This is a meme to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finished this week.

WRAP-UP:
I finished one book and started another, but am disappointed as to how much I got done.  I have learned and need to remind myself….”Self…do not sign up for WEEKEND read-a-thons because the non readers in my house don’t get the concept of a Read-A-Thon”  lol.  But when I was able to pick up my book and read, it was fun knowing it was for the Read-A-Thon.  Maybe next time I will do better and reach my goals.  That just didn’t happen this weekend.  But thank you to UNPUTDOWNABLES for hosting.

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
Published by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 978-0-312-60015-0
At the request of Authors On The Web, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): On a spring afternoon in 1920, Swandyke-a small town near Colorado’s Tenmile Range-is changed forever. Just moments after four o’clock, a large split of snow separates from Jubilee Mountain high above the tiny hamlet and hurtles down the rocky slope, enveloping everything in its path.
  Meet the residents whose lives this tragedy touches: Lucy and Dolly Patch, two sisters long estranged by a shocking betrayal. Joe Cobb, Swandyke’s only black resident, whose love for his daughter forces him to flee Alabama. Then there’s Grace Foote who hides secrets and scandal that belie her genteel facade. And Minder Evans, a Civil War veteran who considers cowardice his greatest sin. Finally, there’s Essie Snowball, born Esther Schnable to conservative Jewish parents but who now works as a prostitute and hides her child’s parentage from the world.
  Fate, chance, and perhaps divine providence all collide in the everyday lives to these people. And ultimately, no one is without sin, no ones’s soul is whiter than snow, and no one is without the need for forgiveness.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This is the first novel by Sandra Dallas that I have read, and in my opinion, is a gifted storyteller. The first chapter grips you with a glimpse of what is to come. It begins on that fateful day, April 20th 1920 when the avalanche roars through Swandyke, Colorado. Subsequent chapters follow the lives of six (6) residents prior to that fateful day and then returns, once again to 1920 bringing the story full circle. The author’s writing style, one word, exceptional. While reading this novel, for me, was like watching a movie in my imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history, the fashion or lack of, the housing, professions, morals, racism, inter caste system and beliefs of the 1920’s and before, on a personal level, because my grandmother was born in 1900. And a profound underlying message that forgiveness comes within and is a gift to one’s self and that no one’s soul is whiter than snow. This moving and emotional tale was truly a treasure to read.

• Would you be interested in a 50+ Book Challenge?
• How to make a button/icon with name of challenge, name of blog, and address.
• How to set up a sign up page (think I know but not sure if I am right)
• How to set up a “report” page (ditto for above)
• When and Where to announce to let people know about the challenge
• Do you know if someone else is doing this challenge (not sure of the blogging etiquette regarding this)
• Does my blog have enough experience to host a Challenge?

Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
Published by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 978-0-312-60015-0
At the request of Authors On The Web, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): On a spring afternoon in 1920, Swandyke-a small town near Colorado’s Tenmile Range-is changed forever. Just moments after four o’clock, a large split of snow separates from Jubilee Mountain high above the tiny hamlet and hurtles down the rocky slope, enveloping everything in its path.
  Meet the residents whose lives this tragedy touches: Lucy and Dolly Patch, two sisters long estranged by a shocking betrayal. Joe Cobb, Swandyke’s only black resident, whose love for his daughter forces him to flee Alabama. Then there’s Grace Foote who hides secrets and scandal that belie her genteel facade. And Minder Evans, a Civil War veteran who considers cowardice his greatest sin. Finally, there’s Essie Snowball, born Esther Schnable to conservative Jewish parents but who now works as a prostitute and hides her child’s parentage from the world.
  Fate, chance, and perhaps divine providence all collide in the everyday lives to these people. And ultimately, no one is without sin, no ones’s soul is whiter than snow, and no one is without the need for forgiveness.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This is the first novel by Sandra Dallas that I have read, and in my opinion, is a gifted storyteller. The first chapter grips you with a glimpse of what is to come. It begins on that fateful day, April 20th 1920 when the avalanche roars through Swandyke, Colorado. Subsequent chapters follow the lives of six (6) residents prior to that fateful day and then returns, once again to 1920 bringing the story full circle. The author’s writing style, one word, exceptional. While reading this novel, for me, was like watching a movie in my imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history, the fashion or lack of, the housing, professions, morals, racism, inter caste system and beliefs of the 1920’s and before, on a personal level, because my grandmother was born in 1900. And a profound underlying message that forgiveness comes within and is a gift to one’s self and that no one’s soul is whiter than snow. This moving and emotional tale was truly a treasure to read.

7:00am EST:
Real life interfered again last night.  Hubby is a non reader, and unfortunately, does not get the concept for a Read-A-Thon lol, and was in a very chatty mood.  I did get some reading done when I went to bed, after he fell sleep, and until I fell asleep.  Plan today: Get some blog to-dos done and to read rest of day.  Will update as the day goes on.
9:00pm
Got a little side tracked today working on computer to-dos.  Read the Sunday Journal Newspaper with my coffee…lol hope that counts.  Got in a few hours of reading this afternoon.  And plan to retreat to my recliner for a few more hours.  Wrap-up tomorrow morning.  Have a good night all!!

• Would you be interested in a 50+ Book Challenge?
• How to make a button/icon with name of challenge, name of blog, and address.
• How to set up a sign up page (think I know but not sure if I am right)
• How to set up a “report” page (ditto for above)
• When and Where to announce to let people know about the challenge
• Do you know if someone else is doing this challenge (not sure of the blogging etiquette regarding this)
• Does my blog have enough experience to host a Challenge?

7:00am EST:
Real life interfered again last night.  Hubby is a non reader, and unfortunately, does not get the concept for a Read-A-Thon lol, and was in a very chatty mood.  I did get some reading done when I went to bed, after he fell sleep, and until I fell asleep.  Plan today: Get some blog to-dos done and to read rest of day.  Will update as the day goes on.
9:00pm
Got a little side tracked today working on computer to-dos.  Read the Sunday Journal Newspaper with my coffee…lol hope that counts.  Got in a few hours of reading this afternoon.  And plan to retreat to my recliner for a few more hours.  Wrap-up tomorrow morning.  Have a good night all!!