Library Love Challenge

Posting 2018’s Library Love results
then it’s off to sign up for 2019 !
I am a total library lifelong patron of books, ebook loans, audio downloads,
and audiobook loans.  Plus the many services offered.
As well, I suggest books for purchase, and often request books
before the library has ordered new releases.
so…
though I set my anticipated Library Love use at 100 items
I am delighted it is currently at 111!
and I still have several on hand yet to read – happy!
Find my library reading goodreads shelf for titles.

Are  you a library patron?
What features attract you to your library?
Are the staff personable?  available?  helpful?
Do you go there as first response or last recourse?

I’d love to know about your library experiences!

Do join the discussion in comments and see where libraries
fit in our lives!

        Thanks for “checking out” my library love post
and sharing your thoughts with us today 😉

Audios Anyone…?

 

Annual signup for the Audiobook Challenge
is now OPEN 
with a goodreads group option as well
Are you an audiobook listener?
Have you enjoyed the benefits of listening to your reading
or
are you hesistant to try?
Maybe you did try and it doesn’t fit your reading interests.

Well, the Audiobook Challenge for 2019
may be an option with various levels of participation
From the Newbie intro of 1-5 “giving it a try”
through to Marathoner at 50+ as a challenge
there are options for anyone willing to try audio listening .

I’m back for more.  I do love the versatility of audios.
I can keep doing my work or travel or create
all while enjoying a story or gaining info on a variety of topics.
So, I’m challenging myself to up my 2018’s  90 +
[ this year’s listening ]
which keeps me going as a Marathoner.

Let me know your audiobook responses in comments
and if you’ll join the Challenge for 2019, at which level.
I love hearing from you!
Happy Listening!

One additional NOTE –
It’s the time of year for challenge signups
so I’m making it known the 2019 Discussion Challenge
is one I’ll be participating in by offering you, my readers, that opportunity
of discussion on the majority of my posting.
I love to hear your thoughts and the Discussion Challenge
makes each of my readers aware they are welcome to take time
to share thoughts, reactions, responses, suggestions, ideas at FHC.
You’re Welcome Here!

Find more Discussion posts or to signup your blog
Check in at Nicole’s FYFA
and Shannon’s It Starts at Midnight

 

 

 

Thanks Giving

May your Thanksgiving be Abundant !

 

 

Blessings on you and yours . . .

Christmas Spirit Reading 2018 to Begin…

The FuN is Back !
Beginning Monday November 19.2018
Hosted by Michelle at truexmasspirit blog  to signup
Running until January 6 2019
All about reading Christmas in any genre
Candy Cane = 1 book read
Mistletoe = 2-4 books read
Christmas Tree = 5-6 books read
watching Christmas movies for FaLaLaLaLa +
Visions of Sugar Plums = reading with wee ones !

 

 

If you are restricted to a shorter reading time,
Michelle has that covered with a Christmas Spirit Readathon
beginning November 19th and ending December 2nd.
All the details HERE

Easy enough to  begin with the #CSReadathon
then continue on with the full length
Christmas Reading Challenge
as they both begin November 19th.

Follow the links for full info
and add your participation to
this annual Seasonal Festivity.

Find us via #CSReadathon on social media Twitter,
Goodreads Group, Pinterest board, FB Group, Instagram

I’m In!  and tracking my reads right Here beginning Monday November 19th.
Share yours by signing in and add your Christmas Spirit !

#CSReadathon 2018 Progress . . .

Final Week – completions for Dec 2 end and wrapup

Visions of Sugar Plum  reading of
You’re Doing That in the Talent Show?!
and some Fa la La la Christmas movie watching of
Mole’s Christmas Welcome from The Wind in the Willows
Alistair Sim in an animated Christmas Carol
and the delighted discovery of A Cosmic Christmas movie on youtube

Rhys Bowen’s The Twelve Clues of  Christmas entertained me while I worked
online during the week along with a holiday Under a Maui Moon by Robin Jones Gunn
And a return to spend a pleasureable summertime in Ireland with old friends –
Summer at the Garden Cafe by Felicity Hayes-McCoy
then back to wintry delights for a Holiday Homecoming by Jillian Hart

Definitely a successful #CSReadathon for 2018
Thanks to Michelle for hosting !

~*~

~ First Week ~ 8 completions ~

Christmas Tree level = 5-6 books ~ now completed

Four stories included in The Mistletoe Murder definitely held surprise endings!
No Ordinary Noel offered diversity in situation and voice – new to me author + narrator.
Knock, Knock You’re Dead by MC Beaton surprised me by her ability to put everything needed for a mystery into such a short piece of writing.  Hadn’t heard of this Hamish story before and happy to have found it at my library’s online site.
Plum Pudding Murder‘s cover caught my attention and the recipes added to the holiday appeal.  Part of the multiple mystery series by Minnesotan author, Joanne Fluke.
Holly Blues had the addition of suspense to this Texan mystery of Susan Wittig Albert.
A Quilt for Christmas,  a Civil war story by new to me author, Sandra Dallas, held additional historical interest of slaves in their attempts to be free and depicted women as they struggled to maintain diminishing daily life .
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Tree classic of 1850 seemed unusual, moving from an account of gift giving celebrations to superstitions and supernatural stories of the area.
And
L.M.Montgomery’s heartwarming story of family on the Canadian prairies offered a happy note of Christmas past via Christmas at Red Butte.

A majority of my reads are audios allowing me to catch up with online work and wrapping up challenges etc before year end.  Thanks Giving for that option !
* I’ve also updated the goodreads I SPY CHALLENGE  for this new year of reading.
~ It begins this December 1st. ~ 
I’d love to see which books you SPY !
~ * ~

More Festive FuN queued for week two . . .

Canadian authored by C.C. Benison of the Father Christmas Mysteries
set in an English village – 2 more in series follow.

How’s your #CSReadathon lining up ?

I look forward to hearing how it’s going – which FaLaLaLaLa movies have you watched?
I’ll have to get a list of possibilities from you in comments.
If you care to share – Thanks for inspiring!

 

Sharing with Kathryn at The Book Date
Find more reading each week  and add your own week’s readinglink .

 

Beautiful Covers Challenge #HoHoHo2018

An added perk of the 2018 #HoHoHo Readathon?
It offers several Christmas themed challenges.
Book Dust Magic Irena’s Beautiful Covers Challenge
encourages participants to  show off festive covers we admire
and that we have personally photographed.

Here are a few that I pulled off my bookshelves
{plus two from my online ereading where tangible books aren’t in hand}
I hope you’re inspired and will show off your holiday book beauties !

Definitely festive for the wee ones sharing our celebrations!

Dickens’ Christmas Classic

Beautiful short story collection reminder of the Angels’ presence

Romantic holiday festivities in this audio of Doc Martin series episodes

Depicting the warmth and invitation of home , welcoming wreath above
and full exterior festive decor on this holiday enovel cover shot of a library download.

enovel mystery reading cover shot from library

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed my few samples of festive holiday covers.
Which covers appeal most to you?  Are you drawn to particular cover styles?
art – photography – characters – graphics – etc ?

If you’ll be stalking your shelves or library and joining us for the various
Christmas Challenges , I hope to Celebrate with you soon …

Remembrance Day 2018 – Armistice 100

The 100th Remembrance of Armistice of  the First World War
Sunday November 11th

I’m inspired by this Canadian story of Calgary’s Cathedral Church of the Redeemer
and it’s world wide response of 7000+ poppies.

Many more stories unfolding as this momentous weekend progresses
and we’d love to hear more of this inspiration.
Feel free to add yours in comments and continue the thoughts on
this momentous occasion. . .

November: Month of Reading Challenges

NOVEMBER !

Time for annual Christmas Readathons
and
preparation of our reading selections.

Kim’s signups at the Caffeinated Reviewer for
HOHOHORAT which begins November 9 – 18th

Tweeting #HoHoHoRAT

Michelle’s 2018 Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge
at truexmasspirit blog
is set to begin Nov 19th until January 6 2019
covering the Twelve Days of Christmas

Along with a special Christmas Spirit Readathon
November 19 to December 2nd 2018
Hosted by Michelle at her Seasons of Reading blog

Be sure to check them out for all the info on participation .

Fellow participants tweeting #CSReadathon

Looking forward to seeing what Christmas intros you bring to us
HapPy Christmas Readers!

We’ll look forward to hearing them in comments . . .

 

Time for Jane Austen in August …

I am a happy participant.  Whether reading Jane Austen novels
or checking out the variations, this month’s for Jane.

August 1st introduces the month long celebration of
#AusteninAugust hosted by Misty at The Book Rat blog .
Be sure to check out all the AIA action planned
along with guests.

My part?
August 1st begins the daily Jane Austen prompts
I’ve created to inspire participants who enjoy
or who might enjoy the creativity of book photography.
You may be joining us as an instagrammer,
or may already be a #janeausten #bookstagrammer .
Each of you are most welcome to participate at your level of interest.
Cheerleaders are definitely valued!  Clicking those likes and commenting
encourages every #AusteninAugust reader and bookstagrammer.
Find us using
#AustenInAugust on Instagram
[+ twitter – pinterest – fb – etc]
@_eHope twitter – @faith.hope.cherrytea instagram – FaithHopeCherrytea pinterest

@TheBookRat twitter –  @bookishmisty instagram – Misty TheBookRat pinterest
~

The #Bookstagram Reading Challenge follows as listed.
Post a photo for the day’s prompt, then hashtag it
#AustenInAugust  add #JaneAusten if you’d like
so everyone can find and follow the new photos of Jane Austen related prompts.
~
Choose the prompts that inspire you.  Take your photos anytime,
then post your #bookstagram corresponding to
the day of the prompts you’ve chosen.
[Or use a scheduling service such as Later.com to post for you]

~
Book photography can be a creative focus that increases enjoyment of
our books on an additional level.  This month, it’s our Jane Austen collections.

~
This also works for those who prefer to post photos to twitter, pinterest or fb.
Be sure to identify them with the same #hashtags as above.
Share your love and spread the word for Jane this #AustenInAugust.

~

Are you ready?
Let’s Party! . . .

#AustenInAugust 

1 – Ready Set Go – 1^stJane Austen book you’re reading
2 – Resources – TBR stack for #AustenInAugust
3- Travelin’ Band – fav JA roadtrippin’ reads
4- Silver Screen – any 5* JA movie recs? 
5- 2^nd Time Around – 2^nd hand JA book find
6- Faith & Family – your fav JA quote
7- #BookmarkMonday – show your JA bookmarks
8- Tops – your top pick[s] of JA books
9- Party Time! – Anne Elliot’s Birthday!
10- JA Geometry – worst JA love triangle[s] 
11- Shopaholic – Best ever bookstore JA find
12- What’s New?- new JA  library find
13- Let’s Get Poetical – JA book spine poetry
14- On Deck – JA you’re reading right now
15- Day Out – show us your JA outdoors
16- Wordless Wednesday – JA book illustrations
17- Get Serious – nonfiction Jane
18- Showtime – show off your JA bookshelves
19- Most Wanted – your ‘must have’ JA novel
20- For Openers – fav JA chapter opening line[s]
21- Surround Sound – JA audiobook lovers 
22- Comfort Zone – your fav JA reading spot 
23- Waiting on Wednesday – JA you’re anticipating
24- Unfinished Business – JA/variations you dnf 
25- Up to Now – #AustenInAugust read so far…
26- Villainous – least liked JA character[s]
27- Favouritism – most liked JA character[s]
28- Memorabilia – JA items / memorabilia
29- News – what’s new in the world of Jane Austen ?
30- Last Word – have your say #AustenInAugust
31- That’s a Wrap – your #AustenInAugust completions

#AustenInAugust

Looking forward to discovering your Jane Austen
[and variation reading] during this entire month of August.~
HapPy Reading, Photographing, Quoting and #Bookstagramming !

~

Adding our #AustenInAugust Challenge to the book discussions at

~

`

Linking for the Party ~

#Id Rather Be Reading Challenge 2018

~ MY COMPLETIONS FOR THE OPTIONS ~

A classic I’ve been meaning to read ?
I intend to tackle this during August.

THE CHILBURY LADIES CHOIR – a book recommended by someone
with great taste ! which is Lucy Pollard Gott, author of Fictional 100
– a book resource worth having!

A book in translation – My first Maigret mystery
set in Paris France and translated from the French
A MAIGRET CHRISTMAS AND OTHER STORIES

A book nominated for award in 2018 …

Poetry, play or essay collection ?
A lovely Advent collection by Canadian author, Ann Voskamp,
The GREATEST GIFT – UNWRAPPING THE FULL LOVE STORY OF CHRISTMAS

Book I can read in a day – Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby #6
A BRUSH WITH SHADOWS audiobook fulfills this one.

Book over 500 pages …

Book by a favourite author ?
and a favourite narrator in this case…

David Suchet’s characterizations are superb ,
making MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS a true listening experience.
Have you a favourite narrator of this book?
{pardon – couldn’t find the exact cover of my audiobook listen}

Recommended by librarian or indie bookseller …

Banned book ?

My choice of superb book of creative nonfiction is
A PARIS YEAR  by Janice MacLeod.
Gorgeous artwork – painting – photography, Parisian insights..
a total delight and recommended.  Have you discovered it ?

Book by author of different race, religion, ethnicity than my own ?
The delicious audiobook read of Irish writer, Felicity Hayes McCoy’s
LIBRARY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

Which opened a whole world of writing by this new to me author.
Keeping my library busy!
Are you a fan as well ?  Which titles have you read or recommend ?

 

Are you participating in this annual Reading Challenge at Modern Mrs Darcy?
{also on pinterest}
Would love to hear of your choices for the options …
or a link to your pinterest board of titles read?

Have you begun the challenge or
Are you coming close to completing the challenge …. ?
Any discoveries to share with us ? !

 

Discussing books and blogging
at Nicole’s Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon’s It Starts at Midnight

Happy Summer Reading !

High Summer Readathon – July 2018

Announcing the annual July High Summer Readathon

hosted
at Seasons of Reading
by Michelle

Flexible reading and sharing via blog,  facebook, instagram, and goodreads group.
Whichever option works for you…. share your tweets and vlog youtube posts –

just use #HSreadathon wherever you’re active on social media
to stay connected with participants and spread the word!

Running throughout July.
See you there !

~ * ~

My High Summer Reads

---

Feel welcome to share your #HSReadathon reading in comments.

We’d love for you to inspire us to discover new books by new authors
and old books by fav authors … !
Any hits or misses we should know about ?  Let us know…

We love to discuss books !!