Goodbye 2020👋. At least I read some good books this year!! 📚🎉🎊

#LLWS ❤ ❄ 📦
@pogue I LOVE it! Thank you so much!
I'm so excited to read both of these books!! Great choices!
Love the ornament. I actually have a special connection to cardinals, reminding me of my aunt who passed away. 😢
The mug just might be perfect for all of my work meetings. 🙄🤣
Thank you!!!

My #LLWS swap package went out Friday.
My #BestOf2020 swap package also went out Friday.
The packages should be to their recipients in a couple days!
I'm sorry that I'm failing on running late with everything.😪

This is my TBR for #WinterGames2020. Go Team #MerryReaders! ☝️📣
I'm getting quite excited for December 1st!
🎄🎅🎁
@Clwojick

I was running late this morning and forgot to take a picture of the package. 🤦‍♀️ My #craftandcozyswap package was mailed out today. @mcipher Hope you love it! I am beyond excited about this swap!
📦🧶✂️🕵️‍♀️
Thanks for hosting this @Mommamanzi!!

I'm embarrassed to even post my #Scarathlon total for the week. It was a bad week. I finished a theme book and watched a Halloween movie, but I didn't join in on any readathons or get much reading done. 🤦‍♀️😭
I'm happy with my overall total though, and I had lots of fun reading different books and partipating.
#TeamSlaughter
@Clwojick

Love my #AllHallowsReadSwap package! This book sounds good and I can't wait to read it. The candle smells amazing. It's the perfect scent for curling up on a fall day with a comfy blanket, tea, and a book (maybe my plan for the weekend?)
🎃☕📖🧡

@Judybskt Thank You!! 🧡🧡

Here's my points check in for #scarathalon #TeamSlaughter @Clwojick!

I also participated in two readathons.
I met my goal for #ReadYourWay (read 3 books).
I didn't quite make my goal for #24B4Monday (read 13 hours).
Happy with my progress though. I read some good books this past week.

Grace returns from her honeymoon to find a dead man in her flat. When the police cannot identify the man, Grace just can't let it go. The mystery leads her on an adventure across Europe to identify the man and find out why he died in her home.

I found this on the shelf at the dollar store and purchased based on the back cover description. Best dollar I ever spent!!
This mystery/thriller kept me on my toes the entire time. I couldn't put it down!

I've read 6.5 hours and completed 1 book so far for #ReadYourWay @thespineview

I'm also going to participate in #24B4Monday but I doubt I'll get near 24 hours. I've set my own goal of 15 hours. I'll try to read more if I have time! @andrew65

I originally planned 3 books for this week, but I'm aiming for 4 now. Hoping to get in lots of readathon hours and stack points for #scarathalon #TeamSlaughter!

Im partipating in the #ReadYourWay readathon. The full week should give me lots of opportunity to earn points for #scarathalon #TeamSlaughter!
My goal is to finish 3 books. 📖 📖 📖
I'm starting out strong with 2 hours of reading today. I'm currently reading the tagged, and I'm really liking it so far.
@TheSpineView

I realized that I never made a points post for week 1. 🤦‍♀️
Anyway, here are my points totals so far. Having fun reading for the themes and season!
#TeamSlaughter #Scarathlon
@Clwojick

I really liked this #cozy mystery. I found the MC to be likeable and the situation in which she gets involved in the mystery believable. I figured out who did it before the reveal, but it left me guessing until almost the end.
This is a debut novel, and I think I read that it's intended to be a new cozy mystery series. I will definitely be looking out for this author and a possible next book in the series.
#TeamSlaughter #Scarathlon

I really enjoyed the Coffeehouse Mystery Series so I thought I'd pick up this one (same author, different pen name). Eh, it was OK I guess. I understand that the ghost character was alive in the 40s, but the attempt to use language of the era just felt forced. Also, I found the the sexist nature of the dialogue to be really grating. I won't be reading anymore of this series.
#TeamSlaughter #cozy #Scarathlon

I feel like I haven't posted in awhile so here's an update about what I've been reading. I'm really enjoying the fall weather/cozy mystery combo right now.
+ the tagged, one awesome suspense/thriller with a crazy cast of characters!
Lots of reading for #TeamSlaughter and October readathons!
🍂 📚

My #AllHallowsReadSwap package came today! 📦 Woohoo! Excited for the 31st! 🎃
@MaleficentBookDragon
@Judybskt Thank you!!

#AllHallowsReadSwap
@MaleficentBookDragon
On the way from PA to TN!📫
🦇🎃☠😱

Watched the new Adam Sandler Halloween movie on Netflix - Hubie Halloween.
It was entertaining and fun version of a Halloween story, not so on the scary side. It reminded me of earlier Sandler movies like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore.
Points for #Scarathlon #TeamSlaughter

#Red
#WordsofOctober
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

Finished this today for #Scarathlon #TeamSlaughter
It was sooo good. I didn't want to put it down.
I think it's now between this and The Woman in Cabin 10 for my favorite Ruth Ware books. I don't know what made me wait on this one.

I had the house all to myself this weekend. In addition to getting in a good bit of reading, I had myself a mini marathon of the Halloween episodes from one of my favorite shows, Bob's Burgers. I love the Halloween episodes! The kids' creative costumes always make me laugh so hard.
That's 8 episodes for points for #Scareathlon2020!

#BuddyRead #TeamSlaughter #Scareathlon2020

This cozy mystery was fun and cute. I didn't think I'd care for the genre, but I'm definitely going to be reading more books in the series. I found the MC quite likeable, real, and even funny. Plus, the Pittsburgh Penguins were referenced so I'm sold! 🐧🏒

I'm enjoying a lovely fall morning reading the #buddyread for #TeamSlaughter. I got my Sabrina mug out to start getting into the Haloween spirit.
I started reading this last night, but I had to put it aside until morning because it kept making me crave a good cup of coffee. Coffee lovers be warned to not read this before bed! ☕
#Scareathlon2020 @Clwojick

I think that I have finally decided on my TBR for October and #Scareathlon2020. I'll probably change my mind on what books, but my goal is 10.

I'm ready! Let's do this! 🎃🦇

#TeamSlaughter @Clwojick

I just got my very first #LitsyLove mail! I'm super excited to open and read these + write back! Bonus: One of them smells really, really good and I'm intrigued. ✉📫

I throughouly enjoyed this suspense/thriller novel. It was a page turner and quick read. My only complaint is that there was a lot of skiing imagery which was hard to follow because I've never skiied a day in my life. I learned a lot about things like off-piste skiing and avalanche packs from Google. 🏂 ⛷

It's a pick for me, but not a must read.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

#3Books ...with animals on the cover
For this one I picked books that were childhood favorites because this prompt immediately evoked some nostalgia for me. Though there are lots of good adult books with animals on the cover, too.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

#3Books
...that I've reread, multiple times

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620
This is fun! Thanks for doing this posting challenge!

Light slices the darkness, jerking me awake.
#FirstLineFridays

#3Books ...set in New York City
One I read this year, one I'm currently reading, and one I keep meaning to get to but it's just so long

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

#3Books ...I haven't read but should.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

I just finished the last book of the Earthsea Cycle. I read the entire series during this COVID lockdown. I read the first book years ago and always meant to read the rest. This seemed like the perfect time to do it and be swept away to a different world. Loved it!

#3Books I read this year that made me want to travel.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

1. Keep it. I might want to re-read it! I will loan it to you though. 🤷‍♀️
2. One by One (It's in the mail.)

#TwoforTuesdayGiveaway
@thespineview

Thanks for the tag @Coleen_Nieto !

#3Books ...with a one-word title
I picked these one-word titles from the list of books I've read this year. The tagged was my favorite of the three.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

I had only picked up this book because it had a pink cover, fulfilling a challenge prompt. WOW! I'm so glad I read it.
I've seen it described as parts The Handmaid`s Tale/Lord of the Flies/The Hunger Games/The Power. All I can say is Yes, its all of that, but also an amazing story in its own right.
It's probably one of the best books I've read this year.
☆☆☆☆☆

I had this one sitting on my shelf for awhile. I'm mad I waited this long to pick it up. It was soooooo good! I read that there would be a sequel. I'm not sure that I can wait!
Also, loved the look of the illustration on the inside covers.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This book told the story of each of the events on 9/11 through the voices of individuals who experienced the horrors of the day and the continued tragedy of the following days, weeks, and months. It was tough to read, but so important to hear these individual experiences and remember.
It was maybe not the most comforting book to read during a global pandemic though. I'd highly recommend this, but maybe wait a couple of months?

Henny is a ghost and is determined to make sure all of her friends have found happiness before she leaves. The story centers around a small town, with a very religious and intolerant community and a motel near town that becomes a refuge of sorts for the town outcasts. I teared up, I laughed, I smiled.
My only criticism is that it lost me a bit in the middle which I think could have been solved with a little editing. It got long-winded.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

My funeral begins in an hour.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Fun idea! And I really like this first line.

This is a dark fantasy novella about an exorcist hunting down a demon that has plagued him almost his entire life. Then, he encounters a man, the Prosper of Schanz, who is regarded as the world's greatest mind - but he's possessed. It was dark, but not horror or gory. It was even a little humorous at times and a bit philosophical. An interesting, short read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plus, I thought this cover was so cool, but creepy #booked2020 #covercrush

The MC was super annoying. She (sort of) redeemed herself by the end, but it was too little too late to save this book. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because it did make me laugh a couple times and it was entertaining enough to keep me occupied at the airport.
⭐⭐

I really loved this one even though it envisioned a scary future for our world. This story is set in the future where an online retailer basically runs the entire US. The employees both work and live on each of the company's campuses, and they are under the constant, watchful eye of the company. The company's founder is sick with only a short time left to live, and he is using that time to make final visits to his company's facilities.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❄ 📖 #JanuaryWrapUp #JanuaryReads #JanuaryRecap

I read 8 books in January. I'm pretty pleased with that number and the progress that I made on various challenges. I don't expect that I'm going to 100% complete all of the challenges by the end of the year, but I'm having fun tracking what I've read in different ways.
So far, so good for only the first month of the year!
My favorite read of the month is tagged.

This is my list for #bookspin in February. Such a cool idea! @TheAromaofBooks Thank you for hosting!
I only listed books on my TBR that I already own. I'm hoping this will help me to read more of what's already on my shelf before buying other books to add to my shelf. (It's a problem!)

1️⃣ Anne McCaffrey (Dragonriders of Pern series, Harper Hall trilogy, Freedom series)

2️⃣ 2 + numerous full boxes + various piles around my house
I need more bookcases! I just cannot seem to part with any of my books. What if I want to read them again? 📚📚📚

3️⃣ mostly random

#wonderouswednesday
@eggs

This was a fascinating account of the disaster in Chernobyl. It seemed to be incredibly well researched. I enjoyed that the author interviewed many survivors of the event and was able to give an account of how people actually felt and were impacted. I also appreciated the account of politics and government at the time and how that may have influenced the disaster. It felt that the story was told from a balanced set of perspectives.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

👇

I loved this book. Marilyn's story is both beautiful and tragic. I think what I took away most from this is that she was just a woman who wanted to be loved and respected as an intelligent person, not just admired for her looks. I really appreciated how the story captured what it was like to be a woman, especially a woman in Hollywood, during this time period. I wonder if a lot has really changed today?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Challenges listed below 👇

So excited that this just came in the mail!!
I loved Something in the Water, and I can't wait to read this! 🌊📚❣

1. Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
It has been on my TBR, and it fit more than one challenge so I finally picked it up. I'm liking it so far.
2. Normal People by Sally Rooney
Meh...
3. I want to beat my reading total from last year. I also want to commit to keeping a book journal. So far, so good...but a lot of year to go!

#weekendreads
@rachelsbrittain