Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled by Dorothy Gilman

Mrs. Pollifax is itching for a new case. And, luckily, there's one on the books. It includes traveling with her good friend, Farrell to find an American woman who spoiled a hijacking and then was promptly kidnapped. As usual, she'll find herself in situations that are unbelievable and yet fun as she wriggles her way out of them. 

Three and a half stars

Mrs. Pollifax #14

Follows Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist

Last in series

This book came out February 1, 2000

Hard copy I did not keep

Opinions are my own

Helping People Change by Melvin L. Smith, Ellen Van Oosten, Richard Boyatzis

This is an interesting look at how peole can coach others, leading with compassion. They use stories and reading guides to help people become the best coaches that they can be, whether in work or in the rest of their lives. 

There were a LOT of initialisms in this book and quite a few sound very similar if you are listening to the audiobook. Some parts were also repetitive. I couldn't tell if that was to cement learning or whether it was filler to bulk out the book. It was also a little overly optimistic. I don't mind that in a cozy mystery but I refer my nonfiction to be a bit more pragmatic.

Three stars

This book came out August 20, 2019

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! Liza Minnelli

I didn't know much about Liza Minelli before this book but found her stories fascinating. Did she talk about many, many, many times about how her family had an illness and it was substance abuse? Yes. But she is raw and honest and reads the book herself which is a delight. I hadn't realized she was a part of the fashion show at Versailles and that moves a book about that evening up on my TBR list. 

Four stars

This book came March 10, 2026

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Stop Letting Everything Affect You by Daniel Chidiac

This was a very short, straightforward book. Because the topics tend to be broad, not everything will apply to everyone, but like most self-help books, you take the bits that can help, and leave the rest behind. Nothing was really new and some parts were weirdly framed as if training people on how to weaponize therapy rather than actually learning from it. 

The religion thrown in without warning was a bit abrupt. I don't mind, just like some context before I'm already into the book.

Two and a half stars

This book came out July 1, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

We're All Going to Die Tonight! by Veronica Bane

stars

This book comes out September 15, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Random House Children's Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman

stars

We Solve Murders #2

Follows We Solve Murders

This book came out September 15, 2026

ARC kindly provided 

Opinions are my own

The Dark Lord's Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny) by Tiffany Hunt

stars

Guides to Villainy and Love #2

Follows The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes)

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Scarlett Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own