August Reading Round-up

Here it is, the end of August and my hubby is still in hospital. His infections settled down, and he was transferred to a rehab centre – for a day! Then his platelets dropped so low they rushed him back to hospital, where he has been since. He has been there almost 3 months altogether! At least he is finally starting to feel better,  the infections have cleared and now it is a matter of getting his strength back. I am hoping he will be back to rehab by this coming weekend.
I continually turn to fantasy and there have been more excellent books this month to escape the stress.

It’s time to share what I have been reading this past month.
The total read for August was 31 books, with the following breakdown:
Fantasy /Paranormal –16
Historical Fiction/Historical Romance– 1
Romance – 10
Women’s Fiction – 1
Memoir/Non-fiction – 3
Pix books – 0

I continue to record in more detail where the books originated – from the library, on my TBR shelves (bought/gifted or won), an e-book, or a charity read (Bought from a charity store). Here’s the breakdown
Library reads –25
TBR books –0
E-books – 6
Charity reads – 0

Here are the books read for my favourite challenges:
Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge (Through Goodreads)
I read 2 books for this challenge, so must do some catching up now.
#4 – About a book club – Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
#24 – About a subject you know nothing about – Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert by Dr. Erica Elliott

52 Books in 52 Weeks
I read only 1 for this challenge – need catching up
#37 – involving the medical profession – Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert by Dr. Erica Elliott

Beyond the Bookends
The theme this month was “Cozy British book”. I read 2 books:
Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Monthly Key Word Challenge
The key word I used this month was: “Kiss”.
Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh

Monthly Motif
The theme this month was “Creature Feature”.
Heartstone by Elle Katherine White (dragon)
This was a perfect time to discover Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series as I read the first 4 books in her series as well as her anthology, Wild Invitation

Blogger’s Bookshelf
The theme was “Sunshine or clouds on the cover”
The Beach Wedding by Lucy Kevin

Diversify Your Reading
The theme was “Contemporary”. I read several:
The Beach Wedding by Lucy Kevin
Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Diversity
The theme was “Mental Health/addiction”
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

I’m taking part in 3 more reading challenges over the summer months.
Here are books read this month for these challenges:

20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge ( here for my list/post) none read – sad really. I do plan to read these but looks like it won’t be during the summer!

2020 Summer Reading Challenge (at The Messy Middle)
Completed! (Check here for my list – in the comments!)

2020 Popsugar Summer Reading Challenge (here for more info), H have read more than half now – still need 8 to finish – before Sept. 22)
#1 – Summer in the title – Perfect Summer by Katie Graykowski
#4 – About a vacation – My Heart Weeps by Pamela S. Thibodeaux
#6 – An item you’d find at the beach in the title – Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
#8 – Set at a resort or hotel – Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway
#9 – Release date June, July August of any year – Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh (July 2009)
#11 – Summer romance – Beach House Beginnings by Christie Ridgway
#15 – Takes place in a beach town – The Beach Wedding by Lucy Kevin

Favourite Reads
Here are my top 10 reads (besides all the Nalini Singh books I read!):
Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Perfect Summer by Katie Graykowski
Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway
The Beach Wedding by Lucy Kevin
Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
My Dangerous Duke by Gaelen Foley

Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert by Dr. Erica Elliott
This Messy Magnificent Life by Geneen Roth
Craft a Life You Love by Amy Tangerine

Looking Ahead to September
I plan to continue reading through the 2 fantasy series by Nalini Singh and work to finish the Popsugar Summer challenge.

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)

Grammy’s Grid

 

It’s Monday – What are You reading?

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

Books continue to be a great stress releaser, although now I have settled in to read as much of Nalini Singh as possible. My husband is still in hospital but I think he has turned the corner and hopefully will head back to rehab by week’s end. (Sept 9 he will have been in hospital 3 months!)

What I Read Last Week
I read 7 books this past week – 1 contemporary romance, 1 non-fiction and 5 fantasies.

I am loving the Psy/Changeling series by Nalini Singh and read 3 from this series:

         

Caressed by Ice                   Mine to Possess                   Branded by Fire

 

Also read 2 fantasy anthologies:

Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh, which has 4 of her novellas from the series. Great stories, expanding on the world and PSy/Changeling world.

Night Shift, with stories by Singh, Ilona Andrews, Lisa Shearin and Milla Vane. All fantasy, all so different, all good.

 

Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. Finally bought the book and loved it.

 

Craft a Life You Love by Amy Tangerine. I really enjoyed this non-fiction book, filled with inspiring and encouraging words. A strong testament to the need to keep creating.

 

What I’m Reading Now – still working on these! and of course more Nalini Singh
Two Summers by Aimee Friedman
On Writing by Stephen King
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

What’s Up Next
The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr
What You Wish for by Katherine Center

 

Connect Five Friday – Mensa for Kids- Grades 9-12

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

Once again, I was going over some of the categories for the “52 Books in 52 Weeks” reading challenge and the Mensa category one shocked me a bit.

For this category, we have to read a book that is on the “Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading Program for Grades 9-12”. I printed off the list – over 100 books! And as I checked off the ones I’d read (only 31), I realized there were soo many I hadn’t read.
And there were some tough reads – Canterbury Tales (I had read some in a university English course), The Aeneid by Virgil (nope), Beowulf and Dante’s Divine Comedy (nope again). It’s a bit disheartening to realize I’ve not read many of these classics and high school students were expected to. So, I’ve decided to read as many as I can in the next year.

Here are 5 books that I haven’t read yet but plan to read first (with summaries from Goodreads)”

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

The serene and maternal Mrs. Ramsay, the tragic yet absurd Mr. Ramsay, and their children and assorted guests are on holiday on the Isle of Skye. From the seemingly trivial postponement of a visit to a nearby lighthouse, Woolf constructs a remarkable, moving examination of the complex tensions and allegiances of family life and the conflict between men and women.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Okonkwo is the greatest wrestler and warrior alive , and his fame spreads throughout West Africa life a bush-fire in the harmattan. But when he accidentally kills a clansman, things begin to fall apart. Then Okonkwo returns from exile to find missionaries and colonial governors have arrived in the village.

A Single Pebble by John Hersey
A young American engineer sent to China to inspect the unruly Yangtze River travels up through the river’s gorges searching for dam sites. Pulled on a junk hauled by forty-odd trackers, he is carried, too, into the settled, ancient way of life of the people of the Yangtze — until the interplay of his life with theirs comes to a dramatic climax.

 

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

First published in 1952 and immediately hailed as a masterpiece, Invisible Man is one of those rare novels that have changed the shape of American literature. For not only does Ralph Ellison’s nightmare journey across the racial divide tell unparalleled truths about the nature of bigotry and its effects on the minds of both victims and perpetrators, it gives us an entirely new model of what a novel can be.

 

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

One of George Bernard Shaw’s best-known plays, Pygmalion was a rousing success on the London and New York stages, an entertaining motion picture and a great hit with its musical version, My Fair Lady. An updated and considerably revised version of the ancient Greek legend of Pygmalion and Galatea, the 20th-century story pokes fun at the antiquated British class system.

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?“, at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.
Once again – books continue to be a great stress releaser, although I move from book to book, they were a great comfort.! My hubby is once again in hospital – he spent 1 day (!) in rehab before his platelets dropped dangerously low. I did get to see him twice so at least that was a blessing.

What I Read Last Week
I read 5 books last week – 1 contemporary romance, 1 woman’s fiction, 1 non-fiction and 2 fantasies.

I started the Psy/Changeling series by Nalini Singh as I couldn’t get any more of the Guild Hunter series yet from the library. I am enjoying it just as much as the other.

 

Slave to Sensation                                Visions of Heat

 

Sea Swept by Nora Roberts. Another romance series, about brothers. Enjoying the series so far.

 

My Heart Weeps by Pamela S. Thibodeaux. Deals well with grieve and what we need to move forward.

 

This Messy Magnificent Life by Geneen Roth. Well worth the read.

What I’m Reading Now – still working on these!
Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Two Summers by Aimee Friedman
On Writing by Stephen King
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

What’s Up Next
The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr
What You Wish For by Katherine Center

 

Connect 5 Friday – Books Written in the 70s

t’s Friday once again and that means it’s time 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 going over some of the categories for the “52 Books in 52 Weeks” reading challenge and one that I haven’t read a book for yet was “Book written in the 70’s”.
Here are 5 books that I haven’t read (but hope to) that were written in the 70s:

Kindred by Octavia Butler. All of the reviews that I have read of this have made me want to read it.

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engel. (Book 2) I finally read book one of this series last year and am still set on finishing the whole series

 

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. Not sure why I haven’t read this, but it is on my TBR list.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Really must read her books. She’s a powerhouse

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by . I remember buying this in the 70s while at university but never did get far reading it. I recently found it at a thrift store and decided to buy it, with the intention of finally reading it.

My goal is read all of these before year’s end! If I read one this month, then I only have to read a book a month to finish them all.

Keyword Connect – KISS

I have taken part in the Monthly Keyword Challenge for several years and I enjoy the hunt to find a book to match at least one of the words.
I also take part in the Connect Five Friday challenge – where we look for 5 books that connect in some way.
I’ve also started to participate in the monthly Six Degrees of Separation challenge.
For all of these, it is about the hunt – searching for books that fit the challenge. And now there is a new one.

Pick any of the keywords for this month from the Monthly Keyword Challenge and make connections. This month choices are Kiss, Flower, When, Happy, North, Right. (Check here

My choice – KISS.

1. I read Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh.  I just discovered this series and started reading her Guild Hunter series and so enjoy it.

2. Another series by Singh is the PSY-Changeling series and have just started to read this series –the first book is  Slave to Sensation. Both fantasy series are addicting!

3. Another series I loved and have reread is The Others by Anne Bishop. My favourite series for sure.

4. Another favourite book that I have reread is The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley. Time travel, history and fascinating characters make for a great read.

5. Another fascinating read that involved time travel and is part of a series is The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston. So enjoyed this novel and this series.

So here are my connections – a fun challenge linking books in some way.

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?“, at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.
Once again – books were a great comfort.! My hubby has now been in hospital for 3 weeks , but finally, the hospital has opened up finally and I will get to see him for an hour tomorrow!

What I Read Last Week
I read 9 books last week – 4 contemporary romances, and 5 fantasies.
I finally started the Guild Series by Nalini Singh and whipped through the first 5.

Angel’s Blood                        Archangel’s Kiss       Archangel’s Consort

       

Archangel’s Blade                  Archangel’s Storm

2 books by Kelly Collins

       

100 Excuses                             100 Reasons =Sweet romances – have enjoyed the whole series so far

 

Perfect Summer by Katie Graykowski So enjoyed this romance; so, enjoy this author.

Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway. Start of another enjoyable romance series

What I’m Reading Now (as I got sidetracked by the Guild Hunter series this past week, I did not read any more of these. So – will have to do that this week – as the next books in the fantasy series are held up at the library!)
Two Summers by Aimee Friedman
On Writing by Stephen King
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

What’s Up Next
The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr
What You Wish For by Katherine Center

 

Connect 5 Friday – 5 New Authors I’ve Enjoyed

It’s Friday once again and that means it’s time 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 been reading a lot of fantasy lately – they sure do make you forget what’s happening around you – very needed right now.

Here are 5 authors who I have recently discovered and loved their work.

1. Nalina Singh. I have had numerous recommendations about her books but it wasn’t until this past week that I finally read a book by her. And then I was hooked. Now I have finished 4 books in her Guild Hunter series. I will definitely reading more of her books.

       

Archangel’s Blood                            Archangel’s Kiss

         

Archangel’s Consort                      Archangel’s Blade

 

2. Rachel Hawkins. So enjoyed her Hex Hall series – a YA fantasy series

   

Hex Hall                   Demonglass                       Spell Bound

 

3. Elle Katherine White. Her Heartstone, another YA fantasy, was an enjoyable read.

4. Clare Pooley. So enjoyed The Authenticity Project – loved the characters and the format.

 

5. Karma Brown. Loved her Come Away with Me”– the settings, the main character and such an ending!

 

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

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

Once again – thank God for books! My hubby has now been in hospital for 2 weeks and still no definitive answer to the infection. Hopefully results come back tomorrow and then more tests.

What I Read Last Week
I read 7 books last week – 4 contemporary romances, a memoir and 2 fantasies.

Medicine and Miracles in the Hugh Desert by Dr. Erica Elliott. So enjoyed this memoir, about Elliott’s time on A Navajo reserve in the 70/80s. (Check my review here).

 

I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. Once again, an enjoyable romance from Kinsella. Have really come to enjoy her work.

 

The Darkest Gateway by Jeri Westerson. The final in this series and a fun read.
The Beach Wedding by Lucy Kevin. Always enjoy romances by Lucy Kevin/Bella Andre.

 

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White. Quickly got caught up in this fantasy world. Great read.

 

Would Like to Meet. By Rachel Winters. Another 5* read – loved the screenplay aspects.

 

One Hundred Promises by Kelly Collins. An enjoyable romance. What happens when your dreams change?

What I’m Reading Now
Two Summers by Aimee Friedman
On Writing by Stephen King
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

What’s Up Next
The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr
What You Wish For by Katherine Center

 

Connect Five Friday: 5 Books With Summer in the Title

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

As I was checking what I need to still read for a summer reading challenge, I realized I had read many books with summer in the title.

Here are five books I’ve read with summer in the title (The are either romances or women’s fiction, by some of my favourite authors;  enjoyable and I rated them 4 or 5 on Goodreads):

The Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe

 

Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller

 

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot by Susan Mallery

 

Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

 

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews