Friday Finds | August 21, 2026

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
- C.S. Lewis

Welcome to Friday Finds | August 21, 2026

This week's Friday Finds seems to have settled into an afternoon-break mood, which feels especially fitting since I'm getting this edition out a little later in the day. Along with a couple of very different books from my reading chair, we're catching up with an author who always makes me laugh, making a batch of raspberry jam crumble bars, and finding a pretty way to keep our favorite teas close at hand.

So pour yourself something good, find a comfortable spot, and let's see what we discover this week.

🪑 From My Reading Chair

Every book has a story beyond its plot. These are the ones that stayed with me this week.

🌿 On the Blog This Week

COURAGE: Tales of History, Mystery and Hope Anthology

Fifteen authors explore courage across centuries and circumstances in COURAGE: Tales of History, Mystery and Hope, a moving historical anthology filled with resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.

When Patricia Furstenberg, one of the contributing authors and an author I've previously featured on the blog, invited me to read COURAGE: Tales of History, Mystery and Hope, I knew I was stepping into a collection of fifteen historical short stories centered on courage. What I didn't expect was how often those stories would make me reconsider what courage actually looks like.

Read the Review →

Also This Week

Grandpa Day by Perry Solomon

Grandpa Day by Perry Solomon blends practical guidance with personal family stories to explore intentional grandparenting, meaningful connections, and the importance of passing wisdom to the next generation. A warm, thoughtful read not only for grandfathers, but for anyone invested in the lives of younger generations.

Grandpa Day by Perry Solomon caught my attention because it approaches grandparenting as something we can do with intention. Blending practical guidance with stories from his own family, Solomon explores how simply showing up, listening, sharing what we've learned, and encouraging a child's individual interests can create connections that last far beyond a single "Grandpa Day."

Read the Review →

🌿 Community Corner

Share your bookish news with me to see it featured here in a future Friday Finds or in the side-bar notice.

⏰ Giveaway ends this weekend.

👉 Enter here

🌟 Featured Author Spotlight

💭 My Reflections

Gail Koger knows how to make fiction fun. Her dialogue is sharp, witty, and to-the-point, and her characters have a knack for landing in situations that are dangerous, ridiculous, or sometimes both. Just like her characters, Gail gets to the heart of the story and keeps me reaching for the next book.

If you're new to Gail's work, you have plenty of ways to jump in. Try one of her Coletti Warlords stories for fast-paced science fiction with aliens, romance, and chaos, or meet Gemma Stone for action, law enforcement, romance, and laugh-out-loud trouble.

📚 Start Here: My Featured Reviews

• Hijinks, Hitchhikers & Mayhem → Review
  A lighthearted science-fiction romance packed with intergalactic adventure, action, and Gail's signature humor.
• SWAT for Dummies → Review
  Gemma Stone returns for a quick, action-packed law-enforcement adventure filled with romance, memorable characters, and laugh-out-loud moments.
• Bullets and Dandelions → Review
  Romantic suspense with a feisty heroine, sharp banter, military action, and plenty of humor.

See more of my Gail Koger features →

✨ Featured Author Spotlight introduces readers to authors whose work has been featured on the blog, along with my personal reflections and a few recommended places to begin.

🍓 Sip & Savor

Raspberry Jam Crumble Bars

A buttery little treat for your afternoon reading break.

Sometimes an afternoon calls for something sweet, a fresh cup of coffee, and a few quiet chapters. These Raspberry Jam Crumble Bars fit the bill without requiring an elaborate baking project. Better yet, the same buttery oat mixture makes both the crust and the crumbly topping.

Makes: 9-12 bars
Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup raspberry jam or preserves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Add the melted butter and vanilla. Stir until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbly.
4. Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the jam. Gently press it down without packing it firmly.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the jam is bubbling around the edges.
8. Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into bars.

Savor Tip: Raspberry is lovely here, but this recipe works with almost any favorite jam. Try strawberry, blackberry, apricot, or even a mixed-berry preserve.

🫙 This Week's Reader Question

"If you were making these crumble bars right now, what flavor would you use? And do you already have it in the fridge?

One of my favorite parts of Friday Finds is the conversations in the comment section. Let's share.

🫖 Featured Find

This section may contain affiliate links, which help support the blog at no extra cost to you.

📜 More Friday Finds

Missed a week? Browse previous editions of Friday Finds for more book reviews, author spotlights, reader favorites, recipes, and discoveries.

Browse the Friday Finds Archive →

Thank you for spending part of your week with me. I hope you have a peaceful, joy-filled weekend filled with good books and little moments to savor.

Until next week's Friday Finds,
Gina