Summer time means more reading time! I’m enjoying evenings on my back deck once the heat dies down a bit. I read several good fiction books in June, one that was a bit crazy and two memoirs. Here’s what I read last month: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell Lucrezia […]

Sarah Anne’s Bookshelf – June 2026

I read several thought-provoking books in May! Only one of the eight wasn’t what I thought it would be. Several of these books are ones I would highly recommend! Here’s what I read in May: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi Theo of Golden is a profound book about human […]

Sarah Anne’s Bookshelf – May 2026

The weather is warming up and it’s almost time to start reading on the back porch after dinner most nights. I’m looking forward to enjoying a summer of full days but quiet nights. April’s book list is long because several of them are books I read throughout Lent and finished […]

Sarah Anne’s Bookshelf – April 2026

It’s on my bucket list to see the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. I grew up as a military brat and spent four years of my childhood on mainland Japan where cherry blossom trees lined the streets of the base. Seeing the white blossoms every year was such a treat! […]

A Day Trip to DC for Cherry Blossoms

We’ve made several trips to NYC now, but none in the time span between New Year’s and spring break – until now. This might just be the best time to visit NYC if the weather cooperates. We went the first weekend of March. The crowds were so much smaller than […]

NYC When It’s “Quiet” (early March)

All of March was during the Lenten season. Most years, I try to only read religious books during Lent. I did so this year, too. I read some saint biographies, books to encourage faith and some Christian fiction. Here’s what I read in March: Saint Teresa of Avila: Passionate Mystic […]

Sarah Anne’s Bookshelf – March 2026

In February, I read some amazing fiction books and a very interesting book about the supernatural world. There was also one almost out-dated motivational book and one thriller that had a pretty dark storyline. Here is what I read in February: The Athena Package by Victoria Kimble Set in a […]

Sarah Anne’s Bookshelf – February 2026

I had the opportunity to take one of my children to a location that was on her bucket list – The Biltmore. My husband had training in Charlotte, N.C., so we had a free hotel room to stay in, along with free flights.  We left on a Sunday afternoon, flying […]

A Visit to the Biltmore

A cold, snowy January lent itself to many cozy evenings reading a book after dinner. I read some really good books this month, too. Several historical fiction books, a legal thriller, a biography of a Holocaust survivor and a book that was a reminder to slow down and enjoy life. […]

Sarah Anne’s Bookshelf – January 2026

Day 6: Colosseum, Churches, Spanish Steps and a Christmas Market We could sleep in a little bit the next day since our tickets to see the Colosseum weren’t until 10 a.m. We got there a little early, but didn’t have to wait long to get inside once it was our […]

Italy – Rome and Assisi (Days 6-8 of 8)