Catching Up in February

Thanks to Mother Nature and a much-needed break, most of Arkansas received a week off from school this month.  On February 14, I had finished no books and had read little for personal want-to and enjoyment.  But...that changed, as my brain relaxed a bit, and I realized that I would have more time.  Thank you to the powers that be for arranging that snow storm just for me!  Seriously!

Over the last week, I accomplished two goals:  caught up my grading and read (or finished) several books! Yay!  Check out this list:

1. Countdown to Valentine's Day by Dianna Houx (ebook) - Winterwood (small, rural town)
1. This begins my yearlong read of this holiday series.  Easy and enjoyable.  I look forward to Easter's read.
2. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (Paper Chase Book Club) - Alaska
1. This one I had started for book club due on the first Thursday of the month...and finally finished.  Kind of a tough, intense topic (the dad is a Vietnam Vet who suffers from PTSD...with no help for it).  I recommend this author and will read more by her...find myself wanting a break after each one.
3. Driftwood Dreams by TJ Lowe (ebook) - South Carolina
1. Hummm not sure how I came about this one...either a Facebook recommendation or I had read another by this author.  Regardless, this one sat in my Libby Loans...and needed to be read!  Easy and enjoyable.
4. There's Something about Mira by Sonali Dev ebook - New York
1. Read this one for Friends and Fiction for challenge of a book by a person of color; I also saw it recommended by someone on one of the Facebook Book Clubs I follow (probably this one F&F).  It deals with issues that I do not support but is one that also helps me further understand why some who do.  Story, though, centers on a found ring and finding its owner and the many layers to those connect to that ring.  Easy and enjoyable. (And...was free on Kindle Unlimited...which I need to use more...as I am paying for it!)
5. Indemnity Only by Sara Paretsky, Book 1- ebook - Chicago, Illinois
1. This one begins a series (of several books).  If I recall correctly, I noticed it on a Book Bub list and found it available on Libby.  I will follow VI the PI more in the next book...at some point...may be summer, as that is when I am absolutely addicted to gobbling up a series!
6. The Exchange by John Grisham - 12-12-12 Challenge for 2024, Bonus Read for SCHS 2024 - New York (mainly)
1. This one, another one, that I finished that I began in 2024...plan to keep doing this as I did not finish enough of the books I started last year!  This one continues, years later, the characters Mitch and Abby from The Firm.  It was okay...a lot of lawyer talk...and it ended too soon...maybe? But...was good to follow up with these characters.  I hope he writes another...as I would read it!  
2. Bold = I already owned the book.  My goal is to read 1/3 of of books read from books I already own.  I have yet to meet this goal!  But!  I need to keep trying as I own a lot of books.  Too many?  Naaaa...

With five days left in February, I hope to finish another...and maybe start/finish my next read (think I have a book club this Monday evening!  Better check that...as I have not started that one!)

Feeling a bit better about my reading goals, as I had committed to read every day (social media does not count) and to read an average of one book a week (that two-week gap was really bothering me!).  This many books is not a realistic look at my reading levels...but, again, Mother Nature was my friend and gave me the time to catch up, relax, and rest, which I realize now I needed more than I knew.

Oh, I am documenting the setting of each book...maybe for a reading challenge of a book per state?  Not too serious about this one...unless I get close, then I will finish it!  Need an interactive map on which to document this.  Need to work on that!

Hopefully, February has a been a friendly reading month to you!  Please share your favorite titles!

Happy reading!

The Beginning of a Lovely, Yearlong Series

On one of my many Facebook advertisements, I came across this book, and the timeliness and the book's cover hooked me.  Why not?  Yes!  And?  A part of Kindle Unlimited (which I need to use much more!)

Confession:  I did not begin the book until Valentine's Day...did not finish until a day or so later...but still quite timely!  

From the author's website, a quick intro:

As the most romantic time of year approaches, the arrival of new guests heralds both opportunities and obstacles to overcome. More prepared the second time around, Grace believes she has everything under control, until an unexpected guest brings heartbreak and despair. Will love ultimately triumph, or has the eternal flame been extinguished forever?

Find out how Grace handles her boyfriend's new girlfriend in an anti-Valentine's Day Experience!

Much to my pleasant surprise, I soon discovered that Countdown to Valentine's is a part of The Holiday Countdown Series.  Nothing more than I love (hummm...just a slight exaggeration)...nothing more than I love in bookland...than a good series!

Too late in the year to read book one Countdown to Christmas, so I shall end 2025 where I began and finish the beginning of the series then.  

Maybe the author will consider adding few more holidays?  Definitely need one for Thanksgiving!

As for now, I have Countdown to Easter on my reading list for April.  How egg-xiting!

What series might you recommend to a person whose TBR pile is much too high...but not quite high enough?

Happy reading!