2016 Wrap Up

It's that time of year when we all reflect on what we read this past year.  Here's what my 2016 looked like:



Number Of Books You Read: 100

E-Books: I read 78

Paperbacks: I read 3

Audios: I listened to 18

Obviously I'm almost completely turned into an e-book reader. Mostly because it's easier on my eyes, but also because I love being able to carry around my whole collection of books wherever I go.

These are the genres I read:

Cozy Mysteries: 65

Mysteries: 3

Romance/Women's Fiction: 27

Non-Fiction: 3

Children's: 1

Science Fiction: 1

As you can see, the cozy mystery genre wins out for me :) I do like other mysteries, but I always seem to gravitate to the cozies. For those who don't know, the difference between the cozy mysteries and other mysteries is that cozies are on the lighter side. There is very little, if any, violence or sex.

While I enjoy watching science fiction in movies and on TV, I'm not a huge reader of the genre. For science fiction, I guess I'm more of a visual fan. I only read one children's book and that was for a review. I really don't read them at all. Just not my thing. As for non-fiction, the three I listened to were celebrity memoir types and narrated by the authors. They were just fun listening to them. Overall, I'm not a non-fiction fan. I like to escape into my cozy world :)

Reading Challenges:

I joined 12 (including two that I host).  I completed 7.  Not terrible.  I, also, signed up for the Goodreads challenge and I completed that.  I'm happy to say that I completed it in 2013, 2014, and 2015 as well.  So, I'm signing up again for 100 in 2017.

Now for my favorites this year.  I rated a few with 5 stars but these are the ones that stand out the most for me.  My top 10 in no particular order.  

If you click on the covers, you can read my reviews.

Sweet Pepper Hero by J.J. Cook

My Comment:  I love everything written by Jim and Joyce Lavene whether it's under their own names or J.J. Cook or whatever.  This particular book was part of their Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade series, which was my favorite of their cozy mystery series.  They were an amazing writing team and are truly missed.

No Cats Allowed by Miranda James

My Comment:  This is part of the A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series.  It stars one of my favorite kitty sleuths, Diesel. How can I resist a cozy mystery that stars a cat?   I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.

Changing Light by Rebecca Stevenson

My Comment:  Not my usual genre, but what a beautifully written book.  A sweet contemporary romance.  I'm hoping this author will be writing more.

The Inn at Eagle Point by Sherryl Woods

My Comment:  This is the first book in the Chesapeake series and I loved it.  The TV series is based on these books and it's good too.  I have to make time to get back to this series.

Crime and Catnip by T.C. LoTempio

My Comment:  A cozy mystery series where the cat lends a helping hand.  I'm there and loving every minute of it.

Caught Dead Handed by Carol J. Perry

My Comment:  The first book in a cozy mystery series that adds a bit of the paranormal to it.  Not to mention that there's a cat :)  Eventually I will get to reading more from this series.

Buy A Whisker by Sofie Ryan

My Comment:  One of my favorite authors.  She writes the Magical Cats series under another name.  It's one of my favorites.  Now she brings us A Second Chance Cat Mystery series starring a cat named Elvis.  It's a wonderful series. I actually read it last year and then re-read it this year.  I never do that.

Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot by Elaine Faber

My Comment:  I'm not really sure this is a cozy mystery, but it's very unique and set in WWII.  The main character is gruff but she's lovable in her own way.  I like books that are a bit out of the norm and this is that.

Claws for Alarm by T.C. LoTempio

My Comment:  As I said above about Crime and Catnip, I love this series.  There's a cat and there's a mystery.  I don't need much more, but the author gives us intricate mysteries to solve.

A Wicked Design by Brian Kavangh

My Comment:  It's been awhile since I read a Belinda Lawrence book, but this is a wonderful British cozy mystery series.  They get better with each book.

My Goals for 2017...

1)  I'm going to try and read another 100 books.  I would try for more, but I'm barely making the 100.

2)  I'm going to take on less blog tours and reviews.  I'm going to try and read my own books.  I'll probably try to mix in reviews and my own a bit better.

3)  Overall, I'm going to try and get a better handle on my schedule so I'm not feeling so much pressure getting reviews done on time.

Those are about all the goals I can handle right now.