Showing posts with label bibliokitty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bibliokitty. Show all posts

Friday, 9 January 2026

Book Reviews with Amber ~ The Cat Book Connoisseur at The Mewton-Clawson Library ~ #344 featuring **The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern** by Lilian Jackson Braun **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

A digitally illustrated promotional graphic for The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ features Amber, a white and orange cat wearing a light blue scarf, seated in front of bookshelves filled with colourful books. Decorative elements like holly leaves, a mouse, a quill, and a thimble add festive charm to the top of the image. The bottom text reads "Book Reviews with Amber," indicating Amber is the host of the library’s book review segment. The overall design is cozy, whimsical, and holiday-themed. At www.bionicbasil.com

From the shelves of the Mewton-Clawson Library, a curated review destination for cat-centric fiction at BionicBasil.com

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

Hello, gorgeous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today. 

Well, the Mew Year is well underway, and thank cod for that! I’ve just recovered from the rather temporal time‑looping hiccup caused by Smooch, which, naturally, decided to travel straight into the library,  and poor Melvyn has only just stopped muttering about “chronological betrayal” while re-shelving the encyclopaedias.

Honestly, the Mewey Decimal System, aka M.D.S., was not designed to withstand temporal turbulence.

This morning, I found him clutching Volume 12 like it was a flotation device and whispering, “Not again… not again…” while the dictionaries vibrated ominously on the top shelf. 

I told him to take a breath, have a herbal nip tea, three catnip cookies and remember that shelving crises build character.

He said he’d rather build a new level in the bunker.

I replied, "Oh sweetie, no need for that, Deezul and the nanobots take care of the bunker expansion!"

But I digress, the point is, the timeline has finally stabilised, the shelves have stopped humming, and I am once again free to bring mew the next delicious instalment of my Egyptian Adventure series.

And today’s destination, my dahlings, was nothing short of ancient, windswept, and total purrfection...

A ginger and white tabby cat named Amber sits regally on stone steps in front of an ancient Egyptian temple. She wears ornate golden robes, a blue and gold beaded collar, and a tall golden headdress with a central featheresqye spike. Amber holds a goblet in one paw, exuding royal elegance. The temple behind her features columns and hieroglyphic carvings. The image is titled “My Egyptian Adventure #11: The Temple of Seti I at Abydos,” blending feline fantasy with historical grandeur. At www.bionicbasil.com

🌬️ Amber’s Egyptian Adventure #11: The Temple of Seti I at Abydos 🐾

Location: The Temple of Seti I, Abydos, a sacred masterpiece of ancient Egypt, famed for its exquisite carvings, deep reliefs, and the legendary Abydos King List

Time: Late afternoon, when the desert wind sighs through ancient courtyards and the sandstone glows like honey under the sinking sun

Dahlings, today I ventured into one of Egypt’s most ancient and enigmatic sanctuaries: Abydos, the sacred city of Osiris, where the veil between myth and history is thinner than my patience before my morning nip‑spritz.

The moment I stepped onto the temple’s forecourt, the wind swept dramatically through my fur, as if the gods themselves had arranged a purrsonal wind machine to make me look even more incredible than usual. Honestly, I should travel with my own lighting crew.

“Ahhh,” I purred, “a temple carved for kings… but clearly awaiting a queen.”

I arrived draped in a shimmering robe of golden silk, embroidered with tiny spirals inspired by the carvings of Seti I’s halls. Around my neck shimmered a collar of lapis lazuli, gold, and desert jasper, and atop my head sat a delicate crown shaped like the feather of Ma’at, because balance, truth, and looking furbulous are all equally important.

The air was warm and fragrant with desert spice. As I padded deeper into the temple, the reliefs grew more intricate, scenes of gods, kings, offerings, and rituals carved so deeply they seemed ready to step into the light. I paused before the Abydos King List, tracing the lineage of pharaohs with a single elegant claw.

“Amber,” I whispered to myself, “mew would look divine on this wall.”

To celebrate the moment, I sipped a Desert Spice Catnip Elixir, infused with cinnamon, star anise, and a whisper of date syrup. It tasted like history… and ambition.

Then came the Osireion, the mysterious, partially sunken chamber behind the temple. Cool, shadowy, and echoing with ancient energy, it felt like stepping into the underworld’s VIP lounge. I strutted across the stone walkway as if I owned the place.

One of the carved pillars definitely hummed. Or maybe that was the elixir.

My Afternoon Essentials Included:

🌬️ A Desert Spice Catnip Elixir, warm, aromatic, and perfect for dramatic desert breezes

📜 A miniature copy of the Abydos King List, annotated with my paw‑written notes (“Some of these kings had terrible taste in crowns, dahling”)

👑 A Ma’at‑feather crown, light enough to flutter in the wind, heavy enough to command respect

🐾 A golden silk wrap, ideal for sweeping entrances and even more dramatic exits

I wandered through the hypostyle halls, the sanctuaries, the shadowed chambers dedicated to Osiris, each space glowing with the amber light of late afternoon. The carvings were so crisp, so alive, that I half expected Seti I himself to stroll in and compliment my outfit.

But naturally, I remained composed.

After all, I am Amber, head librarian of BBHQ, and I, too, appreciate a well‑curated legacy. I've been working on mine for years.

Abydos may hold the memories of gods, kings, and ancient mysteries, but today it held me: a cat of legend, gliding through sacred halls, sipping spiced elixirs, and adding a touch of feline finesse to Egypt’s eternal story.

Mood: Mystical, windswept, and deliciously impawtant (but only because the carvings seemed to admire me)

Quote of the Day: “Some temples whisper history, dahling… others whisper my name.”

A stylized illustration of two black cats sitting back-to-back, facing opposite directions. Each cat is adorned with gold accents on the ears and eyes, red and gold collars, and gold hoop earrings, evoking the aesthetic of ancient Egyptian art. Their symmetrical pose and regal detailing suggest inspiration from Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of protection and home. The image blends cultural symbolism with elegant feline design.

✨ Next week, prepare your whiskers, we’re going somewhere sunken, secret, and shimmering with ancient power. Think: water, wonder, and cocktails chilled by the underworld itself. 😸

Two views of The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ showcase a beautifully organized home library. The top half reveals a long wall of white bookshelves filled with colorful books, magazines, and decorative items. A chair and a cat add a cozy touch to the aisle. The bottom half features another section of the library with shelves lined with older, leather-bound volumes, suggesting a collection of classics or historical texts. The caption in the center reads: "Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®"
A black and white illustration shows two mice interacting with a trio of vertically standing books. One mouse stands atop the middle book, appearing to speak or observe, while the other mouse is on the ground facing the books, as if listening or approaching. The book spines feature decorative horizontal bands, and the overall scene evokes a whimsical, storybook charm with themes of curiosity and learning.
Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1. I recommend everyone ___________________ this year.
2. My _________________ is ______________________and I __________________.
3. I try to save money by _________.
4. I sometimes let myself splurge on _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. I recommend everyone pick up a creative hobby like crafting, knitting, colouring or sewing etc... this year, it does wonders for the soul.

2. My happy place is curled up with The B Team cats, and I always feel more grounded when I’m creating something, whether that be any of the above, apart from knitting. No. I can't knit or crochet - this is something I've completely accepted, total and utter defeat on.

3. I try to save money by mending or sewing things instead of buying new ones. It stuns me that not many people mend and make do anymore. It's like trying to get your footwear resoled/mended etc... there are very few cobblers left. This fast, throw-away fashion is vile, in my humble opinion, and no, I don't ever buy stuff to wear once. I will make you laugh. I still wear coats from 20 years ago. My go-to handbag this week was purchased in 2005 - yes, utterly horrifying to younger generations, but quality lasts.

4. I sometimes let myself splurge on beautiful fabric, fancy pens, or a new colouring book. Glitter pens are my favourite thing ever, the more sparkly the better! LOL

A black-and-white illustration features a vintage typewriter at the center with a paw print symbol on its paper holder. On either side of the typewriter are neatly stacked piles of four books each. A small mouse figure sits atop the left stack, while a tiny elephant figure perches on the right. The scene blends literary charm with whimsical elements, evoking themes of storytelling, imagination, and creativity.

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

Promotional library-themed display for the book “The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern” by Lilian Jackson Braun. A large cat named Amber sits regally on a white chair in the foreground, surrounded by cozy details including a desk lamp, stack of books, quill and ink bottle, magnifying glass, and a small mouse perched on an open book. Behind Amber are bookshelves filled with books and potted plants. A sign at the top reads “THIS WEEK’S TOP BOOK PICK!” with “www.bionicbasil.com” below. A wooden sign at the bottom says “SHHHHH!!!” emphasizing the quiet library setting.
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

The Cat Who… Mysteries, Book 2


by 

Lilian Jackson Braun

A symmetrical cartoon-style illustration featuring four mice and two pieces of Swiss cheese. The mice are arranged in pairs on either side of the cheese, all facing toward the center. Each cheese wedge is illustrated with classic holes, and the playful layout creates a balanced and whimsical visual.
This week I decided that The Cat Who Series needed revisiting, mew know I review so many books and series, that sometimes I forget what I've reviewed, so I went on a deep dive and discovered I'd only actually reviewed three out of the twenty-nine books. #SHOCK #HORROR

 Let me tell mew, I thought I'd done more, and was deeply, horrifically disappointed with myself, so a new mission for 2026 is to review this epic series and tuck a few more titles under my librarian belt. 

Here's the previous three reviews in a completely random order, fluff knows what I was thinking, or maybe it was the catnip:



The Cat Who Wasn't There ~ BK 14     

📚 This Week’s Paw‑Approved Top Pick: The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

Stretch out those whiskers and sharpen those claws, because this week’s read is a cozy mystery with a glossy magazine cover, a dash of high society scandal, and most importantly, two Siamese sleuths whose investigative skills put Sherlock to shame. Yes, mew heard that right. Koko and Yum Yum are back, twitching whiskers and pawing dictionaries like the true detectives they are! MOL

❓ What’s the Genre?

A classic cozy mystery wrapped in velvet drapes and designer furniture. Think Agatha Christie, but with more cats, more moustache‑twitching than Hercule Poirot, and a suspiciously large number of throw pillows.

🕵️ What’s the Story?

Jim Qwilleran, journalist extraordinaire (and moustache connoisseur), is roped into editing Gracious Abodes, a glossy interior design magazine. Trouble is, he knows more about crime scenes than colour schemes. But before he can despair over drapery choices, the mansion featured on the cover is burglarised, and its elegant owner is found dead.

Enter Koko and Yum Yum, the Siamese duo with a nose for murder. Koko paws at dictionaries, sniffs suspicious furniture, and generally acts like the furry oracle of doom, while Yum Yum provides moral support (and occasional mischief). Together, they lead Qwilleran straight into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and one very clever killer.

⚔️ What I Loved

🐾 Koko the Clue‑Sniffer: Forget bloodhounds, this cat has a nose for crime and a paw for pointing out the obvious. His dictionary antics are both hilarious and oddly effective.

🐈 Yum Yum: Sweet, dainty, and the perfect foil to Koko’s intensity. She’s the heart of the operation, reminding us that even in murder mysteries, a little purr goes a long way.

📰 Qwilleran’s Moustache: It twitches whenever danger looms. Honestly, it deserves its own byline.

🛋 The Interior Design Angle: Murder among the drapes! Crime on the chaise longue! It’s a deliciously quirky backdrop that makes every clue feel like it’s hiding under a Persian rug.

🔥 The Vibes: Cozy yet suspenseful. Mew’ll want to curl up with a blanket, sip something warm, and let the O.G. cozy mystery cats guide mew through the mystery.

📖 My Final Thoughts

Book Two in The Cat Who… series is a purrfect blend of charm, wit, and whisker‑twitching suspense. Qwilleran may not know his way around a colour palette, but with Koko and Yum Yum at his side, he uncovers a murderer hiding in plain sight.

It’s a comfort read with claws: cozy enough to curl up with, sharp enough to keep mew turning pages.

So grab a mug of something delicious, my preference this week, as it's been snowing at BBHQ, is catnip cocoa, fluff up your favourite cushion pile, and prepare to be whiskered away into a mystery where cats rule the clues.

A FURBULOUS READ, TOTALLY TOP PAW! 🐾


Paperback: 224 pages
Audio: not widely available
A black and white illustration shows two mice interacting with a trio of vertically standing books. One mouse stands atop the middle book, appearing to speak or observe, while the other mouse is on the ground facing the books, as if listening or approaching. The book spines feature decorative horizontal bands, and the overall scene evokes a whimsical, storybook charm with themes of curiosity and learning.
My Rating Scale

A whimsical graphic featuring a triangular arrangement of light blue paw prints on the left side, forming a downward-pointing triangle. On the right side is a playful rating scale for reading material, themed around fluff and animal humor. The five levels are: 1. 	TOTALLY TOP FLUFF — READ IMMEDIATELY 2. 	FURRY GOOD FLUFF — READ AS SOON AS 3. 	ENJOYABLE FLUFF — PUT IT STANDBY 4. 	NOT FLUFFING BAD — EMERGENCY READING 5. 	FLUFF OFF — GO NAP INSTEAD The design is lighthearted and imaginative, perfect for a fun, informal book review setting. At www.bionicbasil.com
Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

Ratings of:

 The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Book Reviews ©BionicBasil® 5 Paw Rating - Pale Blue

A black-and-white illustration features a vintage typewriter at the center with a paw print symbol on its paper holder. On either side of the typewriter are neatly stacked piles of four books each. A small mouse figure sits atop the left stack, while a tiny elephant figure perches on the right. The scene blends literary charm with whimsical elements, evoking themes of storytelling, imagination, and creativity.
   
Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today

A colorful collage of six square graphics representing themed blog hops and social media events. Each graphic features unique designs and text: 1. 	"Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop" with a cat and the URL "brianshomeblog.com". 2. 	"The Cat Blogosphere" with the URL "catblogosphere.com". 3. 	"Feline Friday" with a playful cat theme. 4. 	"Nature Friday Blog Hop" featuring nature-inspired elements. 5. 	"Friendly Fill-Ins" with the URLs "15andmeowing.com" and "Four-Legged Furballs". 6. 	"Friendship Friday" with the tagline "Create With Joy". The image celebrates community-driven online events centered around cats, nature, and friendship.

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

I'm off to read next week's books, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time! 

Don't forget, if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix. 

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

The Cat Book Connoisseur

Amber's Book Reviews ©BionicBasil® Paw







Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

Follow us at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®
 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com  

Friday, 2 January 2026

Book Reviews with Amber ~ The Cat Book Connoisseur at The Mewton-Clawson Library ~ #343 featuring **The Enchanted Greenhouse** by Sarah Beth Durst **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

A digitally illustrated promotional graphic for The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ features Amber, a white and orange cat wearing a light blue scarf, seated in front of bookshelves filled with colourful books. Decorative elements like holly leaves, a mouse, a quill, and a thimble add festive charm to the top of the image. The bottom text reads "Book Reviews with Amber -The Cat Book Connoisseur ," indicating Amber is the host of the library’s book review segment. The overall design is cozy, whimsical, and holiday-themed. At www.bionicbasil.com

From the shelves of the Mewton-Clawson Library, a curated review destination for cat-centric fiction at BionicBasil.com

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

Hello, gorgeous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and here's wishing mew an absolutely EPICALLY EPIC 2026. I'm still a little fragile from the raucous BBHQ NYE Pawty, and if mew missed it, click here to catch up before reading on, otherwise mew'll think I need an intervention! MOL 

And the password choice by Vera, well, I'm not going to mention that again - EVER!

If the place looks a little… temporal‑disaster chic today, it's the pawty aftermath, the one where Smooch bent the timeline, we counted down to midnight three times, and I may or may not have face-planted out in the frosty grass after declaring myself “Queen of the Niptini Al-Fluffo.”

Anyway, I arrived in the library this morning to find Melvyn, my supurr efficient intern, staring at the shelves like they’d personally betrayed him.

📚 A Conversation in the Library This Morning 

Me: “Melvyn, sweetie, why are the encyclopaedias arranged by emotional frequency instead of alphabetically?”

Melvyn: “Because time kept looping, Amber. I shelved A–C three times. THREE. I gave up and went with whatever felt spiritually aligned.”

Me: “Spiritually aligned? Dahling, Volume 7 is next to a cookbook called Fifty Shades of Gravy.”

Melvyn: “That’s where it wanted to be.”

Me: “Books don’t want things, Melvyn.”

Melvyn: “Amber, I lived the same five minutes for half an hour. The books were whispering.”

Me: “Oh, don’t be dramatic. I passed out in the grass for a while. It was four rounds of 6 minutes, and I’m fine. It was practically a structured nap. ”

Melvyn: “Amber, you tried to knight a squirrel.”

Me: “It bowed! That’s respect.”

Melvyn: “It bowed because Fudge bribed it with snacks.”

Me: “Details. Anyway, could mew tidy the shelves? I need to meditate.”

Melvyn: “Meditate or nap?”

Me: “Yes.”

Melvyn: "Just what I thought!"

Me: “And bring me a cushion. I require proper lumbar support and comfort.”

As part of my ongoing Egyptian Adventure series, today’s destination was nothing short of divine…

Amber, Head Librarian and a regal orange-and-white tabby cat dressed in ancient Egyptian royal attire sits gracefully on the stone steps of the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el‑Bahari. She wears a desert-rose silk robe embroidered with golden sun-discs, a wide lapis and carnelian collar, and a golden sun-disc headdress with a cobra motif. In one paw, she holds a silk fan; in the other, a cocktail glass filled with amber liquid, garnished with candied fruit. Behind her, the temple’s terraced colonnades rise against sunlit cliffs, bathed in warm dawn light. The scene evokes elegance, history, and feline majesty. At www.bionicbasil.com

🌙 Amber’s Egyptian Adventure #10: The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el‑Bahari🐾

Location: The Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el‑Bahari ~ a breathtaking terraced monument carved into the cliffs of Thebes, built for a queen who knew the true meaning of grandeur

Time: Dawn, when the cliffs blush rose‑gold and the desert wind whispers ancient secrets across the colonnades

Dahlings, today I rose before the sun, yes, I, Amber, willingly awake at an hour usually reserved for bakers and over‑enthusiastic roosters, because only the earliest light would do for my visit to the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut.

My paws padded across the vast stone terraces as the first rays of sunlight spilled over the cliffs of Deir el‑Bahari, turning the whole temple into a shimmering staircase to the heavens. Honestly, if a goddess had descended right then, she would’ve had to wait her turn. I was having a moment.

“Ah,” I purred, “finally, a temple worthy of a queen… and of mew.”

I arrived draped in a flowing robe of desert‑rose silk, embroidered with tiny gold sun‑discs that glittered like dawn itself. My accessories? A wide collar of lapis and carnelian, and a headpiece inspired by Hatshepsut’s own, because when visiting a queen’s temple, one must dress accordingly.

The air was cool, tinged with sandstone and history. As the sun crept higher, illuminating the colonnades and reliefs of Hatshepsut’s divine temple, I sipped a Queen’s Sunrise Catnip Spritz, garnished with a sliver of candied date, and whispered, “Amber, mew are destiny.”

One of the statues definitely winked. Or maybe that was the spritz.

My Morning Essentials Included:

🌞 A Queen’s Sunrise Catnip Spritz, infused with hibiscus, citrus, and just a hint of royal ambition

📜 A scroll of Hatshepsut’s achievements, annotated with my paw‑written notes (“Visionary. Iconic. Would absolutely have been my bestie.”)

👑 A gold‑trimmed sun‑shade parasol, because even queens must protect their whiskers from UV rays

🐾 A desert‑rose silk fan fluttered dramatically whenever the breeze dared to ruffle my fur

I wandered through the terraces, the colonnades, the chapels dedicated to Hathor and Anubis, each space glowing with the soft warmth of the rising sun. The symmetry, the scale, the sheer audacity of carving a temple into a cliff, it was all breathtaking. But naturally, I remained composed.

After all, I am Amber, head librarian of BBHQ, and I, too, appreciate a well‑executed architectural statement.

The temple may hold echoes of queens, gods, and ancient triumphs, but this morning it held me: a cat of legend, strutting through sunlit halls, sipping spritzes, and adding a touch of feline fabulousness to Hatshepsut’s eternal legacy.

Mood: Regal, radiant, and slightly smug (but only because my silk robe fluttered more gracefully than the desert breeze)

Quote of the Day: “Greatness isn’t carved in stone, dahling, it’s carried on confident paws.”

A stylized illustration of two black cats sitting back-to-back, facing opposite directions. Each cat is adorned with gold accents on the ears and eyes, red and gold collars, and gold hoop earrings, evoking the aesthetic of ancient Egyptian art. Their symmetrical pose and regal detailing suggest inspiration from Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of protection and home. The image blends cultural symbolism with elegant feline design.

✨ Next week, prepare for something ancient, windswept, and wonderfully dramatic, think: cliffs, carvings, and cocktails with a desert‑spice twist. 😸

Two views of The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ showcase a beautifully organized home library. The top half reveals a long wall of white bookshelves filled with colorful books, magazines, and decorative items. A chair and a cat add a cozy touch to the aisle. The bottom half features another section of the library with shelves lined with older, leather-bound volumes, suggesting a collection of classics or historical texts. The caption in the center reads: "Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®"
A black and white illustration shows two mice interacting with a trio of vertically standing books. One mouse stands atop the middle book, appearing to speak or observe, while the other mouse is on the ground facing the books, as if listening or approaching. The book spines feature decorative horizontal bands, and the overall scene evokes a whimsical, storybook charm with themes of curiosity and learning.
Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1.  ____________________________ is a New Year’s tradition for me.
2. ______________________ is not the same as ____________________________.
3. I would pick _________ as my theme song for 2026.
4. I’m a coward when it comes to _________ but brave when _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1.  Not making any resolutions is a New Year’s tradition for me. I find that New Year's resolutions are counterproductive for me; my brain is wired differently. If I made one, my brain would insist on rebelling and saying, "Fluff no, you've got to be kidding, that's just not going to happen, like ever!" LOL

2. Being busy is not the same as being productive. I always remember the phrase "busy fool"; I try to avoid that at all costs.

3. I would pick The Muppets as my theme song for 2026. Yep, you can tell what kind of mood I'm in, and it's only Day 2 of 2026! LOL

4. I’m a coward when it comes to heights (yeah, not my favourite thing - I refused to go up the Eiffel Tower - twice) but brave when it comes to completely bonkers ideas! Well, you guys read the stories, I don't think anyone else in the world writes stuff like the B Team, completely unpublishable mainstream because they are un-pigeon-holable! LOL

A black-and-white illustration features a vintage typewriter at the center with a paw print symbol on its paper holder. On either side of the typewriter are neatly stacked piles of four books each. A small mouse figure sits atop the left stack, while a tiny elephant figure perches on the right. The scene blends literary charm with whimsical elements, evoking themes of storytelling, imagination, and creativity.

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

A cozy library scene featuring Amber, a ginger and white cat sitting behind a wooden desk. The desk holds a stack of books, a feather quill, a lamp, and a small mouse figurine. A sign on the desk reads: “SHHHHH!!!” Behind the cat are bookshelves filled with books and potted plants. Prominently displayed on the desk is the book The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst, labeled as: “THIS WEEK’S TOP BOOK PICK!” The setting blends literary charm with feline whimsy, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Text at the top includes “www.bionicbasil.com”
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

The Enchanted Greenhouse


by
 
Sarah Beth Durst

   A symmetrical cartoon-style illustration featuring four mice and two pieces of Swiss cheese. The mice are arranged in pairs on either side of the cheese, all facing toward the center. Each cheese wedge is illustrated with classic holes, and the playful layout creates a balanced and whimsical visual.
Mew may remember a couple of weeks ago that I reviewed The Spellshop, and what a furbulous book that was. This is book 2 in the series, and I read it immediately after the first one.

📚 This Week’s Paw‑Approved Top Pick: The Enchanted Greenhouse

Settle into your comfiest sun‑patch, tail curled, ears perked, because this week’s read is a warm, whimsical fantasy overflowing with singing flowers, honey‑sweet magic, and one very important detail: there is a winged cat. Yes, mew heard that right. A winged cat. Background character? Maybe. Essential to my feline‑centric rating system? Absolutely. MOL

❓ What’s the Genre?

A cosy, slightly heart‑hugging fantasy about second chances, gentle magic, and unexpected companionship. It stands beautifully on its own but shares the same enchanting universe as The Spellshop, bringing that same cottage‑core charm, this time with more flowers, more feelings, and more baked goods than any cat could reasonably steal in one sitting.

🕵️ What’s the Story?

Terlu Perna made one tiny mistake: she created a magically sentient spider plant (See book 1) because she was lonely. (Relatable, honestly.) The law disagreed, and she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away in the Great Library like a forgotten knick‑knack.

Years later, she wakes up on a nearly deserted island bursting with magical greenhouses, each one brimming with life, secrets, and the faint hum of failing enchantments.

Her only human company is a grumpy‑but‑soft gardener who bakes honey cakes capable of healing both hearts and stomachs. Add in a sentient rose with opinions, a winged cat who flutters through scenes like a furry, judgmental cherub, and a mystery threatening the island’s magic, and Terlu suddenly has more to do than simply “go home.”

Because she doesn’t want to. And maybe, just maybe, she’s found a place where she can bloom again.

⚔️ What I Loved

🌹 The Sentient Rose: Sharp‑tongued, dramatic, and absolutely convinced it knows best. A floral diva with petals full of personality.

🐈‍⬛ The Winged Cat: Not centre stage, but oh, the vibes. A graceful, fluttery background presence who clearly supervises everyone’s emotional growth. A true icon.

🍯 Terlu: A heroine with a tender heart and a spine of quiet steel. She’s been through the wringer, statuehood will do that, but she still chooses kindness, curiosity, and courage.

🌿 The Greenhouses: Imagine wandering through endless glass‑walled sanctuaries filled with singing flowers, glowing vines, and magic that hums like a lullaby. It’s cottage‑core meets botanical wonderland.

🔥 The Vibes: Warmth, whimsy, gentle romance, and the soft ache of starting over. Honey cakes, soft breezes, magical blooms, and a slow‑burn connection that feels like sunlight after rain.

🎬 The Greenhouse Dream: Running away to a quiet island full of magical plants? Honestly, sign me up. The story captures that irresistible fantasy of beginning again, this time with better snacks, better company, and fewer laws to accidentally break. MOL

🏝 The Setting: A lush island of greenhouses, each with its own personality, secrets, and enchantments. It’s the kind of place that makes mew want to curl up on a warm stone path and nap among the roses (sentient or not).

📖 My Final Thoughts

The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story that blossoms with charm, hums with magic, and wraps mew in a warm, honey‑scented hug. Terlu’s journey is tender, hopeful, and quietly powerful, and the cast of magical companions, especially that winged cat, make every page sparkle.

It’s a comfort read in the truest sense: soft, sweet, and full of heart. A tale about healing, growing, and finding the courage to bloom again.

Grab your fluffiest blanket, a cup of catnip cocoa (well, that's my winter beverage of choice, I'm sure mew have yours! MOL), and maybe a plant that definitely isn’t sentient (yet), and let the magic begin.

A FURBULOUS READ, TOTALLY TOP PAW!

 I can't wait for book 3!

Paperback: 384 pages
Audio: 13 hours 32 mins
A black and white illustration shows two mice interacting with a trio of vertically standing books. One mouse stands atop the middle book, appearing to speak or observe, while the other mouse is on the ground facing the books, as if listening or approaching. The book spines feature decorative horizontal bands, and the overall scene evokes a whimsical, storybook charm with themes of curiosity and learning.
My Rating Scale

A whimsical graphic featuring a triangular arrangement of light blue paw prints on the left side, forming a downward-pointing triangle. On the right side is a playful rating scale for reading material, themed around fluff and animal humor. The five levels are: 1. 	TOTALLY TOP FLUFF — READ IMMEDIATELY 2. 	FURRY GOOD FLUFF — READ AS SOON AS 3. 	ENJOYABLE FLUFF — PUT IT STANDBY 4. 	NOT FLUFFING BAD — EMERGENCY READING 5. 	FLUFF OFF — GO NAP INSTEAD The design is lighthearted and imaginative, perfect for a fun, informal book review setting. At www.bionicbasil.com
Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

Ratings of:
 

The Enchanted Greenhouse


Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Book Reviews ©BionicBasil® 5 Paw Rating - Pale Blue

A black-and-white illustration features a vintage typewriter at the center with a paw print symbol on its paper holder. On either side of the typewriter are neatly stacked piles of four books each. A small mouse figure sits atop the left stack, while a tiny elephant figure perches on the right. The scene blends literary charm with whimsical elements, evoking themes of storytelling, imagination, and creativity.
   
Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today

A colorful collage of six square graphics representing themed blog hops and social media events. Each graphic features unique designs and text: 1. 	"Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop" with a cat and the URL "brianshomeblog.com". 2. 	"The Cat Blogosphere" with the URL "catblogosphere.com". 3. 	"Feline Friday" with a playful cat theme. 4. 	"Nature Friday Blog Hop" featuring nature-inspired elements. 5. 	"Friendly Fill-Ins" with the URLs "15andmeowing.com" and "Four-Legged Furballs". 6. 	"Friendship Friday" with the tagline "Create With Joy". The image celebrates community-driven online events centered around cats, nature, and friendship.

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

I'm off to read next week's books, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time! 

Don't forget, if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix. 

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

The Cat Book Connoisseur

Amber's Book Reviews ©BionicBasil® Paw







Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

Follow us at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®
 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com