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Andrew65

Andrew65

Joined January 2017

A Readaholic, & regular host of Readathons on Litsy. ‘A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone‘ Tyrion Lannister
review
Andrew65
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Pickpick

3rd book finished for #MarvellousMarch.

2nd book in the DI Greco series, and this one left the series and especially DI Greco in a personal crisis. I‘m quite enjoying this series, and they are quite pacy detective stories and Greco is referred to in some of her other series.

If you are a member of Audible this series is all available as free downloads.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView

Andrew65 #MarvellousMarch Update
3 / 6 books read
898/ 1750 Pages Read

Given my reading recently and how busy I am with my work with schools I am really pleased with this. I will have much more time for reading on Friday, Saturday and `Sunday
3d
TheSpineView Good to know it is free with Audible! Thanks 3d
See All 9 Comments
DieAReader 🥳Looking great!!❤️‍🔥📚 3d
Read4life Thanks, Andrew. I‘ve added them to my Audible free listen list. 🤓 3d
Andrew65 @Read4life Just found out first 3 are downloadable free, but 4th and last one no audible book for. Grrrrrrrr…. So will need to get to it when a but Kindle rights for one month. But first three all available. @TheSpineView 2d
TheSpineView @Andrew65 I hate when that happens. If I start a series on audio then I want to finish that way. Fortunately I have KU sub. 2d
Andrew65 @TheSpineView It gets me why 3 would have audiobooks but not the fourth, it was written in 2018. 2d
Read4life I saw that. I‘ve downloaded the first three. Looks good for April reading. 2d
54 likes9 comments
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

My 2nd book finished for #MarvellousMarch

An enjoyable romp of a crisis situation when a deadly virus/bacterial strain is released in Yellowstone Park that quickly kills people, & is found to be a preliminary attack prior to a bigger more devastating plan. If only the Covid situation could be solved in the way this book was. A very enjoyable book but not sure how the science really stood up. I look forward to continuing this fast moving series,

DieAReader 🥳Fantastic!! 4d
Tove_Reads Yeah, same feelings here. Probably not all facts correct, but fast and enjoyable read. 4d
64 likes3 comments
review
Andrew65
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Pickpick

My first book finished for #MarvellousMarch.

Another excellent read in the Takes from Turnham Malpas series. After recent events Caroline and Peter have taken the family to Africa for a year. His temporary replacement is causing a few tongues to wag with her actions whilst also upsetting some of the residents. I missed Caroline and Peter but still really enjoyed this. @Tove_Reads

#MarvellousMarch #ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

TheBookHippie 🎉🎉🎉 6d
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳You‘re off to a great start!! 6d
Andrew65 @DieAReader @TheBookHippie Thanks, a nice easy read. 5d
Tove_Reads Oh yay! Been meaning to visit the village again 🙂 I think I‘m one book behind you. 5d
77 likes4 comments
blurb
Andrew65
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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Not been able to get to anywhere near as much reading as usual recently. Hoping #MarvellousMarch will help get me back on track. Limited reading time first half but hope to catch up in second half.

Setting my self a target of 1750 pages and finishing 6 books. Be really elated if I achieve this.

This is my proposed reading stack.

Bookwormjillk Looks like a fun stack 6d
Andrew65 @Bookwormjillk Hopefully some fun reads to get me going again. 6d
DieAReader Great looking stack!😏📚🤓 6d
64 likes4 comments
blurb
Andrew65
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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This Saturday sees the start of the #MarvellousMarch 9 day Choose Your Own Goals Readathon.

Life been stressful and intensely busy recently, hence not finding time to be on Litsy much. Hoping this will help me find some reading time and get the reading habit back.

A great way to have a good end to the month‘s reading, you know you want to join us! Just comment below, share your goals (anything goes) or books you want to read.

See All 35 Comments
LiseWorks Yes! 1w
TheSpineView I'm in! 1w
Traci1 Can't wait! ❤️ 1w
TheBookHippie I‘ll be SNOWED in it seems so plenty reading time 🤣❄️☃️ 1w
Allylu I know I will want to join. I'm heading to reading all 25 books on my #BookSpin this month - hope I didn't just jinx it. LOL
1w
OriginalCyn620 I‘m in! 😊 1w
Bookwormjillk Yay! I‘m in. 1w
Monica5 I'm in😊 1w
Librarybelle Hooray! I‘ll have to think of my goals! 1w
Ruthiella Awesome! Thanks for the tag! 😃 1w
DieAReader 🎉🥳Wonderful @Andrew65 A boost to help us finish the month off! Goals TBD🙄😏📚 1w
Susanita Yay! It‘s been a weird month. I could use a readathon. 1w
CoffeeNBooks I'm in! I hope to finish a couple of my current reads. 📚 1w
julieclair Yay! I‘ll be on vacation for the duration of this Readathon, so I‘ll either achieve all my goals, or none of them, lol! 1w
julesG Good to hear from you. I've missed your posts, Andrew. That's a lovely picture you chose, full of spring vibes. My goal, as usual, erode #MountARC. 🙈🙈 I would like to have read at least 3 ARCs by the end of the month. 1w
Crazeedi Been missing you Andrew, I thought you might still be struggling. I hope the warmer weather to come helps you feel better! I'm in , will try to get my #readyourkindle books done! 1w
Read4life It‘s good to hear from you, Andrew. You know I love this monthly Readathon. My goal is to blackout my #BookSpinBingo board. 1w
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Hope things calm down for you soon, Andrew!! 1w
Mollyanna Woohoo! I‘m in. Hope this helps you get back to reading Andrew. 1w
eanderson Yay!!! Hopefully I can get some reading in! 1w
kezzlou85 Yay I'm in. I hope it gets you back into reading @Andrew65 1w
CrystalE02 I'm in!!! Hopefully I can work on my yearly goal. I am 21 books behind. I know I won't read 21 books in a week, but I would like to get that number down a little. 7d
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I've had one heck of a month. Things are looking better for next week, so I'm hoping to catch a small pocket of time each day to read a bit. I hope life takes a chill pill so you can get back to reading. 💛 7d
Rissa1 I am in. My goal is to finish at least 2 of 5 I have going. 4d
91 likes35 comments
blurb
Andrew65
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This book by #AuthorAMonth author for June is currently 99p in the U.K. for Kindle and Apple Books.

Seen great reviews for this book and looking forward to getting to it in June.

@Soubhiville

Julsmarshall It is soooo good! 2w
Andrew65 @Julsmarshall One of the most recommended books during #12Booksof2023 Really looking forward to this one. 2w
Bookwormjillk One of the best books I‘ve read this year 2w
See All 19 Comments
Andrew65 @Bookwormjillk That says a lot! 2w
CatLass007 Thanks for sharing. It‘s an excellent book and I plan to continue reading this author. 2w
KadaGul @Andrew65 Awesome 🤩 Sauce #Greatdeal 2w
TheSpineView Thanks 2w
jhod Thanks @Soubhiville 😊 2w
Caroline2 Thanks. I‘m looking forward to reading this one in June. 👍 2w
Amiable Great book! 2w
Yenya1954 I‘m looking forward to reading this book 2w
tpixie Thanks 😊 2w
89 likes1 stack add19 comments
review
Andrew65
The Other Gwyn Girl | Nicola Cornick
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Pickpick

Thoroughly enjoyed this twin timeline historical fiction book by Nicola Cornick. It tells the story of Nell Gwyn‘s older sister & involves the book opening with Rose in Marshalsea Prison connected to a famous theft. She & Jess (current timeline) undergo quite a journey!
Always enjoyed the books of Nicola Cornick. This is no exception. I definitely recommend it, my only complaint was I didn‘t want it to end & wanted more of Rose‘s colourful life.

TheBookHippie This looks good! 2w
Andrew65 @TheBookHippie It was a very enjoyable read, not particularly that long. 2w
DieAReader 🥳Awesome! 2w
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 😍 2w
65 likes5 comments
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Andrew65
The Therapist | B A Paris
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Pickpick

This one was a soft pick for me. Usual psychological Fayre from BA Paris.
Her books are always worth a read. Sureprising;y given the title a therapist wasn‘t referenced until the last quarter of the book. It was enjoyable as the story was laid out.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

DieAReader 😬😡I hate that. 3w
92 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

This was a good read, set in a Liverpool, England.

First book in the DS Nathan Cody Series, where he is investigating the murders of fellow police officers. Nathan himself is struggling to cope with events from a previous case. I look forward to continuing this series.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

BookishMadHatter I'm intrigued. Consider my tbr at least one book longer 3w
DieAReader 🥳Great! 3w
79 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Andrew65
The Other Gwyn Girl | Nicola Cornick
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Started the latest book by Nicola Cornick, a dual time line historical fiction book telling the story of Nell Gwyn‘s lesser known sister, Rose Gwyn.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

DieAReader Doing great!😏📚 3w
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 🥰 2w
77 likes2 comments
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

Robin Hobb creates a magical world, this has to be different to any book I‘ve read before with Liveships, Pirates, sea serpents, etc. These take a while to get into and despite being fantasy has great linkages to the real world and the down trodden way women have been treated throughout history.

A BIG read but some interesting plot lines and interested to see where this is taken in book 2.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView #ChunkstersOfLitsy

Andrew65 #MapsOfLitsy. I cannot lie, I love a book with a map! 3w
DieAReader 🥳Wonderful!! 3w
TheSpineView Fantastic!💜📖📚 3w
70 likes4 comments
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Andrew65
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1. I‘m in Bingtown and on a Liveship travelling the Cursed Shores in Robin Hobb‘s world with the tagged book.

2. I always love books set in Scotland, and especially in the remote parts of Scotland, and we regularly visit these areas on holiday so the books remind me of our holidays. So much great crime fiction set in these areas.

#WondrousWednesday @Eggs

I tag @CarolynM @LizPixie @Cinfhen @AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks @TheBookHippie @LeahBergen

Eggs Oh Scotland is a place I‘d love to visit 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 , also Ireland 🇮🇪, also Norway 🇳🇴 and Denmark 🇩🇰 3w
45 likes1 comment
review
Andrew65
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Pickpick

Good to see this series by Denzil Meyrick keeps up the very high standard. Another excellent book, & in this one we find out a lot more about D.S. Brian Scott‘s past, but he is also on dicey ground. The community is still reeling from events in bk 9. Strongly recommend the series.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses
#BacklistRedathon @TheAromaofBooks @clwojick

Crazeedi This is a new series to me, it's good? 3w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3w
TheSpineView Fantastic! 3w
See All 8 Comments
Cuilin I see these are set in Scotland, are they also set in the 1980‘s? 3w
DieAReader 🥳Famtastic!! 3w
Andrew65 @Cuilin No mostly set currently but this one referenced things from the 80s and 90s in the early career of one of the detectives. 3w
Andrew65 @Crazeedi Strongly recommend it, one of my favourite series. Just such a pleasure to read. 3w
72 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Andrew65
Ship of Magic | Robin Hobb
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Started March by a mixture of reading and listening to the first book in The Liveship Traders Series by RobinHobb. At 896 pages this Chunkster may take a while.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView
#Chunkster

TheSpineView This is on my TBR list. Enjoy 4w
RaeLovesToRead I LOVE this series!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 4w
Andrew65 @TheSpineView They are a big commitment. (edited) 4w
See All 6 Comments
Andrew65 @RaeLovesToRead That‘s good to hear 😍 4w
AlaMich The Liveship trilogy is my favorite of the trilogies in the series. I love the setting. 4w
Andrew65 @AlaMich Great to hear more positives about this trilogy. 😍 (edited) 4w
66 likes6 comments
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Andrew65
February | June Makle
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A difficult month for many reasons, but did manage to somehow finish 20 books. A much higher proportion than normal of audiobooks, 11 of the 20.

My favourite book was The Women by Kristin Hannah. What was your favourite read in February?

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

AmyG The Women has been liked by many…I look forward to reading it. My favorite for the month was 1mo
Suet624 You had a great reading month. My favorite was 1mo
See All 11 Comments
julieclair So glad you at least had a good reading month. And it‘s interesting about the audiobooks. I think that sometimes they are just easier when life is giving you lemons. You don‘t even have to keep your eyes open! My favorite read this month was my #BookedInTime book, 1mo
TheSpineView Still a good showing . Hope ypu are feeling better! 1mo
Julsmarshall You‘ve got some great books read this month! My faves were Just for the Summer and (edited) 1mo
willaful My month was really rough too. Wishing us both an easier March. 1mo
dabbe We've missed your presence around here! 🤩🤩🤩 1mo
Reggie You did great! 1mo
youneverarrived Brilliant 🤩 4w
Bookzombie That‘s awesome! 4w
64 likes11 comments
blurb
Andrew65
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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Finished off The Women and Tell it to the Skies on Day 2 of #FabulousFebruary #20in4 Readthon. I also started listening to Normal People by Sally Rooney.

Read 401 pages (so 101 pages ahead of my target for the day ) and 7 hrs 41 mins.

Altogether finished 2/4 books :
Tell it to the Skies
The Women

Read 11 hrs 33 mins, and 607 / 1400 pages.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

DieAReader 🥳🔥Fantastic progress! 1mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader An excellent weekend of reading. 1mo
kspenmoll Nice reading! 1mo
Andrew65 @kspenmoll Thanks, slowed down a lot since the weekend. 1mo
75 likes4 comments
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Andrew65
Normal People | Sally Rooney
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Pickpick

3rd book finished for #FabulousFebruary #20in4

I can see why this book has good reviews. Overall an enjoyable book, covering the relationship between 2 people over a period of time. Both are normal people with issues of own to deal with along with the relationship. You end up caring for both of them, but also question some of their actions, even become frustrated by them. I‘d like a follow-up book 5 years on to find out what happens to them.

Bookwormjillk You‘re on a roll! 1mo
DieAReader 🥳Great! 1mo
See All 9 Comments
Andrew65 @Bookwormjillk Thanks, a busy week ahead so will be slowing down. 😍 1mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 🥰 1mo
Reggie Do you think he takes off to NYC without her? 1mo
Andrew65 @Reggie I‘d got the impression he‘d already made the decision to go, as otherwise why not tell her about it before. I think he‘d regret the decision to go. What did you think? 1mo
Reggie Yeah, it breaks my heart but I think she lets him go and everything she dreamed of for him comes to pass. 1mo
Andrew65 @Reggie Yes😢 This is why I need another book to know what‘s going on in their lives in five years time. 1mo
79 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Andrew65
Tell It To The Skies | Erica James
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Pickpick

First book finished this week! 🤷‍♂️ First book finished fir #FabulousFebruary #20in4

Quite a big book at 544 pages, but really enjoyed this story and it galloped along. Retells the story of Lydia‘s childhood and key events that happened to her. A big surprise at the end of the book when Lydia finds out what really happened all those years ago. I do enjoy this authors books.

#ReadAway2024 @DieaReader @Ghabi4Roses

Ruthiella Great job! 👏👏👏 1mo
Andrew65 @Ruthiella Thanks 😁 1mo
71 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Andrew65
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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Read some more from both The Women and Tell it to the Skies on Day 1 of #FabulousFebruary #20in4 Readthon.

Read 206 pages (so 6 pages ahead of my target of 1400 pages, and 3 hrs 52 mins. No books finished.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

DieAReader A wonderful start!❤️‍🔥🥳 1mo
jitteryjane724 You are relentlessly consistent and this is so inspiring! 1mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 🎉🎉🎉 1mo
Andrew65 @jitteryjane724 Thanks bit a bit less consistent over the past coup,e of days, life has got very busy. 1mo
68 likes4 comments
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Andrew65
RushAThon | Readathon
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These are the books I hope to read from during #FabulousFebruary #20in4.

Still trying to get my reading momentum going again. Two books , The Women and Tell It To The Skies, I am already on the second half of.

Hard to set targets but would like to finish off at least 4 of these, and possibly read to 1400 pages. Quite conservative goals for me.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses
#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

DieAReader I‘ve no doubt you‘ll meet (& likely exceed) all your goals❤️‍🔥🤓📚 1mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Aiming for 300 pages each day at the weekend and 200 pages each of the other days. 1mo
DieAReader @Andrew65 ❤️‍🔥I look forward to cheering you on!💃🏻 1mo
See All 9 Comments
Andrew65 @DieAReader You make a great cheerleader 🥰 1mo
AnneCecilie I love Normal People and see some other good ones too. Enjoy your reading 1mo
tpixie Hope you feel completely better soon 💙🩵💙 1mo
Andrew65 @AnneCecilie Currently listening to Normal People and enjoying it. 1mo
Andrew65 @tpixie Thanks, flare seemed to have eased slightly. 😍 (edited) 1mo
tpixie @Andrew65 ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 1mo
69 likes9 comments
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Andrew65
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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Been a tough month illness wise for me so missed setting the readathons. So this month merging a six day Choose Your Own Goals Readathon #FabulousFebruary with an extended 6 day #20in4

Feel free to join and use this six day readathon however you want to whether you choose to do 20 hours or chapters over the 6 days, or want to choose your own goals. A good way to boost your February reading, I know I need to! Well off course.

Andrew65 To join just post your intentions, goals or books you want to read. 1mo
See All 62 Comments
Bookwormjillk Yay! Hope you‘re feeling better! 1mo
Andrew65 @Bookwormjillk Slowly improving. 1mo
OutsmartYourShelf I might actually make my 20 hours goal with 6 days instead of 4 😄. Hope you are feeling better now @Andrew65 1mo
Andrew65 @OutsmartYourShelf Thanks, 2 more days does help! (edited) 1mo
TheBookHippie Ugh. So much sickness everywhere!!! Schools are full of viruses currently! I hope you‘re tip top soon. This month FLEW by…. So I‘ve catching up to do! 1mo
OriginalCyn620 I am in! And I hope you‘re feeling better soon! ❤️ 1mo
DieAReader 💯% ready for this @Andrew65 🤓📚 Sending🫂 for speedy recovery❤️‍🔥 1mo
TheBookgeekFrau Hope you're a 100% soon! 1mo
Andrew65 @OriginalCyn620 Thanks, on the up slope for now, flare of Crohn‘s Disease hopefully easing off. 1mo
Andrew65 @TheBookHippie Aren‘t they just, Covid has changed everything. My Crohn‘s Disease is a present given by Covid 2 1/2 years ago. 1mo
Andrew65 @TheBookgeekFrau Thanks 😁 1mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks, much needed 🥰 1mo
Roary47 I hope you are feeling better. I‘m excited to try to catch up some reading this time. 1mo
CocoReads I‘m sorry you‘ve been ill. I haven‘t been ill but I have/had a pinched nerve and rotator cuff issues so I haven‘t been participating much. Things are much better pain wise, but still having some issues, so some days it‘s all I can do to make it through work. So far I‘m not a fan of this getting older stuff. Anywho, feel better soon Andrew! 1mo
Read4life Sorry this month has been so rough. I hope you get to feeling better soon. 1mo
AmyG I‘m sorry to read that you have been ill. Hoping things ease with your Crohns and you are feeling good soon. I‘m in for this as my husband is away…so I hopefully have some reading time. (edited) 1mo
CoffeeNBooks I hope you're feeling better soon!! I'm definitely in for this readathon! Thanks for hosting! 📚 1mo
Librarybelle Hope you feel better soon! 1mo
Monica5 Hope you feel better soon 1mo
Itchyfeetreader Sorry to hear you have been unwell - i‘m@also fighting a nasty bug so going to give this a pass this time 1mo
rabbitprincess Hope you‘re on the mend! Looking forward to the readathon ❤️ 1mo
marleed I hope you feel better soon! 1mo
5feet.of.fury Yay Andrew‘s back! Wishing you better health for the rest of 2024! 1mo
Ruthiella Always good to see you here in whatever capacity. Hope you‘re feeling better. ❤️ 1mo
AnnCrystal 💤☕🎶🙏. May you be all better soon 📚. 1mo
CarolynM Hope you‘re feeling better💕 1mo
julesG Hope you're feeling 'your old self' soon! 1mo
youneverarrived Hope you feel lots better soon 1mo
Yuki_Onna Oh no. I was wondering what was the matter as I missed your posts. Hope you'll feel well again soon! 1mo
TheEllieMo Good to see you back, Andrew, and hope you are feeling better xx 1mo
bthegood thank you and hope you feel better soon - 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Sorry you haven't been well. Hopefully you are on the mend now... days are getting longer and (theoretically) warmer, so that always helps a bit. ❤ 1mo
Mollyanna Good to see you again Andrew! Hope you are feeling better. 💕 1mo
Elizabeth2 Hope you‘re feeling better! 💕 (edited) 1mo
JacqMac Hope you‘re feeling better. It has been a rough month. 1mo
Crazeedi I've missed you Andrew, I just knew you were still suffering. My prayers have been said daily for your return to health. Don't you worry about a thing. You are the most important right now. Hugs and thanks for the readathon 1mo
Laughterhp Hope you‘re feeling better 💚 1mo
Eggs Sorry to hear that you‘ve been ill😔 I know that‘s hard. Praying that you are healing and that you‘ll soon feel much better 🙏🏻 1mo
AllDebooks Sorry, you've had a tough month and hope you're feeling better now. Make sure you're resting up and taking good care of yourself. X 1mo
kwmg40 I'm in for the readathon! I hope you are recovering and feeling better these days. 1mo
julieclair I‘m so happy to see this post, Andrew, because I‘m assuming it means you‘re feeling a bit better. 🙏💙 1mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you are feeling better Andrew! ❤️‍🩹 1mo
Traci1 I hope you're feeling better. ❤ 1mo
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I hope things turn around and your health is improving. I am starting to get my 5th head cold in as many months. Work is normally quiet in the winter, but not this year. I'm hoping for a good reading push the next few days to finish the month strong. 1mo
Alora Sorry to hear! Hope you're feeling better soon. Thank you for always organizing these readathons and tagging me. I always look forward to them even if I may not get alot of reading in. It really encourages me to read more. 1mo
Kenyazero Hope you‘re doing better! 1mo
Velvetfur Sorry I've got here late! But thank you for the tag and I hope you're starting to feel better by now xxx 4w
LibrarianRyan Sorry I missed this. Life has been crazy. 3w
Andrew65 @LibrarianRyan Hasn‘t it just! 3w
Andrew65 @Velvetfur Thanks, better than I was but Crohn‘s Disease is still flaring for a few days at a time. Hope you are well. 3w
Velvetfur @Andrew65 sending hugs x 3w
89 likes1 stack add62 comments
blurb
Andrew65
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
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Started reading this book, and I suddenly find myself in a terrifying field hospital in Vietnam. Got me hooked already.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

Bookwormjillk Can‘t wait for this one 1mo
MamaGina I‘m looking forward to this one SO much! 1mo
Andrew65 @MamaGina @Bookwormjillk 80 pages in (which I read in one sitting) and really enjoying it. Not sure where it‘s heading. 1mo
See All 10 Comments
Librariana So glad you're enjoying it, @Andrew65 😊 Our library system purchased 30 copies and we've got 139 customers on the holds queue at present 😳 1mo
Andrew65 @Librariana That‘s a lot, reminds me of a book I‘m on the hold list for and likely to get in 2025 🤣 1mo
Suet624 This one sounds really good. 1mo
DieAReader 🤓Enjoy! 1mo
Andrew65 @Suet624 It is, approaching halfway and one of those books you want to take your time over. 1mo
Bluebird Excellent! Was just notified my library hold is ready for pick up! Will be starting this soon 😀 1mo
Andrew65 @Bluebird 60% through and loving it, but quite the rollercoaster of emotions. 1mo
90 likes10 comments
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Andrew65
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Finally got the first book finished for #ReadingOceania2024 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB This one has been on my shelf for years and covers #Australia, following a family who are transported to Australia for theft and covers their early years there. Overall enjoyable but at times found it a chore to read.

#ReadAway2024 @DieaReader @Ghabi4Roses

Librarybelle Hooray!!! 2mo
BarbaraBB One down 🇦🇺 😀 2mo
Andrew65 @BarbaraBB Number two lined up, for New Zealand, and also been on my shelf for years. 2mo
See All 8 Comments
Andrew65 @Librarybelle T hanks, good to be off and running with it (finally) 2mo
BarbaraBB That‘s one I still want to read too. I am looking forward to your review 2mo
Andrew65 @BarbaraBB Hoping to get to it soon. 1mo
DieAReader 🥳Great 1mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 🥰 1mo
65 likes8 comments
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Andrew65
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Trying to get back into reading by starting this book in one of my favourite series. Been a busy and difficult few weeks, with at times pains making it difficult to concentrate on the reading. Hope this pacy read will help me build up focus again.
#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView
A great red coat so should be good. @Tove_Reads

Read4life I hope you feel better and get back into a reading rhythm 💙 2mo
Andrew65 @Read4life Thanks ❤️ Been a challenging few weeks. Hope you are well. 2mo
Read4life I‘m doing well. I‘m sorry you‘ve had a rough time lately. Hopefully it will make a turn for the better soon. I‘ve never read any books in this series but I‘m going to check them out. 🤓 2mo
See All 33 Comments
AnnCrystal ☕💤🥺🙏. 2mo
Susanita You were missed. Hope things get better for you. 🫂 2mo
TheSpineView Hope you are on the road to recovery. 2mo
Andrew65 @Read4life That‘s good to hear. Thanks, these things are sent to try us, and the problem with having a chronic illness. Hopefully entering a better phase. I very strongly recommend this series. (edited) 2mo
Andrew65 @AnnCrystal Thanks, hope you are well. 2mo
Andrew65 @Susanita Thanks, still in some discomfort and pain from my Crohn's Disease but not as bad as it was. 2mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView Hopefully, slow but sure but you never can tell with the Crohn‘s Disease. At least I‘m able to read a bit more. 2mo
Bookwormjillk Hope it does the trick for you Andrew. Hang in there. 2mo
Andrew65 @Bookwormjillk Thanks. Have been able to focus on it better today. Hot water bottle seems to help some of the discomfort. (edited) 2mo
Suet624 I‘m so sorry to hear about your Crohn‘s. That‘s so tough. 2mo
LiseWorks Glad to see you back 2mo
Cuilin Sorry to hear you haven‘t been well, hope the healing is fast and firm. 2mo
kspenmoll Glad to see you back, but so sorry you have been struggling with Crohn‘s. I hope it settles down soon. 2mo
eri.reads Today is my first day back since October I think! I have been struggling too for a few months with RA so I totally understand. I hope you start to get some relief and rest very soon. 2mo
CoffeeNBooks Hope you're feeling better soon!! 2mo
Crazeedi I've been thinking of you Andrew, love and prayers across the miles 2mo
janeycanuck I‘m sorry to hear you‘ve been having a tough time. I hope the worst is behind you! 2mo
Andrew65 @Suet624 Thanks, unfortunately this happens from time to time, hopefully I‘m on the start of an up cycle. 2mo
Andrew65 @LiseWorks Thanks, good to get some reading done yesterday and to be able to concentrate on it. 2mo
Andrew65 @Cuilin Thanks, sound and gradual at the moment but least improving. 2mo
Andrew65 @kspenmoll Thanks, unfortunately this happens with the Crohn‘s, don‘t think it likes Winter! 2mo
Andrew65 @eri.reads Sorry to hear about the RA, another awful chronic condition. Hoping you do get that relief as know what it‘s like with that constant pain. Take things slowly and carefully. Good to see you back. 2mo
Andrew65 @CoffeeNBooks Thanks, it‘s taking each day hour by hour, and then the pain and discomfort getting worse at times especially after each for the next few hours. That has made it difficult to concentrate. But some relief compared to what it was.Hope you are well. 2mo
Andrew65 @Crazeedi Thanks Diane, very much appreciated. Awful when your own body is the thing that fights itself and causes the problem. However we all have our own crosses to bear. Hope everything is good with you. 2mo
Andrew65 @janeycanuck Thanks, fingers crossed the worst is behind me on this occasion. More blood tests in a couple of weeks. 2mo
Crazeedi @Andrew65 we're all growing older with bodies that say it to us. But a life well lived is the goal, and books help us realize that. And this community keeps our spirits vital and alive! Many blessings Andrew. I've struggled with so much too, but I still get to wake up every morning! Hugs 2mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 Hope you‘re feeling better, Andrew!! I‘ve been wanting a hot water bottle for ages!! Especially because my cats monopolize the heating pad!! Hope all goes well with blood tests. @Crazeedi is right….once, years ago, I saw an older woman with a T-shirt on which said “growing old ain‘t for sissies”….at the time I was in my 20s and I thought she was being ungrateful because I knew so many young people who had passed. Now I understand…. 2mo
Bookwomble I hope you're continuing to feel better, Andrew 💖 1mo
Andrew65 @Bookwomble Thanks, a bit up and down, but better than I was ❤️ 1mo
Tove_Reads Hope you‘re feeling better now! This series is definitely one of the best! 1mo
73 likes33 comments
blurb
Andrew65
Untilted | Autechre
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Apologies for being missing in action, & not having responded to posts. Had to take a few weeks away whilst I had a big flare up of my Crohn‘s Disease & the associated pains that made it difficult to focus on sitting & responding to things. Also been dealing with one or two other things. Hopefully back now. Thanks for your understanding and going missing in the middle of a Readathon.
Thanks to those that have sent messages 😍 Litsy is the best

IndoorDame I hope you continue to feel better ❤️‍🩹 2mo
Velvetfur Oh noooo, I hope you recover soon from your flare up - we'll all be thinking of you and wishing you well xxx 2mo
dabbe Glad to see you back, and I hope you continue to heal. 🩷💜❤️ 2mo
See All 38 Comments
JenReadsAlot Sending good vibes your way! 2mo
SamAnne Hoping you are on the mend! 2mo
CBee Sending you lots of healing thoughts and love! ♥️♥️♥️ 2mo
Gissy Glad that you are feeling better!❤️Heath is a priority and we are here to support you🙌❤️❤️❤️ 2mo
Aims42 Hope you‘re feeling better!! Those flare-ups are the worst when they strike ❤️ 2mo
Bookwormjillk ❤️ 2mo
Deblovestoread Sorry to hear about your flare-up, but glad you are on the mend. Take care. 💜 2mo
TheSpineView Sorry you have been under the weather. So glad you are filling better!💞 2mo
AnnR Glad to see you posting again and I'm hopeful your flare passes soon. 🙏 Take care. 2mo
AnnCrystal How terrible 🙏 Feel better ☕🎶💤🙏. 2mo
Librarybelle I hope you feel better soon! 2mo
Ruthiella Glad to hear you‘re back! Hope you are 100% soon. ❤️ 2mo
Itchyfeetreader Sorry to hear that Andrew - hope you are on the mend. Look after yourself and take things easy ! 2mo
willaful I'm glad you're doing better. 2mo
JessClark78 ❤️ 2mo
ChasingOm Oh no - those flares are rough! Hope you‘re getting some rest. 2mo
Cupcake12 Hope you start feeling better soon 📚 (edited) 2mo
Bluebird Sorry to hear you‘ve been having a rough time. Glad you are feeling better! ❤️ 2mo
Crazeedi Andrew, I just looked at your feed yesterday and was wondering if you were OK! I totally understand, you never need to apologize, (I went MIA for most of a year), we are here for you 2mo
CarolynM Glad to see you back. Hope you‘re feeling a lot better.💕 2mo
youneverarrived That sounds tough - glad to see you back 🤍 2mo
Yuki_Onna Oh no, how 😢😬😰... I missed you. Hope you'll heal and feel better now 🙏❣️ 2mo
LeahBergen Oh, dear! I hope you‘re feeling better now. ❤️❤️ 2mo
batsy Hope you're feeling much better! 2mo
kwmg40 Glad to hear from you, and I'm sending good wishes your way! 2mo
MaureenMc 💗💗💗 2mo
Caryl Thinking of you and sending healing vibes your way! 2mo
kezzlou85 Hope you're feeling better now. 2mo
Andrew65 @kezzlou85 Thanks better than I was but still getting bouts of pain that make it difficult to concentrate on my reading. 2mo
julieclair Just checked your feed because I was worried why you had gone dark. So sorry to hear your Crohn‘s was flaring up. Ugh. Hope you are back on an even keel soon. Sending healing thoughts your way. 💙 1mo
Andrew65 @julieclair Thanks, improved from what it was but still giving me issues. Hope you are well. 1mo
julieclair I‘m doing well, thank you. Hoping you can say the same soon. 1mo
Andrew65 @julieclair Good to hear, thanks 😊 1mo
PaperbackPirate Glad you‘re back! I hope you feel better soon! 💙 1mo
Andrew65 @PaperbackPirate Thanks 🥰 1mo
83 likes38 comments
review
Andrew65
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Pickpick

Usually I am not a lover of novellas but as I know this series well (in fact it is one of my favourite series) I really enjoyed the novella and it is interesting to see MIT in its early days and at a time when Matilda‘s husband is still alive.

Caitlin has just reported a rape, which happened some months before, when she is suddenly murdered in her house.

Andrew65 Matilda and her team have to investigate to see if the two incidents are related before the murderer and / or the rapist strike again.

This was overall a very good short story taking about an hour and a quarter to read. As well as the early days of her team it also covers some of the background to her relationship with DI Ben Hales, which forms an important element of the series.
2mo
Andrew65 I really can‘t recommend this serious strongly enough, and whilst I wait impatiently for the next book in the series this was a good read to spend some more time with Matilda, dealing with my withdrawal symptoms.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView Up to date in my fourth series this year.
#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses
2mo
DieAReader 🥳🤓Brilliant! 2mo
See All 10 Comments
TheSpineView Great job! I really need to get started on this series. 2mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView Thanks, and you do. 2mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 😍 2mo
kspenmoll Hope you are ok & just taking a break. 2mo
Bookwormjillk Was just thinking about you. Hope you‘re okay. 2mo
CarolynM Just thinking of you. Hope all is well. 2mo
Librarybelle Just checking in - hope you are okay! 2mo
63 likes10 comments
review
Andrew65
The Tudor Deception | Scott Mariani
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Pickpick

1st book finished for #JoyousJanuary.
This book had everything you want, a great avenging hero, a group of baddies, emotional angst, a historical backdrop (Twins in the tower) and a revenge mission. This is one of my favourite series and this didn‘t disappoint, even at book 28 in the series. I thoroughly recommend the series.
This is a strange one however, as it takes Ben back to earlier in his life and doesn‘t follow the chronological timeline.

Andrew65 13th book finished for #JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses
#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView Third series finished or up to date on in 2024. That‘s what I call winning!
2mo
Ruthiella Nice job! 🏆 2mo
AnnR 👏📚👍 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Crinoline_Laphroaig I've never heard of this series but now I'm intrigued. 2mo
DieAReader 🥳Cool! 2mo
TheSpineView Fantastic! 2mo
79 likes6 comments
blurb
Andrew65
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It‘s gone midnight so kicking off the #JoyousJanuary Readathon by getting stuck into this book. Book 28 in the excellent Ben Hope Series. This will get me back up to date I‘m the series. #SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView

Recommend this series to anyone who enjoys this hero series such as Gabriel Allon, Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp etc.

#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

DieAReader Awesome! Enjoy❤️‍🔥 3mo
Andrew65 Whoops tagged this with the wrong book, teach me to post at 1 am 🤦‍♂️

It should be The Tudor Deception by Scott Mariani!
3mo
DieAReader @Andrew65 🤣It happens😉 3mo
TheSpineView You are on fire! Great job! 2mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView A good start to the year, but slowed down over the past few days with other commitments. 2mo
68 likes5 comments
blurb
Andrew65
The Poet | Michael Connelly
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Started my second book for #ChunksterChallenge2024. This one is only in the almost a chunkster category at 515 pages. That said it‘s quite small print and a lot of words on each page so feels much bigger than a 500+ page book. @Amiable

This is the first Jack McEvoy book, and the fifth book in the #BoschUniverseSeries. #SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView

It‘s also off my bookshelves.

#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

AnnCrystal Is that something new?? My newest read has tiny print too...terribly small (edited) 3mo
DieAReader @Andrew65 Where does this fit in the Bosch series overall? I haven‘t started it yet but definitely want to at some point in 2024 3mo
TheSpineView Well done!🤩 3mo
See All 13 Comments
Amiable Do you have a mass market paperback? You can use the hardcover edition page total to count towards the challenge. I usually default to the hardcover page count no matter what format I‘m reading because it is the “original” (in my head, that is. 😀) 3mo
Andrew65 @AnnCrystal I thought most new books were getting bigger print, but this is an older book. I often read up to sixty pages an hour but on this one I am barely managing 40 pages an hour. 3mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader In the Universe Series it comes between book 4 and 5 in the original Bosch Series. I am reading all the books in Universe Series order.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/212785-harry-bosch-universe
3mo
AnnCrystal @Andrew65 Wow, that's excellent even at 40 pages an hour.

True. It takes me longer to get through a page with small print. I will have to pay attention when purchasing, and I hope there are not many of these already in my Library.

I do hope new books keep to the larger print.
3mo
Andrew65 @AnnCrystal I spoke to soon, now under 40 pages an hour 🤣 Definitely need larger fonts for the eyes too! 3mo
AnnCrystal @Andrew65 ☺️ that's still way more than I can manage 👍. I'm going to get out my craft magnifier !! 🧐☺️. (edited) 3mo
DieAReader @Andrew65 Fantastic! Thanks hun🤗❤️‍🔥 3mo
Andrew65 @AnnCrystal Sounds a good plan. My wife is a much slower reader than me. When we did an exercise at school with staff looking at the speed we all read at, it is amazing the different speeds people read at. Quite the range. I know @Tove_Reads is a much faster reader than me from a previous conversation we had. (edited) 3mo
AnnCrystal @Andrew65 now that's interesting. I've always been a sluggish reader... oddly, unless the story completely captures me and demands otherwise 😂. When I was a teenager, I use to gobble up Amelia Atwater-Rhodes new books in 24 hours. Then again, to compare, around the same time, it took me about a week or two to read a new installment of the Sweep Series... (edited) 3mo
AnnCrystal P.S. Is your wife a Litten? If she is, I will follow her here on Litsy. 3mo
70 likes1 stack add13 comments
blurb
Andrew65
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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Believe it or not we are already rapidly approaching the mid month 9 day Pick Your Own Goals Readathon, #JoyousJanuary

Any one can join, just choose your own goals whatever they may be, and post your goals and / or the books you hope to read. All very flexible and very informal.

Please use the tag #JoyousJanuary and tag me in any posts.

Have fun with it, this is really the only rule.

See All 30 Comments
Crazeedi Thanks!, I'm working on doing more audiobooks, so I hope to get another one or 2 ! 3mo
TheSpineView I'm in! 3mo
Bookwormjillk Yay! Going to try for 4 books. (One is a chunkster.) 3mo
julieclair I have sooo many books I still want to read this month. This will help me prioritize. 👍 3mo
OriginalCyn620 I‘m in! I can‘t believe how fast this month is going by! 3mo
DieAReader Looking forward to it! Thanks, as always, for hosting this @Andrew65 ❤️‍🔥🤓📚 3mo
Librarybelle Hooray!! 3mo
Ruthiella Awesome! Thanks for the tag! 3mo
Eggs You can count on me! Thanks 🙏🏻 3mo
kspenmoll Yay! 3mo
Deblovestoread I‘m in! 3mo
AnnR I'm in and I've posted my goals. ❄😉📘 3mo
PaperbackPirate Sounds great! 💙📚 3mo
slategreyskies I‘m in! My reading is off to a slow start this year, but I‘ve got this weekend off, so I‘ll be able to make time for it. Thanks for hosting! :) 3mo
AllDebooks I'm in and have set my goals 3mo
Mollyanna I‘m in! Thanks Andrew. 😊 3mo
TheAromaofBooks I can't believe it's time for the first 2024 monthly readathon already!!!!!! 3mo
Andrew65 @TheAromaofBooks I know, how did that happen! 3mo
Andrew65 @OriginalCyn620 Unbelievably fast! 🥵 3mo
Allylu I‘m in, as always. 3mo
JacqMac Yay!! I‘m in! 3mo
86 likes30 comments
review
Andrew65
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Pickpick

This is a relatively short book, but despite that it does pack quite the punch! I had to read late into the night to finish this book as I needed to know what happened, & there was one or two shocks along the way that I just did not see coming. In fact I lay awake for the next couple of hours thinking over the book and was left with an overwhelming feeling of sadness for the main character. Not always that a book has quite as much an effect on me.

Andrew65 The premise of the book is quite simple, girl meets boy, they develop a relationship and she declares that she will absolutely and forever love him. However life doesn‘t quite happen the way they, or at least she, perceived it would and the book tells her story. 3mo
Andrew65 I found this book to be totally engaging throughout, and have had to give it a day or two before I could give it a final rating. The characters are so well-written and you end up caring significantly for the main character. Her parents are shall we say ‘interesting‘ and I liked the way they were written back into the story towards the end, and the impact this had on Marianne. 3mo
Andrew65 This whole book centres around the theme of relationships and how important the right relationships are to us.

Having thought on it I strongly recommend this book but can see why one or two people wouldn‘t enjoy the book. I have yet to have read a book by Rose Tremain I haven‘t enjoyed, but this book has made me want to get to more of her other books I haven‘t read.
3mo
See All 12 Comments
Andrew65 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 3mo
Deblovestoread This is one author I still need to try. Great review! 3mo
DieAReader 🥳Awesome! Sounds like it packed quite a punch🤓📚 3mo
Andrew65 @Deblovestoread This one is a short quick read, but i from reviews sone weren‘t happy with the abrupt ending. 3mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks, for me it did. I was left feeling unbearably sad for a few hours after finishing it. 3mo
DieAReader @Andrew65 🫂❤️‍🔥 3mo
Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻stacked. 3mo
Andrew65 @Cathythoughts Thanks, hope you enjoy it. It‘s a short read, I know one or two reviews moan about the abrupt ending. But I just feel the author had written the story she wanted to write and it wasn‘t about her whole life. 3mo
68 likes5 stack adds12 comments
blurb
Andrew65
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Finished my first #AuthorAMonth book for 2024 @Soubhiville

Not having read Jane Austen before I wasn‘t sure what to expect from this book. Overall I quite enjoyed it but definitely a very different style of book about a very different time and culture. Based on this I would be happy to read other books by her.

#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳Awesome! 3mo
Soubhiville It‘s my first reading experience with her as well. Glad you liked it! 3mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 😍 3mo
See All 9 Comments
Andrew65 @Soubhiville I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but would quickly become bored I think if I read many of these. 3mo
jenniferw88 I was thinking about you and Northanger last night and wondering how you were getting on! If you want to try another, Sense and Sensibility might be a good fit (it's my second fave after Northanger Abbey, and as we have similar reading tastes, it might be a good for you). I would avoid EMMA & PERSUASION if I were you. 3mo
Andrew65 Thanks @Jenniferw88 fir the initial recommendation and this recommendation. I will go for Sense and Sensibility should I get time for a second one, as I trust your recommendations, as you say we have similar reading tastes. 3mo
Soubhiville @Andrew65 my post office tracking number says your AAM prize package should have been delivered on Jan 16… did you get it? 2mo
Andrew65 @Soubhiville Hi @soubhiville sorry for not replying sooner, but been missing in action the last few weeks due to a major flare up of my Crohn‘s Disease, and other things I‘ve been dealing with. I‘m only just starting to get back into operation. Thank you so much for the package, which is way way beyond generous. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This cheered me up amongst a difficult period.

Thank you for all you do, 😍
2mo
Soubhiville I saw that you hadn‘t been on In a while and wondered. I‘m sorry you‘ve been feeling badly. I hope you‘re on the mend now. Glad to see you back. 💞 2mo
81 likes1 stack add9 comments
blurb
Andrew65
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The first book in a new series by Melinda Woodhall, using a character from her other series. Following a marriage breakdown Frankie Dawson is a Private Investigator who goes home for the first time in 15 years after finding his close school friend, who he fell out with 15 years ago, is dying from cancer and has asked to see him.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses
#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView

Andrew65 This quickly develops into a hunt for a serial killer who has been operating in the area for a number of years and appears to have connections with Frankie‘s past. Frankie is a good honest character who you can feel yourself rooting for. At times you are not sure who he can really trust in the local police department that seems riddled with corruption. 3mo
Andrew65 A lot in this is revealed about Frankie‘s past which is good to know. The action moves along at a good pace and there are a few surprises along the way, the biggest of all at the end of the book. A good few characters are developed in this book and things. have been set up well for future books in this series. 3mo
Andrew65 I really enjoyed this fast moving book, as I have other books written by this author. I look forward to catching up on more of her past books and the next book in this series. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good mysteries and / or good crime fiction.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3mo
See All 11 Comments
AnnR Great Review, Andrew. 3mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳Fantastic! 3mo
Andrew65 @AnnR Thanks 😁 3mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 😁 3mo
TheSpineView Your review makes me want to read this book. Great job!📖👍📖 3mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView It‘s done it‘s job then 😂 I have enjoyed her books and started off her first series, the Mercy Harbour Series where Frankie first appears as someone who has been sent to prison for a crime he didn‘t commit. 3mo
TheSpineView @Andrew65 I'll add this series to my list. Maybe I will get to all of them in my next life... or the one after that! 🤣 3mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView 😂😂😂 3mo
65 likes11 comments
review
Andrew65
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Pickpick

This novella is a prequel to the excellent Matilda Darke Series, and takes place shortly after the MIT Team has been formed and shortly after Matilda‘s promotion to the DCI. It also takes place before Matilda‘s husband‘s death, which occurs before the first book, and it is interesting to see that relationship prior to his death.

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView
#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses

Andrew65 A coach driver, and former soap star, is found dead at his flat, following a break in, however Matilda and her team aren‘t sure about the break in as nothing has been taken. Matilda is convinced the murder relates to his past so the team set off to investigate.

I enjoyed this book much more than I usually do with novellas, but that is because I already knew the key characters so was invested in the series from the beginning.
3mo
Andrew65 I feel this is aided by Michael Wood‘s excellent writing and slow build up of the case as we get to know more about the victim; it‘s rather like the layer‘s of an onion slowly being peeled off.

Overall this was a very enjoyable read and it‘s good to see the key characters in their early days.
3mo
Andrew65 As with the rest of the series this is very well-plotted and there are the usual surprises and twists throw in, as well as some lead in to themes that will appear in the main series. I throughly recommend this novella, especially if you have read any of the Matilda Darke Series. I feel you will get more out of it if you have already read some of the series. 3mo
See All 7 Comments
Andrew65 If you haven‘t read the series I very strongly recommend it as it is one of my favourite crime series but be ready for a real rollercoaster ride as Michael isn‘t always kind to his characters. (edited) 3mo
TheSpineView I need to read this series! Sooner rather than later. 3mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView You most definitely do! It‘s excellent. Set in Sheffield England, which is only about 20 or so miles from us. 3mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳Awesome! 3mo
71 likes2 stack adds7 comments
review
Andrew65
The Armour of Light | Ken Follett
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Pickpick

Ken Follett does it again with this book! It‘s great to return to Kingsbridge in this book set in the late 18th and early 19th Century. As always with Ken Follett he creates great characters, both good and bad, and he does an excellent job of making you have to read on to find out what is going to happen next.

#ReadAway2024 @DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses
#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie
#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpneView Series up to date.

Andrew65 As you can imagine from the time this was set, amongst the Industrial Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, this isn‘t all hearts and roses. The authorities are clamping down on the ‘workers‘ as they are running scared following the French Revolution and fear the same will happen in England. There are some tragic stories and cases within this book which leave you crestfallen and both upset and angry. 3mo
Andrew65 Ken Follett really does an excellent job bringing this period to life, and showing the impact on everyday lives.

Towards the end of the book it also covers the Battle of Waterloo, and Napoleon‘s last stand. This is well-written, but feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the book. It is however important for the book in what happens to our characters following the battle.
3mo
Andrew65 I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and despite being over 1000 pages, it passes all too quickly. If anything it makes me want to go back and restart the whole of this series. I do hope he will continue this series.

Put quite simply, five stars and a favourite!
3mo
See All 18 Comments
Amiable Great job! And within the tight timeframe, too! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 3mo
RebelReader Kingsbridge is one of my all time favorite series. I‘m waiting for my sister to finish the last one so I can read it. 3mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳Fantastic! 3mo
Andrew65 @Amiable Thanks, a day to spare in the end! 🥵 3mo
Andrew65 @RebelReader Totally agree. 3mo
Andrew65 @DieAReader Thanks 🎊🎉🎊 3mo
TheSpineView Love Follett!📚📚📚 3mo
GinaKButler You finished in time! Impressive! Love this series! 3mo
AnnR Wow, that's great you were able to finish it before the due date. Plus, a 5* read! Another series I keep overlooking but mean to try sometime. 3mo
Andrew65 @AnnR That 5 star, made it easier to finish in the time I had. It is an excellent series. 3mo
Andrew65 @GinaKButler Was determined to do so as I knew others were waiting for the book and didn‘t want a gap in my reading. It‘s a wonderful series. 3mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView Especially love all his historical fiction. 3mo
GinaKButler Are you following Ken Follett on IG? He posted some AI generated pictures of the characters of this book and Pillars. Hoping he also does the other books! 3mo
Andrew65 @GinaKButler No I‘m not on Instagram but may have to check it out. Thanks for the information. 😍 3mo
77 likes3 stack adds18 comments
review
Andrew65
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Pickpick

This was an excellent introduction to a new series, and straightaway you buy into Beth and what she is doing, even if it isn‘t by the book! This book moves along at pace and you just do not want to put it down. I can‘t wait for the opportunity to continue with this series. This was my first book by this author but based on the excellent plotting, characters and the storyline it certainly won‘t be my last.

Andrew65 You shouldn‘t like what Beth is doing but she quickly has you on side and you are supporting her all the way. I also felt the narration in this one was very strong, with a good narrator and for me this only added to the book.

I am happy to recommend this book to others, especially if they enjoy high quality crime fiction.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3mo
63 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Andrew65
Untitled (Untitled #1) | Laura Brooke Robson
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Points in the second half of #WinterGames 115,630 points, giving a total tally of 180,250 points

Most of these points came from the word searches, where read virtually all Winter / Christmas themed books, and read 38 books over the games.

@Deblovestoread @Blerdgal_fenix @mcipher @candc320 @Peanutnine @TheAromaofbooks @Andrew65 @5280reader @Kay.the.bibliophile
#SantasBookshELVES

Thanks for being a great Team Leader @peanutnine 👏👏👏🙌🎊

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!!! 3mo
peanutnine Woohoo!! Amazing job! 🎉❄️💖 3mo
Deblovestoread 🎉🎉🎉 Great job! 3mo
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candc320 You are amazing!!! Great job! 3mo
AnnR Well done and congrats! 🎄🎉👋👍 3mo
Andrew65 @AnnR @candc320 @Deblovestoread @Peanutnine @TheAromaofBooks Thanks, was totally focussed on the winter themed / Christmas books for those Wordsearch points. 3mo
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Andrew65
RushAThon | Readathon
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In case anyone hasn‘t seen it I am tagging some of the usual readathoners in to the year long #ReadAway2024 Readathon that I‘m cohosting with @DieAReader and @Ghabi4Roses.

Use this Readathon in any way you want to during 2024 to boost your reading and feel free to set your own goals or not. We are flexible and easy going about how people use this Readathon.

Most important thing is to have fun with your reading with others. 🥰

See All 51 Comments
Itchyfeetreader I spotted this and am@going to use to manage down books or kindle books I already own which is a reading goal for this year 3mo
thereadingpal So we can choose our own goals and it goes all year long? Asking for confirmation as I'm just now getting back into reading! 3mo
TheEllieMo Ooh, can I jump in on this with my personal 5-books-a-month goal? (edited) 3mo
Deblovestoread Thanks for the tag! 3mo
Ruthiella Thanks for the tag! I‘ll have to think about how I can work this into my plans for 2024. 😊 3mo
Andrew65 @TheEllieMo Most definitely! 3mo
Andrew65 @thereadingpal Yep, choose whatever goals you want to shoot for and it will be running all year. Best of luck with getting back into reading 😁 3mo
Andrew65 @Itchyfeetreader Best of luck, I am wanting to do the same. 3mo
AmyG Thanks…I have been meaning to post this. 3mo
DieAReader 🤗Great to have everyone joining us! Good luck & enjoy📚🤓 3mo
IamIamIam Whoo hoo!!!! 👏👏👏 3mo
Bookwormjillk Thanks! I am trying to read books from my TBR instead of adding to it! 3mo
Andrew65 @Bookwormjillk Seems to be what a lot of us are targeting. 3mo
Librarybelle Thanks! 3mo
TheBookHippie Reading what I own 😵‍💫😅😂🤦🏻‍♀️ 3mo
Andrew65 @TheBookHippie A very popular theme with those taking part, me included! 3mo
AllDebooks Thanks for hosting. 😊 I'll be focusing on my shelf and kindle tbr. No more book buying 3mo
Andrew65 @AllDebooks Yep, a very common theme. 3mo
OutsmartYourShelf @AllDebooks I say that every year but it never seems to work out that way 😄 3mo
Andrew65 @OutsmartYourShelf I can relate to that! 3mo
MaGoose I'm in. Maybe this time, I'll open a book that keeps my attention. I haven't commented on the last few #readathons because I started books that went nowhere, and I closed them almost as quickly as I opened them up 😅 I just started a book that I think I'll be able to read past the first chapter. 😅 I don I've read a book 3mo
MaGoose OOPS. I only completed one book in the past six weeks 3mo
Andrew65 @MaGoose It sometimes happens, hope your reading improves. 😁 3mo
Monica5 I'm in. I think I will focus on my shelf books both physical and kindle. 3mo
Andrew65 @Monica5 That‘s what many are doing. 3mo
Read4life Thanks, @Andrew65 I‘m looking forward to it. I‘ll mainly be using this on challenge reads and books from my audio, digital and physical shelves. 3mo
OriginalCyn620 I‘m in! But I will need to think about my goals 🤔 3mo
Andrew65 @Read4life Best of luck 😁 3mo
Andrew65 @OriginalCyn620 That‘s the hard part 😂 but can always add to those as the year progresses. 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!!! 3mo
Eggs Thanks - I‘m in 😍🥰🥳 3mo
Crazeedi Thanks Andrew! 3mo
Velvetfur Thanks for the tag Andrew! I'm in, and like everyone else I'll be focusing on 'clearing'! 😁 3mo
CocoReads I‘m in! I‘ve joined far too many challenges but I‘m trying to read down my tbr so this should fit perfectly. 3mo
Andrew65 @CocoReads Brilliant 😁 3mo
Andrew65 @Velvetfur Definitely the way to go by the look of it. Good luck 😁 3mo
Airykah13 I like that idea @Read4life! I think I‘ll use this readathon for books I read for challenges too. 3mo
Read4life @Airykah13 glad you like the idea. I think it‘s a nice manageable goal. 3mo
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick This is great! I'm hoping to read more from my shelves this year, both physical and digital. 3mo
BeeCurious I'm in. Trying to whittle down #MountTBR. 🙂📚 Thanks for hosting. 1mo
Andrew65 @BeeCurious This is perfect for that, good luck 😁 1mo
92 likes51 comments
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Andrew65
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This was my favourite book read in #November for #12Booksof2023. This was an excellent read set initially during the Spanish Civil War, but most of the book takes in the lives of two people following their lives in Chile as a refugee. This book really will stay with me for a long time and is a strong candidate for my favourite book of the year.

Notable mentions also for Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan (always love her books) and 👇

Andrew65 The Queen of the Valley by Lorena Hughes and set in Colombia. 3mo
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Andrew65
The Book of Cold Cases | Simone St. James
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Difficult to choose just one book for #October for #12Booksof2023 but eventually went for The Book of Cold Cases, but took me 24 hours to decide on one! This is another excellent story from Simone St James which has a bit of a ghost element to it. This really was an excellent read, and possibly my favourite by her.

Notable almost mentions for Past Lying by Val McDermid, the new book in the excellent Karen Pirie series set during the Lockdown 👇

Andrew65 Also The Dead of Night, the excellent second book in the Berlin Wartime Thriller Series by Simon Scarrow. This is superbly written. 3mo
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Andrew65
Christmas at the Cat Caf | Jessica Redland
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Pickpick

Having discovered Jessica Redland last Christmas and enjoyed her books since, I was keen to jump into this book about Tabby setting up a Cat Cafe, which seems a novel concept. Unfortunately just before opening her partner deserts her and if that isn‘t enough she also is suffering from the debilitating condition of fibromyalgia. There also seem to be people around her that want to stop the cafe opening.

Andrew65 I loved this book as much as her previous books and do enjoy the writing style of her books, and the romance style of them. I do feel it‘s good that people write about people suffering with medical conditions, and I learned a lot about fibromyalgia in this book which will make me understand it better, but I can see how this might put some people off who read books for escapism. 3mo
Andrew65 However I have to say I felt this was written very well into the book, and only added to the reading experience and the story for me.

I felt the story was very well written, and in particular the slow burn of the developing relationship in Tabby‘s life, and found myself rooting for them. I loved the main characters and was very glad to spend some of the Christmas season with them.
3mo
Andrew65 I‘m not particularly a cat person, but despite that I did love the story and the unique cat part of it, although I‘m sure I wouldn‘t spend the extra money to go to a cat cafe. Just a word of warning if anyone is a cat lover there is one part of the story that could be upsetting. However, even that I feel was very well written in the story.

3mo
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Andrew65 Overall if you enjoy these romance style of books I would definitely recommend this book, and gave it five stars. There isn‘t one book by Jessica Redland that I haven‘t enjoyed very much, and look forward to reading more books by her.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3mo
BookmarkTavern Lovely! 💖💖 3mo
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Andrew65
The Armour of Light | Ken Follett
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I‘m going in… I may be some time 😂

Starting off the #ChunksterChallenge2024 with this super Chunkster at 1024 pages. No pressure but the book will be recalled by the library at 11.10pm on 7th January 🤣 But it is part of a great Chunkster Series @Amiable

#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie

This will also be the first of my targeted books for #SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView

MittenGirlPeach No pressure indeed! 😉 3mo
Cuilin They‘re usually page turners. You got this. 💪 3mo
Andrew65 @MittenGirlPeach 😂😂😂😬 3mo
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Andrew65 @Cuilin They are, so hopefully all should be well. 🤞 3mo
Bluebird Jan 7! Good luck!! ? I‘m reading the series this year. I‘d previously only read books 1 and 2–more than 10 years ago. I‘m ½ way through the prequel now and loving it. Pillars of Earth is one of my alltime favorite books! 3mo
Andrew65 @Bluebird I‘m thinking, I need to re-read the others as a lot of years since I read the early ones and enjoying this one so far. Got to page 85 so far and already enjoying it and such an easy reading style. 3mo
Amiable I mean, that's a quick read even for Evelyn Wood! 😃 3mo
Andrew65 @Amiable 😂😂😂 3mo
Bluebird @Andrew65 same for me. Once I finish the prequel, I‘ll decide if I‘ll re-read books 1-2, or jump straight to 3! I‘m more likely to re-read—despite having a massive TBR list. I‘m reading the audiobook, it moves quickly. Agree about Follett‘s writing. 3mo
Andrew65 @Bluebird I love John Lee‘s narration of his audiobooks, although I am physically reading this one. I can almost hear me reading it with his tone. 😂 3mo
Bluebird 😂 3mo
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Andrew65
The Guest | B.A. Paris
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Pickpick

It‘s a while since I read a B A Paris book, but this book shows she still has the talent to write a good psychological thriller.

At first this book was hard to get a handle on, especially in audiobook form, as there were three different couples introduced in quick time and it took a while to get them all right in my head.

Andrew65 Once I did I enjoyed the interplay between the characters and the element of suspense that was thrown in, following a potential marriage split up, and a French wife having left her husband landing herself on Gabriel and Iris. They themselves were having their own marriage difficulties, following the trauma Gabriel had gone through.

The surprises keep coming in this book, along with the possible theories as who was guilty of what.
3mo
Andrew65 Overall I‘d give this book 4 stars as a good book, but not the best in its genre. I felt the audiobook narration did help with the story once I‘d got the characters right, and I did enjoy the narrator. So overall I feel able to recommend this book to those that enjoy a good psychological thriller.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3mo
julieclair This one sounds intriguing. Stacked. 3mo
Andrew65 @julieclair It was an enjoyable read and I think published next month. 3mo
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Andrew65
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In August I had difficulty choosing a stand out book as I had a lot of five star reads. In September I had a different issue, not the five star books and no book overall that stood out above the others. In the end I‘ve gone with the tagged book which was a very good read and came in at 4 1/2 Stars. However could have chosen one of many. #12Booksof2023

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Andrew65
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Pickpick

This was the first book I have read in this series, but it held up well given this.

A couple of brothers take over the local pub in a small community approaching Christmas, which causes a few ripples in the local community, especially for the co-owner of the local bakery who had previously had a no-commitments brief holiday relationship.

#20in4 #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew #JumpStart2024

Andrew65 Compared to many romance books this is quite a slow burner, especially as both people are dealing with some baggage. This book is more about the community and events going on, and this as much a character in the books as any person.

This is an enjoyable book and I would be happy to read the other books in the series.
3mo
Andrew65 This is the first book finished for #SeiesLove2024 although it is not one of my targeted series, but will be tagging any series books read in the year with #SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView 3mo
TheSpineView @Andrew65 I always plan out what series I want to concentrate on. Then before January the plan has gone out the window. 😜 3mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView Only 2nd January 😂 But I know I will read books from other series. Is grass Green? 🤣 3mo
TheSpineView @Andrew65 😂😂😂 3mo
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Andrew65
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A great start to the new year, I‘ve been auto-approved to review the ARC of Michael Wood‘s new book and new series that comes out on 28th March. Thanks to #HarperCollins, #NetGalley and #MichaelWood #TheMindOfAMurderer

Can‘t wait to get to this as he is one of the best talents in Crime Fiction! Love his books.

@EadieB @Tove_Reads

AnnR Cool!!! We will look forward to your review. 🙂 3mo
EadieB @Andrew65 It‘s not available to me. 3mo
Andrew65 @EadieB Mine was through an email from the publishers following previous reviews. It doesn‘t seem available on the site. 3mo
Andrew65 @AnnR Will make sure I tag you on Ann. I‘m sure it will be a good read. 3mo
EadieB @Andrew65 ok right! 3mo
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Andrew65
The Grave Tattoo | Val McDermid
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Difficult to choose my favourite book in #August for #12Booksof2023 as I read the next books in a lot of my favourite series that all got five stars, but going for The Grave Tattoo (a non-series read). This book has everything mystery, intrigue, compassion and a theory for what happened to Fletcher Christian of Mutiny on the Bounty fame. Loved both the past and modern time line and strongly recommend this, which I couldn‘t put down.

Andrew65 Think August was my best reading month of the year, and also notable mentions for An Evil Mind and Hunting Evil by Chris Carter, Lustrum by Robert Harris (book 2 in the Cicero trilogy), The Whisper of Sorrows and The Big Man Upstairs by JD Kirk, and The Wrexham Killings by Simon McCleave.

Also Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel.

All highly recommended.
3mo
Bluebird Congratulations! What a great month! 3mo
Andrew65 @Bluebird Definitely my best month of the year. 3mo
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Andrew65
Untitled | Untitled
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These are the 20 series I have targeted for #SeriesLove2024, and the post shows the next book up in the series for me. I‘ve chosen a range of series to hopefully suit every mood.

2 of the series I‘ve only got one book to go, and 7 of the series are new to me but been on my radar a long time.

I‘m sure I‘ll add to the list but these will be my main focus.Some are a carry over from #SeriesLove2023.

Good luck to everyone taking part.

@TheSpineView

Andrew65 Mystery / Crime / Thriller

DCI Logan Seris by JD Kirk - book 11
DCI Evan Warlow by Rhys Dylan - book 4
Rebus Series by Ian Rankin - book 16
Maisie Dobbs Series by Jacqueline Winspear - book 13
Nicholas Bracewell Series by Edward Marston - book 1 (but read a few from later in the series)
Penn Cage Series by Greg Iles - book 4
Gabriel Allon Series by Daniel Silva - book 13
3mo
Andrew65 Historical Fiction

Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell - book 8
Templar Trilogy by Jack Whyte - book 1
William Marshall Series by Elizabeth Chadwick - book 3
Cicero Trilogy by Robert Harris - book 3
Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett - book 4
3mo
Andrew65 Romance / Light Reads

Tales from Turnham Malpas Series by Rebecca Shaw - book 11
Hedgehog Hollow Series by Jessica Redland - book 2
3mo
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DrSabrinaMoldenReads What‘s Your favorite? 3mo
Andrew65 Fantasy

All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness - book 1
Daevebad Trilogy by S A Chakraborty - book 1
Liveship Traders Trilogy by Robin Hobb - book 3 ( but restarting from book 1as too long since read the others)
Tawny Man Trilogy by Robin Hobb - book 1
Soldier Son Trilogy by Robin Hobb - book 1
Rain Wild Chronicles by Robin Hobb - book 1
3mo
Andrew65 @DrSabrinaMoldenReads

Crime - DCI Logan Series by JD Kirk
Historical Fiction - Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett
Romance / Light Reads - Tales from Turnham Malpas

Fantasy books are mainly new but loved the world Robin Hobb created in the Fraser Trilogy.
3mo
AnnR Wow, Andrew! Very ambitious. Good luck to you! 👍📚 3mo
Andrew65 @AnnR Always ambitious but sometimes my eyes are bigger than my belly 🤣 Thanks 😁 3mo
Andrew65 @DrSabrinaMoldenReads Anytime, I love talking books. 3mo
Andrew65 Also once I‘ve caught up with her I‘m going to read the Tempe Brennan Series by Kathy Reichs with @DieAReader. My next book is book 12. 3mo
BarkingMadRead Love this!! I picked a series for each month of 2024, let‘s see how many I knock off 🤣 3mo
Andrew65 @BarkingMadRead Yep! That‘s the harder bit as other things get in the way. 🫣 Best of luck. (edited) 3mo
TheSpineView I need to get back to Robin Hobb. Looks good! Good luck 3mo
Andrew65 @TheSpineView Thanks, yes years since I read these! 3mo
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Andrew65
Untitled | Unknown
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Set my reading goal for 2024, this is almost 100 books less than this yet but I want to get to some of my bigger books this year.

Aiming for 20 a month and with it being a leap year we do have an extra day in the year this year. 🤣

LiseWorks Wow! It's still a lot lol 3mo
Andrew65 @LiseWorks I always aim big, keeps me motivated 🤣 3mo
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

First book finished of 2024.
A soft pick for me about a woman who goes to Paris to meet the family of the woman who gave Keeley her kidney following a kidney transplant. Keeley is struggling to cope with life after losing her sister in an accident which led to a kidney transplant saving her life. I just didn‘t feel it with the characters, but that could also have been down to the narrator.

#JumpStart2024 @LizPixie #WinterGames #20in4

Andrew65 It also didn‘t ring true that Keeley went to Paris, leaving a friend she had made in a hospice who was dying. I just don‘t feel this is something she would have done. The scenes with this friend at the hospice, and on the phone, were very touchingly written and beyond sad 😢😭 3mo
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