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”
Top Ten Tuesday -Books with Character Names In the Titles
Today’s Topic: Books with Character Names In the Titles
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
Well, the obvious answer to this one would have been to list all the biographies and autobiographies on my TBR list. But that would have been too easy. And while I originally thought I would have a hard time meeting this week’s criteria, I was surprised to realize there are lots of books with character names in the title. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday -Books with Character Names In the Titles”
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”
2021 Book Year in Review
If anything defines my reading this year, it is contemporary romances and classic film biographies. I binged both like there was no tomorrow.
Unfortunately for the contemporary romances, they all blended together after a while, so that I don’t have strong memories of most of them. This makes me a bit sad as I was especially looking forward to reading this years’ releases from authors, Sally Thorne, Sarah Hogle, Beth O’ Leary and Emily Henry. I did like their books, but none of them stood out to me in the sea of contemporary romances.
I suppose the good news is that I far exceeded my reading goal for the year which was set at 80 books, based on previous years’ accomplishments which hadn’t exceeded 85 in several years. But in 2021 I read over 125 books. Continue reading “2021 Book Year in Review”
Book Review – The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan
About the Book:
Lady Sophia Huntington Villiers is no stranger to intrigue, as her work with Alan Turing’s Bombe Machines at Bletchley Park during the war attests. Now, as part of a covert team in post-war Vienna, she uses her inimitable charm and code name Starling to infiltrate the world of relics: uncovering vital information that could tilt the stakes of the mounting Cold War. When several influential men charge her with finding the death mask of Mozart, Sophie wonders if there is more than the composer’s legacy at stake and finds herself drawn to potential answers in Prague.
Simon Barrington, the illegitimate heir of one of Sussex’s oldest estates, used the previous war to hide his insecurities about his past. Now, he uses his high breeding to gain access to all four allied quarters of the ruined city in an attempt to slow the fall of the Iron Curtain. He has been in love with Sophie Villiers since the moment he met her, and a marriage of convenience to save Simon’s estate has always kept her close. Until now, when Sophie’s mysterious client in Prague forces him to wonder if her allegiance to him—and their cause—is in question. Torn between his loyalty to his cause and his heart, Simon seeks answers about Sophie only to learn that everything he thought he knew about his involvement in both wars is based on a lie.
He sartorially met any challenge and the face Simon Barrington presented to the world was untouchable: his armor Savile Row, his weapon his slickly pomaded ebony hair, his shrewd, ethereal blue eyes flashing confidence he didn’t always feel.
Continue reading “Book Review – The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan”
Book Review – The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski
After fleeing the murderous Bolsheviks, Her Serenity Princess Svetlana Dmitrievich Dalsky arrives in Paris with the sole responsibility of her mother and sister sitting on her shoulders. Survival quickly becomes the sole focus of her days. A chance encounter with Scottish nobleman turned doctor Wynn MacCallan finds her with a champion and suitor she does not want. But when further threats and tragedy impact both their lives, Wynn and Svetlana must learn to trust each other in order to move forward towards an unpredictable future. Continue reading “Book Review – The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski”
Top Ten Tuesday – Books That Make Me Smile
Today’s Topic: Books That Make Me Smile
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
A quick glance at this week’s list will show that the books that make me smile have great female leads and great banter. Which should shock no one. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Books That Make Me Smile”
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”
Book Review – Lovely War by Julie Berry
SUMMARY
Lovely War is three romances in one. It is WWI in England and it is love at first sight for James and Hazel. But after a brief few days together, James is unexpectedly called to the front, leaving both of them to wonder if what they felt was love.
Then there is the more complicated relationship that develops between Colette, the sole survivor of her family and Aubrey, a talented jazz musician. These two meet in the midst of a France at war, but tragedy and racial tensions tear them apart.
Of subtler romantic origins is the narration of these two love stories. The Greek gods have gathered for a trial. Hephaestus has caught his wife Aphrodite together with Ares. When Aphrodite begs to plead her case she calls on Hades and Apollo as witnesses. As they give their testimony, the value of Aphrodite’s work as the goddess of love begins to emerge. But what does all that have to do with Aphrodite’s guilt or innocence and what will her husband decide? This is the third tale, one of a marriage on shaky foundations. Continue reading “Book Review – Lovely War by Julie Berry”
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”