Monica (aka Crazy4reading) tries for 75 books again, will she ever make it....

Hello and welcome to my thread!! Well I am back again to punish myself, NO! I am back again to enjoy this wonderful group and get my reading mojo back!!! I did not do to well with my reading this year. I have been doing the 75 book challenge since 2011!! I cannot believe it has been 9 years since I started doing this challenge. I have been a member of LT since September of 2008!! Here is a little bio about me:

My name is Monica, I am divorced 5 years now and live alone. Last year I had to say goodbye to my reading Beagle Buddy Samantha. I am currently in the dating scene, and if you don't have to date be thankful! It is one of the hardest things to do in this day and age. I work full time in a school district's special education offices. I have been with the district for 21 years!! I am also an Avon Lady. I love to read in my spare time (which has not been that much this year). My friend Annie has also signed me up for beginners water color painting classes. They will start back up in January! I love to be artsy and creative and realized how much I miss doing those things too. I am going to be a grandmother this May! My daughter is expecting her first child and I found out in October and I have been excited since. There is a funny story about that (at least to me it is funny). Below is the story:

I was out to dinner with my son and ex-MIL. We were celebrating my son's new job promotion (He is now a manager of an AMC movie theater), when my daughter texted me asking me if I was available for dinner that Saturday. I was shocked because my daughter never invites me to dinner. Mind you I was also making plans with my boyfriend for that Saturday. I responded what time and that I would make myself available. I said to both my son and MIL, why would Samantha be inviting me to dinner on Saturday, they both shrugged their shoulders. And this whole time I am thinking in my head I wonder if she is pregnant. So the next day I tell my co-workers the story and every single one of them say the same thing, "Is she pregnant?!?!?" I am like I don't know but that is what I am thinking. My daughter also tole me I could bring my father along too. (My father was not doing to well at that time so I didn't invite him). Now I also told my sister about this conversation and her reaction was totally different. I was trying to get her mind off of our Father and the trouble we have been having with his brother and lady friend. I said to her doesn't it sound like she is pregnant!? My sister says, "No, I am thinking that Uncle Bob and PJ called her and she is trying to get dad alone!!" I couldn't believe my sister would think my daughter would feed into that stuff. Everyone else got the same thought except for my sister, she really knew how to deflate my happiness!

OH and as you can tell I am the mother of 2 grown adults. My daughter is married and lives in Philadelphia. She works as a Spanish teacher, and she is also taking courses to get her masters in Spanish, and her husband works in IT in a school district. My son lives in Philadelphia with his partner. My son works for AMC theater in Philly and his partner is working in a Vets office and going to school to be a vet tech. I am happy for how much all of them have accomplished.

Wow that was a long bio.

My reading tastes are pretty blah. I love fiction but will read some non-fiction. I will give every book I pick up a try. I do enjoy books about WW2, and some biographies of famous people. One of my faves is Shirley Temple Blacks book. My goal this year is to read mostly my books except for the ones for my book club (unless I happen to own the book). This year my favorite Historical Romance Author passed, Johanna Lindsey, and I want to read all the books that I own by her. Some of the genres I do enjoy are, YA, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Paranormal, Literary Fiction etc.

Well I think I have bored you enough for now. Oh I might add some pictures once I figure out how to do it from Google Photos now. I had to get rid of my Photobucket account because they wanted me to pay for it. My thread seems to empty without a picture.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELCOME TO THE 20'S!!

My Trackers:







My list of books read this year (since I never seem to have more than one thread)

January

1. All you can ever know by Nicole Chung
2. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
3. The Boston Girl by Anita Diamont

Feburary

4. Why a Son needs a Dad by Gregory E. Lang
5. Four to Score by Janet Evanovich

March

April
6. Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
7. Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell
8. High Five by Janet Evanovich
9. Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
10. Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

My reading for 2019. I hope to share my ups and downs of the books I read this past year

Books received as gifts at the end of 2019 and books received in 2020

So bought some books this past month. Someone shared a link to Thrift Books and there was a coupon for 15% off so I decided to buy some books. I really do not need books. I was able to buy some books that I have been looking for. They are used and I am happy with them.

I also posted the books I received from SantaThing this past year. Below are the books listed below.

Books added in 2020

1. Out of Body by Stella Cameron
2. Out of Sight by Stella Cameron
3. The Hidden Man by David Ellis
4. The Violin of Auschwitz by Marian Angels Anglada
5. To Account for Murder by William C. Whitbeck
6. The Music Teacher by Barbara Hall

Books received in 2019 and added to my ROOTS:

1. Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
2. I am watching you by Teresa Driscoll
3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
4. The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
5. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

links to my other threads, challenges, etc.

Beat the Backlist 2020

Welcome back!

>5 crazy4reading: Thanks! It is great to be back! Hopefully I will read more in the coming year than I did this past year.

Hi Monica, hoping 2020 is a much more productive and pleasant reading year.

Hi Monica! 2020 will be an exciting year for you, with your grandbaby arriving in May! I hope your daughter is doing well.

Hi Monica, just starred you my dear and will be stopping by periodically.

Marking my place!

>8 richardderus: Thanks Richard! I hope 2020 is a good reading year for me!

>9 susanj67: Thanks Susan! My daughter is doing very well. She is just starting to show. I am excited to become a grandmother!

>10 johnsimpson: Thanks John! I look forward to seeing you here and in your thread!

>11 thornton37814: Great to see you here Lori!

>12 Berly: Hi Kim! I have to be on my personal computer to see your picture. I hate how everything is blocked on my work computer.

I will be starring everyone's threads if I have not already done that!

Best wishes for 2020!

Another resolution is to keep up in 2020 with all my friends on LT. Happy New Year!

Happy reading in 2020, Monica!

Hi Monica my dear, Wishing you a very Happy New Year from both of us dear friend.

Lovely to see your thread here in the group, Monica! Best wishes for your 2020 reading!

>14 DianaNL: Thanks Diana!

>15 PaulCranswick: Great resolutions Paul! I could definitely do those resolutions!

>16 FAMeulstee: Thank you Anita! Happy reading to you too!

>17 johnsimpson: Thank you John & Karen! Happy New Year to both you and Karen!

>18 lkernagh: Thanks Lori! Hoping I have a better reading this year!

Happy New Year All!!

>19 crazy4reading: Isn't one of the best things to find resolutions that may actually be doable!

Have a great weekend, Monica.

>20 PaulCranswick: So True Paul! Hope you had a great weekend too!

Well I finally finished my first book of 2020!! I am so thrilled!!

1. All you Can ever Know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung

This was an interesting read but not one that kept my interest all that much. There where times when I felt it was being drawn out. This is my first book by Nicole Chung. I am not familiar with her writing style.

In All you can ever know, Nicole is writing about her adoption and her struggles in wanting to learn about her birth parents. Her struggles of being adopted by white people. Not feeling she belongs in her adoptive family or in the school she was attending since she didn't see other Korean children.

I felt that Nicole's adoptive parents were wrong in not telling her things or even teaching her a little about her Korean Nationality. This was a good book for our book club because it got the whole group talking and sharing our thoughts.

4 stars

I am reading too many books still:

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

I am actually reading numbers 4, 5 and 6 by Janet Evanovich.

Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell

2. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Our book club read this book in 2019. I wasn't able to finish it at that time so I checked out a copy and finally got time to finish the book this year. I am glad I took the time to read this book. I have heard great things about books written by Kristin Hannah.

It took me awhile to get into this book, which could have been because I had some much going on in my life. I found the book interesting and kept reading it. I loved when Vera would tell her girls her 'fairy tale.'

The relationship between Nina, Mirranda and their mother Vera was complex. The girls never really knew who their mother was. They didn't know her past. The ending of the story was surprising and made me cry. I will be reading more books by Kristin Hannah.

4 stars

I am still reading the following:

Four Score, High Five, Hot Six, and Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

Hornet's Nest by Patircia Cornwell

>22 crazy4reading: >23 crazy4reading: Adding those to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendations, Monica!

>24 alcottacre: Happy to add to your BlackHole too! I keep adding books faster then I can read my books!

Well I finished another book this weekend. It wasn't one of the ones I was reading above either...Funny how I just picked this book up off my boyfriends table and read it. I also finished a book earlier this past week but never posted it here. So here are those two reviews.

#3. The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

This was a read for my library book club in February and I read and listened to it at the same time. I really enjoyed listening to Linda Lavin narrating the story of Addie Baum. The story was interesting following Addie in the 1900’s and the life that a Jewish woman could have.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It is a coming of age story and I enjoyed listening to the book while following along in the book. Learning the things that Addie went through for a woman let alone a Jewish woman. I am glad that our book club chose this book to read.

4 stars

#4. Why a Son needs a Dad by Gregory E. Lang

I picked up this book at my boyfriends house while we watched the Super Bowl. I knew it would be a quick easy read. I did read the introduction and that was interesting just to get the authors feelings on why he wrote this book.

I have seen some reviews stating that each sentence is like a short proverb. I would point out a few things to my boyfriend that I noticed his dad taught him or something that I just found funny. I also chose to read this book because I have a son and do feel that a son needs a dad, and a son also needs a mother.

4 stars

I am still reading the Janet Evanovich books and the one by Patricia Cornwall.

I finally finished another book. I am making slow and steady progress.

#5. Four Score by Janet Evanovich

I am enjoying this series. The character interactions make these books entertaining. Stephanie Plum is once again looking for a person that did not appear for their court date. This time she is going after a woman named Maxine.

Stephanie and Lulu are at it again. I love Lulu because she is very sarcastic and ready to hurt people. She is always wanting to shoot someone and Stephanie won't let her. She actually comes to Stephanie's rescue.

I am continuing this series with number 5!

4 stars

Still reading all the books above. Will be getting a new book for book club on Wednesday!

>27 crazy4reading: Slow and steady often wins the race, Monica.

>28 PaulCranswick: I hope it works for me this year, Paul.

>26 crazy4reading: Adding The Boston Girl to the BlackHole. It looks right up my alley.

>29 crazy4reading: I am usually the hare that blows up half way to home!

>30 alcottacre: Glad to add to your BlackHole and I hope you enjoy it.

>31 PaulCranswick: I wish I could have a little bit of the hare right now.

Just popping in to keep up here. Hope you are continuing to enjoy the series.

As for me -- hare today, gone tomorrow. (So bad, but I couldn't resist.)

Have a lovely, peaceful, safe and healthy weekend, Monica.

>33 Berly: I have not been reading as much as I could be since I am working from home. I will be starting the series again tonight. I finally finished a few books the past couple of days.

>34 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, Thank you. I hope you are staying safe and healthy.

So I have been working from home since March 13th. I took off to prepare for my daughter's baby shower on the 14th. I am so glad we got the shower in prior to everything being shut down. My SIL wanted us to post pone it because of all the stuff going on. We took extra precaution. I had brought wipes with me and the staff at the restaurant was very good at making sure everything was cleaned for my daughter. She did have one scare in March. She had some bleeding and it turned out that the Placenta Previa had moved and that is why she had some blood. She also had a fever while in the hospital so they tested her for the flu, covid-19 etc. All tests came back negative which was a blessing for her husband because he was more nervous than I think she was.

Now my son's partner is waiting for test results for Covid-19. He has been sick. So far my son is doing fine and hasn't had any symptoms so far. I keep waiting to hear something whether positive or negative. This is also the first time I have had to celebrate my birthday totally by myself. I cant even visit my dad right now.

Oh and more news is my dad has bladder cancer and my sister and I have to decide what to do. We aren't even sure if they will do any of the procedures on him while all this is going on. I have to schedule a face-time with my father. So this is everything that has been going on in my neck of the woods. I hope everyone else is listening to what you are being requested to do. I am trying to avoid contact with others but it is difficult when you have to take your father to appointments. My boyfriend lives alone some times and he hasn't been feeling well and hasn't been able to go get groceries.

Stay safe and healthy!!

#6. Hornet's Nest (Andy Brazil #1) by Patricia Cornwell

I enjoyed this book but felt it was slow going. I know this is the book where you meet all the characters for the series so I did enjoy that. I can see Andy and the cops making a good team and being very entertaining in the next books.

4 stars

#7. Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

This was my book club read for March. Well I didn't finish it before out meeting but yet we didn't have our meeting because the library closed before we had out meeting. I was able to take my time with this book. I had trouble following along with the different characters and their story lines. I found myself getting confused and having to go back and forth trying to figure out who was who.

I enjoyed the story just not the way it went back and forth among the characters.

4 stars

Hi Monica, stopping by the get caught up and just, WOW, on the news in >35 crazy4reading:. You have an awful lot on your plate at the moment. Here is hoping that the Covid-19 test results come back negative for your son's partner and that treatment for your father is not going to be impacted by everything that is going on.

Sending strength and healing thoughts for you and your family.

I wanted my message this year to be fairly universal in a time we all should be pulling together, whatever our beliefs. Happy Celebration, Happy Sunday, Monica.

>37 lkernagh: Thank you Lori for you kind words. My son's partner's test results came back negative. My sister hasn't contacted our father's doctor to schedule his procedures. We both have a lot going on. She has 4 kids at home and is trying to coordinate schooling and everything with her children. My sister and her husband finished cleaning out our dad's house and brought me some of his furniture. I am in the process of getting rid of my old sofa.

>38 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul for your wonderful message. I hope you and your family had a great holiday, celebration!

My daughter has been sending me short videos of her daughter moving in her. It is so cute! She is due in almost a month! I cannot believe it is almost here!

I did finish a book and will be posting that in a new post.

#8. High Five by Janet Evanovich

I loved this book! Stephanie is up to her usual bounty hunter stuff and she is also looking for her Uncle Fred who has gone missing! She is being followed by a fed and has an ex con trying to kill her.

She is also flirting with two of the hottest guys in the book, Ranger and Morelli. She is also working for Ranger and earning some nice money.

Lula is still entertaining. I love it when she uses her stun gun!!

5 stars

#9. Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

I am enjoying this series. I am finding myself laughing at Stephanie and Lula. This book is about Ranger being on the run and having a bounty out for him. Vinnie asks Stephanie to bring him in because he has skipped. Stephanie won't do it.

Stephanie is being followed by two guys and Joyce Bernhardt. The trouble Stephanie gets into trying to stay away from both of them. They are both looking for Ranger. Ranger is one you cannot find if he doesn't want to be found.

Stephanie and Joe are still at it. And yet there is tension between Stephanie and Ranger. I love the interactions between all of the characters. I will be reading number Seven next!

4 stars

I can't even think of the books I am currently reading. I will be starting #7 in the Stephanie Plum series. That is a library book but I think I might count it as a ROOT since I have most of the other books in the series.

Sorry that you have to be distancing with all this family stuff going on. So exciting about your daughter's pregnancy; so sad about your dad. Stay safe!

>41 ronincats: Thanks! We are finding ways to communicate which is helpful.

Well I finished another book late last night/early this morning.

#10. Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

Well I stayed up late to finish this book last night. I have been enjoying this series a lot. This book really held my interest and had me laughing out loud a lot!

Stephanie is at it again looking for another bond jumper. This time it is an old cook named Eddie DeChooch. You would think someone that is old wouldn't be that hard to catch but Lula and Stephanie bumble this apprehension too.

The love triangle is getting interesting in this book. Morelli and Plum are thinking marriage. Stephanie's mom is hounding her for a wedding date, which causes Stephanie to just blurt out a date. Then there is the heat between Ranger and Stephanie. If Stephanie asks for help from Ranger than Ranger wants a night with Stephanie. Ohhh the triangle just got interesting.

The ending of this book had me finding the next one and starting it.

5 stars

Well I am reading Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich.

So bought some books this past month. Someone shared a link to Thrift Books and there was a coupon for 15% off so I decided to buy some books. I really do not need books. I was able to buy some books that I have been looking for. They are used and I am happy with them.

I also posted the books I received from SantaThing this past year. Below are the books listed below.

Books added in 2020

1. Out of Body by Stella Cameron
2. Out of Sight by Stella Cameron
3. The Hidden Man by David Ellis
4. The Violin of Auschwitz by Marian Angels Anglada
5. To Account for Murder by William C. Whitbeck
6. The Music Teacher by Barbara Hall

Books received in 2019 and added to my ROOTS:

1. Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
2. I am watching you by Teresa Driscoll
3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
4. The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
5. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Well I have some great news!! I am now a grandmother! My daughter gave birth last night to my first grandchild Ruby Elizabeth! I am so excited for her and her husband!! I will share pictures if I can figure it out when I have gotten more sleep!

Congrats!

>45 crazy4reading: Congratulations!

Thank you everyone! Here is a picture of my new granddaughter with her mother and father:



My daughter Samantha, her husband Rob and their daughter Ruby Elizabeth!

One of Ruby up close:

Hi Monica my dear, congratulations on a new Granddaughter, sending love and hugs dear friend.

>49 johnsimpson: Thank you John! I hope you are doing well and staying safe!

>50 crazy4reading:, Hi Monica my dear, we are both doing well and keeping busy, i am in the garden when the weather is good and continuing reading the Chunksters and Karen has done a lot of baking and Knitting and she is streets ahead of me on the reading front.

I hope that you are also well and keeping safe my dear in these troubled times and we send love and hugs to you dear friend.

>48 crazy4reading: Congratulations, Grandma! What a lovely couple and a beautiful grandgirl!

>51 johnsimpson: Hi John glad you and Karen are doing well. Karen is even beating me in the reading department. I just haven't been reading as much as I would like to. Enjoy your garden as much as you can. I love to be outside. I finally got my lawn mower fixed, thanks to my boyfriend Rick, so now I am able to mow my lawn again. I have to visit some threads this weekend and catch up on what everyone is reading.

>52 alcottacre: Thank you Stasia! I am so happy for my daughter and too also be a grandmother. I never thought I was going to be one so it was a nice surprise to learn I was becoming one in November. I hope you are staying safe and doing well!

First time I have read all your postings.
I saw the wonderful picture of the family on another post. Baby is so cute. Congrats to all.
I am sorry to hear about your father.
Leona

>54 mnleona: Thank you! I hope you are doing well Leone!

>48 crazy4reading: Lovely!

Have a wonderful long weekend, Monica.

Hi Monica my dear, hope you are having a good weekend and send love and hugs dear friend.

>56 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. I hope you had a lovely weekend!

>57 johnsimpson: Hi John. I am doing well. Hope you are doing well too and had a wonderful weekend.

I am making very slow progress on my reading even with working from home. You would think I'd be reading every chance I get, but no, there seems to be this square/rectangular item that keeps going on and just draws my attention to it.

I also put up two new blinds that had broken. Plus I visited with my new granddaughter! She is just adorable and so small!! I wanted to give her kisses but I was very careful. Today I hung up two pictures. My father loved doing puzzles and he would take some of his puzzles and put them in frames. I decided to hang two of them up on my walls. I will try to take pictures and post them here.

I hope everyone is doing well and hope to see you guys around!

#11. A Time to Kill by John Grisham

Well this was slow going for me and I believe that was because I swear I had watched the movie before. As I was reading the book I was remembering parts of the movie or at least a movie with this similar story line.

I really enjoyed this book. Mystery is one of my favorite genres and I am rarely disappointed in them. This one did not disappoint either. A Time to Kill introduces the reader to Jake Brigance, a lawyer in Mississippi. He is hired by a black man who is accused of killing to white boys who raped and tortured his 10 year old daughter.

I enjoyed the drama and action in this book. It made me realize how much we have not changed over the years with racism. Will a jury convict Carl Lee Hailey for the murder of two rapists? Will they acquit him? Will they find him insane? You have the blacks and whites (KKK) going at each other.

The ending of this book was a surprise to me. I now want to read another book in this series. Reading this book during this time of unrest with what is happening in Minnesota really brings to light how much things haven't improved that much in this day and age.

5 stars

I am still reading Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich

>59 crazy4reading: - Sounds like you are staying productive, even if the reading has slowed down.

I finished another book!

#12. Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich

OMG! Hard Eight had me laughing out loud a lot! Stephanie Plum is at it again after an FTA (Failure to Appear) for her bounty hunting job. She is also helping a neighbor whose daughter and granddaughter are missing.

Stephanie still has the love triangle with her, Morelli and Ranger and she owes a debt to Ranger. This all adds so much interested to all the incidents that befall Stephanie in this book. She is being hunted by another crazy person, Abruzzi. She has an FTA that she has trouble catching.

I loved when Vinnie and Stephanie go after the FTA. Those two are hysterical together. The lines they say to each other just had me laughing.

The chemistry between Stephanie and Ranger just had me laughing and rooting for him. The chemistry between Stephanie and Morelli had me picturing Morelli rolling his eyes and wanting to laugh at her. I am glad I have decided to stick with this series. I hope it continues with the laughs!!

5 stars

Hope all is well, Monica.

Hi Monica my dear, Happy 4th July dear friend.

In this difficult year with an unprecedented pandemic and where the ills of the past intrude sadly upon the present there must still be room for positivity. Be rightly proud of your country. To all my American friends, enjoy your 4th of July weekend.

> 64 Hi John. Thank you, I hope you are doing well.

>65 PaulCranswick: Thank you Paul. I hope you had an enjoyable 4th of July.

#13. Young Wives by Olivia Goldsmith

I enjoyed Young Wives. I found the 3 main women very intriguing and diverse. Three woman from different backgrounds. Here is an excerpt from the summary:

Meet the Young Wives: Angela, Michelle, and Jada, thirty-something women who appear to have lives as delicious as dessert. A typical New Yorker, half-Jewish, half-Italina, Angela is a lawyer married to Reid, a handsome old-money WASP. Michelle, a traditionalist at heart, adors her childhood sweetheart husband, Frank, and the dream house he's provided for her and their two beautiful children. Married to Clinton, Jada is a suburban African American wife working hard to maintain a happy home despite her husband's failing business. She's determined to give her family the privileges she never had.

Angela, Jada an Michelle develop a friendship while they are going through some problems in their marriages. This book touched me since I am divorced and when they exact revenge on their ex husbands I found myself rooting for them. If only you could get away with it in real life.

4 stars

Now what do I read next....

Well today I went to my friends house and picked up a few books. I still have to go through them. Do you think I will find something to read in here?:



I still have to go through them all and I cannot wait to see what I have!! I will post later exactly what books were in there and if I kept them all. Mind you I am not short on books to read. I have a room full of books now they will have new friends!

Some of the authors I have seen in the box are:

Christine Feehan
Matthew Reilly
Kate Elliott
Dale Brown
Mercedes Lackey
Terry Pratchett
Stephen Baxter

Here are 20 books from the first box:

Lady of Light and Shadows by C. L. Wilson
King of Sword and Sky by C. L. Wilson
Queen of Song and Souls by C. L. Wilson
Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey
Arrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey
Magic's Price by Mercedes Lackey
A Flame in Hali by Marion Zimmer Bradley & Deborah J. Ross
The Fall of Neskaya by Marion Zimmer Bradley & Deborah J. Ross
The Bloody Sun: A Darkover Novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Zandru's Forge by Marion Zimmer Bradley & Deborah J. Ross
Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan
Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
Temple by Matthew Reilly
Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly
Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly
Lord of the Fading Lands by C. L. Wilson
The Other Side of the Mirror by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Red Sun of Darkover by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan

I haven't even made a dent in the box yet. I will be back later to add more....

Here are the next 20 still from the first box:

Oathbreakers by Mercedes Lackey
The Silver Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey
Sun in Glory by Mercedes Lackey
Exile's Honor by Mercedes Lackey
Foundation by Mercedes Lackey
The Oathbound by Mercedes Lackey
Brightly Burning by Mercedes Lackey
Storm Warning by Mercedes Lackey
Storm Rising by Mercedes Lackey
Storm Breaking by Mercedes Lackey
Sword of Ice by Mercedes Lackey
Changing the World by Mercedes Lackey
Owlflight by Mercedes Lackey
Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey
Magic's Promise by Mercedes Lackey
Burning Wild by Christine Feehan
Dark Dreamers by Christine Feehan
Savage Nature by Christine Feehan
The Six Sacred Stones by Matthew Reilly
Crown of Crystal Flame by C. L. Wilson

Out of 41 books that I have taken out of the box and cataloged only 1 of them was a duplicate. I might do some more later or just wait until tomorrow to finish up the first box.

So the list continues. Here are 32 more books from the first box:

Horn Crown by Andre Norton
The Keeper's Price by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The spell Sword: A darkover Novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Stormqueen! by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Star of Danger by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Hawkmistress by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The World Wreckers by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Sharra's Exile by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Chronicles of Corum by Michael Moorcock
The Swords Trilogy by Michael Moorcock
Daybreak-2250 A.D. by Andre Norton
Garan The Eternal by Andre Norton
The Planet Savers The Sword of Aldones by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Sword and Sorceress II by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Zarsthor's Bane by Andre Norton
Year of the Unicorn by Andre Norton
The Jargoon Pard by Andre Norton
The White Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
Exile's Valor by Mercedes Lackey
By the Sword by Mercedes Lackey
Thendara House by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
The Elf Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks
The sacred Vault by Andy McDermott
The Secret of Excalibur by Andy McDermott
The Pyramid of Doom by Andy McDermott
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
Dancer's Illusion by Ann Maxwell
Tales of the Witch World by Andre Norton
Dancer's Luck by Ann Maxwell
Moon Mirror by Andre Norton
The Key of the Keplian by Andre Norton & Lyn McConchie

Here is the last of the books for the first box. The last 19 books:

The Judas Strain by James Rollins
Ice Hunt by James Rollins
Bestiary by Robert Masello
Vigil by Robert Masello
Subterranean by James Rollins
Moonbeams & Magic by Janelle Taylor
The Magic of Recluce by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Moondust & Madness by Janelle Taylor
Deep Fathom by James Rollins
Stardust & Shadows by Janelle Taylor
Fall of Angels by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
The Death of Chaos by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Sandstorm by James Rollins
The Magic Engineer by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Arrows Fall by Mercedes Lackey
Elfquest Winds of Change by Richard Pini
The Magestone by Andre Norton
Elfquest Wolfsong by Richard Pini
Excavation by James Rollins

Here are 33 more books:

The Gathering Storm by Kate Elliott
Playing Dead by Julia Heaberlin
Decipher by Stel Pavlou
Raising Atlantis by Thomas Greanias
Air Battle Force by Dale Brown
In the Ruins by Kate Elliott
Child of Flame by Kate Elliott
Know your Game: Soccer by Marc Bloom
The Burning Stone by Kate Elliott
Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
King's Dragon by Kate Elliott
Where Truth Lies by Christiane Heggan
Icefire by Chris D'Lacey
Deeper by Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams
Sound Bender by Lin Oliver & Theo Baker
The Crystal Skull by Manda Scott
The Ice Limit by Douglas Preston
The Devil Colony by James Rollins
Empire of Gold: A Novel by Andy McDermott
Professor Gargoyle by Charles Gilman
Strike: Sylo Chronicles #3 by D. J. MacHale
The Long Utopia by Terry Pratchett
Stargazer by Claudia Gray
The Dark Shore Atlanteans by Kevin Emerson
The Dark Water: Well's End by Seth Fishman
Endgame: The Calling by James Frey
The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
The Language of Sisters by Amy Hatvany
New Spring the Novel by Robert Jordan
Kingdom Come: The final Victory by Tim Lahaye
Fire Star by Chris D'Lacey
The Fire Eternal by Chris D'Lacey
Berserker Fury by Fred Saberhagen

That is the last of the books. A total of 124 books in those boxes. I found a total of 4 books that I already had.

>69 crazy4reading: - >73 crazy4reading: That s a lot of books, Monica!

Hi Monica my dear, what a book haul, 124 books, that is what i would term a Cranswickian haul.

>74 FAMeulstee: Anita I did not expect to keep all those books! I thought I would have found more duplicates in there.

>75 johnsimpson: That is the most I have ever received in a year. And my thingaversary is in September!! Not sure if I will buy any....

Well even as I sorted through all those books I did finish 2 books this weekend:

14. Know your game: Soccer by Marc Bloom

Good book for a new Soccer player. Even though this is on older book most of the information is still current. It was interesting to read about the Soccer stars of that time.

4 stars

15. Peace & Quiet and other Hazards by Ethel Barrett

I enjoyed this book and the little jokes she sometimes through in her writing. This was a book I found at my parent's house and decided to read. Not something I would normally read but decided to give it a try. The book does have some religious writing and I found them interesting and they did bring back memories of my own religious beliefs.

3 stars

I am currently reading:

Dusted to Death by Barbara Colley
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith
Mystery of the Haunted Silver Mine by Gloria Skurzynski
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck

>69 crazy4reading: to >73 crazy4reading: That is a haul I would have been proud of, Monica!

>78 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul! I am proud of that haul and I now have to put them somewhere in my spare room and possibly bye some of the books from the series that I don't have in that haul!!

#16. Dusted to Death by Barbara Colley

A great way to introduce myself to this series is by reading the 8th book first. I actually enjoyed this book even though I didn't know the main characters that well. I was introduced to Charlotte LaRue a woman that owns her own cleaning service and who solves some crime in between her cleaning jobs.

This book Charlotte's one customer Bitsy hires Charlotte to work for a production company that is making a movie and using Ms. Bitsy's home. I found myself laughing at the interaction between these two ladies.

I loved how Charlotte also argued with herself. I find myself doing that at times too. That little voice that just keeps nagging in the back of your mind. I do want to go back and read the earlier books in this series.

4 stars

I finished another book:

#17. Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Katrn Rose Smith

This is my first book by Karen Rose Smith. I enjoyed this book because the story location was some what local for me. This story is located near Lancaster PA. Lancaster is a very nice quiet town and one that I have been too many years ago.

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes introduces us to Daisy Swanson and her Aunt Iris. Daisy and Iris are co-owners of a nice little tea shop in Willow Creek. Daisy is a widow and has two teenage daughters. I enjoyed the story about the murder but some of the minor story parts were a little boring and I found the book dragging at parts.

There is a murder at Daisy and Iris's tea shop. The murder victim is a prominent business owner that was dating Iris as he was going through is divorce. The murder victim, Harvey had many people that could have wanted him dead for many reasons. This is what made the story interesting. I was surprised by who actually committed the murder. This is also the first time that I remember reading a book with my name in it!! I am interested in reading more books in this series.

4 stars

Here is a list of the books I am currently reading:

Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower
Catering to nobody by Diane Mott Davidson
The perfectly proper paranormal museum by Kristen Weiss
Death & Decluttering: A good, clean cozy mystery by Nancy McGovern
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

>81 crazy4reading: You remind me I need to return to that series. I enjoyed the one or two I've read.

Monica--I am so far behind here. Sorry! Best wishes to your Dad. Congrats on being a grandmother!! And on your totally awesome book haul. I think you need a bookcase for your Thingaversary. LOL

>82 thornton37814: I now have to go back and read the other books.

>83 Berly: That is definitely true about needing a bookcase! I have two that are packed and still have books in boxes! Thank you!

I finished a few books:

#17. Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower

Loved this book!!

I just found a new author to read! I loved this book. It was a quick fun story. India is a bridesmaid for her childhood friend Olivia, who comes from money!! India’s brother, Mark has loved Olivia and learns that she is getting married.

Mark crashes a 4th of July party at Olivia’s parents house. All he wants to do is talk to Olivia. He asks her to meet him at Martin, a local college. This is where things turn bad for Mark and India’s family.

Who murdered Olivia? That is what India has to solve in Maid of Murder!!

5 stars

#18. That Boy by Jillian Doddd

I just chose this book for a challenge and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. This was a free book for me on Kindle.

That Boy follows Jayden James (aka JJ), and Phillip through their years. I loved how the book began with Jj running out on Phillip after he proposed to her. JJ then goes through how she ended up at this point in her life.

JJ and Phillip were childhood friends and best friends. Then their friendship adds another best friend Danny. JJ is a tomboy and good a sports. This story takes place in Nebraska and is really entertaining. This book even made me wish that I had that friendship with a guy that JJ and Phillip have with each other.

There is one sad part in this book and I cried!! I don't want to spoil it but just a forewarning about some tears being shed. I even shed some happy tears!

5 stars

#20 Every Wild Heart by Meg Donohue

This book has been on my TBR pile for awhile. It is one I started and would put down and not be able to find it again. I won this book as an Early Reviewer book.

Every Wild Heart is the story about Gail Gideon and her daughter Nic. Gail has a radio talk show and Nic is a typical teenager. The relationship between Gail and Nic is one that is close and yet has some trouble.

Gail is being stalked and she thinks it is one of her listeners and she is worried about her daughter's safety. Her daughter rides horses and is starting at a new school. She has an accident while riding her horse and it seems to have changed her.

I enjoyed this story and found the ending a happy one.

4 stars

Hope all is well, Monica. xx

Hi Monica my dear, hope you are well and having a good weekend dear friend.

Hi Monica my dear, Happy Thanksgiving Day and hope that you are having a good day dear friend.

This Brit wishes to express his thanks for the warmth and friendship that has helped sustain him in this group, Monica

>87 PaulCranswick: & >90 PaulCranswick: I am well. Just keeping busy with my new granddaughter. Slowly getting some reading done. Thank you!

>88 johnsimpson: & >89 johnsimpson: I am well. Just keeping busy with my new granddaughter. I have been getting some reading done. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving too!

I have few reviews to post:

#21. Born a Crime By Trevor Noah

This was a book club read for my local library. I was reading the book and switched over to the audio and found the audio edition so much more entertaining. Hearing Trevor narrate his story made me feel more involved in the story. I could hear the emotion and feelings in his words more then when I was reading the book.

I also received a little bit of a history lesson about apartheid and South Africa. To see how he and many others grew up and some who are still living like that just makes me realize how far we still have to grow as a world.

Trevor does have a great sense of humor and to read about how his mother and him interacted was very entertaining. I really enjoyed the last chapter of this book because I felt that this chapter summed up so much of the story into a very heartfelt ending.

4 stars

#22. The One by Kiera Cass

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I forgot all about this series. I had started a few years ago. As soon as I picked it up and started reading I was taken back to the dystopian world with America, Maxon, Celeste and the other girls from the Selection. I enjoyed how America grew and decided that she was going to fight for what she wants. I love how Prince Maxon and America are with each other. They are both young and have been through a lot. You learn a lot about all the girls that are left in the Selection. Some of the girls are in love with the Prince and some are just hoping to become a Princess. Will America be the One????

4 stars

Here are some of the books I am still reading:

Captive of My Desires by Johanna Lindsey
A loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
Zombie, Inc by Christine Dougherty
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
Everything here is beautiful by Mira T. Lee

Maybe I will finish another book this week.

M--Nice to see you posting! I totally agree on the Trevor Noah audio--so much better than the print. One of my favorites. Have fun with your granddaughter!!

>93 Berly: Thanks Kim! I have been lurking and reading very little. I wish I had actually listened to the book from the beginning. I will definitely enjoy my granddaughter! I have to share some pictures on here of her.

Yes, please post some!!

>94 crazy4reading: Looking forward to those pics, Monica

>95 Berly: & >96 PaulCranswick: I will work on getting some pictures posted!

Here are some pictures of my granddaughter:

This is my son Brandon holding his niece. This was taken just before he moved to Chicago. Ruby was about 2 months old here.


Here is the family on Halloween. My daughter Samantha, her husband Rob and their baby Ruby.



Here I am holding Ruby on Halloween:


I am a huge Harry Potter fan so I couldn't resist buying her this outfit.


I love her facial expressions!


Christmas Pictures:







I love her so much!!

>98 crazy4reading:, Hi Monica my dear, what gorgeous photos and such a lovely set of family members and you are looking good my dear. Sending love and hugs dear friend.

>99 johnsimpson: Hi John, thank you so much. My children mean the world to me. I hope you and Karen are doing well and are staying safe and healthy.

One of my favorite things I have had the pleasure of doing is reading to Ruby before she goes to bed! My daughter Samantha and her husband Rob make sure that she is read to every night. I am thrilled that they are both readers and are also sharing the love of reading with her.

I also just learned how to star topics that I want to follow. I couldn't figure out how to do it with this new layout. I feel like it was staring me in the face all this time but I just kept overlooking it.

I finished a book today.

#23. Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

I enjoyed this book but I did find it slow going at times. This is my first book by Mary Kay Andrews. I have not read the first book in this series so I was not familiar with the characters. I didn't feel lost in this story or confused.

Savannah Breeze follows Bebe Loudermilk and her bet friend Weezie. Bebe meets a wonderful man who turns out to be a con man. As soon as I read about him I could tell she was being swindled out of all her money.

When Bebe learns that Reddy has sold her townhouse, emptied her bank accounts, took her possessions and left her flat broke. She learns that she owns a motel on Tybee Island and decides to try and make it work while she works out a plan on how to get her money back from Reddy.

The fun part is when Bebe, Weezie, Harry (guy who has helped take care of the motel) and Bebe's granddad go to Ft. Lauderdale Florida to con a con man. This is when Bebe and Harry realize that they both have feelings for each other. I enjoyed the ending and plan to read the first book and continue with this series.

4 stars

Still reading:

Captive of My Desires by Johanna Lindsey
A loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
Zombie, Inc by Christine Dougherty
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine
Everything here is beautiful by Mira T. Lee

I finished another book!

#24. Zombie, Inc by Christine Dougherty

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Zombie Inc is set in a world after the Zombie Plague. The United Five State Republic's company Zombie Inc is in trouble with the decrease of Zombies. This story follows two Assessments Dill and Carl as they help keep things normal.

Dill is a member of a group of people that believe the Zombies are still human. Carl is the 'old' guy that was around during the first Zombie Plague. They are a good match as they grow to know each other.

I now want to read the next book to see what happens.

4 stars

Still reading the following:

Everything here is beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine
Captive of My desires by Johanna Lindsey
A Loving Scoundrel by Johnna Lindsey

Tachyon Publications, an SFF house, posted this on Twitter. Says it all, no?

>103 richardderus: Yes it does, Richard. Thanks for sharing!

>104 johnsimpson: Merry Christmas to you too John!

>98 crazy4reading: Thank you for the photos!!! Such a cutie.



Monica--Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2021 bring you less need for masks, loads of peace and joy, good health and, of course, books!

I hope you get some of those at least, Monica, as we all look forward to a better 2021.

Happy New Year Monica.

>106 Berly: Thank you, and I am happy to share them. Kim I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

>107 PaulCranswick: Paul, thank you I wish the same for you too!

>108 johnsimpson: Happy New Year John!