ML Crazy4reading ROOTS in 2019

This year I am still trying to decide how many ROOTS I want to read. I would like to slowly decrease the number of books I have in my place. I might go for 30 like I did in 2018 or up it to 50. I am hoping to have more time to read, but also not sure if that will happen if I do get a second job. My goal is that once I read a book I have to decide if I am going to keep it or if I am going to donate to one of my friends of the library or give to my friends.

This is where I will put my ticker, once I decide on my total number of books.




My CAT & 75 Book Challenge Ticker:

List of books read

1. The Secret of Shady Glen by Carolyn Keene
2. Cold Case by Linda Barnes
3. Painting the Town, An Adventure in France by Walt Disney
4. Little Glimpses of Good: Finding Hope in Every Today
5. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
6. Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey
7. Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
8. Tall, Tatted and Tempting by Tammy Falkner
9. Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
10. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie
11. Marley & Me by John Grogan
12. Dead is a state of mind by Marlene Perez
13. Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling
14. Dances with Wolves: The Illustrated Screenplay and Story behind the film by Kevin Costner
15. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
16. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
17. There's a Hair in my dirt by Gary Larson
18. Puppies in the Pantry by Ben Baglio
19. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

books added in 2019

Books purchased in 2018/2019

1. The woman in the Window by A. J. Finn (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
2. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
3. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
4. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (B&N Purchase 12/20/18)
5. Emily Shadowhunter by Craig Zerf (Free boxed set for Kindle purchased 1/7/19)
6. Past Life Strife by Christina McMullen (free on Kindle purchased 1/7/19)
7. To Walk in the Sun by Jane Charles (free on Kindle purchased 1/7/19)

Gifts received in 2018/2019

Santa Thing 2018
1. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
2. A field Guide to getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit
3. Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
4. Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling (favorite book received from Santa Thing this Christmas)

Links to my other threads

ML 2019 CAT

ML 2019 75 Books Challenge

Gifts received in 2018/2019

Books received from Santa Thing 2018
1. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
2. A field Guide to getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit
3. Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
4. Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling (favorite book received from Santa Thing this Christmas)

Books Purchased 2018/2019

Welcome back Monica, Glad to see you again. Happy ROOTing.

Welcome back! :)

>7 connie53: Thanks Connie! It is good to be back.

>8 rabbitprincess: Thanks RP!

Welcome back, hope you have a great year!

Welcome back and good luck with the ROOTing plans.

>10 Jackie_K: Thanks Jackie.

>11 majkia: Thanks, great to be back

Well I finished my first book of 2019!! I am trying to clear out books and started this one on 12/30/18. I had planned to finish it last night but had decided to catch up on NCIS LA (I am on season 7 now). I will be donating this book to our local school district. They keep a supply of books at the Ed Center for children to look through and read while their parents are completing their registrations.

#1. The Secret of Shady Glen by Carolyn Keene

I enjoyed this book. My sister used to read these books when we were young. I used to read the Hardy Boys. I read a few Nancy Drew books growing up. I found myself not wanting to put it down. These books are good ones for those that like reading and want something interesting to read.

4 stars

I will be reading Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka, One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy, Cold Case by Linda Barnes and some other Nancy Drew books.

I used to love the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books, although I've not read one since the mid-80s! I wonder how they would stand up, 30 years later?

>14 Jackie_K: When I go into reading these types of books I just try to remember when they were originally written and read them as if I was reading them when I was young. As I was reading it I was thinking when Nancy was trapped and needed help, too bad she doesn't have a cell phone. They are just nice quick easy reads, which I need sometimes.

Happy reading, and congrats on finishing your first ROOT already!

>16 MissWatson: Thanks Birgit! I am hoping to complete another one this weekend.

Just a random contest to enter for some free books and tote bag:

https://www.hive.co/l/igend

I used to love Nancy Drew books. My sisters and I used to have about 90 of them between us. I don't know if they are still writing them, but we figured at the time that you could never get them all because they kept coming out with new ones.

I think the first ones were written in the 1930's or so. I never thought of any of them as being old fashioned or out-of-date at the time (this would have been in the '60's), unless I happened to come across an old edition of one of the early ones with a picture of an old car in it. The missing cell phones and computers would date them now, though.

>19 LoraShouse: I don't know how many there are now of the Nancy Drew Books and I am not going to try and read all of them. I am just reading the ones that I currently own so I can donate them to the library, a local school district. If they are still writing them I would assume they would be more current with the times.

Well I am slow trudging along with my reading. I have been trying to read for about 30 minutes before going to bed but sometimes I am just too tired to concentrate. I do read while I am at the gym even if it is only for 10 minutes. It is surprising how much I can read while at the gym. I really thought I would be reading more this year but that hasn't been the case. I did get some reading in while I was at the roller rink with my boyfriend on Friday. I enjoyed watching him roller skate and really want to try it. I just need to get my foot taken care of and make sure the doctor will allow me to roller skate.

I will be saying good bye to my reading buddy today. The other day I took Samantha for a short walk down our driveway. I kept telling her that we should turn around because I knew it would be too much for her. She is a stubborn Beagle and she pushed herself to far. As we started to head back to the house she had trouble walking. At first I thought she had just hurt her food but as we kept going she kept falling over. I tried helping her but she did not like me touching her back end. I gave her medicine that I have for her arthritis but that didn't seem to help. She is still dragging her back legs. She tries to put weight on them but falls over. This has been a hard decision because she has gone downhill the past few months.

>21 crazy4reading: Oh that will be so hard - hugs for you and Miss Samantha (who looks like the *best* reading buddy).

>21 crazy4reading: I'm so sorry :(

>21 crazy4reading: Ohh, that must be a terrible decision to make. Lots of hugs for you and yours, Monica.

>22 Jackie_K:, >23 rabbitprincess:, >24 connie53: Thank you so much for your kind words. I am still here and still trying to read. I have my moments where I will start to tear up. She was the first dog I ever owned and she was wonderful. I will be posting a review for a book I finished last night.

Well I am here to post some reviews. I didn't realize how far behind I am in posting in here.

#2. Cold Case by Linda Barnes

I enjoyed this story. When I picked this book up I did not realize it was part of a series. It was easy to follow even though it is #7 in this series.

Carlotta is a private detective. She used to be a police officer. This book finds her working with a high society family to prove that some notebooks are actual fakes of their dead daughter's work. I enjoyed the way the story line flowed and will look for more books by this author and in this series.

4 stars

#3. Painting The Town, An Adventure in France by Walt Disney

Cute story. A great book to read with you kids.

5 Stars

I am currently reading The Outsiders A Place for Us, which is our book club read. I am off the next couple of days and I am going to try and read more instead of watching tv.

Hi, ML. Just popping in to see how you are doing and what you are reading.

I hope you have had some nice days!

Hi everyone!! I know I have been MIA lately. There is a lot going on in my life. My father was recently diagnosed with mild to moderate Dementia and my sister and I are taking care of him. He is living with my sister and I go over once in a while to help or to 'dad sit', as we like to call it. My reading has been sporadic and slow. I will be at my sister's starting tomorrow (5/26/19), for about 20 days. My sister is going to France to visit her one daughter who spent her senior year of high school there to study. My sister and I are looking to to places for my dad and running into difficulty with his female friend. She feels that we are taking him away from her and that she is never going to see him again. It is frustrating because she keeps trying to cause problems between me and my sister. I do have a review to post for the Outsiders. I am also going to try and take a few books with me to read while at my sisters. I hope to be a little more active now that the summer months are here.

#4. Little Glimpses of Good: Finding Hope in Every Today by Jim Howard

An uplifting book. Some positive messages. Lifted my spirits.

5 stars

#5. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

I still love this book! This year I also watched the movie and was more aware of some differences between the book and the movie. Nothing too major but just subtle ones to me. This is a book I love to read. I decided to re-read it this year because of one of the challenges I am doing and it said to read a book that make you feel nostalgic and this one does just that.

5 stars

>28 crazy4reading:. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, Monica. Dementia is such a horrible disease. Hang on in there. I hope your dad-sitting days are uneventful en you get some reading done.

>30 connie53: I did get some reading done but not a ROOT. I am reading 2 ROOTs now. I hope to finish them this week. My dad sitting days have been interesting. I did get some time to myself this past weekend. My BIL was nice enough to let me go visit my boyfriend. The only good thing about dad sitting is I am getting more time to read and relax.

I finished a ROOT late last night/this morning

#6. Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey

I love Johanna Lindsey and she didn't disappoint with this book! The characters in this book were ones that I fell in love with right from the beginning. You have the Lady Rowena, her step brother Gilbert, the ruthless 'villain' Warrick and many more secondary characters that just complete the wonderful story that unfolds in Prisoner of My Desire.

Prisoner of My Desire is the story of Lady Rowena and Lord Warrick. Warrick is at war with Rowena's step brother Gilbert. Rowena becomes a prisoner of Lord Warrick after her brother leaves Rowena to face the devil of Fulkhurst.

The interaction of Rowena and Warrick is just enjoyable. You can feel the attraction just from Johanna's writing. I found myself laughing, fist pumping and crying at times. She is my favorite romance author!!

5 stars

I am currently reading the Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

Finished another book today:

#7. Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

I received this book as an Early Reviewer win and I just got around to reading this book. I kept putting it off because life got in the way or another book seemed more interesting. This time I picked this book up for a BINGO challenge I am doing and I am glad I chose this book to read for the free space.

This book started out slow for me until I really got to know the characters. You have this girl Lane who becomes an orphan after her mother's suicide, and learns that she has family in Kansas. So she is moved from New York to Kansas to live with her grandparents and cousin Allegra. Lane soon embraces the privilege of being a Roanoke Girl. Her grandparents have money and a nice farm in Rural Kansas. Allegra is thrilled to have Lane there and quickly shows her around the house and about all the other Roanoke girls.

Allegra introduces Lane to some guys Tommy and Cooper. You slowly learn there is a secret about the Roanoke Girls and family. I found myself not wanting to put the book down as I read this book.

This book is written from Lane's point of view and goes from the present to the past and also has small chapters about the other Roanoke Girls. This helped with understanding the girls and the tragic life some of them experienced. I found myself crying at times for Lane. She was a confused young lady coming back to Roanoke when Allegra went missing. When a book makes me cry it means I was drawn into the story from the beginning. Not all books can do that.

5 stars

I am currently reading: Tall, Tatted and Tempting by Tammy Falkner, so far I am enjoying it.

Another book finished tonight:

#8. Tall, Tatted, and Tempting by Tammy Falkner

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. You first meet the two main characters 'Kit' (not her real name) and Logan at a tattoo establishment. Logan is a guy who is deaf and typically just has sex with the women and then forgets about them. The way he meets Kit had me laughing.

I really enjoyed the whole story and will see if my library has these books either in e-book form or paperback. I want to see what happens with this story and also with the rest of the Reed brothers.

5 stars

Now I have to find a book to read. I am hoping to read Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris. I just have to find the book.

Another book done:

#9. Dead ever after by Charlaine Harris

I am giving this book 4 stars. I enjoyed this book in the aspect that it was summing up Sookie's life and everything she has been through. I did feel that this book was a little blah compared to the other ones in the series. I enjoyed it and couldn't put it down easily. I felt it was blah because there wasn't as much drama between Sookie and the vampires. There was action and her life in danger but just not as intense.

I am glad I read the whole series and do plan to read the final book that reveals what happened after this book.

4 stars

I am currently reading The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie.

Another book off the TBR stacks/shelves etc.

#10. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

I enjoyed this story. Even though Miss Marple was not present during the whole story I quite enjoyed the other characters. The Moving Finger is a mystery of who is writing these anonymous letters to the residents of a quiet little town called Lymstock and who murdered the maid. I enjoyed the interaction of the out of town guests on holiday Jerry and Joanna Burton, brother and sister.

5 stars

I am currently reading Marley & Me by John Grogan.

I finished another book late last night:

#11. Marley & Me by John Grogan

Having owned a dog I was familiar with somethings that happened in this book. I found the book entertaining and at times a little boring at times. Some of the antics that Marley got into had me laughing. I actually pictured my sister's dog. I knew this dog would have a sad ending and since I had to put my dog down this year it made me remember her last few days. If you have never owned a dog you will still enjoy this book.

4 stars

I am now reading Dead is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez.

Another book finished last night:

#12: Dead is a state of mind by Marlene Perez

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice easy quick read. I do have to go back and read the first book in this series (I didn't realize this was part of a series. I also didn't realize this has paranormal creatures. I enjoyed the mystery and the snarky remarks by some of the characters. I really loved it when Penny punched the one guy. The way it was written in the book I laughed out loud, so glad I was home when I read that part.

5 stars

I am currently reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling I am loving this BINGO Challenge I am in on GR! I am finding books that I want to read but can never find a way to get them to fit into some challenges and don't read them. Now I just need to read more than one book at a time to get caught up on my goal!! I am also making sure that most of these books are books from my own shelves.

I was actually able to donate about 14 books to our friends of the library book sale. I love when I am able to remove some books from my shelves to make room for the other ones in boxes!!

I finished another book today:

#13. Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling

Well I am a huge Harry Potter fan and was thrilled when J. K Rowling came out with this book. I didn't realize at first that it was a screenplay. I still bought it and finally decided to read it! I loved it. I had actually seen the movie so as I was reading the story I could picture certain scenes. I loved meeting Newt and starting to see how the wizarding world is different from Hogwarts. I cannot wait to read the next book!

5 stars

I don't have another book picked out just yet. Just need to make my decision tomorrow.

>39 crazy4reading: Have fun picking out your next book to read!

>40 rabbitprincess: I already picked it out and finished. Will be back with a review soon.

I finished another book today:

#14. Dances with Wolves: The illustrated screenplay and story behind the film by Kevin Costner

I don't remember seeing this movie nor reading the original book. I enjoyed reading this book and found it easy to understand the setting, time period and characters etc. I have always found history interesting when written in an understanding and entertaining way.

I enjoyed reading about the life of the Indians and how they treated the land and animals. I would love to watch this movie after reading this screenplay.

4 stars

I am also going to start reading: Puppies in the Pantry by Ben M. Baglio and The Cat Who Wished to be a Man by Lloyd Alexander. I am trying to clear some books off my shelves. I may even choose some more books to start reading

>31 crazy4reading: That's good to hear, about the reading and relaxing, I mean.

>43 connie53: Now I am getting reading done when my sister and I are taking my dad to appointments.

I am still reading Puppies in the Pantry and The Cat who wished to be a man. I am also reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. I would like to finish the Guernsey book tonight since it is for a BINGO game on GoodReads.

>44 crazy4reading: I loved the potato peel society. I hope you do too.

>45 connie53: I am enjoying it. I was hoping to finish it last night but I was too tired to keep my eyes open to read it. Hopefully tonight I will get some reading done. I have my Mahjong class tonight at the library so I will get there early and do some reading before class begins.

>46 crazy4reading: And I love Mahjongg too. Used to play it with my kids a lot when they were still living at home.

>46 crazy4reading: I have played the version online where it is matching and I enjoy that. This one is the American version of Mahjong. It is a great game and I love it. The thing I am enjoying about this class is that we are learning the rules and yet we don't always follow them. They let us make the decisions as to which rules we want to follow. I'll be back to post a review for the Guernsey book!

I finished a book this week:

#15. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the concept of the letter writing for this book. I felt that I could really get to know the people better that way. I usually enjoy books that are set during the WWII era. I have always found that time interesting and to learn what the people went through. Those that were and weren't in the camps. This war was not just one thing happening in one area. It happened to everyone because of families they had in different countries.

I actually felt like I was there with the characters during this book.

5 stars

I am now reading:

Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
Puppies in the Pantry by Ben. M. Baglio
Dead is so last year by Marlene Perez
Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue (Library book club read)

The last 3 are library books so I will need to get them finished fairly quickly or renew them before time runs out, expect for the book club book. I don't have to get that one done until our meeting in September.

I have finished two books this week but only one was a ROOT. Here is the review:

#16. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

I loved this book from the beginning. I found myself not wanting to put the book down. This is my first book by Michael Connelly and will definitely be looking for more of his books. This one is the first book in the Mickey Haller series. I love mystery books and ones with suspense always keep me glued to the pages.

5 stars

I am still reading:

Puppies in the pantry by Ben Baglio
Second chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Well I finished some children's books this past weekend.

#17. There's a Hair in my Dirt by Gary Larson

I was over my sisters and this book was sitting around. I decided to pick it up and read it. This is a very cute story about worms. It depicts the worms as sitting around a table and eating a meal. I found the story quite entertaining. This is a nice read for some young children.

5 stars

#18. Puppies in the Pantry by Ben Baglio

Cute story. I am just reading through my children's books so I can donate them to a library, or a classroom. This is a great book for someone that loves animals to read.

4 stars

I am still reading:

Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

I am making slow progress on these books.

>49 crazy4reading:. Yes, I know what you mean. I never knew Guernesey was involved in WW II so that was something I learned. And I love the form the book had with the letter writing.

>52 connie53: I loved the letter writing also!! I felt closer to the characters that way.

I am a little behind in posting reviews.

#19 Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

I loved it this time too! Not doing a long review because this was a re-read

5 stars

A few more books completed:

#20. Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich

I love this series and enjoy all the interactions between Stephanie and Morelli. This time Stephanie is after the town candy shop owner. She hears it from everyone that he is innocent and to leave him alone. I love what she does find out about Mo.

4 stars

I am currently reading the following:

The Dry by Jane Harper
High Five by Janet Evanovich
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

>55 crazy4reading: Lots of Evanoviches there. And I loved the books by Jane Harper.

>56 connie53: Yes I am on an Evanovich roll right now. I am hoping to finish some books this weekend. Since most of my TV shows are on hiatus I should just sit and read. Glad to hear you enjoyed Jane Harper. I am enjoying it so far.

I love Evanovich too but just in small bits.

I understand. I have had to take a break from her books this week.