Advent Reads Day 5: Message in a Bauble by H. Y. Hanna

 

Synopsis: "When Honey the Great Dane finds a hidden note inside a strange Christmas bauble, the festive season takes a sinister turn. Was the note from a trapped child? Join Honey and her canine friends as they set off on a Search & Rescue--from snowy playgrounds to eerie libraries--while they race to solve the mystery of the message in the bauble.

Kids and dog lovers will love this action-packed Christmas mystery filled with suspense and humour - not to mention candy canes, gingerbread cookies and lots of mince pies!

This short novella is part of the Big Honey Dog Mysteries - don't forget to check out the full novels in the series: Curse of the Scarab(#1) and A Secret in Time(#2)

* EACH BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE MYSTERY"

My Review: I downloaded this book for my Advent Reads event and wanted to make sure to have a variety of holiday books. This one was cute and told from the dog Honey's perspective. The various dog and human personalities really shown through the story. It does say that each book in this series can be read as a standalone, that is true but the sudden rush of many characters made this book a little difficult to get into reading. That said I adored this little mystery and it would be fun for middle-grade animal lovers to read.

 

My Rating: This was a different and fun story with dog main characters. I am not normally a mystery fan but this series could be a great introduction to the genre for younger readers. I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Graphic Novel Review of Camelot 3000 by Mike W. Barr

Read for: Graphic Novel Challenge

 

Synopsis: "In the year 3000, an armada of destructive aliens has unleashed an all-out assault on Earth and is poised to conquer the planet. But when a young boy stumbles upon the crypt of King Arthur, the legendary monarch and the Knights of the Round Table are magically reincarnated.
Together once again, King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Merlin, and the rest of the classic knights take on the invading extraterrestrials and their wicked leader, Morgan Le Fay, the half-sister of Arthur. A mythical tale of honor and bravery, CAMELOT 3000 proves that some heroes are timeless."

My Review: I am a big Arthurian Legend fan so I thought this would be a fun graphic novel. While it was interesting to bring King Arthur and the other most beloved characters into the future. I am not really sure if I like the art style but it was okay, I just prefer not as bold of colors and art. It was also a really long graphic novel compared to most of the others I have read but it did have a much more complicated plot line with multiple story lines. It was just an okay one for me.

 

My Rating: Definitely need to have an open mind when reading this one, it was really out there but still kept some of the integrity of the original legend. I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Advent Reads Day 4: Bedtime Story: Trapped in Toyland by Jeff Zydeck

 

Synopsis: "Shhhh...

It's Christmas night, but these three bears are just pretending to sleep... Suddenly they hear a noise! It's Santa!

They sneak a peek into his magic bag and begin a journey of wonder and adventure that they will never forget!

Are you ready?

Toyland is waiting!"

My Review: While this was a cute book, with adorable illustrations, it was very familiar. The idea of using three little polar bears in the story did change it up a little and as I said the illustrations were so cute. I did find it a little funny how Santa wanted an ice cold Coke instead of milk and cookies. It is a fun book for children but might be a little repetitive for parents.

 

My Rating: I could look at the illustrations all day, they are so cute, but the story was a little overdone.  We give it a rating of Three Paws.

 

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Beginning Reader Review of Day Light, Night Light by Franklyn M. Branley

Read for: Early Reader Challenge

 

 

 

Synopsis: "Moonlight is really sunlight!
Did you know that the moon doesn't make its own light? Instead, it receives light from the sun and reflects it to us on the Earth. Read and find out about how the sun, the stars and light bulbs make light so we can see.Did you know that moonlight is really sunlight? The moon can't make its own light, so it receives light from the sun and then sends it to us here on the Earth.

Any child who's ever wondered about the fascinating properties of light will want to read this classic science title. Readers will even learn how fast light can travel: from the moon to the Earth in less than three seconds! Veteran science author Franklyn M. Branley's lively text and Stacey Schuett's new illustrations combine fun facts and hands-on activities in this accessible introduction to the science of light.

Did you know that moonlight is really sunlight? The moon can't make its own light, so it receives light from the sun and then sends it to us here on the Earth.

Any child who's ever wondered about the fascinating properties of light will want to read this classic science title. Readers will even learn how fast light can travel: from the moon to the Earth in less than three seconds! Veteran science author Franklyn M. Branley's lively text and Stacey Schuett's new illustrations combine fun facts and hands-on activities in this accessible introduction to the science of light."

My Review: This book came in a box of used books and it seemed like an interesting book with great learning opportunities. Unfortunately this book took it way to far and became too technical and scientific for the audience. It would have been good if it had just focused on one concept dealing with light (ie. reflection) but it went into detail of many forms of light. Munchkin is a little advanced and often enjoys non-fiction books but this one was long and confusing for him, it is definitely not a book for someone reading picture books.

 

My Rating: This has concepts that should be introduced later in elementary school, not for early readers or picture book reading children. I give it a rating of One Paw.



Advent Reads Day 3: A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid

 

My Review: "In this heartwarming novel, author Greg Kincaid tells the tender story of how one very special dog changed the lives of his adoptive family--and an entire town--forever.

""Todd, they always want you to adopt a dog. That's what they do. Besides, we don't need another animal around here, and most definitely not a dog."
"When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents' Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd's persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names "Christmas."
But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the "Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program." What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men--and animals."


My Review: This was such a heartwarming and tear-jerking story for the holiday season. I loved all the characters (and am especially thrilled to find out that this is part of a series so I can spend more time with all of them) and the story is right up my alley as an animal lover. It was a pretty short read, only a few hours and would be perfect way to warm up after a cold winter day. It also brings across a beautiful holiday message, not about giving gifts but about giving love.

 

My Rating: I love these feel good holiday stories, especially when they involve animals. This was such a fantastic story and I hope that you will give it a try (and potentially look for programs similar to the one in the story near you). I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Pen to Paper: Pen Pal Gifts

 

I hope that you were able to add an extra person or two to your holiday card list, Munchkin and I made a bunch of cards for the Children's hospitals and also sent out a couple of cards to the military members (even though we don't send out a lot of Christmas cards, as we send out New Year's cards instead).

 

 

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about pen pal gifts.  It would be a wise idea to discuss this with a new pen pal, you should have an agreement if you are going to exchange gifts (some may not even celebrate Christmas or celebrate a different holiday so be understanding and respectful to their beliefs).  I haven't made that agreement with any of my pen pals this year as I am trying to keep my gifts to a minimum and instead hand make a lot of gifts.  So instead I thought I would give you some little ideas of small things to give your pen pal in recognition of the holiday with out spending any money or very little money.

 

 

Recipe:

One of my newest pen pals recently sent me a wonderful recipe for a Creamy Tomato Basil soup that is fantastic for this time of year.  It didn't cost any money, just a little time to pick and write out a recipe. I can be for a favorite holiday dish you share with your family during the holiday or something new and unique they can try. In response to the tomato soup recipe, I sent her a recipe for risotto.

 

 

Washi Tape & Stickers:

You can raid your stash and send little samples of washi tape or some festive stickers they can use to dress up their holiday letters and cards.

 

Tea Bags:

This is honestly one of my favorite little gifts to give and receive. You can send a bag of your favorite tea, coffee, hot chocolate or cider. You can dress it up by making a little pouch for it out of pattern paper or they also fit nicely in those gift card gift boxes too.

 

Puzzle Letter:

I came across this post on Pinterest and thought it is such a clever idea for a gift and a letter to a pen pal. This time of year you can find inexpensive little holiday puzzles for kids that would be a great size for a little Christmas note.

 

Handmade Ornament:

You could also make an ornament for your pen pal, there are loads of simple ideas for paper ornaments, felt ornaments, and glass ornaments online. A little time to create a little gift to remind your pen pal you are thinking of them this season.

 

 

Advent/ Countdown Calendar:

Chances are you have all seen those little calendars where you open a door each day to Christmas and find a little chocolate or gift behind each one. This is a fun idea to make for a friend or pen pal (and I have done it for several of mine). It doesn't have to be anything fancy, for one of my friends this year (she isn't online so no worries about revealing this) I am doing an inspirational or holiday quote for each day until Christmas. I just used a tiny piece of paper, wrote the quote & decorated it, then put it in a small envelope with a ribbon so she can hang them on her tree. In the past I have also done little ATCs, book themed gifts (like bookmarks), ornaments, etc.

 

 

Christmas really isn't about the gifts it is more about the thought and the friendship or love that you feel for others. These are simple and small ways to show your pen pal that you are thinking of them too over the holidays.

 



Advent Reads Day 2: The Santa Shop by Tim Greaton

 

Synopsis: "Skip Ralstat is a man so steeped in grief and despair that life seems no longer possible. After the death of his wife and child, Skip blames himself. He has given up his friends, his job, and even his home. Now, homeless, he survives on the mean streets of Albany. He knows it can't go on, that life must end. But will it?
Come join him on his most unusual road to redemption. The salvation of one life...lies along this road.
Let the healing from "The Santa Shop" begin."

My Review: This was an interesting story, it was pretty darn depressing the majority of the story, but it does have quite an uplifting ending. It almost makes you wonder if these people are really out there and if there is a town such as this one that cares so deeply. It is a great uplifting story for the holiday season. It is a little short and while you get the ending, it feels like there is more to the story than is there (thankfully there are additional books and an alternate ending available).

 

My Rating: This is a lovely holiday story with a wonderful message. It was almost a little too brief but there are more books available.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Advent Reads Day 1: Get Yourself Organized for Christmas by Kathi Lipp

 

 

Synopsis: "Have you lost your Christmas joy? Does the thought of jam-packed malls, maxed-out credit cards, overcrowded supermarkets, and endless to-do lists give you the feeling that maybe Scrooge was on to something?

In Get Yourself Organized for Christmas, Kathi Lipp provides easy-to-follow steps to reduce the stress of the holiday season, including tactics for how toput together a holiday binder you'll use year after yeardetermine a budget that won't break the bankgather your elf suppliesget your gift list together (including ideas for various ages and relationships)collect your recipes and prep your kitchen

By putting into practice Kathi's tricks and tips, you'll finally be able to fully enjoy this most wonderful time of the year."


My Review:  I always stress out about the holiday season, between regular work schedule, hosting the Christmas celebrations, trying to incorporate 3 family's traditions, dealing with a young child and having a husband working nights and being unavailable I find myself floundering. I am also a checklist and organization nut, I am always looking for ways to trim time off the never ending chores. This book was really quite helpful. While it does lean a little towards the religious side, Lipp give some great tips and ideas. I found several of her tips to be complete hand to forehead type moments for me, why didn't I think of that. I also really like how everything was laid out as a simple project, an easy thing to mark off the to do list without it feeling overwhelming. I particularly found the post holiday tips and projects to be inspirational. I find myself actually looking forward to the holidays this year and I feel with starting these projects late October to early November, I may just be read too.

 

 

My Rating: This was an excellent book, that was simple to read and simple to put into execution. Some of the tips were things I was already doing but some of them were tips I had never thought of but were so simple to streamline Christmas. I have already put some of these projects into use and some of them I will use next year. I give this book a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag.

 

 

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

November 2015 Challenge Update

December is Here!! Holy Cow, where did 2015 go?! It is crunch time for these challenges but I think I am doing pretty darn good all things considered.
 

 

Personal Re-Read Challenge

My goal was to read 15 books. Whoohoo! This challenge is COMPLETE! I didn't think I would get there on this one but I managed.
1. North of Need

2. The Mane Event

3. The Beast in Him

4. Nobody's Princess

5. Nobody's Prize

6. Beowulf

7. Om Kas Toe
8. Secret Santa
9. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
10. Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband
11. Highland Guardian
12. Rikki Tikki Tavi
13. Bunnicula
14. Fire
15. King of the Wind

Personal Children's Book Challenge

This Challenge is COMPLETE! I got a little carried away with this challenge, with having to make some adjustments to my readathon list to accommodate Munchkin.
1. Peter Loves Penguin

2. No Two Alike

3. The Hat

4. T is for Touchdown

5. Snowy Day

6. Curious George in the Snow

7. Owl Moon

8. Goodnight Football

9. Five Little Penguins Slipping on Ice

10. Sheep in a Jeep

11. Tigers Sails & ABC Tales

12. Mr. Clumsy

13. Again!

14. Duck Goes Potty

15. Sweet Child of Mine

16. Mr. Happy

17. Perfect Soup

18. I Love You, Sleepyhead

19. The Big Snow

20. Delivering Your Mail

21. Grandpa and the Truck

22. A Friend for Merida

23. Puma Sight Sails the Harbour

24. Mr. Messy

25. Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear

26. Out of This World
27. Potty Time!
28. Elmo Says
29. Potty Time with Elmo
30. Trucks: Whizz! Zoom! Rumble!
31. I am a Garbage Truck
32. Sweet Dreams, Curious George

 33. ABC ZooBorns
34. Mr. Grumpy

 35. I Took the Moon for a Walk
36. We're Going on a Bear Hunt
37. The Little Red Caboose
38. Happy to Help!
39. Pony Brushes his Teeth
40. A Hole in the Road
41. The Lost Dinosaur Bone
42. Grandpa & the Truck 2
43. Emergency Vehicles
44. C is for Cornhusker
45. Curious George and the Dump Truck
46. Curious George Goes Fishing
47. Mr. Mischief
48. The Best Show & Share
49. Frogs!
50. The Mitten
51. Curiouse George Goes to a Bookstore
52. Oscar the Almost Butterfly
53. Elmo ABCs book with Sound
54. Happy Easter, Curious George
55. Littlest Bunny in Rhode Island
56. The Happy Man and His Dump Truck
57. The Thank You Prayer
58. Pout Pout Fish in the Big Big Dark
59. Scuffy the Tugboat
60. I'm a Bulldozer
61. The Pout Pout Fish
62. A Rainbow of My Own
63. Follow the Leader
64. The Bear Went Over the Mountain
65. Five Green and Speckled Frogs
66. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
67. Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree
68. Jesus Loves Me
69. Winnie the Pooh
70. Tadpole Trouble
71. Mr. Cheerful
72. A Cuddle for Little Duck
73. Time Together: Me and Mom
74. Wheedle and the Noodle
75. Just a Little Music
76. Mr. Noisy
77. Rain!
78. Storm Song
79. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear
80. The Best Teacher Ever
81. Tow Truck Trouble and Lights Out
82. Pete the Cat: Rock On Mom and Dad
83. Look, A Book!
84. Mr. Perfect
85. Outer Space Bedtime Race
86. Pete the Cat: Construction Destruction
87. Meet the Penguins
88. Mr. Strong
89. The Sandcastle
90. Otter in Space
91. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day
92. Curious George Gets a Medal
93. Numbers! Take the Dog Out
94. Whose Nose and Toes
95. Mr. Funny
96. Llama Llama Mad at Momma
97. Llama Llama Home with Mama
98. No More Hitting
99. Letters from Felix
100. Elmo's First Babysitter
101. Astronauts
102. Bye Bye Mom and Dad
103. Little Critter Astronaut
104. The Night before Preschool
105. Mr. Slow
106. Octonauts and the Undersea Eruption
 107. The New Bear at School
108. Slowly, Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth
109. Sweet Dreams Pout-Pout Fish
110. Daylight, Night Light
111. Octonauts and the Colossal Squid
112. The Jolly Postman
113. Giraffes Can't Dance
114. Pete the Cat and his Magic Sunglasses
115. There's No Place like Space
116. Look and Find Elmo
117. Book of Planets
118. Big Book of Space
119. Trapped in Toyland
120. When Will it Snow
121. The Gingerbread Man
122. It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
123. How to Read a Story
124. Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins
125. Otis and the Scarecrow


Personal Beginning Reader Challenge:
This Challenge is COMPLETE! My goal for this challenge was 30 books and I have a few more I would like to read this year but the rest of the ones I own will be saved for next year's challenge.
1. Charlie's Snow Day
2. Monsters Munch Lunch
3. Brave Dragon
4. Kick Pass and Run
5. Charlie The Ranch Dog: Where's the Bacon
6. Big Bear, Little Bear
7. Chase on the Case
8. Look for Lorax
9. Curious George, Dinosaur Tracks
10. Danny and the Dinosaur
11. Curious George Colors Eggs
12. Penguins!
13. Pete's Big Lunch
14. Dusty Flies High
15. Ponies Love Pets
16. Just Saving My Money
17. Go, Go, Go!
18. Play Ball
19. Biscuit and the Lost Teddy Bear
20. The Three Little Grouches
21. To the Rescue
22. Just Helping My Dad
23. Little Critter: This is My Town
24. Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp
25. Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping
26. Going to the Sea Park
27. Life in Space
28. Best Chef in Second Grade
29. Dixie
30. Mittens at School
31. What's That Mittens
32. Dixie and the Class Treat
33. Moonwalk
34. Snowball Soup



Personal Read Across the States Challenge
Obviously there are 50 books in this challenge (though I might add a few for the country in general). I was hoping to be down to one book on this challenge by this month but thankfully this is my last challenge and I can focus on these books, I am determined to finish it!

Alabama  -
Alaska - If you Lived Here
Arizona - Veil of Roses
Arkansas - A Suitable Wife
California - Starter Wife
Colorado - Calves in the Mud Room
Connecticut - A Whole Latte Life
Delaware - A Catered Affair
Florida - Because of Winn Dixie
Georgia - Deep Dish
Hawaii - Birth
Idaho - Whatchago Stew
Illinois - The Untouchables
Indiana - The Sun Tea Chronicles
Iowa - Little Heathens
Kansas - A Dog Named Christmas
Kentucky - Bluegrass State of Mind
Louisiana - Taste the Heat
Maine - Stone Bay
Maryland - Dinner at Homesick Restaurant
Massachusetts - The Dante Club
Michigan - South of Superior
Minnesota - Pontoon
Mississippi - The Help
Missouri - The Borrower
Montana - The Smoke Jumper
Nebraska - C is for Cornhusker
Nevada - The Missing Ink
New Hampshire -
New Jersey - The Fighting Ground
New Mexico -
New York -
North Carolina -  Peach Keeper
North Dakota - Codename Zero
Ohio - Dragons of Spratt Ohio
Oklahoma - True Grit
Oregon - Rose Suitors of Seattle
Pennsylvania - The Turncoat
Rhode Island - By the Sea Tess
South Carolina - Girls in Trucks
South Dakota - Buffalo Gal
Tennessee - When Love Finds you in Camelot Tennessee
Texas -
Utah - Wright on Time - Utah
Vermont - Lumberjack Love
Virginia - Crazy VA
Washington - Silver Linings
West Virginia - Locking Horns
Wisconsin - Blankets
Wyoming - Stone Fox


Audio Book Challenge
This challenge is COMPLETE! I listened to a couple more and have one or two more to add to the list for the Across the States Challenge.

 1. The Fighting Ground
2. The Last Valentine
3. Deep Dish
4. The Tao of Pooh
5. Little Heathens
6. Veil of Roses
7. The Borrower
8. Winnie The Pooh Classic Tales
9. Rush
10. The Song of Achilles
11. The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America
12. The Smokejumper
13 The Turncoat
14. Fever
15. Classic Love Poems
16. Burn
17. Searching for Beautiful
18. Searching for Always
19. Pontoon
20. The Help
21.  The House at Pooh Corner
22. Dante Club


Graphic Novel Challenge
This Challenge is COMPLETE! I don't really have plans to read any more this year unless the mood strikes me, I need to keep some for next years challenges and readathons!

1. Tiny Book of Tiny Stories Vol. 3
2. Blankets
3. Shadows of Endor
4. From Fabletown with Love
5. The Books of Magic
6. Mouse Guard: Winter 1152
7. Korgi Vol.2: Cosmic Collector
8. Thor: God of Thunder Vol. 1: The God Butcher
9. Fables are Forever
10. Fables Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers
11. Saga Vol. 1
12. Saga Vol. 2
13. Hinterkind Vol.1: The Waking World
14. Ravine Vol. 1
15. Ares: Bringer of War
16. Donald Hamlet, Prince of Dunemark
17. Loki Vol. 1 Agent of Asgard: Trust Me
18. Persepolis: A Story of a Childhood
19. Fables Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons
20. Swamp Thing Vol. 1
21. Hinterkind Vol. 2: Written in Blood
22. Northlanders Vol. 3: Blood in the Snow
23. An Age of License
24. Fables Vol. 6: Homelands
25. The Unwritten Vol. 2: Inside Man
26. Camelot 3000


Series Challenge
This Challenge is COMPLETE with a full 7 series read!

1. The Hearts of Anemoi - Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4 - COMPLETE
2. Pride Series - Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 5, Book 6, Book .5, Book 7, Book 8, Book 9 - COMPLETE
3. Princesses of Myth Series - Book 1, Book 2
4. Warrior Series - Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 5, Book 6 - COMPLETE
5. Bluegrass Series - Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 3.5 - COMPLETE
6. Searching For Series -  Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 2.5 - COMPLETE
7. Throne of Glass Series - Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Books .1-.5, Book 4 - COMPLETE
8. Daughters of the Glen Series - Book 1,  Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 5, Book 6, Book 7, Book 8 - COMPLETE


TBR Challenge
I set a goal of 50 books without thinking and have already COMPLETED this challenge! I will definitely be doubling this challenge this year, I guess I will have to keep this in mind for next year's challenge! Haha I Double Completed this challenge with more to go, definitely better planning required for next year!
1. Girls in Trucks
2. Because of Winn Dixie
3. Athena the Brain
4. Nubiana
5. Persephone the Phony
6. The Fighting Ground
7. Aphrodite the Beauty
8. The Last Valentine
9. Artemis the Brave
10. By The Sea, Book One, Tess
11. Hickory Daiquiri Dock
12. Locking Horns
13. Stone Bay
14. Dragons of Spratt, Ohio
15. Deep Dish
16. Stone Fox
17. Dragon in the Sock Drawer
18. Birth
19. The Tao of Pooh
20. West of Want
21. South of Surrender
22. Taste the Heat
23. If You Lived Here I'd Know Your Name
24. Fish Perfume
25. More Than Pancakes
26. Reading Between the Lines
27. I'll Never Forget
28. This Point Forward
29. Risking It All
30. East of Ecstasy
31. Sand Dollar
32. Glassblowers Apprentice
33. A Whole Latte of Life
34. Every Sunday
35. Missing Ink
36. Little Heathens
37. Toe to Toe
38. Warrior Beautiful
39. Buffalo Gal
40. To Serve a King
41. Veil of Roses
42. Francesca's Kitchen
43. Wright on Time - Utah
44. My Favorite Witch
45. Aure the Topaz
46. A Catered Affair
47. The Scot The Witch and the Wardrobe
48. Storm Glass
49. If You're Reading This
50. Sea Glass
51. The Borrower
52. Spy Glass
53. Whatchagot Stew
54. Into the Wild
55. Rush
56. Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale
57. Fire and Ice
58. The Mane Attraction
59. The Song of Achilles
60. Crazy, VA
61. A Suitable Wife
62. Forest of Secrets
63. The Mane Squeeze
64. Rose
65. Rising Storm
66. Beast Behaving Badly
67. The Last Continent
68. Big Bad Beast
69. A Dangerous Path
70. Howl For It
71. The Smoke Jumper
72. Darkest Hour
73. Bear Meets Girl
74. Bluegrass State of Mind
75. Dead Heat
76. Risky Shot
77. Wolf with Benefits
78. The Turncoat
79. Bite Me
80. Codename Zero
81. Fever
82. The Peach Keeper
83. Burn
84. Searching for Someday
85. Searching for Perfect
86. The Sun Tea Chronicles
87. Reckless
88. True Grit
89. Throne of Glass
90. Lumberjack in Love
91. Pontoon
92. Dinner at Homesick Restaurant
93. Soul of a Highlander
94. A Highlander of her Own
95. Crown of Midnight
96. The Help
97. A Highlander's Destiny
98. South of Superior
99. Heir of Fire
100. The Assassin's Blade
101. Highlander's Homecoming
102. Healing a Highlander
103. Highlander's Curse
104. Achilles in Vietnam
105. The Dante Club
106. The Starter Wife



Requested Reviews My original limit of only 25 books this year is obviously not going to work. Netgalley has definitely made this too easy and the loyalty I have with some of the authors I review!
1. Dear Hank Williams
2. Jesper Jinx and the Sneezing Season
3. Calves in the Mud Room
4. Gooseberry Island
5. Dizzy Miss Lizzie
6. Just Not Ready Yet
7. Poole's Paradise
8. Darkness
9. Don't Forget Me Bro
10. Paint
11. Spawn of Medusa
12. The Queen's Dagger
13. One of the Guys
14. Me and Grandpa
15. The Unleashing
16. Jesper Jinx and the Turkish Pepper
17. The Novice
18. HA Rey Treasury of Stories
19. Irona700
20. Parsen Holt- Slinger
21. Rules of Riders
22. Persephone
23. Ratha's Creature
24. Paladin
25. Daughter of Earth and Sky
26. Sonnets
27. How to Live Life
28. Summer Haikus
29. Nostromo the Dwarf
30. How 2 Live Life
31. Summer Haikus
32. Jesper Jinx Goes Fishing
33. Broken
34. Simon
35. In From the Cold
36. Get Yourself Organized for Christmas
37. A Cherry Cola Christmas
38. The Right Hand Rule
39. Gearteeth
40. Next Stop: Nina





Goodreads Challenge - COMPLETE My Goodreads challenge is complete already, I am past my original goal of 312 and am sitting at 370.  I am not going to reach 400 this year but am still very happy to have passed 365!


As far as my other goals and resolutions . . .
- I have been sending out a few letters this month, a little less than I had hoped but with all the Christmas cards taking up time I didn't get to write as many full letters.
-I wasn't as good about painting my nails this month, I was so exhausted and spending so much time doing house work that I spent about 2 weeks with no polish on.
-It was a busy month but Munchkin still got to do some fun things this month with all the holidays. We worked on some homemade gifts for loved ones, and of course some holiday activities but stayed close to home.



Points Earned this Month:
Points Spent this Month: 
Pages Read/Time Listened this Month:



 

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood
Next Stop: Nina by Robin Raven
Otis and the Scarecrow by Loren Long (Bedtime Story)
King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry (Mini Review)
Highlander's Curse by Melissa Mayhue (Mini Review)
Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay (Mini Review)


 

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Queen of Shadows = 3pts
A Christmas to Remember = 2pts
Survival of the Christmas Spirit = 3pts
Dante Club = 3pts
Pete's The First Thanksgiving = 1pt
Tractor Mac Saves Christmas = 1pt
Froggy's Best Christmas = 1pt
Dinosaur Christmas = 1pt

 

Currently Reading:

 Books to be Read Soon:

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg - Mount TBR/ Reading Across the States
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley - Mount TBR
Dark Sun, Bright Moon by Oliver Sparrow - Requested Review

 

Total Points Earned
172 points + 15pts earned + 5 pts for finishing a series + 10 pts for completing a challenge = 202 points

Pages Read/ Time Listened
54,452 pages read (834 read this week)
198:04 listening time (14:18 listened to this week)

Books Added to Shelves



Interesting Tidbits on the Web:



 



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 I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was rather small in comparison to years past but that was fine with us. Munchkin loved being the center of attention and being able to sit in a chair at the table like everyone else. 

Tomorrow is December already, and I will be kicking off my Advent Reads event.  I have quite a selection of holiday reads to share with you from Children's books to mystery to romance.  The Advent Reads will be posted each night at 6:00pm (unless they are Bedtime Stories or After Dark books).  I will also be cutting back on my regular review posts because I don't like overwhelming everyone with endless posting.

I will be keeping up with my regular postings of Tasty Attempts, Pen to Paper and of course the Monday Reading Lists, I will also be posting about some of the many fun events Munchkin and I will be attending or making! 

Mini Reviews: King of the Wind, Highlander's Curse and More

So with reading and reviewing so many books, I am running out of days in which to share them with you.  I am going to start posting Mini Reviews of books that I read through out the month but couldn't find the time to post on the last Sunday of each month.

 

 

 

It has been several months since I posted mini reviews, I think the series reviews have been helping keep up with posting reviews (that and pre-scheduling 25 Advent Reads reviews).  I do have some that I haven't been able to squeeze in yet though so here you go!

 

 

The final book in the Daughters of the Glen series, it wasn't my favorite and it left so much open at the end. Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

Full Review

 

 

I had hoped to post this review on Veterans Day but in the end I changed my mind. I had a hard time with it, it was more like reading a text book for a college class than I expected, there were some good points brought up but it wasn't a book I enjoyed. One Paw and a Stump Wag.

Full Review

 

 

This was my final re-read of the year, I wanted some light and sentimental reading and this was the perfect book. It is still one of my favorite horse books! Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Full Review