Friday Finds - June 5, 2026 | Books, Coffee & Quiet Weekend Inspiration

🪑 From My Reading Chair

This week took me from Victorian England to the Himalayas and finally to an Australian memoir filled with globe-trotting adventures, questionable decisions, and more than a few stories that left me shaking my head and laughing at the same time. One of the things I enjoy most about reviewing is stumbling across books I never would have picked up on my own.

Not every book becomes a new favorite, but I always appreciate the chance to step into someone else's world for a few hours.

Have you ever picked up a book completely outside your usual comfort zone and been surprised by it?

🌿 Community Corner

BBNYA is wrapping up the final reviews and features of the 2025 top three medalists. I'm excited to share them with you over the coming weeks. At the same time, the 2026 competition is beginning, and as a panelist, I'm looking forward to discovering another year of outstanding indie fantasy. If you'd like to follow along, visit the BBNYA website for competition news and updates.

Congratulations to Patricia Furstenberg on the release of Courage: Tales of History, Mystery and Hope. Patricia has been part of this community for several years, and I'm delighted to see her included in this anthology of powerful stories exploring adversity, resilience, hope, and the courage to change one's path. Watch for my review coming soon!

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✨ Weekend Finds for Readers, Makers & Wanderers

This week's featured finds have a couple of items for Father's Day and a couple that might have made their way into my shopping cart recently.

Fire Department Coffee Pack Veteran- and firefighter-owned, this coffee company gives back to first responders while serving up a variety of bold roasts and blends. A thoughtful gift for coffee lovers and a great Father's Day option. View on Amazon →	Hands-Free Reading & Craft Light Whether you're reading late into the evening or working on a favorite hobby, this lightweight neck light keeps both hands free while directing light exactly where you need it. View on Amazon →
Hand-Crafted Wooden Vinyl Crate A handsome way to store favorite records while keeping them within easy reach. Handmade and available in several finishes, this crate blends practicality with vintage style. View on Etsy →	Pocket-Size Laser Tape Measure Small enough to slip into a pocket but capable of measuring distances up to 98 feet. A handy gadget for DIY projects, home updates, and curious problem-solvers. View on Amazon →

As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

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Worth Reading This Week

And while you're relaxing this weekend, here are a few stories that I found particularly entertaining recently.

Behind the Book: Rübezahl by M. Laszlo Discover the inspirations behind Rübezahl by M. Laszlo in this Behind the Book feature. From a nearly deserted Chautauqua Institution to folklore, political allegory, and class tensions, the author shares the real-world experiences that shaped this dark philosophical fantasy.	The Leopard and the Moon by Nigel Roberts A reflective travel memoir blending a demanding trek through Nepal's Dolpo region with grief, family tragedy, and emotional reckoning. The Leopard and the Moon by Nigel Roberts explores both the physical and emotional landscapes of endurance and healing.
Love Across Time by Beth Ford Ashley leaves the modern world behind to build a life with a medieval knight in fourteenth-century England. Read my review of Love Across Time by Beth Ford, a historical time travel romance filled with intrigue, danger, and enduring love.	The Weight of Amber by Eleanor Vane Set during the Scottish Witch Trials of 1593, The Weight of Amber by Eleanor Vane blends historical intrigue, a heroine with a dangerous gift, and a slow-burn romance. Read my 4-star review of this atmospheric first installment in The Thornfield Inheritance series.

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🌟 Indie Author of the Week - Friday Finds June 5, 2026 - Jenna Jaxon

Jenna Jaxon

This week's featured indie author is Jenna Jaxon, a bestselling historical romance writer whose stories span multiple time periods but share one common thread: a belief that passion is timeless. A lifelong reader and writer of historical romance, Jenna blends sweeping romance with suspense, unexpected twists, and richly researched settings that bring the past vividly to life.

One of the things I especially appreciate about Jenna's work is her commitment to historical authenticity. Whether she's recreating Victorian England, Gilded Age America, or another era entirely, her novels are filled with real locations, period details, and fascinating bits of history that help readers feel fully immersed in the story.

In a recent guest post for my blog, Jenna shared how real-world places such as Agecroft Hall, Richmond's Oregon Hill neighborhood, the steamship S.S. Lucania, and several historic Virginia hotels helped shape the world of As Long As You're Mine. Her enthusiasm for research shines through in every detail, adding depth and authenticity to the romance at the heart of the story.

When she's not writing, Jenna lives in Virginia with her family and a delightful collection of pets, including Olive the nearly silent cat, Earl Grey the inquisitive bunny, and Frenchie the Shar-Pei mix who undoubtedly keeps everyone on their toes.

If you enjoy historical romance with vivid settings, memorable characters, and a strong sense of time and place, Jenna Jaxon's books are well worth exploring.

This week's featured selection is As Long As You're Mine, a richly emotional historical romance filled with Victorian intrigue, simmering chemistry, and plenty of forced-proximity tension.

More about the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads

✨ Indie Author of the Week highlights an author whose work has been featured on the blog and stood out to me or my readers.

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Tip of the Week - Build a Simple Reading Ritual

Rather than waiting for a large block of free time, try creating a small reading ritual this weekend. Brew a favorite cup of coffee, put on some background music, settle into a comfortable chair, and spend just fifteen uninterrupted minutes with a book. Often the hardest part of reading is getting started. A simple routine can help transform a few spare minutes into one of the most relaxing parts of your day.

This section rotates between healthy tips, recipes, crafts/patterns, and reading life, so if this week's tip isn't quite for you, there is always something different coming up in a future Friday Finds.

Enjoying Friday Finds? You can follow along for new reviews, reader favorites, and future Friday Finds posts.

Follow along for post updates.

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🌿 Reader Question of the Week

What's your go-to calming routine? Maybe it's reading a chapter, enjoying your favorite drink, listening to music, taking a walk, or something completely different.

🗓️ Contest closes June 30, 2026 at noon CST.

If your entry arrives after the deadline, it will be added into next month's drawing.

Last month's winner is Jo Linsdell. Thank you to everyone who shared your responses!

Thank you for spending part of your week here with me. I hope you find a few quiet moments to enjoy a good book, a favorite hobby, or simply a chance to recharge.

Until next Friday,
Gina