Monthly and Year Wrap Ups - 2015

It's hard to believe but we say goodbye to 2015 and welcome 2016. It really went fast and wasn't a particularly good year for me and my family.  I lost my beloved father.  I still think about him all the time and it's hard to believe he's not still with us.  Hopefully 2016 will be a better year.

Now to wrap up my reading and blogging year.

I'm going to start with my monthly reads for November and December. Then, I'll wrap up the whole year. Here we go...

Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2016 - Sign Up

I started this one many years ago and 2015 was my last year to host it.  I'm so thankful Bea agreed to take it over for me.  I couldn't resist joining.  I still love series books even if I never seem to complete any. If you'd like to join, sign up at Bea's Book Nook.

The details:

All books that are part of a continuing series qualify (i.e. Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, James Patterson's Alex Cross, etc.)

It doesn't matter if you have 1 book or 10 books in a series to complete it, it qualifies (i.e. if you only need to read one more Mercy Thompson book to complete the goal, that's fine) The goal is to complete a series from wherever you are up to until the last published book.

The qualification period is January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Books must be read during this time frame to count. Sign up is now until December 1, 2016.

Take the button above and post about it on your blog. Use the link below to sign up and make sure you link it directly to your post about this challenge, not to the home page of your blog.

If you don't have a blog, that's fine. Just leave a comment to sign up and tell us which series you are reading. Or you can join the Goodreads group for this challenge by clicking here.

Each month there will be a post where you can link up your reviews. Write a review - 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences. Not sure what to write? How about something like, "The characters were a delight but the story was slow and confusing. It was disappointing."

Any format and length of book counts - print, audio, ebook, etc.

You should choose the series you want to finish before the challenge begins, but it isn't necessary. It's fine to change series during the year - as long as you complete whichever series it is.

Choose a level below.

Level 1 (Novice series reader) - Complete 1 series.
Level 2 (Testing the waters) - Complete 2 -4 series.
Level 3 (Experienced) - Complete 3 - 6 series.
Level 4 (Expert series reader) - Complete 7 or more series.

I'm going to go with Level 2. I'll list my progress here and these are the series I want to complete...

These are three series I want to complete. Hopefully I can complete at least 2 of them...

Cat in the Stacks by Miranda James - 5 books behind

#3  File M For Murder
#4  Out of Circulation
#5  The Silence of the Library
#6  Arsenic and Old Books
#7  No Cats Allowed by Miranda James (Click here to read my review.)

Pizza Lovers by Chris Cavender - 5 books behind

#2  Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder
#3  A Pizza To Die For
#4  Rest In Pizza
#5  Killer Crust
#6  The Missing Dough
#7  Thin Crust Killers

Klepto Cat by Patricia Fry - 13 books behind

#3  Sleight of Paw by Patricia Fry (Click here to read my review.)
#4  Undercover Cat
#5  The Colony Cat Caper
#6  The Celebrity Cat Caper
#7  The Corral Cat Caper
#8  The Gallery Cat Caper
#9   Mansion of Meows
#10  PAWtners in Crime
#11  PAWsitively Sinister
#12  The Purrfect Lie
#13   A Picture-Purrect Christmas

I Love Libraries Reading Challenge 2016 - Sign Up

I wasn't going to sign up for anymore 2016 reading challenges, but I always participate in this one so I couldn't resist :)  It used to be hosted by Book Dragon's Lair, but it is now hosted by Bea at Bea's Book Nook.

The details:

1. Put a sign up post on your blog and link it below.

2. If you don't have a blog, make a dedicated goodreads shelf (or LibraryThing), make sure it's public, and link it below.

3. Any reading material that can be checked out of your library counts - print books, audio books, digital books, magazines, etc.

4. As part of your sign up post, briefly write why you like using your library - free books, internet access, a quiet place to work, whatever draws you to the library. If you don't have a blog platform, post it in the comments below.

5. Write a review - 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences. Not sure what to write? How about something like, "The characters were a delight but the story was slow and confusing. It was disappointing."

6. There will be a post each month where you can link your reviews. Each linky will run for the calendar year.

7. Pick a level from the list below. You can move up as needed but you can't move down.

8. Books may overlap with other reading challenges.

9. ETA Dec. 17: There's a goodreads group for anyone interested in discussing libraries or books or for tracking your challenge. The group was an outgrowth of yet another library reading challenge that has since ended but the group is still active. The challenge host, The Geeky Blogger, added me as a mod to the goodreads group, come check us out!

Levels:
board book - 3
picture book - 6
early reader - 9
chapter book - 12
middle grades - 18
Young adult - 24
adult - 36
just insert IV - 50

I'm going to sign up for the chapter book level for 12 books. I love my library as I can get e-books from them and audio books. I also get DVDs. My library is wonderful and has so many great services.

I'll be listing my 12 books here...

1.  Pros and Cons by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg (Click here to read my review.)

2.  Booked for Trouble by Eva Gates (Click here to read my review.)

3.  A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady (Click here to read my review.)

4.  Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman (Click here to read my review.)

5.  The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton (Click here to read my review.)

6.  Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle (Click here to read my review.)

7.  The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarity (Click here to read my review.)

8.  The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand (Click here to read my review.)

9.  The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand (Click here to read my review.)

10. The Inn At Eagle Point by Sherryl Woods (Click here to read my review.)

11.  Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body by M.C. Beaton (Click here to read my review.)

12.  Leonard:  My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man by William Shatner (Click here to read my review.)

Cat Thursday - December 31st

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.

Review: Guarding Sophie by Julie Brannagh

Genre:
Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Avon Impulse

Release Date:
November 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - December 30th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I loved the first two books in this series. This looks like a good one too.

First Chapter Tuesdays/Teaser Tuesdays - December 29th

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where we share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book we are reading or thinking about reading soon. Care to join us?

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's book...

Review: Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts by Janet DeLee

Genre:
Fiction, Paranormal

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
CreateSpace

Release Date:
May 2015

Book Giveaway Winner!

The winner of To Brew or Not to Brew by Joyce Tremel is:

Donna R.

The winner has  already been contacted by email.

Congrats to Donna and thanks to all who participated!

Review: The New Year’s Wish by Dani-Lyn Alexander

Genre:
Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Pocket Star

Release Date:
December 2015

Sunday/Monday Posts - December 27th and 28th

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, it is now a Facebook group.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is a meme with a new host!  It's now being hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. This is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm also linking to  Stacking The Shelves which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews.

Review: The Blonde Before Christmas by Anna Snow

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Gemma Halliday Publishing

Release Date:
December 2015

Merry Christmas!

merry christmas cat pictures

Cat Thursday - December 24th

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.

Review: The Coma Monologues by Mario Milosevic

Genre:
Fiction

Format:
Audio

Publisher:
Green Snake Publishing

Release Date:
December 2015

Waiting on Wednesday - December 23rd

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This is a little different than my usual cozy mystery books.  I saw this on another blog a few days ago and it really caught my interest.  I've already added it to my wishlist.

First Chapter Tuesdays/Teaser Tuesdays - December 22nd

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where we share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book we are reading or thinking about reading soon. Care to join us?

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's book...

To Brew or Not to Brew by Joyce Tremel (Review/Giveaway)

About the Book

Genre: Cozy Mystery, #1 in A Brewing Trouble Mystery Series
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
Release Date: December 2015

2016 Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge Sign Up

I loved this challenge last year and I am so glad they are doing it again. It's hosted at Falling For YA. If you want to sign up, just go over there.

Here are the details...

Sunday/Monday Posts - December 20th and 21st

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, it is now a Facebook group.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is a meme with a new host!  It's now being hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. This is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm also linking to  Stacking The Shelves which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews.

Review: Television Fast Forward by Lee Goldberg

Genre:
Non-Fiction, Entertainment

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Adventures in Television

Release Date:
July 2015

2015 NetGalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge Wrap Up

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop-Week #240

This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.  I've been crazy the last few weeks so I haven't participated in this one lately, but I'm back now :)

The Friday 56

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.


It's that simple.

I had a hard time finding a 56 today. Page 56 had nothing, neither did 65. So, I ended up with a line from page 156.

Review: Chats with Cats: How to Read Your Cats’ Mind by Celia Haddon

Genre:
Non-Fiction

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Endeavour Press

Release Date:
October 2015

2016 Crafty Cozy Challenge Sign Up

Okay, you know I can't resist another cozy mystery challenge. This is hosted by Heather at Books Are Life - Vita Libri

You may be asking yourself “what is a crafty cozy?” A crafty cozy is any cozy mystery that is centered around the theme of crafts and crafting – i.e., stitching, knitting, crocheting, papercrafting, scrapbooking, painting, glassblowing, . . . if its any type of craft, it counts for this challenge.

Here is how the challenge works:

The challenge runs from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

Sign up for the challenge at Books Are Life - Vita Libri.

Please help spread the word about this challenge by writing a post on your blog. Please write and publish a post on your blog stating your intent to participate.

Come back to the blog starting in January to post your reviews via a link in the post. At the end of every month I will randomly choose 1 entry/review for a $5 Amazon gift voucher sent by email to the recipient. There will be a new link for reviews posted every month.

Crossovers from other challenges are absolutely alright!!
Don’t stress . . . and have fun reading!

I'm hoping to read at least 10 crafty cozy books.  I will be listing my books here...

1.  Death Among the Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan (Click here to read my review.)

2.  Crepe Factor by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran (Click here to read my review.)

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Cat Thursday - December 17th

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.

Blog Tour: The Noise Beneath the Apple by Heather Jacks (Spotlight/Guest Post)

About the Book

Title: The Noise Beneath the Apple: A Celebration of Busking in the Bay Area
Author: Heather Jacks
Publisher: TNBTA Media
Pages: 200
Genre: Media & Performing Arts

Review: Teatime with Mrs. Grammar Person by Barbara Venkataraman

Genre:
Non-Fiction

Format:
Audio

Publisher:
Barbara Venkataraman

Release Date:
October 2015

First Chapter Tuesdays/Teaser Tuesdays - December 15th

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where we share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book we are reading or thinking about reading soon. Care to join us?

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's book...

Blog Tour: Murder Fir Christmas by Joyce and Jim Lavene (Review/Tour-Wide Giveaway)

About the Book

Cozy Mystery
New Series
Print Length: 208 pages
Publisher: J. Lavene (December 1, 2015)
ASIN: B016APS2PI

Sunday/Monday Posts - December 13th and 14th

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, it is now a Facebook group.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is a meme with a new host!  It's now being hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. This is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm also linking to  Stacking The Shelves which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews.

Review: Cupidity by Patricia Wood

Genre:
Fiction

Format:
Audio

Publisher:
Patricia Wood

Release Date:
February 2015

The Friday 56

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.


It's that simple.

This week's 56 is from...

Blog Tour: Yarned and Dangerous by Sadie Hartwell (Review/Tour-Wide Giveaway)

About the Book

Genre:  Cozy Mystery, A Tangled Web Mystery
New Series
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Kensington (November 24, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1617737176
ASIN: B00U7LJOEK