LadyoftheLodge 5 CATS

I think I will focus on the number Five. So, five categories with 5 books each:

5 books about Cats (ha--a little pun)
5 mysteries
5 biographies/memoirs
5 history books
5 kids books

For the books about cats, I will probably look at the Magical Cats mystery series.
Biographies--I just downloaded a boatload of short bios, and also acquired a few about the British Royal family, so that will give me something to choose from.

Not much creativity went into the categories, I fear. They resulted from a conversation one evening with my husband. His reading tastes are very different from mine, so he challenged me to read the nonfiction books. My selections for history and biographies will no doubt lean towards the literary and artistic or stuff about women, whereas his expertise lies in American history and military history.

That sounds like a very good plan to me! :) Have a great reading year!

My husband and I read quite different books as well, although we do come together over police procedurals and certain types of westerns. Here's hoping 2019 is a great reading year for you.

Good luck with your reading!

Have fun with your reading!

I think it's very common for people to have completely different reading tastes from their partners. We have very very little overlap in this house - I think when we got together we both had pretty extensive book collections, and probably fewer than 10 duplicates.

>8 Jackie_K: That sounds familiar! We combined households when we got married in 2016, and our book collections had little overlap. Biggest problem was to find space for all of them!

I decided to also read a bunch of the Newbery Award books for the 2019 Challenges. First, I looked up the list of winners and honor books online. Then I went through my extensive book collection and pulled out the ones I own. There were many more than I thought! These have been stacked up together in a crate for ease of access.

After making my list, I matched them up with the AlphaKit and BingoDog challenges, and this will work well! I can also fit them into some of the other category challenges, including the 5 Book Challenge lists for myself. I am really excited to get this going! I like this idea because it gave some direction to what I will read in 2019, although I am sure I will read lots of other books too. This will be like getting reacquainted with some old friends.

If anyone has some faves in the Newbery Awards or Honor Books, please post them for me. I will work on setting up my threads so I can list out my finishes. Thanks for all the encouragement.

Good luck. I'm sure I'll probably read at least five in most, if not all, of those categories.

Good luck with your reading in 2019!

I just spent the last couple of days organizing my reading for 2019, labeling with sticky notes and stacking up books. I also keep a written journal of the books I am reading for the various challenges. Otherwise, I would get lost! I am ready to go!

I like all 5 of these categories especially books about cats, mysteries and kids books.

Five Cat Books
1. Whittington by Alan Armstrong
2. Pie by Sarah Weeks
3. Fat Cat Art by SvetlanaPetrova and Zarathustra the Cat
4. A Timeless Celebration by Dianne Ascroft
5. The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
6. Lupin Leaps In: A Breaking Cat News Adventure by Georgia Dunn
7. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly

Five Mysteries
1. A Maigret Christmas by Georges Simenon
2. The Darkness Knows by Cheryl Honigford
3. Something Read, Something Dead by Eva Gates
4. Wicked Wildlife by Mildred Abbott
5. A Timeless Celebration by Dianne Ascroft
6. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
7. Deadly Deception by Hope Callaghan

Five Biographies/ Memoirs
1. Good-bye, Christopher Robin by Ann Thwaite
2. Who Was Anne Frank? by Ann Abramson
3. Who Was Queen Elizabeth? by June Eding
4. Who Was Beatrix Potter?by Sarah Fabiny
5. Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
6. A Fortunate Grandchild by Miss Read

Five History Books
1. Dog Diaries: Sweetie
2. So You Want to be President
3. Amish Voices by Brad Igou
4. What Was Pearl Harbor? by Patricia Brennan Demuth
5. What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? by Jim O'Connor

Five Kids' Books
1. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
2. Whittington by Alan Armstrong
3. When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne
4. Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace
5. When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street by Elsa Okon Rael
6. The Musubi Man: Hawai'i's Gingerbread Man by Sandi Takayama

Additional Newbery Medal or Honor Books
1. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
2. Whittington by Alan Armstrong
3. Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
4. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
5. The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
6. Blue Willow by Doris Gates
7. Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
8. The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
9. Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm.
10. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
11. Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary
12. A Gathering of Days by Joan W. Blos
13. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
14. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
15. Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Cleary
16. Missing May by Cynthia Rylant

Found you! I am looking forward to seeing what you read!
I also have an interest in the British Royal Family, both past and current, so I will be looking for some new books for me to read there.
And I LOVE, LOVE reading kids and young adult books. I have read many of the Newbery and Caldecott books before (and will be reading many again in my reading through the 1001 Childrens Books challenge). I haven't read the most recent ones though.
And your pictures look great!

Nice pictures. Happy reading in 2019.

>21 JayneCM: I read many Newbery and Caldecott books in the past also. Re-reading will be like visiting old friends.

Good luck on your challenges! Happy New Year!

Wow, I just got back from 15-day cruise, which included New Year's Eve onboard the ship, anchored in Aruba. Talk about fireworks! Those folks start setting off huge strings of firecrackers at noon, and spectacular fireworks all day until midnight for the grand finale!

>27 LadyoftheLodge: Wow! You must have had the best time!

>28 JayneCM: The New Year's Eve part of the cruise was fun. The rest of it was the "cruise from hell," unfortunately. Too long a diatribe to write it here, just all kinds of stuff went wrong from beginning to end.

>29 LadyoftheLodge: How disappointing! Hopefully you can have another holiday soon to make up for it!

>30 JayneCM: Looking at another cruise in February, with a different cruise line (the one we usually use) instead of trying something new. I hope spring is here when I get back! Ha!

>31 LadyoftheLodge: Exciting! I'm sure it will be a better experience this time, especially if you have used them before and now what to expect.

Just looking at my own challenge lists--I guess I need to read a history book here, as that is the category for which I have read nothing yet. . . .

Hi! I saw on the TBRCat thread that you had read Carney's House Party. I'm curious what you thought. I've read the Betsy-Tacy series so many times since I was a kid, but for some reason I've never read any of the other Deep Valley books.

>10 LadyoftheLodge: My favorite Newbery Award & Honor books from childhood are E. L. Konigsberg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (winner) and Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth (honor). They're both still charming and funny and magical.

I think the best book I've read from the list is Cynthia Voigt's Dicey's Song. It's the 2nd book in a 7-book cycle and I'd highly recommend the whole thing. It's classified as YA because of the age of the protagonist, but would appeal to a lot of people who don't usually read that genre. (I only got around to reading them 2 years ago. I tore through them, handing them off to my sister who also tore through them before giving them to my 81-year-old mother, who hasn't read or been interested in anything that'd be classified as YA in over 60 years and is loving them.)

The majority of the Newbery books I've liked best are classics that most people interested in the list have read, but Jacob Have I Loved is one that's maybe not as well-known that's really stayed with me.

AlphaKIT:
Year-Long: X, Z--When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street
January: Q, A--Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Whittington by Alan Armstrong
February: K, O--Dog Diaries: Sweetie by Kate Klimo and Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
March: U, L--A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck and The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
April: B, M--Blue Willow by Doris Gates and Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
May: H, V--What Was Pearl Harbor? by Patricia Demuth and The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
June: J, D--Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm and Deadly Deception by Hope Callaghan
July: C, P--The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall and Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
August: N, I--Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind by Judy Finchler and Oh How I Wished I Could Read by John Gile
September: F, W--Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary and Amish Front Porch Stories by Wanda Brunstetter
October: G, T--A Gathering of Days by Joan Blos and Molly Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
November: S, Y--Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan and A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
December: E, R --Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Cleary and Missing May by Cynthia Rylant

>34 madhatter22: This is the first of the Deep Valley series that I read. I like the evocation of a seemingly gentler time, although I am sure it is an idealistic view of things. It was a fun read, especially the descriptions of some of the college stuff the girls did, and the entertainments the Crowd enjoyed in the summer.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is on my list for AlphaKIT next month. I have not read the others you listed, but will check them out. I started with the Newbery winners that I have in my home library--I was surprised at how many I own! I think I bought them when I was in library school--I have a specialization in children and YA librarianship.

RandomCAT:

January: Your Name in Print--The Darkness Knows by Cheryl Honigford
February: Holiday or Travel--The Provincial Lady in America by E.M. Delafield
March: Brexit--Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
April: The Rooster aka Tournament of Books, alternative other award winner--Blue Willow Newbery Award by Doris Gates and Miss Hickory Newbery Award by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
May: Dancing--Masked Ball at Broxley Manor by Rhys Bowen
June: Cards--Black Coffee by Agatha Christie
July: Birds--The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
August: School--Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois
September: Equinox--Sweet September (Home to Heather Creek) by Kathleen Bauer
October: Knock-Offs etc--An Unforgettable Christmas by Ginny Baird
November: Childhood Memories--Samantha Learns a Lesson by Susan Adler
December: D-E-C-E-M-B-E-R--A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

TBRCAT:

January: First in, last out--Carney's House Party
February: A book you borrowed to read and still haven't got to--Something Read, Something Dead for NetGalley
March: Book acquired on/for trips or for a special occasion--Anne of Green Gables
April: Book originally acquired for an LT group read or challenge--Lupin Leaps In: A Breaking Cat News Adventure
May: Book that I keep looking at, but never manage to open--The Colors of All the Cattle by Alexander McCall Smith
June: Book bullet--And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
July: Book by an author with more than one book on your TBR shelf--Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
August: Book purchased with great excitement and with plans to read right away that is somehow still on my tbr a year later--The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith
September: Classics I feel I should read--Persuasion by Jane Austen
October: Book purchased because of its visual appeal--The Blue Faience Hippopotamus by Joan Grant
November: Book given to me as a gift--Limu the Blue Turtle and His Hawaiian Garden by Kimo Armitage
December: A book I bought because it was so cheap--Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep

SeriesCAT:

January: Series in translation--A Maigret Christmas
February: YA/Children's--Carney's House Party
March: Series by a favorite author--Wicked Wildlife
April: Series you've been meaning to get back to--Till Death Do Us Tart Bakeshop Mysteries
May: Newest book in a favorite series--The Colors of All the Cattle by Alexander McCall Smith
June: Series that are definitely complete--Black Coffee by Agatha Christie
July: Genre: fantasy--Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
August: Series set in a country/region where you do not live--The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith
September: Genre: Mystery--The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer
October: Historical series--Molly Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp (American Girls series)
November: Series with a female protagonist--Here Comes Santa Paws by Laurien Berenson
December: Series that's new to you--Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano

CalendarCAT:

January: Winnie-the-Pooh--Good-bye, Christopher Robin
February: Pet Day--Dog Diaries: Sweetie
March: Old Stuff Day--A Timeless Celebration
April: Sibling Day-- Till Death Do Us Tart
May: My sister's birthday--Secret Sister: An Amish Christmas Tale
June: Seafarer's Day--Deadly Deception: A Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery
July: Bastillle Day--One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan
August: Sister Day --The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo
September: Read a Book Day--The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer
October: Teacher Day--Molly Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
November: Universal Children's Day--Samantha Learns a Lesson by Susan Adler
December: Christmas--Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

BingoDOG:

1. Book made into a movie--Good-bye, Christopher Robin
2. Main title has 6 or more words in it--Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
3. Title contains a homophone word (such as hair/hare, slay/sleigh, there/their/they’re)--Assaulted Caramel
4. Weather (title contains a weather word, or book involves/centers around a weather event)--Snowbound with Betsy
5. Book has an LT rating of 4.0 or more--Carney's House Party
6. Book in translation--A Maigret Christmas
7. Prize-winning book--Ramona Quimby, Age 8
8. Children’s/YA book, or reread a childhood favorite--When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street
9. Graphic novel--Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel
10. Food-related title or topic--Pie
11. Read a book bullet (meaning another LT member inspired you to read it)--The Darkness Knows
12. Book mentioned in another book you have read--When We Were Very Young
13. Animal on cover/in title/plays a significant role Whittington
14. Short stories or essays--Howards End is on the Landing
15. Debut novel--The Darkness Knows
16. Book about/featuring siblings--Ramona Quimby, Age 8
17. Book with an artistic character--Who Was Beatrix Potter?
18. Fairy tale (classic or reworked)--Musubi Man: Hawai'i's Gingerbread Man
19. Author uses middle name or middle initial--Maud Hart Lovelace--Carney's House Party
20. Cover has at least two human figures--Good-bye, Christopher Robin
21. Part of a series--Getting Old is a Disaster
22. Alliterative title--The Darling Dahlias and the Poinsettia Puzzle
23. Topic or character related to medicine/health--Out of My Mind
24. Eastern European author or setting--Catherine: The Great Journey
25. Read a CAT Good-bye, Christopher Robin--January CalendarCAT

I finally got in another one for the Biography category--Who Was Anne Frank? which I must have read in the past since it was already in my library. We are going to see a stage play version of The Diary of a Young Girl tomorrow, so I wanted to be ready and remind myself of the background. I read the book years ago, and keep wanting to get to it again.

Also found two graphic novels I want to read--Anne's Diary and Sense and Sensibility (Marvel). I found out what chibi's are too!!:*)

I finished Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. This did not live up to its expectations. She name-dropped too many people with whom I was not familiar. Organizing my books as she did would drive me nuts--I would never find anything, and would end up buying too many duplicates because of that. (I end up buying duplicates anyway, even with my relatively organized home library. I am sure I have a copy of her The Woman in Black somewhere since I recall seeing the play twice.

Just read Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. I am fairly certain that I read this a few years ago, maybe when I was in library school, for a YA seminar course (which, by the way, was fabulous). This was a Newbery winner or honor book. It is about a child who has cerebral palsy, confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak or do much for herself--but smart as a whip! I liked knowing what the young lady was thinking, and felt so sad for how she was treated by her fellow students. My experiences as a teacher and school principal tell me this is a fact, however, and underscores the cruelty of kids, and the fear that arises when we encounter someone who is different from ourselves. I thought it ended rather abruptly though, and the tragic occurrences at the end of the book seemed all lumped on top of each other. (However, this is sometimes the way life is, right? Trouble seems to breed more of same!) 4.0 stars

I am still reading the Who Was . . ? series for kids. Just finishing Who Was Beatrix Potter?. I cheered for her perseverance at publishing her work and making her own successes. I have a larger book (for adults) about her, but this little tome covers her life in a nutshell, so to speak. I also have a volume of her complete works, and some of the littler versions of her work, which I purchased from the library book sale. 5 stars

I thought by now I would have at least one more cat book to add to the list of my challenges. I am not quite done with one for that category though; it was a Christmas gift book from my sister.

Wicked Wildlife by Mildred Abbott, another in the Cozy Corgi mystery series. I started this one and left it for awhile, finally finished. This one was not as well written as the others in the series, and I was disappointed in how long it took to get to the scene that revealed all. The character accused of murder was a very minor character and had little part of dialogue in the storyline. Although all my fave quirky folks were there, I felt disconnected from the story. I read this one out of order (it was #8, and I already read #9), so maybe that was it. I hope #10 is better. 3.5 stars

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst is a kids book that I read years ago. It just seems to be very appropriate sometimes, and yesterday was one of those times. We had torrential rain, our lake was the highest it has been in years and the spillways could not handle the rain since it was coming down so fast, our landline and internet went out, and the water carved paths in our driveway as it was running down, and music rehearsal was cancelled, which was probably a good thing. I love this book, and read it for BingoDog Challenge.

Pie by Sarah Weeks, for BingoDog challenge. This story of a girl and her aunt who is a champion pie baker, connects to the reader on several levels. It is the story of the loss of an extraordinarily kind-hearted woman and how her influence of pie baking continues on long after she is gone from this earthly existence. The moral of the story: care most about friends and family and be kind, to find your own version of success. Quite a surprising ending! This was a fast read and a good kid book. 5 stars

Just finished Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I loved this book, and read through this orphan's story in a few hours while traveling. It was fun to think of PEI, which I visited last year. 5 stars

Finally back home from a fun cruise vacation, but a shock to go from warm weather to cold weather again. I got a lot of reading done though, especially while on the plane. Finished The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter for NetGalley. I have read quite a few books by this author, and this one did not seem as well written. It was also a lot more overtly preachy than her previous books. 4 stars

>50 LadyoftheLodge: That's sad. I wish Christian book editors would do more editing or insist upon further revisions.

>51 thornton37814: I agree with you. I thought maybe this particular series was being ghost written by someone else. It just seemed off to me somehow. Others who reviewed the series loved the books though. I also do not like being "set up" with a cliffhanger, so I have to read the next one to find out what happens.

Finished Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? in the "Who Was" series for kids. I found out quite a few new facts about Mozart, even though I thought I knew about his life.

I also finished A Timeless Celebration for NetGalley, which was okay, but I figured out who the thief was early on in the book. The author took way too much time on some of the scenes, and especially the wrap up at the end. It stretched my belief when the main characters did not report the theft of a valuable antique watch to the police. I really liked the main characters though.

I read a book from my childhood Snowbound with Betsy by Carolyn Haywood, for the BingoDog challenge. I enjoyed this book as much as I did when I was young and read all the books in this series. I was fortunate to find most of the series in a used book sale at our local public library, which made me sad to think of them as discards. Maybe the librarians thought the books were too dated for kids today. I love the illustrations too. The whole book reminded me of times before video games and internet, when kids actually played with each other and their family members, and made things out of discarded jewelry, buttons, cloth, and other stuff (which we did when we were kids).

Yippee! I finished my BingoDog challenge--covered 'em all! Here are my reads from this weekend:

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (much loved book from my childhood, and a Caldecott winner, commentary on progress too.)

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Harsden which went right along with my recent rereading of the novel itself.

Catherine: the Great Journey by Kristiana Gregory, in the Royal Diaries series for young kids, similar to the Dear America series.

Fat Cat Art by Svetlana Petrova and Zarathustra the Cat, a book I received from my sister for Christmas and is a crazy trip through art history, ginger cat images inserted into great art work. I have to admit that I got an art education through this book, in an offbeat kind of way.

Congratulations on getting a Bingo blackout!

>54 LadyoftheLodge: Excellent work!

Congrats on getting this finished so early in the year!

>55 lkernagh:, >56 rabbitprincess:, >57 MissWatson: Thanks! I tried really hard to coordinate my reading on the challenges!

Congratulations on filling in your complete bingo card!

Congratulations on your Bingo success! Last year I tried to spread it out over the year and ended up rushing to finish in December.

>59 DeltaQueen50:, >60 VivienneR: Thanks! I got done really fast this year. Last year it took me until May to get my Bingo card finished.

Just finished two more--The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, which is a past Newbery Honor Book, for AlphaKIT Letter U. This was on my TBR pile for years, and was recommended to me by my dearly loved departed spouse. He always read the Newbery books as soon as the awards were announced. (He worked at a bookshop. Alas, both he and the bookshop are now departed.) This was such a page-turner! I am glad I kept going with it, as I was tempted to set it aside after the first 128 pages. The story tells about a dog and three cats that live underneath the house of a wicked man. There are other animals too: snakes, birds, a huge alligator. The chapters are very short. Themes include revenge, good vs evil, the inhumanity of mankind, love, and paying a price for our actions. Aspects of myth and legend (selkies, mermaids, sirens) are also part of the mix. Highly recommended! 5 stars plus

So You Want to be President was an interesting compendium of facts about past presidents. It is worth reading just for the drawings, although I would read the updated version, since mine does not include recent presidents.

Just finished Sense and Sensibility graphic novel version. I found the tiny print difficult to see, and did not really care for the art style used. I got more muddled up trying to keep the characters straight than when I read the novel or listened to the audio version. It was fun to read though, a little diversion. My husband got a great kick out of seeing me read a "comic book" as he said. 3.5 stars

Another finish for NetGalley. Me for You by Lolly Winston was a real winner for me. The author deals with grief, bereavement, and starting over. She uses humor and compassion to approach a difficult subject, as she describes Rudy's attempts to come to grips with the loss of his wife and start a new life chapter. Having been widowed, I can say that the author knows her subject, accurately describing the roller coaster of emotions the ensue after the loss of one's spouse. (Humor here too--Rudy's foray into internet dating is quite laugh worthy.) 5 stars

Also A Deadly Feast by Lucy Burdette, a culinary mystery set in the intriguing Key West. Having been there, I could easily picture the locations she described. The plot was believable, and the characters enjoyable, with not too much unbelievable sleuthing by amateurs.

Just finished An Amish Reunion for NetGalley, and also Blue Willow by Doris Gates for my Newbery Books personal challenge. I am sure kids today would have a few questions about Janey in Blue Willow, since her dad is a migrant worker. Following the loss of their ranch in the Dust Bowl years, Janey and her mom and dad seldom live in one place for any length of time. Her dad is always looking for work, so they are always moving on. This book does inform the reader of what it was like during this time in the history of the United States, in addition to being a good story.

>62 LadyoftheLodge: I have also had The Underneath unread on my shelves for a long time. You make it sound so much more interesting than I thought it would be so I will try to get around to reading it this year.

>65 LadyoftheLodge: I remember liking that one when I read it years ago. I must have read it during the period in which I kept a reading diary before LT because it has a rating but not a review.

Another finished book: Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey. This is another for my Newbery winner personal challenge reading list for 2019. I read this book when I was a kid, and it was fun to read from the perspective of an adult. This is a whimsical tale of a little doll made of twigs, and her life through the seasons. She is helped along by a variety of different animals. The story put me in mind of the saying that one who puts you in a mess is not always an enemy, and one who gets you out is not necessarily a friend.

>68 LadyoftheLodge: Oh wow, I had not thought of Miss Hickory for 50+ years. Going to check it out at the library!

Two more completed: Till Death Do Us Tart by Ellie Alexander, part of a series featuring the same characters in the town of Ashland, Oregon. I enjoyed the interactions of the characters and the plot twists. I felt as if this one was not as good as the others in the series. The book needed close editing to get rid of typos and word usage errors. The mystery was not wrapped up to my satisfaction--we never found out how the PI was killed, and the evidence was not conclusive as to the perps. Still fun, still like the quirky characters. This one has been on my TBR list for at least a year and has traveled quite a lot in my backpack without being read.

Perilous Pottery by Mildred Abbott, next in the Cozy Corgi series. This one had interesting plot twists, and the same familiar characters found in other books in the series. I liked the book overall, but there are some grammar errors that appear in the other books too, and need to be corrected (my own personal quirkiness, I guess). I also found the interactions between the main character and her new love interest to be annoyingly overdone and mushy. No one is that perfect and beautiful! Love the dog though!

A couple more: Fulton J. Sheen by Alexis Walkenstein which is a selection of works from Fulton J. Sheen's writings, part of my spiritual reading for Lent.

Lupin Leaps In by Georgia Dunn, a very cute and silly graphic novel about cat life as seen by cats and reported as if they are news reporters. This is what my husband would call a comic book, which I guess it is. Anyone who owns cats would see the humor in it. The only thing I objected to was a section that included a political commentary strip on gay rights, which seemed out of place with the rest of the book. I am just thinking about how I would explain that strip to a child who was reading the book, since this book is appropriate for kids and adults.

For NetGalley, both of these on my Kindle--The Amish Spinster's Courtship by Emma Miller (I plan to read more by this author, as I thoroughly enjoyed this book) and Amish Voices by Brad Igou (a compilation of articles selected from 25 years of an Amish newsletter Family Life.

A Fortunate Grandchild by Miss Read--This is one of my tried and true go-to authors. I enjoyed reading this memoir of short articles about Miss Read's childhood in London, focused on her relationships with her grandparents and uncles. I am sure I read this one in the past, as it has been on my home library shelves for many years. It was fun to get in touch with life in the early 1900's. I am sorry that Miss Read is no longer writing on this earth, as I love her books.

>72 LadyoftheLodge: I just requested the Igou book through NetGalley. It sounds intriguing. I agree with you about Miss Read. Her books are delightful.

>73 thornton37814: I will be interested in what you think of the Igou book. I continue to read a lot of fiction and non-fiction books about Amish people. I grew up in northern Indiana and we often visited towns where there were large Amish populations. When I was in grad school for my education degree, we visited an Amish school and spent time with the teachers there. I have always been intrigued by them. I think the Amish in general are changing quite a bit, maybe to be able to function in society and business. There is an interesting website called Amish America and I have learned a lot about Amish people from that site too.

>74 LadyoftheLodge: My mother's paternal grandfather was born Amish, but he married a Methodist. They ended up in the Christian Church as a compromise. The family was affiliated with a more progressive group by the late 19th century so I do have a "photograph." Both great great grandparents are buried in Amish cemeteries--one being a family one; the other being a community one. Working with DNA on that line is quite challenging because I'm related to most matches about 6 ways!

First two April reads:

Amish Outsider by Marta Perry, which is a romantic suspense novel set amongst the Amish in Pennsylvania. I especially liked how the story was all tied up at the end, with some surprises and unexpected happenings. A man returning to the Amish culture brings with him some unsolved mysteries and lingering problems, yet finds support and encouragement as he reconnects with family. 5 stars

A Perfect Amish Match by Vannetta Chapman was another great read, set in an Indiana Amish community. Yay, I am very familiar with the places described in the book, another plus for this one! The matchmaker meets her match (pun intended) in this story. Despite the humorous and delightful dating scenes, there are serious notes in the story, as the matchmaker assists her aging grandparents. 5 stars

Another one: Time Remembered by Miss Read. She describes her childhood in the countryside, attending a country school. This served as the impetus for Miss Read to write the Thrush Green and the Fairacre series of books, which I love.

>75 thornton37814: That sounds very interesting! In a former part of my existence (long ago, in a galaxy far, far away) my last name was Yoder. We always said we were probably Amish somewhere! Yoder and Borkholder were the last names of most of the Amish in that area. Even considered joining a local Amish community--for just a New York minute!

>78 LadyoftheLodge: We may be cousins!

>79 thornton37814: Hey, you never know! I never did find all my Yoder relatives.

>80 LadyoftheLodge: If you descend from the YR2 line, we're related. See: http://yodernewsletter.org/amish.html My last Yoder-named ancestor is YR25126. You can explore the various Yoder branches at the site.

>81 thornton37814: Thanks! This is new information for me to explore.

Just finished two for NetGalley that have been waiting on my Kindle: Awesome Achievers in Technology by Alan Katz (rather goofy, but okay for middle schoolers I guess, and I wondered how the author selected what to include. He seemed to skip some rather obvious choices) and The Bishop's Daughter by Patricia Johns (an interestingly dark Amish novel, not what I usually expect, but addresses some family problems).

Also What Was Pearl Harbor?, which I actually bought in the bookstore at Pearl Harbor (overview of what happened on that fateful day and how it thrust the USA into the war. Written for kids, but a good overview for anyone).

Two more finishes while on the motor coach to and from seeing Hamilton in Chicago.

Masked Ball at Broxley Manor by Rhys Bowen Prequel to the other Royal Spyness novels
The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg Took me awhile to get into this one, but it was worth the finish. Geeky kids are cool too! And kindness wins out overall.

Finished two more this week:
Secret Sister: An Amish Christmas Tale by Sarah Price This one had a surprise ending, but in a way I was not surprised. An elderly widow receives surprise gifts that help her recall the good things in her marriage, and also bring her family together. As a widow, I could really understand her viewpoints (although I am remarried now). I liked the alternating between two different views and time periods. Have a few tissues ready if you read this one!

Buzz Books 2019: Young Adult Spring/Summer for NetGalley (too many fantasy novels for my taste, but I think the youngies like them).

>85 LadyoftheLodge: I read another Sarah Price Amish book this month and found it enjoyable.

Finished my first two for May!
The Colors of All the Cattle by Alexander McCall Smith. This has been on my TBR pile since it was published. I still like the gentle humor and all around kindness that permeates these books. I read most of them but skipped two and now I need to get back to them. I feel as if Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are members of my family. 5 stars

Buzz Books 2019 for NetGalley which included lots of different choices and fairly hefty excerpts of them! Two in particular are ones I hope to read.

>86 thornton37814: Which one did you read? I have a few more of hers on my Kindle TBR list.

>88 LadyoftheLodge: It was The Amish Cookie Club. It was an ARC. It's due out the 28th.

Oh Yeah! I got that one from NetGalley and is on my Kindle even as we speak.

Two more from NetGalley that have been languishing on my Kindle:
The White City by Grace Hitchcock--A sort of true crime fiction novel, based on the serial killer of the Chicago World's Fair. I enjoyed the historical detail and the storyline that incorporates the crime thread.

City of Flickering Light by Juliette Fay--This is a tale of three young adults trying to make it big in the early days of talking pictures in Hollywood. There were some hilarious scenes in the theater, plus interesting insights into the lives of would-be actors.

>91 LadyoftheLodge: This is just an FYI to let you know that the touchstone for the Grace Hitchcock is going to the wrong book. The book it's going to is The Devil in the White City which is also about the killer at the Chicago World's Fair.

Thanks for the heads up! I hope it is fixed now.

For NetGalley:
The Artist Who Loved Cats by Susan Bernardo
The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis
The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen (I need to go back and read the others in the series. I was totally at sea at the beginning. This is obviously the third in a series and the reader is expected to know what is happening from the get go. I felt like I walked in at the middle of the movie!)

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm--I am sure I read this book for a YA Seminar in library school, but it was so much fun to read it again. The book tells the story of Turtle, a girl who goes to live with her relatives in Key West in 1935 due to financial hardship. This situation opens up a whole new family and a whole new life for Turtle. She has many adventures with her all-boy cousins,, who run a baby care service as the Diaper Gang. A lot of the book is laugh out loud hilarious! I did wish for a somewhat different ending though.

Having been to Key West, the book meant a lot more to me than when I first read it. Good historical info at the end. The book was somewhat biographical, as the characters are based on actual people, many of whom are family members of the author. This was a Newbery Book, so it will go on my Challenge list of Newbery Award Winners or Honor Books. 5 stars

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie--I read this book years ago, and have seen it on the stage at least twice. I was still surprised by the ending! What a twist! This is for a Category Challenge in June, just getting a head start!

Finished two while on a short trip to South Dakota:
Black Coffee by Agatha Christie--a novelized version of her play. I found it slow going, and it seemed as if I was reading the play and all the stage directions. This was turned into a novel by an actor.

Deadly Deception by Hope Callaghan--This is number 4 in the Cruise Ship mystery series. The author is quite prolific and has several cozy mystery series going. This was the first one I read in this series, and I quite enjoyed it. I have a few more on my Kindle. The author definitely has a handle on cruising and the layout of the cruise ship.

Another for NetGalley: The Healing Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter. This is the third in the Prayer Jar series, and all the loose ends are finally tied up. 4 stars

Also The Amish Cookie Club by Sarah Price for NetGalley

One for NetGalley: Sweet on You , which was a romance and mystery.

Just finished One Summer in Paris for NetGalley. I did not like the ending, and also the use of the "f-bomb". One hot sex scene, also not necessary for the storyline. I did enjoy the evocation of Paris in summer, and the growth of the characters throughout the story. They were better people at the end of the book.

Finished The Noble Guardian for NetGalley. Lots of suspense and action along with romance.

Finished Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly, cute magical cats mystery and the first in a series. I have read others in the series out of order, so I wanted to go back to the beginning.

Finished Shelter from the Storm (North Country Amish) by Patricia Davids. This was an Amish fiction novel, which I read and reviewed for NetGalley. I really enjoyed the theme of this book, which dealt with an unwed Amish mother. I have not found many Amish fiction novels that deal with controversial topics, although more of them are starting to show up. 5 stars

>103 LadyoftheLodge: I've noticed in summaries I've read recently that more are being set in more progressive communities as well. They aren't all "Old Order" any more.

Yes, I am seeing that as well. I like getting a different perspective on the Amish cultures.

Guarding the Amish Midwife by Dana R. Lynn for NetGalley. This book really had a twist at the end. I almost stopped reading it at the outset, as it seemed to move slowly, but I was glad I persisted. Very suspenseful, and reminded me of a movie titled "Witness" which I saw ages ago, about a similar situation in which an Amish boy witnessed a crime.

I also finished What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? by Jim O'Connor. This is part of the history series written for kids. It explained the battle in simple terms that made sense. One of our fave travel trips was to Gettysburg, and I was able to relive memories of the driving tour that took us through the battlefield in chronological order of the battle. This book finishes my History category for 2019--yay!!

Just finished The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. I loved this book the last time I read it in Library School, and I love it just as much. 5 stars

This book reminds me of the "family" stories I read as a child, such as the Betsy, Tacy, and Tib books by Maude Hart Lovelace and the B is for Betsy series by Carolyn Haywood. (Maybe even The Bobbsey Twins books by Laura Lee Hope. I think we read them all!

Finished The Little Teashop on Main for NetGalley. This was a good beach read, but I had a hard time engaging with it and the characters.

I am finally getting back here! I finished several for NetGalley:
His Convenient Royal Bride--a fun read, very light, but the ending was not very satisfying or consistent with the main character's actions in the rest of the book.
More Than Words Can Say--fun historical fiction, excellent, 5 stars
The Key to Happily Ever After--great read about three sisters running the family wedding planner business--5 stars
The Guest Book--I could not get into this one, found the movement of action from person to person and time period to time period very confusing.

I decided to go into August with some of my fave "teacher" reads in honor of back to school, especially since I am a retired teacher and "No more teachers, no more books!" (Unless they are books I choose to read, course.) These are all books for kids.

Oh, How I Wished I Could Read by John Gile
Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark
Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates
Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind by Judy Finchler and Kevin O'Malley

>110 LadyoftheLodge: It seems so strange how schools keep pushing back start dates. We didn't start until after Labor Day and got out at Memorial Day back when I was in school. Then it just kept pushing back further and further into August, and now school begins in July. I feel sorry for the kids (and teachers) who don't get to enjoy summer. I know schools used to run around agricultural schedules. I'm glad I grew up in an era where kids had summers off.

>111 thornton37814: I have thought the same Lori and when I was growing up I had the same school schedule you did. Since the schools have air conditioning now August classes are possible where I live. I don't think anyone would have learned anything before, it would just be too hot. Most of the private schools here go year round with some 2 or 3 week breaks at certain intervals. It wouldn't surprise me if the public schools went to a similar schedule. One of the men in my family teaches and he says that won't happen because the schools revolve around sports and that wouldn't suit the sports schedule.

>111 thornton37814:
>112 clue:

Some public schools in my State (Ohio) do go year round, but they do get 2-3 weeks off now and then. The sports seasons are still the same.

>111 thornton37814:
>112 clue:
>113 Tess_W:
Many of the schools now are on a "balanced" schedule, so they get longer breaks throughout the year. Lots of them build in "snow days" here too in the Midwest.

When I was a teacher in the public schools, the teachers started the day after Labor Day and the kids came a day or two later. We got out in the beginning of June. It is tough to keep the kids interested in school when the weather seems like summer time outdoors. The private and public schools are on the same schedule here.

>114 LadyoftheLodge:, Yes, when I began teaching (32 years ago) we only had to go to school 165 days. Today we must attend school 180 days (Ohio) hence the extended school year.

>115 Tess_W: Same here in Indiana! Teachers in some school corporations have to work 200 days. When I started to teach in 1975, we had 165 days of school also. I am not missing it at all.

Just finished The British Brides Collection for NetGalley. As is often the case, the stories were fun and quick reads, but of unequal quality. Two had very interesting settings--an apple orchard and a rare books library!

I also finished reading The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith. I read them out of order, but have now finished reading the series. I hope there are more in the series. I don't really like some of the new ones he is coming out with.

We had 180 days of school in Mississippi back in the 60s/70s. Of course, our district may have been the exception. Still I dislike the fact students are losing opportunities to mingle at summer camps with people from other areas because school schedules no longer match. There are other reasons I dislike year-round schooling, but that is one of the big ones.

I agree with your thoughts. Summer is so short now, for teachers as well as students. I understand the rationale about kids losing a lot of academic ground in some cases with longer vacations, but that idea also assumes that learning does not take place outside the classroom. Summer camps also provide lots of socializing and meeting new people.

I read part of The Golden Bride for NetGalley. I am not sure if that counts, since I skimmed and scanned some parts and other parts I read in their entirety.

I just finished several books for NetGalley while I was traveling.
Roll With It by Jamie Sumner
Amish Front Porch Stories by Wanda Brunstetter et al
Mrs. Sommersby's Second Chance by Laurie Benson
Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh by Lucy Brownridge

I finished The Brides of the Big Valley by Wanda Brunstetter for NetGalley and Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary for the September AlphaKit.

Two finished for September:
The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer
Sweet September (Home to Heather Creek) by Kathleen Bauer/Tricia Goyer

One more finish: Jane Austen, Her Complete Novels in One Sitting by Jennifer Kasius. This tiny little book includes all five of the Austen novels in summary.

Another finish! This is for NetGalley, and was a thoroughly enjoyable and humorous read. Nothing serious here, just fun.
The Golden Oldies Guesthouse by Dee MacDonald

Just finished Amish Christmas Kitchen by Gould et al for NetGalley. This book contained three novellas, set at Christmas time. Each story centered on family situations, but from different perspectives. I especially appreciated that the novellas did not portray the Amish as perfect or sugary sweet, but as people with their own problems that are like those of us in the English world.

>126 LadyoftheLodge: Sounds good. I love Christmas stories!

I read a few more for NetGalley:
The More the Merrier by Linda Byler--Another Amish story, set in the 1930s. It was a bit sad at the beginning because the main character had so many depressing experiences. The main idea of the story is really about combining two families the difficulties encountered in the process.

The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman--This was interesting to me because it was set in Goshen, Indiana. The main idea of the story is not Christmas or matchmaking, but rather focuses on plans to establish a new Amish settlement in Texas. The main characters try to deny their growing affection for each other, but all is wrapped up in the end. Lots of humor and verbal interplay between them.

Christmas by the Lighthouse by Rebecca Boxall has little to do with Christmas really. The story focuses on the disintegrating marriage of the main character, the illness of her lover, and their efforts to start a new life together. I guess the idea of getting married before having a baby together is an old-fashioned idea, right??? Maybe I am just showing my age here, since I think morals must be different now.

>128 LadyoftheLodge: Christmas stories that aren't Christmas-y are disappointing!

>129 thornton37814: That is for sure! I kept wondering when they would get to the Christmas part! How do they come up with these titles anyway? I wonder if these titles are designed to catch an audience that delights in Christmas stories.

Just finished The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice which contains three novellas about love that are set in Moonbright, Maine, and all are touched with a bit of magic at Halloween. I thought the main premise of the stories was cute, and the emphasis on family ties in the first story added depth to the plot. My main objection was the inclusion of so much sexual detail. This definitely demonstrated the passion between the lovers, but I did not really want to know whose body parts were where. The plot and humor of each story was enough to carry the character and relationship development without it. A little mystery and lack of detail is a lot more spicy than all the particulars. I prefer that the writer leave something to the imagination of the reader.

Another finish for NetGalley: SeaCity Rising which is the story of pond dwellers who take on a quest so as to save their pond from the "dark cloud" that is destroying the environment. Blatant message about how humans are destroying the planet, but still a cute story that will appeal to young readers, with its animal heroes and silly puns.

I just finished a few more for NetGalley:
Love at Pebble Creek
Siha Tooskin Knows the Love of the Dance
The Christmas Remedy
Amish Second Christmas

Here are two that I read for the Category Challenges this month:
A Gathering of Days by Joan Blos
Molly Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
Both of these are re-reads and I enjoyed them very much.

I just finished several for NetGalley:
We are the Gardeners--family oriented book on gardening
A Gingerbread Romance--fun Christmas read until the epilogue just ruined the ending
Death of a Gigolo--very humorous mystery in a fun series

And these for the TBR challenge:
The Blue Faience Hippopotamus by Joan Grant
An Amish Christmas by Richard Ammon

>135 LadyoftheLodge: Oh, romance novel epilogues -- they're almost never worth it!

>135 LadyoftheLodge: Too bad there was an epilogue in that Gingerbread one.

>136 christina_reads:
>137 thornton37814: I think the epilogue probably worked for the screen version of the book, just did not do it for the print version. Totally unrealistic.

Another finish for NetGalley and also fit for Category Challenge RandomCAT
An Unforgettable Christmas by Ginny Baird--This one was also a Hallmark novel, loosely based on A Christmas Carol by Dickens. The main character was a Scrooge like person, very business like, who cut himself off from his past. After suffering a concussion caused by a fall on the ice, he loses some of his memory, but reconnects with his past, his dad, and his friends, and falls in love. He almost loses all he has gained once his memory returns, but saves the situation in the "Nick of time" (pun intended). Another epilogue, but this was better than the Gingerbread Romance one.

I just finished two more for NetGalley:
Alaskan Catch by Sue Pethick--a contemporary mystery/romance set in Ketchikan, Alaska. Having been there a few times, I loved the realism of the setting and the insights into the fishing industry and also aikido. Cannot get the touchstone to come up.
A Christmas Haven--follow up to The Christmas Remedy by the same author, featuring the same characters and addressing a culture clash within the Amish. Loved the strong women in these novels.

One more finish for NetGalley--Here Comes Santa Paws which is the first I have read by Laurien Berenson. This was a great cozy mystery, with a story within a story. Besides, a book with a happy dog on the cover has a lot going for it!

>141 LadyoftheLodge: I haven't read any by her either, but I enjoy Christmas books.

Several for NetGalley while I was travelling:
Christmas Every Day by Beth Moran--funny and a good read for travel, not too serious, a story about a young woman whose life has gone all wrong, and how she started anew, met new friends, and rehabbed an old house.
Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott--had a lot of potential, but missed the boat for me. I like the cover art, but dislike the main character. Reminded me of Joanne Fluke novels too much.

For NetGalley:
New Beginnings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard
Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes

For Challenges:
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Samantha Learns a Lesson by Susan Adler
Limu the Blue Turtle and His Hawaiian Garden by Kimo Armitage

I completed A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck. I love this book and have read it several times. I want to be Grandma Dowdel when I am old! This was for AlphaKit November.

I just finished It Won't Be Christmas Without You by Beth Reekles. (The touchstone won't show up for some reason, although the book is on LT.) The comment I have for this book is "Oh what fun. . ." although not referring to a sleigh ride! This tale of two sisters serves up lots of fun, romance, and laughter, with a final focus on family loyalty. Twin sisters Cara and Eloise alternately love/hate each other, but sisterly affection wins the day as they try to decide how and where to spend Christmas. Throw in a fun mum and dad, some new boyfriends, food, workplace drama, and wintry weather, and out pops a contemporary holiday mix of mayhem and love. This is listed as the author's first go at writing a book for adults. I hope it is not her last., as I loved the characters and laughed a lot.

Readers should be advised that this work is set in England and uses British witticisms and turns of phrase. Additionally, it is liberally sprinkled with colorful vocabulary, so do not be offended if you choose to read this one!

I just finished Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, which is a hysterically funny read about a really quirky family. (But then, we all have some quirks in our families, right?) This is the first one I read in the series, but I already ordered used copies of some of the other ones. The ending of this one packs a punch, a great set up for the next ones in the series. I did not see that one coming!! If you want a fun and easy holiday read, this might fit the bill for you.

>146 LadyoftheLodge: >147 LadyoftheLodge: Putting both these on my list for my cosy Christmas reads all year for 2020! I love Christmas books all year round so why not?

>147 LadyoftheLodge: That one just arrived at the library today. I suspect one of the other librarians will want to read it first, but I'll keep it in mind.

I just finished A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan for NetGalley. This one really focuses on a family, the members of which each have unspoken concerns for which they need support. The wedding of the youngest daughter brings it all to a head. This novel is for adult readers, since it has some explicit sexual content.

I am currently reading Diamond in the Rough for NetGalley. It started out slowly, but got better as I went along. I also have been WAY too occupied with making lists for 2020 reading challenges.

>151 LadyoftheLodge: I've been consumed with making 2020 reading lists and scouring my shelves as well!

>152 DeltaQueen50: I am probably driving my husband nuts. I keep writing little notes on stickies and perusing my bookshelves, saying, "I have to look for a book." He reads a lot and it is very different from what I read. He does not make reading lists either!

>147 LadyoftheLodge: - I love Sophie Kinsella stories when I need a fun escape from crazy real life. Great review!

I just finished Once Upon a Dickens Christmas for NetGalley. Three short Victorian novellas. They were sometimes depressing, but stuck to the theme very well. Each story features Charles Dickens as a character too, so that is a sort of twist!

>155 LadyoftheLodge: Sounds interesting, even if they were depressing.

I just finished Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Cleary and Missing May by Cynthia Rylant. I read both of these years ago, but I like to re-read kids books sometimes.

I just finished Christmas at Maplemont Manor: A Novel by Julie Manthey for NetGalley. This was a cute holiday read, which was a self-pub by the author. No one else on LT has this or has reviewed it, apparently. I liked the story, although I hope it had some editing before it was released. Sometimes I am itching to edit the books I read!

>158 LadyoftheLodge: Sometimes I am itching to edit the books I read!

YES AND AMEN!

>158 LadyoftheLodge: Oh my, me too! Apparently so are other people as sometimes I borrow library books and someone has penciled in corrections.

>158 LadyoftheLodge: >160 JayneCM: Maybe we should "red ink" a copy and mail it back to the publisher!

>161 thornton37814: Some books I definitely want to do that as I cannot believe they have been through any editing process at all. Maybe some publishers think spellcheck is sufficient!

>162 JayneCM: Sometimes I think they did not even do a spellcheck.

The word usage errors and sentence structures drive me crazy. I teach college courses online and see these kinds of errors with my students, but I would think published works would be much more carefully edited.

>161 thornton37814: For sure! Christmas at Maplemont Manor was one of those. It was a self-pub, but still. . . .When I posted my review, I sent in notes to the publisher about the need for editing. I don't like to put that kind of thing in my reviews, but some people do that on Amazon reviews. I think those comments have sometimes resulted in revised editions.

>164 LadyoftheLodge: I rarely post my reviews to Amazon. I generally just do LibraryThing and GoodReads. If a publisher specifically requests Amazon, I'll add it. I also post to my blog if it is an ARC.

>165 thornton37814: As you said, I rarely post them on Amazon, unless the publisher asks. I just post them on NetGalley and on LibraryThing. I am not sure how credible the Amazon reviews are, and they are sometimes full of typos or word usage errors.

I just finished Conversations with Dickens and The Bake Shop which are both for NetGalley. I enjoyed both of them. Currently reading Let it Snow by Nancy Thayer.

Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer was a fun and fluffy holiday read. This was one for NetGalley, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

An Alaskan Christmas by Jennifer Snow was a book that unfortunately I could not finish. The main plot of outdoor adventures and search and rescue, set in Alaska, interested me greatly. However, the swear words and slang terms for sexual body parts really threw me off. These occurred early in the book, so I saw no point in going on. Too bad! This is apparently the first in a series, which I will not be reading. I did write the NetGalley review though.

>168 LadyoftheLodge: Sounds like the Alaskan one is one I should avoid.

>169 thornton37814: I was shocked and surprised by this book. It seemed like (gasp!) pornography. I do not think I have come across anything like this in years. There was no clue in the book description about this kind of content.

>170 LadyoftheLodge: I'd seen the book listed elsewhere, but I'm glad I didn't request it. I've not been requesting as much from NetGalley lately as I've been trying to catch up with other commitments.

>171 thornton37814: I am guilty of requesting far too many from NetGalley. I usually try to make them fit into my reading categories.

>172 LadyoftheLodge: - They do have a wonderful selection of ARCs to choose from!

>173 lkernagh: Yes, they do! I always find something there. I try to be faithful to reading the books and reviewing them, staying under the three month mark.

I finished several for NetGalley.
Christmas Sweets by JoAnne Fluke and others--Three cute holiday mysteries.
Siha Tooskin Knows the Nature of Life and Siha Tooskin Knows the Gifts of His People --both kids books about the Nakota culture, both by Charlene Bearhead
A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer--Interesting read about the Atlanta Exposition, which I knew nothing about.
One Week Til Christmas--A cute Christmas story that was sort of boring at times.
Puddin on the Blitz which was so confusing I could not get into it. This author has many books in print, but I found the main character to be majorly boring and way too wordy.

>175 LadyoftheLodge: On those Fluke et al Christmas books, I usually like Fluke's the best, then Meier. I usually find Levine's to be mediocre, although one or two have been better.

>176 thornton37814: Levine's books do seem uneven in quality. I liked some better than others. They often seem to me to read like scripts for TV comedy shows. Re. Joanne Fluke--I think the most recent books are getting repetitious. Hers are also uneven in quality. Maybe ghost writers, or running out of material?

I am still working on NetGalley reads this month. Just finished (skimmed) The Little Bookshop on the Seine which was a cute and quick read. I seem to be getting a lot of those lately.

>177 LadyoftheLodge: I haven't kept up with Fluke. I intended to read one of those 3-book-sets at Christmas that I hadn't read yet, but I just didn't have time. It was getting close to due time, and I hadn't opened it, so I just returned it to the library. I'll leave it on the Overdrive wish list. Maybe sometime this year? I'm considering doing a "12 months of Christmas" thing where I read one Christmas book each month to get some of the ones accumulating on my wish list off of it. They'll all be checked out closer to Christmas anyway.