Kav's Best Reads

What is a flood book, you might be wondering? If you assumed books with a flood theme like Dana Mentink’s ‘Raging Waters’ you’d be wrong. (Though that is a wonderful read and worthy of being somebody’s flood book.)

So, what exactly is a Flood Book?

I first heard the term waaaayyy back in my school librarian days when I was reading books on storytelling and kid’s lit collections by children’s librarian extraordinaire, Caroline Feller Bauer. I think she might have coined the phrase with the help of her daughter.

Basically, a flood book is an extra book you bring with you in case you are out and about and – horrors – finish the book you are currently reading before you can get home to grab another one. Like what happens if you find yourself confronted by an unexpected delay – trapped in an elevator, stuck in traffic, on the wrong side of a flood that blocks you from your home? A serious bibliophile will always be prepared with at least one (though not limited to only one) extra ‘flood book’ to ensure they will not fall short of reading material.

Clearly this idea started before ebooks (or audiobooks, for that matter) were a thing but the concept is dear to my heart and, frankly, I am feeling quite antsy without a single physical book available to me right now because of the move. Mind you, I do this with my audiobooks, making sure I have two books downloaded at all times, so that when one is finished I can immediately start the next one no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

The Conversation:

Anyway, since I’m an insatiably curious bibliophile I thought it would be fun to share what we are reading right now and then, for the giveaway, what book that you don’t own, would you like to add as your flood book. If your name is drawn, you’ll win your flood book title.

Here’s a glimpse into my current reading (listening) life:

Just starting the Manuscripts, Meows and Murder by Kathy Manors Penn. This is the 11th book in a super cute cozy mystery series ‘Dickens and Christie Mysteries’. Totally clean, Closed Door Romance (and quite romantical at times) about a fifty something American who moves to the Cotswolds with her loyal cat (Christie) and dog (Dickens). New friendships, found family and romance ensue over the course of the books as well as an alarming number of murders. Bwahahaha!

My flood book is A Very Merry Matchup by Becca Kinzer – getting a start on my Christmas in July reading…listening. 🙂

The Giveaway Details:

In a comment (or in an email to me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca) let me know the title and author of the book you are reading and any thoughts you’d like to share about it

AND THEN *IMPORTANT*

add the title and author (Christian Fiction, Closed Door only please) of a book you would like to win as your ‘flood book’. Book must already be released.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Wednesday afternoon June 24 2026

Just a fun little Q&A about bookish quirks to spark a conversation or two because my brain is fried from heat, humidity and packing up my kitchen! (And why is it that when you pack something you are sure you won’t need it until after you move, the very next day you absolutely do need it… desperately?!)

Going into a book Blind

Do you read the book burb before you start reading or do you like to jump into a book blind? I am in the ‘must read the synopsis first’ camp. I have only gone in blind once and it was excruciating! An interesting experiment but I think I got hives from anxiety. 🙂 Of course, the flip side of not going into a read blind is that sometimes the book blurb gives away too many details to the point of being spoilery. I find that happens most often with indie books so I’ve learned to read only so far when a book blurb is especially wordy.

Read the ending first (or when things get too exciting not to)

I was shocked and appalled to discover that a favourite author always reads the last page first! I just…can’t…even…breathe…thinking about that. Oh, the disillusionment! I’m am most assuredly not in the ‘read the ending before I start the book’ camp. I mean, really, talk about spoilers! And once you know the ending, why do you need to read the book? I have a friend who does this too – she says it’s because she doesn’t have to worry about how things will turn out so she can enjoy the rest of the story but…but…but….I mean, isn’t part of the joy of reading being able to experience the journey right along with the characters? Yes, sometimes a story can nearly push you over the edge of anticipation into anxiety but that’s what reading faster is for, to get you over the gnarly bumps along the way to the happily ever after at break neck speed or, in the case of an audio book listener…see next point:

Speed up the audio to get through an action packed scene (and then listen to it again on your normal listening speed)

I have been known to do this a time or two especially with anxiety inducing romantical angst or frantic suspenseful action scenes but I never jump all the way to the end! Scandalous. I’ll listen to a part of the story at 3x the speed just so I can stop hyperventilating over the characters’ predicament, but then I always backtrack and listen again at my usual speed before continuing on with the story. I have audio standards, people! 🙂

Dog ear pages (gasp!)

I don’t want to hear anything but “No, of course not, I would never deface a book that way!” lol I want to weep when I check out a book from the library and notice the edges all askew, like the pages are ruffled up in indignation over their harsh treatment. Then I have to painstakingly unfold every corner and carefully set the book under a pile of other books (big, thick, heavy ones) to try and press the creases out. It’s an arduous experience for both the book and myself.

Care to share an opinion or two (or more?) Can you think of other bookish quirks? Maybe ones that belong to you? Or those you abhor? Do tell! Share in a comment and you’ll be entered in a draw for:

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026