GenesisDiem Reads in 2022

I'd like to keep track of what I read in a year. I suspect it will be romance/ mystery heavy because those are my comfort books but I would also like to add in some non-fic this year to balance things out. I purchase a lot in that genre because it looks interesting and then they sit on the shelf. So I should remedy that. :)

My 2022 goals:
50 fiction books (75/50)
25 non-fic (2.5/25)

I wish you all luck in reaching your goals this year! Happy Reading!

Welcome to the group, GenesisDiem. Good luck with achieving your goal.

>1 genesisdiem:
Yes, welcome to the group. Sorry to be late in greeting you. Best of luck with your reading goal.

>2 Sergeirocks: , >3 Carol420: Thank you!

Fiction 1/50
Damsel in Green Betty Neels, 1970
This is one of Neels' nurses romance books. The nurse is asked to privately treat the small ward of a doctor and they fall in love...

I had 5 DNF this week so I went back for a reread. Neels' books are about hard-working girls who get their fairytale ending. It's good fluff.

Books purchased last week (and yet still in a "nothing to read" mood right now)

NF 1. The Penguin Historical Atlas of the British Empire Dalziel
NF 2. The British Empire Ashley Jackson
NF 3. After Tamerlane John Darwin
NF 4. Unfinished Empire John Darwin
NF 5. Dispensing Beauty in New York and Beyond Annette Blaugrund

.....

F 6. City of Girls Elizabeth Gilbert
F 7. Abigail's Shop Rachael Herron
F 8. Wildwood Whispers Willa Reece
F 9. Yarned and Dangerous Sadie Hartwell
F 10. A Cursed Inheritance (book 9 Wesley Peterson) Kate Ellis
F 11. The Aviatrix Violet Marsh
F 12. The Collectors (books 1 &2) Susannah Sandlin
F 13. The Crime at Black Dudley Margery Allingham
F 14. The Orphan of Cemetery Hill Hester Fox
F 15. Treasure Hunter Security (books 1-8) Anna Hackett
F 16. Sage Westfield (books 1&2) Rebecca Alexander

Fiction 2/50
The Doctor's Girl , Betty Neels (published by Harlequin in 2001 but it was originally a Mills&Boon from earlier)

Another reread. Class starts this week so I'll probably switch to NF soon.

This one is between a receptionist and a doctor. Basically, she has no family, no training, and no prospects but she's a kind and wholesome girl. He adores her but he's worried about the age difference (14 years, pretty typical for Neels' books) but she doesn't mind. HEA.

Fiction 3/50
Stealing her Best Friend's Heart Tara Randel, 2021

This was a Harlequin Heartwarming and it was just ok. I feel like the author was clearly setting up for a series and there was a very minimal, slow-moving plot. Girl from poor background was best friends with the rich boy. They're both now grownups and mostly successful. Their grandmothers matchmake. There's some family drama (taking over the family business). There's some minor action (dream house burns down before it's finished). But it's a HEA and the ending sets up the next book.

Books purchased last week

NF 1. Making Faces John Prag
NF 2. Studies in Crime Carol Heron
NF 3. Death and Burial in the Roman World JMC Toynbee
NF 4. Tombs, Graves, and Mummies Paul Bahn
NF 5. Earthly Remains Andrew Chamberlain
NF 6. Archaeology of Death and Burial Mike Pearson
NF 7. Human Remains in Archaeology Charlotte Roberts
NF 8. Essential Chomsky
NF 9. Neither Snow nor Rain Devin Leonard
NF 10. The Unknowns Patrick O'Donnell
NF 11. Overnight Code Paige Bowers
NF 12. Speed Girl Stephan Talty

....

F 1. The Moving Toyshop Edmund Crispin
F 2. Weekend with Death Patricia Wentworth
F 3. Truly Dead Anne Frasier
F 4. Lady of Ashes Christine Trent

Fiction 4/50
Love, Lacey Donovan Jill Brashear, 2020

Had quite a few DNF this week and struggled to complete this one. The writing was ok but the story was so-so.

Girl moves around often due to family issues and meets a guy that makes her want to stay/go/stay, etc. I just felt they acted immaturely given their ages and the plot seemed like it had gaps. The characters were a bit 2d/incomplete and there was setup for more books in the series. Also, one sex scene is enough, anything else is word count filler.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. A Brief History of Time Stephen Hawking
NF 2. Who Says You're Dead? Jacob Appel
NF 3. The Harvest Gypsies John Steinbeck
NF 4. Ladies of the Magna Carta Sharon Connolly
NF 5. Tracks Robyn Davidson

...

F 1. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Philip Dick
F 2. Sister Witches of Raven Falls Cozy Mysteries 1-4 Nyx Halliwell
F 3. Cider House Rules John Irving
F 4. Lonely Hearts Bookshop 1-4 Annie Darling
F 5. The Stories of Ray Bradbury
F 6. Chaos Iris Johansen
F 7. What's Eating Gilbert Grape Peter Hedges
F 8. And Dangerous to Know Elizabeth Daly

Fiction 5/50
Escape from Desire Penny Jordan, 1982

I was looking for a book with a little adventure but this story did not age well.

She is a secretary with an engagement to a stuffy, "safe", (and quite frankly obnoxious) old money guy. She goes on a vacation by herself to a British island in the Caribbean, where she gets taken hostage by guerrillas (lots of colonialist political views). Of course, an Army colonel who happens to be a James Bond type also gets taken and he helps them escape. During their escape, he more or less forces himself on her (except she's ok with it bc he's hot stuff...) and he realises she's a virgin. Then she gets bitten by a toxic spider and wakes up in a hospital, only to realise he's taken off....

Then the second half starts. She goes away for the weekend to break it off with her fiancé, and the army guy turns out to be the rich guy next door. He tries it on with her again (interrupted) even though she's "engaged" and she gives in. Then she discovers she's pregnant from the first time and decides to go be on her own. Except the army guy turns out to be the new client at work... where he tries it on again and brings in another woman to flaunt... even after he finds out she's expecting bc he thinks it's the fiancé's. Until a few weeks (months?) later he rescues her in the rain and basically kidnaps her to tell her that he loves her and will accept the baby (and then realises it's actually his) and they live happily ever after...

So yes, a little over the top but very typical for the 80s style melodrama tv of the time. And the forced love scenes were very "in" during the late 70s, early 80s.. but yeah, it was just not for me.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. All Things Bright and Beautiful James Herriot (I've been watching the new tv version)
NF 2. No Stone Unturned Steve Jackson
NF 3. The Witch Ronald Hutton
NF 4. The Immortal Count Arthur Lennig
NF 5. Life Everlasting Bernd Heinrich
NF 6. Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates Gary Kurz
NF 7. Out of Africa Isak Dinesen

...

F 1. Swimming Pool Mary Rinehart
F 2. Ballad of the Sad Cafe Carson McCullers
F 3. An Exhibit of Madness Kerry Charles
F 4. Romance of the Forest Ann Radcliffe
F 5. The Librarians Trilogy Greg Cox (I think I watched all of these on tv)
F 6. The Librarian and the Spy Susan Mann
F 7. Tiger Eyes Judy Blume

Fiction 6/50
One Intimate Night, Penny Jordon, 1999

Vet takes care of an elderly lady's large, crazy dog. Grandson comes along and demands the vet train it properly. They fall in love...

I felt like the book was a bit 2/d and forced. It had a few cute moments but overall, it just didn't seem complete. I was looking for a romance with cute animals but this could have been better.

Place holder for Sunday's purchase list... I'm away right now so will have to catch it up on Wed.

Fiction 7/50
Never Fall for your Fake Fiancé , Kate O'Keeffe, 2022

Book 3 in a series but I think they work as stand-alone. I read the first 2 and preordered the 4th. Clean. Sort of funny. Always includes a silly pet.

This book had a girl who was a museum assistant and she meets a mayor’s assistant. Her mother is after her to settle down, he needs a potential spouse to advance his career. She’s madly in love with a coworker who doesn’t like her (and turns out to be a louse) so she doesn’t notice that the fake guy is falling for her. Then she falls for him and they get together.

There was some minor stuff added in that just kind of seemed like filler but it didn’t really detract. And even though it is a new book, the story was still relatable. Sometimes authors rush through later books in a series to meet a deadline and this had just a touch of that. But it was still good.

Fiction 8/50
Heaven Here on Earth, Carole Mortimer, 1983

An art student is gifted 3 weeks at a home studio by another student so that he can spend the time alone with her roommate. Only he didn’t tell his family she was female and his older brother is “furious”. Insert small town humor, a lovable mutt, a younger sister, and lots of misunderstandings….

It was an ok book. I felt like could have been fleshed out more and some of the misunderstandings were a bit OTT. But it was good enough to pass an afternoon.

Books purchased last (2) week(s):

NF 1. AARP Checklist for my Family
NF 2. When Books Went to War Molly Manning
NF 3. The Face of War Martha Gellhorn
NF 4. The Mind of a Murderer Richard Taylor
NF 5. Icebound Andrea Pitzer
NF 6. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Dee Brown
NF 7. Empty Mansions Bill Dedman
NF 8. Vanderbilt Anderson Cooper
NF 9. All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days Rebecca Donner
NF 10. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Jean Bauby
NF 11. You Don't Belong Here Elizabeth Becker
...

F 1. Vials Alec Peche
F 2. Grey Mask Patricia Wentworth
F 3. Legends of the Fall Jim Harrison
F 4. More Than Human Theodore Sturgeon
F 5. The Reader Bernhard Schlink

Fiction 9/50
Love Next Door, Helena Hunting, 2021

Girl moves home to help out the family business because her brother gets into trouble. She falls for the grandson of the recently deceased woman next door who has come to stay for the summer to avoid his own trouble. They fall in love and rescue each other.

It was ok. I'm not sure about getting the second book though. There was definitely a lot of word filler instead of story and the conflicts seemed put in to fit the formula. It was readable but just ok.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. The Birth of Britain Winston Churchill
NF 2. A History of Religious Ideas Mircea Eliade
NF 3. The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing Mark Kurlansky
NF 4. The Rituals of Dinner Margaret Visser
NF 5. Zen in the Art of Writing Ray Bradbury
NF 6. Anatomy of a Song Marc Myers
...

F The Lost Letter Mimi Matthews

(It was a slow week. Also, I really should be reading the texts for this final paper due in a month...)

Fiction 10/50
Desert Moon Jennifer Taylor, 1995

A girl who works in advertising calls an old friend to escort her to an event so that she can avoid a lecherous client. The friend isn't there but an acquaintance is and he shows up at the last minute. He ends up talking his way into an ad campaign for this client and it is decided that they will be photographed in Egypt. While there, the girl questions what exactly this guy does for a living, esp after she gets kidnapped. He rescues her, they hide out for a bit, then she returns to her boring life and misses him. They end up together in the end.

I feel like there were large parts of this story missing. The mystery of what the guy actually did for a living and how it affected their relationship was kind of glossed over. It was like a non-story. I'm not sure but the plot just seemed off/ incomplete. Maybe it was meant to be part of a series.

Fiction 11/50
Sign Me, Speechless in Seattle Emily Dalton, 1998

Girl writes an advice column and the guy is a Duke who's on a lecture tour of the US. His staff left his employ due to some advice she gave them, so he demands she act as his secretary for the remainder of his tour. Her boss agrees, hoping for a story out of it, and off she goes. They go back and forth flirting but she decides they're too different. So she challenges him to spend time working on her family's farm before he goes back to the UK. Of course they fall in love but he still leaves. Then she gets a letter asking for advice about a lost love...

So this book was basically multiple Jane Austen books all in one. It was decent writing/ editing and a "modern" take. But it wasn't original and the plot was a little rushed. It was just an ok read.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. The Dressmakers of Auschwitz Lucy Adlington
NF 2. Fortune's Children Arthur Vanderbilt
NF 3. Island of the Lost Joan Druett
NF 4. Ultimate Book of Everyday Knots Geoffrey Budworth
NF 5. Prepper's Long-Term Survival Guide Jim Cobb
NF 6. How to Stitch an American Dream Jenny Doan
NF 7. Neither Here not There Bill Bryson
NF 8. Chasing Ghosts Marc Hartzman
NF 9. Wildcat John Boessenecker
NF 10. Reluctant Genius Charlotte Gray
NF 11. Pity the Reader Kurt Vonnegut
NF 12. Confessions of a Bookseller Shaun Bythell
NF 13. A Walk in the Woods Bill Bryson
NF 15. Untamed Will Harlan

....

F 1. Murder by the Book Lauren Elliott
F 2. The Face of Deception Iris Johansen

Fiction 12/50
Bound By Contract Carole Mortimer, 2000

Sigh. This isn’t the first I’ve come across a book where the lead couple are not related but do share a sibling… and that’s just a little too close for my comfort. Basically, the girl is brought in to play the lead in a new movie produced by her godfather and directed by his protegee. Except turns out, she and the director share a brother from when her mom and his dad had an affair. They still end up together and everyone is happy.

The writing for this story started off well but fizzled out by about mid-book. Not enough plot. Also, I figured out the “twist” early on but kept reading because I thought maybe someone was adopted… but no. Just not my thing. I don’t get the whole stepbrother trope either. Just my opinion though. Maybe the next book will be better.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Mrs Astor Regrets Meryl Gordon
NF 2. Weaving on a Little Loom Fiona Daly
NF 3. Traditional American Crafts Better Homes and Gardens
NF 4. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Opera Peter Gammond

...

F The Golden Spider Anne Renwick

Fiction 13/50

Dangerous Ground Alison Kelly, 1996

Girl is an Australian cosmetic model who's aged out of her contract. She wants to pay off her father's debts so she takes a last photo shoot by her old agent's(?) son. The photographer wants to snap beautiful landscapes and her nude and make a book. She agrees. They fight insta-love bc he thinks she's living with a boyfriend (her BIL) and thinks all models are vapid, she bc she's afraid it will ruin the shoot. They have drama and drama and drama.

The story just kind of fell flat for me. It seemed to jump around and lacked description in some scenes. Just so-so.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Come Fly the World Julia Cooke
NF 2. Corsets and Codpieces Karen Bowman
NF 3. Seven Kinds of People you find in Bookshops Shaun Bythell
NF 4. The Code Book Simon Singh
NF 5. Bake until Bubbly Clifford Wright
NF 6. A Pocket History of Human Evolution Silvana Condemi

...

F Murder Wears Mittens Sally Goldenbaum

Fiction 14/50

The Return of the Renegade Carole Mortimer, 2011

Physical therapist and her movie star patient. She’s hired by his brother to help him recover. He isn’t interested in exercise but does like her. They verbally spar but she holds back because she’s been wrongly accused of seducing a previous patient. Then a family issue comes up for him and she uses that time to leave. But while they’re separated, he gets another operation to help him better recover and his brother helps her out with the past patient. Then they get back together.

Had read a similar book by another HQN author years ago but this was just a little different. It was ok enough that I looked for the book about her sister and his brother (turned out to be a DNF). Overall it could have used more plot.

Fiction 15/50

Friends and Then Some Debbie Macomber, 1986

Girl is a hotel piano player. Guy is a taxi driver who lives on a boat whilst writing a book. She wants to marry rich so that her grandmother who raised her will be provided for. Guy is her best friend who supports her attempts but he fights being in love with her himself. They get together in the end (also turns out his family's rich but that isn't "revealed" before they get together or at all really). The grandmother is hilarious and could have used a bigger role.

This is definitely an new author book. It was good but not great. Kind of had a Some Kind of Wonderful influence. Could have used an epilogue.

Fiction 16/50
A Lie for a Lie Helen Hunting, 2019

Guy is an NHL captain who goes on a secluded vacation during the off season and meets an awkward animal scientist. They fall in love in their little bubble but he has to rush home for a family emergency and she's left with no way to contact him (esp since he used his "real" name and his family's farm as his). They meet by chance more than a year later and he realizes she's had his baby. Cue awkward girl navigating a star's lifestyle.. but it all works out in the end.

I liked that the characters were fleshed out (perhaps a bit too much) and that the sex scenes weren't OTT. There was real feeling to the story and the secondary characters (that are in the next books) weren't 2d or obvious plants. I'll probably try the next book.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Smithsonian: Fashion DK
NF 2. Casket Chronicles T. Walters
NF 3. Farthest North Fridtjof Nansen
NF 4. A Short History of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson
NF 5. Astronaut Wives Club Lily Koppel
NF 6. Bad Girls from History Dee Gordon
NF 7. Woodworking: The Complete Step-by-Step Manual DK

...

F 1. Breakfast at Tiffany's Truman Capote
F 2. Portrait of a Gossip Melanie Jackson
F 3. Ruby Red Herring Tracy Gardner

Fiction 17/50
A Favor for a Favor Helen Hunting, 2020

Girl is the little sister to the guy in the last book, the guy is his teammate/rival. She's a physical therapist and he gets injured. They fall in love, there's drama bc of her brother and her ex... they work it out.

I like that this book is part of a whole "world" but it makes some parts confusing if you're reading it as a stand-alone. I don't know if I'll read any more of the series because everyone seems so young to me. But overall it's a decent read.

Fiction 17.5/50
The Wrong Suitcase Laura Williams, 2022

Girl and guy arrive separately for a destination wedding and their luggage gets swapped. She gets hers back in time but he doesn't. They finally meet and it is instalove.

I wouldn't call this a novella. More like someone didn't make their deadline. It starts off well, could use an editor in a few parts, and then ends abruptly.

Fiction 18.5/50
Opposites Attract, Jacqueline Lee, 2021
(This book isn't in LT?)

Girl is a science journalist, guy is an NFL quarterback. She moves into a new apartment and falls for her roommate (guy's brother) only to find out that he's gay. The guy hangs around a lot and falls for her. They are good together until their differences become too much to handle. They separate but get back together in the end.

This book was heavily influenced by Big Bang Theory (tv show). It wasn't bad, just very modern. The ending was kind of rushed but ok. I felt like the science facts were put in for filler and some of the secondary characters were 2d tropes. Overall it was just ok.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. No Man's Land Wendy Moore
NF 2. Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea Gary Kinder
NF 3. Affluent Society John Galbraith
NF 4. Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village Maureen Johnson (I love cozies and can't wait to read this satire of them.)

...

F 1. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe Fannie Flagg (I love the movie but heard the book was so different and wanted to read it to find out which I like better.)
F 2. Malice in Miniature Jeanne Dams
F 3. The Group Mary McCarthy
F 4. To Sir, With Love ER Braithwaite (I was told if I liked Dead Poets Society, then I would like this.)

19.5/50

Navy Wife Debbie Macomber, 1988

Girl stays at her brother's apt while he's deployed so she can save money from her new job to afford a place of her own. His roommate unexpectedly returns from deployment. They fall into instalust and get married after 3 weeks because he's leaving for deployment. She forgets to write and he worries. They make up. Then there's an accident and he gets severely injured. He recovers and she says "me or the navy". He chooses navy. Then she decides it's best to stay married and they make up.

Where to start... having been a navy wife, I could relate to a lot of the story but I felt the instalove and the immaturity of the girl was OTT. I appreciate that the guy didn't toss his 15 year career as an officer to be with her. I also liked the camaraderie of the wives. I don't think I'll read the rest of the series though.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Genius: The Life and Times of Richard Feynman James Gleick
NF 2. Life at the Dakota Stephen Birmingham
NF 3. Journeys in the Wild Gavin Thurston
NF 4. Montessori Toddler Simone Davies
NF 5. Women Who Wrote the War Nancy Sorel
NF 6. Life Lived Wild Rick Ridgeway
NF 7. Nancy Wake Russell Braddon
NF 8. Concise Human Body Book DK
NF 9. Natural Wonders of the World DK
NF 10. Desert Solitaire Edward Abbey

F 1. A Borrowing of Bones Paula Munier
F 2. Quilter's Apprentice Jennifer Chiaverini
F 3. Death in Bloom Jess Dylan
F 4. Complete Stories of Evelyn Waugh

20.5/50
A Star Looks Down Betty Neels, 1975

This was a reread but it's been a rough week due to a family funeral. Nurse is asked by a doctor to homecare his sister. They slowburn fall in love. HEA. Neels is good, clean fluff when it's needed.

>39 genesisdiem: Sympathies on your bereavement, genesisdiem.

>40 Sergeirocks: thank you

Books purchased last week:

F: The Dragon Who Couldn't Breathe Fire Yonit Werber (for my nephew to read quietly on my phone at the restaurant)

21.5/50
A Girl Named Rose Betty Neels, 1986

Quiet nurse falls for handsome doctor. Doctor fights his feelings. Nurse is told by random woman that doctor is to be married, so when he does start to fall for her, she pushes him away. It all gets sorted out. HEA.

This isn't one of the better books of Neels' but it does pull in characters from a previous book and is still readable in an afternoon.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Illustrated History of Science Mary Cruse
NF 2. The Victorians: From Empire and Industry to Poverty and Famine John Wright
NF 3. Short History of the Railroad Christian Wolmar
NF 4. Madame Fourcade's Secret War Lynne Olson
NF 5. How Birds Work Marianne Taylor
NF 6. From Here to Eternity Caitlin Doughty
NF 7. Dust Bowl Girls Lydia Reeder
NF 8. Rock Concert Marc Myers
NF 9. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Eric Idle (I loved Monty Python as a teen)
NF 10. Driving with the Devil Neal Thompson (My family were moonshiners and I grew up with those stories, so this should be interesting)
NF 11. Ikigai Yukari Mitsuhashi (feels needed right now)
NF 12. Silent Spring Rachel Carson
NF 13. Girl, Interrupted Susanna Kaysen (I liked the movie so thought I should read the book )

...

F 1. An Amish Quilting Bee Amy Clipston
F 2. Hostile Makeover Megan Bryce ( new enough to not have a touchstone, but I like her other work)
F 3. Sea Castle Andrew Mayne (pre-order for book 4 of the series)
F 4. Murder on the Sea Jane Adams (I can't get this touchstone to work)
F 5. Mabel and the Sock Pirates Elwyn Tate

22.5/50
The Cheat Sheet Sarah Adams, 2021

Cute modern romcom. Girl and guy have been friends since high school. Her professional ballet dreams ended with a car crash so she now teaches. He's an NFL pro. They fake date for the media to help his career. Then the real feelings come out. Cute and clean. Funny friends. Might check out more by the author.

23.5/50
Hostile Makeover Megan Bryce, 2022

I spoke too soon. This was not the best book. It felt incomplete, relied too much on the previous books (which I can't remember) near the middle of the book, and just overall fell flat.

Girl is a business type who comes in to save a failing software company bc their product is to help Alzheimer's patients (like her father). Guy is the owner of the company. This could have been a cute mismatch trope but the story just wasn't there. There wasn't enough about the relationship plot, nor the subplot to really fit a formula for storytelling. So disappointing.

24.5/50
The Heron Quest Charlotte Lamb, 1977

This book was a mess. The girl works for her uncle's tv company, the guy is a producer. They go off to search for more information about a WW2 pilot who wrote poetry. The pilot's story was the only interesting thing about the book and then the author messed that up in the end. The couple were just back and forth at each other, bringing in other people to provoke jealousy, etc. Bleh.

non-fiction 1/25
Ikigai Yukari Mitsuhashi, 2018

I sorta struggled to get into this book. I think every culture has a way they think about finding one's purpose and this book was about the Japanese approach. Basically, ikigai is "the action we take in pursuit of happiness" according to the author. It talked about setting goals and working towards those goals, finding a purpose that made you feel happy. Good advice but nothing new to me. An easy read to pass the afternoon.

non-fiction 1.5/25
Your Guide to not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village Maureen Johnson, 2021

This book was a bummer. It had been sold as a tongue-in-cheek look at English cozy mysteries. What it turned out to be was a comic book that was funny only a couple of times. I'm not sure it would be considered non-fiction since it didn't seem to have any history, background, commentary, facts, etc etc...

Fiction 25.5/50
His Blind Date Bride Scarlet Wilson, 2021

Girl is a navy surgeon who goes onto a dating app and meets a nice guy but before they can have a first date, she gets deployed... only to find out that he's her new boss...

I had a hard time getting over the hooking up while deployed bc that is a huge no-no. And then the girl flips out at the guy for no reason while he's working through his PTSD... This book just tanked for me.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs Richard Smith
NF 2. The Autistic Brain Temple Grandin
NF 3. Italian Folktales Italo Calvino
NF 4. The Secret Life of the Savoy Olivia Williams

Fiction 26.5/50 (I really need to read another novella to get that other .5)

Best of Friends Rebecca Flanders, 1983

Girl is a school teacher who accepts a houseshare situation with 2 other girls and a guy. After 3 years of living together, one night she finds out that he is suffering from PTSD from having been an army medic during Vietnam at 18 (except it wasn't called PTSD then and there wasn't help for it yet). They grow closer and fight their feelings bc they don't want to ruin the housemate dynamic. But then she finds out she's pregnant and he thinks it's her ex's but offers to step up... drama ensues but it worked out. HEA.

Not a bad book. Definitely dated with some of the issues like her being fired for pregnancy (esp unwed). But I felt the pregnancy situation was handled maturely between the couple. I'll probably read more by this author if I can find them in pb (no ebooks yet).

traveling placeholder. will update Tues/Wed when I return.

Books purchased this week (and last... ):

NF 1. The Great Archaeologists Brian Fagan
NF 2. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Margaret Magnusson
NF 3. Flora: Inside the Secret World of Plants DK
NF 4. Science of Yoga Ann Swanson
NF 5. Charm School: 18 Quilts from 5" Squares Vanessa Goertzen
NF 6. The Victorian Internet Tom Standage
NF 7. Charlie Wilson's War George Crile
NF 8. Vikings in America Graeme Davis

...

F 1. The Earl of Brass Kara Jorgensen
F 2. The Scent of Bones Levi Fuller
F 3. Cold Mountain Charles Frazier
F 4. The Alchemist's Daughter Mary Lawrence
F 5. Cocaine Blues (Miss Fisher #1) Kerry Greenwood

Fiction 27.5/50

Just One Touch Mary Anne Wilson, 1997

After so many DNF this week, this was something different enough to catch my attention. It reminded me so much of the Incredible Hulk tv series from the 70s/80s.

It starts off with the guy finding out his research was being rejected so he goes on a drunken bender and injects the serum into himself... only to end up with super speed/instant healing/super strength/ etc. but also side effects like no sleep/ blackouts/ not being able to touch things without crushing them. So he goes to hide out at his old foster parent's place under the guise of helping out the Doc, whilst secretly using the lab there to try and sort himself.

Enter the girl, who is a model that just landed a huge contract, but her first "agent" catches wind of it and demands a hefty cut or he'll reveal that he was really a pimp, blah blah blah. She drives off upset to get away and sort things out, but ends up going over a big cliff into the snow, mangling the car and getting trapped in the middle of nowhere in a snow storm....

Cue mutant man to save her, drama of her hiding who she is, drama of him hiding his super powers, confusion of the Doc not really understanding what's going on, obligatory (not raunchy) sex scene where they figure out how to make it work when he can't touch her....

And of course, it all works out in the end. It was good enough that I basically read it in one sitting. (Perhaps I was just desperate to finally find a readable book this week though?) Might check out more by this author.

Fiction 28/50

Glitched, JC Doan, 2022

This novella had a lot of potential but fell flat. Two girls have a weekly vintage board game night. They find a game at the thrift store that is "haunted" and end up in a Jumanji type world. They meet a crypt keeper who gives them three doors to enter and find keys in order to escape. It ends in a semi-cliffhanger.

So many questions were left unanswered and I really felt this could have been a full novel with a little effort. I don't know if there will be a series after this but I'm not interested in reading it, if so.

Fiction 29/50
Behaving Badly Emma Richmond, 1997

Girl has a temper problem. Guy is a weapons expert who's hired her to help with an actor training session. But there's not much about that, it's more about the drama around her baggage and his distrust. It was just meh.

Books purchased this week:

NF 1. Timelines of History DK
NF 2. Mysteries of the Universe Will Gater
NF 3. The Sherlock Holmes Handbook Ransom Riggs
NF 4. The Little Book of Mathematical Principles, Theories, & things Robert Solomon
...

F 1. Sunny Day Joe Raposo
F 2. Tea Rex Molly Idle
F 3. Silent Dolls Rita Herron
F 4. Celtic Empire Clive Cussler
F 5. Premeditated Myrtle Elizabeth Bunce
F 6. Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder TA Willberg

Fiction 30/50

The Straight Game, Rebecca Flanders, 1986

Unsatisfying and so very 80s. Missing heir books stopped working after DNA and the internet but this predates that and it was a nostalgic reminder of how things were.

The girl is a lawyer for her mother's bff (who owns a large corporation). The elderly woman is dying and wants to find the son she gave up 35 years ago. The lawyer tracks down potential candidates and finds the best one (who is the true heir but also a con man). You know he's hiding something all along but the author could have gone a better direction with this. I was disappointed but did finish it.

Fiction 31/50

The Heartbreaker I adore, Haley Zaragoza, 2022 (not in LT's catalog)

This felt like I was reading a YA... The girl is a librarian who wants to own a bookstore. The guy is a firefighter who is her brother's best friend. She is staying with her brother and the guy is always over and starts to realize he likes her more lately. But the brother is a bit of a block and the couple don't communicate effectively... I think it wouldn't have been a bad story if the writing had been a bit more mature. I probably won't read the rest of the series.

Fiction 32/50

A Nanny for Keeps Liz Fielding, 2005

This was almost too slow of a burn. A woman who works as a nanny is hired to take a small child of a celebrity to her grandmother's. Only upon arrival, the grandmother is in another country and the "uncle" is the only one there. The uncle is recovering from PTSD and injuries he developed whilst working for Doctors W/O Borders. They play happy family until it becomes real. Not bad but could have been better.

Fiction 33/50

Redeemed by her Midsummer Kiss Liz Fielding, 2022

Girl is a disaster nurse, recovering from grief of lost loved ones and trauma of her job. Guy is a war reporter who's "recovering" from PTSD and writing a memoir about his career. They bond over gardening and fall in love.

I liked that this book was a bit more mature than most lately. The "drama" near the end was just about learning to accept the past and moving forward instead of another love interest/ex or stupid miscommunication or whatnot. I have a few books by this author and she's mostly a decent read.

Books Purchased This Week:

NF 1. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth Ina May Gaskin
NF 2. Anatomy of the Moving Body Theodore Dimon
NF 3. Ancient Egypt DK

...

F 1. Little Archaeologist Dan Taylor
F 2. Nothing Can Rescue Me Elizabeth Daly
F 3. The Body Scout Lincoln Michel
F 4. Anatomy: A Love Story Dana Schwartz

Fiction 34/50

The Wild Side, Cassie Miller, 2022

Guy and girl have been friends since their teens and they made a 30th birthday pact to get married if still single. Girl is a vet tech and lives in their hometown, he is a CFO in Chicago. They struggle with the distance and baggage but make it work.

This could have been a cute book with the grandma, little sisters, and kittens.. but no. There was so.much.unnecessary.sex. I'm also not a fan of the "flipped 1st person each chapter" books. And contemporary books just don't have a full, encompassing story to them. It was too much of building on characters from other books in the series (instead of stand-alone) and too much focus on listening to the couple's inner voice. I much prefer a 3rd person, show me (not tell me) book.

Traveling again. Will catch up next weekend.

Fiction 35/50

Sweet Not Always Karen Van Der Zee, 1979

Girl accepts job in Ghana but her resume doesn't arrive before she does. Guy does not want her there bc he thinks she's unqualified. She proves herself but he's still angry when he finds out that she once lived there previously and that's why she acclimated so well. They go back and forth and there are other love interests (a friend from the old days for her, an ex fiancée for him) and then it works out thanks to a married friend.

These older books are so interesting to me because they offer a different look at another time. The adventure of going off to a remote place and finding adventure. These books are also very forward thinking (let's help, not harm the locals) while still being subtly racist (whites vs the others). To see how the writing evolved in Harlequin books over the decades is fascinating for me. And to see the background of the authors and how that reflects in their writing of these adventure romances.

Overall the plot was so-so and very clean. I will probably keep reading the older books bc I like them better but I did have a DNF this week from 1959. The writing was terrible and the racism was appalling. I'm going to attempt to find the first Harlequin romance published and see how it rates.

Fiction 36/50

Our Little Secret Kiersten Modglin, 2021

This "thriller" had rave reviews and supposedly won awards, but honestly it felt like I was reading a Desperate Housewives fanfic....

It's told from 4 POV but not consistently. The writing is juvenile and the different povs do not sound different. The story is disjointed and meant to be "twisty" but it's really just lacking in good plot and storytelling. Also, it's pretty obvious to figure out the ending.

Books purchased the last two weeks:

NF 1 The Girl Explorers Jayne Zanglein
NF 2. The Secret History of Home Economics Danielle Dreilinger
NF 3. The Ocean: The Ultimate Handbook of Nautical Knowledge Chris Dixon
NF 4. Goddesses and the Divine Feminine Rosemary Ruether
NF 5. Code Talker Chester Nez
NF 6. The Cartiers Francesca Cartier Brickell
NF 7. Lost States Michael Trinklein
NF 8. By Water Beneath the Walls Benjamin Milligan
NF 9. Heiresses Laura Thompson
NF 10. The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line Mari Eder
NF 11. Hell and Other Destinations Madeleine Albright
NF 12. Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette Anna Post
...

CF 1. A Perfect Day for Digging Cari Best
CF 2. Flash, the Little Fire Engine Pam Calvert
F 3. The Cartographers Peng Shepherd
F 4. Remains of the Day Kazuo Ishiguro
F 5. Secrets of the Greek Revival Eva Pohler
F 6. Bread Upon the Waters Irwin Shaw
F 7. Unexpected Night Elizabeth Daly

Fiction 37/50

Cassandra By Chance Betty Neels, 1973

Nurse is on break watching after her sister's children when she meets a doctor recovering from a possibly career ending injury to his eyes. She slowly falls for him and he for her. HEA.

Fiction 38/50

Stuck With You Ali Hazelwood, 2022

This book was a short, jumbled mess. Probably another 'rush for the deadline'. Girl meets guy, they're in the same field, they hookup, she thinks he was using her to poach her clients, he was not, they hash things out, the end. Not worth the price.

Fiction 39/50

Instant Gratification Jill Shalvis, 2009

This was book 2 in a series. That didn't matter a great deal but there were sections that felt like I was missing information to the story. Girl was a NY ER doc who went home to take over her dad's clinic in a small town while he recovered from a heart attack. Guy runs an adventure company with his brothers. She, of course, realizes the small town and her dad are worth giving up the big city for... very Hallmark, except for the plot filler sex scenes... probably not going to read the other related books.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Come as you are Michael Azerrad
NF 2. The Knotting & Braiding Bible Dorothy Wood
NF 3. A Life in Death Richard Venables
NF 4. Cryptography for Kids Jennifer Brady
NF 5. The Feather Thief Kirk Johnson
NF 6. The Art of Listening Erich Fromm
NF 7. As Always, Julia Joan Reardon

..

F 1. The Last Crypt Fernando Gamboa
F 2. The Vintage Vendetta Mel Morgan

Non-fiction 2.5/25

The Art of the English Murder Lucy Worsley, 2014

I really wanted to like this book because her tv programs are a good watch. I saw this one recently and thought reading the accompanying book would give more in-depth information on the subject. But while being given facts in story form, with accompanying visuals, for one hour works, trying that format in a book does not. This book was so unorganized, so rambling, disjointed, hard to follow, and very very dry... and basically just snippets of facts pulled from other books instead of an in-depth analysis of the history of the murder mystery genre. I probably won't attempt any more of her books.

Traveling again. 🙂

Fiction 40/50

Obsession Carol Ericson, 2012

This was meant to be a thriller about a serial killer targeting the women preparing for a 10 year reunion. One of the remaining targets is being protected by a neighbor (who was a few years above her in school and is now an FBI agent) after she witnesses her friend being killed.

There is an old house with a backstory and secret passages but it wasn't used very well to advance the plot. It seemed as if the backstory for the house and for some of the characters may have been in another book in the series but they could have used refreshing here. It just fell flat overall.

Books purchased the last two weeks. (no internet available for most of the time...)

NF 1. How to Solve a Crime Angela Gallop
NF 2. America Over the Water Shirley Collins
NF 3. The Bone Woman Clea Koff

...

F 1. The Caine Mutiny Herman Wouk
F 2. Gaudy Night Dorothy Sayers
F 3. The Curse of Arundel Hall J New
F 4. Cleopatra's Dagger Carole Lawrence
F 5. Brideshead Revisited Evelyn Waugh

Fiction 41/50

The Boss, the Beauty, and the Bargain Judith McWilliams, 1998

Girl works for Guy at his ad agency. She is in love with him, he is in lust with her. He needs her to do a campaign for him and agrees to pretend to be her fiancé for a weekend in exchange. Then he falls in love.

This could have been a good book but it used sex scenes as a plot filler and the characters' "inner thought" dialogues were consistently whiny. I would have liked to see more interaction between the characters, more discussion between them, growth in character, etc...

Mid-Year Update

Fiction: 41/50 (really should add more variety to the genres)

Nonfiction: 2.5/25 (clearly I need to work harder here)

Listed books purchased: 231 (there are a lot I don't list, usually old Harlequin)

So I think I can reach my goals by end of the year. :D

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Sparks of Genius Robert Bernstein
NF 2. Embroidery DK
NF 3. Dr. Seuss Goes to War Richard Minear
NF 4. Dancing at the Edge of the World Ursula K. Le Guin
NF 5. Made in America Bill Bryson

...

F 1. The Curious Case of Florence Winters May Bridges
F 2. Tea & Treachery Vicki Delany
F 3. Minoan Mask KT Tomb
F 4. The Persian Always Meows Twice Eileen Watkins
F 5. Had a Good Time Robert Butler

The Dr. Suess Goes To War looks interesting. Adding to my reading list!

>81 JulieLill: I found it mentioned when searching for something else and ended up here: Library Page

Fiction: 42/50

Danger in the Desert Merline Lovelace, 2011

University librarian takes a trip to Egypt with other alumni. There she trips over a small artefact and becomes the target of an antigovernmental group. Of course, a special ops guy has to come and save her.

This was well written but had a cast from various other books in the series that sometimes needed more writing to explain who and why they were relevant. Also, the plot could have been fleshed out a little more in some parts. It seemed to jump from one scene to the next without a good flow (more like a tv episode than a book). Overall though, it was a nice, adventurous escape for an afternoon.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. The Professor and the Madman Simon Winchester
NF 2. The Lost Continent Bill Bryson
NF 3. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword Ruth Benedict
NF 4. Beekeeping for Dummies Howland Blackiston
NF 5. Ham Radio for Dummies Ward Silver
NF 6. Storytelling with Data Cole Knaflic

...

F Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Joanne Fluke

The Professor and the Madman was very good!

Fiction 43/50

Marriage Merger Liz Fielding, 2002

This one was just ok. I usually like LF's books and they're clean but they're kind of sparse on plot. This one may have been because it was book 2 of 3 and I don't think I will read either 1 or 3.

Girl and Guy are pitted against each other because they're part of a group of heirs to a department store competing for control (3 against 3). Girl is a jewelry designer who goes on vacation to get ideas and source handmade goods and the guy invites himself along. They spar (lots of baggage from both), they kiss (very chaste), they take a (here is where the plot could have been so much better) small adventure around the island, they decide to get married (a bit rushed but why not). Overall, just ok.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Threads of Life Clare Hunter
NF 2. Outdoor Survival Skills Larry Olsen
NF 3. Bodies We've Buried Jarrett Hallcox

..

F 1. Oxford Murder GG Vandagriff
F 2. Bone Box Faye Kellerman
F 3. The Face on the Milk Carton Caroline B. Cooney
F 4. Brazen Curiosity Lynn Messina
F 5. Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Fiction 44/50

Playing for Keeps Kendall Ryan 2019

Guy is a pro hockey player and lives with a teammate he's known since childhood. Teammate has a younger sister that is a pre-school teacher. They have a drunken hookup, try to be just secret FWB, and then admit their feelings and get together as a couple.

I've been in a huge reading funk lately. This was by an author I have read before and the writing was good but the story was a little too contemporary for me. I probably won't read the rest of the series but it was a good break for my reader's block.

Fiction 45/50

Highland Games, Evie Alexander, 2021

Girl inherits small cabin, guy wants cabin. The cabin is in poor repair and he agrees to help fix it up for her in exchange for her accounting skills. Drama happens when his mother doesn't want her in the picture. They still end up together. HFN

While the writing was ok and the story was ok, there was sex as a plot filler and the second (and maybe third) book is a continuation of their story (even though it's sold as a stand alone). I'm not interested enough to continue on.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Guide to Romantic Living Jane Seymour
NF 2. Behind the Yellow Tape Jarrett Hallcox
NF 3. Coal Miner's Daughter Loretta Lynn
NF 4. Songteller Dolly Parton
NF 5. Last Minute Knitted Gifts Joelle Hoverson
NF 6. Complete Book of Home Canning USDA
NF 7. Girl Sleuth Melanie Rehak
NF 8. Joy of Search Daniel Russell
NF 9. Road to Little Dribbling Bill Bryson

...

F 1. Bookshop of Forgotten Dreams Emily Blaine
F 2. Library of Lost and Found Phaedra Patrick
F 3. Girls in the Snow Stacy Green
F 4. All Fudged Up Nancy Coco
F 5. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson
F 6. Good Omens Neil Gaiman

Fiction 46/50

Shock Engagement Ally Blake, 2005

Not really a shock engagement. Girl and guy are childhood friends. They come together every year to remember her brother who died in a skiing accident. Guy is also tech famous and has been voted most eligible bachelor by the girl's affiliate magazine. She pretends to be engaged to him to get him out of it. They decide they are really in love. HEA

This book was part of 3. I might be tempted to read the other two. Not bad writing. Bit of Aussie slang to sort out. Could have been more in depth plot.

Fiction 47/50

Cupcake Queen Patricia Coughlin, 2002

Rich girl goes to a small town to prove that she can make it on her own, is a disaster, agrees to work for a dog trainer, falls in love, HEA.

So this entire love story takes place in about 6 weeks. I'm not really fond of insta-love books. Also, the girl is kind of a brat and the guy speaks to her the same way he speaks to the dogs... It just didn't jive well with me.

Fiction 48/50

How Sweet It Is Dylan Newton, 2021

Girl is a wedding planner who gets asked by her best friend to host a book launch for a horror novelist. The writer isn't keen on letting her use his historic house for the launch but as they work together, he falls for her. Then his baggage creates drama. They work it out and get married in the epilogue.

Not bad, especially if this is a first time writer. It seemed like the book wanted to go very different directions in some places and like it was maybe 3 or 4 book ideas combined into one. It was a bit long and boring in parts but the family members and the little dog helped create some humor. Probably won't read other books in the series though.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Knitting for Baby Melanie Falick
NF 2. Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery
NF 3. Write to the Point Sam Leith
NF 4. Through a Window Jane Goodall
NF 5. Vogue on Location
NF 6. How Insects Work Marianne Taylor
...
F 1. Fires of Winter Johanna Lindsey
F 2. In the Balance, Patricia Wentworth
F 3. Mishaps and Murder, Constance Barker
F 4. Bookshop of Yesterdays Amy Meyerson
F 5. Scarab Murder Case SS Van Dine
JF 6. Stargirl Jerry Spinelli
F 7. Designs on the Dead Emilia Barnhard
F 8. Reading between the Crimes Kate Young

Fiction 49/50

Never Fall for Your One that Got Away Kate O'Keeffe, 2022

Rich girl fell in love with the local mechanic's son and her father broke them up. Years later he's back, rich himself, and they're still in love. She has to stand up to her father for them to get a HEA.

This book was number 4 in a series and I felt like the author was just phoning it in.

Fiction 50/50

Billionaire's Bidding Barbara Dunlop, 2007

Guy and girl both run hotel chains. Girl's hotels are about to go bankrupt so guy says 'Marry me and keep half or don't and I take it all'. He doesn't really have a good reason for this other than "reputation". But she agrees, and he falls in love with her, then drama about business happens, and then everything is all worked out.

Decent read. I think there is probably a book about the sister next that I would read but I don't see it listed anywhere.

Fiction 51/50

Sleeping Arrangements Amy Jo Cousins, 2005

Girl inherits a house from her estranged great Aunt. Guy is the lawyer. There were stipulations in the will that she had to live there and that she had to get married. So she marries him and then they fall in love.

It was good writing but the girl was a total brat and the storyline was a bit rushed/ disjointed. I would have liked to have read more about the house. There may be other related books but I'm not interested enough to hunt them out.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Biology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained DK
NF 2. Sunday Roasts Betty Rosbottom
NF 3. Chiffon Trenches Andre Leon Talley
NF 4. Fannie Farmer Cookbook 1896
NF 5. Trials of Nina McCall Scott Stern
NF 6. Mary Mac's Tea Room 75th Anniversary Cookbook John Ferrell
NF 7. All in Good Taste Kate Spade
NF 8. Quick-Fix Vegetarian Robin Roberstson
NF 9. Art that Changed the World DK

...

F Murderous Affair at Stone Manor Laura Stewart

Fiction 52/50

Beauty and the Wolf Lois Dyer, 2011

Girl is being set up by her uncle so she gets a family friend to pretend they're dating. Then they fall in love.

This book had to have been a first book by this author. The story was unremarkable, the writing repetitive and clunky, the plot didn't follow HQN's usual formula, just overall meh.

Fiction 53/50

Bed of Sand Laura Wright, 2004

Girl stages a fake wedding to her boss to bring her family together... except the boss shows up and says he'll go through with this if she'll stay married to help secure a business deal. They agree to stay married after the deal is secure.

I have mixed feelings about this one. It was ok but the plot seemed a little contrived and the love scenes didn't quite fit. It could have been better written but it was readable as is.

Fiction 54/50

Under One Roof and Below Zero Ali Hazelwood, 2022

Two novellas from a series. One has an environmental scientist hookup with her roommate that is a lawyer for big oil and the other has two NASA scientists hookup. I feel like both stories were incomplete. A novella is a complete short story but these were unfinished novels. The plots would have been much better if the stories were fleshed out with the whys and hows and not so many unanswered questions.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Wild Minds Reid Mitenbuler
NF 2. Ordinary Men Christopher Browning
NF 3. God Delusion Richard Dawkins
NF 4. Grandma Gatewood's Walk Ben Montgomery
NF 5. Gory Details Erika Engelhaupt
NF 6. Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test Tom Wolfe
NF 7. Make, Sew, and Mend Bernadette Banner
NF 8. Playful Classroom Jed Dearybury
...

F Indian in the Cupboard Lynne Banks

Traveling again. 🙂

Fiction 55/50

Royal Valentine and The Attraction Distraction by Jenn McKinlay, 2022

Two novellas from a series. I will probably read Book 3 when it comes out in Dec. It seems the author is using the plots from classic novels for these romances but they are an ok read.

1. Girl is a rare books museum curator. She meets a guy at an event and mistakes him for a doctoral student. Turns out he is a viscount and owns the rare books showcased in the event. She's hurt by the lie of omission but they work it out. Book relied a little heavily on Austen but overall was ok.

2. Different Girl is a rare books museum curator. She is sent to acquire a new book but must compete against other museum curators, one being her ex. A rival starts eliminating the competition but they work together to outsmart him and end up back together in the end. This book relied on Homer's works and threw in a little of the supernatural. Overall ok.

Books purchased last (two) weeks:

NF 1. Over Our Dead Bodies Kenneth McKenzie
NF 2. Face Paint Lisa Eldridge
NF 3. True Ladies and Proper Gentlemen Sarah Chrisman
NF 4. Stealing Rembrandts Anthony Amore
NF 5. Right Place, Right Time Bob Gruen
...

JF Mysterious Benedict Society Trenton Lee
F The Loved One Evelyn Waugh

Books purchased last week:

NF Garden of Friendship Thomas Kinkade
NF Garden of Quilts Mary Huff
NF Early Man Clark Howell
NF The Body Alan Nourse
NF Silence Thich Nhat Hanh
NF Lost City of the Monkey God Douglas Preston
NF Heirloom Wood Max Bainbridge
NF Royal Art of Poison Eleanor Herman
JNF National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why Amy Shields
NF History of the World in 1000 Objects DK
NF What Shall I Wear? Claire McCardell
NF Kawaii Crochet Melissa Bradley

...

JF I Will Always Be Proud of You Michael Wong
F Seances are for Suckers Tamara Berry
F Murder at Morrington Hall Clara McKenna
F Murder at the Mansion Janet Finsilver
F Serial Casey Hill
F Buried Jeffery Deaver

Fiction 56/50

Something Old, Something New Donna Sterling, 1996

Guy and Girl grew up together and got married as teenagers, only to divorce months later and go their separate ways. Now his old house is up for sale as a B&B and the owners will only sell to a couple. So he convinces her to pretend to still be married and they fall in love again.

It was ok but I think then ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked to see more of the grandmother being involved to help them sort through things since she raised them both. The friend probably has a book given how he was portrayed.

Fiction 57/50

Games Lovers Play Rosemary Carter, 1994

Girl inherits a house in another country from her employer. The trustee doesn't believe she came by it honestly. They bicker and makeup repeatedly, spurned on by "the other woman". In the end, they end up together.

Not a terrible book but the guy was overly Alpha. The descriptive settings were really helpful in making the scenes seem real. I would probably read more by this author.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1.Oceanology DK
NF 2.Cultivated Christin Geall
NF 3.Quick & Simple Jacques Pepin
NF 4.Hitler's Gift Jean Medawar
NF 5.Faster Neal Bascomb
NF 6.In Sunburned Country Bill Bryson
NF 7.Woman They Could Not Silence Kate Moore
NF 8.Subpar Parks Amber Share
...

F 1.Coming Home Rosamunde Pilcher
F 2.Sea King's Daughter Barbara Michaels
F 3.Julius House Charlaine Harris

Fiction 58/50

The Man for Her Ann Evans, 1997

Girl is the daughter of a former award-winning horse trainer. Her mother died in an accident and her father fell to pieces. So they are traveling with a carnival when she fills in for the fortune teller and a guy comes in to set up a "reading" for his teenage sister. The guy falls for her then but she doesn't fit into his idea of what a wife would need to be to make him "successful". When the guy recognizes her father and hires him, she goes along to help keep her father off the bottle. She ends up falling in love, helps raise the teenager, and sorts through the compromise of living in two worlds (rich and poor). There is some drama but everything works out in the end.

This was from the short-lived SuperRomance series Harlequin did that added a plot to the typical he said/ she said storyline and I much prefer those. It was a little slow in a few areas but overall it was a good, well-developed story.

Traveling again ✈️

Fiction 59/50
Enchanting Samantha, Betty Neels, 1973

Nurse falls in love with doctor but thinks he's in love with her patient. He is told by her jealous roommate that she is engaged. They both keep trying to avoid each other but are too in love to give up. They work it all out in the end.
Good, happy fluff. Well written and plenty of plot.

Fiction 60/50
Prince's Bride, Lisa Kaye Laurel, 1997

Childhood friends fake an engagement because the guy's father is ill. Girl has always loved the guy, guy is slow to come around. They work it out in the end.

An ok book. Will try book two.

Fiction 61/50
Prince's Baby, Lisa Kaye Laurel, 1997

Book 2. College summer fling between guy and girl resulted in baby. But he doesn't find out until 7 years later. She gives him a chance to be a good father but doesn't trust him. They work it out.

I struggled to get through this one and probably won't read the 3rd one. Repetitive and slow. Lacking in plot. Beginner writing style.

Traveling home today. ✈️

Fiction 62/50
At Odds With Love Betty Neels, 1993

Nurse meets doctor while caring for a dying grandmother. He helps her find a new job and keeps check on her until finally suggesting marriage. They grow to love one another.
Good clean fluff.

Books purchased recently:

NF 1. We Carry Their Bones Erin Kimmerle
NF 2. Science of Stephen King Meg Hafdahl
NF 3. Science of Superheroes Mark Brake
NF 4. Pasta Night Kate McMillan
NF 5. Stet Diana Athill
NF 6. Betty Crocker's Good and Easy Cook Book
NF 7. Elegant Etiquette in the Nineteenth Century Mallory James
NF 8. Bookshop of the World Andrew Pettegree

...

F 1. Before the Storm Rachel Grant
F 2. Witch Barbara Michaels
JF 3. Where the Red Fern Grows Wilson Rawls
F 4. Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Alan Bradley
F 5. Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons Kate Khavari
F 6. Woman of Intelligence Karin Tanabe

Fiction 63/50

Reunion at Greystone Manor Bonnie Vanak, 2022

Girl (bookstore owner) and guy (FBI agent?) were teen lovers until their family separated them. Years later, the eccentric aunt who cared for them both dies and leaves them a mansion full of antiques to sort through. There is more than one body found (new and old), hidden passageways, "hidden treasure" to find, a cute dog, someone evil after the "treasure", family secrets, a bookstore, drama, (very forced) romance, a "big reveal"....

I really, really should have liked this book. It had so many elements I love in a story, but it seriously needed a good editor. I struggled to get through the absolutely informal and juvenile writing to find the disjointed story and still got lost at times. Total disappointment. :/

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Oregon Trail Francis Parkman
NF 2. Christmas in the Adirondacks William Murray
NF 3. Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe John MacGregor
NF 4. Voyage of the Paper Canoe Nathaniel Bishop
NF 5. Four Months in a Sneak Box Nathaniel Bishop
NF 6. Story of My Boyhood and Youth John Muir
NF 7. Canoeing in the Wilderness Henry Thoreau
NF 8. Tent Life in Siberia George Kennan
NF 9. Indian Story and Song Alice Fletcher
...

F 1. I Wish You More Amy Rosenthal
F 2. Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies Vicky Zimmerman

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. New American Etiquette Lily Wallace
NF 2. Emily Post's Etiquette, Centennial Edition Lizzie Post
NF 3. Life and Travels of Isabella Bird Jacki Hill-Murphy
NF 4. Following Nelly Bly Rosemary Brown
NF 5. Pirate Queens Rebecca Simon
NF 6. Nothin But a Good Time Tom Beaujour
NF 7. Peabody Sisters Megan Marshall
NF 8. Early Nature Artists in Florida Chris Fasolino
NF 9. Teasing Secrets from the Dead Emily Craig
NF 10. Art of Creative Writing Lajos Egri
NF 11. Floret Farm's A Year in Flowers Erin Benzakein
NF 12. Bones Douglas Ubelaker
NF 13. Spell of the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippines Isabel Anderson
NF 14. Super Easy Amigurumi Mitsuki Hoshi
NF 15. Ripped from the Headlines Harold Schechter
NF 16. Tattered Cover Book Store Mark Barnhouse
NF 17. From Fiber to Fabric Harriet Hargrave

(Plus I scored 4 first edition Nancy Drew novels. I wanted to see how much had changed from the most recent edition. I'm currently reading a NF book about the first two female ghost writers for the series.)

Fiction 64/50

Midnight Masque Jenna Ryan, 1993

This book was 1/4 of a Halloween series by various authors. The first book I couldn't get through, the second was basically a poor repo of Phantom of the Opera. This one gave the hero on the cover a mullet and he chain-smoked... but still I gave it a go.

The guy agrees to be a stand-in for a relative who thinks his life is in danger. The girl is the relative's fiancée. They (and other family) go to an old mansion for the reading of the patriarch's will but the lawyer is injured before it can be done. They wait it out in the week before Halloween (when the relative's life was supposed to be in danger). Bad things happen, the couple fall in love, it's all sorted out (with a twist).

There are enough motives and red-herrings for this to be a Christie book. Everyone could be it and the descriptions are enough to set a good scene. The plot moves well but the romance is light. There were a few unanswered/ not well explained issues but no plot holes. Hopefully the 4th book is readable. I'll probably look for more by this author.

Fiction 65/50

Enemies Abroad RS Grey, 2022

Guy and Girl are rival teachers sent to Rome as chaperones for teenagers for the summer. Whilst there, they realize they're better off as lovers than enemies.

I like this author but there was so much filler in this book, it was disappointing. The story and writing were still good though.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Natural Household Cleaning Rachelle Strauss
NF 2. Girly Drinks Mallory O'Meara
NF 3. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
...

F 1. Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg
JF 2. Tiny T-Rex and the Tricks of Treating Jonathan Stutzman
F 3. Cat Who Saved Books Sosuke Natsukawa
F 4. Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind Ann Ross
F 5. Collected Stories of Eudora Welty
F 6. Nightfall and Other Stories Isaac Asimov
F 7. MASH Richard Hooker

Fiction 66/50

Hard Fall Brenda Rothert, 2021

Guy plays for the NHL, girl is a magazine editor. Their best friends die in a car crash and leave them with custody of their 2 small children. They start out as enemies (going back 7 years) and work together, through their grief and raising the kids, to become lovers.

Not a bad book. I usually like sports romance if it's not college level. Some extra filler/fluff that could have been edited. Will probably skip book 2 in the series but might give 3 a try.

Fiction 67/50

Hard Pass, Brenda Rothert, 2022

This was "You've Got Mail" if it were centered around hockey instead of bookstores, texts instead of email. Writing was good but the storyline was just so-so.

Fiction 68/50 (couldn't sleep last night)

Not You Again Terri Osburn, 2021

Girl is trying to move on after losing her fiancé. Guy is divorced with a kid. They keep bumping into each other and eventually go out. There's a lot to work through but they get there in the end.

Not my usual jam but it was written well and the story was decent. Probably won't read more of the series.

>126 genesisdiem: Good thing you had books. Been there done that!

>127 Carol420: yes! Late night is when I just grab something from the shelf and read until it makes me fall asleep. That's how I get some of these TBR's collecting dust read.

>128 genesisdiem: Good plan. Think I'll tell my neighbor. She literally has a hallway closet that is packed with books that she's never read. She says she's had some of them for 40 years. Maybe some are worth some money now:)

>129 Carol420: That's very possible. I've just discovered an 18 book gothic romance series by Harlequin from the 80s that I am trying to find right now and have had luck in the past with a lot of great authors whose books also never made the digital leap. She might have some treasures in there!

Books purchased last week:

NF 1.Phantom Atlas Edward Brooke-Hitching
NF 2. Where Did I Come From Peter Mayle
NF 3. Once Upon an Algorithm Martin Erwig
NF 4. Chair Yoga for Seniors Lynn Lehmkuhl
NF 5. Science of Murder Carla Valentine
NF 6. Zoology: Inside the Secret World of Animals DK
...

JF 1. Archibald Finch and the Lost Witches Michel Guyon
F 2. Ghostly Tales: Spine Chilling Stories of the Victorian Age
F 3. Invisible Library Genevieve Cogman
F 4. Clothes Pegs Susan Scarlett

Fiction 69/50

Keeping Luke's Secret Carole Mortimer, 2002

Girl is a historian tasked with writing the biography of an ailing film star. Guy is the star's son trying to prevent the book from being written. Secrets come out and drama happens but it all works out in the end.

I kept thinking I had already read this book but it's possible that it was just so formulaic. Also, there was a lot of just people having conversations but no real action. Kind of boring overall.

Fiction 70/50

A Little Moonlighting Raye Morgan, 2002

Girl is assistant to the boss who tries to quit her job when she needs to take care of her sister's children temporarily. Boss is in love with her and offers to help her with the kids in exchange for her working part time. They play house and fall in love. Not bad but too tidily wrapped up in end.

Fiction 71/50

I Still Do Christie Ridgway, 2009

Firefighter meets his old high school girlfriend in Vegas and they get married on a whim. They fight being in love while working out how to divorce without anyone knowing what they did. But they end up together in the end.

Decent writing, a little sparse on plot, but will probably read book 2.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. All Over but the Shoutin' Rick Bragg
NF 2. Healing Powers of Tea Cal Orey
NF 3. Baking with Mary Berry
NF 4. Madam Secretary Madeleine Albright
NF 5. Vagina Bible Jen Gunter
NF 6. I Choose Darkness Jenny Lawson
NF 7. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Jess Harriton
...

F 1. Booked for Death Victoria Gilbert
F 2. Broken Girls Simone St. James
F 3. Carved in Stone Elizabeth Camden
F 4. Stardust Neil Gaiman
F 5. Snow Child Eowyn Ivey
JF 6. Phantom Tollbooth Norton Juster
F 7. Murder at Melrose Court Karen Menuhin
F 8. Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend Katarina Bivald
F 9. Live, Local, and Dead Nikki Knight
F 10. Peculiar Combination Ashley Weaver

Fiction 72/50

Runaway Bride Returns Christie Ridgway, 2009

Traveling librarian and firefighter meet and wed in Vegas and then she runs away. Months later she learns he's been injured on the job and rushes in to take care of him. During this time, they sort out their issues and HEA.

Book 2 was not as good. It was very slow in parts and sparse on plot in others.

Fiction 73/50

The Marine and Me Cathie Linz, 2005

Girl is a librarian being set up with her elderly neighbour's grandson, who is a marine. They both just had terrible breakups and agree to pretend for the sake of the grandmother. But then they fall in love.

This book wasn't for me. It wasn't really a stand-alone and I'm not a fan of insta-love. Just so-so overall.

Fiction 74/50

Rules of Engagement Carla Cassidy, 2004

Guy and Girl briefly dated in college and then went their separate ways. They meet again on a work project years later and have drama over why they split up previously. It's all worked out in the end.

This book wasn't a really standalone and it dragged in parts. Also, the plot was very thin and reaching and too easily tied up in the end.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Writing to Learn William Zinsser
NF 2. Emily Post's Etiquette, 19th Edition: Manners for Today Lizzie Post
NF 3. Secret Language of Anatomy Cecilia Brassett
NF 4. Bookseller of Florence Ross King
NF 5. The Times They Were a-Changin': 1964 Robert McElvaine
NF 6. A Year of Forest School Jane Worrol
NF 7. Power of Myth Joseph Campbell
NF 8. Paperbacks from Hell Grady Hendrix
...

F 1. Thornyhold Mary Stewart
F 2. Lady Alkmene Collection Vivian Conroy
F 3. Sally-Ann Susan Scarlett
F 4. Excellent Women Barbara Pym
JF 5. Tiny T Rex and the Very Dark Dark Jonathan Stutzman
F 6. Ride the River Louis L'Amour
F 7. Sewing Suspicion Kathryn Mykel (not in LT catalog)

Fiction 75/50

Passionate Possession Penny Jordan, 1992

Girl inherits a house w/ cranky tenant. Guy is tenant's uncle. They fight over what to do with the property and then fall in love.

This book was just a bunch of random tropes flung together poorly. The girl was a whimpering doormat. And the plot was super thin.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Madman's Library Edward Brooke-Hitching
NF 2. Curiosities of Literature John Sutherland
NF 3. Mistress of the Elgin Marbles Susan Nagel
NF 4. Portrait of the Scientist as a Young Woman Lindy Elkins-Tanton
NF 5. Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics Gregory Gbur
NF 6. Nom de Plume Carmela Ciuraru
NF 7. We Did That? Sophie Sterling
NF 8. Women Know Everything Karen Weekes
NF 9. Sun is a Compass Caroline Van Hemert
NF 10. Ride of Her Life Elizabeth Letts
NF 11. Homo Deus Yuval Harari
NF 12. Natural History: The Ultimate Visual Guide to Everything on Earth DK
...

F 1. Winter of Our Discontent John Steinbeck
F 2. Wicked Mercy Bilinda Sheehan
F 3. Last Librarian Brandt Legg
JF 4. Witch's Cat Sonica Ellis
F 5. White Oleander Janet Fitch
F 6. Death of a Gossip MC Beaton
F 7. Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder Dianne Freeman
F 8. Skeleton Road Val McDermid
F 9. Murder at the Book Club Betsy Reavley
F 10. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections Eva Jurczyk
F 11. Bone Keeper Luca Veste

Fiction 76/50

Forbidden French RS Grey, 2022

Guy and Girl (total opposites) went to school together and were friends of sorts. Then years later, they meet again as adults. Through a series of events they spend time together and grow closer. But when circumstances force them together, they fight it... only to work things out in the end.

I usually like this author and she didn't disappoint. A good afternoon read.

Books purchased last week: (black friday deals...)

NF 1. Ancient Plants Marie Stopes
NF 2. Married Love Marie Stopes
NF 3. Difficult Riddles for Smart Kids M Prefontaine
NF 4. Autism in Heels Jennifer O'Toole
NF 5. Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid Bill Bryson
NF 6. Nala's World Dean Nicholson
NF 7. Radiant Liz Heinecke
NF 8. Mortician's Child Kathleen Hawkins
NF 9. Excellent Doctor Blackwell Julia Boyd
NF 10. Montessori Baby Simone Davies
NF 11. Menopause Manifesto Jennifer Gunter
NF 12. Steampunk Bible Jeff VanderMeer
NF 13. How to Solve a Cold Case Michael Arntfield
NF 14. Led Zeppelin Bob Spitz
NF 15. Fabric of the Cosmos Brian Greene
NF 16. Mortal Monarchs, Suzie Edge (not in LT catalog)
NF 17. Storyteller Dave Grohl
NF 18. 1969: The Year Everything Changed Rob Kirkpatrick

...

NF 1. Bloodlines, Sharon Sala (not in LT catalog)
NF 2. The Watsons Go to Birmingham Christopher Curtis
NF 3. Lullaby for Witches Hester Fox
NF 4. Boy in the Striped Pajamas John Boyne
NF 5. Quilt Ripper Mary Lynch
NF 6. Underhanded Stitch Marjory Rockwell
NF 7. Library Murders, MR Mackenzie (not in LT catalog)
NF 8. Cherry Cola Book Club Ashton Lee
NF 9. Murders in the City of the Dead, Mary Manhein (not in LT catalog)
NF 10. English Garden Murder Katie Gayle
NF 11. Book Thief Markus Zusak
NF 12. Bookshop Murder Merryn Allingham
NF 13. Woman in the Library Sulari Gentill
NF 14. Case of the Careless Kitten E Stanley Gardner
NF 15. Until We Meet Camille Di Maio
NF 16. Brew Most Bitter, Summer Prescott (not in LT catalog)
NF 17. Murder in an Irish Churchyard Carlene O'Connor
NF 18. Murder in Mesopotamia Agatha Christie
NF 19. Watership Down Richard Adams

Fiction 77/50

Where There's Smoke Kristin Hardy, 2005

Guy is a firefighter, girl is an engineer that makes fire safety equipment inspired by her brother's death on the job. They have to work together to test the equipment and fall in love while doing so. There is unnecessary drama that gets worked out in the end.

This book dragged on so much that I almost relegated it to the DNF pile. It was a decent story but just bland overall.

Fiction 78/50

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane Annie Rains, 2018

Girl and Guy inherit a B&B. Guy wants to sell out and leave town due to old drama. After a couple of months of moving past old hurts, they finally come together at Christmas and he decides to stay.

This was an ok book but it could have been shorter.

Books purchased last week (cyber Monday deals!):

NF 1. Irish Stories and Folklore Stephen Brennan
NF 2. Teaching Yoga Mark Stephens
NF 3. Monster, She Wrote Lisa Kroger
NF 4. Nightmare Fuel Nina Nesseth
NF 5. Mapping America Jean-Pierre Isbouts
NF 6. Knitting Book, Vikki Haffenden
NF 7. Face It Debbie Harry
NF 8. Power of Voice Denise Woods
NF 9. Pocket Atlas of Human Anatomy Chris Jarmey
NF 10. On All Fronts Clarissa Ward
NF 11. Life in Stitches Rachael Herron
NF 12. Reimagining Death Lucinda Herring
NF 13. Unearthing the Secret Garden Marta McDowell
NF 14. Cosmos Carl Sagan
NF 15. Timelines of Everything DK
NF 16. Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman Lucy Worsley
NF 17. Brave Hearted: Women of the American West Katie Hickman
NF 18. Science of Witchcraft Meg Hafdahl
NF 19. Catch Me if You Can Frank Abagnale
NF 20. Mythology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained DK
JNF 21. My Little Golden Book About Betty White Deborah Hopkinson
NF 22. Pearls of Wisdom Barbara Bush
NF 23. Bygone Badass Broads Mackenzi Lee
...

JF 1. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes Eric Litwin
JF 2. Sisterhood of Sleuths Jennifer Bertman
JF 3. Bubble Head, It's Time For Bed, Misty Black
F 4. Cat Who Could Read Backwards Lilian Braun
F 5. Dower House Mystery Patricia Wentworth
F 6. Blood on the Tracks Martin Edwards
F 7. Wylding Hall Elizabeth Hand
F 8. French Lieutenant's Woman John Fowles
F 9. Water for Elephants Sara Gruen

>146 genesisdiem: Looks like you hit the book jackpot!:)

>147 Carol420: I went to the thrift store on Saturday and online there was a huge .99 ebook sale. I'm so thankful for ebooks because I already need a bigger bookcase. :)

>148 genesisdiem: My husband just bought me three new bookcases from Amazon. I think we just may have to build a bigger house:)

>149 Carol420: 🤣

Fiction 79/50

Christmas Elopement Anne Eames,1996

Girl is a secretary. Guy is her boss. There is a no fraternizing policy so they fight their attraction until they finally elope. This book must have been written by a first time author because the story and the writing were subpar.

Fiction 80/50

Cinderella Factor Sophie Weston, 2006

Girl is a teenage runaway, guy is a war reporter recovering from an injury. She runs away from an abusive situation and takes her foster brother with her, then disguises herself as a boy to get a job as a car mechanic at large estate. She gets discovered by the owner when he shows up unexpectedly. They fight their attraction whilst dealing with the drama of his recovery, ex lovers, crazy fans, her foster parents finding them, and his career. But they get their HEA in the end.

This read like something written in the early 90s, especially with the 15 year age difference. I wonder if it's not another one of the older books that's been "modernized" for the digital edition. But it was readable and I breezed through it pretty quickly because it kept my attention.

Fiction 81/50

It Happened One Christmas Eve Jenn McKinlay, 2022

Book 3 of the series. Girl works at the museum, guy is a reporter. She finds out her mother has arranged an engagement so she runs out of the gala and into a carriage driven by "Santa". They make their escape to her cabin a few states away whilst having adventures on a train, in a care home, with a soldier on leave... and fall in love on the way. Then drama happens but they realize that they belong together and HEA.

It made me laugh a few times and had a good Christmas feel to it. I will probably look out for more of the series as it continues.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. Susan, Linda, Nina, & Cokie Lisa Napoli
NF 2. Film Noir Style Kimberly Truhler
NF 3. First Time Sewing
NF 4. Magical Metal Clay Sue Heaser
NF 5. Einstein's Refrigerator Steve Silverman
NF 6. Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words George Barris
NF 7. Back to the Basics Abigail Gehring
NF 8. War Doctor David Nott
NF 9. Invention of News Andrew Pettegree
NF 10. First Time Knitting Carrie Hammett
NF 11. Secrets of the Sprakkar Eliza Reid
NF 12. Man's Search for Meaning Viktor Frankl
NF 13. Greatest Beer Run Ever John Donohue
NF 14. Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs Tristan Gooley
NF 15. Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook Bridget Thoreson

...

F 1. Collected Stories of Arthur C Clarke
JF 2. Little House in the Big Woods Laura Wilder
F 3. Color Me Murder Krista Davis
F 4. True Grit Charles Portis
F 5. Death by Coffee Alex Erickson

Fiction 82/50

Arrogant Boss Olivia Haley, 2019

Girl is the caretaker for her genius brother with autism. Guy is the CEO of a tech company. The company wants to hire the brother but they come as a package deal. CEO falls for the girl but she puts him off as just a fling. They work things out and HEA.

This was a nice change of the guy pining for the girl but the book dragged on and on. There was obvious word filler and an epilogue that was unneeded. The book could have ended much sooner and would have been ok.

Fiction 83/50

Goblin Court Sophie Weston, 1976, 2015

Girl is a secretary taking care of her brother's children. Guy is her brother's boss and official guardian to the kids. They spar, work together for the town pageant, and fall in love. HEA.

This is one of the older books being "modernized" and re-released. The author stated it was one of her first books and it shows. Not bad, just bland overall. Might see if she has anything else worth reading.

Books purchased last week:

NF Cloudbuster Nine Anne Keene
NF Women with Silver Wings Katharine Landdeck
NF Radium Girls Kate Moore
...

F London Bridge is Falling Down Christopher Fowler
F Dr. Thorndyke Mysteries Collection I & II Austin Freeman
F Collected Stories of JS Fletcher
F Nothing Venture Patricia Wentworth
F To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee

It looks like you're getting into some knitting and sewing and stuff based on your book selections. How are you liking them? Are the instructions and patterns well written?

>158 threadnsong: I occasionally teach sewing classes so I like to find beginner resources for the students. I think books help to get familiar with the topic but videos work best for learning technique. The glossary of stitches most of these books have is very helpful and sometimes there are good patterns to try.

Fiction 84/50

Christmas Romance Betty Neels, 1999

Girl is a typist in the hospital, Guy is a prominent doctor. She is kind, hard-working, funny, and treats him like a normal guy. He falls for her and whisks her away from her tiny flat to be his wife, just in time for Christmas. Happy, good fluff.

You’ve got me intrigued by your Betty Neels’ books, genesisdiem - so I’ve downloaded Christmas Romance for a quick Christmas read, 🎄🙂.

Merry Christmas!

>161 Sergeirocks: Merry Christmas to you as well!

This wasn't one of her better ones but it still matched the "Cinderella" theme of most of her books. They're just good for a palate cleanser when you need a break; kind of like watching kitten videos... :)

>162 genesisdiem: I’ve just finished it - a pleasant enough little read. There was no bodice-ripping, so perhaps I’ll read another in the future, ☺️.

Books purchased (or gifted to me) last week:

NF 1. First Forty Days Heng Ou
NF 2. Embroidered & Embellished Christen Brown
NF 3. Lost Kingdom Julia Siler
NF 4. Too Much for Human Endurance Ronald Kirkwood
NF 5. Slow Train to Switzerland Diccon Bewes
NF 6. Best Cook in the World Rick Bragg
NF 7. Under a Wild Sky William Souder
NF 8. Tacky Rax King
NF 9. Lady in Gold Anne Marie O'Connor
NF 10. My Life in France Julia Child
NF 11. Floriography Jessica Roux
NF 12. USA National Parks DK
NF 13. Story of my Life Helen Keller
NF 14. Culture Strike Laura Raicovich
NF 15. The Body Bill Bryson
NF 16. Fermat's Enigma Simon Singh
NF 17. Your Inner Fish Neil Shubin
NF 18. How We got the Moon John Rocco

JF 1. We're Different, We're the Same Bobbi Kates
JF 2. Kiki's Delivery Service Eiko Kadono
JF 3. Pretty Dead Queens Alexa Donne
JF 4. The Giver Lois Lowry
F 5. The Thin Man Dashiell Hammett
F 6. Back to the Garden Laurie King
F 7. Practical Magic Alice Hoffman
F 8. Enemy of the People Henrik Ibsen
F 9. Assault and Batting Tess Rothery
F 10. It Can't Happen Here Sinclair Lewis
F 11. Redbird Christmas Fannie Flagg
F 12. Winter of Discontent Jeanne Dams

...

Santathing:

NF Educated Tara Westover
NF This is Going to Hurt Adam Kay
NF Why We Sleep Matthew Walker
NF Prisoners of Geography Tim Marshall
NF Ancestors Alice Roberts

F Thursday Murder Club Richard Osman

>159 genesisdiem: Thank you for sharing your talents! I can see how having videos teaches exactly *how* to do a technique, without having to puzzle out the movement or technique between two separate photos.

Also, at a recent neighborhood gathering, several neighbors mentioned wanting to learn to sew or crochet. Glad to know there are still teachers out there for hands-on learning.

Fiction 85/50

Fifth Day of Christmas Betty Neels, 1971

Girl is a nurse, Guy is a doctor. They meet when the girl is transporting a patient during a snowstorm and guy is stranded. They stay isolated with the patient for a bit and fall for each other. He asks her to go back to Holland with him to help care for a patient there. This patient was a girl who had feigned illness to trap the doctor in a marriage but the nurse complicates things, esp after she catches the patient with another man... But all is worked out in the end. HEA.

This story was a little long but still readable. The false patient was just a terrible person and I felt bad for the doctor who felt obligated to take care of her. I don't think something like that would happen today. Also the five rings felt a little contrived at the end but made the story come full circle.

Fiction 86/50

His Cinderella Next Door Cara Colter, 2021

Girl is a wildlife photographer, Guy is her childhood friend that is now an engineer. They were kept apart by his mother and brought back together by the death of his special needs brother. The mother still tries to interfere but they come together in the end.

The premise for this book was good but either it needed more plot or it needed to be shorter because repeating ad nauseum that they were "from different worlds" and just couldn't be together wore thin.

Books purchased last week:

NF 1. If Walls Could Talk Lucy Worsley
NF 2. Mythology Edith Hamilton
NF 3. Plant-Hunter's Atlas Ambra Edwards
NF 4. Tap Code Carlyle Harris
NF 5. Facemaker Lindsey Fitzharris
NF 6. Looking for the Good War Elizabeth Samet
NF 7. All the Living and the Dead Hayley Campbell
NF 8. Dinners with Ruth Nina Totenberg
...

F 1. Quilt City Murders Bruce Leonard
F 2. Wonder Woman Historia 1-3 Kelly DeConnick
F 3. Littlest Library Poppy Alexander
F 4. Go Set a Watchman Harper Lee
JF 5. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Laura Numeroff

::Year in Review::

January Goal:
50 Fiction
25 Non-fiction

December Results:
86/50 Fiction ⭐
-Kindle says 95 and I know I read hard copies and other e-reader apps as well. They were almost all romance.

2.5/25 Non-fiction
-I read academic journals and newspapers daily, but I struggle to read non-fic books on an e-reader. I really prefer hard copies because I can highlight or flag important parts. Also, I am less prone to putting it down and forgetting about it. Finally, I find that unless I am reading non-fic for a class or a set reason, then I am less likely to read a book straight through.

...

Also, I purchased quite a lot of books this year. More so than usual. While e-books take up less room, Kindle says I currently own 6,194 titles and another account has 531 (plus there are all of my paper copies on the shelf here). I should really cut back next year.