I received this beautiful award today !!!!  My first !!!!!!!!  It brought a huge smile to my face and sincere and happy tears to my eyes.  Vicki from ReadingAtTheBeach.com passed this award on to me.  Honestly, this award is half Vicki’s. 

When I stumbled onto a book blog a few months ago, it inspired me to create a page, which at the time, was going to be a personal diary of books I read.  There were a few sites that I would visit and read the reviews.  But then I started to read more and it sounded that it would be fun to join in on memes and challenges.  I am honest in saying that I am not computer savvy and had many, many questions.  And I found such a kind, patient, and giving person in Vicki.  She would assist and explain and she never made me feel as if I was bothering her.  I considered her a new friend.

She had told me once in an email…that book bloggers were going to be the nicest people that I met.  She was right !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  To Vicki…………
                    

Mystery Read-A-Thon Wrap Up:
Yesterday was a great day.  I never have enjoyed football as I did yesterday.  My hubby and son were in front of the TV watching some game…don’t ask me who since I wasn’t wathcing…but it gave me hours of uninterrupted reading time.  I met goals that I was hoping to.  They were:
**I read for 6 1/2 hours
**Finished one book
**Started another
**Wrote a review
Thank goodness for Sunday Football !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hosted by Just One More Page http://rebeccavoy.blogspot.com/
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about tidy reading around people.
When is it inappropriate to read in front of others? Is it ever appropriate?
  My Opinion:
I think the only times that it is inappropriate and/or rude is if a person is entertaining company and/or visiting someone (unless it is predetermined that reading was scheduled)  Example: This past summer friends would visit to lay by the pool.  We would converse but it was stated that those who are book buddies, would be bringing books with plans of visiting, relaxing and reading.  For those who are not readers, I would not read, but that doesn’t mean that I would have liked to.

Hosted by J.Kaye’s Book Blog http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/
*Books Completed Last Week:
  Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read
  Watchlist Based On An Idea by Jeffrey Deaver
*Books I Gave Up On:
  None
*Books I Am Currently Reading/Listening To:
  Original Sin by Allison Brennan
*Books I Need To Write Reviews On:
  None
*Up Next:
  Doors Open by Ian Rankin

Hosted by The Printed Page http://printedpage.us/
  Mailbox was full this week…I have a lot of reading to do!!

Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read (Rating–4)

Published by Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)
ISBN 978-0-44651134-6
At the request of Hachette Book Group, an ARC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review
  Synopsis:  The year 1990, Madeline Dare, returns to New York City. Boarding school educated, self proclaimed liberal, liberated and very much opinionated. She accepts an invitation to help in the clean up and restoration of a historical family cemetery that is generations old and has been vandalized for years and not been tended to professionally. She comes upon skeletal remains in the tall grass and weeds and determines that the bones are of a child and freshly placed. Who is this child, who put him here and why here in this family plot? She has some misfortunate accidents or are they intentional?
  My Thoughts:  From page one, I was pulled in with the writing style and, at times, funny New Yorkese narrative. During her quest to find justice for this child, Teddy, Madeline also learns that there has been abuse in her own family. She is also trying to be honest and loyal to a long time friend from boarding school. Madeline has to deal with the dynamics of her relationships with family members, old and new friends, and a little boy she never knew.
  My Opinion and Rating:  I found the style and narrative unique and enjoyable. I gave this book a rating of 4 for the following reasons. Without giving anything away, I felt that there were two major traumatic incidents that should have been written with more of an in depth and detailed explanation. I also thought the same regarding the dynamics of the relationships that were involved.

Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read (Rating–4)

Published by Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)
ISBN 978-0-44651134-6
At the request of Hachette Book Group, an ARC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review
  Synopsis:  The year 1990, Madeline Dare, returns to New York City. Boarding school educated, self proclaimed liberal, liberated and very much opinionated. She accepts an invitation to help in the clean up and restoration of a historical family cemetery that is generations old and has been vandalized for years and not been tended to professionally. She comes upon skeletal remains in the tall grass and weeds and determines that the bones are of a child and freshly placed. Who is this child, who put him here and why here in this family plot? She has some misfortunate accidents or are they intentional?
  My Thoughts:  From page one, I was pulled in with the writing style and, at times, funny New Yorkese narrative. During her quest to find justice for this child, Teddy, Madeline also learns that there has been abuse in her own family. She is also trying to be honest and loyal to a long time friend from boarding school. Madeline has to deal with the dynamics of her relationships with family members, old and new friends, and a little boy she never knew.
  My Opinion and Rating:  I found the style and narrative unique and enjoyable. I gave this book a rating of 4 for the following reasons. Without giving anything away, I felt that there were two major traumatic incidents that should have been written with more of an in depth and detailed explanation. I also thought the same regarding the dynamics of the relationships that were involved.

Its Day 2 of The Mystery Read-A-Thon.  I didn’t make the goal yesterday but am hoping I come close to the 6 hours today.
We are now about to start the second day of our Read-a-Thon, and I felt it’s probably about time for an update.

How are you getting on?
  Unfortunately I read only for 3 hours yesterday…and that was a struggle.  My eyes and body were craving sleep, after being up so early due to the situation, and I finally gave in.
Are you getting as much reading done as you were hoping?
  The answer is no. Was disappointed since this was the 1st ever weekend challenge I signed up for.  But family is always my priority above all
Do you feel you will read a total of 12 hours or is that going to be a struggle?
  Don’t think I will make the 12 hours but will try to get more reading in today.
Or maybe you’ll end up reading for more than 12 hours?
  Don’t think so.
Write a bit about your reading experience so far, and share it with us by posting your link in the comment box.
  I was very much looking forward to this Read-A-Thon and had goals in mind.  However, due to the events of yestereday that did not happen.  It would have been fun but family should always be a priority.  And because of my family dynamics’, I had to spend that many hours in the ER.  I am just thankful that my Mom had no serious injuries from her fall.  Hoping there will be more Mystery Read-A-Thons this year.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading !!

Its Day 2 of The Mystery Read-A-Thon.  I didn’t make the goal yesterday but am hoping I come close to the 6 hours today.
We are now about to start the second day of our Read-a-Thon, and I felt it’s probably about time for an update.

How are you getting on?
  Unfortunately I read only for 3 hours yesterday…and that was a struggle.  My eyes and body were craving sleep, after being up so early due to the situation, and I finally gave in.
Are you getting as much reading done as you were hoping?
  The answer is no. Was disappointed since this was the 1st ever weekend challenge I signed up for.  But family is always my priority above all
Do you feel you will read a total of 12 hours or is that going to be a struggle?
  Don’t think I will make the 12 hours but will try to get more reading in today.
Or maybe you’ll end up reading for more than 12 hours?
  Don’t think so.
Write a bit about your reading experience so far, and share it with us by posting your link in the comment box.
  I was very much looking forward to this Read-A-Thon and had goals in mind.  However, due to the events of yestereday that did not happen.  It would have been fun but family should always be a priority.  And because of my family dynamics’, I had to spend that many hours in the ER.  I am just thankful that my Mom had no serious injuries from her fall.  Hoping there will be more Mystery Read-A-Thons this year.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading !!

It’s almost 3:00 pm est and I have just walked into my house.  I received an early morning call that my Mom had fallen.  Thank God she is ok…no fractures…but as ER visits go….I have been there until now.  I did grab my book, which is habit whenever I leave the house or I feel completely naked and you never know if there is traffic, flat tire, etc etc. and have the chance to read.  Because she was ok other than being in pain and we were just hanging out waiting for x-ray, CT scans, lab work, etc. results, we were just talking, catching up on “what’s new”,  discussing current affairs, etc., I never even opened my book.  So I am getting a late start on the Mystery Read-A-Thon.  So after hitting “publish”, I will be heading over to the recliner with my book and cup of coffee and start this mini challenge.  This is my 1st mini challenge so am not sure of all the criteria so will be limping along.  I did, however, find the following questionaire on the site.  I think  there is still time for you to join too.
The link is:  http://mysteryreadathon.blogspot.com

Welcome & questions for the introduction post…

Now welcome, welcome, welcome! By now everyone should have Saturday, January 16 on their calendars, so it’s about time to start with a short introduction post… For this, we have come up with a few questions for you to take to your own blog to answer. Please leave a link in the comment section once you have posted your answers! If you don’t have a blog, just answer the questions in the comment section.
Now on to the questions:
1) Give us five fun-facts about you. (Things that are so trivial you wouldn’t think of them right away, but that might make others smile.)
  **I ask a lot of questions…(its a way of learning plus I need to get details to understand a situation better), which annoys my family
  **I tend to have a heavy foot when driving (I blame this trait on my Dad because he was a race car driver when he was in his twenties early thirties)
  **My “comfort food” is a 5 scoop sundae from Friendly’s (chocolate chip & forbidden chocolate ice cream with hot fudge, marshmallow and peanut butter toppings)
  **I can’t lie.
  **Am a cable news junkie
2) What is on your TBR stack for the next two days?
    Hope to finish Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read and start Original Sin by Allison Brennan
3) Do you have any specific hopes and plans for this read-a-thon?
    Since I have gotten a late start and have been up for many hours already, I hope I just don’t fall asleep while I am reading because it does relax me.  Hubby has had to take off my glasses at times when I read in bed and fall asleep.
4) Did you participate in the Mystery Read-A-Thon in the past?
    This is my 1st !!!!  Only been a book blogger for a few months but loving every minute of it.
5) If you already participated, can you give the new participants any tips on what to do and what not to do?
    N/A
6) If this is your first Mystery Read-A-Thon, how do you plan to go ahead?
    After posting this, I plan on hunkering down and reading…going to try and catch up

  One last thing.  This is for all those kind, patient and experienced book bloggers, who I have met and helped me with all my computer and blogging questions, which I now consider my friends.  Yesterday another blogger left a comment and question for Aloha Friday.  To those new friends, you may want to sit down for this one….as has been stated, I am computer challenged……are you ready?  I was asked how I created something on my sidebar and asked for my help….AMAZING…I paid it forward and she know has a drop down menu on her site.
  Ok…need to kick hubby out of the recliner and start reading.  I might, though, check in to see what’s going on.
   Happy Reading…Happy Saturday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s almost 3:00 pm est and I have just walked into my house.  I received an early morning call that my Mom had fallen.  Thank God she is ok…no fractures…but as ER visits go….I have been there until now.  I did grab my book, which is habit whenever I leave the house or I feel completely naked and you never know if there is traffic, flat tire, etc etc. and have the chance to read.  Because she was ok other than being in pain and we were just hanging out waiting for x-ray, CT scans, lab work, etc. results, we were just talking, catching up on “what’s new”,  discussing current affairs, etc., I never even opened my book.  So I am getting a late start on the Mystery Read-A-Thon.  So after hitting “publish”, I will be heading over to the recliner with my book and cup of coffee and start this mini challenge.  This is my 1st mini challenge so am not sure of all the criteria so will be limping along.  I did, however, find the following questionaire on the site.  I think  there is still time for you to join too.
The link is:  http://mysteryreadathon.blogspot.com

Welcome & questions for the introduction post…

Now welcome, welcome, welcome! By now everyone should have Saturday, January 16 on their calendars, so it’s about time to start with a short introduction post… For this, we have come up with a few questions for you to take to your own blog to answer. Please leave a link in the comment section once you have posted your answers! If you don’t have a blog, just answer the questions in the comment section.
Now on to the questions:
1) Give us five fun-facts about you. (Things that are so trivial you wouldn’t think of them right away, but that might make others smile.)
  **I ask a lot of questions…(its a way of learning plus I need to get details to understand a situation better), which annoys my family
  **I tend to have a heavy foot when driving (I blame this trait on my Dad because he was a race car driver when he was in his twenties early thirties)
  **My “comfort food” is a 5 scoop sundae from Friendly’s (chocolate chip & forbidden chocolate ice cream with hot fudge, marshmallow and peanut butter toppings)
  **I can’t lie.
  **Am a cable news junkie
2) What is on your TBR stack for the next two days?
    Hope to finish Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read and start Original Sin by Allison Brennan
3) Do you have any specific hopes and plans for this read-a-thon?
    Since I have gotten a late start and have been up for many hours already, I hope I just don’t fall asleep while I am reading because it does relax me.  Hubby has had to take off my glasses at times when I read in bed and fall asleep.
4) Did you participate in the Mystery Read-A-Thon in the past?
    This is my 1st !!!!  Only been a book blogger for a few months but loving every minute of it.
5) If you already participated, can you give the new participants any tips on what to do and what not to do?
    N/A
6) If this is your first Mystery Read-A-Thon, how do you plan to go ahead?
    After posting this, I plan on hunkering down and reading…going to try and catch up

  One last thing.  This is for all those kind, patient and experienced book bloggers, who I have met and helped me with all my computer and blogging questions, which I now consider my friends.  Yesterday another blogger left a comment and question for Aloha Friday.  To those new friends, you may want to sit down for this one….as has been stated, I am computer challenged……are you ready?  I was asked how I created something on my sidebar and asked for my help….AMAZING…I paid it forward and she know has a drop down menu on her site.
  Ok…need to kick hubby out of the recliner and start reading.  I might, though, check in to see what’s going on.
   Happy Reading…Happy Saturday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!