. Enjoy. 

May 10, 2026 MAMMA MIA

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. You deserve to be celebrated. It really is the hardest job in the world.  One thing that never changes when you are a mom--NO MATTER HOW OLD YOUR KIDS ARE--is the worrying. I still worry for their safety, health and overall happiness every day. I know I have ZERO control over these things BUT--I can't help myself. As much as I wanted them to grow up and do their thing--It's a catch 22. I  have no idea what they are doing--or where they are going from day to day. I recently found out that my youngest was in Montreal for a weekend and NEVER mentioned it. Crazy. I know that I just have to trust that they will be smarter than I was at their age. UGH. Now that's a low bar. And you wonder why I'm worried. HA. On to the books. I recently finished a historical novel based on the true story of Marguerite de la Rocque, a French noblewoman abandoned on a remote island called Isola by Allegra Goodman. As the story unfolds, Marguerite is an orphaned heiress who lives with her nurse, Damienne in France in the 16th century. Her guardian and cousin, Roberval, is in control of her fortune and future but after he loses her money, Marguerite and her nurse are forced to live in the tower of her castle. After moving in with her cousin, Marguerite and her nurse are then taken on a voyage of discovery to New France, where Marguerite has a secret affair with Auguste. After Roberval discovers this betrayal, he leaves his cousin, lover and her nurse on a remote island for two winters. Sound interesting? Find out what happens in this well-written book about survival, strength, love and redemption-when you read it for yourself. Enjoy.