Month in Review

May Round up of Reading

Total books read this month:  11

Book Ratings

The Money Club 4.25 stars (review book)
My Oxford Year. 4.25 stars.( audio)
Take My Hand   5 stars (library book)
The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose (my own book)
Daisies and Devotion 3 stars.( audio)
The Last Lie Told. 3.25 stars. (library book)
The Little Italian Hotel. Phaedra Patrick 3.77 (review book)
Identity   4.25 stars ( my own paperback)
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt.  4.8 stars (audio)
The Emma Project 4 stars. (my own paperback)
A Rule Against Murder.  4.25 stars (my own paperback)

Settings

South west Australia
Oxford, England
Alabama, USA
London/Somerset. England
Australia
Tennessee USA
Bologna Italy
Vermont USA
France/Germany/Norway/Scotland/England/Australia/Switzerland/Brazil/USA/Spain
California USA
Canada

New to me authors:

Dolen Perkins Valdez

Top Book for May

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A Few of the Books I look forward to seeing published in June

Linking up with Nicole from FeedYourFiction Addiction.

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Well last week was mainly a wet week, yet warm. Strange weather for late Autumn.

Saturday night (our time) I watched the coronation of King Charles in England. Such ceremony. I stumbled off to bed at midnight as they left the church.

I had a good reading week, My Oxford Year was a very good listen, although not quite what I expected. Take My Hand was outstanding and opened my eyes to shocking injustice.

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

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Listening to… Daisies and Devotion

My new slow and steady read…

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Up next:

The Last Lie Told. Debra Webb

Last Week’s Posts

The Money Club.  Fiona Lowe

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Welcome in as we open up to what May brings. I’ve been busy reading of course but as my sister and brother-in-law contracted Covid during the week I’ve been picking up and dropping off stuff to them. That virus is still around. It catapulted me into going in to get a Covid booster during the week.

I have also binged my way through The Diplomat on Netflix, loved it so hope they have a second season. I like Keri Russell but stayed for the show! I had to watch the ending a couple of times to see what happened! Anyone else watching it on Netflix? I have also been watching and enjoying Shrinking on Apple TV, thanks Sue for that recommendation.

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

Quilt or innocence

I am listening to…

My Oxford Year

And still slow and steady reading …

Very sad but almost verging on a genocide story.  Excellent reading.

Take My Hand

Up next:

Australian author Josephine Moon’s latest book.

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Review, Top Ten Tuesday

Books I Loved but Never Reviewed Here.

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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl

We could choose any back listed topic from Top Ten Tuesday so this is mine, books I have loved but never reviewed here on my blog.

The Reading List.  Sara Nisha Adams..  2022. This was a very good read, it is more character driven than plot driven but … things do happen. There is inter-generational friendship, family difficulty, loneliness, mental health problems, grief and loss, and best of all books and a library. I came to love and care about the characters and cheer them on. Set in Wembley, London.  4.25 stars. Debut book. Author has another book coming out this year and I’ll want to read it.

The Winners. Fredrik Backman. 2022. What an amazing read. So sad and yet so heart warming. I almost want to go and live in Beartown or even Hed! My heart bled for the inhabitants of these towns and my heart cheered for them. Backman really completed the end to this trilogy in such a wonderful way. I read it as slow read over about a month or so. I found just a small visit each day meant I really lived in this book, and deeply cared about all that happened. It’s tough but rewarding reading. Only read it though after the first two.  5 stars +

Someone Else’s Shoes.  Jojo Moyes.  2023. A throughly entertaining read that kept me up at night reading on to find out what these women would get up to next.  Two women mix up their gym bags and there is huge complications for both of them. It’s entertaining and light, yet explores values, women standing up for themselves and “boys’ club”. workplaces.  I know of one author I follow that read this and it took her out of a book slump.  5 stars.

Lessons in Chemistry.  Bonnie Garmus. I loved this audiobook version of Lessons in Chemistry. It was so well narrated. Loved so many of the characters, it had me chuckling out loud, a few times my heart was touched by sadness and always engaged. It highlights how difficult it was for women not so long ago, and let’s be honest it hasn’t all gone away. I loved Mads the daughter and her ability to cut through all the garbage and say it like it is. I just didn’t want to say good bye to these characters.  I’ll read it at some point. This won best Debut novel on Goodreads 2022.  5 stars.

Thank You for Listening. Julia Whelan. 2022.  Absolutely delightful listening. The story is great, loved the characters and the variety therein. It’s a Rom Com that I really recommend, but its more than that. It has wisdom and growth of character and things to think about. This is about a book narrator who has had a tough time and now is no longer going to narrate romance  – except for one last time for a special narrator.  Julia Whelan is a fabulous narrator. Oh my I want more where this comes from. Another entertaining easy listen.  5 stars.

I’m Watching You.  Karen Rose. 2004 Well I dislike the crime parts, I might skip a little here and there! But it is so fast paced and the characters are so likeable. I love the Reagan family. Part of what I like about these books is the family aspect and the friendships. And often we get ongoing updates as other members of the family or friends get a book of their own. The crimes escalate and its more than one perp. Creepy deaths, maybe they deserve it but… Points to the corruptness of the system really. Romantic aspect – top notch.  The book is part of a series but can be read as stand alone. 5 stars

A Mother’s Heart. Carmel Harrington  2022 A Mother’s Heart is a beautiful bittersweet yet heartwarming read. My heart ached for the ever gracious Rachel, who was an excellent mother to 5 year old Dylan and 8 year old Olivia. The three of them have been through the wringer with Lorcan’s death. And now one set of grandparents seem determined to take Rachel on and challenge her for the children’s care and loyalty. Set in Ireland and New Zealand.  5 stars

In The Middle of Hickory Lane.  Heather Webber. 2022 A really delightful story, with great characters. Friendship and family are strong themes. A little bit of magical realism thrown in. I listened to the audio and it was really well done. True justice was done to the characters and the story just sprung alive.  5 stars

A Gentleman in Moscow. Amor Towles. 2016 What an unusual book. I read it over a month as a slow and steady read and it did deserve that. So I was reading to appreciate rather than gobble down. What a character the Count is. A man who takes his circumstances and chooses what he does with it. I think I will need to read it again to fully appreciate it.  “A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov. When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him a doorway into a much larger world of emotional discovery.”  5 stars

An Island Wedding Jenny Colgan.  2022. I really loved another visit to Mure and wedding planning that goes awry but finally sorts itself out. One storyline in particular is heartbreaking – please let there be another book in this series. The way to read this book is via audiobook. The narrator is excellent, with consistent voices for all the characters. If this is the first book in this series you are reading drop it and begin with the first one, you will miss out on so much otherwise. There are five in the series, the first being The Café by the Sea.  Set in Scotland on an island, full of quirky characters and heart warming and heart breaking scenarios. Every book in the series earned 5 stars from me.  5 stars

Top Ten Tuesday

Books with Strong Romance Elements

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Joining up with ThatArtsyReadergirl

I’ve chosen to list some books I read in 2022 with strong romance elements. I usually now leave the outright romance books but I love a good story with a strong romance element.

Looking at these books and you think you could recommend me something equally as good – go for it.

Flirting with the Beast: Jane Porter. Is pretty much outright romance but for older characters. Four stars.

State of Shock Marie Force: An ongoing series with two of the most romantic married characters in a book. Romantic suspense.  4 stars

Snowed in For Christmas. Sarah Morgan. Another pretty much outright romance but has the best grandma and family characters that would make me want to reread this one at some point. And…. set in Scotland. Five stars

Thank You For Listening.   Julia Whelan.  Audiobook narrators who eventually meet! It’s a Rom Com that I really recommend, but its more than that. It has wisdom and growth of character and things to think about. Five stars

The Choice: Nora Roberts. This is a paranormal fantasy set “beside” Ireland. Keegan and Breen are a pair who over three books ( this is the last in the trilogy) defeat evil and celebrate love.  4.5 stars.

Nora Goes Off Script. Annabel Monaghan. Thoroughly enjoyed this romance, loved the characters and especially the down to earth family and friends. Nora and Leo – what a pair. Bernadette and Arthur not far behind. It was cute and made me laugh out loud at times. I never saw what caused the trouble and kept wondering what on earth is going on. Well now I know! Very satisfying. Would definitely read another by this author.  4.5 stars.

Storm Echo.  Nalini Singh. Another very enjoyable addition to the series. Pay/changeling/human unite in a way that brings about a welcome result. Ivan believes he is fated to have to live in a cage, but since Silence has fallen and what was once believed has altered is that actually going to happen? Soliel is a changeling delight and I really loved her story and her strength and love. I love the values of family and hope and the right use of power that underlines this book and all the series.  4.5 stars.

The Bodyguard.  Katherine Center. Read in a day. Just couldn’t put it down. Feel good, warm hearted book with entertainment and sprinkles of life giving wisdom.  4.5 stars

Hana Khan Carries On. Uzma Jalaluddin. Very much enjoyed this book. A rom com, but…. The kind I like, great characters, comedic bits, interspersed with serious issues. Full of family, immigrant issues and most of all love. Highly recommend.

Dance Away With Me Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Five big fat stars. I loved this book, worth every big fat dollar I paid to get a hardback copy. I loved the characters, the serious issues covered and that Wren, she was just baby delicious. And sprinkled through was Susan Elizabeth Phillips smart, funny voice. It’s there, don’t say it’s not. I savoured every morsel of this book,  This was a reread in 2022 via audiobook, every bit as good second time round.  5 stars.

Top Ten Tuesday

New to me Authors Found in 2022

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I am taking part in The Artsy Reader Girl’s  link up.

Today’s topic looks at the new to me authors I found in 2022.

It’s always great to discover new authors and love them and hope you can find more from them.

Louise Penny. Jamie Brenner. Bonnie Garmus. Amor Towles. Julia Whelan

Annabel Monaghan.  Kate Albus. Susan M. Boyer. Vicki Delany.  Lyn Cahoon

I look forward to reading more books by these authors in 2023

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Welcome in all. Hope for the northern hemisphere those temperatures aren’t too hot. We’ve just had our warmest and wettest winter. Now its sort of Spring! Definitely the days are lighter in the evening. And I looked it up, in three weeks we are into Daylight Saving!  At the moment I make the use of any sunny day to get outside and do some weeding or get the washing done. Most days in the week were spent though inside. Oh well I guess I’ll be complaining soon of no rain and hot weather!!

What I read last week:

A varied week in terms of reading. Thank You for Listening was my audio I have just finished. Loved it. The Best is Yet to Come was a nice comfort read. The other two are review books and they didn’t wow me that much!

What I am reading now:

From the library

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I will be listening to…

Lowcountry Boil

Up next:

A review book.

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Last Week’s Posts

August Reading Round Up

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

badge
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.
Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Welcome in as we almost say goodbye to August!

Thank you to all who commented on last week’s post. I didn’t get around to hardly any blogs on this post last week, I got busier than usual with other things. And more tired than usual, I think the winter weather is doing it! One sunny day last week and I celebrated it with a walk on the beach! However I am back again this week!

What I read last week:

A review book and a library book.

What I am reading now:

A review book.

Call My Name

I am still listening to Thank You For Listening. Really enjoying it. Julia Whelan is a great narrator and her writing is pretty good too!

Up next:

A library book

The Best is Yet to Come 

Last Week’s Posts

The Wishing Quilt.  Jodi Thomas. Lori Wilde. Patience Griffin

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