July Books Read

I had a better month than I have had since March. Even though I read 4 books, I’m still not happy that I am not reading as much as I used to before COVID-19 changed our lives. And according to GR, I am behind by 5 books to make my 2020 goal. I’m thinking that the reason I did better is due to the summer heat. I’m a summer person and there is nothing that I enjoy more than sitting on my float in the pool and read. No distractions like my phone and/or the television. I’m hoping that we will have pool weather every day in August so maybe I will have a few hours of interrupted reading time.

My review for THE GOLDEN GIRL by Dana Perry was posted on July 8th, which can be seen HERE.

My review for HURRY HOME by Roz Nay was posted on July 21st, which can be seen HERE.

My review for A MILLION LITTLE LIES by Bette Lee Crosby was posted on May 28th, which can be seen HERE.

My review for SISTERS by Fran Lewis will be posted in August

June Books Read

Another bad month for reading. I’m so frustrated because I don’t know if I’m in a slump or still unable to focus. I know part of the problem is that we are so busy with tours due to the virus. Authors are unable to do in-person signings so they are booking virtual tours. If interested to see the titles we are touring at Partners In Crime, check out the titles HERE.

My review for THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH will be posted on July 20th

My review for THE MENU will be posted on June 30th, which can be seenHERE.

May Books Read

Another bad month for reading. As I mentioned last month, I really thought that because my husband and I are still taking precautions and only leaving the house for a trip to the grocery store and/or pharmacy, I would be devouring books, but again that wasn’t the case for this month.

What I am hoping for, going forward, is that June will be a much better month. My husband opened our pool and I love either sitting by and/or in the pool reading. I’m thinking that this way I will be away from my phone, constantly checking my feed, or not having the TV on tuned in to a 24/7 news channel.

Wish me luck!!!

My review was posted on May 19th, which can be seen HERE.

My review will be posted on June 24th

April Books Read

April was not a good month of reading for me. The reason: COVID-19. When our Governor shut down the state, except for essential employees and signed an executive order to stay-at-home, I thought, GREAT!!!! I will breeze through books that I am so backlogged with. However, that didn’t happen. Instead, it caused me to read less. I just couldn’t stay focused. After reading a few pages, I would stop and check my feed for any updates not only for RI, but for both states that my sons live in since it seemed that things were changing minute to minute.

How did you do with reading this month? Did COVID-19 hinder your reading like it did mine?

I did accomplish one task that needed to be done and that was to organize my office, aka my reading room. I had books everywhere and was running out of storage options. A few months back, I added a 2nd bookcase but that filled quickly and another bookcase was not in the budget at this time. So I purchased 2 under the desk carts and they soon were over capacity and the books were now piling up on my desk.

I follow quite a few book sites on Facebook and someone posted an image of how adding a 2×4 on the shelf could double your storage. My husband needed a project, at least that’s what I thought he needed, and put him to work. Not only did he cut the dividers, but he also covered them with shelf paper that looked like wood.

And the finished product!!! I still have some shelves that aren’t completely filled. But I’m sure once this health crisis is over and publishers will be shipping again, I will have space for them. And the carts under my desk are empty and waiting for new books.

March Books Read

I hope everyone is safe and healthy during this crisis!!

When the COVID-19 virus was announced, I self-isolated due to underlying health issues, since my gut said this was not good. I also thought that being homebound this would give me a chance to read many books since I am so backlogged. But NOT!!!!! My concentration and focus is almost nil since I keep scrolling through my feed to check for any updates because it changes from minute to minute. Plus the fact, that I’m not only checking my state but the states where my sons reside. My anxiety is through the roof since one son is considered essential and has to go to the office and we have 2 relatives that are living in congregant facilities.

I had a better month as far as reading goes, which surprised me since I had a lot going on in real life this month. Since I am POA for my sister and DPOA (durable power of attorney-medical) for my husband’s aunt, I had to be present for procedures and appointments, traveling to PA to celebrate my youngest granddaughter’s 1st birthday and coming home only to have the flu/virus waiting for me once I opened our front door that put me down for a few days.

I was finding that I wasn’t putting in time for my reading due to being busy with the tour companies and just wasn’t as motivated to read as I had been in the past. Then I saw something on Jersey Girl’s Book Reviews FB page and contacted her to ask about it. It’s an App that monitors one’s reading. I kept going back and forth if I should buy a subscription and then said, let’s go for it. I think subconsciously, knowing I paid for it, I better make good use of it. It seems to be holding me accountable to read each day. As you will see below, one of the books this month was before I purchased the App.

The review for No Bad Deed by Heather Chavez was posted on February 12th.

I guess we will see if Bookly will be my motivation for March!!!!!

January Books Read

I was hoping that I would have read 5-6 books this month but real life interfered in my reading time.

Click on titles below to either see my review or read the synopsis via GR.

Breakfast With The FBI by Erina Bridget Ring
Overall Thoughts: I enjoyed this book especially since it was based on a real life experience of the author.

The Better Liar by Tanen Jones
Overall Thoughts: A psychological thriller that will have you guessing throughout.

No Stone Unturned by Andrea Kane
Overall Thoughts: A story that will have you turning the pages as quickly as you can. My review will be posted on March 20th during her VBT.

Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald
Overall Thoughts: Another thrilling read by this author.