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

 

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

 

Top Ten Tuesday – Colours in the Title

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s Top Ten list is colour words in title. There must be hundreds of these books!

Here are 10 books with colour words in the title – that I have read ( and enjoyed – from an early favourite to fantasy to romance)

 

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley. A favourite of mine, one of the few I have reread.

 

Written in Red by Anne Bishop. My favouorite fantasy series – one that I reread.

 

Vision in White by Nora Roberts. Enjoyed this one, part of a romance series.

 

Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston. Stretched it a bit with chocolate (does describe some eyes!) – really enjoyed this time travel one of her series.

 

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. An enjoyable read.

 

 

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. Had to include this one – a favourite from my youth.

 

Black in White by J.C. Andrijeski. An enjoyable mystery to read.

 

White Bird by R. J. Palacio. Excellent graphic novel., that expands on her MG novel Wonder

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews. Another favourite fantasy series.

 

Nothing But Blue Skies by Christine Ridgway. A sweet romance

July Reading Round-Up

July is ending with continued stress. My hubby got out of hospital after 6 weeks, was home a week when he spiked fevers throughout this past weekend and ended up in hospital again. With a different infection. I definitely needed fantasy and excellent books this month to escape – and I found many such books.

It’s time to share what I have been reading this past month.
The total read for July was 23 books, with the following breakdown:
Fantasy /Paranormal – 6
Historical Fiction/Historical Romance– 2
Romance – 7
Women’s Fiction – 5
Memoir/Non-fiction – 2
Pix books – 0
(Diverse books – (2)

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 –14
TBR books –1
E-books – 8
Charity reads – 0

Here are the books read for my favourite challenges:

Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge (Through Goodreads)
I only read for 1 category for this challenge, so really need to catch up now.
#15 – Involving social media – The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren

52 Books in 52 Weeks
I read 3 for this challenge – slowly catching up
#5 – Character who is a senior – The Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley
#39 -Book used in a celebrity book club – In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
#44 – Recommended by Amazon – Storm and Fury by Jennifer Armentrout

Beyond the Bookends
The theme this month was “About Christmas”. I read 2 books:
Mistletoe and Cocoa Kisses by Stacy Eaton
Tangled in Tinsel by Stacy Eaton

Monthly Key Word Challenge
The key word I used this month was: “Summer”.
Summer in Sorrento by Melissa Hill

Monthly Motif
The theme this month was “Around or Out of this World”.
Come Away with Me by Karma Brown (Thailand, Italy, Hawaii)
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver (England)
Seeker by Rita Pomade (sea voyage)
Summer in Sorrento by Melissa Hill (Italy)

Blogger’s Bookshelf
The theme was “Book with a map”
Seeker by Rita Pomade
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas

Favourite Reads
Here are my top 10 reads:
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas   (Absolute favourite though!)
Storm and Fury by Jennifer Armentrout
Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs
A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare
Come Away with Me by Karma Brown
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
The Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley
The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Looking Ahead to August

I started two YA fantasy series (Hex Hall and Booke of the Hidden) and plan to finish them in August.
I’m taking part in 3 more reading challenges over the summer months. So will continue to work on these challenges.

Here are books read so far for these challenges:
20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge ( here for more info; here for my list/post) none read

2020 Summer Reading Challenge (at The Messy Middle) (Have now read the 7 I needed for challenge but want to do more of the categories)
Young adult novel (fantasy) – Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Book longer than 700 pages – Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
Book with teacher – Menace by Laramie Briscoe
A Novel: The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
About a country or culture, you have never visited: Seeker by Rita Pomade
Verb in the Title: Intercepted by Alexa Martin

2020 Popsugar Summer Reading Challenge (here for more info)
#3 – Takes place in dream summer destination: Summer in Sorrento by Melissa Hill (Italy)
#7 – Body of water on cover – Come Away with Me by Karma Brown
#17 – Sunglasses on cover – Intercepted by Alexa Martin
#19 – Classified as “beach read” – The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren

I am linking with the following:

Monthly Wrap-up(At Feed Your Fiction Addiction)

 

Best of the Bunch(at A Cocoon of Books)

 

Friendship Friday Blog (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? “, at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

What I Read Last Week
I missed last week – my hubby was finally released from hospital (after 6 weeks- definitely not the same as when he went in: before he could walk and was independent and had a working, although compromised kidney; after: unsteady, just a few steps with a walker and now on dialysis). It was a challenge the first few days (well, really the first week). He still has a long road to recovery.

So here are the books I read over the past two weeks – sharing them all because some were sooo good. (Books really do help when stressed!)

Week 1:

Seeker: A Sea Odyssey by Rita Pomade. I read this for a WOW blog tour and really enjoyed this memoir of their voyage at sea. Lots of adventures. (Check my review here)

Mistletoe and Cocoa Kisses by Stacy Eaton. A quick ebook romance – to celebrate Christmas in July.

 

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver. So enjoyed this novel, loved the premise: What would you do if your partner died?

 

Storm and Fury by Jennifer Armentrout. This was the first in her new fantasy series and I needed this world to disappear into. A great read.

This past week:

House of Earth and Blood; Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas. What a fantastic read. Only problem? Have to wait another year for the second!

 

The Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley. Julian leaves a journal in a café with his truths written in it, encouraging others to do the same. It starts a chain of events –what would you write?”  It was a wonderful read.

 

Shadows in the Mist by Jeri Westerson. This was the third in her fantasy series and was a fun read.

Come Away with Me by Karma Brown. Another book about grief and loss and love and about fulfilling one’s bucket list. So enjoyed this novel.

What I’m Reading Now
The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren
Two Summers by Aimee Friedman

On Writing by Stephen King. Long on my TBR, reading this now as part of a book club

What’s Up Next – STILL! and determined to finish them – sometime!
Keep it Moving by Twyla Tharp.
Becoming by Michelle Obama

 

Connect Five Friday – Books Published in 2020

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 just finished a great book tonight and it made me realize that I have read a number of books published in 2020. I have mentioned a few in other connections, but these are the latest 5 I read (and loved by the way) that were published this year.

 

The Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley. Would you reveal your secrets in a journal you found and then leave it for someone else to find? What a wonderful premise – and wonderful characters.

 

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas. 800 pages of an incredible new fantasy series by Maas. Got so caught up in the world, the characters and the events. Now I must wait ANOTHER YEAR!

 

Storm and Fury by Jennifer Armentrout. This fantasy which begins an intriguing new series did not disappoint.

 

Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs Another great fantasy read in this series. So enjoyed it.

 

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. Another interesting premise – seeing and living your future for an hour.

 

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.

What I Read Last Week
I read books 6 books –a fantasy, 2 contemporary romances, 2 historical romances, and an historical fiction,

Books I read:

Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs. The latest Mercy Thompson book arrived (One of my favourite fantasy series) and of course I had to read it right away! LOVED it. Now will  probably have to wait another year for the next – and I am sure there will be another few!

Intercepted by Alexa Martin. Needed for a challenge (sunglasses on cover) – but really enjoyed this contemporary romance, part of a sports football series.

 

Pestilence by Pamela Taylor – Read this historical fiction at time of middle ages and really got caught up in the story. (Read my review here)

 

My Wicked Marquess by Gaelen Foley. A very enjoyable historical romance, part of a series

 

Tangled in Tinsel by Stacy Eaton. A cute holiday ebook romance, read for a challenge.

 

A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare. So, enjoy her Spindle Cove series and this was so enjoyable.

 

What I’m Reading Now

Seeker: A Sea Odyssey by Rita Pomade

The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren
On Writing by Stephen King. Long on my TBR, reading this now as part of a book club

What’s Up Next – STILL! and determined to finish them – sometime!
Keep it Moving by Twyla Tharp.
Becoming by Michelle Obama

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.

What I Read Last Week

I haven’t participated for a few weeks – my hubby has now been in hospital for 4 weeks. He is feeling somewhat better though, but has a ways to go before possibly rehab.
I did read books 6 books (3 shorter ones) – 2 contemporary romances, a historical romance, a women’s fiction and 2 non-fiction books.

 

Books I read:

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. What a enjoyable read. What would you do if you experienced your life for an hour in five years and it wasn’t your present life at all?

 

Year of No Clutter by Eva Schaub. I ordered this from the library for fun – but I  so enjoyed the humour and the few tips. I really do need to declutter.

 

Changing Gears by Roseanne Beck. This was a sweet romantic ebook – a quick, enjoyable read.

 

Summer in Sorrento by Melissa Hill. Another sweet romantic ebook which I enjoyed.

 

Kind Ella and the Charming Duke by Bridget Barton This was an historical romance/fairy tale retelling and well done as well.

 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox. Love this actor and enjoyed his memoir.

 

What I’m Reading Now 

Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs. The latest Mercy Thompson book arrived and I’ve already started it, even though I have several others to read first. So good so far.

On Writing by Stephen King. Long on my TBR, reading this now as part of a book club

Intercepted by Alexa Martin. Needed for a challenge

What’s Up Next – STILL! and determined to finish them – sometime!
Keep it Moving by Twyla Tharp.
Becoming by Michelle Obama

 

June Reading Round-Up

June turned out to be such a stressful month. To add to the stress of all the covid issues, my husband has now been in the hospital for 3 weeks. He went win because his defib shocked him 4 times, and it took several days to stabilize his heart. But what was needed to save his heart, hurt his transplanted kidney. So now they are trying to save it. But the past week, he has gotten a blood infection and now c.diff. At least I have been finally able to see him the past week. So, my reading has suffered – it has been a challenge to focus on 1 book and so I flit from book to book. Fantasy has been a comfort tho, as have been a couple of rereads.

It’s time to share what I have been reading this past month.
The total read for May was 25 books, with the following breakdown:
Fantasy /Paranormal – 9
Historical Romance– 1
Romance – 5
Memoir/Non-fiction – 2
Pix books – 7

Comic book – 1

(Diverse books – (1)

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 –12
TBR books –3
E-books – 10
Charity reads – 0

Here are the books read for my favourite challenges:

Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge (Through Goodreads)
I only read for 2 categories for this challenge, but have to catch up now.
#2 By trans or nonbinary author – Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
#8 – Upside down image on cover – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox (upside down skateboard!)

52 Books in 52 Weeks
I read 2 for this challenge – still need to catch up a bit.
#27 – Comic Book – Heroes (of 9/11) – World’s greatest superhero creators honor the world’s greatest heroes 9/11/2001)
#29 -Award winning novel – Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Beyond the Bookends
The theme this month was “Sports”
Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes

Monthly Key Word Challenge
The key word I used this month was: And
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Kind Ella and the Charming Duke by Bridget Barton

Monthly Motif
The theme this month was “Name or number”.
Kind Ella and the Charming Duke by Bridget Barton

Diversity Reading Challenge
The theme this month was LGBTQ+
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Diversify Your Reading
The theme for June was “Non-Fiction”
Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox

Blogger’s Bookshelf

The theme was “author with the same initials as you”

Kind Ella and the Charming Duke by Bridget Barton

Favourite Reads
Here are my top reads:
Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes
The Innkeeper series by Ilona Andrews (Clean Sweep, Sweep in Peace, One Fell Sweep)
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Immortal Coil by C.I. Black
The Key series by Nora Roberts (Key of Light, Key of Knowledge, Key of Valor)
Justified by Jay Crownover

 

Looking Ahead to July
I’m taking part in 3 more reading challenges over the summer months.

Here are books read so far for these challenges:

20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge ( here for more info; here for my list/post)

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes

 

2020 Summer Reading Challenge (at The Messy Middle)

A memoir – Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes

Won an award – Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Has less than a 100 pages – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox

 

2020 Popsugar Summer Reading Challenge (here for more info)

#5 – LGBTQ+ protagonist – Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

 

I am linking with the following:

Monthly Wrap-up (At Feed Your Fiction Addiction)

Best of the Bunch (at A Cocoon of Books)

Friendship Friday Blog (at Create with Joy)