2018 READING CHALLENGES

2018 Reading Challenge

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Goal: 60 Books (almost did it last year so hoping to complete this year.)

 

 
02. READING CHALLENGE ADDICT ~ Hosted by Bev at Reading Challenge Addict

1. GoodReads Challenge [Date Completed]
2. Reading Challenge Addict [Date Completed]
3. Mount TBR [Date Completed]
4. Color Coded [Date Completed]
5. A-Z [Date Completed]
   06. Strictly Print 12/08/18
   07. eBook Completed 10/27/18
   08. New Release Completed 09/15/18
   09. New Author Completed 07/29/18
6. Monthly Keyword [Date Completed]
7. What’s In A Name? [Date Completed]
   12. Cloak and Dagger Completed 09/09/18
8. Literary Escape [Date Completed]
   14. Blog All About It Date Completed 12/08/18
   15. Book Blog Discussion Completed 10/27/18

 

03. MOUNT TBR ~ Hosted by Bev at My Reader’s Block
My Goal: Pike’s Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
*Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2018. Quarterly Check-ins

1. BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
2. THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
3. THE LAST BREATH by Kimberly Belle
4. THE NEW NEIGHBORS by Simon Lelic (rec’d 12/2017)

 

 
04. COLOR CODED ~ Hosted by Bev at My Reader’s Block*Read nine books in the following categories. (can either be named in the title or it may appear as the dominant color for the cover )

**“Blue” THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (cover)
**“Red” CROSS HER HEART by Sarah Pinborough
**“Yellow” SELECTED by J. Allen Wolfrum (cover)
**“Green” HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts (cover)
**”Brown” THE MARRIAGE LIE by Kimberly Belle (cover)
**“Black” BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick (cover)
**“White” WHITE WITCH by Larry D. Thompson
**“Gray”A book with any other color on the cover LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.).

 

 

05. ALPHABET CHALLENGE ~ Hosted by Lori at Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
The challenge is to read one book that has a title starting with every letter of the alphabet. You can drop the A’s and The’s from the book titles. For those pesky Q, X AND Z titles then the word that starts with the challenge letter can be anywhere in the title.
FB link

A – A Mother’s Lie by Jo Crow
B – BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
C – THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor
D – DEAD IN A WEEK by Andrea Kane
E –
F – THE FIX by Robert Downs
G – THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
H – HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts
I – IN THE GRIP OF IT by Sheena Kamal
J – JAR OF HEARTS byJennifer Hillier
K – KEEP THE MIDNIGHT OUT by Alex Gray
L – LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
M – MURDER IS A PROMISE by Giacomo Giammatteo
N – THE NEW NEIGHBORS by Simon Lelic
O –
P – THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White
Q –
R –
S – THE SHEPHERD’S CALCULUS by C.S. Farrelly
T – THE SILENT GAMES by Alex Gray
U – AN UNWANTED GUEST by Shari Lapena
V –
W – THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
X –
Y – YESTERDAY’S NEWS by R.G. Belsky
Z –

 

 
06. STRICTLY PRINT hosted by Book Drangon’s Lair
My Goal: Level Picture Books: 26
COMPLETED 12/08/18
01. THE SILENT GAMES by Alex Gray
02. THE FOURTH GUNMAN by John Lansing
03. LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
04. KEEP THE MIDNIGHT OUT by Alex Gray
05. THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor
06. IN THE GRIP OF IT by Sheena Kamal
07. SELECTED by J. Allen Wolfrum
08. THREE DAYS MISSING by Kimberly Belle
09. BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage
10. SCAR TISSUE by Patricia Hale
11. ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Elizabeth Klehfoth
12. THE LAST BREATH by Kimberly Belle
13. JAR OF HEARTS byJennifer Hillier
14. THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine
15. AN UNWANTED GUEST by Shari Lapena
16. THE NEW NEIGHBORS by Simon Lelic
17. CROSS HER HEART by Sarah Pinborough
18. INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins
19. A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE byShari Lapena
20. THE LIAR’S ROOM by Simon Lelic
21. AFTER NIGHTFALL by A.J. Banner
22. BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate
23. I KNOW YOU KNOW by Gilly Macmillan
24. IT’S ALWAYS HE HUSBAND by Michele Campbell
25. WHEN NEVER COMES by Barbara Davis
26. DEAD IN A WEEK by Andrea Kane

 

07. EBOOK (the host has not posted yet but I will be keeping track)
COMPLETED 10/27/18
01. BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
02. THE FIX by Robert Downs
03. THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
04. THE SHEPHERD’S CALCULUS by C.S. Farrelly
05. WHITE WITCH by Larry D. Thompson
06. THREE SHOEBOXES by Steven Manchester
07. WHAT LIES BELOW by Barbara Taylor Sissel
08. BRING ME BACK by B.A. Paris
09. THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
10. HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts
11. YESTERDAY’S NEWS by R.G. Belsky
12. THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White
13. THE LAST TIME I LIED by Riley Sager
14. MURDER IS A PROMISE by Giacomo Giammatteo
15. BAD TIME TO BE IN IT by David Burnsworth
16. THE MARRIAGE LIE by Kimberly Belle
17. THE SUPER LADIES by Susan Petrone
18. A Mother’s Lie by Jo Crow
19. THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE SUMMER by Peter Murphy
20. THE CHAIRMAN’S TOYS by Graham Reed
21. MIAMI SNOW</strong by Darcia Helle
22. THE FOUND CHILD by Jo Crow
23. THREE STRIKES by Ross Klavan, Tim O’Mara and Charles Salzberg
24. AN ANONYMOUS GIRL by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
25. THE AU PAIR by Emma Rous

 

08. 2018 NEW RELEASE ~ Hosted by Lexie at (UN) Conventional Book Reviews
Level: New Release Newbie 30 books
Books have to be released and reviewed in 2018. Minimum length for a book to qualify is 100 pages.
COMPLETED 09/15/18
01. (03/18/18) THE SILENT GAMES by Alex Gray
02. (01/09/18) THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
03. (03/06/18) THE FOURTH GUNMAN by John Lansing
04. (03/05/18) WHITE WITCH by Larry D. Thompson
05. (06/12/18) THREE SHOEBOXES by Steven Manchester
06. (05/15/18) WHAT LIES BELOW by Barbara Taylor Sissel
07. (06/19/18) BRING ME BACK by B.A. Paris
08. (02/01/18) HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts
09. (05/08/18) KEEP THE MIDNIGHT OUT by Alex Gray
10. (05/01/18) YESTERDAY’S NEWS by R.G. Belsky
11. (01/16/18) THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White
12. (07/03/18) THE LAST TIME I LIED by Riley Sager
13. () MURDER IS A PROMISE by Giacomo Giammatteo
14. (07/10/18) BAD TIME TO BE IN IT by David Burnsworth
15. (05/15/18) THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor
16. (05/15/18) IN THE GRIP OF IT by Sheena Kamal
17. (08/14/18) THE SUPER LADIES by Susan Petrone
18. (08/28/18) THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE SUMMER by Peter Murphy
19. (07/01/18) THREE DAYS MISSING by Kimberly Belle
20. (07/03/18) THE CHAIRMAN’S TOYS by Graham Reed
21. (07/17/18) BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage
22. (09/01/18) SCAR TISSUE by Patricia Hale
23. (07/10/18) ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Elizabeth Klehfoth
24. (06/12/18) JAR OF HEARTS byJennifer Hillier
25. (08/07/18) AN UNWANTED GUEST by Shari Lapena
26. (09/04/18) THE FOUND CHILD by Jo Crow
27. (09/10/18) THREE STRIKES by Ross Klavan, Tim O’Mara and Charles Salzberg
28. (04/10/18) THE NEW NEIGHBORS by Simon Lelic
29. (09/04/18) CROSS HER HEART by Sarah Pinborough
30. (05/01/18) INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins

 

2018 NEW AUTHOR ~ Hosted by Literary Escapism #NewAuthors18
Add reviews here
COMPLETED 07/29/18
01. BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
02. THE FIX by Robert Downs
03. THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
04. THE SHEPHERD’S CALCULUS by C.S. Farrelly
05. LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
06. THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
07. HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts
08. YESTERDAY’S NEWS by R.G. Belsky
09. THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White
10. THE LAST TIME I LIED by Riley Sager
11. THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor
12. IN THE GRIP OF IT by Sheena Kamal
13. SELECTED by J. Allen Wolfrum
14. THE MARRIAGE LIE by Kimberly Belle
15. THE SUPER LADIES by Susan Petrone
16. A MOTHER’S LIE by Jo Crow
17. THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE SUMMER by Peter Murphy
18. THE CHAIRMAN’S TOYS by Graham Reed
19. BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage
20. ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Elizabeth Klehfoth

 

10. MONTHLY KEY WORD hosted by Bev at My Reader’s Block
Guidelines:
The title you choose can be a variation on one of the key words. For example- your title could include the word ‘icicle’ or ‘icing’ even though the key word is ‘ice.’
Key words can be tweaked. For example- You could read a book with “Bowler” or “Bonnet” for the key word ‘Hat’ and that would be just fine. If the key word is ‘Family’ then your title could include the word ‘Sister’ or ‘Father.’If the key word is ‘Food’ then your title could include the word ‘Cake.’

Jan. (Baby) BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
Feb. (Snow) MIAMI SNOW</strong by Darcia Helle
Mar. (Great) THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Apr. (Out) KEEP THE MIDNIGHT OUT by Alex Gray
May (Clasp) IN THE GRIP OF IT by Sheena Kamal
June (Bride) THE MARRIAGE LIE by Kimberly Belle
July (Water) INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins
Aug. (House) A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE byShari Lapena
Sept. (Always) IT’S ALWAYS HE HUSBAND by Michele Campbell
Oct. (Night) AFTER NIGHTFALL by A.J. Banner
Nov. (Family) THE MOTHER-IN-LAW by Sally Hepworth
Dec.

 

11. WHAT’S IN A NAME? ~ Hosted by The Worm Hole
Guidelines: 7 posts, one for each category and one for your wrap-up post.
#whatsinaname2018

**The word ‘the’ used twice THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE SUMMER by Peter Murphy
–A fruit or vegetable (The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society; The Particular Sadness Of Lemon Cake)
–A shape (The Ninth Circle, The Square Root Of Summer, Circle Of Friends)
–A title that begins with Z – can be after ‘The’ or ‘A’ (Zen In The Art Of Writing; The Zookeeper’s Wife, Zelda)
–A nationality (Anna And The French Kiss; How To Be A Kosovan Bride; Norwegian Wood)
–A season (White Truffles In Winter; The Spring Of Kasper Meier; The Summer Queen; Before I Fall; The Autumn Throne)

 

12. CLOAK AND DAGGER hosted by Stormi at Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My!
My Goal: Inspector 26-35 books ~ Link up monthly ~ 100+ pages
COMPLETED 09/29/18
01. THE SILENT GAMES by Alex Gray
02. BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
03. THE FIX by Robert Downs
04. THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
05. THE FOURTH GUNMAN by John Lansing
06. THE SHEPHERD’S CALCULUS by C.S. Farrelly
07. WHITE WITCH by Larry D. Thompson
08. WHAT LIES BELOW by Barbara Taylor Sissel
09. BRING ME BACK by B.A. Paris
10. LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
11. THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
12. HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts
13. KEEP THE MIDNIGHT OUT by Alex Gray
14. YESTERDAY’S NEWS by R.G. Belsky
15. THE LAST TIME I LIED by Riley Sager
16. MURDER IS A PROMISE by Giacomo Giammatteo
17. BAD TIME TO BE IN IT by David Burnsworth
18. THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor
19. IN THE GRIP OF IT by Sheena Kamal
20. SELECTED by J. Allen Wolfrum
21. THE MARRIAGE LIE by Kimberly Belle
22. A MOTHER’S LIE by Jo Crow
23. THREE DAYS MISSING by Kimberly Belle
24. THE CHAIRMAN’S TOYS by Graham Reed
25. SCAR TISSUE by Patricia Hale
26. ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Elizabeth Klehfoth
27. MIAMI SNOW by Darcia Helle
28. THE LAST BREATH by Kimberly Belle
29. JAR OF HEARTS byJennifer Hillier
30. THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine
31. AN UNWANTED GUEST by Shari Lapena
32. THE FOUND CHILD by Jo Crow
33. THREE STRIKES by Ross Klavan, Tim O’Mara and Charles Salzberg
34. THE NEW NEIGHBORS by Simon Lelic
35. CROSS HER HEART by Sarah Pinborough

 

13. LITERARY ESCAPE hosted by Lori at Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
Read 1 book set in each of the 50 states + the District of Columbia FB link

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California – THE FOURTH GUNMAN by John Lansing
Colorado
Connecticut – THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine
Delaware
Disrict Of Columbia – THE SHEPHERD’S CALCULUS by C.S. Farrelly
Florida – MIAMI SNOW by Darcia Helle
Georgia – THE MARRIAGE LIE by Kimberly Belle
Hawaii – THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas – BEAUTIFUL BAD by Annie Ward
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine – SCAR TISSUE by Patricia Hale
Maryland
Massachusetts – THREE SHOEBOXES by Steven Manchester
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire – ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS by Elizabeth Klehfoth
New Jersey
New Mexico – THE FIX by Robert Downs
New York – THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
North Carolina – THE PROMISE BETWEEN US by Barbara Claypole White
North Dakota
Ohio – THE SUPER LADIES by Susan Petrone
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania – BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage
Rhode Island
South Carolina – BAD TIME TO BE IN IT by David Burnsworth
South Dakota
Tennessee – LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
Texas – WHAT LIES BELOW by Barbara Taylor Sissel
Utah
Vermont
Virginia – THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor
Washington – JAR OF HEARTS byJennifer Hillier
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Abroad:

Scotland: THE SILENT GAMES by Alex Gray
London: BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
Jamaica: WHITE WITCH by Larry D. Thompson
Canada: IN THE GRIP OF IT by Sheena Kamal
Australia: THE MOTHER-IN-LAW by Sally Hepworth

 

14. BLOG ALL ABOUT IT hosted by The Herd Presents
Goal: Will post 2nd Saturday of each month. Link up monthly
COMPLETED 12/08/18
The Prompts:

January– Winter
February– Red
March– Favorite Scent
April– Art
May– Organize
June– Growl
July– Spirit
August– Beginning
September– Escape
October– Trees
November– Truth
December– Shine/Sparkle

 

15. BOOK BLOG DISCUSSION hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight!
Level: Discussion Dabbler (1-10) My Goal: Will post last Saturday of each month to recap the month and what is planned for the coming month. Link up monthly ##LetsDiscuss2018y
COMPLETED 010/27/18
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December:

 

2018 READ-A-THONS

 

@boutofbooks #boutofbooks http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/

08/20 Monday
Book: THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine
Pages read: pgs. 258- Finished
08/21 Tuesday
Pages read: 0 Between being busy with tours and the Breaking News, I never opened a book ;-(
08/22/18 Thursday
Pages read: 0
08/23 Thursday
Book: AN UNWANTED GUEST by Shari Lapena
Pages read: 122
08/24 Friday
Book: AN UNWANTED GUEST by Shari Lapena
Pages read: 52
08/25 Saturday
Book: AN UNWANTED GUEST by Shari Lapena
Pages read: Finished
08/26 Sunday
Book: THE FOUND CHILD by Jo Crow
Pages read: Kindle 75%
08/27 Monday Wrap up
Book(s): Finished THE LAST MRS. Parrish and An Unwanted Guest. 75% read of THE FOUND CHILD

 

April 28, 2018 Blog
Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon has been hosted by Heather of My Capricious Life and Andi of Estella’s Revenge
Progress Report:

08:00 am – It’s go time. Will be finishing THE LAST TIME I LIED by Riley Sager
11:00 am – Finished THE LAST TIME I LIED
11:00-12:30 – Took a break for RL
12:30 pm – Started MURDER IS A PROMISE by Giacomo Giammatteo a beta read
05:30 pm – Had to stop reading due to seasonal allergies headache. Need less to say, not happy with my reading times. 🙁

 

24 IN 48 READATHON hosted by Rachel @ 24 in 48 Readathon
The #24in48 will be taking place on Jan. 27-28, 2018!
Details: Participants read for 24 hours out of that 48-hour period. You can split that up however you’d like.

Progress and times will be updated here:

Saturday:
12:30 am to 03:30 am (3 hours) Reading THE FOURTH GUNMAN by John Lansing
11:00 am to 03:30 pm (4½ hours)
07:00 pm to 08:00 pm (1 hour)
Not as much reading as I had hoped, it never fails, when I sign up I have good intentions and then RL interferes.
Sunday:
09:00 am to 12:30 pm (3½ hours)
01:30 pm to 03:30 pm (2 hours)
05:00 pm to 08:30 pm (3½ hours)
Total: 18½ hours. Almost. Maybe next time!

 

WINTER’S RESPITE READATHON ~ Hosted by Michelle at Seasons Of Reading

#WintersRespite FB
Books read during January’s month-long Readathon:

Read 01/01 to 01/07 THE SILENT GAMES by Alex Gray
Read 01/07 to 01/13 BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick
Read 01/13 to 01/16 THE FIX by Robert Downs
Read 01/17 to 01/23 THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Read 01/25 to 01/29 THE FOURTH GUNMAN by John Lansing
I finished 5 books, would have been able to read a couple more but RL has a habit of interferring in my reading time.
Wrap up: complete form on site

 

Published by Mainly Murder Press

ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
  Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
  Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
  Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
  Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relateable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn’t? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed, ow was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!

Published by Mainly Murder Press

ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
  Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
  Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
  Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
  Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relateable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn’t? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed, ow was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!

There will be 2 postings today.  I will be posting a book review later today.  I have a lot to post about so need 2, maybe 3, installments.

My morning routine.  Boot up the laptop, grab my mug of coffee and read my newsletters/emails.  Sign into my blog, read my google reader and start commenting on sites that posted something that caught my attention.  Today, however, I woke with an unclear mind and dread as I am still trying to process all that was said at yesterday’s orthopedic consult (more on that later).  And sorry to repeat but it is so true….my mantra that I live by is that “everything happens for a reason….and we don’t ask why…just know it is to be”.  Vicki over at Reading At The Beach (readingatthebeach.com) signed up for a 2010 challenge “365 Photo Project” where she posts a different picture every day.  The pictures that she is posting are phenomenal and I have been commenting almost every day because they are so beautiful.  Which is what I was going to do this morning.  So I head on over for a visit and before I got to her photo, I found another posting that FLOORED ME.  She has presented me with another award…and so fitting due to my mental state this morning.  She has been such a friend and mentor to me and then to receive another award is overwhelming.  The awad is the “HAPPY 101”.  There is criteria that I will be posting on next.  But first….THANK YOU VICKI !!!!!  You are too kind !!!!!!
                                        
This is a two part award.
First I list ten things that make me happy and then pass this along to 10 blogs that make me happy.
What makes me happy:
1. My hubby
2. My 2 fantastic sons and their girlfriends, “my daughters”.
3. All other members of our family
4. My friends
5. A great mystery
6. A large Friendly’s 5 scoop sundae
7. The start of Spring and warm weather
8. Sitting by the pool and having “bonding reading time” with hubby
9. Vacations (which we are due)Cruise or Aruba
10.Book blogging and meeting so many awesome “new friends”. 
So what blogs make me happy: (in no particular order)
1. J. Kayes Book Blog
2. Bookin’ With Bingo
3. Xmas Dolly
4. Rundpinne
5. Bermudaonion
6. Book Reviews by Bobbie
7. My Cozy Booknook
8. Find Your Next Book Here
9. Bibliophile By The Sea
10. Lori’s Reading Corner
I pass this on to you.  And thank you for having great blogs !!!!  I could only pick 10 but there are so many other blogs that make me happy.
I just decided…….today I am going to enjoy this award and make this my “Happy 101 Award” day and post about “My Medical Jouney” on a later post, which is probably better as there is so much to process.  My mantra, has done right by me again.  Thank you VICKI !!!!

http://btt2.wordpress.com
Today’s question:
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
     My favorite genre is mystery/suspense so I love unexpected endings!!!  What I don’t like are plots that are complicated and/or detailed espionage.  I lose interest with that type of book.
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
     I was given a book to read by my “Book Buddy” Jess, my son’s gf because I had said that I had never read anything by Jodi Picoult.  She gave me My Sister’s Keeper.  I have to say that this book, with its ending, I never saw coming.  This was definitely my favorite “surprise ending” read.  Highly recommend.

There will be 2 postings today.  I will be posting a book review later today.  I have a lot to post about so need 2, maybe 3, installments.

My morning routine.  Boot up the laptop, grab my mug of coffee and read my newsletters/emails.  Sign into my blog, read my google reader and start commenting on sites that posted something that caught my attention.  Today, however, I woke with an unclear mind and dread as I am still trying to process all that was said at yesterday’s orthopedic consult (more on that later).  And sorry to repeat but it is so true….my mantra that I live by is that “everything happens for a reason….and we don’t ask why…just know it is to be”.  Vicki over at Reading At The Beach (readingatthebeach.com) signed up for a 2010 challenge “365 Photo Project” where she posts a different picture every day.  The pictures that she is posting are phenomenal and I have been commenting almost every day because they are so beautiful.  Which is what I was going to do this morning.  So I head on over for a visit and before I got to her photo, I found another posting that FLOORED ME.  She has presented me with another award…and so fitting due to my mental state this morning.  She has been such a friend and mentor to me and then to receive another award is overwhelming.  The awad is the “HAPPY 101”.  There is criteria that I will be posting on next.  But first….THANK YOU VICKI !!!!!  You are too kind !!!!!!
                                        
This is a two part award.
First I list ten things that make me happy and then pass this along to 10 blogs that make me happy.
What makes me happy:
1. My hubby
2. My 2 fantastic sons and their girlfriends, “my daughters”.
3. All other members of our family
4. My friends
5. A great mystery
6. A large Friendly’s 5 scoop sundae
7. The start of Spring and warm weather
8. Sitting by the pool and having “bonding reading time” with hubby
9. Vacations (which we are due)Cruise or Aruba
10.Book blogging and meeting so many awesome “new friends”. 
So what blogs make me happy: (in no particular order)
1. J. Kayes Book Blog
2. Bookin’ With Bingo
3. Xmas Dolly
4. Rundpinne
5. Bermudaonion
6. Book Reviews by Bobbie
7. My Cozy Booknook
8. Find Your Next Book Here
9. Bibliophile By The Sea
10. Lori’s Reading Corner
I pass this on to you.  And thank you for having great blogs !!!!  I could only pick 10 but there are so many other blogs that make me happy.
I just decided…….today I am going to enjoy this award and make this my “Happy 101 Award” day and post about “My Medical Jouney” on a later post, which is probably better as there is so much to process.  My mantra, has done right by me again.  Thank you VICKI !!!!

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Today’s question:
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
     My favorite genre is mystery/suspense so I love unexpected endings!!!  What I don’t like are plots that are complicated and/or detailed espionage.  I lose interest with that type of book.
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
     I was given a book to read by my “Book Buddy” Jess, my son’s gf because I had said that I had never read anything by Jodi Picoult.  She gave me My Sister’s Keeper.  I have to say that this book, with its ending, I never saw coming.  This was definitely my favorite “surprise ending” read.  Highly recommend.