MONDAY READING + READATHON WRAPUP [ BOUT OF BOOKS 12 ] 12.1.15

* Already, another Monday Reading post and definitely needed to  wrap up my Bout of Books 12 Readathon list. A fantastic week of reading - covered several 2015 Challenges in my selections - and why? Because the weather is so cold! How cold you might be wondering...? On Thursday, we actually were colder than Mars! and tonight is a weather warning for an Arctic ridge bearing down on us with -30 degree temps.  Add a windchill and, No, Not heading outdoors! I'll be grabbing another cuppa and book!! *

My Challenge Wrap up ?

I did Lots of Challenge participation - great options and visual creativeness - I chose 2 mystery sleuths for a book Couples Challenge HERE , posted my Historical Fiction Recommendations HERE , posted a photo challenge Here that got the attention and response of the author, Vanessa Greene, from the Uk, along with an abbreviated Synopsis of her book HERE  and a FuN Book Quote Here *

My Total?  9 Books Read:

1. A Lady Most Lovely by Jennifer Delamere 2. The Seafront Tea Rooms by Vanessa Greene 3. The Promise Keeper by Lisa Norato 4.  Manx Gold by Agatha Christie

5. While the Light Lasts by Agatha Christie

6. Somebody Like You by Beth K Vogt 

[a Publisher's Weekly 2014 Best Book]

7. The Pilgrim Spirit by Andrea Skevington

8.   Barcelona Calling by Jane Kirkpatrick

9. Be My Companion by M Jean Stairs [no image available] * And I'm happy with that for sure.  My reading leap into the New Year. I made some library hold requests online today.  Books I want that will specifically
coincide with challenges, which will be great to pick up once the weather breaks a wee bit as anticipated. *

Up Next ?

Thinking I'll begin a timely read from Jamie Carie

 1880s Alaska. When kind Noah Wesley saves Elizabeth's life during a violent blizzard, she won't tell him why she's chasing her dream  through a pounding storm.  * Sound appropriate?  How is it where you are? Hunkered under the blankets? I know Sheila's not, but some others might be... Hoping you have a great week of reading some favs! * Not to forget... and if you're on LibraryThing, we're making it a World Wide
 Read-a-Thing event covering the 28 hrs for around the globe reading.
Just click above to learn more and claim your reading slot...

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Find more Monday blogger book posts at BOOK JOURNEY

* More Reading Wrapups at BOUT OF BOOKS 12 *

Next BoB?  May 11-17th * And Musing Mondays at Should Be Reading with MizB *

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IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? 15.12.14

 It's Monday! Middle of December already ~ What Are We Reading...?

source
I'm currently into a New Release set for Tues the 16th of December  Of Love and War - Book 2 - HOPE RISING *

In France at the height of World War I,  American nurse Evelyn Gray is no stranger to suffering. She's helped save the life of many a soldier, but when she learns her betrothed has been killed, her own heart may be broken beyond repair. Summoning all her strength, Evelyn is determined to carry on-not just for herself and her country, but for her unborn child.

Corporal Joel Campbell dreams of the day the war is over and he can return home and start a family. When a brutal battle injury puts that hope in jeopardy, Joel is lost to despair . . . until he meets Evelyn.  Beautiful, compassionate, and in need of help, she makes an unconventional proposal that could save their lives-or ruin them irrevocably.  Now, amidst the terror and turmoil of the Western Front, these two lost souls will have to put their faith in love to find the miracle they've been looking for.

* Author, Stacy Henrie, won me as a reader with her  June 2014 debut, HOPE AT DAWN

Interested?  'Hoping' to have the Tuesday Intros 1st Paragraph and Tuesday Teaser ready for you  Tuesday... In a Time of War, Love is the Inspiration.
With her brothers away fighting the Great War overseas, Livy Campbell desperately wants to help her family. Her chance comes when she meets a handsome stranger who lands her a job as a teacher in a place far from her parents' farm. But the war casts a long shadow over the German-American town that Livy now calls home—

* Last week reading flew by, mainly with short reads I can fit into the mini moments of the day or evening -  leaving me with a sense of some reading success!
Finished Jan Karon's full length Christmas story hardcover, Shepherds Abiding 2 Agatha Christie audios via a brilliant source - youtube! Full length audios of so many authors to choose from, it's really simplified accessibility.  I chose 2 additions for the Christmas Spirit Challenge participation - Hercule Poirot's Christmas 

 Full cast dramatization of Agatha Christie's novel features Peter Sellers as the voice of Poirot. Casting and diverse voices appropriate and authentic to ages of characters made listening a pleasure.

Tale of vengeance and multiple deceptions amongst the wide ranging offspring who descend at Christmas on the home of the one elderly and obtuse man who fathered them. Poirot is brilliant at characterization and deduction which makes Ms Christie's stories of him so appealing to this listener/reader. Another solution that had me guessing to the end! 
* and The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding.

* Other selections completed for this challenge included - decor and craft inspiration from  Creating Your Perfect Christmas  by Antonia Swinson, designs by Sania Pell

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Then the totally fun enovella , Merry's Christmas: a love story  by Susan Rohrer

Desperate to makeDesperate to make ends meet, winsome diner waitress Merry Hopper pitches herself for a job as a Christmas Coordinator to a handsome widower, promising to bring Christmas back for his three kids.  As the “haves” collide with the “have nots” of this world,  Merry finds herself head over heels for the family she's never had, most of all her new banker boss, not realizing that he's well on the way toward a Yuletide engagement to his employer's beautiful daughter. 

Merry's likeability, descriptive Christmas scenes of decorating, quirky family relationships, tree hunting,
and Merry's place in the children's hearts, makes for a warmly charming Merry Christmas story. 

*

The Promise - A Christmas Tale from  Ted Dekker
Absolutely stunning story of Reuben, a mute boy who receives a promise and a gift from his dying mother.  It takes time and perseverance to receive fulfillment of the promise but oh the fulfillment!  I can not recommend this one more highly.  Minimal time commitment involved for the pleasure received!
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What began as a movie treat for myself,  [a library loan] ended including a reading of the author's story with movie illustrations. Definitely a treat for a night in ~ The Christmas Child: A Story of a Coming Home
"The Christmas Child" is directed by Bill Ewing, the former Senior Vice-President of Sony Pictures, whose last films included "Men in Black II" and "Spiderman." The film is produced by Tom Newman of Impact Productions and Penelope Foster, producer of "Free Willy," "Rosewood" and many more.The main character, Jack, is played by William Moses (of "Perry Mason" and "Falcon's Crest"). His wife, Meg, is played Megan Follows (of "Anne of Green Gables"). Also features Steven Curtis Chapman as the town's minister.
Loved it!  and seeing Megan Follows excel in an adult role as she had in portraying Anne of Green Gables.
* Youtube has entertained me all week with other  Christmas related episodes from fav tv series - find them listed on the Christmas Spirit Challenge page tab above.
* Up next ?

2 more library loans with the kind help of the librarian raiding the Christmas display - bless her! 
Space for a few more if time allows... not too confident of that  as we near Christmas!
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How's yours stacking up for this week...?
Find more linked at Sheila's Book Journey
* Annnnd -

Signing up for Bout of Books 12!  YES! {#87} Readathon will run from Jan 5.15 to Jan 11.15
I'll be reading for 2015 Challenges - lots to choose from! Library love, Travel, A-Z authors, Brits, Agatha Christie, Full House, Canadian... anticipaaaation

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit

                                                              the Bout of Books blog. 

 - From the Bout of Books team

See you there?
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*Inspire Me Monday* * Sincerely, Paula *
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2015 LIBRARY LOVE READING CHALLENGE

Now that I'm back from studies with my certificate in hand and have happily regained online access, I'm doing a bit of catchup blog reading.
I'm delighted to find the host of my usual Monday's post, Sheila, of
It's Monday! What are you Reading at Book Journey has thrown down the gauntlet for a  2015 Library Reading Challenge promoting support of our local libraries.

* As a lifelong library fan and supporter, Sheila's 2015 Library Reading Challenge is welcomed! I'm in and Going Pro at 28+ [getting my reading list ready for online selecting with a
January 2015 pick up]!! I've added my participation at my Goodreads profile. * Love Library Reading Challenge
~

1. Christmas Every Morning by Lisa T Bergren   2. Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott 3. Christmas Past by Debra White Smith 4. Barcelona Calling by Jane Kirkpatrick 5. Be My Companion by M Jean Stairs 6. Snow Angel by Jamie Carie 7. I Only Want to Be With You by Lisa Norato [dnf] 8. Wish You Were Here by Victoria Connelly 9. The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky 10. Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn 11. London Dawn by Murray Pura 12. The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene 13. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron 14. All Together Now by Monica McInerney 15. After the Funeral by Agatha Christie [audio] 16. Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot 17. Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen 18. Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson 19. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron 20. Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe by Max Lucado 21. Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma 22. Taking the Leap by Pema Chodron 23. Crooked House by Agatha Christie 24. Sweet Dreams by Carla Stewart 25. The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah 26. Secrets of Sloane House by Shelley Gray 27. The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson 28. Evan and Elle by Rhys Bowen 29. Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd 30. The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow 31. Death at Buckingham Palace by CC Benison 32. A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear 33. A Summer to Remember by Victoria Connelly 34. A Stranger's Secret by Laurie A Eakes 35. The Prime Minister's Secret Agent  by Susan Elia MacNeal 36. Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay
37. Death of  a Liar by MC Beaton   38. Evanly Bodies by Rhys Bowen 39. The Winter Garden Mystery by Carola Dunn 40. An Appetite for Violets by Martine Bailey 41. After the War is Over by Jennifer Robson 42. Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta 43. Boundaries by Drs Townsend and CLoud 44.Death of a Chimney Sweep by MC Beaton 45. City of Darkness and Light by Rhys Bowen 46. Tides of Honour by Genevieve Graham 47.Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland  48. The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz 49. Family Guide France by DK Publishing 50.I'll Never Be French by Mark Greenside 51. Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen 52. Emma by Alexander McCall Smith 53. The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James 54. Pemberley by EmmaTennant 55. First Impressions by Charlie Lovett 56. The Watsons by Jane Austen 57. Sanditon by Jane Austen 58. All the Tea in China by  Jane Orcutt 59. Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris
60. At Home with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson 61. Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson 62. Superfluous Women by Carola Dunn 63. Chasing Mona Lisa by Mike Yorkey/Tricia Goyer 64. Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate by MC Beaton 65. Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden 66. In the Company of Sherlock Holmes by various 67. Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon  68. At Home with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson 69. Wycliffe and the Last Rites by WJ Burley 70. The Paris Key by Juliet Blackwell / Xe Sands
71. Death of a Gentle Lady by MC Beaton 72. Quiet by Susan Cain 73. Not By Sight by Kate Breslin 74. 50 Ways to Pray by Teresa BLythe 75. The Handmaid and the Carpenter - Elizabeth Berg
76. Lost Heiress - Roseanne White 77.The Nightingale Before Christmas - Donna Andrews
78. Altar in the World - Barbara Brown Taylor 79. All is Calm - Colleen Coble
80. All is Bright - Colleen Coble 81. Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge - Charlie Lovett 82. Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante - Susan Elia MacNeal

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* 82/28+ books


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As Sheila says, "basically this challenge will be for you to get to know your local library in 2015. . . I would be thrilled if you went the extra mile and found out what else your library has to offer and shared it on your websites (if you blog).

of course.. there are fun levels of commitment:

 1-5 check outs in 2015 - NOVICE

6-11 check outs in 2015 - ROOKIE

12- 16 check outs in 2015 - INTERMEDIATE

17 - 22 check outs in 2015 - SEASONED

23 - 27 check outs in 2015 - EXPERIENCED

28 + check outs in 2015 - GOING PRO!

 Check outs count for anything bookish - books, audio, even e-reader book check outs (yes, libraries have these now!).  Go... meet your library again and fall in love.  :)

And a shameless plug for the Friends Of The Library.  If your library has this group, consider signing up.  It is usually quite inexpensive to be a member and your membership supports your local library.  As book lovers, we are a huge community asset and by sharing our love of books with others we are breathing life into the written word and into our libraries."

My public library [with all its branches] has amazing check out opps that allow me to reserve and check out ebooks and audiobooks wherever I am - even when I'm out of town. I can view the entire library catalogue of all branches wherever I have online access. It also allows me to forward books, dvds, and audios to my local branch, rather than driving out of my locale to pick up. I can place holds for new books, dvds, and audios on order or in cataloguing which also allows me to get in queue for popular requested items. Books are available in quantity for book clubs, storytimes for children, lunch hour live music at our downtown location, along with a coffee and tea shop, a writer in residence for aspiring writer consultations, book sales by the bag and individually - a great way to pick up copies of new releases and wishlist books/audios/dvds, opps to offer item recommendations, free wifi for enjoying the quiet library ambience I value, great music cds available for year-round and as now, for Christmas, and much more!
Then there's my university library amalgamation allowing me to borrow from all member libraries.  They will interloan and send my requests to the local choice, provide a postage paid envelope for returns, and online searches and holds for selections.  Another reason for me to dearly love libraries!
My church library is another fav book source, having been librarian and assistant there when still a teenager.  A large catalogue available online for searching during midweek allows me to arrive knowing which choices are available.  And if I'm in a hurry, the library opens Wednesday evening as a service to all attending midweek programs for adults, youth and children. I was able to connect the library this autumn with a program offering pcs for libraries so the library now has onsite computers for patrons use. The library also provides audios of guest speakers, a huge dvd collection for children, youth and adults, audiobooks, and cds. Another library I love to support!
As a lifelong library fan and supporter, Sheila's 2015 Library Reading Challenge is welcomed! I'm in and Going Pro at 28+ [getting my reading list ready for online selecting with a
January 2015 pick up]!! I've added my participation at my Goodreads profile. *
* How about you?  Are you a library patron? What do you love about your library?   Any special features offered?
Head over to Book Journey and let your voice be heard then get your library card activated!
HapPy Library Visiting ~ See you there...?

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FIRST BOOK OF THE NEW YEAR 2015

My 2015 Reading Challenges  include: ~
Agatha Christie
Around the World in 12 Books A-Z Authors
BBC [British Book Challenge]

Canadian Book Challenge Colour Coded Reading Full House Reading Challenge I Love Library Books Challenge
Just for Fun Monthly Reading Challenge Library Love Reading Challenge Library Thing 75 Books Challenge Netgalley Reading Challenge Reading England 2015 Travel the World in Books Vintage Mystery Bingo Challenge Women's Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge 
* Some challenges have their own goodreads shelf as listed.
* Getting back into the swing of posting what I'm reading  with Sheila's invite from Book Journey.

Here's the confirmation note stating I have committed to join  in welcoming 2015 by reading a book!

"First Book Of The Year 2015"

"Thanks!

I have recorded your registration! This is going to be a BLAST!  

Thanks for participating"

*
Of course, which book exactly I will be reading is  as much of a guess to me as to you! But there will be pictures to prove it if Sheila has her way ~ a photo montage of participating readers is promised... Will you be adding yours? Join us with your choice of re-reads, fiction, fluff, non-fiction, poetry, biography, mystery - probably what I'll lean toward - all the FuN is up to you.   Just know, you won't be alone in your reading!

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* Thursday Fav Things *

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MONDAY READING: FRENCH TWIST FOR PARIS IN JULY 21.7.14

Reading this week focused on Paris  and all things French for participation in
Paris in July 2014. * Here's what I enjoyed last week ~ * Sandra Byrd's delectable #1 in the
French Twist series ~ Let Them Eat Cake

Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She’s done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends.

When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favourite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye on–but even he may not be who he seems!

So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company’s special order for an important meeting–an order Lexi has flubbed– she loses her compulsion to please. “What am I going to do?” he shouts. “Let them eat cake!” she fires back with equal passion and a nod to Marie Antoinette. And then, something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la révolution commencer! Let the revolution begin!
time to stop trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life...

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Bon Appetit   #2 {bonus! picked up as a free ebook}

J'adore!  Immersion into the Paris culture and culinary school strictures along with Lexi.  As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and alternate between 2 local bakeries, her twenty-something optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and French culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.  A totally satisfying read.

Fantastique!
* I've also had fun going through my books to find Paris/French  connections.  Found more in my kindle library, then today's mail held a delightful package ~ the August 5th Release from Sarah Sundin that fulfills the French component.

Book three in Sarah's exciting WWII series, Wings of Nightingale 

(can be read as a standalone). 

Two hearts are about to learn the rhythm of love.
 How can ruggedly handsome C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be all but immune to Army Air Force flight nurse, Lt. Kay Jobson's, considerable charms? In fact, he seems to do everything he can to avoid her.
Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer. Can they overcome the fears and misunderstandings of the past in order to take hold of the future?
Sarah Sundin seamlessly weaves together emotion, action, and sweet romance into a tale that transcends time and calls us to
believe in the power of love.        ~ from Publisher Revell Books

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I'll be choosing from a great lineup.  Now if I have any audios to support the theme,  I'll be a happy driver on my drive to the country later this week! * Feel free to add your Paris/French favs in comments ~ always good to have options and the library is open in summer  for us reading fanatics! *
Find more selections at Sheila's Book Journey and Miz B's Monday Musings Why not add yours?! ~ Happy Summer Reading ~
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What's up for week 4 posted at Tamara's Thyme for Tea

* FHC Paris on Pinterest {worth a peek!}
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Jane Austen readers getting ready for Austen in August ?
A brand new Austen Giveaway has just begun at Old Fashioned Charm which you might want to check out! A variety of JA book selections up for the WIN ! July 20 - 26th

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MONDAY + WEDNESDAY READING WWWs for MID-JULY 16.7.14

Time for this week's Reading~
It's Monday at Sheila's and
WWWs at MizB's ~ Seems I'm playing catchup with blogging and happily so...

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

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What I've been currently reading and just completed ? from Julie Klassen ~ The Tutor's Daughter
405 pages of pure pleasure reading, this suspenseful Regency set on the cliffs of Cornwall with an unexpected sweet romance for the spinster blue-stocking daughter of the Smallwood Boys' School tutor...
*
What I'm reading next ? A few choices at hand... One novel topping my stack for
Paris in July is Luanne Rice's  Secrets of Paris found in a local charity book  sale and a perfect addition for this month's theme..
* Along with Sandra Byrd's delectable
French Twist series ~ Let Them Eat Cake #1

Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She’s done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends.

When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favourite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are perpetually disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye on–but even he may not be who he seems to be!

So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company’s special order for an important meeting–an order Lexi has flubbed– she loses her compulsion to please. “What am I going to do?” he shouts. “Let them eat cake!” she fires back with equal passion and a nod to Marie Antoinette. And then, something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la révolution commencer! Let the revolution begin!
time to stop trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life...

*

Bon Appetit   #2 {picked up currently free as ebook}

As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and work in a local bakery, her twenty-something optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.

* Looking forward to hearing your answers to Wednesday's WWWs... [plus any favs of Paris themed reads!] Hoping you're getting lots of summer reading breaks!  I'm definitely looking forward to some... * If you're curious about reading Paris or France and French themed topics, join us at
Tamara's Thyme for Tea to catch up on what this week's menu includes.

* I've created a Paris in July Pinterest board to feed my/our interest as well.
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