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 missed posting here last week. It has been over a week of suffering through gallbladder and then shingles pain. Reading helped but not much else. It has eased a bit but not back to normal yet. So, I am going to share what I’ve read over the past 2 weeks, as there were some wonderful books.
What I Read the Last 2 Weeks
I read 12 books –5 fantasies, 2 romances, 3 women’s fiction, a middle grade fantasy and a magic realism novel.
I read 5 fantasies by Nalini Singh – loved them all
Archangel’s Light
Silver SilenceOcean Light Wolf Rain Alpha Night
I read 2 books by Mariah Stewart – so enjoyed both of these
An Invincible Summer Goodbye Again
The Tiger in the House by Jacqueline Sheehan. This was such an emotional read, which I really enjoyed.
The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill. This was an excellent middle grade fantasy.
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lin. Another winner by this author, magical realism done so well.
Undateableby Lauren Blakely. A romance novella that was a quick, enjoyable read.
The Baby Switchby Melissa Senate. Another romance novella I 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’ve been absent for a bit – dealing with both gallbladder problems and now shingles (on my chest and back). It has been a painful two weeks. So, I am a day late to the party.
While reading some recommendations for books, the title of one made me wonder about books that had “clock” in the title. Searching for them lead me to dozens! Here are 5 books with clock in the title, several I plan to read.
The Clockwork Girl by Anna Mazzola
“An intoxicating and darkly immersive story of obsession, illusion and the price of freedom, from the award-winning author of The Unseeing”
The Clockmaker’s Daughterby Kate Morton
“In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins.”
A Clockwork Orangeby Anthony Burgess
“In Anthony Burgess’s influential nightmare vision of the future, criminals take over after dark. Teen gang leader Alex narrates in fantastically inventive slang that echoes the violent intensity of youth rebelling against society. Dazzling and transgressive, A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil and the meaning of human freedom. ”
Clock Dance by Anne Tyler
“Willa Drake can count on one hand the defining moments of her life: when she was eleven and her mother disappeared, being proposed to at twenty-one, the accident that would make her a widow at forty-one. At each of these moments, Willa ended up on a path laid out for her by others.
So when she receives a phone call telling her that her son’s ex-girlfriend has been shot and needs her help, she drops everything and flies across the country. The spur-of-the-moment decision to look after this woman – and her nine-year-old daughter, and her dog – will lead Willa into uncharted territory.”
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
“In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.”
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 follow several people who take part in the weekly Book Blogger Hop, where a prompt/question is posted, and bloggers respond.
Even tho I seldom participate online, I do answer the question. Last week’s question got my attention and made me realize it would be perfect for “Connect Five Friday”.
What are your bookish pet peeves?
I hate it when I get to the end of a series and find out that the next book won’t be published for at least another year.
I hate when I hear or see spoilers for a book I am reading or plan to read. (Even if I sometimes read the ending!)
I hate when I get involved in a book and find pages missing. Then I have to track down another book. (This has actually happened several times with thrift store books – hence the checking the ending.
I hate when I am so involved with a book and I am forced to leave it for several hours and can’t even take it with me to read on the way.
I hate not having a book (or finishing a book before the end of my wait) when I have to wait in line, am traveling or waiting for an appointment.
This is one of my favourite topics as it forces me to go over books, I plan to read in the next 3 months.
When I looked back on my Winter TBR list, I was shocked to see that I had only read 2 of the books I had listed. Good grief! One I am still waiting on from the library (Archangel’s Light) but the others just didn’t interest me enough to read. I have read quite a few books since the winter list, but not all of these.
So, this round I am going to be much more selective and really chose books that are nudging me to read.
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.
Well, my hubby is home now, and we have settled back into routines. But I have spent less time reading as I am spending more time with him.
We’ve had snow this week, but not much accumulation and then we’ll have above freezing temperatures the rest of the week. Must be March Break.
What I Read Last Week
I read 3 books –a fantasy, a romance and a picture book. I am juggling at least 5 books right now but haven’t finished any of those.
Electric Idol by Katee Robert. This was the second in her series and I enjoyed this fantasy. Loved the way she used Greek myths and the gods to craft a new world.
Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday. A fun romance, the second one in her series, although I’ll have to go back and read the first.
The Joy in You by Cat Deeley, illus. by Rosie Butcher. This was such an enjoyable read. Will probably get it for my grandkids.
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 am participating in a number of reading challenges and one of the monthly challenges is Emilie Richards’ Reading Challenge. The theme for this month is “a novel with recipes”. As I checked online, I found dozens of possible books. I had at least 5 on my shelves and more that I wanted to read that are at the library.
So, here are Books on my TBR shelves (with descriptions from Goodreads , except first from Amazon):
The Love Goddess’ Cooking Schoolby Melissa Senate
“Holly Maguire’s grandmother Camilla was the Love Goddess of Blue Crab Island, Maine–a Milanese fortune-teller who could predict the right man for you, and whose Italian cooking was rumored to save marriages. Holly has been waiting years for her unlikely fortune: her true love will like sa cordula, an unappetizing old-world delicacy. But Holly can’t make a decent marinara sauce, let alone sa cordula. Maybe that’s why the man she hopes to marry breaks her heart. So when Holly inherits Camilla’s Cucinotta, she’s determined to forget about fortunes and love and become an Italian cooking teacher worthy of her grandmother’s legacy.” (from Amazon)
The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
“That skinny Indian teenager has that mysterious something that comes along once a generation. He is one of those rare chefs who is simply born. He is an artist.”
And so begins the rise of Hassan Haji, the unlikely gourmand who recounts his life’s journey in Richard Morais’s charming novel, The Hundred-Foot Journey. Lively and brimming with the colors, flavors, and scents of the kitchen, The Hundred-Foot Journey is a succulent treat about family, nationality, and the mysteries of good taste.”
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
” Chocolat is a timeless novel of a straitlaced village’s awakening to joy and sensuality. In tiny Lansquenet, where nothing much has changed in a hundred years, beautiful newcomer Vianne Rocher and her exquisite chocolate shop arrive and instantly begin to play havoc with Lenten vows.”
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
“Four mothers, four daughters, four families, whose histories shift with the four winds depending on who’s telling the stories. In 1949, four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, meet weekly to play mahjong and tell stories of what they left behind in China. United in loss and new hope for their daughters’ futures, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club. Their daughters, who have never heard these stories, think their mothers’ advice is irrelevant to their modern American lives – until their own inner crises reveal how much they’ve unknowingly inherited of their mothers’ pasts.”
When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison
“As far as Gemma is concerned, her days of dating are over. In fact, it’s her job to cater other peoples’ dates, and that’s just fine by her. At thirty-seven, she has her own business, working as a private chef, and her life feels full and secure. She’s got six steady clients that keep her hands full.
For Gemma, cooking is predictable. Recipes are certain. Use good ingredients, follow the directions, and you are assured success. Life, on the other hand, is full of variables.”
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.
Can’t believe we had 13C weather today – spring weather for sure. Even saw people in shorts and light jackets today – and still with piles of snow around. But, then the snow/freezing rain returns tomorrow.
Looks like my husband will be coming home tomorrow. Finally – after almost 3 weeks there. But he goes home with low-dose antibiotics as the infection source still can’t be found. At least he will be home.
What I Read Last Week
I read 6 books –an historical fiction, a fantasy, a cozy mystery, 2 non-fictions and a romance.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan. Read this with my bllk club and so glad I did. What an amazing story, such an amazing woman.
I’ve Been Thinkingby Maria Shriver. This was a daily read as part of a project to read a chapter a day of certain inspirational books. So much wisdom – really enjoyed this book.
Mindset Medicine by Mari L. McCarthy. I read this for a WOW review and found it very informative.
Neon Gods by Katee Robert. So enjoyed this fantasy in the first book of her Dark Olympus series. Can’t wait to read the next. It’s based on a retelling of Greek myths – very imaginative.
A Hot Flash of Homicide by Dawn Dugle. THis was such an enjoyable, funny read, with an older female protagonist and a mystery. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series.
The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy by Robin Bielman. This was an enjoyable romance, that handled some very hard topics very well.
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 am participating in the 52 Books, 52 Weeks Book Challenge and follow them on Instagram. I just saw their post tonight which highlighted novels with “Daughter” in the title. Several I’d like to read. I investigated and found there were over 200 such books listed on Goodreads!
Here are 5 novels with “Daughter” in the title I hope to read this year: (blurbs from Goodreads)
Fire Keeper’s Daughterby Angeline Boulley
“Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.
Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug. Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, ”
The Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston
“In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate at the hands of the panicked mob: the Warlock Gideon Masters, and his Book of Shadows. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers she didn’t know she had and making her immortal. ”
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
“Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.”
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards
“On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret. But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself.”
Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
“The Dark Kingdom is preparing itself for the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy–the arrival of a new Queen, a Witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But this new ruler is young, and very susceptible to influence and corruption; whoever controls her controls the Darkness. And now, three sworn enemies begin a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, magic and betrayal, and the destiny of an entire world is at stake.”
I am honoured to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for Mari L. McCarthy’s inspiring book Mindset Medicine, which I read and am now reviewing.
(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)
My Review:
I have been fortunate to have read another journaling book of Mari McCarthy’s – Journaling Power. It led me back to journaling, which I still continue, although not as frequently as I once did.
This book came at an opportune time, a time when I really did need to focus on being more loving to myself.
As I read and followed each chapter, positive and loving feelings built in my journal. Each chapter focused on a different aspect of ourselves and at the end of the chapter was a writing prompt to encourage growth in that area. From loving and respecting yourself, to discovering your gifts, setting boundaries and focusing on joy and laughter, there is much to embrace and learn from. Delving into our inner selves, loving all parts of ourselves is a journey Mari takes us on, a journey to be excited about and to love.
This was another enriching read, one that had me journaling and learning more about myself, I encourage you to take this journey of discovery as well and love yourself.
Book Summary
Want the cure for culture chaos?
Grab your pen and pad and prescribe yourself, Mindset Medicine: A Journaling Power Self-Love Book.
The news, the fear, the media, the texts, the constant bombardment of electronic sludge. It can all tear you down and rip you away from being YOU!
You can choose to give into this madness and be manipulated into submission. Or you can join the Journaling Power Revolution, reconnect with your higher self, and love yourself without conditions.
In her third book, award-winning international bestseller author Mari L. McCarthy reveals a journaling power path that leads to an awareness of how vibrant your life will be when you…
• Understand why you absolutely have to love yourself first
• Tap into your hidden gifts and talents
• Declare why others must ALWAYS respect you
• Establish rock-solid unbreakable boundaries
• Promise to be YOUR own superhero!
Most importantly, Mindset Medicine explains in rich detail why the most empowering and loving relationship you can ever have – is with YOU!
Mari L. McCarthy, Founder and CEO – Chief Empowerment Officer of CreateWriteNow.com, teaches curious health-conscious action-takers how to use Journaling For The Health Of It®️ to heal the emotional, creative, physical, and spiritual issues in their tissues. She also shows them how to use this powerful personal transformation tool to know, grow and share their True Self. Mari is the multi award-winning author of Journaling Power: How To Create The Happy, Healthy Life You Want To Live, Heal Your Self With Journaling Power and Mindset Medicine: A Journaling Power Self-Love Book. She’s also created 20+ Journaling For The Health Of It® Self-Management 101 Workbooks including Who Am I?, Take Control Of Your Health! and Start Journaling For The Health Of It® Write Now.
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than discovering a book that helps you love yourself. Find out more about Mindset Medicine, read an interview with the author, and enter to win a copy of the book too.
We are already at the end of February. A shorter month but it has seemed long in some ways. Once again, my hubby is in hospital, and has been there 2 weeks. A final test hopefully this Thursday should offer some clarity but he waits in the hospital. At least I can visit. Lots of snow last week, now it has just been cold. My neighbours have continued to take care of clearing the snow for me.
It’s time to share what I have been reading this past month. I will summarize how I did with each challenge as well.
The total read for February was 15 books – the lowest amount in a month in several years. I put it down to stress, as last week alone I had 6 books I had started and flitted to, but not finishing any of them. I am also having a problem with my eyes – the optician I saw this week said my vitreous is cloudy – due to aging. Not much can be done though, so I put in drops for lubricating the cornea (which is dry) and rest the eyes.
Here is the breakdown:
Fantasy 2
Paranormal –1
Romance – 5
Historical romance – 1
Historical fiction – 1
Non-fiction – 1
Memoir – 1
Women’s fiction – 2
YA – 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 – 9 TBR/owned books –5 E-books –1
10 Favourite Reads
The overall favourite read of the month was:
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
To round out my top 10:
In an Instantby Susanne Redfearn (a very close second!)
In TOO Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz
2 books by Irene Hannon: Pelican Point and Starfish Pier
The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis
Heard it In a Love Songby Tracey Garvis Graves
The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery
On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah
Becoming by Michelle Obama
I am participating in quite a few challenges, 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
#1 – Published in 2022 – The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis
#12 – About the afterlife – In an Instantby Suzanne Redfearn
#21- About a band or musical group – Heard it in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves
#29 – different book by an author you read in 2021 – The Christmas Wedding Guestby Susan Mallery
#40 -fav. Prompt from previous challenges: from 2019 – based on true story – Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
52 Books in 52
I read 5 books this month for the challenge.
#7 – non-fiction bestseller – Becoming by Michelle Obama
#10 – based on true story – Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
#38 – don’t judge by its cover – Heard it In a Love Songby Tracey Garvis Graves
#41 – involves a second chance – In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn
#52 – published in 2022 – The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis
Monthly Key Word Challenge
I used this key word this month: “Love”, and read:
Heard it In a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves
Monthly Motif
The theme this month was “Girl Power”. I read books by these female authors:
Anne Bishop, Patti Callahan, Kristin Hannah, Julia Quinn, Susan Mallery, Jayne Anne Krentz, Jill Shalvis, Irene Hannon, Michelle Obama
2 books about strong women –
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Becoming Mrs. Lewisby Patti Callahan
Beyond the Bookends
The theme was “Feel-good book”. I read:
The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis
Diversify Your Reading
The theme was “Romance” and I read 5 romances:
2 books by Irene Hannon: Pelican Point and Starfish Pier
The Family You Makeby Jill Shalvis
The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery
The Wedding Photo by Laurie Baxter
Romance Throughout the Year Challenge
The theme was “Regency” and I read: The lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn
Friends and Fiction Reading Challenge
Th e theme was “Memoir” and I read:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Looking Ahead to March
I am taking part in “Can you Read a Series in a Month? And hope to read at least 2 series. (Check my choices here)
I hope to start reading the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and then read other books by him and about him. I want to continue, as well, on reading books from my TBR shelves. I hope to read several Middle Grade novels as well.
Beverley A Baird 