crazy4reading's attempt at 75 in 2013, will she do it???

Well I didn't reach 75 last year but I am going to try again this year. I enjoy reading, exercising, listening to music and just having fun.

I am a mother of 2 wonder adult children. My daughter graduates from college this year and my son is currently a bartender and server.

I have no one to answer to for my time on LT except my wonderful animals. I work full time so my reading time is limited.

Look forward to seeing everyone this year and making it past 30 books this year.

I am going to have a few different tickers on this thread this year. Another member is doing a weightloss while reading and I have joined her in this adventure. I will be putting my ticker here for that and for my books. You may see a few different ones.

My Weightloss ticker:




My 75 book challenge ticker:




My 2013 Category Challenge ticker:




January 2013
1. Black Diamond Death by Cheryl Bradshaw (finished 1/9/13)
2. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent (finished 1/11/13)
3. Sinnerman by Cheryl Bradshaw (finished 1/13/13)
4. Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell (Finished 1/16/13)
5. I have a Secret by Cheryl Bradshaw (finished 1/22/13)

February 2013
6. Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw (finished 2/9/13)
7. Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James (finished 2/13/13)
8. The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz (finished 2/20/13)

March 2013
9. Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong (finished 3/2/13)
10. Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James (finished 3/8/13)
11. Run by Ann Patchett (finished 3/17/13)
12. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (finished 3/30/13)

April 2013
13. Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister (finished 4/1/13)
14. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (finished 4/17/13)

May 2013
15. Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker (finished 5/2/13)
16. Jury of One by Laura Bradford (finished 5/4/13)
17. Home for the Holidays by Johanna Lindsey (finished 5/7/13)
18. The Women by T.C. Boyle (finished 5/15/13)
19. Something About Sophie by Mary Kay McComas (finished 5/23/13)
20. The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan (finished 5/25/13)

June 2013
21. The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti (finished 6/9/13)
22. Breaking Point by C.J. Box (finished 6/14/13)
23. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (finished 6/28/13)

July 2013
24. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris (finished 7/7/13)
25. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (finished 7/11/13)
26. The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum (finished 7/16/13)
27. Marked by P.C. Cast (finished 7/20/13)
28. Life as we Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer (finished 7/25/13)
29. Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson (finished 7/28/13)

August 2013
30. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (finished 8/2/13)
31. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris (finished 8/8/13)
32. The Last Victim by Karen Robards (finished 8/17/13)
33. The Last Kiss Goodbye by Karen Robards (finished 8/23/13)
34. The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer (finished 8/25/13)

September 2013
35. Covet by J.R. Ward (finished 9/2/13)
36. This World we live in by Susan Beth Pfeffer (finished 9/4/13)
37. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (finished 9/8/13)

October 2013
38. Unbroken: A WW II story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (finished 10/6/13)
39. True Love by Jude Deveraux (finished 10/11/13)
40. The Drop by Michael Connelly (finished 10/15/13)
41. The Black Box by Michael Connelly (finished 10/17/13)

November 2013
42. No Child of Mine by Susan Lewis (finished 11/2/13)
43. Sabriel by Garth Nix (finished 11/3/13)
44. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs (finished 11/3/13)
45. Eragon by Christopher Paolini (finished 11/10/13)
46. New Moon Summer by SM Reine (finished 11/15/13)
47. Never Lost by Riley Moreno (finished 11/16/13)
48. The Night Walk men by Jason McIntyre (finished 11/17/13)
49. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (finished 11/17/13)
50. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia (finished 11/18/13)
51. Song Yet Sung by James McBride (finished 11/20/13)
52. The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber (finished 11/23/13)
53. Minding Ben by Victoria Brown (finished 11/28/13)

December 2013
54. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (finished 12/1/13)
55. Jacob: Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank (finished 12/4/13)
56. Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson (finished 12/10/13)
57. The Fault in our Stars by John Green (finished 12/14/13)
58. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (finished 12/15/13)
59. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (finished 12/18/13)
60. Mortal Bonds by Michael Sears (finished 12/28/13)

Yay, the first new thread! Well, except for mine, which I had to make to start the group. :)

Yes I can't believe I found the group so fast. I am usually so late in finding this group. Thanks for starting it Jim!!

Hi Monica, hope this is the magic year for getting to 75!

Hi Monica. Hope you have luck this year getting to 75

Hi Richard and Monica, Thanks for stopping by!!
I hope I can make it to 75 this year. I know I can do it I just need to take time off from work to do nothing but read.

Hi Monica - dropping by to return the visit. I think you were the first one to join the group after Jim?

Hi Kerry, Some how I found the group right after it was created. I was looking for it for the past couple of days because I know I won't be reaching 75 this year.

Hi Monica - stopping by to wave hello and make a note of where to find your thread!

Lori thanks for stopping by. I hope to have a good year of reading. Going to look for your thread.

Glad to see you back with us again, Monica!

Stasia I am glad to be back. I may not have reached 75 books in 2012 but I love this group.

I am reading 2 books to ring in the new year.

They are:





It would be nice to finish them both in January.

Happy New Year Monica!

Welcome, Monica! I hope you're enjoying your two January reads so far.

Happy New Years! :)

Hi Monica, FOUND YOU (obviously)! Have a happy year 2013!

Hi Monica. Happy Reading in 2013!!

Happy New Year Monica!

Happy New Year Sara!! I am enjoying them just need to get some reading time in between taking down the Christmas Decorations and housework.

Happy New Year to you Melissa! I hope your 2013 is a great one!

Kathy glad you found me. Happy New Year!! Will be looking for your thread too.

Tammy Happy New Year to you too. Have a great reading in 2013.

Happy New Year Chelle!! Have a wonderful 2013!!

I will looking for all your threads. I need to add to my TBR mountains ;)

Happy 2013, Monica! I'm looking forward to following your reading adventures.

Happy New Year Monica...l loved the Heretic's Daughter and can't wait to hear how you liked it.

Hi Julia and Tina Happy New year and thanks for stopping by. Tina so far I am enjoying Heretic's Daughter. I hope to get some more reading done tonight.

Happy New Year, Monica! Got you starred so I can follow what you're reading. I enjoyed The Heretic's Daughter a few years ago (not so much the sequel).

Deborah I didn't know there was a sequel to The Heretic's Daughter. So far I am enjoying the book. I am almost half way done. I have to finish the book by the 16th for my book club meeting. I hope I am able to get it finished in time.

26 > The sequel is The Wolves of Andover. I think she is planning on a third novel in the series.

Happy dance, Happy Dance!! I finished my first book for 2013!!

1. Black Diamond Death by Cheryl Bradshaw

My first book for the 2013 year! I really enjoyed this book. Black Diamond Death is the first in a series. I have all three of them in a boxed set on my Kindle. I am pleased that I purchased the book.

Black Diamond Death is a murder mystery, thriller book. Sloane Monroe is the Private Investigator that is hired by Audrey after her sister dies in a skiing accident. Audrey's sister was a great skier and real estate agent. Audrey does not believe that her sister's death was an accident.

The story was slow moving at first while you get to know that different characters and their relationships. This helped in getting to know how the characters react to different people and situations in the plot.

I will be continuing with the next book in the Sloane Monroe Series which is Sinnerman.

4 stars

I am still reading The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent, Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell, Sinnerman by Cheryl Bradshaw. Maybe I can finish one of these books this weekend.

Congrats!

Thanks Jim!!

Another book down. Now I just need to do more exercising while reading so the number on the scale will go down while my books read goes up. Here is my next review:

#2. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

I read The Heretic's Daughter for my library book club. I didn't know anything about the book before picking it up to read. I read the first couple of chapters before I read the synopsis of the book. Once I read the synopsis I then did some research on the subject matter. I had heard of the Salem witch trials before but never looked more into them.

The Heretic's Daughter is slow moving at first because you get back ground on the Carrier family. This was interesting but did get boring at points. I wasn't able to connect with the characters at first.

This story is told from Sarah Carrier Chapman's point of view. She is the daughter of one of the accused witches, Martha Carrier. You learn about her father, her uncle, her brothers and sister and her cousin whom she grows a close relationship with.

I understand there is a follow up book to this story. I don't know if I will read the next book. I will look for it and see if it will interest me.



I am still reading Vanity Fare by Meagan Caldwell. I am also reading Sinnerman by Cheryl Bradshaw. I hope to pick up my next ER book Postcards from Cedar key by Terri DuLong. I have 2 more ER books to read once I am done the Postcards book. Plus I have books that I received last year from some authors for reviews.

Happy Reading!!

I think Kent did her research on that novel. My 8th great grandaunt was among those sentenced to die, but her family managed to smuggle her out and hide her until the hysteria was over. Kent got it right. She was listed among those sentenced and omitted from those who were executed when that part of the story was told.

>31 crazy4reading: I have The Heretic's Daughter on my shelves already, so it's good to know the story improves.

>32 thornton37814: Very interesting family history!

Heretic's Daughter is one of the ROOTS I hope to clear out this year!

thornton the hysteria is just unbelievable. I felt like the people were such idiots. Very interesting family history is right Tanglewood.

I hope you are able to clear it out this year tututhefirst.

I love the books we get for our book club because I usually learn something or find out something I didn't know.

Yay, Monica 2 down.. :)

I'm the one who gets to pick our book club's monthly reads. I'm thinking that maybe the way to clear this one out is to choose it for the book club. I don't usually choose something I haven't read before, but this has enough positive response from people to make it a good candidate

Thanks Monica. Will be posting #3 soon.

Tina that sounds like a great idea. My book club group chooses books together. Plus we are limited on the books since it depends on the ones that the library have available. Can't wait to hear what you book club thinks about the book.

Well you can walk through my house without turning sideways and I don't have any old food stored containers around the house.

Well I finished another book about 10 minutes ago. It was an awesome read. I couldn't put it down from the moment I started reading it. Here is my review:

#3. Sinnerman by Cheryl Bradshaw

Sinnerman is an awesome read. Once I had started reading Sinnerman I couldn't put it down. Sinnerman is the second book in the Sloane Monroe series. Cheryl Bradshaw did a fantastic job writing this book.

Sloane Monroe is a PI whose sister was murdered 3 years ago by a serial killer who goes by the name of Sinnerman. He hasn't killed for three years and when he returns Sloane is determined to find out who he is and to bring him to justice.

Sloane has a new found friend who helps her and protects her without being over bearing like Nick usually is. His name is Giovanni Luciani. We met Gio at the end of the first book Black Diamond Death. She wasn't sure what to think of him.

If you are looking for a fantastic series to read then I suggest you read the Sloane Monroe Series by starting with Black Diamond Death.



I am still reading Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell. I haven't started on my next ER book Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong. Now that I finished the 2nd book in the Sloane Monroe Series I should be able to get it started.

Time for me to go to bed. Happy Reading!!

I am on a roll right now with my reading. It would be great if it continued through out the year.

Here is my review:

#4. Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell

Vanity Fare is an awesome read. This is the story about Molly Hagan. A woman whose husband left her for a younger woman. She had quit her job to take care of their son Aiden and now she is a single mom trying to figure out how she will pay bills and feed her and her son.

Molly's old friend John offers her a job copy editing for a new bakery and this is when the fun begins. She is still worried about making ends meet but at least she has a temporary job. Romance starts to flourish once she meets the British pastry chef and his business partner.

I loved how this story unfolded and seeing the changes Molly goes through and she discovers who she really is. I saw similarities between Molly and myself while reading the book. Some of the similarities were going through a divorce, low self esteem and confidence. Just seeing how she grew made me think about how I had changed too over the past few years.

This is a delightful read that will make you laugh, smile and maybe shed a few tears.



I just picked up my next book club book which is The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz. I am also reading Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong and the 3rd book in the Sloane Monroe Series.

Happy Reading!

Sounds like a nice read for sure!

It sure was. I hope my next 2 are just as nice as this past one.

Just checking in to check out threads and update on my reading.

Postcards from Cedar Key is interesting. I have a feeling it is part of a series but will need to check that out this weekend. I haven't gotten to far into The Commoner to say much about it.

Anyone have plans this weekend? I am hoping to take my wonderful beagle basset mix or better know as a bagle (not sure of the spelling) to the dog park. She is starting to give me the sad eyes because she hasn't gotten to go out much of late and I haven't been cuddling with as much either. So Saturday will hopefully be our day together. Park at noon time and then come home and cuddle up with some books and to watch hockey too. The Philadelphia Flyers opener is on and I really want to watch them. I just hope my son isn't home because he hates to watch sports.

I am off work on Monday due to the MLK holiday and I am hoping to get some reading, exercising and cleaning done with the long weekend. For some reason when I have long weekends I sometimes procrastinate on the cleaning. I really need to stop the procrastination and just get it done!!

I am also still trying to lose my last 50 pounds. I know I need to eat right and exercise. I love to exercise but it can get boring at times. The problem is the food. I love to eat fruits and veggies but sometimes you just need to indulge in that treat. Like today I went and ate pizza for lunch. Now I just need to go home and burn about 1500 calories doing exercising. Zumba here I come!!

Happy Reading all!!

I hope you got to do what you had planned. :) I would love to take my dogs to the dog park, too, but it's too cold here. Good luck with the exercise. I've never done Zumba, though I have some coworkers who're into it. I just stick with free weights and the treadmill. I'm kind of boring with my exercise. :) Anyway, hope you had a good weekend and day off from work!

Hi Sara! Yes I did get to go to the dog park and surprisingly it was warmer then expected. I didn't get the Zumba done like I wanted to. I sometimes think that my exercises get boring too. Free Weights are a great thing to use. I need to get back to the gym. My day off was wonderful but cold.

I went and saw Broken City! It was a nice morning out. Came home and did some cleaning. Last night we got snow. Just a dusting but enough to make it treacherous out. This morning I drove very slowly to get into work. Some roads were a sheet of ice. Others were clear.

Supposedly we are supposed to get another wintery mix on Friday. We will see if it happens.

I have gotten some reading done on my books. Maybe I will have one done this week.

Happy Reading all!!

Another book finished!!

#5. I have a Secret by Cheryl Bradshaw

WOW!!! Is what I want to say about this book. Another great book by Cheryl Bradshaw. I couldn't stop reading this one either. Every free moment I got I was reading this book.

This is the third book in the Sloane Monroe Series and Sloane is back for more Private Investigating. I have a Secret takes us back to Sloane's home town. I can't even pronounce the name let alone type it without looking at it.

The book starts with Sloane on a reunion cruise for her high school. While on the cruise one of her male classmates is murdered. His name is Doug. Sloane wants to discover the truth about his murder even though at first everyone says it was an accident.

The twists and turns this story takes had me thinking about all the different possibilities of who could be the murderer. After Doug is murdered another high school classmate is murdered and his name is Rusty. Then a third murder. Sloane is determined to figure out what is going on. She will discover the who and why in I have a Secret. I can't wait to find the 4th book and to start reading it!!



I am still reading my book club book The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz and Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong. I may pick up the 4th book in the Sloane Monroe series if it isn't too expensive.

Happy Reading all!

Well I finished another book last night.

#6. Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw

Another great book by Cheryl Bradshaw!! I borrowed this one from the Kindle Library and I loved it. Stranger in Town brings back Sloane Monroe again. She is in a relationship with Giovanni. Sloane receives a phone call from a father whose daughter was kidnapped.

Sloane decides to take the case and her friend Maddie is there to help for a little bit. Giovanni is not returning her calls. Does this mean trouble in her relationship? Who knows. That is the one thing I love about these books. The personal side to the main characters being in the book but not being the main attraction throughout the book.

Olivia and Savannah are two girls that have been kidnapped and Sloane discovers that they are connected. The father of the one girl does not want to tell the police because he feels that they are not doing a good job at trying to find his daughter. Once Sloane is able to convince him to tell the police the story gets interesting.

Sloane starts to work with Cade McCoy on the case. The chemistry between these two is funny, interesting, and one that could lead to more... Their friendship has grown throughout the book and I can't wait to see if we will be seeing more of Cade McCoy and Sloane working together.



I am still reading the following books:

Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James
The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz
Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong

I have more on tap to read. I have a few more ER books to read too.

#7 Fifty Shades of Darker by E. L. James

Well I finally finished the second book in this series. I still wasn't impressed with the story until the last one hundred pages or so. That is when it got interesting.

I have read romance books before and this series I just haven't felt a connection between Ana and Christian. I just feel a sexual attraction. I would give this book a 3 1/2 stars but Goodreads doesn't offer that option.

The beginning of this book has Ana and Christian separated. Ana had left Christian because she couldn't be all that he wanted. Ana's best friend Kate goes out of town with Christians brother. This whole book takes place in 16 days.

Ana's new boss is a sleaze bag and I felt that Ana was just so stupid and not realizing that he is attracted to her.

The end of the book does have me wanting to read the last book just to see how everything ends. If you are able to borrow this book from your library or borrow from one of your friends I would suggest that instead of buying a copy of your own. It is not worth the money unless it is available at a used book store for a cheap price.

3 stars

#46: I've heard both good and bad things about that series. I definitely want to read it, but like you said, I'm waiting until I can find a cheap copy to buy. Thanks for the rec! :)

I finished another book. Not 5 stars.

#8. The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz

I didn't love nor hate this book. It was a good book. As a member of my book club stated last night it is a good book just not memorable. I agree. I enjoyed reading the book but I was not so enthralled that I couldn't put it down.

This is a work of fiction loosely based on the Japanese Crown Prince after WW2. It was nice to learn about the lifestyle of the Crown Prince and how he falls in love with a Commoner. This story is told from the eyes of Haruko who is the Commoner that the Crown Prince falls in love with.

I found the tone at times very depressing. That is why it was easy for me to put the book down. I wasn't captured by the writing. Learning the differences in their lives as I read the book does make you think about how being of different backgrounds can put strain on a marriage and hopefully make you grow as a person.

4 stars

I am now reading Run by Ann Patchett and Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong. I really need to pick up my reading so that I can actually make it closer to my goal this year.

Sara I hope you are able to find a cheap book or borrow it from someone.

Sorry to hear about your less-than-memorable last read. At least you were able to finish it. :)

Oh, and oddly enough, someone did donate a copy of Fifty Shades Darker this week! :D How strange is that? Needless to say, I snatched it up (only $1 and in mint condition!). Now I just need to find the first book, and I'll be set to start reading the series.

Best of luck with your reading! You're actually doing pretty well, pace-wise. Page for page, I think you're way ahead of me. Good job! :)

I finished another book. I am now 2 books behind if I want to read 75 books this year.

Sara that is great that you were able to find one of the books from the Fifty Shades trilogy for $1!! That is awesome. I have the third book on my kindle which I have to start reading because it is due back to the library in about 10 days.

My review:

#9. Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong

I have never read Terri DuLong before so I didn't know what to expect. I found the writing and character development superbly executed. I loved the characters from the beginning. This is the story of Berkley Whitmore.

Berkley finds Cedar Key through postcards that her mother had sent to her grandmother. Berkley was 5 years old when these postcards were sent and living with her grandmother at this time. Postcards from Cedar Key tells the story of Berkley and why her mother had lived in Cedar Key one summer.

Berkley is a very independent woman until she meets Saxton. Saxton is the man that helps her and is with her while she searches for the truth about her mother. Berkley wants to really get to know her mother and she does in this book.

Wonderfully written and entertaining.

4 stars

I am currently reading:

Run by Ann Patchett
Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James
Farewell Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister

Happy Reading all!!

Hi Monica just stopping by to see what you are reading :) Hope all is well with you and I see you are doing rather well with reading at this point. You may be a little behind now but you still have 9 + months to go.. :)

I will be curious to read your reaction to Patchett's 'Run', Monica. That's one I read a year or so ago and had a strong reaction to.

I finished another book. Rosalita I am still reading Run. Now that I finished this book I will be able to read Run.

#10. Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James

Well I have finally finished this series. I don't understand what all the hype was about. It was just another series. I was not impressed with it at all. I will say that I enjoyed this book more then the first two.

I really enjoyed learning more about Christian Grey and his past. I do not care for Ana. She is one of the most annoying characters I have ever met in a story. I know this was originally a fan fic for Twilight and I read that series. I enjoyed that series because it was good and I connected with the characters.

I did cry while reading this book. I did not enjoy reading the sex parts because they became very redundant. I felt like those encounters were all the same. I didn't feel the love between Christian and Ana until the very end of the book.

Don't waste your money on these books. If you can find them cheap then maybe. Borrow from the library, kindle or from a friend.

I rate this between 3 1/2 to 4 stars

I am still reading Run by Ann Patchett
I still need to starts Farewell Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister

Happy Reading All!

Wow my thread is so quiet. I finished a book today. I am happy to finally finish a book. I have been busy with life and not getting enough time to read. Now here is my review:

#11. Run by Ann Patchett

Well I really don't know how I feel about this book. This is the first book by Ann Patchett that I have read. I enjoyed the book but left with mixed feelings about it.

This is the story of the Doyle's. You have Bernadette, and Bernard Doyle and their son Sullivan and adoptive sons Tip and Teddy. After the death of Bernadette the boys feel the lose significantly. They are raised by just Bernard.

It is an interesting story especially once you meet their biological mother. They meet her by accident, literally. She is hit by a car when she pushes one of her son's out of the way. They also meet her daughter Kenya. She is a very interesting character.

I don't want to reveal too much about the story but the ending was what left me with a feeling of being unsure.

3 stars

Now I am reading my LTER book Farewell Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister and will also begin reading/listening to The Host by Stephanie Meyer. I have copy of The Host and just borrowed the audio version from the library.

Happy Reading all!

Monica, I think we had similar reactions to 'Run'. For me, I felt like the book was just getting started and then I turned a page and BOOM! it was finished. I felt like everything I'd read was kind of a setup to the actual story and there turned out not to be one. It made me very annoyed, I must say.

Rosalita that is exactly how I felt. I have never read Ann Patchett so I don't know if all her writing is like this or not. I liked the book but felt the ending was just summed up to quickly. I can't wait to see what the members of my book club have to say about it on Wednesday.

Please report back on what your book club says! I've been wondering ever since I read it if I was crazy for feeling that way.

I will.

Good Morning Monica, I all is going well for you. I see your reading is moving right along. I wish I could find the time to go to and find a good book club around here. Maybe I will just have to start one for myself :) Take care of yourself and very Happy Reading!!

Hi Monica! I found my book club through my library. I love it. When I first joined the group I felt strange but now I love it! Hope you are able to find one to join or create one for yourself.

Well I just got back from my book club meeting and most of the members didn't love the book yet didn't hate it either. We felt as a group that it was a little confusing at points. Also most of us were left with a blah feeling at the end.

One lady read on the back that the ending would bring tears to your eyes. We all said not likely.

Some of the members have read her book Bel Canto and I asked if the writing was the same. They said it was different. Hearing what they were saying about Bel Canto I think it is a book I would be interested in reading.

Our newest book for book club is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Can't wait to start reading it.

If you are interested in Run I do suggest you give it a go. It wasn't one of my favorites but it wasn't a bad one either.

Oh, I do so love 'People of the Book', Monica. I'm going to send out some good universe vibes that you and your book club love it, too. They certainly sound like a thoughtful and discriminating group (which is to say, they agreed with me about 'Run'). :-)

Lol Rosalita. I love my group of ladies. They are just wonderful people. We don't always agree but we have nice and friendly discussions. Now I am interested in reading Bel Canto to see if it is better then Run!

I did like 'Bel Canto' more than 'Run', that's for sure. I thought it was an interesting idea pretty well executed.

Good then I have something to look forward to when I do decide to read Bel Canto.

Both Bel Canto and People of the Book were 4 star reads for me, Monica and for different reasons. I loved Patchett's lyrical prose and the inaction of Bel Canto, but I also found Brooks' way of breathing life into a historical timeline history to be quite good.

I am wondering if I should try to find time for Run..... just not sure when. ;-)

Lori I would say to give Run a try but if you have other more pressing books then just wait.

I finished another book. I couldn't put this book down. I wish I had read it sooner. I bought this book in 2009 and had started reading it but decided to wait since I was still reading HP and some other books. I just never picked it up again until I found out it was being released as a movie. Here is my review of The Host by Stephenie Meyer

#12. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I am so glad that I took the time to read this book. If it hadn't been for the movie being released I probably would have waited to read it. I fell in love with the story, characters and the writing. Stephenie Meyer did a fantastic job on this story. It is even better then the Twilight books.

The Host is the story of an alien invasion of Earth. We humans learn of the invasion when we notice changes in other humans. This species attaches to the human body and takes control. They didn't expect some of the Hosts to fight back and still want to be in control.

I fell in love with Melanie (the host) and Wanda (Wanderer, the species) along with Jared, Ian, Jamie, Jeb, Kyle and so many more. Melanie is the human who is implanted with the Wanderer. Wanderer realizes that Melanie is still there and doesn't want to let her body go.

Wanderer learns more about Melanie through her memories that Melanie is willing to share with her. Wanderer is also supposed to learn about where the other rebels are. Melanie wins The Wanderer over by opening up feelings about her friends and family. The Wanderer is also being followed by a Seeker who wants to find these other rebels.

Melanie and The Wanderer become friends and decide to evade the Seeker. They don't like her and want to stay away from her as much as possible. I loved how both Wanda and Melanie became friends and would talk to each other in the mind. They fought but yet the loved each other by the end of the book.

Jared is the man that Melanie loves. Jamie is her younger brother. Jeb is her uncle. Ian and Kyle are brothers that Melanie and Wanda meet once they find the hiding place of the camp. There are so many more characters that you will just love and hate at the same time. Melanie's cousin Sharon and Aunt Maggie are two that I felt sorry for.

I was crying by the end of this book. It was sad and happy at the same time. I see that supposedly there are 2 more books yet to be released. I cannot wait for them to be released. The Host is one that is worth reading!!

5 stars

I loved this book. Now I am ready to go see the movie. I may try to see it Monday or Next weekend. Now I will start reading my book club book People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks and continue reading Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister.

I also have another 4 ER books to read plus a bunch of books that Authors and publishers have sent me. I am hoping to make a dent in that pile this year.

Well after finishing The Host I delved right into my ER book from November 2012. I had started it earlier but found out that The Host was being released as a movie and knew that I wanted to see that but needed to read the book first. It is not very often that I finish 2 books so quickly together. Here is my review.

#13. Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister

Well again another great book that I won in LT Early Reviewers Program. I started the book in the middle of March and figured I would get through it quickly. Well then another book caught my attention and I read that one instead. I then really started reading this book on March 31 and I couldn't stop.

I really got into this story even though I knew nothing about Dorothy Parker before reading Farewell, Dorothy Parker. The leading character Violet Epps was not my favorite. I enjoyed Violet's interaction with her niece Delaney.

I found myself laughing at some of the dry humor in the story. Delaney was the character I loved for her innocuous names for her grandparents, Violet's ex-boyfriend and for some of her friends. Delaney was dealing with the death of her parents and being removed from the care of her Aunt V by her grandparents. This was here way of dealing with the pain of not being able to say goodbye to her family.

This is the first book I have read of Ellen Meister and I was pleasantly surprised as to how drawn into the story I became. I will be looking at more books by her and also doing some research on Dorothy Parker.

5 stars

Now I will be concentrating on my Book club read People of the book by Geraldine Brooks. I did start it and it is interesting so I may be able to finish that book pretty fast too. We will see.

I have a lot of books to read in the next couple of weeks/months

I have 4 more ER books to read:

Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker (Dec 2012)
Something About Sophie by Mary Kay McComas (Jan 2013)
Breaking Point by C. J. Box (Feb. 2013)
The Last Victim by Karen Robards (March 2013)

I have received them all except for my March win.

I also have books that I have received from some authors that I will also need to read. I can not remember the titles right now. Plus I have at least 1 more Book Club book.

I also want to read The Great Gatsby since a movie is being released in May. So as you can see I have a lot on my plate.

Monica, you will need to make sure you make time for some sleeping and eating in April with that ambitious reading plan!

I'm glad you liked The Host, Monica! :) I had planned on reading that one, too, before the movie came out, but I'll probably end up watching the movie first. Anyway, thanks for reminding me I need to read that one asap! Btw, were you able to see the movie yet?

Sara I have not seen the movie yet. I am hoping to go this weekend.

Since I did all that reading this past weekend I haven't gotten much reading done this week. I think my eyes needed a rest.

I have also been reading a few of the posts on here about the sale of Goodreads to Amazon. I have been a member of Shelfari, Goodreads and LibraryThing.

I actually forgot about Shelfari until someone mentioned it in one of the threads about the Amazon and Goodreads deal. So I went back and checked it out. I don't know if I like it or hate it yet. I was able to import all the e-books I have purchased over the years. That was very nice since it is owned by Amazon.

I have been most active on Librarything and sometimes Goodreads. I found Goodreads talk/community section harder to enjoy. I joined groups but being able to keep track of the post was hard. I am still a member over there and post my reviews simultaneously on GR and LT and now Shelfari. I haven't commented in the threads about the take over because I am so afraid of offending people.

I found both GR and LT at about the same time. When I first joined LT I joined it for free until I reached 200 books. I looked into the Lifetime membership and was so afraid as to what they were going to ask to pay. When I saw all the options I chose to pay the $25. It is for a lifetime so I feel that was perfect. I know people don't want to pay but if you chose lifetime it pays for itself in a year. This site has helped me with keeping track of books I have read, own, gave away etc. I find myself borrowing more from the library. Donating my books to people or libraries instead of holding onto them forever.

I never kept track of what I read and I would read the same authors all the time. Since joining these sites I have found many new authors, and genres. I joined my library book club and found friends and new books. I don't plan to get rid of my GR, or Shelfari accounts. I plan to keep them and post my reviews on all the sites.

I haven't really found any threads over at GR about the sale but then I haven't looked either. I am happy to welcome the GR members to LT and look forward to maybe seeing some of my friends from there here. I also hope that they will find reasons to stay or even to just belong to LT.

Thanks for stopping by my thread and I hope I didn't offend anyone.

Monica

I think you summed things up very nicely, Monica. I'm glad to see so many people checking out LT, and I hope at least some of them stick around and become part of our community. I'm also tickled to see some long-standing bugs or feature requests getting tackled because of the influx of potential new members.

Have a great weekend!

I have several coworkers who are Goodreads members, but I'm pretty much loyal to LT. I think I have a GR account, but I honestly don't remember my login name or password. Anyway, I may just pop over to those other sites and compare them. I'm still pretty happy with LT; that's why I've never switched over.

Thanks Rosalita and Sara. I love LT a lot. GR is okay. I get annoyed with the community area. I lose track of posts and threads so quickly.

Now I just need to concentrate on my books now instead of the GR sale.

It's hard to keep up with threads on here, too. It almost feels like I do more catching up with threads than I do actually reading books. :D

That is so true Sara. I actually like it when my internet or electric go out. I usually get more reading done.

I know what you mean. :)

I finished another book and here is my review:

#14. People of the book by Geraldine Brooks

I finally finished this book for book club. I listened to the audio and read the book at the same time. Listening to the book gave a different feel to the story. The Narrator was fantastic with the different accents that I wouldn't have realized just by reading the story.

Geraldine Brooks does a fantastic job of making a book based on an actual event about the Haggdah. She tells of the possible journey of a religious book that was saved during WWII. Hanna is the person that is hired to examine this book and the things she discovers in it are fascinating.

She finds an insects wing and you are transported to a different time and location. A wine stain and you meet a priest and a rabbi. The one thing she discovers at the end it illuminating and makes her job meaningful.

5 stars

I am still reading or trying to read my ER books. And I just got my May book club book The Women by T. C. Boyle.

Another book finished!!

#15 Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker

Crime of Privilege is the first book I have read by author Walter Walker and I was thrilled with this book. I was captured from the beginning.

Crime of Privilege has a murder and a rape in different locations and years apart and involve the main character George Becket. George was a college student when the rape occurred.

Now George is an Assistant DA in Cape Cod. He is approached by a father whose daughter was murdered in 1999. This is when George gets drawn into wanting to know murdered this young girl. Everything seems to point to an elite family named the Gregory's.

Walter does a great job showing exactly how the rich, elite, privileged get away with more then the average Joe.

5 stars

I am now reading The Women by T.C. Boyle, Jury of One by Laura Bradford and I will also be starting a few more books this week/weekend.

Monica...Crime of Privilege looks like one I'm going to check out....love the setting and the premise.

Tina I hope you enjoy Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker

I just finished another book tonight. Here is my review:

#16. Jury of One by Laura Bradford

I remember seeing this book in the store and reading the synopsis on the back and really wanting to read it. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to read it.

Jury of One was a fantastic quick read. It is a mystery, suspense, romance and some Christianity all in one. It is one of the better Christian Fiction books I have read. I wasn't overwhelmed with a lot of religion.

There is a murder in Ocean Point, New Jersey, a small quiet town. Murder doesn't happen here. More murders start happening. The detective Mitch Burns is the one who has to solve the murders.

A new reporter Elise Jenkins does the stories for the local paper about the murders and works with Detective Mitch Burns and the police department. And a little romance starts to blossom.

This is the first book I have read by Laura Bradford. There are 2 more books in the Jenkins & Burns Mysteries. I think I will be looking for those books to read.

5 stars

I am now reading The Women by T. C. Boyle and Home for the Holidays by Johanna Lindsey.

Hi Monica, just stopping by to see how your reading is coming along. Looks like you are doing well :) The last two reviews sound like great books to read and right up my alley. I may have to just add them to my wishlist. Hope all is well with you. Take care...

Hi Monica, yes they were both very good reads. I am doing well. Just been busy. My daughter graduates from College next Saturday so I am trying to get as much reading done this weekend. Happy Reading.

It makes me so happy to read other people's rave reviews for 'People of the Book'! And I actually listened to that as an audiobook so I know exactly what you mean about the reader. She was fantastic. Such a great book.

Rosalita I love to listen to books but I need the book in front of me at the same time because I have noticed that my mind wanders.

I finished another book last night:

#17. Home for the Holidays by Johanna Lindsey

I love Johanna Lindsey books! It is a typical romance but I still love the characters and the interactions between them.

The story of Larissa and Vincent. Vincent is set on revenge on Larissa's father for the death of his brother. When he evicts them from their home he discovers Larissa. He lies and schemes to keep her near him.

5 stars

This was a very cute and quick read. I am so glad I decided to read this book because I needed some fluff. Not a huge review but I may add more later.

Yes I finally finished my book club book. Not one of the good ones this year, at least not for me.

#18. The Women by T.C. Boyle

Well I finally finished this book. I enjoy reading about Frank Lloyd Wright and learning more about his buildings and architecture but I don't always enjoy reading about his womanizing. This book is about his women.

It isn't just about his wives. The Women starts with his last wife and then goes back to his 'Soul Mate' Mamah. This made the story confusing because things were repeated about the women in the three different parts.

This is the first book I have read by T.C. Boyle and I can't say that I will never read any of his work. I don't know. I always like to give authors more then one try.

I found myself loathing Frank Lloyd Wright at times while reading this book. I found him egotistical, self centered, and a little dim witted when it came to his money. He may have been a genius as an Architect but that doesn't mean that everyone owes you and should worship you.

I will look for other writings on Mr. Wright to get a different perspective on his life and times.

3 stars

I just started reading my January ER book Something About Sophie by Mary Kay McComas and I have to say it has drawn me in with just the first chapter. I had to stop just so that I could write up this review. I will also be starting my June Book Club book which is The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti. This book is a lot short then last months and I am looking forward to reading it.

I also have The Great Gatsby and The God Box to read. I received the God Box at my daughter's graduation this past Saturday. The author Mary Lou Quinlan received an honorary degree and she gave a book to each graduate to give to their mother's for Mother's Day. It was a very nice gesture.

I had someone say to me the other day when I was talking about the book The Women and that I was reading it for my book club. She said "Oh your book club actually reads books." I laughed because I guess people think that women use it as an excuse just to get out of the house and away from the kids or husbands.

Time for me to update some other threads before heading to bed.

Happy Reading All!!

I'll probably skip The Women. Thanks for the heads-up. :) Good luck with your other reads!

Btw, I'm beginning to think it's true what you said about book clubs--that they're an excuse for women to hang out together and away from their homes. We have some book club meetings at our library, and from what I overhear, there's not a whole lot of talk about books. :D

Our book club does go off on tangents every so often but most of us want to discuss the books. We also make sure to have questions for us to discuss. Tonight a woman brought a book with pictures of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture. That was interesting to look at. And it is nice to get out and socialize with other readers.

I work with people that read but some just read for fun and don't really discuss books. They will tell me about the books but not to discuss as in the writing, the characters, etc.

That is cool she brought pictures! :) And I totally agree about book clubs being a great way to socialize. Really, if all everybody talked about was the plot, character development, etc, it might get a little boring.

Uh oh, I probably fall into the same category as your coworkers. ;) I usually just read for fun and end up forgetting what I read hours or a day later.

I fall into that category too. I just like to talk about books more often then most of them do. They are the same ones that made me read the Fifty Shades of Grey series. I have gotten a few good books recommendations from them.

I have The Host sitting on my shelf to read... Your review makes me want to read it soon!!! Hope I love it as much as you did.

#91: My coworkers recommended Fifty Shades of Grey to me, too. Of course, I planned on reading it anyway, but if it hadn't been for them, I probably wouldn't have started it for years.

Tina I hope you enjoy The Host as much as I did. I didn't even realize that it was a series.

Sara I am glad I read Fifty Shades of Grey but I wasn't overly impressed with it. People kept saying it was porn for women. I didn't see it as that. I felt it was a romance with a plot that I had never read before, meaning the submissive.

Porn for women? :D Cute. (Actually, this is Porn for Women--very funny little book.) I'm still trying to finish Fifty Shades of Grey, but I've gotten kind of bored with it. I even checked out the audiobook today, so maybe that'll help me. Anyway, hope you're having a great weekend! :)

I understand with getting bored with Fifty Shades of Grey.

I had a wonderful weekend. Friday I spent all day with my dog. Saturday I met up with other Library Thing Members in Philadelphia. We went to the Art Museum, Rittenhouse Square, Reading Terminal Market and a book store. I am so exhausted from Saturday that I am taking today to do laundry, dishes and just relax.

I received a list of the books for my book club for 2013-2014. I am not sure if all the book titles are correct. Here is a list of some books I will be reading later this year and into next year:

September:
Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

October:
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

November:
Song Yet Sung by James McBride

December:
Garden Spells by Sarah A. Allen

January:
The Timekeeper by Mitch Alblom

February:
Bones of My Soul which I believe is supposed to be Ines of my Soul by Isabel Allende

March:
Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers

April:
Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

May:
The Light between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

June:
City of Thieves by David Benioff

I don't own any of these books but I can't wait to read these books next year.

I am now sitting here watching Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part 1. I have already started crying. I haven't watched this one since it was released. I know I am going to cry in the next few minutes.

Well time to get back to some cleaning.

Monica.....what a fantastic line- up. I've read several of them, and they'll be excellent discussion books. I hope you enjoy them.

Hi Monica. I am so glad that I got to meet you this past weekend. I had a lot of fun during the bits of time I was able to spend with you. So happy that you came. I hope we can meet again one day. Until then, I will see you on the threads. I have you starred. :-)
belva

BTW; I loved The Light Between Oceans and also enjoyed Garden Spells. I hope you like them as well.

Garden Spells is sitting on my bookshelf just waiting to be read.... I'll push it up if you enjoy it! :)

I always cry when I watch or listen to Deathly Hallows! It's just gut wrenching!

Belva it was great meeting you. I had so much fun. That was the most fun I had in a long time. Seeing everyone at the book store and just picking up books was so fun. I am glad that I went and will definitely go again if I can afford it too. I am going to go looking for your thread. I hope I enjoy The Light Between Oceans and Garden Spells Just looking at the covers I have been intrigued by most of the books for our book club next year.

Tina I will definitely let you know how Garden Spells is. I love all the Harry Potter Books and just reading most of them makes me cry but Deathly Hallows really did me in, both the book and the movie. I may try to watch Part 1 and 2 this weekend.

Monica, how pretty and how happy you look! It was a joy to meet you.

Linda thanks for sharing that photo. I had such a wonderful time! Ditto!! We all look so happy and just having fun!!

I finished another book today! I will be posting a review soon.

Here is my review:

#19. Something About Sophie by Mary Kay McComas

My ER book from LT. I won this in January and I finally got around to reading it. As soon as I started reading Something About Sophie I couldn't stop without thinking about what was going to happen next.

Sophie receives a letter from a man she has never met who is on his deathbed. The story starts with us getting a glimpse into this man. He feels responsible for Something about Sophie and is talking to a friend about it. We don't discover what it is until the end.

The writing was splendid and moved at a good pace. I was also able to stop in the middle of a chapter and not feel lost when I started again.

The ending of the story surprised me. I was not expecting someone to die. I did tear up at the end because I was both happy and sad for Sophie. I am glad that I won this book.

4 stars

Now I am going to start reading the following:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The God Box Sharing my mother's gift of faith, love and letting go by Mary Lou Quinlan (I think I will read this one first)

The Good Thief by Hanna Tinti (will also be reading this one next)

Actually I think I will start them all tonight.

This past Tuesday we had to vote on a question about our local library. My library isn't in our County Library System and we were voting on whether to impose a library tax. I asked why we aren't in our County Library System and imposing this tax would help in getting the County to look at them as a self sustained library. It also shows that the township is supportive of the library. I really hope the library gets the tax even though my taxes would increase. I feel this would be really helpful in making our town better.

Well I better get off so that I can get some reading done tonight before I fall asleep.

Happy reading all!!

Yes Another book finished! If all my books were this short I would have more read by now.

#20 The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan

I received this book at my daughter's graduation from college this year (2013). The author was there to give a speech and she gave a book to each graduate either for them to keep or to give to their mother's.

It was a very sweet book on remembering Mary Lou's mother. Mary Lou's mother used to writer her prayers and hopes on pieces of paper for God to help her friends, family and people she would meet while out eating or in a store. It was sweet to see how much Mary Finlayson cared for people and put everything in God's hands.

Mary Lou Quinlan does suggest that if you feel the need to do a God Box to find what works for you. It is a nice concept and something I would consider.

I have always felt that things happen for a reason and sometimes we have no control over it.

4 stars

I will now be reading more of the books listed above.

Hi Monica

I'm stopping by and waving hello.

It sounds like you are reading some good books!

Hi Monica, Stopping by to say hello. Darn I wish I could have come to the meet up and been able to meet you in person. :( Maybe one of these days I will make it to a LT meet up. It sounds like you are getting in some great reading. I hope all else is going well for you too. Take care Hugs and happy reading..
Monica...

Hi Linda!! Waving back!! Not reading as fast as I would like to.

Hi Monica!! Thanks for stopping by. I wish you were able to make it to the meet up!! It was my first one and I had a great time.

Well I finished another book. I really don't know how I feel about it. It was different which made me like it. I just felt it was slow moving and not one that I really captured me. The characters were not ones that I fell in love with. I did find them interesting but not that interesting.

#21. The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti

I didn't love nor did I hate this book. It was just eh. I started to get into the book about half way through.

The story is about orphans. And the main one is Ren. He is a one handed orphan. He doesn't know anything about how he lost his hand. When Ren is adopted he is not sure if the person is his father. The priest still gives Benjamin the boy, Ren because he knows that he will not be adopted.

The adventures or criminal activities that transpire are interesting and a way to get to know Ren and Benjamin better.

3 stars

I am still reading my ER book. I will also be starting 2 more books.

Happy Reading all!!

Happy Reading to you Monica!

Another book done. Slowly moving here.

I finished my ER book tonight but still not caught up on them.

#22. Breaking Point by C.J. Box

This is my first book by C.J. Box and I will be reading more by him. Breaking Point is more about Joe Pickett who is a Game Warden

This novel has Joe Pickett working with the EPA and the FBI searching for a local man accused of murdering EPA agents. The story starts slow but progresses nicely and builds to where you don't want to put the book down.

Joe has a new boss that goes by her initials LGD. She tells Joe that he is to work with the Feds and help them track and find Butch. Joe is not sure he wants to help them but he does to keep his job.

The story gets interesting when the Feds cause a fire and Joe, Butch and some agents get caught in the heat of it all. I wanted to read until I found out what happened.

The ending was a great surprise and I can't wait to read more books with Joe Pickett by C.J. Box.

5 stars

Well getting off to read All together dead by Charlaine Harris. I am so behind on this series. I will also be reading Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. I want to start The Great Gatsby too.

Happy Reading All!

I've been hearing about this C.J. Box person, but that review convinced me to make space for him on my library wishlist! Thanks, Monica.

Rosalita I have another of C.J. Box books and I want to read it. I found it at our library book sale.

I finished another book tonight:

#23. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

My first Jane Austen book and I was pleasantly surprised from the start. The writing style was new to me but I was easily able to understand the story.

I fell in love with Jane and Elizabeth right from the beginning. Mrs Bennet was annoying but still lovable. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were perfect and you just can't help but fall for them too.

I loved how Jane and Elizabeth were very close with each other being the 2 oldest girls. The different relationships between the sisters and parents made the story interesting. Watching the relationship between Jane and Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy blossom was wonderful. I found myself rooting for them and every obstacle they encountered.

I will be reading more of Jane Austen!!

5 stars

I went to Cirque du Soliel tonight and really enjoyed it. This was my first time seeing one and I would love to go again. I actually think I also saw someone that I had met at the LibraryThing meetup in Philly this year. I am not positive because I only saw him at the Reading Terminal Market.

Who knew that Jane Austen wrote such pleasantly fun stories? I for one didn't until I read P&P for the first time earlier this year so I totally understand your reaction! ;-)

Ooooohhhh..... Cirque du Soliel, I so want to see one of their performances but they never come to to the island. I would have to travel to Vancouver and stay the night in a hotel room there just to enjoy the experience. Sometimes, it just doesn't pay to live on an island that doesn't attract the big ticket attractions. *sighs*

Lori if it wasn't for my in-laws I would never have gone to Cirque du Soliel. If you do ever get the chance to go to Cirque du Soliel.

Hi Monica. I'm stopping by to say I'm still smiling when I think of our lovely Philadelphia meet up.

I hope all is well with you and you have a lovely summer.

RE: Cirque du Soliel. One of their people fell to her death last week in Las Vegas. I was astonished and saddened.

Stopping in for a quick Hello to you Monica. I see that you are coming along with your reading. I started to read P&P at one point and just couldn't get through it. I don't think it was the book itself. I think it was my mood and timing. I still have it and will try again some day. Good to hear your review makes me want to think about picking it up sooner. Hope you are having a wonderful summer. :)

Linda I too still smile when I think of our Philadelphia meet up. So far I am enjoying my summer just working and enjoying my time off.

Monica I hope you do pick up P&P again. I have wanted to read the book and glad that I was in the mood for it. I too have had books that I pick up and can't get into because I am not in the right mood.

majkia I heard about that accident and was very saddened by it too. That is one thing I feared when I was at this show. I hope the people from that show are doing okay. I am sure it is hard for them.

Thanks for stopping by all.

#24. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

I am finally continuing on my Sookie series. It has been awhile since I picked this series up. I almost forgot all that had happened in the previous book. Sookie is helping the Vamps again in this book.

The Vamps are having a summit and the queen of Louisiana is also up for trial because she supposedly murdered her Arkansas King fiance. Since Sookie is a telepath and is a witness to the murder the queen requires her presence at the Summit. She will be paid for this service.

I felt that Sookie has misgivings about helping the vamps but also fears that if she doesn't she might not be able to live either. Her friend Tara, Sam and others try to talk her out of helping them. Her boyfriend Quinn will be there running things for the vamps too.

Sookie is her usual entertaining self. You also get to see Barry the other Telepath in this book. Not sure what I think of him.

5 stars

Now I am going to continue reading Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. I will also begin reading:

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs, The Last Victim by Karen Robards, Covet by J.R. Ward, Marked by P.C. Cast just to name a few.

I am dog sitting this weekend and I have been watching my dog Samantha and the one I am sitting, Hunter play. Hunter is a husky and is only about 4 months old. He is adorable and lovable. Samantha is 3 years old and I think she is enjoying the company but not all the energy. Plus it is so hot here this weekend that I have been spending lots of time indoors cleaning and playing.

Happy Reading All!

Have fun dog sitting this weekend! :) Note to self: get back to reading some Charlaine Harris. I don't even remember where I left off with her Sookie series. Oh, well. Thanks for reminding me. :)

Sara I only read the book for a different challenge on Goodreads. I haven't read the series in at least 2 years. Now I want to finish that series.

I am here with another review:

#25. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

This is my first book by Patricia Briggs and I am sorry I waited so long to read her books! I will definitely be reading more of her books especially in this series. I enjoyed Mercy, Adam, Samuel, Jesse, Warren and Zee.

I have read other books and series with super natural creatures but this is the first where werewolves were the main characters. They are very entertaining and sexy at the same time. It was fun reading about male werewolves and how territorial they can be just like their human counterparts.

The Chemistry between Mercy and the Wolves and other super naturals was great. Mercy is a coyote and doesn't belong to a pack. She doesn't know much about her history or her powers. I get the feeling that as you go further into the series she will start to learn more about her past and powers.

5 stars

I found another series to read. I have so many different series going that I think I will need to get them all organized and start reading them more often.

I am still reading Bourne Identity, Marked, Covet and one more I am trying to decide on. I would like to finish Bourne Identity this weekend too.

Happy Reading all!!

I just realized that I am 1/4 of the way finished with this challenge. I wonder if I can beat my high from last year which was 35 books. I think I can do it!!

Go for it!

Well I finished another book this week. Here is my review:

#26. Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

Wow, I can't believe I put off reading this book or series for so long. I have wanted to read them but just didn't want to deal with the length. Now I am glad I took the time to read this book.

Jason Bourne.. Is that his real name or is it Cain or possibly Carlos? Those are the questions I started asking myself as this story progressed. Will he ever figure out who he really is?

I don't want to reveal too much about the book or series but I do know that I can't wait to pick up the next book.

5 stars

I am still reading Marked by P.C. Cast, Covet by J.R. Ward. Maybe I will finish one of them this weekend.

Happy Reading All!

Another book done. I am getting closer to reaching 30 books.

#27 Marked by P.C. Cast

This book and series was recommended to me years ago and I just haven't taken the time to read it. I have to say thanks to the SOS Bingo Challenge for getting me to read this book. Now I will have to look at the rest of the books.

I fell in love with Zoey Redbird right from the start. Once she is marked and her human friends abandon her along with her mother she goes to the one person that she can count on and that is her Grandmother. Zoey's grandmother takes her to the House of Night and is supportive of Zbird.

Once Zoey meets her roommate she starts to feel welcomed. All Zoey wants is to have some place where she feels she belongs. That is something every teenager and some adults want too. Zoe's roommate is adorable and her name is Stevie Rae. I love all the friends she makes in this book. Damian is a hoot!!

5 stars

Now I am reading I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, Covet by J. R. Ward The Last Victim by Karen Robards, and possibly 2 more.

Happy Reading All!

Hi Monica

I've added Marked to the tbr pile. I hope you are having a lovely summer!

#124: I'm glad you liked Marked! :) I bought that one recently and hope to get to it soonish. You have a really good lineup of books. I wish I had more time to read those as well.

Sara I hope you are able to get a chance to read the book. I can't wait to read the rest of that series.

Hi Linda! My summer is great when the weather is nice. I hope you enjoy Marked when you get a chance to read it.

Another book finished!! Here is my review:

#28. Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer

I read this book for SOS Bingo and I am thrilled with finding this book along with many more this round. I don't know if I would have read this book on my own. I had received this book from a friend of my dad's after she had passed. Her daughter tried to sell the books that her mother had and what ever was left she let me have.

Life as we Knew it is told by a girl Miranda after the moon is knocked out of orbit and the world starts to change. The way this story was told really kept me reading. I never felt like I was lost or confused.

Miranda lives with her mother, younger brother Johnny and an older brother Matt when he comes home from college. The changes and troubles the family have to endure really make you think about all that we have. This story made me think about times that we lose electric for a few hours. It also made me think about Super Storm Sandy and how it affected so many people.

This book made me think about how strong people are when they are under this type of challenge.

5 stars

I read Life as we knew it in 5 days that is how good the book was. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. I have been trying to avoid buying more books but I am thinking of spending some money on the other books.

I have more books on my currently reading list. Here is what I know I will be reading:

Covet by J.R. Ward
I am number four by Pittacus Lore
The Last Victim by Karen Robards

I am sure there are more just not thinking of the titles right now.

Happy Reading all!

Okay I am really on a roll this week! I finished another book this weekend.

#29. Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson

Well I seem to be on binge of reading series and vampires. I bought this book because the cover interested me along with the title.

Undead and Unwed was a funny book. I found myself laughing or cracking a smile while reading. Elizabeth Taylor or Betsy as she likes to be called gets hit by a car saving her cat one night and wakes up in the funeral home wondering what happened.

Once she finally figures out what happened she sees her father and stepmom then visits her mother. Her best friend is thrilled to see her up and walking even if she is a vampire. The abilities that she has make her a very unique vampire and the possible Queen.

This book would probably still be sitting on my TBR pile if not for the SOS Bingo game. I look forward to reading the next books in this series.

4 stars

I am reading:

I am number four by Pittacus Lore, which I am really enjoying too. I am 1/4 way through it already.

The Last Victim by Karen Robards, which is an ER book that I need to finish.

Covet by J. R. Ward, Is interesting but trying to finish the other books for a different challenge

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris, just started it.

I believe that is all I am reading.

Happy Reading all!!

Wow, you really are on a roll! :D And such good reads, too. I'll have to look for some of those.

Thanks Sara.

I finished another book today. I am thrilled with this read too.

#30. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Another awesome book. I have had this book since the movie came out. I have put off reading it because of how thick it was. I have to remember to just pick up the book no matter the size.

I am Number 4 is about the Lorien people from outer-space. Number 4 is on the run along with 5 others. When one of them dies a mark appears on the others ankles. They can only be killed in order unless they meet up then the charm is broken. Number 4 is part of the Garde.

Number 4 is named John Smith and can change if he needs to run because of detection. John has powers that will come to fruition as he grows. As the powers start to appear he has to learn how to use them and handle them. He has to lie all the humans he meets. John Smith has a Cepan or Keeper who's name is Henri.

John does the things that most normal humans do like go to school. He doesn't play sports because of his powers. So he has to pretend that he has asthma. When John and Henri move to Paradise Ohio, John meets a girl named Sarah. This is when his first legacy decides to appear.

I found myself really enjoying the way the book was written and just kept me wrapped up in the story line. I could tell you all about this book but then I will be here forever and you won't have the chance to read this book for yourself.

5 stars.

I am now reading:

Covet by J.R. Ward
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
The Last Victim by Karen Robards

Happy Reading all!!

I wanted to pop in and say hello! :)

Hello Ladylenneth! It is great to see you here. I haven't been on here that much since the change of colors and everything.

Well I finished another one today:

#31. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

Well another book finished this year. I think I will be trying to finish more of this series this year. This takes up after the huge Vampire Counsel Meetup where many Vampires were seriously injured or died.

I am finding some of the story very blah and not as interesting as the first few books were. Sookie is still her Telepath self, her brother is now a were-panther and married (not happily), she has a witch for a roommate and a cat that is actually human.

There were a lot of little tiffs or fights in this book. It wasn't just one thing happening which made it interesting. You had Werewolves being murdered. The Queen of the Vampires still recuperating from the Vampire Counsel, Jason’s marriage not going along so smoothly, Sookie worried about her boyfriend.

Sookie helps the Weres, learns that the Queen is threatened and once she is dead the new king becomes indebted to her because she save him, Eric and Sam from the Queens one crazy bodyguard. Sookie and Sam are friend of the pack. The Vampires offer Sookie her their services after she saves the King. The vows that Jason took when he married the were-panther make her do something she doesn't want to do.

I loved the part when Eric remembers everything that had happened between them. Plus Sookie meets her Great-Grandfather and has him track down his cousins ex husband and child. That makes me want to continue reading the series just to see what happens.

4 1/2 stars

I am still reading covet by J.R. Ward and The Last Victim by Karen Robards. I will be picking up my book club book in about 2 weeks. I hope I can continue on this pace of reading.

Happy Reading all!

Hi There! I'm simply stopping by to say hello.

Stopping by to say hello. I see you are reding some books I have on my shelves some I have read and some that I am planning to read. Glad to see your enjoying and moving along your on towards your goal. Happy Reading

#32. The Last Victim by Karen Robards

Well this is my first book by Karen Robards and I am surprised by this book. The Last Victim starts in the past. Charlie Stone is with her friend Holly's family when everyone is brutally murdered but her. She has seen the murderer who they have called The Boardwalk Killer.

Then you are in the present with Dr. Stone as she is evaluating a serial murderer at a prison when the FBI comes to her wanting her help on recent murders that are similar to the murder 15 years ago. While she is talking with the FBI the serial killer that she was interviewing is murdered.

She goes with the FBI and this is when you learn that she is also a psychic. She sees dead people. That didn't bother me. What bothered me about this book is the fact that the serial murderer that was killed becomes a love interest for her. Reading that she had an out of body experience during a dream didn't bother me as much as the love scene. Her spirit and the spirit of the serial murderer (Garland) dance, smooch and have sex. That was the part that just didn't click for me in this book.

I enjoyed the other part of the story which is the boardwalk murderer. This book was just like watching a Criminal Minds episode minus the spirits having sex. I don't know if I will continue with this series.

3 stars

I am currently listening to The Last Kiss Goodbye by Karen Robards. I am doing it for another challenge. It is okay so far. I actually get bored listening to some of the story and usually speed it up.

I am also reading The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer which is the second book in the Last Survivors Series. That one I am enjoying.

I picked up my Library Book Club book for September. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. I hope to start that this weekend.

So how is everyone doing?

#33. The Last Kiss Goodbye by Karen Robards

Well I only listened to this book because I wanted to see if it got any better and I do enjoy everything except for the attraction to the spirit of a serial killer. His name is Michael and she is in love with him. I get annoyed and bored with the voices she has telling her to stop and how hot he is.

I actually figured out who the Gingerbread Man was in this book very early. It made me happy to see that I was right. I won't tell you who it is because I don't like to spoil books for others.

Charlie again gets involved in hunting down a serial killer that sends one of the survivors to her. And Tony, Lena and Buzz from the FBI are back. Charlie wants to have a relationship with Tony but Michael keeps interfering with that.

I do want to try some other books by Karen Robards to see if she is as good as some of the reviews seem to suggest.

3 stars

I am still reading The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

And will start my book club read!

Well I think I will be reaching my goal from last year of 35! Maybe I will even make it to 40!!

#34. The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Wow! This book was just as good as the first one. This book took us into the lives of people in New York. You are with The Morales family. You have Mami, Papi, Brianna, Julie, Carlos and Alex. Papi is in Puerto Rico, Mami gets called into work at the hospital and Carlos is in the Marines when everything starts to change because of the moon. So Alex, Bri, and Julie are left by themselves.

This is a heart wrenching story. They are a religious family and the children are attending Catholic Schools. This really makes them wonder why God would let this happen. I found the religion very honest and truthful.

As things get worse Alex does what he can for his sisters, going so far as sending the oldest Bri to a convent to help work on a farm. Until she returns because she has asthma and the farms have all died. Now Alex needs to get food for his sisters and him. They have food given out on Fridays. The schools are open and serve lunch. But how long will that last? Will they be able to survive in New York?

I was crying by the end of the story. The loss and devastation that Alex, Bri, and Julie see is enough to change anyone and make you think about God and humanity. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!

5 stars!!

Well I am now reading my book club book for September

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

I am still reading Covet by J.R. Ward.

The Dead and The Gone looks really good! I'll keep my eyes out for that one. :)

Sara it is part of a series. I am going to look for the last 2 books in the series. I really love this series. I hope you are able to find the book.

Hi Monica

Stopping by to wish you well

Hugs to you

#140: Good to know. I'll look for Life As We Knew It as well.

Well finished my first book of September. I started this book in July! Plus I also reached the total number of books I read last year. Which makes me happy!!

#35. Covet by J.R. Ward

This is my first book by J.R. Ward and I didn't love it or hate it. It took me awhile to really get into the book. I think by the time I got to chapter 5 is when I really start enjoying the story.

Jim is a construction worker and has a past. He is out with his friends one night and his buddies are trying to hook him up with this woman. He doesn't have any interest. She has other intentions and does get what she wants.

He learns that the woman is the girlfriend of boss of the job he is currently working on. He gets injured at the job and dies but is sent back down to save 7 lives. That is when I started to get interested.

He has to figure out who he is saving and how to do it. He does get help by his 'buddies'. I enjoyed the angels and demons. I was just bothered with the beginning because I just didn't get drawn into the characters right away. Not sure if I will be rushing out to finish this series but I will look into reading them at some point.

4 stars

I am still reading Life as we knew it, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and will hopefully start my ER book from Apr. True Love by Jude Deveraux.

Happy Reading All!

Well I just finished another book. It is the 3 book in the Life as we Knew it series.

#36 This World we Live in by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Well this series has just been wonderful in that fact that I can't stop reading once I start. Another great book.

We are back in Howell Pennsylvania with Miranda, Matt, Jon, and Laura. A year has passed and things are just as bad. Matt and Jon go to the Delaware River to fish for shad. They are hoping that this will help with their food supply. Their mother is not sure but she does decide to let them go. When they return Matt has a surprise. He is married to Sylvia but she goes by Sly. So now they have 5 people living in the house.

The story progresses with the arrival of some very long lost family and guests. Miranda's dad and step mom show up with their baby boy Gabriel. They have also brought Charlie, and Alex and Julia who we met in The Dead and The Gone. It is great seeing the interactions off all the new people. Hal, Lisa, and the whole gang plan to move on at some point. Instead of leaving they decide to stay and pretend to be Mrs. Nesbitt's son and family. It is heartwarming seeing them all living together and yet apart in different houses.

Miranda falls in love with Alex and Jon falls for Julia. It is great seeing more young people in the story and their growth and interactions with each other. Alex has to become a man to take care of his sister Julia and he was just a teenager. He worries more then a boy should.

Some events that happen is house hunting where they go into empty houses and look for supplies. They actually find food in a farmhouse and a van. Alex and Julia are the ones that find this wonderful stash. A tornado also hits Howell. This is when things turn deadly. Now the next book takes place after the tornado and Miranda has stopped writing in her diaries. I will be looking for the last book soon.

5 stars

I am still reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce and True Love by Jude Devereux

At this rate maybe I will break 50 books read this year!!

Happy Reading all!

Congrats on finishing the Life As We Knew It series! :) Good luck with your other reads. And I'm sure you'll be able to hit 50, no problem! :)

Sara a 4th book was released in August for the Life As We Knew It series. The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer is the next book in the series. It was published 8/13/13. Thanks for the push on making 50 this year!

Oh, I had no idea. No doubt you'll want to read that one, too. :)

Yes that is right. First I want to finish some ER books. I did finish my book club book for September.

Here is my review:

#37. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

So Harold Fry receives a letter from Queenie, a woman he used to work with. That is why he decides to do a pilgrimage. The letter lets him know that she has inoperable cancer. After receiving the letter he decides to write a reply and as he goes to the post office to mail it he keeps walking. He will walk to Queenie to save her.

Now we follow Harold on his walk. We meet different people and learn more about Harold and his wife Maureen and their son David. The people Harold meets on his journey are all very different. He meets business men, young couples, women and animals.

I didn't love or hate this book. I just enjoyed it.

3 stars

I am currently reading True Love by Jude Deveraux. I then have to look at what else to read. I have a few more ER books to read.

I have been watching the Harry Potter Weekend on ABC Family and I want to re-read the HP books. Just not sure if I will.

You've been doing some great reading lately! I just love both the Mercy and Sookie series! Do you plan to try to read them all?

Tina I plan to read all the sookie books. I am not sure about Mercy. I want to try at least one more of Mercy. I have been reading Sookie for a few years just taking my time.

A little bird on my Home page told me it's your 5-year Thingaversary, Monica! I hope you are celebrating suitably with a little book acquisition plan. :-)

Rosalita I have to go out and buy some more books. I bought 2 so far but have to buy 4 more. I hope to do that next weekend. Thanks for reminding me about my Thinaversary.

Happy (late) Thingaversary!!!! I missed mine, but figured out that I'd been buying enough books that I had 'celebrated' without knowing it. LOL

Thanks Tina! That is great that you have been celebrating all year. I have downloaded a lot of free books this year onto my Kindle Fire. I still need to buy 4 books.

Here are some interesting pictures I have found:

Awesome photos, Monica! The last one's perfect for Halloween. :)

Thanks Sara! I thought the same thing about the last picture. I have to remember to post more pictures in my threads.

Please do. Those were beautiful.

Here's an interesting one:

Now here is a book carving by Guy Laramee. I don't think I have ever heard of him before.

Oh, I love the book-person sitting on a book-bench reading a ... book. How very clever some people are.

Rosalita I love pictures like the book person. Some people are very clever.

I finished another book!!

#38. Unbroken: A World War II story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

I enjoy reading/listening to books about WW II. This book was one of those ones. I enjoyed learning about Louis Zamperini. I had never heard of him before I read this book.

Louis Zamperini was an Olympic Runner from the 1936 Summer Olympics. To hear about his life before the Olympics and what made him an Olympic Star. How is brother Pete help mold him into the young man that he came.

You learn about the treatment he endured while a Prisoner of War. It made me angry to hear the torture the Japanese did to everyone. How those men survived is a miracle in itself. It showed the strength of the men.

Then you learn about his life after the war. The pain, nightmares, and post traumatic stress he has. He turns to alcohol like so many people of war do.

5 stars

I am still reading True Love by Jude Deveraux

I am hoping to finish it this week. Then I don't know what I will read next.

Happy Reading all!!

I had not heard of Zamperini before reading 'Unbroken', and it was a real eye-opener of a book. I had not read that much about the POW experience in Japan. What an awful ordeal for those men.

I'm about 100 pages into Unbroken - so far, I'm fascinated!

Rosalita I had not heard of Zamperini either. I enjoy reading books on WWII and was extremely fascinated by this book.

drneutron I listened to the audio and couldn't stop listening to it. I was captured from the beginning of this book. I hope you enjoy it at much as I did.

Happy Reading all!!

Another book finished:

#39. True Love by Jude Deveraux

This was my first book by Jude Deeraux. I enjoyed the book just not blown away by it. We all want our TRUE LOVE and that is what everyone in this book gets.

Alix, Jared, Ken, Victoria, Toby, Caleb, Jelly and so many more find their true love in this book. This is mainly the story of Alix and Jarod. Alix hasn't been on Nantucket since she was about 5 years old. She has to go to Nantucket because of a will from a woman she had met when she was a little girl.

Jared is the man whose house she will be staying in. He is not happy about it and plans to leave before she arrives. But Izzy and Alix arrive earlier and when they walk past Jared Montgomery they are in awe and the sadness Alix was feeling is gone.

It was a cute story. And most of the stuff is planned by a ghost that has been in the house for over 200 years. He too will get his true love.

4 stars

Now I will be reading No Child of Mine by Susan Lewis

Happy Reading

It really helps to listen to books.

#40. The Drop by Michael Connelly

I have found another series to read. Not that I needed any more.

This book continues with LAPD Harry Bosch. In this book he gets 2 new cases. One that is a cold case and one is a new case of a possible suicide. This is the first book I decided to read in the series because it was available on overdrive.

I couldn't stop listening to the book.

4 stars

Now I will be listening to The Black Box by Michael Connelly. I am hoping to finish this book by Friday. I am also reading. No Child of Mine by Susan Lewis.

I sprained my wrist and am having trouble holding a book with one hand. I will also pick up my next book club book.

Sorry to hear you hurt your hand! I hope it heals quickly. I like the Michael Connelly series about Mickey Haller (the first book was The Lincoln Lawyer, which was made into a movie with Matthew McConaghey), and in the last couple I read Harry Bosch keeps showing up. So I guess I'm reading both series? It's a little weird, but I like the books.

rosalita I want to read the Lincoln Lawyer. I have that book. I should try to get to it this year because I also want to see the movie. Thanks. My wrist has good days and bad days.

I read the book first, then watched the movie. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the movie; that usually isn't the case if I've read the book shortly before seeing it. Of course, Matthew McConaghey ...

yes Matthew McConaghey is one reason to enjoy that movie. I think I will have to move Lincoln Lawyer up in my TBR stack.

Finished another one tonight:

#41. The Black Box by Michael Connelly

Wow this was a great book. Now I definitely need to read this whole series. I can't believe this story. Michael Connelly does a fantastic job on this book.

Harry Bosch has another case that he needs to solve. This one is 20 years old and one that he didn't solve originally. Plus the weapon used in the murder is linked to other murders and that is how he goes about figuring out who murdered this reporter during the riots of 1992.

Finding out who did it and why is surprising. When Harry tells the brother of the murder victim that the case has been solved was truly touching. Now I will be going back to the beginning.

5 stars

Now I will be reading my ER book No Child of Mine by Susan Lewis.

Happy Reading

Hope your hand is feeling better, Monica! :) Good luck with No Child of Mine. Looks interesting.

Sara my wrist is feeling better. So far I am enjoying No Child of Mine. It is very interesting. Plus I am reading Under the Dome by Stephen King.

Glad to hear! :) Wow, you're really reading along. Good job!

I'm trying to read. I have been listening to some of the books which really help me in finishing them up faster.

*waving* at Monica

Hi Stasia!

I am currently reading No child of Mine and boy it is very interesting. It is about a social worker. She has a past in the foster system which I find interesting. Plus some of the children she deals with are very heart wrenching. Going to get off so that I can read for a little bit.

#42. No Child of Mine by Susan Lewis

No Child of Mine is a poignantly written story of how difficult it is for social workers by looking at Alex Lake in this novel. Alex Lake also has a past that not many people know about. She was adopted by a reverend and his wife after her father went on a killing spree. He killed her mother's sister, and her fiance, her brother was also murdered along with Alex's grandmother and grandfather. Her mother was seriously wounded and decided to give her daughter up for her daughter's safety, since her 'father' was still alive.

Alex, who was know has Charlotte, goes through a lot during this novel. Her relationship falls apart, the home she grew up in will be sold because her sister Gabby needs the money to send her children to a private school. She starts wondering more about who she really is and who truly are her friends and family .

Then Alex meets adorable Ottilie and her heart just melts for her. Alex also senses that something is not right with the family. After she receives an anonymous phone call and learns that this is not the first call that has been received she starts an investigation. Even though she senses something is wrong her hands are tied by the rules and she has to go the normal routes.

Alex and Ottilie get closer as Alex starts taking Ottilie to a pre-school because her mother has agoraphobia. Mrs. Wade is an interesting person and one that I felt sorry for due to her life as a child.

Alex's mother decides to find her daughter. When they do finally meet it is touching and scary at the same time. I found myself thinking does her mother really want a relationship after all these years. I found myself crying at this point.

There is a follow up to this book titled Don't Let me Go. I know I will be looking for this book in the future.

5 stars

I started the following audio books:

Sabriel by Garth Nix & Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs I hope to finish at least one of them today if not both.

I will also be reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini.

My book club book will be an audio but I won't start it until later this week.

I am doing a bingo challenge on another site and I need to read at least 2 books a week. So I think that will help me with getting closer to my goal.

Happy Reading

That one sounds pretty good!

Rosalita I loved the book and will definitely be reading the next one.

I finished another book this weekend!!

#43. Sabriel by Garth Nix

Well I am not sure about this book or series. I may decide to read the other ones. This is my first book by Garth Nix. I listened to the audio which was narrated by Tim Curry. I enjoyed listening to him.

I was not familiar with anything about this book so I went in with no prior thoughts or opinions. I enjoyed the book but still trying to figure out the story. I will be checking out my library to see if they have the actual books.

4 stars

I an now going to be listening to Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs (plus be following along in my book)

I will be starting to read Eragon by Christopher Paolini

If I can finish these 3 books this week and then start my book club read and finish that I will be getting much closer to my goal

Happy Reading All!!

Tim Curry.... did I just see mention of Tim Curry?

Humm... not sure I am up for Sabriel but I will now be on the hunt for books narrated by Tim Curry. I enjoy the movies he has been in and he has a great character voice for audiobooks, I just never thought to check to see if he had recorded any.

Lori I love Tim Curry and when I realized it was him narrating I could hear some of his different tones in the story telling. I didn't know he had ever recorded any either. Pleasantly surprised.

Well I finished another book:

#44. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

This book was great. I am enjoying this series and know that I will be reading more of Mercy. Blood Bound has Mercy involved again with the vampires.

Mercy still cracks some jokes that make you chuckle as you read the book. I loved the interaction among Mercy, the werewolves and the vampires. Again we meet Stefan, Adam, Samuel and the others.

I love how she is a great kick ass heroine. She is so independent and yet in need. Mercy doesn't want to be controlled by anyone or so she thinks.

5 stars

Now I will be reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini. That may take me awhile to get through.

Happy Reading All!

Another book finished:

#45. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

I enjoyed this book the first time I read it and enjoyed it just as much this time. Eragon is a boy that becomes a Dragon Rider. He is does not know who his father is and never got to know his mother.

Eragon finds a stone while hunting in the Spine and doesn't know anything about it. He tries to sell it but the butcher wants nothing to do with it. Eragon keeps the stone since his Uncle, Cousin and him are unable to find anyone to buy it.

That is when everything changes for Eragon. He becomes a Dragon rider and has to learn how to use magic, fight, defend himself and how to survive. Brom the storyteller is the one who starts to teach him.

Eragon, Saphira and Brom are on the run from the Empire during most of the book. Brom dies from injuries and Eragon learns that he was a Dragon Rider too. He also learns that Brom is the one that killed a Dragon rider named Morzan. Saphira and Eragon run into Murtagh.

There are many different beings in this series, dwarves, elves, dragons, wizards, sorcerers, werecat, witches and possibly more that I haven't met yet or remember. The story moved quickly and kept me enthralled and I will be reading the rest of these books.

5 stars

I am now reading The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I will also be listening to my book club book Song Yet Sung by James McBride.

My goal now is to try and reach 50 books this year.

Happy Reading!!

#46. New Moon Summer by SM Reine

Wow! This book was really interesting and kept me interested from the beginning. I will be looking for the next books in this series.

Rylie is a werewolf and the Alpha of a pack. Her boyfriend goes off to college and she really misses him. Things get interesting when she receives a package she thinks is from her boyfriend.

Once her life is threatened is when she finally realizes that someone is hunting her.

5 stars

I am still reading the books listed above. I hope to finish at least one of them this weekend.

#47. Never Lost by Riley Moreno

I enjoyed this short book. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I decided to read Never Lost.

Riley Moreno has a way of making a ghost magical and interesting. I loved Danny and Harper. They were so cute when the first met. I kept trying to guess what it was about Danny that made him not normal.

When I did learn that he was a ghost I was pleasantly surprised. The romance that grows between Harper and Danny is nice and weird at the same time. I will be looking forward to reading the next book.

4 stars

#48. The Night walk men by Jason McIntyre

Very interesting story about death. Death is telling the story about how and why people die. It was a very nice easy read.

4 stars

I am reading The inn at rose harbor by Debbie Macomber, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

I will be listening to Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

#49. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

I see why everyone loves this series. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. Ender is the third child in his family. Usually a family is limited to just 2 children but Ender's family was allowed to have a third because the leaders know that he will be the one to save Earth.

Ender's game follows Ender through his life as a child being trained as a commander. The trials, and tasks that he is put through at the young age of 6 is just reprehensible. He has an older brother and sister, Peter and Valentine.

I loved the whole story and will be looking for the next book.

5 stars

Happy Reading all!

Well I have made it to 50 books!! Now if I can just read 25 more I will have reached my 75 total.

50. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

Wow!! I borrowed the audio version from my library on Overdrive and I loved this book!! I am glad that I listened to this book. I enjoyed hearing the music for the songs that were written in the book. I really loved that part of the book.

This book also has an interview with the authors. I love being able to hear the authors talk about how they decide to choose an idea.

It is not very often that you have a story written from a boys point of view. Ethan is delightful to listen to. He is from a small town down south that doesn't like people who are different. Lena is one that everyone is does not like.

I am going to look about watching this movie.

5 stars

I am still reading:
The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber. I also started reading Minding Ben by Victoria Brown. I also started listening to Song Yet Sung by James McBride. I need to finished Song Yet Sung by Wed. So I will have my 51st book done this week too.

Happy Reading All!

You've been busy! Wow! :)

Thanks Sara!! I have been listening to some books and reading some very short ones.

Happy Dance!! I finished my 51 book for the year.

#51. Song Yet Sung by James McBride

Well I am not sure if it was the audio that made this book hard to enjoy or just that it wasn't something I was interested in at this time. I found some of the dialog a little hard to grasp and that could be because of the narrators inflection or accent.

I enjoyed listening to the story about slaves and breaking out. The characters were hard for me to get to know or appreciate. I may have to give this book another try by actually reading the book and not listening to the audio.

4 stars

Now I hope I can finish my current reads Minding Ben by Victoria Brown and The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber by Saturday.

#192: That's the best way to make your goals, I've learned. I do the same thing. :)

Yes it is Sara! I finished another book but it wasn't that short nor was it an audio. Here is my review:

#52. The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

I found The Inn at Rose Harbor interesting. Jo Marie is a widow and with her husbands inheritance from the military she decides to purchase a Bed & Breakfast. The B&B is in Cedar Cove. The people in Cedar Cove welcome her with open arms.

Jo Marie's first customers are a woman name Abby and a man named Josh. They are both visiting for different reasons and have heavy hearts when they arrive. The story follows Jo Marie, Abby and Josh as they all start to heal from their different tragedies.

I found the story slow at first until you start meeting the people in Cedar Cove and Abby and Josh. I enjoyed the story but I don't feel that it is romance compared to some that I have read. I may continue with this series.

4 stars

I am now reading Minding Ben by Victoria Brown. I will be starting my next ER book which is Mortal Bonds by Michael Sears. I may throw in some audio books too.

Happy Thanksgiving all!! Finished up a book today:

#53. Minding Ben by Victoria Brown
I have had this book sitting on my TBR stack for awhile now. I finally decided to read this book for a challenge. I am glad I read the book.

Minding Ben is a story about a young girl named Grace from Trinidad. She decides to go to America to help her cousin raise her child. When she finally goes to New York her cousin never picks her up at the airport.

Grace meets many different people in New York and finally becomes a nanny to a little boy named Ben. The parents are Sol and Miriam. I really didn't care for Miriam or Sol. Miriam because I just felt that she was very mean to Grace. Plus I felt that Miriam had a chip on her shoulder. Sol I would get annoyed with because he was nice to Grace but then would be different when his wife was around.

I enjoyed reading the book even though some of the book was written in a broken dialect. That gave the story more truth to it. Giving you the feeling of actually listening to ladies from the Islands talking.
Not sure if the author Victoria Brown will be continuing Grace's story but it would be interesting to see where she goes.

4 stars

I am now reading:

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank

I will be listening to:

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I also have a few ER books lined up to read in the next month.

Happy Reading all!!

#54. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Dead and Gone continues with Sookie in trouble again. This time it is the Fae world at war with each other. Some Fairies only want them to live in the Fairy world while others want to have the right to live in both the human and Fae world. Also the Were and Shapeshifters decide to reveal themselves to the world. This is met with mixed emotions by the humans. The reveal sparks a death of a supe from Hot Shot.

I found some of the story boring because there is rehash of different things that have happened in past books. I found myself somewhat skipping those parts or just skimming over them. Sookie is not involved with anyone at the start of this book. Her and Bill are over, even though Bill is still in love with her. Eric has feelings for Sookie but does he love her, that is the question you will be asking yourself by the end of this book.

Sookies Great-Grandfather Naill is again in this book. You learn more about Sookie's past. Jason and Sookie are slowly trying to get their relationship back. I will finish this series just not sure when.

4 stars

I am reading:

Mortal Bonds by Michael Sears
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
The Fault in our Stars by John Green

I will be listening to:

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Happy Reading all!!

20 more books to go to reach 75. Will I do it? If I do I will be surprised. I have 3 more I would like to finish this month.

#55. Jacob: Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank

I haven't read that many books about demons so I wasn't sure what to expect. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised as how much I enjoyed this story.

Jacob: The Nightwalkers introduces you to the world of demons through the eyes of Jacquelyn Frank. Jacob is an enforcer in the demon world. He is out looking for a demon that has been summoned by a necromancer when a human falls from a window. Isabella is the woman that falls into Jacobs life that night.

I found Jacob and Bella very entertaining especially as they start to discover things about each other. Her being human and him being a demon and it being illegal in the demon world to touch a human. Bella is different than most humans.

I did not enjoy the romance between Bella and Jacob. I found it overbearing at times. I enjoy romance but I just didn't like all of the romance in this book. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

5 stars

Happy Reading all!

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving! :) And good job with the reading. You might be able to do it before the end of the month. I've got my fingers crossed for you. :)

Well I went to a library book sale and I purchased books. I said I wasn't going to because I am doing Santathing and didn't want to risk me getting any book that I might be getting. I figured that if I do get a duplicate it won't matter because I can always give it to someone else or donate it.

These are the books I bought:

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
Aphrodisiac by Allyson Roy
Where are the Children? by Mary Higgins Clark
Wake of the Werewolf by Geoffrey Caine
Curse of the Vampire by Geoffrey Caine
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Nice buys. :) The Geoffrey Caine books look especially good.

The Geoffrey Caine books looked interesting. I have never heard of him before.

Well I have the day off of work because of snow so I am going to get some reading done. Maybe I will be able to finish a book or two.

Happy Reading all!!

Yeah I finished another book! I love snow days!!

#56. Undead and Unemployed by Mary Janice Davidson

Another great story in the Queen Betsy series. Elizabeth Taylor continues to be undead and a queen. She prefers Betsy.

Undead and Unemployed has the vampires being killed by someone. Eric, Tina and a few other vampires go to the Queen for help. Betsy isn't to interested in helping. She didn't want to be a vampire nor did she want to be queen. When Tina is attacked Betsy get's concerned.

The vampires set a trap and set up Betsy as the bait. Nothing happens until they decide to call it a night. That is when the vampire hunters decide to attack. Betsy is her typical self and just talks to them trying to get them to understand that not all vampires are evil.

Jessica, Mark, Eric, Tina, Monique and Sarah meet the Blade Warriors when they decide to go to Betsy's house to make sure she is a vampire. This is when we meet Jon, Ani, and Father Marcus. Betsy talks with them and they start to see that not all vampires are evil.

Betsy realizes she can see ghosts and at first is terrified by this. It was touching to see how she finally adjusts to this. She helps the ghost re-unit with her mother who just happens to be the vampire Sarah. The Queen also learns that when she kills a vampire she gets all their possessions.

I wasn't surprise by who was the one getting the vampire hunters to do his/her bidding. It was funny with how the ending went. I will be continuing this series just for the laughs.

5 stars

I am currently reading:

Mortal Bonds by Michael Sears
The Fault in our Stars by John Green (which I hope to finish this week)
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

I will be listening to:
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (I need to finish this by next Wed.)

If I finish these 4 books this month I will have reached 60 for the year and I am happy with that total. Still hoping to reach 75!!

Happy Reading all!

Hello Monica,

I see you are doing well on your challenge this year. I have been watching your reading list and seeing a lot of books we have in common and glad to see you are getting to read a little more this year. I have some Charlaine Harris, just haven't gotten around to reading them yet. I did complete Michael Sears Mortal Bonds and enjoyed that very much. I hope you do too.

I will keep my fingers crossed that you reach 75 but if you don't please don't get discouraged and come back to the group next year, it is has taken me a few years to get to the 75 goal. I haven't quite reached it yet this year but I am close and haven't reached it in previous years at all or even come close. Love reading your reviews and your company on her.

Hope your all ready for the holidays and that they are wonderful for you this year.

Happy Reading and again keeping my fingers crossed for you to reach your goal.

Well another book finished tonight:

#57. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

I understand why this is a five star book. Once I started the book I didn't want to stop reading the book. I found Hazel and Agustus wonderfully captivating in The Fault in our Stars.

I didn't have any previous knowledge of what this book was about. John Green is one author I have been told to read. I have only read one other book by him and enjoyed it a lot.

Reading a book where the character is dying of cancer is not something I have ever encountered before. Hazel is living her life a normal as she wants. I am not sure if I would be the way she was knowing that I had a terminal disease. Once Hazel meets Agustus at the Support Group is when she starts having a normal teenage life. Another great novel by John Green who is slowly becoming a favorite author of mine.

5 stars

I just started listening to The night Circus by Erin Morgenstern for BINGO on GR. Still reading the other books listed above. Hope to finish The night Circus and Garden Spells by Wed.

#58. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Well I didn't get into this book at the beginning. I got into it when magic started. I enjoyed listening to all the magic happen. I was waiting for the final battle between the two magicians.

The characters were very entertaining. I enjoyed Bailey and Cecelia. I am glad that I decided to read this book by Erin Morgenstern. I will have to look at some of her other books.

4 stars

Happy Reading!!

Happy Holidays to you!

Thinking of you and sending smiles.

Thanks Linda! I hope you are well.

Another fan for night Circus. Hooray! That one truly surprised and delighted me. I have it on my read-again someday list.

Tina I did enjoy Night Circus I would like to actually read the book instead of listening to it. I may see if I can find a hard copy of the book at my library to borrow.

Well I finished another book this week. Now I just need to sit down and get some more reading done this weekend.

#59. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It was a cute and easy read for our book club which we needed after the two that we read previously. I enjoy a book with magic and fantasy and this one delivered.

I found Claire and her sister very entertaining. Claire is the one that decides to stay in their home town and continue the Waverly way. Claire has found her Waverly Magic with food and recipes. Sydney has yet to discover her Waverly Magic.

I found myself chuckling at the Apple Tree. The Apple Tree had a mind of its own which was very entertaining. I sometimes think that nature and animals can think.

4 stars

Now I am reading Mortal Bonds by Michael Sears. I am hoping to finish that up over this weekend or at least by Christmas day.

I am not sure what else I will be starting. I may decide to try and read some smaller books like some children's books.

Happy Reading!!

Just a picture for the season!

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Monica!!

Well I received my SantaThing books and I will have to see if I can get one or two of them read this year. These are the books that I received:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
To Die For by Linda Howard
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

I have heard of Ann Brashares and Connie Willis but not the other authors. I look forward to discovering new authors this year. I had the Ann Brashares book on my wishlist and didn't even know that.

Thanks for all the Christmas Wishes!! I hope everyone had a great celebration!!

Oh Monica.. Karen Marie Moning you will enjoy. I like her.. :) Lucky girl.. You got a couple more books than me from your Santa. I hop you enjoy them all.. :)

Karen Marie Moning's book looks so interesting. I am hoping to read that book in 2014. I love the fact that most are books that I have never heard of before. I was surprised by the number of books I received. My ex MIL even got me a book but it was one that I already read and owned. It was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Monica that is so funny that you still have interaction with your EX MIL. The funny thing is I do too.. My Ex MIL still lives with me presently she has for 4 years, my EX moved out in Jan of 2010. My Ex MIL is planning to finally move out in 2014 which there is no reason for her to but she feels like she is a burden to me and wants to move to an apt. Which she isn't but it is what it is and I cannot hog tie her and keep her here even though I would like to LOL.

Monica I find it so weird to still interact but she likes me and with having 2 children she sees them and always invites me along. She is sorry that her son and I have split but we are friends. My ex doesn't like that I am still friendly with his family. He says that my family never invites him anywhere. And I think well I didn't run out on you and the kids.

It is great that you and your Ex MIL are still friends and living together. I think it just shows how mature us women really are. I hope that after she moves out (if she does) that you two still stay in contact.

Love the book tree picture!

Stopping by with belated Christmas wishes Monica and wishing you a

Monica you are correct it does show how mature women can be. We each have our understanding of each others feelings for her son my Ex, she understands I was the scorned wife and I understand that even though she doesn't agree with what he did he is still her son and she will always love him no matter what and that they will have contact etc. I really feel she will move she is adamant about it even though I don't understand it. So for the first time in my life I will be truly living alone and that will be odd for me. I know that she and I will stay in contact, she has told me I am more of a daughter to her than her own daughter. I feel like she is a 2nd mom and a friend to me. So I cannot see us not having contact with each other.

My Ex is missing my family too but my family only tolerated him when we were married. So alas his loss for his stupidity.

Hi Lori! Thanks for the Christmas wishes. I love that winter scene. Glad you like the book tree picture.

Monica your situation with your Ex sounds very similar to mine. I remember when he first left me and there was a family gathering for his nephew and I went. I got really upset because of somethings that were said and I left in tears. My FIL said that he cannot tell him what to do he is a grown man. I felt like saying that is true but you can still give him advice and guidance. His mother told him that she wouldn't be crying if she didn't love you. I think he told his parents that I didn't love him anymore. His mother understands and still loves her son and me. She has been like a 2nd mother to me. I am happy to hear that you will be staying in contact with her. This will be the first time that I will be living on my own. I have never lived by myself and part of me is afraid of that but also excited.

My family also tolerated my Ex when we were together.

Happy reading all!!

I was hoping to get a lot more reading in over the Christmas holiday but I am dog sitting and the puppy is just not letting me get much time to relax. My sleep has been less then what I like to get. Right now both my dog and the one I am watching are sleeping. I was able to finish a book last night. So now I am going to post my review. I am happy to have made it to 60 books this year.

#60. Mortal Bonds by Michael Sears

The second book in the Jason Stafford series. Jason Stafford is an ex con from Wall Street. He got caught and did time. Now he is out and doing consultant work for other traders on Wall Street that get caught by the SEC. He is also a father to an Autistic child.

Mortal Bonds has Jason helping a very rich family known as the von Becker's. He is hired by Virgil. I found the story very slow going at first. You go back and forth between Jason investigating and taking care of his son. Then his ex-wife decides to come into town because she wants to get to know their child. Now she is sober.

I found those parts of the story interesting and yet boring at the same time. I just wanted to hit Angie upside her head. She was annoying and seemed to have a chip on her shoulder. There is one good thing she did in this book.

Jason's life and family are threatened by someone in the von Becker's family. Once he figures it all out is when everything comes to an end.

4 stars

Well now I will be reading my book club book:

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

I will also be starting Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

Then I am not sure what I will be reading after those books.

Happy Reading all!!

Congrats on getting to 60 books — that's pretty good! I'm glad No. 60 was a good one. The first thing I thought as I was reading your review was, "Wow, a book about a Wall Street crook who got caught and actually did time? Clearly this must be fiction." :-)

Lol rosalita. Most definitely. If only all Wall Street Crooks did time.

I just started reading Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams today. I don't think I will finish before the new year.

Well the end is here and I don't think I will be finishing any books today. Here is a list of books I have started or plan to start for 2014:

Kennywood by Charles J. Jacques
Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
Memories of Anne Frank by Alison Leslie Gold

I am doing a re-read of Harry Potter so I will be starting with:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I will also be reading:

Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp

Fantastic Beasts and where to find them by Newt Scamander

I don't think I am taking on too many books for January.

Happy Reading all!!