It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

 

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?” hosted at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

 

I flitted from book-to-book last week– I started at least 10 books – but only finished 4. I just couldn’t concentrate What a stressful week last week was. My hubby had his colonoscopy this week and the news was not encouraging. A couple of small polyps were removed but a large one had to be biopsied. Now we wait to see whether it is cancerous. A CT scan will be needed and possibly surgery. It never seems to end for him. Last year he spent 4 months in hospital – what will this year bring? Prayers please.

What I Read Last Week

I read 4 books – 1 women’s fiction, 1 romance, 1 non-fiction, and an historical romance.

 

The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde. So enjoyed this book and the three sisters and how they worked at reuniting.

 

Wind Chime Café by Sophie Moss. This was a free romance ebook and I was drawn right away into the story. Will need to read the rest of the series.

 

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I have read several of his books and they all move me. This was no exception.

 

Beckman by Grace Burrowes. Another in her historical romance series “the Lonely Lords”, which I really enjoyed.

 

          

What I’m Reading Now 

Sweet Nothings by Catherine Anderson

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (for a book club read) 

 

What’s Up Next

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla

#6 Degrees of Separation – Wyld to Gyasi

This is the first Saturday of the month which means that it is time for Six Degrees of Separation, the book challenge, hosted by Kate  from “Books are My Favourite and Best“.

This is such a fascinating challenge and one I am always eager to begin and follow the search for connected books. The fun is in the search for connections and each chain that is created is always so different.

(I have used Goodreads summaries for each book as I have not read most of these book)

 

The starting point for us this round is to begin with the 2021 Stella Prize winner, The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld.

“Surging out of the sea, the Bass Rock has for centuries watched over the lives that pass under its shadow on the Scottish mainland. And across the centuries the fates of three women are linked: to this place, to each other.”

 

I have not read this book or any by Wyld, nor any books which have won the Stella Prize. But I was intrigued by this author and hope to read her books

 

1st Degree: One of her earlier books also won prizes. All the Birds Singing is a story of loneliness and survival.

“a stunningly insightful, emotionally powerful new novel about an outsider haunted by an inescapable past: a story of loneliness and survival, guilt and loss, and the power of forgiveness.”

 

2nd Degree: Another prize winner, one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists (as was Wyle) is Sunjeev Sahota. who wrote The Year of the Runaways.

“A novel of extraordinary ambition and authority, about what it means and what it costs to make a new life—about the capaciousness of the human spirit, and the resurrection of tenderness and humanity in the face of unspeakable suffering.”

 

3rd Degree: Another Man Booker award nominee is Nigerian Chigozie Obioma with The Fishermen.

“In a small town in western Nigeria, four young brothers take advantage of their strict father’s absence from home to go fishing at a forbidden local river. They encounter a dangerous local madman who predicts that the oldest boy will be killed by one of his brothers. This prophecy unleashes a tragic chain of events of almost mythic proportions. “

 

4th Degree: This led to the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe who was considered the founder of the modern novel in Nigeria. His debut novel was Things Fall Apart.

“A simple story of a “strong man” whose life is dominated by fear and anger, Things Fall Apart is written with remarkable economy and subtle irony. Uniquely and richly African, at the same time it reveals Achebe’s keen awareness of the human qualities common to men of all times and places”

 

5th Degree: This led to another debut novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

“A sweeping story of family, love, and friendship told against the devastating backdrop of the history of Afghanistan over the last thirty years, The Kite Runner is an unusual and powerful novel that has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic.”

 

6th Degree: Another debut novel that looks at the history of her country Ghana,  is Yaa Gyasi with her novel Homegoing.

“Generation after generation, Yaa Gyasi’s magisterial first novel sets the fate of the individual against the obliterating movements of time, delivering unforgettable characters whose lives were shaped by historical forces beyond their control.”

 

I began with Evie Wyld (Bass Rock) and ended with Yaa Gyasi (Homegoing), amazing women writers who have both won awards and write about strong women. Along the way, we visited Britain, Australia, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Ghana.

Next month (July 3, 2021), we’ll start with a nonfiction modern classic, Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss.

Connect Five Friday – Books to Read for Spring

 

It’s time once again for Connect Five Friday, hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.

 

It is only a few weeks until the beginning of summer and that means only a few weeks to complete my Spring Must Reads. I try hard to read the books I list but I know I won’t get them read in time (some I have already moved to my 20 Books of Summer list).

So here are 5 books I am really going to push to read before June 21:

The Deadly Hours by Susanna Kearsley (and others)

 

Glass Houses by Louise Penny

 

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

 

Becoming by Michele Obama

 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Guest Post on Equality by M.T. Becker

I am honoured to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for M. T. Becker’s book Zinger in the Woods.

Today this husband and wife writing duo are visiting my blog for a wonderful guest post on Social Issues.

Welcome to you both:

Equality?

Equality, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. But, how does a nation-state achieve a state of equality? A state where all of its citizens have equal status, rights, and opportunities. Obviously, no country knows how since universal equality has never been achieved. Why? Because no government, elected official, or civil rights leader can change the fact that human beings are not created equal. We are all unique individuals with unique needs and wants. 

Not to mention, if we were all equal, who would determine the standards of equality; the government, societal norms, the majority population…WHO? If I am what the world has labeled a minority, do I strive to be equal to the majority just because their hue is different, or do I realize my self-worth and approve my own message and approve WHO I see in the mirror? I approve who I see in the mirror and become the person I always wanted to become instead of becoming equal to someone else.

Thank you Mark and Tiesha  for your insights on equality.

Be sure to check out all the stops along the blog tour:

May Reading Round-Up

Once again, we are at the end of one month and beginning a new one. May sped by, with changeable weather once again – even frost two days ago. Reading continues to be such a stress-reliever and once again historical romances captured my attention, as well as a rereading of my favourite series – The Others by Anne Bishop.

It’s time to share what I have been reading this past month.

The total read for May was 30 books with the following breakdown:

Fantasy /Paranormal –6

SciFi – 1

Romance – 6

Women’s Fiction – 2

Historical romance – 6

Non-fiction – 4

Poetry – 1

Pix books – 3

MG novels – 1

I continue to record in more detail where the books originated – from the library, on my TBR shelves (bought/gifted or won) or an e-book. Here’s the breakdown

Library reads – 18                TBR/owned books –5               E-books – 7

I’ve decided to change the order of what I post today – placing favourite books first:

 Favourite Reads

My overall favourite read of the month was The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe 

 

 I enjoyed the historical romances by Grace Burrowes and The Other series by Anne Bishop but will not put them on the list as they would fill it.     

The rest of my top 10 reads:

The Nature Fix by Florence Williams

3 books by T.K Leigh:

The Other Side of Someday,  Dating Games,  Royal Games

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Runaway Road by Devney Perry

Sun Kissed by Catherine Anderson

 

I am participating in quite a few challenges (check here for my list) but I have a few that are my favourites and have done these for a few years. Here are the books read for these challenges:

 POPSUGAR Ultimate Reading Challenge (Through Goodreads)

This month I was only able to read 2 books for the challenge:

#1 – published in 2021 – Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs

#29 – set in multiple countries – The Nature Fix by Florence Williams (even tho this was NF, Williams travelled all over the globe to research this amazing book)

 

52 Books in 52 Weeks

I was only able to read 2 books for this challenge as well:

#22 – a family saga – The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe 

#29 – the environment – The Nature Fix by Florence Williams

 

Monthly Key Word Challenge

I used 2 of the key words this month:

Away – Runaway Road by Devney Perry

Book – The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak

 

Monthly Motif

The theme this month was “Middle grade”. I read Zinger in the Woods by M.T. Becker 

 

Beyond the Bookends

The theme this month was “Faux celebrity”: I read: Royal Games by T. K. Leigh

 

Looking Ahead to June

 I really need to read more of my own books -I have too many! As this National Indigenous History here in Canada, I plan to read more books by native authors, and I have several on my TBR shelves.

 

I am linking with the following:

Monthly Wrap-Up (At Feed Your Fiction Addiction)

 

Best of the Bunch (at A Cocoon of Books)

 

Inspire Me Monday (at Create with Joy)

 

 

It’s Monday! What are You reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading? hosted at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

Hard to believe it is almost June and we had frost last night and I had to cover our tomato plants. Hopefully that will be the end of it. 

What I Read Last Week

I read 7 books – 2 women’s fiction, 3 romances, 1 non-fiction, and a MG novel.

 

The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. This has taken a month to read as it was read for a book study. Full of amazing insights as to why nature is so important to our well-being. A fascinating read.

 

I rediscovered the writer T.K. Leigh and read 3 romances by her this week. Enjoyed them all immensely. Will need to buy a couple to complete a series and so plan to read more for sure.

           

The Other Side of Someday              Dating Games                      Royal Games

 

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak. So enjoyed this one.

 

The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe. This was her latest in the Low Country series and was such an enjoyable read.

 

Zinger in the Woods by  M.T. Becker . I read this for a WOW review – a cute MG novel.

 

What I’m Reading Now 

Sweet Nothings by Catherine Anderson

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (for a book club read) 

 

What’s Up Next

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Connect Five Friday -Ebooks I’ve Enjoyed

It’s time once again for Connect Five Friday, hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.

I have received hundreds of free ebooks from Freebooksy, Bookbub and other ebook providers and have read a fair number of these. Many start a series but it is not often I will break down and buy others in the series unless it really grabs me,

Here are 4 authors from whom I’ve received and read free ebooks and then bought more of their books (because I loved their writing and want to support them):

T.K Leigh. This is the latest author I’ve been reading and have so enjoyed her Dating Games Series that I had to buy the third – Wicked Games. Just finished The Other Side of Someday and loved it. Will probably buy more of her books.

   

Katie Graykowski. I have received a number of her ebooks for free and really enjoyed the books I read (Perfect Summer, Cold as January, Sweet Susie Sweet), I ended up buying her Marilyns Box set because I had to finish the series.

       

Kait Nolan. I’ve loved Kait’s sweet romances and because I have received a number of free ebooks, I wanted to support her by buying several in her Wishful series.

     

Kelly Collins. I have read 3 in her One Hundred series and enjoyed this sweet romance series so have bought a couple of others of the series.

    

and

one author who I’ve followed online for a long time and just had to have her books:

Anne Bogel. Bogel runs Modern Ms. Darcy, a wonderful book blog and offers so much advice, book lists and even podcasts. I bought and enjoyed 2 of her books: I’d Rather Be Reading and Don’t Overthink It, and just bought her latest Reading People.

WOW Book Review – Zinger in the Woods by M.T. Becker

I am honoured to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for M. T. Becker’s early chapter book Zinger in the Woods which I read and am now reviewing.

(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

My Review:

Zinger in the Woodsis an early chapter book written by the husband and wife team M.T.Becker. It is seven chapters, with illustrations that will help young readers as they move into chapter books.

Children will enjoy this tale of dogs, friendship and rescues. The adventures in this book will capture children’s attention and have them rooting for Ginger and Zen.

It is a cute story which children will enjoy.

Book Summary

Olive is searching for her missing dog Ginger, but the dog has fallen into a hole and is trapped. Along comes Zen, a homeless dog who helps free Ginger. Together, they make their way back to Olive.

Print Length: 24 Pages

Genre: Children’s Book

ASIN: B0851KXJVP

ISBN-13: 979-8616441805

Publisher: Independent

Zinger in The Woods is available to purchase now on Amazon.com.

  

About the Authors, M.T. Becker

Zinger in The Woods was retold by, husband and wife authors, Mark and Tiesha Becker. The former elementary school teachers decided to write a book after fostering three malnourished puppies. Zinger in the Woods reflects the lessons they learned from being parents, doggie parents, and teachers for over thirty years.

You can discover more about M.T. Becker on their website: www.live-grow-sustain.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56928518-zinger-in-the-woods

https://mtbecker.podbean.com/ and all the typical  podcasting sites

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zinger_el

Instagram:      @zenandginger

@m.t.becker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zinger.woods

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851KXJVP/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=zinger+in+the+woods&qid=1582734281&sr=8-1?tag=wowwomenonwri-20

iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-t-becker-podcast/id1449185558

Audible https://www.audible.com/pd/Zinger-In-The-Woods-Podcast/B08K6MBX41?ipRedirectOverride=true&overrideBaseCountry=true&pf_rd_p=2756bc30-e1e4-4174-bb22-bce00b971761&pf_rd_r=XSGWHAABZBSD9TZT0QG1

 

 Be sure to check out all the stops along the tour. 

– Blog Tour Dates

May 10th @ The Muffin

What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us on the WOW blog today and celebrate the launch of M.T. Becker’s book Zinger in The Woods. You can read an interview with the authors and enter to win a copy of the book too.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

 

May 11th @ Jill Sheet’s Blog

Visit Jill’s blog today to read a guest post on Having Writers Block by the authors of Zinger in The Woods, M. T. Becker.

http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/

 

May 12th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews

Join Lisa today as she interviews M. T. Becker, authors of Zinger in The Woods.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

 

May 13th @ Editor-911

Visit Margo’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M.T. Becker.

https://www.editor-911.com/blog

 

May 17th @ AJ Kormon

Visit AJ Kormon’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post about Education by authors M. T. Becker.

https://www.ajkormon.com/blog

 

May 19th @ The Faerie Review

Visit Lily’s blog today to see her spotlight and review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

 

May 20th @ Literary Quicksand

Visit Jolissa’s blog today to see her giveaway and review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.

http://www.teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com/

May 26th @ Beverley A Baird

Visit Beverley’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M. T. Becker.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

 

May 28th @ It’s Alanna Jean

Visit Alanna’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Relationships by authors M. T. Becker.

http://itsalannajean.webnode.com/

 

June 1st @ World of My Imagination

Visit Nicole’s blog today for her giveaway and review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Being Enough by authors M. T. Becker.

https://worldofmyimagination.com/

 

June 2nd @ Beverley A Baird

Visit Beverley’s blog today to see a guest post on Social Issues by authors M. T. Becker.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

 

June 4th @ Author Anthony Avina

Visit Anthony’s blog today to see his review of Zinger in The Woods and interview with authors M. T. Becker.

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/

 

June 5th The Good Book Nook

Visit Polly’s Instagram page today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.

https://instagram.com/_thegoodbooknook

 

June 6th @ Shoe’s Seeds & Stories

Visit Linda’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.

https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com/

 

June 7th @ Leslie’s Voice

Visit Leslie’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.

http://lesliesvoice.com/

 

June 8th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf

Visit Veronica’s blog today to read her review of M. T. Becker’s book Zinger in The Woods.

https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/

 

June 9th @ Carole Writes

Visit Carole’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M. T. Becker.

http://www.carolemertz.com/

 

June 10th @ Reading Girl Reviews

Visit Gina’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M. T. Becker.

http://www.readinggirlreviews.com/

June 11th @ Chapters Through Life

Visit Danielle’s blog today to see her spotlight and review of the book Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.

http://chaptersthroughlife.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

 

June 12th @ Lisa’s Reading

Visit Lisa’s blog today to see her spotlight and giveaway of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Growing Food by authors M. T. Becker.

https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com/

 

June 13th @ Teatime and Books

Visit Janet’s blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Education by authors M. T. Becker.

http://www.teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com/

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?” hosted at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

Even with some grey clouds, it was another lovely weekend. And this is the Victoria Day long weekend in Canada – so tomorrow is a holiday. Even heard fireworks, both tonight and yesterday.

 

What I Read Last Week

I read 5 books – 2 fantasies, 1 non-fiction, 1 romance and a picture book.

Vision in Silver by Ann Bishop. I finished the reread of The Others series with this book. And loved it as much as before.

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs. I’ve waited a while for this latest in her Alpha and Omega series – it was well worth wait.

 

Creativity by John Cleese. A very short book that actually has some interesting points about creativity.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert. Loved this third book in her romance series of the three Brown sisters.

Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham. An amazing picture book about the pandemic.

 (From Goodreads: From Caldecott honoree LeUyen Pham, Outside, Inside is a moving picture book celebrating essential workers and the community coming together to face the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic.)

What I’m Reading Now 

Sweet Nothings by Catherine Anderson

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak

 

What’s Up Next

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Book Blogger Hop

While visiting “Elza Reads” blog, I discovered “The Book Blogger Hop“, hosted at “Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer”. Thought I would participate.

The Book Blogger’s hop‘s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog. Every week, there will be a prompt featuring a book related question.

This week’s question:

Do you have a monthly/yearly budget for books? Or are you a “What’s a book budget” kind of reader?

I really don’t have a budget for buying books. Now that I am retired, I usually read a book a day, so if I bought all the books I read I would be broke!  I usually only buy the books I must have (too many holds on The Midnight Library so I bought it), or love the author (Louise Penny, Suzanna Kearsley).

 I do look for bargains though, do visit second-hand shops (or did before covid), trade with friends and grab free ebooks. I also use the library a lot.

The Last 5 Books I had to Buy