This year I purposed to be more intentional in my book choices. With only so much reading time, I said no to some books so I had time to read others. That lasted through late summer until I gave up all my precious free time to binge watch Korean dramas. I kept intending to pick up the books that were still on my TBR list, but thanks to my newfound obsession I entered into my first real reading slump. Which also means that not only did I fall short of my goal of reading 100 books this year, but it was probably my worst reading year on record, since I only made it half way to that goal. The one thing I did accomplish was to write more Goodreads review for the books I read. So I did manage to salvage a silver lining. Continue reading “2022 Book Year in Review”
2021 End of Year Book Survey
Although, I always do a full review of each book reading year. I ran across this fun annual survey originated by the Perpetual Page Turner thanks to Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl who hosts the Top Ten Tuesday weekly. I love that it allows me a different way of looking at my reading year so of course, I had to participate.
2021 Reading Stats
Number Of Books You Read: 128 plus
Number of Re-Reads: about 10
Genre You Read The Most From: Contemporary Romance Continue reading “2021 End of Year Book Survey”
Top Ten Tuesday – My Most-Read Authors
Today’s Topic: Authors I’ve Read the Most Books By
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
This certainly is an interesting choice for this week’s topic. It could be assumed that most read author would also mean favorite author. However, this is not necessarily the case.
There are authors whose book count is high for me, but my reading tastes have since changed and I no longer care for their writing style or subject. Then there are authors who I adore, but who don’t release new titles as frequently as others, so obviously aren’t on this list.
In any case, it was interesting researching my reading history. I was surprised by some of these numbers!
I have chosen my favorite of each author’s books to feature as a visual.
Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – My Most-Read Authors”
2019 Book Year in Review
Well, 2019 was a slower year for me as far as reading goes. Compared to last year’s triple digit stats, I only read about 75 books. Due to some life changes I didn’t have as much time to read as I have in the past. But I’m not complaining.
For the first time ever I was part of a book club in 2019. I was only able to attend three times unfortunately. But because of this I read books I might not have otherwise; The Wedding, The Quiet Game, The Getaway Girls. I also participated in an online book club. The book choice was Charlotte Bronte’s Villette, which I didn’t like nearly as well as Jane Eyre. But I did enjoy discussing it with others online. Continue reading “2019 Book Year in Review”
Top Ten Tuesday – New Author Discoveries This Year
Today’s Topic: Freebie
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
I’m extremely author loyal. But I also love discovering new to me authors. One of my goals this year has been to read more by authors I’ve never read before. So far, I’ve had great success with this. So for this week’s freebie, I thought I would share some of my favorite new author discoveries this year.
Naomi Stephens – Shadow Among Sheaves -This cross between the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz and Bronte’s Jane Eyre fascinated me. And I was impressed by how well written this debut novel is.
Scarlette Pike – In Spite of Lions -This historical novel transported me to the plains of Africa and introduced me to one of the most fascinating characters I’ve ever met – and it turns out he is a real life historical figure. My Review for The Silver Petticoat.
Jenn Bennett – Starry Eyes, Anatomical Shape of a Heart – This popular YA author is one I’m behind on discovering. I enjoyed Starry Eyes better than the latter.
Lucy Parker – Act Like It, Pretty Face, Making Up – Several people have recommended Parker’s contemporary romances, including Modern Mrs. Darcy. I devoured these three on the plane and loved them.
Melanie Benjamin – The Girls in the Picture – I loved this fictionalized story of real life female film pioneers, Mary Pickford and Frances Marion. My review.
J’nell Ciesielski – The Songbird and the Spy – Though I haven’t yet read her well-received debut, I did enjoy her sophomore WWII romantic drama.
Jules Wake – From Rome with Love, From Italy with Love – Rom-coms and Europe? This author’s books are right up my alley.
Sarah McCoy – Marilla of Green Gables – As a fan of the Anne of Green Gables series, this is the book I never knew I always wanted to read. Just perfect. My review for The Silver Petticoat.
Carla Kelly – The Wedding Journey – Author Rachel McMillan has never steered me wrong with her book recommendations. I enjoyed this historical about a group of vagabonds making their way across war-torn Spain.
Nadine Brandes – Fawkes – Too much hype often turns me off a book. It took me a while, but I finally gave this historical fantasy a chance and am so glad I did.
Dorothy Adamek – Carry Me Home – This historical set on an Australian island is one of the best books I’ve read this year. My review.
Who are some authors you’ve discovered this year? Are there any you would recommend?
Top Ten Tuesday – My Auto Buy Authors
Today’s Topic: Auto-Buy Authors
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
Fellow readers know that when you find an author you love, you want to read every book they write as soon as they release it. This week’s prompt was an easy one for me. The hard part was trimming my list down. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – My Auto Buy Authors”
Book Review -The Love Letter
SUMMARY
Chloe Daschle is the child of Hollywood royalty, but that hasn’t helped her in her quest to shed her image as the onscreen death queen. Chloe longs to break her typecasting and land a role in which she lives. When she reads a screenplay based on a love letter between real life Revolutionary era inhabitants Esther Longfellow and Hamilton Lightfoot, she is convinced she has finally found that part.
Jesse Gates is a mathematical genius, turned actor, turned screenwriter. Running from past tragedy, his big break arrives in the form of his first screenplay about his ancestor Hamilton Lightfoot. An even bigger break arrives when he meets Chloe and they are both cast in the film based on his screenplay. But Chloe is still wrestling with her past shame and an inferiority complex. And Jesse is still unable to forgive his own part in the death of someone he once loved.
In another century, Esther and Hamilton dwell amidst war in South Carolina. Esther has always loved Hamilton, but her father is an agent of the British crown. And Hamilton’s family support the Patriot cause. Just as Hamilton is ready to admit his love and claim Esther, personal tragedy drives them even further apart and Hamilton joins the fight against the British. Even still in the midst of conflict, he pens a letter declaring his love for Esther.
Centuries apart four people yearn for love, but wrestle with external circumstances and internal battles which keep them apart. Continue reading “Book Review -The Love Letter”
Top Ten Tuesday -Authors I’ve Read the Most
Today’s Topic: Books I Can’t Believe I Read
Hosted by: The Artsy Reader Girl
Since I was having trouble with today’s topic I thought I would share with you my most read authors instead. I’ve been an obsessive reader from the age of four, so it’s impossible for me to track and count every book I’ve read. And obviously, I’m not including any children’s authors.
As I was compiling this list I became aware of a couple things. One is that there are certain authors who I no longer read either because they are no longer publishing new titles or I got burned out on the author’s writing style.
Another thing I noticed is that even though my book counts for these authors is high, there are several whose totals count were achieved years ago.
Also, though several of these are among my most read because I love the authors, there are so many other favorite authors who didn’t make the list because they haven’t released as many titles. So this list is in no way a reflection of my favorite writers. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday -Authors I’ve Read the Most”
Author Spotlight -Amy Leigh Simpson
I love discovering authors who I’ve never read before. If they happen to be indie publishing their debut novel then I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.
Amy Leigh Simpson was such a discovery for me. I can’t even remember how I first found her, but after reading her first title I knew I had found an author who would have a permanent place on my auto-buy list.
Simpson writes adrenaline pumping, heart rate raising, romantic suspense stories. I can’t determine which element is the most intense and surprising, the romance or the suspense. If you are one who usually guesses the villain in a mystery, you will find it isn’t so easy in Simpson’s novels. And if you like a clean but passionate romance then you won’t be disappointed.
She currently has two books published and a third one in the works for her Girl Next Door series. Learn more about this author at her Amazon author page or her Facebook author page. Continue reading “Author Spotlight -Amy Leigh Simpson”
Author Spotlight -Helen Argers
One of the many things I want to use my website for is to introduce you to authors and films which are not often celebrated, but which deserve to be. That is why you will find that I am not always writing about the newest releases or the most popular author. A good story can be found in unlikely even obscure places and I would hate for you to miss out on such hidden treasure.
Today I want to spotlight Helen Argers, author of historical romance stories. Helen has ten titles to her name two of which were written under the name Helen Archery. The majority of her books were published in the nineties with seven of them being published in the smaller mass paperback form. These paperbacks are all set in Regency England.
Noblesse Oblige
The Gilded Lily
A Lady of Independence
Helen Argers also published three titles in hardback, one of which, The Gilded Lily, is actually available in ebook form. These three books are longer and as such have more intricate and detailed plots.
I have read and own every one of her stories and love them. In fact, I often re-read them. Her heroines are independent and fit the mold of early feminists while still remaining true to the time in which they live. Continue reading “Author Spotlight -Helen Argers”