Friday Finds | October 9, 2026
"There's no place like home."
- Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz
Welcome to Friday Finds | October 9, 2026
There's something about October that makes home feel especially inviting. Maybe it's the cooler days, the scent of apples and cinnamon drifting from the kitchen, or the pleasure of settling into a favorite reading spot with a good book.
This week's Friday Finds celebrates those little comforts, along with the stories, discoveries, and traditions that remind us why home is such a special place.
So pour yourself something warm, get comfortable, and let's see what we've found 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
Best in Murder by Lauren Carr
A Mac Faraday Mystery
Lauren Carr's Best in Murder sends Mac Faraday and Gnarly into a glittering dog show full of stolen diamonds, a missing wolfhound, and murder. Read my spoiler-free five-star review, plus a guest post from the author.
Also This Week
The Wandering Stars by J. D. Rasch
The Wanderer Series
A sacred quest for wisdom becomes a struggle for power in J. D. Rasch's The Wandering Stars. Read my 4-star review of this thoughtful, character-driven fantasy of ambition, redemption, and compassion.
🌟 Featured Author Spotlight
💭 My Reflections
What I love most about Dave Tabler's writing is how he blends a historian's curiosity with a storyteller's heart. His books go beyond dates, places, and historical events to reveal the people, traditions, and everyday moments that make history worth remembering. With engaging storytelling, fascinating archival photographs, and carefully researched details, he makes even the smallest corners of Delaware's past feel important.
My personal favorite is Delaware at Christmas, a delightful journey through generations of holiday celebrations. It perfectly captures what I appreciate about Dave's work: the ability to combine scholarship with warmth, reminding us that history isn't just about what happened, but about the people who lived it.
If you're new to Dave Tabler's books, there's something here for almost every curious reader. Start with the nostalgic charm of Delaware's Christmas traditions, venture into the state's darker history through its true crimes, or discover how transportation transformed America's First State. You don't have to be from Delaware to enjoy these stories!
📚 Start Here: My Featured Reviews
- Delaware at Christmas: The First State in a Merry State → Review
My personal favorite! A heartwarming, beautifully illustrated exploration of Christmas traditions, immigrant customs, and holiday celebrations across Delaware's history. - Delaware Behaving Badly: First State, True Crimes → Review
Discover the darker side of the First State through fascinating true crime stories, scandals, and notorious moments from its past. - Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase → Review
A fascinating look at how changing transportation, growing communities, and technological progress helped shape modern Delaware.
See all my Dave Tabler features →
Website • Amazon • Goodreads • Author Hub
✨ 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
Warm cinnamon apples, a buttery oat crumble, and a little old-fashioned comfort. Perfect for a crisp autumn afternoon!
🍎 Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
Sweet, tender apples tucked beneath a buttery cinnamon-oat crumble make this an autumn classic. Serve it warm from the oven, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you're feeling a little indulgent.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 35-45 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Oven: 350°F (175°C)
🥧 Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium apples (about 2 pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
For the Crisp Topping:
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish or a similar 2-quart baking dish.
- Prepare the apples. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, flour, and nutmeg until evenly coated. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Make the topping. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter and work it into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly pieces.
- Assemble the crisp. Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the apples. Leave the topping loose rather than pressing it down.
- Bake. Place the dish in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool slightly and serve. Let the crisp rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm on its own or topped with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
🍏 A Few Cozy Kitchen Tips
- Choose your apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or a combination of sweet and tart apples work beautifully.
- Keep it rustic: There's no need for perfectly even slices. Just try to keep them a similar thickness so they cook evenly.
- Make it ahead: Bake the crisp earlier in the day and warm individual portions before serving.
- Save the leftovers: Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven to help restore the crisp topping.
There's something special about a dessert that makes the whole house smell like cinnamon and apples. Add a favorite book and a cozy blanket, and you've got the makings of a lovely autumn afternoon!
📙 Featured Find
📚 A Tiny Library for Your Bookshelf
A miniature reading retreat with a whole lot of charm!
Why I Picked This
Imagine having your own tiny library, complete with towering bookshelves, a library ladder, a vintage writing desk, and a softly glowing window! The Rolife Silent Corner Study Book Nook brings that cozy little world to life.
This DIY kit transforms 196 wooden pieces into a delightful miniature study. Designed for an approximately three-hour build with no glue required, the finished creation doubles as a decorative bookend.
I love the old-fashioned library atmosphere! I can picture this tucked among favorite novels or displayed on a reading-room shelf. It would make a lovely gift for book lovers, miniature enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys a creative afternoon.
Price at the time of writing: $37.98
Assembly required. Two AAA batteries are not included.
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🏡 This Week's Reader Question
🏡 Are you a homebody who loves a cozy afternoon with a good book, or a gadabout who's always ready for the next adventure? Maybe you're a little of both! Tell me which one sounds more like you in the comments.
I'm usually a little of both, but after looking at my busy weekend calendar, I'm definitely voting for HOME this week! 😂
One of my favorite parts of Friday Finds has been watching the conversations grow in the comments. Let's chat.
📜 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
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Love that apple crisp! I’m more the homebody these days.
I'm a combination of both ready for next adventure and homebody who stays home to read a good book, which one are you Gina?