ML Crazy4reading goes for 75 books in 2019, hopefully

Well I am back again to try for 75 books this year. I didn't get to 75 in 2018 but I am back to try again! This is under construction right now. I am also participating in the Category challenge on here again. I will allow a book to be used for more than one category. Well I am slowly building this thread in to a relatively organized mess. Below is my reading buddy during the year. This is an old picture but I just love her look in this picture.



I am going to challenge myself this year. Last year my reading fell to the wayside. I didn't read as much as I wanted. I spent more of my time with my boyfriend and since we decided to take a break, again from being boyfriend and girlfriend I am going to get back to reading.

Well since we don't have enough challenge ideas right now, I thought I would share this with everyone. This popped up on my FB news feed this morning:

Bookstr reading Challenges

2018 Wrap up and thread

I am doing one tracker for this challenge and my CAT Challenges. I will be adding a tracker for my ROOTS later.

My ROOTS Tracker

Possible reads for 2019

Gifts received in 2018/2019

1. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
2. A field Guide to getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit
3. Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
4. Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling (favorite book received from Santa Thing this Christmas)

Books purchased in 2018/2019

1. The woman in the Window by A. J. Finn (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
2. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
3. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
4. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
5. Emily Shadowhunter by Craig Zerf (Free boxed set for Kindle purchased 1/7/19)
6. Past Life Strife by Christina McMullen (free on Kindle purchased 1/7/19)
7. To Walk in the Sun by Jane Charles (free on Kindle purchased 1/7/19)

List of books read (finished in 2019)

JANUARY

1. The Secret of Shady Glen by Carolyn Keene
2. One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy
3. The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

FEBRUARY
4. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

MARCH
5. A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
6. Cold Case by Linda Barnes

APRIL
7. Longbourn by Jo Baker
8. Painting the town, an adventure in France by Disney

MAY
9. Little Glimpses of Good by Jim Howard
10. A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
11. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

JUNE
12. Love and Ruin by Paula McLain
13. Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey
14. Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
15. Tall, Tatted and Tempting by Tammy Falkner
16. Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

JULY
17. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie
18. Marley & Me by John Grogan
19. Dead is a state of mind by Marlene Perez
20. Fantastic Beasts & Where to find them: The original screenplay by J. K Rowling
21. Dances with Wolves: the Illustrated screenplay & story behind the film by Kevin Costner

AUGUST
22. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Here is the link to My LT CAT Challenge thread

This is my post on Goodreads for the PopSugar Challenge 2019

Goodreads PopSugar Challenge 2019

I am going to try and participate in the American Authors Challenge

American Authors Challenge 2019

as

dd

13

Just for the heck of it

Welcome back!

>15 drneutron: Thanks, it is great to be back!!

Happy New Year!

Happy reading in 2019, Monica!

Happy New Year's Eve!!

>17 The_Hibernator: Thanks H! Love the picture!

>18 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita & Frank

>19 Berly: Thanks Berly!

I hope you all have a Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year, Monica!

>21 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia! Happy New Year to you too!

Well I finished my first book of 2019!! I am trying to clear out books and started this one on 12/30/18. I had planned to finish it last night but had decided to catch up on NCIS LA (I am on season 7 now). I will be donating this book to our local school district. They keep a supply of books at the Ed Center for children to look through and read while their parents are completing their registrations.

#1. The Secret of Shady Glen by Carolyn Keene

I enjoyed this book. My sister used to read these books when we were young. I used to read the Hardy Boys. I read a few Nancy Drew books growing up. I found myself not wanting to put it down. These books are good ones for those that like reading and want something interesting to read.

4 stars

I will be reading Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka, One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy, Cold Case by Linda Barnes and some other Nancy Drew books.

Hi, Monica. I'll be checking in to see what you are reading in science fiction and fantasy this year!

Happy 2019
A year full of books
A year full of friends
A year full of all your wishes realised

I look forward to keeping up with you, Monica, this year.

>24 ronincats: Hi Roni! Thanks for stopping by. If you have any book suggestions for science fiction or fantasy please let me know.

>25 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! Thanks for stopping by. I hope I keep you interested this year. I slacked off last year.

>26 crazy4reading: Check out my thread then, Monica! You'll be very welcome. Check out my best of 2018 list.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/301423

>27 ronincats: Thanks Roni!! I am heading over there now!!

Looks like you have some great reading goals for 2019, Monica! Good luck and Happy New Year!

>29 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia! Happy New Year to you too! I just hope I haven't taken on more than I can handle.

Just a random contest to enter for some free books and tote bag:

https://www.hive.co/l/igend

I finished another book last night.

#2. One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy

I decided to read this book one day when I was at the library and started to look around for a book. I enjoyed this story. This is about two people that have some secrets. Drew asks the town girl to be his girlfriend for a week while he goes visits his family. Drew will pay Fable to do this for him. Fable lives with her mother and brother and she works to help support her family. Fable's mother is a drunk and cannot keep a job.

Drew is a jock and comes from a rich family, that has many secrets. Drew and Fable are cute together. It was a nice easy story to read.

4 stars

I am still reading Buddha in the attic by Julie Otsuka and a few other books. I need to finish the Buddha book before next Wednesday for book club.

Well another book completed last night!

#3. The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

I didn't love nor hate this book. The reason I didn't love or hate this book is because it didn't have a story. This had many stories of the picture brides and what happened to them when they came to the west coast.

To see how they were treated not only by their husbands but also their employers, and people they met here. To think that we as a society treated and some still do treat people of different cultures so cruelly and with such disrespect for their well being. I like to think that we as a society have improved and aren't living in the 'dark ages'.

I am now interested in reading Julie's first book to see if I enjoy that one more since it has a story of just one family.

3 stars

Our book for February is The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I am also reading or will be reading the following books:

Me by Ricky Martin
Cold Case by Linda Barnes
Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey

I know there are more I just cannot think of them right now.

Well I am slowly trudging along with my reading. I have been trying to read for about 30 minutes before going to bed but sometimes I am just too tired to concentrate. I do read while I am at the gym even if it is only for 10 minutes. It is surprising how much I can read while at the gym. I really thought I would be reading more this year but that hasn't been the case. I did get some reading in while I was at the roller rink with my boyfriend on Friday. I enjoyed watching him roller skate and really want to try it. I just need to get my foot taken care of and make sure the doctor will allow me to roller skate.

>34 crazy4reading: My own reading trailed off a bit after a good start in January but I do seem to be getting my mojo back a bit in February. Passing some of those vibes on. xx

>35 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul!! I do need to get my mojo back. Hopefully after this week I will get more reading done.

I finished a book this week. I am slowly getting back into reading. It is funny how I am so gun ho to read and then life just gets in the way.

#4. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

This book was read for my library book club this month. I enjoyed this book and found it a relaxing and fun read. I found myself laughing out loud sometimes. The main male character was very entertaining with his nuances and social interactions with the other characters.

Dr. Don Tillman is a geneticist that decides he wants to find a wife, and so he created a Wife Project with a questionnaire. Some of the answers that he would accept were very strict. One was about being on time. He didn't like anyone that was late, even just a few minutes. When I read that part it reminded me of some 'rules' or 'criteria' I had/have for the man I would like in my life, such as a non-smoker, one that doesn't need alcohol to have fun.

Rosie is the main female character and is a breath of fresh air. She is a smart, intelligent woman who has a mouth on her and isn't afraid to use it. She is very different from Don. She also wants to know who her father really is.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

5 stars

I am still reading Cold Case by Linda Barnes, The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, and Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey. Tonight I will also pick up my book club book A House in The Sky by Amanda Lindhout

I finished a book last night for book club. I finished it just before book club started. Here is my review.

#5. A House in the Sky by Amanda Landhout and Sara Corbett

I had a hard time getting into this book. The author did a great job of presenting the detail of the scenery of the places she visited. I felt that some of it was too much at times, I understand it was to get a better understanding of her and the people she interacted with. I also felt it was her way of admitting that she was a little naive in the way of life of the people she met in the countries she visited. The one part where she was unable to obtain a room because she was alone and wasn't traveling with someone and she wasn't married. I felt that she should have made a change and just pretend to be married to find a room.

Once I got to the part of her kidnapping I was engrossed and horrified by what she went through. Even though I have heard things like this happening in the news, fiction books etc., to actually read a personal account just made it more real.

I am glad our book club chose this book to read, even though non fiction is not one of my main genres to read.

4 stars

I am still reading The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, Cold Case by Linda Barnes (I hope to finish both of these up this weekend), Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey. I still need to start the Ricky Martin memoir ME.

I will be saying good bye to my reading buddy today. The other day I took Samantha for a short walk down our driveway. I kept telling her that we should turn around because I knew it would be too much for her. She is a stubborn Beagle and she pushed herself to far. As we started to head back to the house she had trouble walking. At first I thought she had just hurt her food but as we kept going she kept falling over. I tried helping her but she did not like me touching her back end. I gave her medicine that I have for her arthritis but that didn't seem to help. She is still dragging her back legs. She tries to put weight on them but falls over. This has been a hard decision because she has gone downhill the past few months.

So sorry for your loss. It's hard to see a loved one decline like this.

So sorry you had to say goodbye to Samantha :'(

So sorry to hear about Samantha. I lost my dear Zoe, a 16 year old cat, earlier this month. It is very difficult, I know.

>39 crazy4reading: Aw, so sorry you lost your buddy. It's hard to say goodbye.

>39 crazy4reading: Sorry to read of you losing your reading buddy.

Belle and I have decided that on the balance of probability we'll probably bring a Beagle into our home if we move to the UK.

>40 drneutron:, >41 FAMeulstee:, >42 ronincats:, >43 Berly:, >44 PaulCranswick: Thank you so much for your kind words. I have my moments but I just remember the fun times we had together. I have the pictures, and videos of her to look at when I miss her.

>42 ronincats: So sorry for your loss too.

>44 PaulCranswick: Samantha was the first dog I ever owned and I know that if I ever decide to own a dog again I will most definitely go for a Beagle.

I do have a review to post but will do that tomorrow. I want to read a little before falling asleep tonight.

Well I am here to post some reviews. I didn't realize how far behind I am in posting in here.

#6. Cold Case by Linda Barnes

I enjoyed this story. When I picked this book up I did not realize it was part of a series. It was easy to follow even though it is #7 in this series.

Carlotta is a private detective. She used to be a police officer. This book finds her working with a high society family to prove that some notebooks are actual fakes of their dead daughter's work. I enjoyed the way the story line flowed and will look for more books by this author and in this series.

4 stars

#7. Longbourne by Jo Baker

I read this book for my library book club. It was an alright book. The characters and story did not engage me from the start. I found myself being drawn in for a little bit and then getting a little bored with the story line. I did listen to the audio version which could be some of the reason that I did not always enjoy the book.

I did also follow along with the book at times while listening and found that a better way to understand some of what was being spoken. I have read Pride and Prejudice and usually enjoy these stories involving the servants etc. Just not sure why this one didn't capture me from the start.

4 stars

#8 Painting The Town, An Adventure in France by Walt Disney

Cute story. A great book to read with you kids.

5 Stars

I am currently reading The Outsiders A Place for Us, which is our book club read. I am off the next couple of days and I am going to try and read more instead of watching tv.

Wow! It has been a month since I have posted. A lot has been going on in my life right now. My father was recently diagnosed with mild to moderate Dementia. He is currently living with my sister and her family. I make trips out to her house to help with him and we both have been going on all his doctor appointments. His family doctor has stated that he cannot drive and he needs to surrender his driver's license, and that he is not allowed to live alone. My sister and I dropped everything when my father's doctor's office reached out to my sister and stated that one of us if not both of us should make it to this appointment, prior to his diagnosis. I am going to be 'dad sitting' for the next 20 days while my sister is visiting her one daughter who is finishing up her senior year in high school in France. I plan to bring some books out with me.

I did finish some books so I will try to post those reviews tonight or maybe sometime tomorrow.

I am so sorry to read about your father's diagnosis. That must be hard for you, your sister and family. How is he taking the no more driving and no longer allowed to live alone? I know that my mom was not happy when we told her she could no longer drive, which we made before her ALS progressed to the point of a doctor stated ban on driving. Her decline was too rapid for the doctors to make that decision so it came down to family members witnessing her health decline on a daily basis to keep the doctors in the loop.

>48 lkernagh: Lori, thanks, my sister and I are supporting each other as best we can. My father still tells people he can drive once he is home again. We have told him over and over again what the doctors have stated. He is in denial. He loves to drive and I understand how he feels but for his safety and the safety of others we cannot allow him to drive. The doctor has requested that we have him surrender his drivers license. The sad part is that my sister and I do not live near by him but we both suspected things weren't right with my father but he kept saying he is fine. We have subsequently learned about multiple visits to the emergency room and some stays he had in the past. The one thing that upsets us is that his lady friend and his brother never thought to notify us about what was going on. They just kept letting him live his life. I just don't understand how you couldn't reach out to his children. To learn that your uncle paid for your father's electric to be turned back on because he was behind on his bills is very disheartening that his own brother didn't think to reach out to us to let us know what was going on.

Here are some reviews for some books I recently finished:

#9. Little Glimpses of Good: Finding Hope in Every Today by Jim Howard

An uplifting book. Some positive messages. Lifted my spirits.

5 stars

#10. A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

I am only giving this book 3 stars because I just couldn't get into the characters. I had trouble keeping the characters straight along with trying to figure out what time period I was in. I felt the writing was a bit off for my liking.

When I started the book I really thought I was going to enjoy it but when I started the second chapter I was confused because I went from the wedding to her being a young girl. Other books that I have read similar to this style have also been hard to enjoy.

The ending had more of my interest than the book as a whole did.

3 stars

#11. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

I still love this book! This year I also watched the movie and was more aware of some differences between the book and the movie. Nothing too major but just subtle ones to me. This is a book I love to read. I decided to re-read it this year because of one of the challenges I am doing and it said to read a book that make you feel nostalgic and this one does just that.

5 stars

>49 crazy4reading: - Wow, so doubly hard on you and your sister, being kept out of the loop by other family members. Giving up driving is a huge change for so many people, which just make challenge situations even more difficult. I feel for you.

>51 lkernagh: It is, but my sister and I are doing the best we can. I have spoken to my uncle and even mentioned to him that I think it was wrong of him to not even notify his own children about the electric being turned off. He just tried to talk over me and not answer the question. He finally hung up on me when he realized I wasn't going to let him bully me into listening to 'his side of the story'. I am looking out for my father and his well being and want his family to know but I also want them to trust that my sister and I are helping my father and not trying to harm him in any way. I am enjoying this time with him as much as possible. Thank you.

I finished a book today.

#12. Love and Ruin by Paula McLain

This is my second book by Paula McLain. I had listened to The Paris Wife. When I received this book for book club I didn't realize that both the books were about Hemingway and one of his wives. I enjoyed this book much more than The Paris Wife. One of the main reasons is I read this one and didn't listen to the audio. I felt this book flowed well too. I also remember that I didn't really care for the first wife in The Paris Wife.

Love and Ruin is a fictional take on Ernest Hemingway and his marriage to Martha Gellhorn. I am not familiar with Martha and Ernest and their life together. Reading this book I really enjoyed the interaction of Martha and Ernest. Ernest seemed a little narcissistic at times.

It is interesting how Paula was able to create such a story surrounding Martha and Ernest by the research she did and building her own ideas from that information. I felt drawn to these two from the beginning. I am glad our book club read this book.

4 stars

I am now going to read Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey and The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

>52 crazy4reading: {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

>54 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul.

I finished a book last night.

#13. Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey

I love Johanna Lindsey and she didn't disappoint with this book! The characters in this book were ones that I fell in love with right from the beginning. You have the Lady Rowena, her step brother Gilbert, the ruthless 'villain' Warrick and many more secondary characters that just complete the wonderful story that unfolds in Prisoner of My Desire.

Prisoner of My Desire is the story of Lady Rowena and Lord Warrick. Warrick is at war with Rowena's step brother Gilbert. Rowena becomes a prisoner of Lord Warrick after her brother leaves Rowena to face the devil of Fulkhurst.

The interaction of Rowena and Warrick is just enjoyable. You can feel the attraction just from Johanna's writing. I found myself laughing, fist pumping and crying at times. She is my favorite romance author!!

5 stars

I am still reading Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel. Not sure what else I will pick up to read.

Finished another book today:

#14. Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

I received this book as an Early Reviewer win and I just got around to reading this book. I kept putting it off because life got in the way or another book seemed more interesting. This time I picked this book up for a BINGO challenge I am doing and I am glad I chose this book to read for the free space.

This book started out slow for me until I really got to know the characters. You have this girl Lane who becomes an orphan after her mother's suicide, and learns that she has family in Kansas. So she is moved from New York to Kansas to live with her grandparents and cousin Allegra. Lane soon embraces the privilege of being a Roanoke Girl. Her grandparents have money and a nice farm in Rural Kansas. Allegra is thrilled to have Lane there and quickly shows her around the house and about all the other Roanoke girls.

Allegra introduces Lane to some guys Tommy and Cooper. You slowly learn there is a secret about the Roanoke Girls and family. I found myself not wanting to put the book down as I read this book.

This book is written from Lane's point of view and goes from the present to the past and also has small chapters about the other Roanoke Girls. This helped with understanding the girls and the tragic life some of them experienced. I found myself crying at times for Lane. She was a confused young lady coming back to Roanoke when Allegra went missing. When a book makes me cry it means I was drawn into the story from the beginning. Not all books can do that.

5 stars

I am currently reading: Tall, Tatted and Tempting by Tammy Falkner, so far I am enjoying it.

Another book finished tonight:

#15. Tall, Tatted, and Tempting by Tammy Falkner

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. You first meet the two main characters 'Kit' (not her real name) and Logan at a tattoo establishment. Logan is a guy who is deaf and typically just has sex with the women and then forgets about them. The way he meets Kit had me laughing.

I really enjoyed the whole story and will see if my library has these books either in e-book form or paperback. I want to see what happens with this story and also with the rest of the Reed brothers.

5 stars

Now I have to find a book to read. I am hoping to read Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris. I just have to find the book.

Another book done:

#16. Dead ever after by Charlaine Harris

I am giving this book 4 stars. I enjoyed this book in the aspect that it was summing up Sookie's life and everything she has been through. I did feel that this book was a little blah compared to the other ones in the series. I enjoyed it and couldn't put it down easily. I felt it was blah because there wasn't as much drama between Sookie and the vampires. There was action and her life in danger but just not as intense.

I am glad I read the whole series and do plan to read the final book that reveals what happened after this book.

4 stars

I am currently reading The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie.

Another book off the TBR stacks/shelves etc.

#17. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

I enjoyed this story. Even though Miss Marple was not present during the whole story I quite enjoyed the other characters. The Moving Finger is a mystery of who is writing these anonymous letters to the residents of a quiet little town called Lymstock and who murdered the maid. I enjoyed the interaction of the out of town guests on holiday Jerry and Joanna Burton, brother and sister.

5 stars

I am currently reading Marley & Me by John Grogan.

>60 crazy4reading: The Dame could certainly contrive a whodunit.

Have a lovely weekend.

>61 PaulCranswick: That she could. I love her books. Thanks. I hope you have a great weekend too.

I finished another book late last night:

#18. Marley & Me by John Grogan

Having owned a dog I was familiar with somethings that happened in this book. I found the book entertaining and at times a little boring at times. Some of the antics that Marley got into had me laughing. I actually pictured my sister's dog. I knew this dog would have a sad ending and since I had to put my dog down this year it made me remember her last few days. If you have never owned a dog you will still enjoy this book.

4 stars

I am now reading Dead is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez.

Another book finished last night:

#19: Dead is a state of mind by Marlene Perez

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice easy quick read. I do have to go back and read the first book in this series (I didn't realize this was part of a series. I also didn't realize this has paranormal creatures. I enjoyed the mystery and the snarky remarks by some of the characters. I really loved it when Penny punched the one guy. The way it was written in the book I laughed out loud, so glad I was home when I read that part.

5 stars

I am currently reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling I am loving this BINGO Challenge I am in on GR! I am finding books that I want to read but can never find a way to get them to fit into some challenges and don't read them. Now I just need to read more than one book at a time to get caught up on my goal!!

I finished another book today:

#20. Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling

Well I am a huge Harry Potter fan and was thrilled when J. K Rowling came out with this book. I didn't realize at first that it was a screenplay. I still bought it and finally decided to read it! I loved it. I had actually seen the movie so as I was reading the story I could picture certain scenes. I loved meeting Newt and starting to see how the wizarding world is different from Hogwarts. I cannot wait to read the next book!

5 stars

I don't have another book picked out just yet. Just need to make my decision tomorrow.

I finished another book today:

#21. Dances with Wolves: The illustrated screenplay and story behind the film by Kevin Costner

I don't remember seeing this movie nor reading the original book. I enjoyed reading this book and found it easy to understand the setting, time period and characters etc. I have always found history interesting when written in an understanding and entertaining way.

I enjoyed reading about the life of the Indians and how they treated the land and animals. I would love to watch this movie after reading this screenplay.

4 stars

I am also going to start reading: Puppies in the Pantry by Ben M. Baglio and The Cat Who Wished to be a Man by Lloyd Alexander. I am trying to clear some books off my shelves. I may even choose some more books to start reading

Happy Monday! I hope everyone that has had the heat wave has been able to stay cool this weekend. I had a good productive weekend. I went to my sister's Thursday night since my father had to get blood work completed on Friday. My sister and I try to do the appointments together if at all possible. So Friday I was able to finish the Fantastic Beast book. Yesterday I finished the Dances with Wolves screenplay. This week I am dog sitting for my daughter so I will be home every night after work, except on Wed. I am learning to play American Mahjong and Wednesday night at the library is our class. I am really enjoying it. I also try to go and see if there are any books that I want to take out to read. Nothing exciting happening in my life right now besides everything going on with my father. I am single, again, and trying to enjoy my freedom. I am hoping to finish one of the books listed above tonight. Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!

Dropping by to wish you a lovely and cool weekend. x

>68 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul!! I hope you had an enjoyable and cool weekend. I stayed inside as much as possible and did some reading and cleaning.

I finished a book this week:

#22. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the concept of the letter writing for this book. I felt that I could really get to know the people better that way. I usually enjoy books that are set during the WWII era. I have always found that time interesting and to learn what the people went through. Those that were and weren't in the camps. This war was not just one thing happening in one area. It happened to everyone because of families they had in different countries.

I actually felt like I was there with the characters during this book.

5 stars

I am now reading:

Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
Puppies in the Pantry by Ben. M. Baglio
Dead is so last year by Marlene Perez
Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue (Library book club read)

The last 3 are library books so I will need to get them finished fairly quickly or renew them before time runs out, expect for the book club book. I don't have to get that one done until our meeting in September.

>70 crazy4reading: I love The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - it's such a heartwarming book, and I think it really relates to your comments about how WWII happened to everyone, not just the soldiers. I had no idea Guernsey was occupied until I read this book.

The movie on Netflix is pretty good, too!

>71 Cait86: I will definitely be checking out the movie on Netflix! You are the second person to mention the movie. I now have some weekend plans!! I too was not aware of the occupation of Guernsey until this book. I know I am not a scholar when it comes to geography and history but I am always open to learning and discovering new things and I thoroughly enjoy when a book enlightens me.

I have finished two books this week. Here are the reviews:

#23. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

I loved this book from the beginning. I found myself not wanting to put the book down. This is my first book by Michael Connelly and will definitely be looking for more of his books. This one is the first book in the Mickey Haller series. I love mystery books and ones with suspense always keep me glued to the pages.

5 stars

#24. Dead is the new black by Marlene Perez

Well I picked this book up from the library and finished it in one night. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. In this book you meet Daisy and her sister's Poppy and Rose and their mother. You also meet the other teens from Nightshade High School.

Nightshade is an old town with paranormal people and something strange is going on in the town. Samantha comes back from vacation and she is wearing all black. The cheerleaders all seem to be slowly dying.

Daisy's sisters are psychic the same as their mother. Daisy is the only one so far that hasn't seen her powers manifest so she believes she is a normal like her father, who disappeared. I enjoyed this book from the beginning and will be continuing this series.

5 stars

I am still reading:

Puppies in the pantry by Ben Baglio
Second chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Okay I have been on a roll with reading this weekend. I finished another book today:

#25. Dead is so last year by Marlene Perez

I am enjoying this series a lot. This one has us back in Nightshade and more paranormal activity happens. The Giordano family return from vacation and have some excitement once they return.

This book is the 3rd in the series and I am loving as much as I have the other 2 books I have read. I will be looking for more in this series at my library.

5 stars

I am still reading:

Puppies in the pantry by Ben Baglio
Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Well I finished some children's books this past weekend.

#26. There's a Hair in my Dirt by Gary Larson

I was over my sisters and this book was sitting around. I decided to pick it up and read it. This is a very cute story about worms. It depicts the worms as sitting around a table and eating a meal. I found the story quite entertaining. This is a nice read for some young children.

5 stars

#27. Puppies in the Pantry by Ben Baglio

Cute story. I am just reading through my children's books so I can donate them to a library, or a classroom. This is a great book for someone that loves animals to read.

4 stars

I am still reading:

Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

I am making slow progress on these books.

I am a little behind in posting reviews.

#28. Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy

I enjoyed this book. I read the first book in this series earlier this year. I really enjoyed that book. This one continues after Fable and Drew return from spending the Thanksgiving holiday with Drew's family. Drew is the rich college boy while Fable is the local poor townie known for being easy. This book started out slow. Drew not contacting Fable which hurts her feelings. Fable continues living and is offered a better paying job and runs into Drew during one of her shifts. They pick up right where they left off after Thanksgiving. Not going to reveal anymore. I enjoyed it and at times I did get annoyed with some of the stuff. I will add the series to one to finish.

4 star

#29. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

I enjoyed this book but it took me awhile to get into the book. I found parts of it long and boring. I was interested in how their lives intertwined and how coming from foreign country affected their take on how life in the US was to them.

Neni and Jende Jonga came to America for a better life. As times change in America and Jende trying to get asylum in America and having it put off for a few years. Jende becomes a chauffeur for the Edwards family and they start planning all the things they will do with the money they are making.

As Wall Street has some problems Jendi and Neni worry about Jendi's job with Mr. Edwards. Once he loses his job and has to find a new one things change and so do Neni and Jendi. That is when it started to get interesting.

4 stars

#30 Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

I loved it this time too! Not doing a long review because this was a re-read

5 stars

Reading too many books to list.

A few more books completed:

#31. Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich

I love this series and enjoy all the interactions between Stephanie and Morelli. This time Stephanie is after the town candy shop owner. She hears it from everyone that he is innocent and to leave him alone. I love what she does find out about Mo.

4 stars

#32. Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

This was a book club book and I didn't finish it in time for our monthly meeting. Everyone wanted to talk about the surprise ending. I have to say I wasn't quite surprised by the ending I had thought that from the beginning but then ignored it because I didn't think the author would have done what she did.

I enjoyed the book it just took me awhile to get into the story. The back and forth between the different characters wasn't too bad. I could follow along except when I put the book down for a long period of time. I am glad we read this book for book club.

4 stars

I am currently reading the following:

The Dry by Jane Harper
High Five by Janet Evanovich
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Great to see you back posting, Monica.

I enjoyed The Dry.

>78 PaulCranswick: Great to be back. Life has been very busy lately. I am enjoy The Dry but need to finish some of the other books so they can be returned to the library. I have renewed them a few times. I need to finish The Dry for book club in a week! Glad to hear you enjoyed the Dry!

I finished a book this week!! I am hoping to finish a few books this week. I don't think I will be reaching my goal of 75 books unless I read really, really, really short books.

#33. The Dry by Jane Jarper

This is my first book by Jane Harper and I enjoyed it. I started reading the book but since I had to finish it for book club I downloaded the audio book so I could listen to it while I worked. I enjoyed the audio book.

One of my favorite genres is mystery and this book was a good one. I enjoyed the mystery of not knowing who committed the murder. I was guessing the whole time when I was reading/listening to the book. I look forward to reading another one of Jane Harper's books.

5 stars

I am still reading the following books:

Four Score, High Five, Hot Six and Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Thank you for keeping me company in 2019.......onward to 2020.