October Reading RoundUp

Hallowe’en today – time has certainly flown by this month.
It’s that time to share what I have been reading this past month.
The total read for October was 27 books with the following breakdown:
Fantasy –3
Paranormal – 2
Historical Romance– 14
Romance – 5
Women’s Fiction – 1
YA – 1
Mystery – 1

Diverse books – 2

I decided this year to record in more detail where the books originated – from the library, on my TBR shelves, an e-book, bought /gifted or a charity read (Bought from a charity store). Here’s the breakdown
Library reads – 21
TBR books –0e-books – 6
Charity reads – 0

Here are the books read for my favourite challenges:

Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge (Through Goodreads)
As I near the end of books to finish this challenge, I have really slowed down with only 1 this month. I still have 9 books to read to complete this challenge!
17 – Set on a university or college campus – 2 books fit this one:
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell

52 Books in 52 Weeks
I was able to cross off only one for this challenge this month. I have 8 books left to read for this challenge.
42 –Family member’s favourite book – A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Monthly Key Word Challenge
As the words pertained to Hallowe’en, I chose 3 key words this month:
Wolf: The Artist Cries Wolf by Heather Horrocks
Cowboy Wolf Trouble by Kait Ballinger
Ghost: Ghost Groom by Jennifer Youngblood
Witch: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Monthly Motif
The theme this month was “Magic and Illusions”: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Beyond the Bookends
The theme was “LGBTQ”.
I (finally!) read Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Diversify Your Reading
The genre was YA. I read Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Connect Five
I post a separate post on any Connect Five books I read each month. In October, my connections were:

Summer

Brides and British Nobility

Favourite Books Read This Month
Once again, this was an excellent month for reading books that I rated a number of books a 5 at Goodreads.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Cowboy Wolf Trouble by Kait Ballinger
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell
Lake Silence and Wild Country by Anne Bishop
By Tessa Dare:
The Governess Game
When a Scot Ties the Knot
Say yes to the Marquess
A Night to Surrender
Any Duchess Will Do

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
Fumbled by Alexa Martin
Cold-Hearted Rake and Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas

November Goals
This month is Non-Fiction November and I plan to read more memoirs and books about writing, as it is also NaNoWriMo month. I need to attack my TBR shelves as well. I also need to read more books for the Popsugar and 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenges.

I am linking with the following:

Spread the Love (at As Told by Tina)

Monthly Wrap-up (At Feed Your Fiction Addiction)

 

Monthly Review

 

Best of the Bunch (at A Cocoon of Books)

Non-Fiction November – Week 1

 

Nonfiction November is a month-long celebrating non-fiction books.

It is hosted by Julie (JulzReads), Sarah (Sarah’s Book Shelves), Katie (Doing Dewey), Rennie (What’s Nonfiction) . Each week, they’ll be a different prompt, with a different host.  

This week’s (Oct. 29 – Nov. 2) discussion is hosted by Julie @ Julz Reads
We are to look back on your NF reading this year:

Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions –

I was surprised when I pulled up my NF reads from Goodreads, to find that I had only read 9 NF books (altho I had read more NF children’s books) All but 2 I rated at 5*.

#NeverAgain by David Hogg

In Conclusion, Don’t Worry About It by Lauren Graham

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig

Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Heal Yourself With Journaling Power by Mari McCarthy

Design Your Next Chapter by Debbie Travis

Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Ann Spence

Anthony Bourdain Remembered by CNN

 

What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year?

     

The 57 Bus and Anthony Bourdain Remembered.

 

Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year?

I seemed to be attracted to looking deeper inside – about hate, fear, memory, feminism.

 

What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?

Notes on a Nervous Planet

 

What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

This November, I hope to read more: memoirs and books about writing (as this is NaNoWriMo month as well)

 

A Tricky Potion

The 9th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest has begun! Susanna Leonard Hill is once again hosting this amazing contest for children’s writers.

The criteria – a 100 word story for children, using the words “cobweb, potion and trick” in any form in your story, in any way you want to create it – from scary to funny to sweet.

Check here for more info.

My entry:

 

A Tricky Potion

“Winnie, what have you done now?” A tall dark witch glowered at the now immaculate room.

“I wanted to surprise you with a creepier room, but it made it cleaner.”

“I’ve told you, over and over – WAIT. FOR. ME. Spells can be tricky.”

Wanda pulled out her wand and with a flick of her wrist and a few words, the room was transformed. Cobwebs covered every corner and dust coated every surface.

“Be quick now. Gather a cup of cobwebs. You can finish the potion.”

Winnie danced around the room, gathering cobwebs. Tonight was the All Hallow’s ball!

 

The 9th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest has begun! Susanna Leonard Hill is once again hosting this amazing contest for children’s writers.

The criteria – a 100 word story for children, using the words “cobweb, potion and trick” in any form in your story, in any way you want to create it – from scary to funny to sweet.

Check here for more info.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme IMWAYR at Book Date where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week

What I Read Last Week
Last week I read 5 books with a variety of genres: historical romances, mystery and women’s fiction.
Here are the books I read:

2 historical romances by Tessa Dare, who has quickly become one of my favourite authors.

A Night to Surrender

Lord Dashwood Missed out – A sweet novella

The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower by Erica Ridley  Another historical romance which I enjoyed.

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker, an enemy to lover novel, set in Alaska. An enjoyable romance.

The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell An interesting mystery, based on the Bronte sisters.

 

What I’m Reading Now

Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

 

What’s Up Next

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

 

Linking as well with

Spread the Love
Book Nook Blog Party at Create With Joy

Connect Five – Summer

The Connect 5 reading challenge hosted at “The Book Date” urges us to connect five books in some way.
This has become my favourite challenge – as I read a book I look for other connecting books – checking at the library, my ebooks or my own TBR books. It really helps that I am retired and usually read a book a day.

I am working on several connections now and have finished another this past week:

Books About Summer, with “Summer” in the title

The first three are all women’s fiction, all excellent 5* reads.

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

The Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe

 

The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable

 

A sweet contemporary romance

Summer Harbor by Susan Wilson

 

An enjoyable, historical romance

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

 

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme IMWAYR at Book Date where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week

What I Read Last Week
Last week I read 4 books, but one was over 500 pages. I even read a variety of genres: fantasy, NS, historical and contemporary romances

Here are the books I read:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Loved this fantasy novel and looking forward to reading the series.

 

Loved these historical romance books by Tessa Dare:

 
Do You Want to Start a Scandal
Say Yes to the Marquess

 

Fumbled by Alexa Martin     A sweet diverse contemporary romance

 

What I’m Reading Now

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

 

What’s Up Next

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Linking as well with
Book Nook Blog Party at Create With Joy

 

Connect 5 – Brides and British Nobility

The Connect 5 reading challenge hosted at “The Book Date” urges us to connect five books in some way.

I am working on several connections now and  finished two this week:

Books about Brides – with Bride in the title

Here are the books read for this connection, all of them ebooks, all enjoyable romances – from historical to contemporary to scifi..

An Unexpected Bride by Ashtyn Newwbold

 

The Beast’s Bride by Jayne Castel

 

Seal’s Bride by Vivian Wood

 

Philomena – Unwanted Bride by Misty Shae

 

Alien Architect’s Bride by Scarlett Grove

 

 

Books About British Nobility

Here are the books I read for this connection, by 2 of my favourite historical romance writers:

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

One God Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean

Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover by Sarah MacLean

 

 

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare

 

Linking as well with

 

Book Nook  Blog party at Create With Joy

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme IMWAYR at Book Date where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week

What I’ve Read This Past Week
Last week was a week of more historical romances:

Here are the books I read:

Love both these new series:

Romancing the Duke and When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare

 

The Cold-Hearted Rake and Marrying Mr. Winterbourne by Lisa Kleypas

As well as 2 contemporary romances:

Ghost Groom by Jennifer Youngblood

Sit, Stay, Love by Debbie Burns

 

What I’m Reading Now

Boy Wonder by Cathal Kelly

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

What’s Up Next (Still waiting to start!)

Blue Future by Maude Barlow
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Cozy paranormal mysteries

 

Linking as well with

Book Nook Blog Party at Create With Joy

 

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

 

Time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme IMWAYR at Book Date where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week

What I’ve Read This Past Week

Last week was a week of excellent fantasy books and historical romances, as well as a book of poetry.

Here are the books I read:

   
Lake Silence by Anne Bishop

Wild Country by Anne Bishop
The first two in a new fantasy series of The Others – such amazing world-building and unique storyline. Loved them! (But now will have a long wait for the next one)

 

Dear Mother by Bunmi Laditan What a powerful book of poetry which celebrates motherhood.

 

Three enjoyable historical romances.

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
Diary of an Accidental Wallflower by Jennifer McQuiston

 

What I’m Reading Now
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
The Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

What’s Up Next
Blue Future by Maude Barlow
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Cozy paranormal mysteries

Top Ten Tuesday – Books With One in the Title

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s Top Ten list:
Book Titles With Numbers.

As I looked over the books I’ve read over the past few months, “one” appeared over ten times. So here is my list of

Books With the One in the Title

 

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

 

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

One and Only by Jenny Holiday

One More Moment by Samantha Chase

 

One More Promise by Samantha Chase

 

One More Kiss by Samantha Chase

 

One Day in December by Samantha Chase

 

The Good Ones by Jenn McKinlay

 

One Fine Fireman by Jennifer Bernard

 

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean