Chelle has found time to read (#10)

Happy November!!


Welcome to my November thread. The only goals this month is to get out of my book funk and bank into reading!

💜❤️💙🧡
For those that don't know me I am Chelle, 30something wife, mother of two and a police dispatcher. Hubby is an officer and between our two shift work schedules we share in all duties of house and children. I read at work when it is slow and after our daughters are in bed or relaxing. We had our second child in 2017 so life is hectic right now but I'm still trying to find time to read.
I used to read about 100-125 books a year but in 2016 I only hit 36 and 2017 I just squeaked in with 75!
I was hoping to hit 100 this year but I am so close and it's only half way through the year so I've upped my goal to 150.

My other threads (that have gone to sleep out of neglect) are:
Women's Prize for Fiction
1001 books list
Booker Prize



Print:



Finished


November
124) The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine
125) Elevation by Stephen King
126) Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey
127) Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly
128) Past Tense by Lee Child
129) The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
130) The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
131) The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

December
132) The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
🎧133) The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
134) Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny
135) Half Spent Was the Night by Ami McKay
🎧136) The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
137) The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson
138) The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
🎧139) The Dinner by Herman Koch
140) The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin

Books read in 2018:

January
1) Midnight Line by Lee Child
2) Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
3) The Pyramid of Mud by Andrea Camilleri
4) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
5) Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

February
6) The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
7) Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke (eBook)
8) Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King
9) The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
10) The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
11) The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey

March
12) The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
13) Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King
🎧14) Aunt Dimity and the Summer King by Nancy Atherton (audio)
15) The People we Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder
🎧16) Flight by Sherman Alexie (audio)
17) Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
18) How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
🎧19) Rabbit Remembered by John Updike (audio)
20) Enchanted Islands by Allison Amend
21) Troll Bridge GN by Neil Gaiman
22) Start Running! A 5k Training Schedule for Beginners by Tony Yang
23) The Spider and the Fly by Claudia Rowe
24) Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
25) The Power by Naomi Alderman

April Books
🎧26) Damned by Chuck Palahniuk
27) This Fallen Prey by Kelley Armstrong
🎧28) Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (audio)
🎧29) The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
30) Misery by Stephen King
31) The Man Who Died by Antti Tuomainen
32) The Exile GN by Diana Gabaldon
🎧33) The Unquiet Past by Kelley Armstrong
34) The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
35) Wires and Nerve GN by Marissa Meyer
36) The Shadow Killer by Arnaldur Indriðason
🎧37) A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
38) Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell
39) The Hush by John Hart
40) Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan
41) Britt-Marie was Here by Fredrick Backman
🎧42) Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore

May Books
43) Origin by Dan Brown
🎧44) Fluke by Christopher Moore
45) The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
46) Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
47) Two Nights by Kathy Reichs
48) The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
🎧49) The Humans by Matt Haig
🎧50) The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
51) The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
52) Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
🎧53) The Fates will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard
54) Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
🎧55) Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessican Townsend
56) Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong
🎧57) Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
58) And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
🎧59) Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel

June Books
60) Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly
61) Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
🎧62) Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
63) Three Secrets by Clare Boyd
64) Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
65) Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine
66) The Outsider by Stephen King
67) Behind Closed Doors by BA Paris
68) Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
🎧69) The Stand by Stephen King
70) Dead until Dark by Charlaine Harris
71) Foe by Iain Reid
72) James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
73) The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker
🎧74) Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
75) Liar, Liar by Lisa Jackson
76) Soulless by Gail Carriger
🎧77) Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman

July Books
78) Changeless by Gail Carriger
79) Blameless by Gail Carriger
80) Adventures of Captain Underpants
🎧81) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
82) Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
83) Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
84) Heartless by Gail Carriger
85) Timeless by Gail Carriger
86) Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine
87) Black Water Rising by Attica Locke
88) Catwings by Ursula LeGuin
89) Prudence by Gail Carriger
90) Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine
91) Beartown by Fredrik Backman
92) Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
93) The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond
🎧94) The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
95) Warcross by Marie Lu
96) White Oleander by Janet Fitch
97) Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets

August Books
🎧98) You Suck by Christopher Moore
99) Imprudence by Gail Carriger
100) The Broken Girls by Simone St James
101) Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
102) Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
103) Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
104) The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel
105) The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel
106) The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel

September
107) Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space: And the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds by Dav Pilkey
108) The Shelters of Stone by Jean M. Auel
🎧109) Bite Me: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
110) Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants by Dav Pilkey
🎧111) Dante and Aristotle Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
112) The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
113) John Dies at the End by David Wong
114) Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
115) Killman Creek by Rachel Caine
🎧116) Force of Nature by Jane Harper
117) Competence by Gail Carriger
🎧118) A Good Marriage by Stephen King

October
119) The Fireman by Joe Hill
120) Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
121) Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
122) Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman by Dav Pilkey
123) Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes

2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge


1. A book made into a movie you've already seen - Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
2. True crimeThe Spider and the Fly: A Reporter, a Serial Killer, and the Meaning of Murder by Claudia Rowe
3. The next book in a series you started - The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
4. A book involving a heist - The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
5. Nordic noir - The Man Who Died by Antti Tuomainen
6. A novel based on a real person - Enchanted Islands by Allison Amend
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you - A Pyramid of Mud by Andrea Camilleri
8. A book with a time of day in the title -Midnight Line by Lee Child
9. A book about a villain or antihero - The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
10. A book about death or grief - Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist - The People we Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical - Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you - Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
15. A book about feminism - The Power by Naomi Alderman
16. A book about mental health - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift - Rabbit Remembered by John Updike
18. A book by two authors - Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King & Owen King
19. A book about or involving a sport - Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman (soccer)
20. A book by a local author - This Fallen Prey by Kelley Armstrong
21. A book with your favourite colour in the title - Black Water Rising by Attica Locke
22. A book with alliteration in the title - Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King
23. A book about time travel- How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
24. A book with a weather element in the title The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
25. A book set at sea - Fluke by Christopher Moore
26. A book with an animal in the title- Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
27. A book set on a different planet - The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
28. A book with song lyrics in the title - Aunt Dimity and the Summer King by Nancy Atherton (Summer Kings by Cutty Ranks)
29. A book about or set on Halloween - Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
30. A book with characters who are twins - The Hush by John Hart
31. A book mentioned in another book - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (Magpie Murders)
32. A book from a celebrity book club - The Lying Game by Ruth Ware (Reese Witherspoon Book Club)
33. A childhood classic you've never read - Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
34. A book that's published in 2018 - The Shadow Killer by Arnaldur Indridason
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner - Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (debut Goodreads author 2015)
36. A book set in the decade you were born - Misery by Stephen King
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to - The Unquiet Past by Kelley Armstrong
38. A book with an ugly cover - Flight by Sherman Alexie
39. A book that involves a bookstore or library - Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan
40. Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges - The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (2017 Popsugar 28. A Novel set during Wartime)

Advanced Reading Challenge

41. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school - White Oleander by Janet Fitch
42. A cyberpunk book - Warcross by Marie Lu
43. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place - The Outsider by Stephen King (Starbucks on Instagram)
44. A book tied to your ancestry - Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
45. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title - Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
46. An allegory - The Stand by Stephen King
47. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you - The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond
48. A microhistory - The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
49. A book about a problem facing society today - Origin by Dan Brown (Decline of religion)
50. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge - The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey (Mamie)

Great American Read

I'd like to finish these before the end of 2018
Agatha Christie - And Then There Were None
🎧Anne of Green Gables - Lucy Maud Montgomery
Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
The Clan of the Cave Bear - Jean M. Auel
The Godfather - Mario Puzo
Hatchet - Gary Paulsen
Little Women - Louisa May Alcotte
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
🎧The Stand - Stephen King (on audio this time)
White Teeth - Zadie Smith
Wuthering Heights - Emile Bronte

✅= have read
🚨= nope
🔷= would like to read
🎧= Audio book

The 100 List:
✅1984 by George Orwell
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
✅A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
✅A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
🔷Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The by Mark Twain
✅Alchemist, The by Paulo Coelho
✅Alex Cross Mysteries (series) by James Patterson
✅Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
✅And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
🔷Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Another Country by James Baldwin
🔷Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
✅Beloved by Toni Morrison
Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
✅Book Thief, The by Markus Zusak
Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao, The by Junot Diaz
🔷Call of the Wild by Jack London
✅Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
✅Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger
✅Charlotte's Web by EB White
✅Chronicles of Narnia, The (series) by CS Lewis
✅Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
Coldest Winter Ever, The Sister Soulja
✅Color Purple, The by Alice Walker
✅Count of Monte Cristo, The by Alexandre Dumas
🔷Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
✅Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime, The by Mark Haddon
✅Da Vinci Code, The by Dan Brown
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Doña Bárbara by Romulo Gallegos
Dune by Frank Herbert
🚨nope Fifty Shades of Grey (series) James, E.L.
✅Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
Foundation (series) by Issac Asimov
✅Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
✅(2)Game of Thrones (series) by George R. R. Martin
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Gilead by Marilyn Robinson
✅Giver, The by Lois Lowry
🔷Godfather, The by Mario Puzo
✅Gone Girlby Gillian Flynn
🔷Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
✅Grapes of Wrath, The by John Steinbeck
🔷Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
✅Great Gatsby, The by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
✅Handmaid's Tale, The by Margaret Atwood
✅Harry Potter (series) by JK Rowling
🔷Hatchet (series) by Gary Paulsen
✅Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
✅Help, The by Kathryn Stockett
✅Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
✅Hunger Games, The (series) by Suzanne Collins
🚨Hunt for Red October, The by Tom Clancy
Intuitionist, The by Colson Whitehead
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
✅Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
✅Joy Luck Club, The by Amy Tan
✅Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Left Behind (series) LaHaye, Tim / Jenkins, Jerry B.
Little Prince, The by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
🔷Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
🔷Looking for Alaska by John Green
✅Lord of the Rings, The (series) by JRR Tolkien
✅Lovely Bones, The by Alice Sebold
✅Martian, The by Andy Weir
✅Memoirs of a Geishaby Arthur Golden
🔷Mind Invaders by Dave Hunt
🚨Moby Dick by Herman Melville
✅Notebook, The by Nicholas Sparks
🔷One Hundred Years of Solitude Garcia Marquez, Gabriel
✅Outlander (series) Gabaldon, Diana
✅Outsiders, The Hinton, S.E.
Picture of Dorian Gray Wilde, Oscar
🚨Pilgrim's Progress, The Bunyan, John
✅Pillars of the Earth Follett, Ken
✅Pride and Prejudice Austen, Jane
✅Ready Player One Cline, Ernest
✅Rebecca du Maurier, Daphne
✅Shack, The Young, William P.
🚨Siddhartha Hesse, Hermann
Sirens of Titan, The Vonnegut, Kurt
✅Stand, The King, Stephen
🔷Sun Also Rises, The Hemingway, Ernest
🔷Swan Song McCammon, Robert R.
Tales of the City (series) Maupin, Armistead
Their Eyes Were Watching God Hurston, Zora Neale
Things Fall Apart Achebe, Chinua
This Present Darkness Peretti, Frank E.
✅To Kill a Mockingbird Lee, Harper
✅Twilight Saga (series) Meyer, Stephanie
🔷War and Peace Tolstoy, Leo
✅Watchers, The Koontz, Dean
Wheel of Time, The (series) Jordan, Robert
Where the Red Fern Grows Rawls, Wilson
🔷White Teeth Smith, Zadie
Wuthering Heights Bronte, Emily

Attempting to track our Children's Books
New books acquired and read since January 1:
Mmm, Cookies! by Robert Munsch
That's Not My Snowman... by Fiona Watt (gift)
That's Not My Puppy.. by Fiona Watt (gift)
Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown
Bear's Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson
Ladybug Girl Dresses Up by David Soman and Jacky Davis
The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield
The Bad Seed by Jory John
If you Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann (second hand gift)
Pinkalicious: The Pinkamazing Storybook Collection by Victoria Kann (second hand gift)
Silverlicious by Victoria Kann (second hand gift)
Pinkalicious: The Princess of Pink Treasury by Victoria Kann (second hand gift)
Purplicious by Victoria Kann (second hand gift)
If I were a Unicorn by Anne Wilkinson (gift)
The World is a Wonderland board book collection by Nancy Tillman (V-Day present)
The Enormous Suitcase by Robert Munsch (V-Day present)
Pyjama Day by Robert Munsch (V-Day present)
Backyard Fairies by Pheobe Wahl (Early Reviewers Program)
Happy Easter, Little Critter by Mercer Mayer
Peppa Pig's Easter Hunt
That's Not my Bunny - Usborne Touchy Feely Books
Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman
Pinkalicious: Tickled Pink by Victoria Kann
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson (birthday)
I Like Myself! (board book) by Karen Beaumont (birthday)
The School Play (Peppa Pig) by Meredith Rusu (birthday)
Captain Underpants series Books 2-5
DogBoy Series books 1&2

NetGalley
Officer Pete by Ruth Wielockx
Fish-Boy: An Inuit Folk Tale by Vanita Oelschlager
Little White Fish and his Daddy by Guido Van Genechten
Today I'll be a Unicorn by Dana Simpson
White Wild Indigo by Jack Widick
Sloth at the Zoom by Becker & Orbie

Library books:
Stick Man by Julia Donaldson
Gruffalo crumble and other recipes by Julia Donaldson
The rabbit and the turtle : Aesop's fables / retold and illustrated - Eric Carle
The elephant wish - Lou Berger
I'm a hungry dinosaur - Janeen Brian
Tater and Tot - by Andrea Burris
Snow moon - Nicholas Brunelle
Baby Polar - by Yannick Murphy
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Cottonwool Colin by Jeanne Willis
The Dragon Snatcher by MP Robertson
A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson
The Hockey Tree by David Ward
Mom, the School Flooded by Ken Rivard
My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman
Never Tease a Weasel by Jean Conder Soule
Pog and the Birdies by Jane Simmons
Skippyjohn Jones and the Big Bones by Judy Schachner
Postman Bear by Julia Donaldson
The monster at the end of this book by Jon Stone
Clifford goes to kindergarten by Norman Bridwell
Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
The Everywhere Bear by Julia Donaldson
Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise by William Kotzwinkle (As my in-laws just left on a cruise today!)
Tickets to Ride by Mark Rogalski
My Friend is so Funby Mo Willems
Elephants Cannot Dance by Mo Willems
Waiting is not Easy by Mo Willems
Trap a Leprechaun by Sue Fliess
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino
Up in the Tree by Margaret Atwood
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2
Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
Little Brothers & Little Sisters by Monica Arnaldo
The Night Gardener by Terry Fan
The mermaid and the shoe by Keith Gordon
Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger
Charlie Cook's Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
The Fish who Cried Wolf by Julia Donaldson
Cave Baby by Julia Donaldson
The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli
Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin
This Moose Belongs to me by Oliver Jeffers
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Who gives a hoot? : Calpurnia Tate, girl vet by Jaqueline Kelly
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Adult books acquired 2018
This Fallen Prey - Kelley Armstrong
Renegades - Marissa Meyer
Anne of Green Gables (Audio) by Lucy Maud Montgomery (audible three month trial)
Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell
Misery - Stephen King
Witches of Eastwick - John Updike
Widows of Eastwick - John Updike
Man Who Died - Antti Tuomainen
The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (Audio read by David Tennant)
Two Nights by Kathy Reichs
Pretty Little Liars by Sarah Shepard
Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell
Devices and Desires by PD James
A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John Le Carre
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Fireman by Joe Hill
The Inn by William Patterson
American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien
Parting Shot by Linwood Barclay
The Twenty-Three by Linwood Barclay
A Widow for a Year by John Irving
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson
Paradise by Toni Morrison
Legal Tender by Lisa Scottoline
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
I Found You by Lisa Jewell
Embraced by Darkness by Keri Arthur
The Darkest Kiss by Keri Arthur
Deadly Desire by Keri Arthur
Moon Sworn by Keri Arthur
Roughneck Nine-One: The Extraordinary Story of a Special Forces A-team at War by Frank Antenori (for Nate)
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Timeless, Heartless by Gail Carriger
Prudence & Imprudence by Gail Carriger

NetGalley
The Shadow Killer by Arnaldur Indridason
Liar, Liar by Lisa Jackson
Foe by Iain Reid
Three Secrets by Clare Boyd
The Titan Strain by Virginia Soenksen
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker
The Nightmare by Lars Kepler
An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

Yay, I'm first! Happy new thread Chelle, and sweet pics of the girls and Nate!

You wrote on your last thread that you may have overbought books for Chloe for Xmas - can you set any of them aside for her birthday (I forget when it is), or will she have 'outgrown' them by then?

Happy new thread, Chelle! So glad the rain held off last night!

Happy new thread, Chelle. What a couple of cuties at the top.

Happy new one, Chelle! Love the Halloween photos.

Happy New Thread, Chelle!

The girls look great in their costumes. We have a lot of kids come by on Halloween; one of our favorites was a jellyfish with lights. It looked handmade; I have no idea how they did it.

Happy new thread, Chelle. Looks like Halloween wasn't too chilly in your neck of the woods (it was pretty mild here too).

Good luck getting over the book funk. I find either re-reads of favourites or really fluffy reads work best for me.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Chelle!
The girls look lovely at the top.

Happy new thread! Great Halloween costumes :)

Chelle -- Happy new thread!! Love the Halloween photo! I was recruited by my daughter to help scare kids and hand out candy at her boyfriend's house. (They had a scary side and a not scary side, LOL).

Great Halloween photos, Chelle!

Happy New Thread, Chelle. I LOVE the Halloween toppers! Those girls are adorable.

I hope this book funk is very short-lived.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Chelle. What a lovely pair of trick or treaters you had :)

Happy New thread, Chelle. Such cute trick or treaters!

Happy New Thread, Chelle! And Book Funk BeGone!!!!

Hello Chelle. I've been MIA for awhile. Now that the first days of retirement are here, I want to be sure to get back to the threads. I love your opening images! I can only imagine how busy (and full) your life is.

All good wishes.

Thanks everyone!
It's been a lazy weekend here as we all have come down with the plague! Chloe brought something home from school and passed it to Elissa and then to me. We are all feeling very yucky and we are going through mass amounts of tissues! I doubt we will be going to school/work tomorrow :(

>6 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I can put some of them aside for her birthday but I am terrible about remembering what I've already bought and then might end up over buying for her birthday too (It's in May) I'll have to see once I start wrapping and see if it looks like too much.

>7 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley! It was a great night for Halloween and the weather was perfect!

>8 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!

>9 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>10 jnwelch: That sounds awesome, Joe! We had some pretty original costumes here too, as well as the usual suspects. We live within a few blocks of Chloe's school so we get a pretty decent turn out.

>11 MickyFine: Hiya, Micky! I went with the fluffy reads and picked a vampire YA series that I've started to enjoy Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series. It's junk but enjoyable.

>12 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>13 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! They look less lovely today with running noses and poor attitudes :-p

>14 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs!

>15 Berly: Thanks, Kim! That sounds like a lot of fun! Our neighbour across the street had his teenage son with a DJ booth set up with flashing lights and they played Halloween songs, like thriller, for HOURS!

>16 ronincats: Thanks, Roni!

>17 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I hope so too. Ever since I went back to work I haven't felt like reading at night.

>18 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer

>19 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! They had a lot of fun and Chloe loved helping hand out candy once she returned home. She was very proud of herself that she did our whole street!

>20 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deb! Did your grandbabe dress up?

>21 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! I hope that helps!

>22 Whisper1: Glad to see you, Linda! Hope retirement is going well! Life is a bit nutty over here!

124) The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine

Decent vampire fluff to try and get out of my book funk.

Happy new one, Chelle! Sorry to hear about the plague - hoping it is eradicated very soon. Your topper photos are adorable.

Morning, Chelle. Happy Sunday. Any improvement on the reading front?

Hi Chelle!

Sorry to hear that Chloe shared her germs and that you all have the plague. I hope you all recover quickly.

.. junk but enjoyable Sometimes that's just what the doctor ordered!

Ack, sorry about the plague. No fun when the whole family is down with it.

"Decent vampire fluff..." Made me smile.

So sorry you aren't feeling well. I hope you all recover quickly.

Sending get well wishes!!!

And for a laugh try Darynda Jones' First Grave on the Right. Wonderfully snarky woman named Charlie who can talk to the dead, which helps a lot when you are a PI. Audio is da bomb!

Get better soon!

I hope you're feeling better!

>25 ChelleBearss: Our neighbour across the street had his teenage son with a DJ booth set up with flashing lights and they played Halloween songs, like thriller, for HOURS!
Wow, I think I would have lost my mind. And I was a DJ myself years ago.

Happy new thread Chelle my dear, hope you and the family are all well and we send love and hugs to you all dear friend.

Hi Folks
We are still plague ridden in our house, but slowly getting better. I'm been dealing with some stress from our daycare provider and it's making me a little anxious and unable to make a decision, which is so not like me. I think we need to switch providers but I am having a hard time deciding if that's the best decision for Ellie. Ugh. I wish I was rich so I could just stay home with her.

>27 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! We are all still sick but slowly getting better

>28 msf59: HI Mark. I've finished my vampire fluff and the new King, which turned out to be a novella, and started the new Michael Connelly. It's slow going but I enjoy his stuff and have a bunch of my fave authors putting out books this month.

>29 karenmarie: HI Karen! Yep, the junk helped a bunch and I'm almost back to normal

>30 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! Nate is the only one who didn't catch it! I'm crossing my fingers that it stays that way

>31 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba. I'm hoping to get my voice back before work Friday

>32 Berly: Thanks, Kim! I'll check it out! I need to get back into audio on my commute.

>33 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel

>34 mstrust: Ha, Jennifer! I made a point of mentioning that I hoped it would be turned off by the time trick or treating was finished, and thankfully it was!

>35 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! We are all getting better, slowly.

Congratulations on reading so many books thus far in 2018! Considering how very busy your life is, itis truly impressive that you find time to read. Good for you!!!

Hi Chelle!

I didn't realize there was a new Michael Connelly - and a Harry Bosch/Renée Ballard at that.

I hope you're all 100% soon and that the daycare situation resolves quickly.

>125 ChelleBearss:) Elevation by Stephen King
In true King tradition this was a little weird and had a weird ending, but I liked it. I didn't realize when I ordered it that it wasn't a full sized novel, and only a novella, and I had it finished in a few hours.

Hi Chelle!

I didn't realize it was a novella either, and now it's sitting there and staring at me. I'll probably read it before month end.

Just peeking in to say hello! Sorry about The Plague.

>5 ChelleBearss: Happy Friday Chelle! A few years ago, I started to read children's illustrated books. I'm hooked ever since. If you haven't read anything illustrated by Gennedy Spirin, I highly recommend him.

Happy new thread, Chelle! The girls look adorable! Dad looks mighty proud of his little trick or treaters!
I've been wanting to read Elevation. Your liking it is good enough for me to get to it sooner rather than later. have an outstanding weekend.

Happy Weekend, Chelle. Sorry to hear about the daycare provider troubles. It’s a lot of work to find places for your kids that you’re happy with.

Hi Chelle, I'm hijacking the top threads around here to spread the word. Its time to join the Christmas Swap festivities. Come on over...

http://www.librarything.com/topic/298577

Hiya Chelle! Love that photo of Nate and the lassies.

Morning, folks. I'm on my last shift of three and then I get four days off. I can't wait!! So tired today.
Nate and I went on a date night Friday and had dinner out at The Keg (so good!) and went to see Bohemian Rhapsody. It was awesome and I'm glad we saw it in IMAX.
Back on reading again, too, yay! I've finished two books this weekend and they were both decent reads. I've been reading Michael Connelly since I was just out of high school and love that he is still writing Harry Bosch books. I've also had a love of Lee Child since someone on here turned me onto him a few years ago (I feel like this was Joe, but can't back up that statement). I finished both of their newest books this weekend and they were both great.
I am now impatiently waiting for the new Louise Penny coming out at the end of the month.

My big plans for the day include talking to the public about various police type things, doing an online grocery order for Nate to pick up later, and starting a new book possibly The Girl Who Drank the Moon


>127 richardderus:) Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly


>128 msf59:) Past Tense by Lee Child

>41 karenmarie: Give it a shot, Karen. It won't take up much of your time!

>42 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. I thought we were all getting better but only Elissa seems to be better now. Chloe and I are very congested and a little green :(

>43 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! I'll check her out!

>44 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! Nate had a lot of fun on Halloween and we both thought Chloe's energy was pretty cute. She was a little energizer bunny and wanted to keep going!

>45 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. We have found yet another lady and this lady has been in business for 15 years and comes recommended by a mom from Chloe's class who is currently taking her son there. Hoping for the best! Elissa has her first day this Thursday

>46 mahsdad: Hijack away, Jeff!

>47 richardderus: Thanks, RD! Nice to see you about!

Morning, Chelle. Happy Sunday. Glad to see the book activity. I could use some lighter reading material. My 2 current reads are some heavy stuff, although both will probably end up being 5 stars.

I hope you are enjoying the weekend. I do not like this COLD, especially this early in the season.

I hope Elissa's first day with 'the new lady' goes well today.

>50 msf59: Hiya Mark. Hope you find some lighter reading soon! Hope all this white stuff isn't affecting your route too much!

>51 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen, but she didn't end up making it. She caught Chloe's virus pretty bad and she had a fever that day. My in-laws ended up watching her. Poor thing had her allergy test this week (confirmed peanut allergy) and caught the virus too. She has been down and out for days and is miserable.

129) The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This was delightful! Loved it!

>53 ChelleBearss: I'll add this one to my Scout list.

Yay for The Girl Who Drank the Moon! I loved that one, too.

Chelle--Sorry about the peanut allergy. I am cursed with that one and a strong believer in Epipens.

Love the cover on >53 ChelleBearss:!

130) The Book of M by Peng Shepherd

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It started to lose me a bit in the middle but the end brought it back together for me

>54 BLBera: A Scout list is a great idea! I think that one is aimed at 10yo or so.

>55 jnwelch: Glad you loved it, Joe!

>56 Berly: Sorry you are cursed with the peanut allergy too! Boo! I am hoping Elissa grows out of it

>57 EBT1002: Happy Thanksgiving to you! Us Canadians had ours last month. Hope you have a great one!
I've already taken advantage of the Black Friday sales :)

Hi Chelle, I seemed to have misplaced your thread for awhile, but it's now been found and re-starred. Hope you have all recovered from the plague and are now getting ready for the festive season!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Chelle. xx

>60 DeltaQueen50: Glad that you found me again, although not much activity has been happening here lately :(

>61 PaulCranswick: Happy weekend to you as well, Paul!

Happy Sunday, Chelle. I hope everything is going fine. I haven't seen you posting around much, of late, but I do see some of your family FB photos, now and then. Cute, as ever.

Glad to see some books are being read, though.

Hi Chelle! Just checking in - hope things are going well :)

131) The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

I wasn't sure I would like this, at first, because I disliked the main character. By the end I was very happy that I read it and needed to finish it!
4 stars

>63 msf59: Hiya, Mark! It's been a rough few weeks with sickness and teething and a very clingy baby. Not a lot of online time has been had :(

>64 katiekrug: Hi Katie! Things are starting to look up now that we are all healthy(ish) again!

Posting here so I can remember!

2019 PopSugar Reading Challenge
https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Reading-Challenge-2019-45450968

01 - A book becoming a movie in 2019
02 - A book that makes you nostalgic
03 - A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction)
04 - A book you think should be turned into a movie
05 - A book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads
06 - A book with a plant in the title or on the cover
07 - A reread of a favorite book
08 - A book about a hobby
09 - A book you meant to read in 2018
10 - A book with "pop", "sugar" or "challenge" in the title
11 - A book with an item of clothing or acceessory on the cover
12 - a book inspired by mythology, legend or folklore
13 - A book published posthumously
14 - a book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie
15 - A retelling of a classic
16 - A book with a question in the title
17 - A book set on a college or university campus
18 - a book about someone with a super power
19 - a book told from multiple POVs
20 - a book set in space
21 - a book by two female authors
22 - A book with a title that contains "salty", "sweet", "bitter" or "spicy"
23 - A book set in Scandinavia
24 - a book that takes place in a single day
25 - a debut novel
26 - a book that's published in 2019
27 - a book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature
28 - a book recommended by a celebrity you admire
29 - a book with "love" in the title
30 - a book featuring an amateur detective
31 - A book about a family
32 - A book written by an author from Asia, Africa or South America
33 - A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in the title
34 - a book that includes a wedding
35 - A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter
36 - A ghost story
37 - a book with a two-word title
38 - A novel based on a true story
39 - A book revolving around a puzzle or game
40 - Your favorite prompt from a past Popsugar Reading Challenge

Advanced:
41 - A "cli fi" book
42 - A "choose-your-own-adventure" book
43 - An "own voices" book
44 - Read a book during the season it is set in
45 - A LitRPG book
46 - A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters
47 & 48 - Two books that share the same title
49 - A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom
50 - A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent

>67 ChelleBearss: I just went through and found books for almost all of the prompts. But I don't expect to actually finish the challenge, as I have so many other challenges I'm trying to focus on - like reading more foreign literature, and reading a variety of genres.

Like Rachel, above, I also went through and matched a book to every prompt, I just hope I fit all these books into my various categories! I have really liked the Emma Donoghue books that I have read so I need to give a nudge to both Frog Music and The Wonder.

>67 ChelleBearss: Hi there! Glad everyone is on the mend in your household. I hope to find books for each of these prompts, and hopefully from books I already own...

>65 ChelleBearss: *sigh*
*trudges off to Ammy*

Glad you're all healthy(ish) again, Chelle.

Did you go bonkers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Hope you are all healthy now and busy with Christmas activities, Chelle!

Morning, folks! I am so far behind it's ridiculous! But the good news is that I am on vacation for two weeks! Yahoo!
I am sitting here at home, drinking my coffee with no kids around! Ellie is at the daycare today so I can spend the day cleaning and prepping for Christmas parties this weekend and next. But first coffee and LT time in my new mug that I made at pottery night.


>68 The_Hibernator: With a new baby next year maybe skip the challenges and just enjoy any reading time that you will get! I know it was hard for me when Ellie was first born

>69 DeltaQueen50: I haven't thought about what books to match the prompts yet. I may do that one morning this week

>70 Berly: Hi Kim! I also need to read a lot of my shelves next year! Hopefully I can fit a bunch into the prompts

>71 richardderus: Hope you love it, RD!

>72 karenmarie: Hi Karen! No Black Friday bonkers here, just two things. I got Nate a big Christmas present at $120 savings and I got a box spring for Chloe's bed for only $100. Otherwise I didn't buy anything as I'm finished my Christmas shopping now

>73 ronincats: HI Roni! We are all back to health and feeling fine! Ellie had a runny nose this morning but I am crossing my fingers that doesn't turn into anything!

The mug looks great!

Thanks, Jim! It was fun to make too

132) The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
I didn't originally plan on reading this as I have had my fill of WW2 books for a while, but a friend at work gave it to me and told me to read it because she loved it so I decided to give it a shot. It's not really about WW2 as it is about the victims of the war. I ended up really liking it and glad I gave it a chance. I made the mistake of reading the afterword in public though, and that was not a good idea!


133) The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Solid second book in the series. Listening to this on audio and it's keeping my interest just fine, which is a good accomplishment for audiobooks.


134) Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny
Once again I waited all year for this one and then finished it way too quickly. If you have not read this series yet what are you waiting for? I may start this series from the beginning again.

Hi Chelle!

Yay for two weeks vacation and a quiet house with just you, coffee, and whatever you want to be doing! I remember cherishing alone time when busy with work, husband, and daughter.

What did you think of Kingdom of the Blind?

How did you like The Tattooist of Auschwitz?

So glad you're getting a bit of time for yourself. Enjoy that quiet and coffee for as long as you can.

Hooray for vacation, the best part of the year!

>78 karenmarie: HI Karen! Loved it, as usual. Penny is one of my faves and I wait all year for the next instalment. Have you been reading the series?

>79 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita! I went back and added my little mini reviews but here is what I added for The Tattooist of Auschwitz
I didn't originally plan on reading this as I have had my fill of WW2 books for a while, but a friend at work gave it to me and told me to read it because she loved it so I decided to give it a shot. It's not really about WW2 as it is about the victims of the war. I ended up really liking it and glad I gave it a chance. I made the mistake of reading the afterword in public though, and that was not a good idea!

>80 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba! I did enjoy my coffee and little bit of LT time before tearing my main floor apart cleaning. I also managed to have a hot bath and some reading time before picking up the littles.

>81 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer! I got lucky and picked two good weeks to take vacation, even if I don't go anywhere!

What a great mug! Did you throw it or hand-build it?

Hi Chelle!

I've read the entire Gamache series. I've had a love-hate relationship with the last 3 or 4 because I've begun to dislike her seriously-under-edited sentence fragments, but I must admit that I really liked the newest. It's the first one I didn't buy new, a friend loaned the ARC to me. Maybe I'll find it at a FoL sale or the thrift store and keep my collection up to date.

Hey Chelle! Hmmm, copying the PopSugar Reading Challenge to my thread just to remind me to give it some thought as to if I want to give it a shot.
I rec'd The Book of M from ER and I have yet to read it. Now that you have and it's also a Tournament of Books long lister I think it's time to do so.

I lost interest in Penny's series when Clara faded away. I like Gamache, I like Jean-Guy, I love Reine Marie. I need Clara.

There was an event that set me off the Three Pines trail: When they're off hunting Peter in the northern wilds, and they disembark onto a dock and WALK RIGHT PAST HIM?!? It felt...hasty...to me, like Penny wasn't paying attention and let something important slide.

Happy reading, vacation time, and potting!

>84 karenmarie: I'd never noticed the sentence fragments until you mentioned it. This time through I noticed every one -- but still enjoyed the book.

Glad to hear you loved Kingdom of the Blind, Chelle. That one's in my future.

Ha! If you'd asked me which character Richard loved the most (>86 richardderus:) I would've guessed cantankerous Clara.

I had The Tattoist of Auschwitz recommended to me, and your comments help with that one, too.

Hi Chelle!

>65 ChelleBearss: The only thing I've read by her was Room and I thought it was quite good. You make me want to read The Wonder.

I have been slowly making my way through the Louise Penny series. I think I have a few to go before I get to Kingdom of the Blind. #anticipation

Hi Folks
I am enjoying my vacation and keeping VERY busy! I've got two sick kids (again) but minor illness this time and hoping it blows over quickly! We had two Christmas parties last weekend and we have two more this coming weekend!
Today I went with one of my co-workers to deliver toys to Children's Aid society in a nearby town. Every year my office takes names from CAS to help with a toy drive. This year my office was able to take names for 81 kids, and hats, mitts and pyjamas for another 44 older kids. Today we got to deliver them to some very happy CAS employees.


>83 ronincats: Thanks Roni! I did a one night hand building class. I'd like to try and get into a regular class but it's so hard with my schedule and our local pottery studio is having some building issues and their kiln is currently shut down :(

>84 karenmarie: HI Karen! I do recall you having issues with her writing style, and I actually noticed it while reading this one. That didn't deter me from loving it, though :)

>85 Carmenere: Hi Lynda! Hope you love it! I was glad that I finally got around to reading it.

>86 richardderus: Thanks, RD! Sorry to see you lost interest in Penny's books. I do love them but I totally get that point you made. I thought I had missed something in that one.

>87 RebaRelishesReading: I noticed them in this book too but still loved the book.

>88 jnwelch: I would have guessed Ruth :)
I hope you love both of those books once you get there!

>89 EBT1002: HI Ellen! She is actually local and is from the city where I was born (London, Ontario).
I hope you enjoy getting caught up on Louise Penny! I'm sad that I finished and may read them all again.

135) Half Spent Was the Night by Ami McKay
I was disappointed in this one as I thought it was the next book in the series, but it was just a novella with some of the characters. It was mediocre, but part of that may have just been my disappointment when I realized it wasn't the next book.


136) The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Decent book, second in the series. I'll continue the series on audio, but I don't think it's going to be a series that really sticks with me.

>91 ChelleBearss: To be scrupulously fair, Penny was just beginning to cope with Michael's dementia diagnosis while writing that book. It still broke the spell for me, but that makes the inattentive error explainable.

Maggie Stiefvater gets such raves that I'm relieved to see you call it "decent." That's probably what I'd think, as I'm not on a teenaged tear.

Hi, Chelle. I hope everything is going well. I have seen some family FB photos and everyone seems happy.

Thanks for reminding me about The Wonder. I have been meaning to read that one, since it came out.

Hi Chelle! You read so many great books this year.

I send all good wishes for a wonderful holiday!

>90 ChelleBearss: Hooray for your work group!! What a nice way to celebrate the season.

>91 ChelleBearss: Oh, you're right! I meant Ruth as the one I'd guess RD liked. I got Ruth and Clara mixed up (don't let them know!)

>93 richardderus: That's true to the timing but shouldn't an editor have caught that? I've been finding a lot of issues with editing of books over the last few years.
The Raven Boys is decent for YA, but I don't think it was anything to write home about. Perhaps I am getting old? (ugh)

>94 msf59: Hiya, Mark. Hope you are adjusting back to life in the cold. Family is good and gearing up for Christmas :)
Hope you love The Wonder when you get to it. I have enjoyed the Donoghue's that I have read.

>95 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! It was a great reading year!

>96 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! Our comm centre does a big toy drive every year and I was happy to be able to help out this year since I missed donating last year.

>97 jnwelch: LOL Joe! I love Ruth and her duck (fuck, fuck, fuck) :)

137) The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson

I finally got a copy of this one (huge wait list!) and managed to read it in only a few days. It was very interesting and reads like fiction, although I now know altogether too much about fly tying!
(I just LOVE the cover!!)

Hi Chelle! Sorry to hear you’ve got sick kidlets and hope they’re healthy again. Glad to hear about your Christmas parties and the wonderful bounty to CAS.

Thanks, Karen! Chloe is still slimy but thankfully no one else has caught it yet.

LT Scavenger hunt fans!
The scavenger hunt is up but it's different this time. It's one question per day leading to Christmas. You have to check back daily for the clue
http://www.librarything.com/hunt_december2018.php

>101 ChelleBearss: - I love your description of Chloe as "slimy" - it's perfect.

>102 ChelleBearss: - I like the one-a-day twist. I always feel like I have to invest in the other scavenger hunts to get it all done at once (which I know isn't the case since they are available for several days)...

Hi Chelle, I rushed over to the Lt Scavenger Hunt and I figured out the clue but then I started mindlessly clicking various pages looking for the pear. I didn't think I had found it but when I checked I had been awared a pear. I have no idea what the correct answer was but I at least the first one is done.

>103 katiekrug: Ha! I need to buy stock in kleenex and face wash. Slimy is the only word that really works lol

I totally get the feeling of needing to do the hunt and putting aside other things! I can find a few minutes each day to do the hunt.

>104 DeltaQueen50: haha at least you got the first one. The second day took a lot of googling for me as I don't care for Westerns.

Hi Chelle! Wow, you are keeping busy on your vacation time! Sorry to hear the kids have come down with something - 'tis the season for bugs and such - by happy to read that it is minor illnesses this time around.

>92 ChelleBearss: - Darn on the McKay read, but I know what you mean about possibly being disappointed that it is just a novella and not the next book in the Witches series, although, I have to admit I haven't read The Witches of New York yet. I have only read The Birth House and the The Virgin Cure, so far.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Happy Friday, Chelle. Hooray for The Feather Thief. I really enjoyed that one as well. What an amazing story.

Good luck with the scavenger hunt. I got the first one (after much help) and think I will now retire from the field- so not my comfort zone!

I always enjoy these hunts :) So far I got them all.

I love these hunts on LT. Starting my day now with the hunt, and then return to reading :-)

Happy Monday, folks!
I survived the weekend of two Christmas parties (one I hosted for 17 people and three mini people). This morning I did the snack program at Chloe's school and now I get to caffeinate myself and LT for a bit!

>106 lkernagh: Hi Lori! Minor bug this time and Nate and I did not catch it, thankfully. They both seem less slimy today!
I haven't read The Birth House or The Virgin Cure but I did enjoy The Witches of New York

>107 msf59: Thanks for raving about it, Mark, as I probably would not have read it without your reviews. (and I feel that someone else raved about it as well but I can't remember who. I'm terrible with that!)

>108 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I needed a lot of help with days two and three but I got today's on the first try :)

>109 figsfromthistle: Good luck with the hunt, figs :)

>110 FAMeulstee: I made it yesterday with only an hour or so to spare are we were so busy. I would like to try and do it every day.

Congratulations on surviving party weekend (especially the one you hosted)! I've started reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Thinking of you and thanking you for encouraging me to read them.

>112 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba!
I am so glad that you decided to read Harry Potter! I hope you love them all! I am due for a reread and movie watch marathon soon! Perhaps once we get some snow and I decide to not leave the house lol

Today is my last day of vacation! Bank appointment and massage for me today before making a gingerbread house after school with Chloe.
Back to work tomorrow for two days before doing our Christmas celebrations this weekend. Nate and I both have to work on the 24th and 25th so Santa is making a special delivery to our house on the 23rd. Thankfully the girls are too young to know the date lol.

This week Chloe's school is doing a theme day EVERY DAY! I was a little overwhelmed when I originally saw the list but we quickly jumped into the spirit and went shopping! Thankfully our walmart and dollar store had some great stuff on sale.
Yesterday was Red & Green day and today is pyjama day!
Tomorrow is ugly sweater day and Chloe's teachers had everyone bring in a shirt and they made their own!
Thursday is decorate yourself day (Chloe will be a tree ... it's hilarious!)
Friday is simply Santa hat day

Here is yesterday and today :)

>114 ChelleBearss: Very, very cute!!!

>114 ChelleBearss: - So adorable!

Chloe looks so adorable!!

Charlie's school is doing a dress-up week, but they didn't send any information home about it or post it on the website. When I called the office to ask about it, the Admin just said that the teachers were assuming the kids would tell the parents about it. What?! Yoicks. Thankfully (I guess?) Charlie isn't interested in participating - he's demonstrating a bit of civil disobedience in protest of the lack of a Pajama Day, which is his favorite. Ha!

Hi Chelle!

>102 ChelleBearss: I really like this scavenger hunt. I’ve gotten all 8 on the actual day. I think it was #4 which gave me fits – I worked on it off and on all day.

>113 ChelleBearss: I did a re-read (well, actually a re-listen) 2016-2017 so am not due for a while, but I got Bill the Blu-ray complete movie set two years ago. We have a few Christmas movies to watch since Jenna’s home, but that’s only 3 movies, so we might start on HP after that.

Parties for 17/3, slimy kids, holiday weeks at school, and early Santa visits. You are certainly busy, Chelle.

>114 ChelleBearss: Totally ‘dorable. Thanks for sharing. I love braids. *smile*

>117 scaifea: Charlie isn't interested in participating - he's demonstrating a bit of civil disobedience in protest of the lack of a Pajama Day, which is his favorite. Ha! That is so cool.

We survived Spirit week!!
Day Three: Ugly Shirt Day


Day Four: Decorate yourself day (Chloe is a tree)


Day Five: Santa Hat Day!


>115 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba :)

>116 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>117 scaifea: Oh that Charlie, he is quite the kid! I completely understanding protesting about PJ day as it really is the best day!

>118 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I also love braids and do them whenever I have time. Keeps her looking tidy and, I think, helps prevent bugs! (ugh!)
I have gotten most of the hunt clues on my own, except two needed help from the hint page. I am stuck on today but haven't had time to really look at it too hard yet.

Find the Light—Reflect the Light—Be the Light

Happy Yule 2018!

Happy Yule, Richard!

138) The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
I really enjoyed this one and found it easy to get lost in.

>122 ChelleBearss: Glad to see it worked better for you.

>123 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky. I went into it with low expectations so I was glad that I ended up enjoying it.

139) The Dinner by Herman Koch

This is one of those books that leaves a nasty feeling after reading it. I can't even say I didn't like it because I actually was very into it and needed to finish it, but the story and the characters were unlikable and left me with rather angry feelings after finishing it.
I originally gave it two stars but after thinking about it I think the author probably accomplished what he was going for and I've changed it to three stars.

I'm glad Santa is willing to make a special trip to accommodate your work schedule. :-)

I wish you a very merry Christmas and -- today -- a Happy Winter Solstice.

>125 ChelleBearss: I wanted to rinse my brain in bleach after spending time with those awful people. Ew!

Happy Friday, Chelle. I have heard good things about The Hazel Wood and it is nice to hear you chime in. I did not like The Dinner though. That one rubbed me wrong.

Lovely pictures!

I agree re the Dinner. Such an irritating book! (But memorable: never quite sure what that says).

Hoping your holidays are filled with good friends and good books

>119 ChelleBearss: adorable!



Happy Holidays Chelle!

Hope you and your family have a great Christmas, Chelle.

All the best to you and the family, Chelle, for a great holiday season

Hi Chelle, we would like to wish you, Nate, Chloe and Elissa a very Merry Christmas and send seasonal love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

>125 ChelleBearss: Agree with your thoughts about The Dinner, all unpleasant characters, and intended by the writer. I was 1/2 a star nicer to it.

Have a great holiday with the family, Chelle! I am sure those beautiful girls will be spoiled.

Chelle, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Thanks for keeping my thread warm, friends!
I am back to work for four days and feeling a touch grumpy about it. The girls are with their Grandparents for a couple days and will come home after I get off work tomorrow night. We did our family Christmas yesterday and Santa made a special visit for them.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and get to enjoy some yummy treats with your families.

>126 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. Merry Christmas to you. We are very lucky that Santa is willing to make an extra trip for emergency services!

>127 richardderus: Yes, I completely agree, Richard! The more I read the more vile they were!

>128 msf59: Merry Christmas, Mark! I did enjoy the Hazel Wood and I think you would like it. It was entertaining and a quick read.
I wish I had read reviews on The Dinner before taking it from the library and those characters were terrible.

>129 charl08: I felt the same, Char! It was a well written book but one that leaves you feeling gross afterwards.

>130 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda, to you as well!

>131 The_Hibernator: Merry Christmas, Rachel.

>132 DeltaQueen50: Merry Christmas, Judy!

>133 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Merry Christmas to you too

>134 johnsimpson: Thank you, John! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas

>135 FAMeulstee: I don't know if that makes it better or worse, Anita, that the writer made those characters so vile for a reason. It's hard to believe that there are families like that in this world.

>136 msf59: Thanks, Mark, they were definitely spoiled!

>137 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Chelle! Sorry to hear you're at work. It's great that Santa came early, but I bet he comes again tonight for your girls at their grandparents' house :-)

Merry Christmas, Chelle. I hope work goes well and glad you had a nice (if early) Christmas with your girls.

Merry Christmas, Chelle! I can't believe how big and cute your kids are! I'm sorry you're working, but hope the next few days are quiet.

And well done for surviving so many crazy theme days at school...

Hi Chelle, congratulations on surviving Spirit week! Looks like a lot of fun for the kids, but I can see where the scramble for the parents would come in. ;-) Hard to believe 2018 is almost coming to a close. Where did the year go?

Stopping by to wish you and your family peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and best wishes for 2019!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Looking forward to a very bookish 2019

Happy holidays, Chelle, Nate and the beautiful girls.

Merry Christmas from Philadelphia, Chelle!

Merry Christmas, friends
I am at work today and thankfully it has been quite slow so far. We will get busy later today when the alcohol starts to be consumed and family disputes start!
We are doing a big pot luck meal today and some officers have brought us in coffee and muffins. It sucks to be at work on Christmas but at least we have a great work family to be stuck with.

>139 susanj67: Merry Christmas, Susan. I don't think Santa is making another stop at the grandparents today as they already gave the girls their presents. I think they are treating today as just a normal day.

>140 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba, and Merry Christmas to you as well. We will see the girls after dinner tonight as well for some Christmas cuddles and probably the Grinch cartoon for the 40th time :)

>141 cushlareads: Merry Christmas, Cushla! Nice to see you here

>142 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori. Merry Christmas! Spirit week was fun for Chloe but a lot of work for me. Thankfully she loves dressing up and was excited to have something fun to wear every day

>143 mahsdad: Merry Christmas, Jeff! Hope you have a great book year in 2019!

>144 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! Hope you have a great holiday with your family!

>145 kidzdoc: Merry Christmas, Darryl. Hope your mom is doing better!

Best wishes to you for a very merry Christmas!

Hi Chelle!

I thought I'd posted the other day but must have not finished my thoughts. I thought The Dinner was well done but agree that the characters are totally disagreeable.

Sorry you had to work Christmas Day but am glad Santa was able to make a special delivery to your house beforehand.

I also hope that work was quieter than anticipated for you.

Chelle, you are a Wonder Woman to be able to keep up with your lovely family, returning to work, and reading books and posting here on LT and FB. I admire your energy and wish you could transport some of it to me. Haha. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Thanks for visiting, folks! I'm at work on my last shift of four and can't wait for 1600 hours today!! We have a little family party to go to tonight and then nothing for the whole weekend. I plan to stay in my jammies at least one whole day!

I finally was able to open my Christmas book exchange from Mark! He spoiled me with four books! I hadn't heard of any of them and I look forward to digging in to them!

Blackout by Connie Willis
Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit
Dog Blood by David Moody
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh

>148 AMQS: Thanks, Anne! Hope you had a good holiday!

>149 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Work was quieter than normally, thankfully, but still full of tragedy for others which always brings me down a bit at the holidays. I am hoping to breeze through today with nothing bigger than a traffic ticket and then enjoy four days off!

>150 Donna828: Ha, thanks Donna. I'm running low on energy today as I caught another chest cold from Chloe. It has brought me down pretty low and my coworkers are avoiding contact with me, for obvious reasons lol

140) The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin

I was happily surprised by this novel. I had read Cronin's vampire apocalypse series The Passage and loved it, but wasn't really expecting literary fiction quality writing from him. This one touched all the feels and kept me very interested. I would have finished it soon had I not been reading it over Christmas.

Morning, Chelle. Glad you like the books. Looking forward to your thoughts. I hope work goes smoothly. And yah, for jammie day!

I have The Summer Guest on shelf. I have been meaning to get to that one for a few years now.

Happy last day of work for the year, Chelle! My hubby and I also have a stay in pjs day planned for our New Year's long weekend.

Don't know if you saw that Diana Gabaldon announced Book 9 will be released in 2019? You're one of the people around here I knew would be thrilled by the news. :D

>153I think you will enjoy The Summer Guest. I wasn't sure about it when I picked it up but I was pleasantly surprised!
I started Blackout today and it's humming along nicely!

>154 MickyFine: Whoot Whoot!! I had not seen that update, thanks! Looks like she has confirmed that there will be a book #10 too!!

I have started my 2019 thread!

I doubt I will finish any more books in 2018 so feel free to pop over to the future and hang out there :)

Thanks for all the holiday pictures, Chelle! I'm glad the girls got their Christmas, even if it was early. But I think Ellie got shorted in the photo department. I'll bet she's old enough this year to really get into Christmas.

I was going to try the Ami McKay Witches novella despite your meh vote, but the price has put me off.

Be aware, when you start Blackout, that it's only the first half of the story which concludes in All Clear--you'll want to read them together.

>119 ChelleBearss: Oh my gosh! I love those themes and Chloe looks awesome for ALL of them!!

>151 ChelleBearss: Hurray for LT Secret Santas! And Mark. : )

Heading over to your new thread.

>157 ronincats: Hi Roni! Yes, I guess that Elissa did get shorted in the picture department! Here are a few of her opening her presents
I was looking at the series list for Blackout and apparently it's the third in one series, and first in another. I wonder if I should have read the previous two first?



>158 Berly: Thanks, Kim! It ended up being fun, but a lot of work. Chloe had fun though so it was worth it

Here is my breakdown of 2018. This was my best reading year since I started tracking in 2011 with a whopping 140 books read, beating my previous best by 15 books!
My original goal for 2018 was 100 books and when I hit that I then bumped it to 150. I missed my goal by 10 books but I had a few months late in the year in which I didn't do much reading. My goal for 2019 will be 150 books.



140 books
🎧 Audio books: 29
eBooks: 58
dead wood books: 53

Best of 2018
5🌟
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
🎧The Stand by Stephen King
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

4.5🌟
Soulless by Gail Carriger (series)
Broken Girls by Simone St James
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
The Hush by John Hart

My Goodreads breakdown

Congrats on a great year!

Love your wrap-up statistics and graphics!

>159 ChelleBearss: Blackout and All Clear are part of a larger time travel universe that Willis created, but you won't lose anything from not having read either of the previous books. The biggest thing is that if you do go back and read the previous two books set in that universe, you'll know a bit more about the time travel rules than the characters in those books as each book includes some learning of just how the mechanics of time travel works.

I'm looking forward to your new thread for 2019! Happy New Year!

What a great reading year you've had, Chelle! Congrats!

(PS: How do you get that GR breakdown??)

>161 norabelle414: Thanks, Nora!

>162 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! I found the last one on Goodreads!

>163 MickyFine: Oh, I see. Thanks, Micky! Have you read the whole series?

>164 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer! I have my 2019 set up as I probably won't finish another book this year

>165 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! I found it on Goodreads. I have no idea how to get to it in Goodreads so just google "goodreads my year".

Hi Chelle!

Bill, Jenna, and I are watching Outlander. We've seen seasons 1 and 2 before, but Jenna hasn't, and although the end of the first season was, as always, very tough to watch, we are happily in Paris with Jamie, Clare, Murtagh, and now Fergus. I did a binge-read of books 1-8 in 2016. Gabaldon's website doesn't say Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone will be out in 2019, but I did find her confirmation on Twitter, which I don't follow. But, yay!

>114 ChelleBearss: Chloe is so very pretty! Congratulations on spending so much time with your children, and helping to make the Christmas a great experience for all.

>165 katiekrug: I was wondering the same thing! Go to your profile (hit upper right icon, and your profile is the first option) Then just below your Reading Challenge (if you have that) is Your Year in Reading.

>169 raidergirl3: - That's so weird, because I don't have that option. Just below "Reading Challenge" is "Kindle Notes and Highlights."

I was able to Google it as Chelle suggested and access it that way...

>166 ChelleBearss: I have indeed. All of them are excellent in very different ways but highly enjoyable regardless.

Morning, folks. I thought today was starting out so awesome and then the world showed me how very wrong I was!
My phone rang at 830 and I quickly realized that the whole family had slept in! Chloe didn't wake up for almost an hour after that but when she did get up she was too weak to walk down the stairs, had a fever of over 102 and had a pain in her side. So off to the hospital we went to find out that she now has the flu. Shoot. We are home and she is now resting on the couch with some fluids and her tissues box handy :(

>167 karenmarie: Isn't that great news! Something to look forward to in 2019 for sure. I am all caught up on the seasons and am waiting to watch the new one tonight while Nate is at work

>168 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! The nurse at the hospital today congratulated me on making such a cute kid, LOL!!

>169 raidergirl3: Thanks! I wasn't sure where that was to be found

>170 katiekrug: Glad you found it!

>171 MickyFine: Great, thanks! I am slowly working my way though this one. It's taking a while so I don't think I'll finish it this year

Poor Chloe! Poor Mom!

Oh no: sorry to hear about the flu. Wishing a speedy recovery.

Love the graphics: the covers together like that look v impressive.

Sorry to learn that the flu has come to your home. Poor Chloe! :(

Chelle, that sounds miserable for Chloe. I hope she's soon over it.

>173 katiekrug: OH NO! Poor Chloe (not to mention poor you)!! I hope she gets well soon and that the rest of you don't get it.

>172 ChelleBearss: Aww poor Cloe, and poor you, Chelle.
I hope for a speedy recovery!

Hi Chelle, I hope that the dreaded Flu bug goes away quickly for you all. We would like to wish you, Nate, Chloe and Elissa a very happy new year and hope that 2019 is also a good one, sending love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

Morning, folks and happy New Year's Eve! (And for some of you that are ahead, Happy New Year!)
Chloe is feeling better this morning and already driving me up the wall! Some of you that are on my FB may have seen the video of Chloe and Elissa playing horses last night. Clearly she isn't that sick after all!

>173 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! I could use a nap!

>174 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! That graphic is just a screen shot of my 2018 book list.

>175 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori! I am hoping we all recover quick! I've already had my fill of illness for this year!

>176 susanj67: Thanks, Susan! I'm more miserable than Chloe today lol

>177 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! She seems better today, thankfully

>178 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! Hoping for a rapid improvement today as I work tomorrow :(

>179 johnsimpson: Happy New Year, John!

Oh, poor Chloe - and poor Momma! I'm glad she's feeling better and I hope you're recovering, too!

Glad to hear that Chloe is feeling better today, Chelle. Hoping your New Year's Eve is quieter than ours - they are replacing our roof today, and it is very LOUD here.

I hope that Chloe is better today. And, of course, I hope that the rest of you and the rest of your family does not come down with the dreaded flu.

May your 201 be filled with light and laughter and all the things that make you happy!

>181 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! She is happy working on her Brain Quest workbook this morning. I think she is missing the routine of school

>182 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! Glad to see you here. Sorry that your house is so loud today but won't that be awesome to have a new roof!

>183 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! Hope you have a great 2019!

This is what our day looks like today. PJs, bubble guppies, workbooks and generally relaxing

Hi Chelle!



Wishing you a new year filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and all the wonderful books you could wish for.

>185 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori! Happy New Year!

>186 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen! Same to you!

I am ending the year and calling it for books. I've abandoned one more that was totally boring The Spy Who Came in from The Cold. It's supposed to be the best spy novel but it bored my socks off and I called it at 70 pages

DNF


Please consider this thread closed for business and please join me at my 2019 thread!