The Sabbatical

Through the months of March and April, I read one book.  One book.  Never have I read so little.

Why?

1. Busy schedule.  Just too busy.  I must slow down and make better choices, mainly ones that relate to my teaching schedule.  Just too much.
2. Technology.  I find that when tired, reaching for my phone and mindlessly strolling is just too easy.  Getting into and learning about another book's life was just more energy than I had any interest in obtaining.  Just crazy, right?

Having typed those reasons, I may read lazy between the lines?!   This is not a word that I like to associate with myself.  (In my defense, this school year has been one of the more busiest ones ever!)

Summer is here...and reading is back!  For my first series, I am reading a book of ten (short) novels (novelettes?) about a family from Strawberry Sands, Michigan.  This has been a great way to dive back into a world that is not my own.

Next up:  a who-done-it series!  Then, all my books I missed for several book clubs.

I am looking forward to a busy summer of travel via books!

Just Twelve Books...

This will be year four of my participating in Twelve Books-Twelve Friends-Twelve Months, of asking friends to request a book each thinks I should read.

Always interesting to see who and then what books each will encourage my reading!

Confession:  I have yet to read them all.  I start off find...and then I get to a really long one or get to a busier time of my year.  So...I am behind.  Much to look forward to in my retirement years!  All these recommended books!

This years twelve recommendations are as follows:

1. Anthony Defore - This Tender Land
2. Rochelle Dalton - Love in Tandem
3. Natalie Greenfield - Theo of Golden
4. David Ward - I Am the Messenger
5. Kaila Murphy - Boyfriend
6. Kayla House - The Unmasking of June Farrow
7. Kayla House - The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip
8. Crystal Kemp - It's Ok That You're Not Ok
9. Dr. Tebbetts - My Friends
10. Mark Skelton - The Three-Body Problem
11. Jeanne Trawick - My Beloved
12. Danielle Adams - The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion

I am looking, very much, to reading in 2026!

Reading Sabbatical?

Have you ever taken a sabbatical from reading?  Mine was not intentional.   Just a series of (probably) unfortunate events.

1. My teaching schedule:  eight classes in seven periods...with five different preps.  A bit too much.
2. I began playing games on my phone.  Last week, I deleted three.  I know...horrible time wasters, all in the name of just needing a little down time.   Then an hour would be gone!
3. In September, a huge floater appeared in my right eye.  For the most part, I have adjusted to it.  Until I read.  The movement of my eye back-and-forth gets that thing moving!  I am learning to read on smaller screens and smaller-sized books.  Yes, where there's a will there's a way...to get back to reading!

My total count, at this moment, is 60 books this year.  Not bad at all, especially considering my schedule.

But!  I have failed to meet my goal of a book a week...or four a month.  A couple of months, I only read three books.  This may bother me more than all the above!  Why?  That should not have happened for number two, as I could have easily read books during "play" time.  Easy to justify going "mindless" when tired instead of engaging the brain in a good book.  Again, for me, deleting the game and completing removing from my phone became the answer.  (Hopefully!)

I am going to be intentional about renewing my love of reading, as I have invested much in books, as I own several (!), as I have three more...no, make that six!...in the mail right now.  In the back of my mind, I see retirement ahead and know that, surely, I will have even more time to read, especially series (I love a good series!).

Interestingly, one of the books (yes, I have four going) I am currently reading, the main character is a blogger.  Maybe that inspired this post!  Hummm...she wrote daily...my last post was in March.  Might be slacking in that area, also?!

And...Thanksgiving has come and gone (I really do love fall!)...time to read my stack of Christmas reads!  And...time to decorate the tree that is standing with its topper on and its lights flashing, waiting on the ornaments and other beautiful embellishments.

Happy reading!

Going Green...or Irish...for March!

Two years ago (I really thought I read this last year...?!  Time flies), I read Irish Parade Murder when I discovered it at the local library on their month-of-March green display.  Book 27 in the series!  An easy, timely read.

This year, having begun The Holiday Countdown Series, which did not include a St. Patrick's Day book (what?!), I sorta began looking for one to continue the holiday emphasis and found this one, Murder in an Irish Village, the first in a series, which spoke to my own Irish ancestry...and was free on Kindle Unlimited, which I am faithfully attempting to use more!  I loved the Irish phrases!  Very much.

Main character Sibohn has taken on raising her four younger siblings (along with her older brother who quickly becomes a suspect in the murder of the dead body found in their cafe) after her parents were killed in a wreck.  Giving up her dream of college, she finds her calling is right where she is.  Full of twists and turns...and a bit of romance, I enjoyed the book, so much, that I have the next one checked out!  Yay!  Maybe just maybe, this series might land on some more holidays!  

Books, such as these, are meant to be read quickly and enjoyed; just what I often need after busy weeks working with today's youth!

I like this holiday focus on which I am enjoying.  

Back to The Holiday Countdown Series in a week or so...time to make reading a bit egg-xiting with an emphasis this time on Easter.

What are you reading good?!

SCHS Reads...Sorta...

My friend Paige and I continue our book club of two...sometimes, three.  But!  Always a good time.  And!  Always books good for me to have read!

So far, we have read...

1. 
   ⭐⭐⭐⭐The Snow Child, set in Alaska, was an interesting read, one I saw recommended on one of my Facebook book groups.  Based on a fairy tale and a bit fantastical, I liked all of it but the ending.  I haven't read the fairy tale, so maybe that is how it ends?  If no, I shall skip it!
2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐A friend gifted me the audiobook of James; then, I purchased and read the book.  (Maybe one day I will encourage my brain to slow down enough to listen!)  Very interesting read...told from the perspective of Jim in Huckleberry Finn.  Some author choices seemed a bit fantastical...I think...but they did make me think!
3. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐How did I get this far into my reading career and not have read The Chronicles of Narnia?  Very glad we chose this one, and I will finish the entire series this year...maybe a book a month?  Just a good place to escape when finishing another book.  I love knowing this is a Christian book and watching for the parallels.  And...I look forward to discussing this one in book club on Monday!  Yay!

We have chosen our next six titles...and they are as follows:

Honestly?  I totally chose some of these titles with Paige and myself in mind...and some with our third participant, who loves history; therefore, 2/3 of the titles should appeal to him!  Hope so!

Choosing book titles for other readers is such a challenge for me!  I am looking forward to adding these next six to my so-glad-I-read-them pile!  :)

Happy reading!

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!

SCHS Reads: Our Winter Picks

Off and on our high school faculty....well, another English teacher and I...have hosted a book club.  When she decided to not return to teaching and as a commitment to meet and chat and drink coffee and talk books, we decided to meet read a book each month over the summer and then to continue meeting even after school started.  

Our group has grown some...another English teacher sometimes meets with us and one of the history teachers is somewhat committed.  But...regardless...we love meeting and drinking coffee and chatting...sometimes, about the current month's book!

Our first three picks for 2025 are as follows: 

• January:  The Snow Child, which I saw recommended on some Facebook online book club...and because I soooo love a good snow in January (we are out tomorrow for our first snow day!  Yay!), so I suggested this title.  So far?  Interesting...seems to have a connection to a fairy tale, which I am going to need to read.
• February:  James, which I received as an Audible gift (a first for me)...because I have never listened to a book.  No.  Never.  Hummm...now, I must!  But...I went ahead and bought a hard copy, as I can see maybe wanting to use excerpts in my class?  This is a telling of Jim's side of the story, a character in Huck Finn.  This title is also the chosen title for The Girlfriend Book Club...and I chose for Friends and Fiction for January for a book that begins with PB or J...yes, my J book!
• March:  The Magician's Nephew - we chose this one after a discussion about my friend having read CS Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe...and that this was actually the first in the series...and that she had just asked her husband for the series...and my saying I had two copies of this series...and the decision was made to read the first one in the series.  Yay!

Now, I need to share this with our building/district...maybe another one or two will join us!

Friends who love to read books, aren't they just even more special?  I think so!

_________________________

Also, posted at TG's Lit Treasures.

Why Do We Read?

As my students and I chatted about resolutions/intentions for 2025, I shared that I had read 81 books.  A curious student asked, "Do you remember all the books you read?"

No.

Some.

Some more than others.

This got me to thinking...should I remember them all?

My answer:  no.  Many books I read for just the pure entertainment, for the moment, for the quick journey that particular book takes me.  Much like movies or TV shows...I do not remember all the characters;  sometimes, I even lose the plotlines, for I watched them for the moment, for the pure entertainment, for the journey.

I hope I am asked this question again sometime...now that I know the answer to the question...or, at least, I know my answer! 

_____________________

Also, posted at TG's Lit Treasures.

2024 and Books

This has been a year for the books...until September and school became too busy...and maybe too much time on technology as a way to relax because "school became too busy."  Yes, I need to solve that "too busy" to read prob!

2024's Reading Goals...Success (or not)

1. to read an average of one book per week = minimum of 52 books
   Goal met!✔
2. to read half of my goal from my own TBR pile = 26 books (these will be bolded).
   Goal NOT met...as I only read five of the 26 needed.  Hummm...
3. to complete books for book clubs before the meeting time (love book clubs!)
   Goal sorta met...as I did finish more before the deadline.  Still need to work more on this one!
4. to finish books from 2023 Book Club lists...I am always behind!
   Got NOT met!
5. to read more series (love series!)
   Goal met!✔...especially during the summer.  What a great way to celebrate school being out!
6. to completely read more professional books
    Got NOT met!
   
7. to continue to read more young adult books
   Got NOT met!
8. to read a classic...or four!
   Goal sorta met...as I did finish Gone with the Wind!  But...much more focus on this one needed, also.
9. ✔ = book read (Begins with Book Clubs)

Hummm...based on this checklist, I am not accomplished...but I did read 80+ books, so I claim that for the win!

My favorite book?  Again...hummm...I did recommend The Frozen River  to a local book club for next year.  I, also, enjoyed The Autobiography of Santa Claus, a very interesting book!  

Book Clubs:  They challenge me to read the books I might not choose, and, more times than not, that is a really good thing; therefore, I will sign up and (sorta) commit to read more of those suggested book titles again.  I have absolved myself of putting pressure on myself to read (or not), for if the read happen, win!  If they do not, they remain on the list...and one day retirement will offer me more time to read!  Win!

Still another few days of this year to read...so I begin a new goal:  to read from a book every day, even if just a few pages.  

Happy reading!

Summer Book Club...Win-Win!

Our building's book club is back!  Time to read for fun and meet and drink coffee and talk books.  Win-win!

Excited I am about these titles...as, yes, I helped select the titles!  

The first book The Reading List is available free via Kindle Unlimited right now.  The next three, I own.  the final book The Women, I will probably purchase and possible use excepts in my classroom.  Maybe.

My good friend and peer, as of Monday, will have left education.  Sad.  But I so understand.  These are hard times.  But.  She is an avid reader, and these book to assist in my staying in touch with her, and what better way, than thru books?!  My plan...a secret right now!...is to continue a monthly read and our meeting throughout the school year.  Another win-win, yes?!

Should you want to read along, please do!  

Win-Win Books in '24

 This has been an interesting line up of books so far in 2024.  Check out this list of titles:

1. Swedish Art of Death Cleansing  (Paper Chase) 
2. Lowcountry Getaway by Susan M. Boyer - ebook
3. The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Janet Dailey - ebook
4. Telling Lies by L.A. Dobbs (A Sam Mason K-9 Dog Mystery, Book 1) ebook
5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (published in birth year)
6. Juliet by Anne Fortier (Bernadette's Jan Challenge)
7. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (Bernadette's Classic Book)
8. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke (Bernadette's Feb Challenge) ebook
9. Inheritance by Nora Roberts - ebook
10. The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall - ebook

Some insights:

• Some really loooooong ones:  In Cold Blood and Gone with the Wind
• Five of the ten connected to a book club.
• One based on Shakespeare and his Romeo and Juliet...very good read.
• Four "light" reads...easy, but fun and enjoyable.
• Still reading more on an eReader...which I never thought I would like...but I do!
• Two are from my TBR pile.  Yay!  Really want to read more from my many bookcases!

Current Read:  The Nightingale  by Kristin Hannah.  Such an intense book set during World War I in Paris (and other places).  This tells the "real" story of two ladies who assisted in helping many pilots escape and saving several babies from death.  Just an almost scary read as I realize who quickly this very situation could occur in our very own country.  This book is the first of my 12 Books 12 Friends 12 Months Book Challenge, one I would like to quit...but just cannot because I am committed, and books like this must be read. Just a must.

What are you reading good in 2024?

Calling It...at 92

Hummm...I must admit...I had hoped to reach 100 books read.  But.  I am okay with 92 and having lived the busiest year of my life.  

I experienced many journeys through these books and still know...the more I read the more books I need to read.  Truth.  

I will be back to comment...as I have not had time...yet...to review my favorites, as the real world is calling in the form of grading paper and planning lessons for 2024.  Where did this two-week break go?!

I have taken the time to plan my reading goals for 2024.  I am excited about chosen titles and book clubs and book challenges.  Going to be a grand year of reading!

Falling into Reading...of course!

October is one of my more busy months...and, still, I found time to read...of course!

Here the titles are in chronological order:

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden (ebook)

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber  (ebook)

The Five-star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

Whispers at Dusk by Heather Graham - Bk 1 The Blackbird Trilogy

Secrets in the Dark by Heather Graham - Bk 1 The Blackbird Trilogy

Cursed at Dawn  by Heather Graham - Bk 1 The Blackbird Trilogy

The last three set the scene for the final weeks of October, as these characters usually have "abilities."  Heather Graham, not new to me, as I binge-read one of her series a couple of summers ago, creates a world of suspense, magic, and little bit of romance.

And now these busy months continue...welcome to month of reading in November!

An Outstanding Summer of Reading

 As I have not updated since the end of May (where does time go), shall we chat?

June was a great reading month...lots of easy, relax-the-brain reads.  July continued that trend...with only ten reads.  Then, August became full of real life as school began, but I still averaged a bit more than one a week with six books.

My trend?  Ebooks!  Such a change for me, as I resisted digital books.  Reality?  I still really like "real" hard copy books, but that intangible thing called time, for clicking on Libby or Kindle sometimes (often) is just quicker than grabbing, finding, deciding my next chosen journey.  (This is actually a quite weak rationale as I have an abundance of books!)  I have just learned to like ebooks.  I just do!  

This year, I started color-coding by month, quite the nice visual. Right?

1. Killing Floor by Lee Child
2. Acts of Valor Series - Book 5 - Braving the Valley by Rebecca Hartt
3. Lantern Beach Exposure - Books 1-2 - Fractured Lies and Shattered Whispers by Christy Barritt
4. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman - Ebook
5. Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne (AR Teen Nominee) - Ebook
6. The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey - book from Abby Barker
7. Five Survive by Holly Jackson (AR Teen Nominee) - Ebook
8. The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley 
9. The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller - Book 1 - ebook
10. Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena Miller - Book 2 - ebook
11. The Water Keeper by Charles Martin - Book 1 - Library
12. A Promise to Love by Serena Miller - Book 3 - ebook
13. The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin - Book 2 - Library
14. Hart's Ridge by Kay Bratt - Book 1 - ebook
15. Lucy in the Sky by Kay Bratt - Book 2 - ebook
16. In My Life by Kay Bratt - Book 3 - ebook
17. Borrowed Time by Kay Bratt - Book 4 - ebook
18. Instant Karma by Kay Bratt - Book 5 - ebook
19. The Record Keeper by Charles Martin - Book 3 - Library
20. Identity by Nora Roberts - ebook
21. Legacy by Nora Robers - ebook
22. I Must Betray You  by Ruta Sepetys - ebook - AR Teen Book Nominee
23. Beast of Prey by Ayana Gray - All Arkansas Reads One Book
24. I Will Find You by Harlan Coben - ebook
25. A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey - Big Library Read - ebook
26. Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs - IC Library
27. Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery - Paper Chase Book Club
28. Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus - ebook 
29. The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth - ebook
30. My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank - ebook
31. Lightning by Dean Koontz - ebook

In this stack are some new authors, some old friends, a few AR Teen Book Nominees, several for book challenges; many of these I have become favorites, ones I would not have read had I not began "challenging" myself several years ago to move outside my normal choices.   

My favorite still remains a good mystery with a hint of romance...but historical fiction is growing on me...and a fantasy does take one away.  I do enjoy a good journey!

If my other norm returns, my reading will slow down during September and October...although I hope not.  I enjoy reading...and I do need time for me.

Happy reading to you!

Summer Swirl

School has been out for nearly ten days now, and I have consumed nearly that many books.  This is a trend, for after working hard for so long this becomes a sort of vacation for me:  take the journey through the lines and go places while my body rests in my chair.

At some point, I pause and count:  I not only read many, I begin a lot.  For instance, right now I have five books started, reading a few chapters, then setting it aside to pick up another.  Why...?...as this was once something I could not do!  Have more than one book going at a time?!  Never!  Sometimes, I think, this is my addicted brain to multitasking.  I go like this for months at school!  As a matter of fact, I may be the queen of multitasking, buzzing here and there, accomplishing (usually!) much.

I will say I am reading one self-help book and one collection of essays.  While I enjoy such books, I do not tend to inhale them like I would a series, of which I am in the middle of one now (Acts of Valor).  These series, also, interrupt my sleeping pattern, as I will stay up late to finish...as in last night, when I finished book two at 2:35 PM!

And...this personal challenge to read a book an average of one per week?  That goal encourages me to ever be reading a book...or two...or five.  Such challenges spark the need to achieve within me.

Thoughts about abandoning books or a series of books?  Do it.  I like to purchase/collect a series and then read straight through.  What a journey!  This author took a turn and included a storyline with an agenda that I cannot support by paying money for it.  I felt like I had been twicked, snuckered, blindsided...but...I should have known as I have noticed other authors doing so.  Abandoned this series I did.  Sometimes, one must just take a stand.

This is just the swirl of summer beginning.  The time of transitioning from a busy school...to a busy time of reading...to days with naps...and then the need to plot and plan for my summer events.  In the meantime,  back to my five current books!

1. The Art of Gathering by 
2. Braiding Sweetgrass by
3. Killing Floor by Lee Child
4. Cry in the Wilderness by Rebecca Hartt
5. Wild Seed by Octavia Butler

The March Has Begun

 Week one is gone., and so far I have enjoyed several engaging books...all by authors new to me:

1. The Seaside Cafe by Rochelle Alers (Lowcountry Boil)
2. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green (LifeVerse)
3. A Margin for Murder by Lauren Elliot (A Charming Bookish Cozy Mystery and Friends and Fiction Reading Challenge)
4. A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella (Mom Advice Book Club)

As, also, noted, all these were for online book clubs; all are titles I might not have read otherwise.  Looking to be pushed...gently...outside your current reading boundaries?  Find a book club, one that sits near your boundary so that you may be encouarged to take journeys with various authors.

The first three are parts of series, with A Margin for Murder being #8 (or so) in the series.  Of course, I found myself wishing I had read the previous books, but the author shares enough details that this one can stand alone.  Now, I am hooked...need the next read to read!

A theme amongst many of my books so far this year has been bookstores or book clubs, and two of these fell within that topic (2 and 3).  Books just pull me...I just cannot resist them.  But...I am doing a better job resisting purchasing hard copies, as all of the above were ebooks...but not so much resisting that kept several from arriving in the mail to me this month!  Of course!

Only one was written by a man, which I see is now a trend, as I do tend to mainly read books by female authors.  I suppose I even have a bias against male authors, as I continually marvel at the author's actual insight to the female psyche.  Humorous, uh?!  Of course, why not, as women continually dive into the male persona, creating insightful characters all the time.  Silly me!

All in all, a great start to a successful reading month...at this rate, I may look forward to reading at least eight more this month, as I am being intentional this year about reading more.  So far, staying true to that goal in this area of my life.  Go, me!

Book Clubs Guide Current Choices

 February has been a productive reading month...thinking this may be the grand total:

1. Where Shadows Meet/Anathema by Colleen Coble (Lifeverse)
2. A Barefoot Tide by Grace Greene
3. Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekula
4. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
5. The Proposal by Lori Wick
6. The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson
7. The Matchmaker's Gift by Lydia Cohen Loigman
8. Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin

The last two were my favorites...with Fresh Water for Flowers receiving top honors.  My only regret with that one?  I read it too fast; I wish I had slowed down!  Plot twists caught me off-guard, and I would just keep reading to see what happened next....until 12:30 AM arrived and I had finished the entire book!  I am still pondering the meaning of that title, a question I will ask my book club buddies this week when we meet to discuss this one.

Can one belong to or sign up for too many book clubs?  Maybe?  But.  These lists do motiviate me to read more...as in , see the above list!  In addition, I check out more books via the Libby app, and I just cannot stand the thought of having to return a book unread; thus, I read...more!  (Five of the above were read via Kindle; two checked out from the local library; only one I own.)

One of my current books I am reading...and one for February...is Joanna Gaines' The Stories We Tell.  This book was a gift; therefore, I can let this deadline slide just a bit as I can keep the book!  Mine!  I know...I heard the hoarder of books come out there just a bit.  I do love books...they look good anywhere:  on book cases, stacked on side tables, as decorative additions.  They are my silent friends, waiting patiently, looking comfortable, snugged up together in their Tammy-selected space!  :)

What have you read good lately?

Sliding into 2023...and Color-Coding and Stars

Yes, slid right into 2023 with nine books read...and, today, as we begin Day 3 of Ice Days!  For the most part, I have enjoyed what I read.  That is the beauty of books clubs and challenges:  the books I read are not the books I would necessarily have ever self-chose; then, I get enough into them, an investment of time by that point, that I determine just to finish (see books with fewer stars!).

So Far...in '23 - Color-Coding

This I started on the last book in January as a visual way to see which books I read in what months.  Blue for January...cold in Arkansas!  Pink for February...love month has arrived!

1. The Red Palace by June Hur (Independence County Library)*****
2. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (ebook)****
3. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (Paper Chase Book Club and 12 Books/12 Friends)*****
4. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (IC Library/The Girlfriend Bookclub)****
5. The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (IC Library/12 Books/12 Friends)*****
6. Bookends by Zibby Owens (ebook/Friends and Fiction/January)**
7. A Wish for Winter by Viola Shipman****
8. Bookish People by Susan Coll (Lyon College/January)***
9. Where Shadows Meet/Anathema by Colleen Coble (Lifeverse)*****

****** = Five Stars

1. The Red Palace by June Hur (Independence County Library)
2. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (Paper Chase Book Club and 12 Books/12 Friends)
3. The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (IC Library/12 Books/12 Friends)
4. Where Shadows Meet/Anathema by Colleen Coble (Lifeverse)

**** = Four Stars

1. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (ebook)
2. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (IC Library/The Girlfriend Bookclub)
3. A Wish for Winter by Viola Shipman

*** = Three Stars

1. Bookish People by Susan Coll (Lyon College/January)

** = Two Stars

1. Bookends by Zibby Owens (ebook/Friends and Fiction/January)

First Five

 So far, I have read five books...and have a few more going, which is something that once upon a time, I could never have acomplished!

• Three of the five are books I checked out from our local library!  Yay!  I do want to be more diligent about checking out and supporting that need literary group.
• Two of the five were young adult, another goal of mine:  to read more young adult books.  One...The Red Palace...I lent to a student.  Spreading the love of literacy!

Off to a great start; should more than meet my 2023 reading goals as I have many that I want to read, both on the clubs/challenges lists and some that I have purchased.

Last week, our principal shared that we each have $350 to spend on young adult books for our in-class libraries. Oh, happy day!  Have my book list ready to order!  Of course!

Next reads

• Bookends by Zibby Owens
• Schindler's List for Paper Chase Book Store Book Club...already know I will not finish this long read in time.  Oppps!

What are you reading good?    AND...on this snow day...what a great day to read!  Happy reading!