REVIEW: Blue Labyrinth

Blue Labyrinth
Authors: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

The Pendergast series is one of my favorites. The mix of strange, mysterious characters and plots, plus police investigation and supernatural events just ticks most of my I-love-to-read-this boxes.

When I first started the audio book for Blue Labyrinth, I did not remember reading this book before. But as I got further into the story, I started to remember a few plot points. Luckily, I didn't remember any major spoilers and enjoyed the story a second time.

The action starts immediately and doesn't let up from start to finish. In the beginning pages, the front door of Pendergast's home is opened to reveal a very unpleasant surprise.....and things get progressively stranger and darker from there. This time Pendergast does not get through his investigation without great bodily harm....in fact, he is facing death, depending on Margo, Constance and his ever faithful friend D'Agosta to help save him. Very exciting and entertaining plot!

Interesting character development and changes in this book. I'm hoping the series moves away from Pendergast's family tree for awhile.....the ongoing plot points about his wife, his sons, his ancestors have pretty much run their course (for me, anyway). I really want something new.....still weird, dark and strange....but new.

Another great story in this series!

I listened to the audio book version (Hachette Book Group) of this story. As usual Rene Auberjonois gave a top-notch performance. Ever since he was in the television series Benson when I was a kid, I have enjoyed his acting skills. I was sad to learn of his passing in December 2019. Truly a great performer. I know nothing about his personal life, but I get the distinct feeling he was a truly nice person as well. I will enjoy hearing his voice reading several more books in this series. I'm not sure who might be able to fill his shoes to read the new books in this series...he was truly perfect to narrate Pendergast.

Blue Labyrinth is the 14th book in the Pendergast series. For this series, readers really need to start at the beginning to understand the characters, events and to avoid spoilers. As I write this, there are currently 18 books in this series, with a new book (Crooked River) coming out in February 2020. I will keep reading and listening until this series comes to an end! Love it! I'm almost caught up.....only 5 more books to go until I have to wait months for each new book....it will be so hard to wait!

On to the next book -- Crimson Shore!

REVIEW: The King of Clubs (Agatha Christie)

The King of Clubs
Author: Agatha Christie

The King of Clubs is the third Hercule Poirot short story. It was first published in the UK on March 21, 1923 as "The Adventure of the King of Clubs''  in the magazine The Sketch. It made its way across the pond to America in November 1923 where it was printed in The Blue Book magazine.

Hercule Poirot reads about a murder in the local paper one morning. A rather seedy wealthy impressario was found dead in his house. Henry Reedburn's skull was bashed in. A famous dancer found the body and ran to the house next door, crashing their bridge party with a dramatic cry of "murder!'' Poirot is soon on the case to discover the facts.

I like this story....it's a bit different. There's a lot going on in the background. I read and listened to it twice to be sure I caught all the nuances. Simple...and a bit complex at the same time. This sort of tale is why I love Agatha Christie.

The long-running television show, Agatha Christie's Poirot, starring David Suchet presented an episode based on this short story in Series 1 (episode 9) back in 1989. The television version keeps the barebones of the story, but makes several changes to flesh it out into a regular length episode. Some things are removed....and other things added. But, all in all, a very good adaptation of this story! I watched the episode on BritBox, but the episode is also available on YouTube:

I am having the best time reading, listening and watching these stories by Christie! On to the next story: The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim!

REVIEW: The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan (Agatha Christie)

The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
Author: Agatha Christie

The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan is a Hercule Poirot short story first published in The Sketch magazine in the UK on March 14, 1923. The original title was "The Curious Disappearance of the Opalsen Pearls.'' In 1924, the story was published in the US as "Mrs. Opalsen's Pearls.''

In this second Poirot short story, the dapper Belgian is called on to help investigate the disappearance of a pearl necklace. Somehow the necklace was stolen right under the nose of Mrs. Opalsen's maid. Poirot sets out to prove how it was done, hopeful that he can recover the stolen property.

I'm enjoying these short Poirot stories. The characters aren't fleshed out and the plots are simple....but each is only a few pages long, so brevity is a necessity. The mystery and its solution are the goal....not the characters themselves. The tales are bare bones, quick reads....a flash of Poirot's magnificent little grey cells and done.

All in all, an entertaining short story! I've read a lot of Christie's novels over the years...but never read any of the short stories. I'm reading the text for each story in ebook format while listening to the audio just because I love hearing Poirot's dialogue in his accent. In this case, the narrator for the story was not David Suchet, but Charles Armstrong. Armstrong did a very good job! I'm reading text and listening to audio at the same time for the novels as well....but for different reasons. I have come across several newer editions of Christie's books that have a disclaimer about "editorial edits'' being made. I was very curious about those edits....so I'm reading the text in my older paperbacks while listening to unabridged audio from a newer edition.

The television series Agatha Christie's Poirot starring David Suchet as Poirot did an episode based on this short story (Season 5, episode 8). The episode follows the basic plot, with a few changes and additions to stretch it to fill a 45 minute episode. I streamed the episode on Britbox, but you can find it on YouTube as well:

On to the next story: The King of Clubs!

REVIEW: Claw Enforcement

Claw Enforcement
Author: Sofie Ryan

The Second Chance Cat Mystery series is one of my cozy favorites. I like the characters and the mysteries are always entertaining and fun to read. This time, a real estate developer drops dead at a fundraising event. Sarah Grayson and Charlotte's Angels (A group of senior citizen amateur sleuths) are on the case again! Who hated the recent real estate deals and planned developments in North Harbor enough to commit murder??

Elvis the cat is his usual sleek self in this newest book! Sarah is great as usual...but Elvis always steals the show! I like the quirky, fun characters in this series. Sofie Ryan always delivers a fun, entertaining cozy mystery! Claw Enforcement is the 7th book in this series...and I'm definitely eagerly awaiting #8!

This series is definitely cozy -- no graphic violence, cussing, sex, etc. Add in Elvis and his cat-itude, a dash of humor, and light, entertaining plots....this series is just fun to read. Simple, entertaining....and a cute, fuzzy cat. Perfect!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Other People

The Other People
Author: C.J. Tudor

I became a C.J. Tudor fan when I read The Chalk Man. And I'm an even bigger fan after reading The Other People!

Gabe is driving home....mindlessly following the usual route. He notices the rusty car in front of him....reads the various bumper stickers that adorn the back. Then he notices something terrifying. A little girl in the back....her face pops into the window, looking at him. It's....his daughter. Izzy. 5 years old. Then she's gone....the car lost in traffic....and he never sees his daughter again. Gabe spends years looking for her, the car he saw that day, anything.....    Gabe meets a group that operates through the dark web. The Other People understand loss. They want to help those who have lost someone. But it's quid pro quo. A favor for a favor.....

What a creepily suspenseful story! As a mom, this was a rough plot for me....I think every parent fears an event like this. What would I do if I saw my child or grandchild in the backseat of a stranger's car?? Holy crap -- that would be incredibly terrifying!!! And then to find a group that will seek out answers, justice, a resolution of some sort.....for a price. This rapidly turned into a binge read for me....I couldn't stop reading!

Another great book from C. J. Tudor! Full stars from me!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Random House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Affair at the Victory Ball (Agatha Christie)

The Affair at the Victory Ball
Author: Agatha Christie

The Affair at the Victory Ball was Agatha Christie's first published short story. It ran in The Sketch magazine in March 1923, following publication of the first Hercule Poirot novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles in 1920/1921 (UK and US versions were published at different times).

In this first story, Poirot is approached by Inspector Japp to assist in a case involving a murder and a suspicious overdose death following a fancy dress ball. Poirot puts his little grey cells to work, while mumbling about others having "no method'' to their investigation skills.

Great story! It is a relatively short read, but very enjoyable! Classic Poirot attitude and investigation. Loved it!

In its 3rd series, the television show Poirot had an episode based on this story. There are a few changes made to the story, but it follows the basics, according to online sources. I don't remember this episode in particular, but it's available online. Now that I've read the short story, I'm going to watch the television version and see what I think. David Suchet is always outstanding, in my opinion, so I'm sure I will love his performance.

Agatha Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9. I found a box set of five Hercule Poirot novels at a garage sale and spent an entire summer engrossed in the sleuthing of the little dapper Belgian man with the supremely awesome moustache. :) I have always wanted to read all of her works in publication order....and this year, I am starting on that quest!

66 novels. 14 short story collections, featuring 165 short stories, plus several other assorted writings....I have a lot of reading to do! Loving it so far! 3 books read....many to go!

I am reading these novels and stories from physical books while simultaneously listening to audio. There is method to my madness. Really. I promise. I have reasons. One -- I have come across several editions of Christie's books that give a disclaimer about "editorial edits" being made. I'm curious what these edits are...so I'm listening to newer unabridged audio books while reading my older paperback copies just to see what is different. And second, when it comes to Hercule Poirot especially, there are many foreign words in Christie novels. I skip over them while reading because (being honest here), I don't know how to properly pronounce them. I don't speak French except for elementary polite phrases or those related to ordering food and wine, which is a shame really. Plus, it's more fun to read a Poirot mystery with his dialogue being read in his awesome accent. While not every narrator is as wonderful as David Suchet, listening to the stories really does bring some extra happiness to my reading experience. This quest to read all of her works has been 41 years in the making. I wouldn't read and listen or compare editions for many other authors. Christie has a special place in my heart...so I'm going full out.

Because I am reading each novel and story from different sources to compare content....and skipping around within collections at times to read in order, I'm going to review each story separately. And then give my thoughts about certain story collections and editions (especially ones I come across that have been edited) when I've read all the stories contained in them.

On to the next story!

The Agatha Christie's Poirot episode (season 3, episode 10) can be watched on BritBox, or there's a passable Youtube video of it here:

Agatha Christie....a 40+ year quest....getting a bit OCD with it

Agatha Christie
The Quest to Read All Her Works...in publication order

Agatha Christie.

I have loved her writing ever since I was 9 years old and purchased a collection of 5 Hercule Poirot mysteries in a little slip cover box at a garage sale. I spent an entire summer reading those books and imagining the little dapper detective with his over-the-top moustache.

This love for Agatha Christie caused a domino effect of sorts. The love of the books started me on a path towards owning all the books. I carried a list of what I owned in my purse for years....checking it against titles I found at garage sales, thriftshops, library sales. In those days, the little town I lived in had no bookstore and there was no internet. So I saved up my chore money (and later my funds from an after school job) and any trip to the city also meant a trip to a bookshop....a new Christie! or maybe two if there was a sale at Waldenbooks.

But the problems started almost immediately....the quest for books, led to some hard brain work and research time back in those days. Some Christie novels were published under one name in the UK and a different title in the US. Some novels over time changed titles as people realized some words were just simply too rude for use....one book went from having the N word in the title...to soldiers....to Indians....to being called And Then There Were None, completely removing any possible cause for offense. Christie's works were reprinted and released by multiple book companies. Each publisher only listed the works they printed in the front of books....so I had had a very hard time finding a complete list of everything she wrote. Our small town library had zip for a reference department.  In the days before the internet, developing a full publication list that included all titles for each book and trying to track down short stories in among all the different collections publishers put out was a true pain. Mostly impossible in a small, midwest, podunk town that didn't think a bookstore was necessary.  Finally after I had a copy of "most'' of Christie's novels and a few of the short story collections....I gave up. By then college was looming and I just didn't have time to chase book lists.

Flash forward about 3 decades....I'm 50 years old. The kids are mostly grown. And....the lovely research tool called the internet is here to help! Plus so many avenues to find books online from the library and other sources to fill in gaps. I'm ready to read Christie! In honor of my slight OCD thoughts about the proper way to read through Christie (and an homage to my former hard work to try and make a list of all her books/stories), I'm trying as best I can to read in publication order. Even the short stories. I still have my stack of collected books -- over the years they moved with me everywhere I went. :) But now I can fill in gaps, easily get publication dates and information, and just enjoy her writing without carrying around a list, etc.

My blog has a lot of reviews on it that I share with others....but it's also my personal reading log and free self-therapy....so I'm going to be a bit overly detailed about my Christie reading. This has been a project in-progress for 41 years now. I'm going to go all out. :) Feel free to skip over these posts....most likely I am the only one who will be interested in my Christie Quest. :) That's ok. We all have a Thing -- this is mine.

So far, I have read:

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule's first adventure. Published in 1920/21 - different dates in the UK and US.

The Secret Adversary (introduces Tommy & Tuppence) 1922

The Murder on the Links (HP. 1923)

I then made my first mistake....I moved on to The Man in the Brown Suit (1924) forgetting to check if there were any short stories published in 1920-1923. Turns out.....there were A LOT of short stories published in magazines in between novels.

So....in the interest of feeding my OCD as much as sanity can allow....I backtracked a bit. And I am reading/listening to The Man in the Brown Suit, while alternating with HP short stories published in 1923 (The Sketch magazine in the UK and following in other publications in the US). I found many of these first stories in Hercule Poirot's Early Cases, published first as a collection in 1974.

I'm listening to audio while reading along in my books....because it came to my attention that many of Christie's books have had a bit of editing done. I'm curious what things/words/actions have required editing...so I'm listening to newer unabridged audio while reading one of my old paperback copies. It sounds tedious...but it actually makes the reading more fun. I read and listen to a chapter or two every night right before bed...Christie Time. :) For the short stories, I listen to one or two during the day....listening to audio while following along in the book. It's just more enjoyable to have Hercule Poirot say the french parts that I skip over....as I don't know how to pronounce french properly. I envision David Suchet in my head....and listen to the voice actor saying the lines....all while reading the words right along with them in my head. :) I wouldn't go to all this trouble for another author....but after a 41 year quest, Christie deserves special care. :)

There is one book that I will skip. I just re-read and reviewed And Then There Were None (Or 10 Little Indians, among other names) in 2018. So I'm not going to read that one again. It's a bit ahead in the list -- published in 1939.

Because I am reading at least two editions of each book and story at the same time to compare editions -- audio/ebook/physical book together -- I'm going to review each novel and story separately, rather than as collections. And then I will rate collections once I've read all the stories gathered in them. Whew.  66 novels. 14 short story collections, gathering most of her 165 short stories. Plus, she wrote six romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. Lots of reading ahead!

Huzzah! Finally!!!

REVIEW: Ark

Ark (Forward Collection)
Author: Veronica Roth

A large asteroid hurtles towards earth bringing certain destruction and the end of life on the planet. Impact is expected in just two weeks. Most of the planet has been evacuated. Only a few scientists remain. Samantha is one that remains behind, cataloging and preparing plant samples for humanity's forced trek to the stars. She finds a spark of hope and strength in the final days.

I was drawn to start listening to the six stories in this Amazon Originals collection because I recognized most of the authors names. Veronica Roth. Andy Weir. Blake Crouch. Paul Tremblay. Two of the writers are new to me  -- N. K. Jimisin and Amor Towles. I wanted to see what pictures of the future this very talented group of writers would conjure up. Ark is the first story in the collection. A bit bleak, but tinged with human resilience and strength, the story is about the end of the world as we all know it....and the start of a new future.

I enjoyed this story. The only book I have read by Roth is Divergent. I never finished that series. I'm not sure why. I think maybe the storyline required too much suspension of my sense of reality. I liked it....but didn't love it. Reading this short by Roth has reignited my interest in that series and also Carve the Mark, all of which sit on my TBR shelves. I think I feel a sci-fi/fantasy kick coming on.

Great start to the collection! I listened to the audio version of this story. Narrated by Evan Rachel Wood, the audio is 1 hour 22 minutes long. Perfect length for a single listening session. Wood gives a great performance. Very enjoyable listening experience.

I look forward to the rest of this collection!

REVIEW: Ted Bundy - Conversations with a Killer

Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer
Author: Stephen G. Michaud & Hugh Aynesworth

I watched the Netflix documentary (Confessions of a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes) and it made me curious about the transcribed conversations in this book. I knew this would be a rough read....but I also knew my curiousity would not be sated until I had this book in my hands.

While killing 30 women (including a 12 year old girl) already proves that Bundy was a cold-blooded killer and crazy.....reading through these rambling, delusional, ridiculous conversations with the serial killer just proves it even further. The man was narcissistic, violent, and completely out of his mind. Michaud and Aynesworth could only get Bundy to talk about the murders by telling him he could speak of the killer in the 3rd person -- letting him pretend some other person did the killing and Bundy had some magical ability to peer into this unknown persons actions, motivations and thoughts. (Reminds me of that bullshit book by OJ Simpson -- If I Did It -- where he recounted exact details from the crime but used 3rd person....like someone else did it. *eyeroll*) The man never admitted what he did, never expressed any remorse, or took any responsibility. Instead, he made strange excuses about pornography, a second personality and things that forced the violent acts.

Chilling. Creepy. Disturbing. I read portions of this book and then re-watched the documentary. The documentary includes audio from the tapes and video of Bundy.....pairing that with the book.....wow. Just a powerful display of violence and depravity. Kudos to these men who spent time with Bundy, pretended to believe his BS, and got him to talk.....it really does give an insight into how his mind worked, how he thought nobody could see past his lies and deceptions (he lied to the authors multiple times during interviews) and how in the end the only thing he felt sorry about was his inevitable end in the electric chair.

I'm glad I read this book as I did learn a lot about a killer's mindset....but, in the end, I'm not sure it was information I truly wanted. Or needed. Ugh. I seriously need to watch some Disney+ and read a cute middle grade book or two....maybe three....to get this out of my head. I just feel drained and a bit creeped out.... So many lives cut short. So many innocent young girls...their short lives ending in absolute terror. What a piece of shit example of humanity. I have my doubts about the justice of the death penalty most of the time. But, if anyone really deserved capital punishment, Bundy's death in the electric chair in 1989 was as close to justice as the victims were ever going to get.

I think I'm going to avoid books on true crime and serial killers for awhile. As Nietzsche said, "If you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.''  I need some sunshine. Enough dark.

REVIEW: 30 Days of Night (Audio)

30 Days of Night (Audible Original)
Author: Steve Niles, Ben Templesmith
Adaptation: R.S. Belcher
(Audible Original Audio Adaptation)

I enjoyed the 30 Days of Night graphic novels/comic books, so I really wanted to like this audio adaptation. But, trying to jam the entire story into an audio performance of just over an hour just didn't work for several reasons.

First off, the sound effects (screaming, crunching/biting/ripping noises) often over powered the voice actors, making it impossible to follow the story. Second, there wasn't enough dialogue or narration to really follow what was happening. For me, the listening experience was just an hour of confusing screams and feeding noises. Bleck. This could have been great....but it fell flat for me. I love audio drama -- everything from old time radio to podcasts and new productions like this -- but the magic was missing in this performance. Not enough story came through.

So, I love the 30 Days of Night story. Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith are amazing! For the most part the voice actors gave a good performance. I'm guessing the problem is with the script....not enough story. Too much emphasis on sound effects. This audio adaption just missed the mark completely for me.

REVIEW: In the Heart of the Fire

In the Heart of the Fire
Author: Dean Koontz

He is called Nameless. He doesn't remember his name or his past. The man is a wanderer, a whisp of smoke, a force to be reckoned with that will be forgotten after he leaves. He is a killer....but only of those who need killing. He receives assignments from a person known only as Ace of Diamonds. And then he kills. Quick. Clean. No trace left behind.

In this first Nameless story, the target is a pedophile sheriff. He has been victimizing people for a long time, destroying the proof of his deeds. Nameless comes to town to make him pay.

There are six stories in the Nameless series. The tales are short and easily read (or listened to) in one go. The series is included with Prime Reading, Kindle Unlimited and Audible Originals. I chose to listen to the audio version. Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, the audio is just over 1.5 hours long. It was an easy listening length to enjoy while preparing breakfast for the family and dropping everyone off at work and school. Great start to a series....I'm anxious to learn what happens in the rest of the stories!

I like these collections of Amazon Original Stories. They are perfect length for listening to in one session and there are a variety of topics...true crime, dystopian apocalypse, the future, climate change, family secrets and more. I also like the fact that the audible narration is included with the KU or Prime Reading ebook. Perfect length for casual listening.

I'm definitely going to listen to the rest of this collection. Suspenseful, entertaining and an interesting take on the vigilante assassin plot.

REVIEW: Interview With the Robot

Interview With the Robot
Author: Lee Bacon

Eve isn't the typical 12-year old girl. After being arrested for shop-lifting, she calmly explains her actions and her background to a child welfare worker. Eve has no parents or family. Never had a last name. Doesn't eat. Doesn't drink. She's a robot.....and on the run.

I listened to the audio Audible Original performance of this story. The full-cast performance was quite entertaining and fun to listen to! The story is definitely geared toward middle grade age kids, but still enjoyable for adults. The portions of the story about tech concepts and robotics are simplified and not very realistic.....but this is a fictional children's story, not a tech journal.

The voice actors give a great performance. The length (just under 4 hours) makes this an easy listen. I had a great time listening to Eve tell her story while doing laundry, cooking and cleaning at home. The story definitely brightened up a rainy, cold Monday!

Very entertaining story!

REVIEW: The King's Secret Matter

The King's Secret Matter
Author: Jean Plaidy

I have been collecting Jean Plaidy novels for more than 10 years. I read her Norman Trilogy years ago and loved it....so I started on a mission to collect every historical novel she wrote. At the time, her books were pretty much out of print...and hard to find. Several have been released in new editions though, so it's much easier to find her books now. I have made it part of my annual reading goals this year to focus on Jean Plaidy. I was so caught up in finding all the books that I never took the time to actually read them! Silly me! I can free up almost an entire bookcase of storage space in my library if I read my Plaidy books and donate them to charity. So....getting started!

I love the drama and politics of the Tudor Era...so I decided to start with Plaidy's Tudor Saga. There are 11 books in the series. The King's Secret Matter is the 4th book (the last in a trilogy about Katharine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs first wife). There is a lot of political wrangling in this book. Henry wants to divorce his wife and marry Anne Boleyn....and he's willing to do just about anything to accomplish that goal. We all know the story....and its outcome. I loved reading Plaidy's version....she creates a dramatic historical fiction picture of how things played out. This isn't historical romance. Plaidy takes history and fleshes out the scenes....puts the humanity, emotion and drama into it. No sex....just intrigue, politics and power plays.

I am loving the Tudor Saga so far! So much plotting, disappointment, and intrigue. This book really gave insight into Henry's personality changes....he became obsessed with having a male heir, he made rash, emotional, violent decisions. He really is larger than life and, for me, one of the most interesting English monarchs to study....but he was a terrible king. Paranoid. Mentally unbalanced. Obsessed. Impulsive. I can't imagine the stress, fear and strain that his wives endured. Makes it such an interesting era in history to read about.

I'm glad I'm finally reading my Plaidy books! Excellent novels!

Jean Plaidy is only one of many pen-names used by author Eleanor Hibbert. Another of her pseudonyms that many readers might recognize is Victoria Holt. Plaidy was the name she used when writing historical fiction. She used Victoria Holt for romantic suspense novels. She also wrote as Philippa Carr and several other pseudonyms. Quite the prolific writer!

On to the next book -- Murder Most Royal!

REVIEW: Caramels with a Side of Murder

Carmels With a Side of Murder
Author: Meredith Potts

Sabrina Daley misses her sister every day. A few years before, her sister went out for a run....and was never seen again. When a good friend talks her into visiting a psychic, Sabrina doubts Miss Terri really has any abilities. But then Terri says something that takes Sabrina aback....but before she can return to ask the psychic more questions...the woman is murdered. Who killed the psychic? And...was Miss Terri really gifted?

I'm enjoying listening to this series on audio. Each book is a short, enjoyable listen....at about 3-4 hours in length. Narrated by Lisa Beacom, the audio is good quality. Beacom reads at a nice pace and is easily understandable.

This is definitely a cozy mystery series. There is no sex, cussing, graphic violence, spurting blood, etc. The plots are light and simple, with a lot of discussion about desserts, coffee,etc.  Caramels With a Side of Murder is the 2nd book in the Daley Buzz Mystery series. There are 13 books in the series. I'm definitely going to read/listen to the rest of this series. I like to use cozies as a palate cleanser for my brain after some of the heavy adult fiction I read for review....it's nice to just be entertained for a few hours. Light, enjoyable stories...sometimes I need reading to just be fun. :)

On to the next book -- Apple Pie with a Side of Murder!

**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audio book from the author. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: We Are Monsters

We Are Monsters
Author: Brian Kirk

A doctor motivated by greed and unchecked ambition believes he has created a cure for schizophrenia. But the only way to prove the drug's capabilities is through testing....so he decides to test it on mental patients. While that is horrific enough as it is....it gets worse. When he gives the drug to a famous serial killer, there is an unforeseen side effect. This wonder drug sets the mentally ill free from their demons...by releasing that darkness into the world. The dark halls of the Sugar Hill Asylum now hold the inner demons of The Apocalypse Killer.

This is a horror story with an underlying point about how society views and treats those with mental illness. This story means a bit more to me because my family is currently experiencing the deterioration of an elderly parent with bipolar and the beginning stages of dementia. As I finished reading this book, she was involuntarily hospitalized for the second time in six weeks, so I had a bit of a different reaction to this book than some readers might. Society has a mindset about those with mental illness, often viewing them as bothersome annoyances rather than people with a medical issue. And medical treatment, at times, seems to just be experimenting with mixes of medication to keep them controllable and quiet, rather than an attempt to return them to a condition where they can function/survive within the world. It's a world filled with medications, doctors appointments, fear of hospitalization, and fears/experiences that other people don't understand. The horror of dementia is that there is no going back....there's no way to return a wonderful woman to who she was for almost 80 years. That person is gone....locked inside a short circuiting brain. What people see now is just an out of control, elderly woman with a foul mouth and nasty disposition. They don't realize that up until a year ago I never heard a cross word come out of her mouth, let alone strings of curse words and horrible, hurtful insults. It is soul-crushingly sad to see someone deteriorate slowly and permanently. And it's hard to maintain patience and kindness when she is angry/abusive/out of control. So, this story about a doctor seeking fame and fortune at the expense of the mentally ill really hit home with me. What if medical staff, or the public at large, could see and experience the horrible things that the mentally ill deal with that come from their own minds? What if those who look at a medical career as a way to become rich rather than a chance to do good and heal people were confronted with the downside of their actions?

Very scary story....with a bittersweet edge to it for me.

This is the first book by Brian Kirk that I have read. I will definitely be looking for more by this author. Enjoyable story....with a hard truth beneath the horror.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: Snowball

Snowball
Author: Gregory Bastianelli

After reading this book, I will never look at a snowman the same way ever again. :)

A group of motorists become stranded on a desolate stretch of highway during a blizzard. The snow and cold conditions are dangerous enough....but then they realize there is something lurking in the snow. Something dark. Something dangerous......  Gregory Bastianelli brings horror to Christmastime with this eerie tale! Awesomely creepy read!!

I love a good scare...and this book delivered! I kept imagining myself in the same situation. It would be terrifying to be stranded....but stranded with a malevolent being toying with your life? That adds a whole new dimension to things. The story builds revealing a bit more about what's actually going on...but just a bit at a time. The ending was great! This would be a perfect book for a horror lover to read while it's snowing outside. Unfortunately, here in NC this year, no snow yet. So I had to enjoy a snow-free experience...but still enjoyed the story!

This is the first book I've read by this author. I will definitely be reading more. Very entertaining and creepy read! Loved it!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. And no....I do not want to build a snowman. Nope, nope, nope.**

REVIEW: Lore - Monstrous Creatures

Lore: Monstrous Creatures
Author: Aaron Mahnke

I have been a faithful listener of Aaron Mahnke's Lore Podcast for years now. I enjoy his stories of the strange and unusual. So, of course, when he started publishing books and even an Amazon series, I jumped on board for those as well. The Amazon series was a dud for me. I enjoyed season one, but for season two they changed the format and it was terrible (in my opinion, of course).

I enjoy the books. They are basically transcripts of the podcast with illustrations. I don't mind that...I love the podcast and enjoy having a hardback version on my keeper shelf. I listened to the audio book version of this (Random House Audio), and it was like listening to earlier seasons of the podcast again. :) Very enjoyable! Plus, it's my way of supporting Aaron Mahnke's work....I listen to his podcast, so buying his books makes me feel like I'm helping him out a bit.

I'm going to pick up the other books in this series (Wicked Mortals & Dreadful Places) so I have a matching set on my bookshelf.

The audio book is well done. Narrated by Mahnke, it's pretty much like listening to back episodes of the podcast. The audio is just over 9 hours long. Very entertaining listening experience!

REVIEW: The Secret Garden Cookbook

The Secret Garden Cookbook, Newly Revised Edition
Author: Amy Cotler

I absolutely love bookish cookbooks! They make me happy in my heart. :) The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is one of my favorite classic children's books. I've loved the story of a sad little girl discovering a hidden, overgrown garden and bringing it back to life since I was a little girl myself. So, of course, I jumped at the chance to review the new edition of this cookbook!

This book is definitely going into my collection of bookish cookbooks! Each section of the book has a bit about the Victorian traditions regarding food, serving food, and cooking meals. Each recipe is accompanied by a bit of background, color photographs and illustrations, and a concise, easy to follow, recipe. The layout is easily readable, and visually appealing. The recipes are varied, ranging from main courses to tea and lighter fare such as cucumber sandwiches. It also includes some dishes from India and picnic foods.

Lovely cookbook! And definitely an awesome companion for a much beloved classic book!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from Quarto Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: How Quickly She Disappears

How Quickly She Disappears
Author: Raymond Fleishmann

Living in rural Alaska, Elisabeth is lonely. Soul crushing lonely. A plane comes once a week to deliver supplies and mail,but other than that human contact outside her family is infrequent. Then a stranger arrives....he's a substitute pilot for the supply plane. Alfred Seidel says he has a secret....but he will only tell her if she agrees to three demands. The secret? He knows about the disappearance of Elisabeth's twin sister 20 years before. Elisabeth has been haunted by thoughts of her sister since she vanished....and the obsession Seidel creates will lead to murder and an unraveling of Elisabeth's life and relationships.

I think I liked the setting and the emotional vibe of this book better than I liked the mystery portion of the plot. I can't imagine the mental stress of living isolated in the middle of nowhere....then add in a creepy guy with a very very dark secret. Yikes. Double yikes, in fact. I feel like this book was more about Elisabeth sliding into obsession and a very dark place, rather than about the mystery of her sister's disappearance. Elisabeth changes from a woman dedicated to her child who is trying to make a difficult marriage work into a changed person....pretty much a hot mess....by the end of things. A stranger and his strange secrets and actions upend her life. The vibe and emotion was heavy and dark, and I ended up really not liking Elisabeth or any of the characters.

I've been mulling over this book for more than a week as I tried to decide how I feel about it. The story is good....but, for me, the emotion/darkness of it was difficult to read. Heavy stuff. But in my opinion, a book that leaves me thinking heavy thoughts for several days because I'm having to come to terms with events, character's actions, and the ending.....deserves at least four stars from me. This book left me thinking about how fragile people can be, and how I might react in the same circumstances.

A bit distressing for me....but, all in all, a good story. Excellent debut novel! I will be reading more by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Daisy McDare and the Deadly Legal Affair

Daisy McDare and the Deadly Legal Affair
Author: K.M. Morgan

When Daisy gets a decorating job at a local Cozy Creek law firm, she looks forward to the challenge of updating the office's outdated look. Defense Attorney Max Cash proves to be a stressful person to work for....he is demanding, rude, and unlikable most of the time. His employees, his wife....even his girlfriend...don't really seem to like him much. When he's murdered, Daisy feels they arrested the wrong person....and she sets about doing some sleuthing to set things right.

Another cute short book in this cozy mystery series. I'm enjoying the audio book versions of this series. At about 3 hours long, the audio is short enough that I can easily listen while working at home or running errands. The stories are entertaining, and definitely cute and cozy. No spurting blood. No graphic sex or violence. No cussing. Quirky characters, and a cute dog. Pretty much the standard cozy mystery fare.

I like Daisy as a main character. She is funny, intelligent and always up for a bit of sleuthing. I think she needs to lay off the desserts though. In every book when she hits the difficult part of her investigation, she turns to cake, cupcakes, pudding....whatever food with chocolate and sugar in it that she can get. And sometimes not just one serving. At times, when she is headed to the local bakery, I almost wish I could hop into the story and tell her that something more healthy might be a better choice. All the woman talks about is sugar. lol. But, I can understand.....if I was dealing with murder and dead bodies while really just trying to do my job....I might turn to chocolate, too. Just makes me smile...the author is always referring to Daisy's more than well-rounded figure. Daisy, honey....it's the chocolate. Cut back a bit, babe. :)

This is an entertaining simple mystery. A fun, quick read (or listen). There are 11 books in this series. I'm going to work my way through them all. :) Moving on to book 3 -- Daisy McDare and the Deadly Directorial Affair.

**I voluntarily listened to a free audio book provided by the author, K.M. Morgan. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Daisy McDare and the Deadly Art Affair

Daisy McDare and the Deadly Art Affair
Author: K.M. Morgan

Daisy McDare is trying to get over a recent breakup, but it seems she can't even take her pup to the dog park without seeing her ex and his new girlfriend. When she is contacted by an old friend about redecorating a room in her home, she jumps on the project. Anything to get her mind off her love life...or lack thereof. The decorating job becomes an even bigger distraction when a member of the household is murdered. Daisy gets pulled into some amateur sleuthing to keep her friend from taking the fall for a murder she didn't commit.

This book is a cute start to a cozy mystery series, and a short, entertaining listen. I wanted something short and fun to listen to while putting away all our holiday/winter decorations....at just over 3 hours, this book was the perfect choice. This is a cozy mystery so the plot is simple and there is nothing graphic. No spurting blood. No sex. No cussing. Just a love lorn decorator ferreting out a murderer. Simple plot. A few cute moments. A fluffy dog. The usual cozy fare.

I enjoyed this story. I chuckled a few times and, while the ending wasn't a complete surprise, it worked. All in all, a fun listening experience. I will definitely listen to the rest of this series on audio. Perfect length. Fun story. Enjoyable characters.

This audio book was narrated by Caroline Shively. She has a nice voice and did a good job of voice acting. The narrator really does make or break the audio book experience for me, especially because I have partial hearing loss. I was easily able to hear, understand and enjoy Shively's performance.

There are 11 books so far in the Daisy McDare series. I'm definitely going to listen to the rest!

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this audio book from the author, K.M. Morgan. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Big Lies in a Small Town

Big Lies in a Small Town
Author: Diane Chamberlain

The lives of two women are brought together decades apart by a post office mural. In 1939, Anna Dale won a national contest to paint a mural for a small town post office in NC. In 2018, Morgan Christopher is hired to restore the mural. All those years ago, Anna disappeared. As Morgan works on the painting, she discovers small town secrets, lies, deception, hostility. She becomes determined to not only finish the restoration on time for opening of an art gallery in the town, but to find out the truth about what happened to Anna Dale.

This book sucked me in from the first page, and I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out the truth before I put the book down! Very entertaining and suspenseful! I'm not going to say anything more about the plot to prevent any spoilers.

The chapters alternate between the two women...Anna and Morgan....with the stories coming together at the end. Usually I really don't like time jumps back and forth like that....but with Diane Chamberlain at the helm, it worked perfectly this time.

Very enjoyable story....kept me guessing until the ending. And the end did not disappoint!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed ar entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Phantom Brakeman & Other Railroad Stories

The Phantom Brakeman and Other Railroad Stories
Author: Freeman Hubbard

I was lucky enough to come across a stack of old children's paperback books at a thriftstore recently. I love old books! They were only 10 cents each, so, of course, the entire stack came home with me. I put them on a shelf waiting for the right time. Just before New Years, I caught a cold...felt miserable. It was time to start reading my thriftshop treasures! This book was an enjoyable, fun read while I was snuggled under my warm blankets, sipping hot tea. 

There are six stories for children collected in this book. The stories were selected from an earlier anthology published by Freeman, The Train that Never Came Back and Other Railroad Stories (1952). From a mystery about a brakeman who seemingly returned from the dead to a teenage girl  who prevented a train wreck, the stories are varied and interesting. Although a bit dated (the book was published in 1969), the tales are age appropriate and entertaining. As an adult, I enjoyed reading them, too! My favorite is The Broken Lantern, a story of a girl who risked her life during a storm to warn a train that a bridge ahead had washed out. The stories are short and each one has at least one illustration.

One thing I love about old books is that sometimes they have interesting inscriptions, notes written in the margins, a note left inside....you never know what you might find. This particular book was....um....personalized by a young former owner. Faces drawn on a couple pages. A sports car running over a stick figure on another page. And just plain scribbles. Something about one day lavatory growth formula scrawled on the back cover. 

The grandma and bibliophile in me wanted to go straight to -- We DONT write in books! -- but the child who wrote all over the inside of this book is probably older than I am, and forgot all about this book....and the artwork inside....long ago. Old books have a history to them....and I love reading them and thinking about all the other people who read the pages before me. :) Sadly, this book is too damaged to keep. It's falling apart, and the artwork really makes it impossible to keep or give away. So I took a couple photos, wrote my review, and I'm sending this old book off to the library in the sky via the trash can. 

This book is long out of print, but I see copies of it quite frequently and it is available in digital format on openlibrary.org. For kids (and adults) who enjoy trains, railroads or just interesting stories from the past -- it's a fun read!! 

The author, Freeman Hubbard, was editor of Railroad Magazine and published many stories about railroads. 

REVIEW: The Secret Cave

The Secret Cave
Author: Claire Huchet Bishop

I love old books, especially old, out of print, children's books. I found an old copy of this book at a thriftshop recently for 10 cents. I purchased it and several others, saving them for holiday reading. I'm glad I did. Just before New Year's I came down with a cold. I spent a day snuggled in my warm blankets with hot tea....and several really great books. I started my reading binge with this title, first published in 1951 under the title Twenty and Ten.

I didn't realize it when I first started reading, but by page 10 or so I realized I have read this story before under its original title. I definitely enjoyed re-reading it! A group of fifth graders and one 4-year old sibling are tucked away at a country house in France. The German army is occupying France, so children have been moved away from cities for their safety. The nearby village has German soldiers though...so it isn't completely safe.  Their teacher, Sister Gabriel, asks them to participate in a very important secret....they must not tell, even if German soldiers threaten or torture them for the information. They are going to hide 10 Jewish children. It's a matter of life and death for them all.

The book is only 80 pages long, but it packs a lot of story in those few pages! The story is not graphic and totally age appropriate for middle grade level readers. As an adult, I also enjoyed the story.

The used copy I bought is quite old....and in the middle, I found that 3 pages were missing. Luckily, I found a digital copy online to read those missing pages as they were right in the middle of an important part of the plot! I also discovered some long lost school notes from a prior book owner:

I hope she passed her quiz on the 13 colonies! You never know what you might find in an old book.....or not find (the missing 3 pages!). I enjoyed the last read of this very old book, and then threw it away as it was too damaged to share with anyone or keep.

The Secret Cave is a very entertaining story about 30 courageous children! Great quick read for a day where I was feeling totally under the weather. Very uplifting story!

REVIEW: The God Game

The God Game
Author: Danny Tobey

What a wickedly strange, mesmerizing story!

Charlie is a high school senior. When he and his friends get invited to play in an exclusive underground video game called G.O.D. Game, they find it exciting, addictive and exhilarating. They can win gadgets & tech, cash and other cool prizes in real life. But there is a cost....  Players can win cool stuff if they succeed in the game. But, failure can be dangerous. When the game messages become threatening, Charlie and his friends discover that playing the G.O.D. Game can have bad consequences.

I'm a big fan of Stranger Things and Sci-Fi game related stories like Ready Player One. So, this story is perfect for me. I really enjoyed this book! The kids get sucked into this game, its culture, the exhilaration of being "special'' enough to be invited, and the thrill of winning real world prizes.....but when they get the full picture, the consequences are just plain scary.

Great read! I binged this one starting on Christmas Eve and just couldn't put it down!

This is the first book I've read by this author. I'm definitely going to read more!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Winter of Despair

Winter of Despair
Author: Cora Harrison

When I saw the book blurb for Winter of Despair, I just had to read this book! A series pairing Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens as amateur detectives -- how could I resist?? Winter of Despair is the second book in the Gaslight Mystery series. I haven't read the first book -- Season of Darkness -- yet. But I'm definitely going to!

Winter 1853. Collins and Dickens are summoned by a local inspector to a murder scene. An artist is dead, his throat cut. Collins knows the dead man. He's a friend of his brother Charley. Unfortunately Charley is a suspect in the killing. The two writers know they must find the killer to clear Charley's name. The truth is elusive....and the situation quite dangerous.

I like the premise and feel of this series. It's a bit cozy-ish (light mystery, nothing graphic), but well-written and different. I love it when a series offers me something new....pairing Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens is definitely something I have not read before. The mystery is a bit light, but I enjoyed the story! I'm definitely going to back track and read the first book.

This is the first book by Cora Harrison that I have read. I'm definitely going to read more by her. I enjoyed this book! Fun read! I like the cover art, too. Dark and foreboding! Perfect!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Westering Women

Westering Women
Author: Sandra Dallas

In 1852 Chicago, Maggie is running from trouble. She may have killed a man and authorities are looking for her. The fact he deserved it doesn't matter. Knowing she needs to protect herself and her young daughter, she decides to set out with a wagon train headed for California. Most of those travelling with the train are women seeking husbands. There aren't many women in California...so they are all hoping to start new lives. Some of them might not survive the 2,000 mile trek, but all are willing to risk it. Along the way, they form strong bonds and friendships as they brave the weather and wilderness together.

This is the first book by Sandra Dallas that I have read. I liked the characters and the plot. I have always marveled at the strength and perseverance of those who moved west in the early 1800s. This tale definitely brings to light the struggles, dangers and physical challenges of a wagon train journey to California. The plot centers on the characters and their thoughts/emotions as they trek across the country. The trip is physically and mentally taxing, presenting challenge after challenge. From the weather to illness, the women learn to face each new situation with courage and determination.

I enjoyed this book! I will definitely be reading more by this author.

**I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Jinxed

Jinxed
Author: Amy McCulloch

I love this book! So entertaining! Just a fun book to read!

Lacey Chu dreams of working for MONCHA Corp, a large tech firm that makes digital pets called Baku. She's 12 and her biggest goal in life is to be a companioneer, creating Baku. Lacey's plans are in jeopardy when she is turned down for a spot at the Profectus Academy in Toronto. Just as she thinks her life is over before it really got started, she finds a damaged Baku. As she repairs it, the little digital cat somehow gets her a spot in Profectus. As she gets involved in school and learns more about Jinx, she finds out the little cat is part of a dangerous secret....

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It kept my attention from start to finish. It's definitely written for middle grade readers, but adults can definitely enjoy this story too! The story is age appropriate and interesting enough to tempt even reluctant readers.

I had such fun reading this book that I'm giving it full stars. I ordered a copy for my keeper shelf. There is a second book in the Jinxed series, Unleashed. I added it to my wish list, and I'm definitely eagerly awaiting another book. Such a fun story! Wish I had a digital cat instead of an iphone! :)

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Sourcebooks Kids via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: The Night Country

The Night Country
Author: Melissa Albert

Another darkly awesome fairy tale by Melissa Albert! I was a little bit afraid to read a sequel to The Hazel Wood. So often, when I really love a book, I am disappointed in a sequel. Most of the time, they just don't have the same feel as the first book. But, I am glad to report that, for me, this book is just as good as The Hazel Wood! In places, maybe even better! It took me a few days after downloading my review copy to work up the courage to start reading -- I'm so glad I did! It ended up being a total binge read, just like the first book!

This series is definitely one that needs to be read in order. A reader who hasn't read The Hazel Wood first would most likely be very confused by this second book. I read the first book several months ago, and I had to skim parts of it again to remind me of events, characters, etc while I was reading this new book. The world-building and story telling is awesome, but a bit complicated or confusing in spots. I learned to slow down, to enjoy these books slowly to get the full effect of the story.

I love the dark fairy tale feel of this series. I'm definitely looking forward to Tales from the Hinterland!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flatiron Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

REVIEW: Eventide

Eventide
Author: Mae Clair

Somehow I missed the second book in the Hode's Hill series, but the first book, Cusp of Night, was so good that I jumped right on this new book! I will back track and read End of Day. This series is so creepy cool and chilling! I really enjoy it!

Madison Hewitt is starting over. Her husband died four years ago, and after that shock she spent some time in a mental hospital. She has since moved on...she has a new boyfriend, just bought a house and is trying to put the past behind her. She isn't too bothered by the three graves in the yard or the sealed cistern in the basement.....but then her tires are slashed and she received strange threatening messages. Is her mind playing tricks on her again? Or is something more dangerous going on?

This book was a total binge read for me. Suspenseful and creepy! The plot jumps back and forth in time...which usually annoys me a bit...but this time it worked. The author writes it well, and it just works perfectly with the plot.

I'm definitely on board for the next book in this series! And End of Day is sitting right on top my TBR list! Always an entertaining, spooky read! I like the cover art for this book. It's so atmospheric and spooky looking. Perfect! Full stars from me!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Another Year done! On to 2020!

Wow! I can't believe it's already time to do another New Year's post! 2019 whizzed by so fast!!

My reading goals for 2019: Read books off my own shelves. Read books I have always wanted to read, but haven't yet. And, pare down my pending review book list to 10 and keep it there.

Let's see how I did....



First some stats:

In 2019, I read a total of 352 books.

It breaks down like this:

145 books I read were backlist, or published before 2019.
191 were new release books I read for review (ARC copies from publishers).
16 were new release books I bought or checked out from the library.

I read 191 digital or physical ARCs in 2019.
I listened to 81 audio books.
I read 42 books on my kindle app.
I checked out 17 physical books from my local library.
I read 17 out of print books through OpenLibrary.org
And, I read 4 miscellaneous books off my own shelves.

Now, at first look, those stats look bad for my "read books off my own shelves'' goal....but....the numbers are a bit misleading. I didn't just read 4 books from my own collection. I used my local & regional libraries to pare down my collection this year. Books that I owned, but could check out in digital format from area libraries, I donated to charity to free up shelf space. More than 100 of them! I traded or donated those physical books, then listened to them in audio format, or read them as ebooks on Libby or my Kindle app. This has been one of my main goals for the past 3 years. I love books -- but I own way too many. Thousands of them. Just too many. I have whittled down my personal collection over the past 3 years. It now fills one floor-to-ceiling set of built in bookshelves in my office plus five 5-shelf bookcases and one smaller 3-shelf bookcase. That's down by about half. Making progress! In 2020, I want to further whittle this down until I have only 3 bookcases and the built-in shelves. The ultimate goal? My book collection fitting entirely into one large bookshelf for my physical TBR, and my keeper collection displayed in the built-in bookshelves. It won't happen in 2020....but I can get closer! I think I can make it during 2021 if I keep working at it!

I think I did pretty good this year at balancing my personal reading and review reading. In prior years, I read so much for review that I didn't really get to books I owned or just wanted to read for enjoyment. This year, I managed to squeeze in a lot of backlist reading and books from my personal library. I'm quite happy with the end-of-year totals. In 2020, I want to cut back further on my ARC choices to 10 or less on the pending list..just three or four a month. Keeps me from ever getting behind....and I can be much more selective in my reading. With 3 library cards available to me, I can get new releases relatively quickly. I don't have to read everything before publication date. Gotta keep some zen, especially since the plan is for me to return to full-time employment this year. I will not have time to read 191 ARCs in 2020!

Movin' on down the goal list --

I have to be honest and say my pending review reading list is not at 10. I did, however, whittle it down from 70 to 25. And those 25 have publication dates ranging from January to July 2020. 11 of them have January publication dates. After January, each month has 4 or fewer titles pending review. So....I have made good headway! I will continue this goal into 2020. I should have the list down to 10 or fewer by March. And I plan to keep it there! I am setting a limit -- if I'm sitting at 10 books pending review, I can't request any more until I've read one off the list and reviewed it. Then I'm never behind or rushed. It also frees up my reading time so I can concentrate more on reading books off my own shelves, rather than always ARCs for review. New release titles are great, but backlist is awesome too! Then I can work full-time, still review on a regular basis and ENJOY reading rather than make myself nuts keeping up with publication dates.

And my last goal -- read books I've always wanted to read, but haven't. I scrolled through my "read'' list for the year on Goodreads to see if I accomplished this goal. I wanted to catch up with the Dresden series by Jim Butcher. I finally accomplished that in 2019! I'm all caught up and just waiting for the new book, Peace Talks, to release in July 2020! I wanted to read the Longmire series -- started it in 2019. I wanted to read the Pendergast series (by Lincoln & Child) after reading the first two books years ago....working on that one too. Up to book 14! I caught up with several mystery series I had been meaning to read for years....now I can just look forward to each new book! I also re-read some favorites...Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie! So, I think I managed this goal! It's one I need to continue though!

Reading wise, 2019 was a good year! I made progress on each of my goals, and I'm ending the year knowing what my reading goals for 2020 will be.

I'm going to have limited reading time in 2020. So my goals look like this:

1. Read more books off my shelves and pare down my personal book collection to 3 bookshelves and built in shelves. No messy stacking or unsorted shelves. By the end of the year, I want books shelved properly (no weird stacks to fit in extra books) and 2 fewer bookshelves in the house! All read non-keeper shelf books will be donated to free up shelf space. My restriction on buying new books will continue....I can have books that are gifted to me, ARC copies, and occasionally something new. But my ultimate goal is to read what I have!

2. Limit review requests/ARC copies pending on NetGalley, Edelweiss and direct publisher contacts to 10. Only 3-4 ARC reviews per month.

3. Series or authors prioritized in 2020: Jean Plaidy. I have multiple shelves of Plaidy books -- some I have owned for 10 years -- waiting to get full sets of a series before reading. I now have several of her series complete....it's time to read them and free up the shelf space!  Star Trek books. My husband bought me a large number of paperback Star Trek books. I love them! But I actually need to READ them! My goal is to read at least one Star Trek novel a month. It does me no good to have awesome sci-fi books if I never actually get around to reading the books! I have a huge collection of cozy mystery novels. My goal is to read at least one a week and start whittling down my collection. They are quick, easy reads -- no reason for me to hang on to 300+ paperback books if I'm never going to read any of them. Goals! Get them read, get them donated....free up space! Then I can release myself from my self-imposed book buying ban and bring in some new reading material! Also, I want to catch up with several series I'm currently reading -- Walt Longmire, the Agent Pendergast series, and a couple others. Plus I will continue reading through Agatha Christie's novels in publication order. Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9, so I'm slowly reading my way back through her books just because it makes me happy! :)

I'm setting a lower Goodreads challenge for myself this year. Heading back to work is going to cut my reading time, so I'm going to set my challenge at 100 books in 2020. If I get close to that before the end of the year, I will bump it up a bit. :)

Looking forward to 2020!