#StaycationInTime @Chrissyreadit @DinoMom

After over 3 months of applying and interviewing, I found a job in another department with the same Hospital I currently work for. My first day is May 19th. I was told I could not take any time off for the next 3 months while in training. That means there will be no summer vacation for me. So this staycation happened at the perfect time. I'm looking forward to it!

#recentreads
The bad news is I'm still looking for a job. The good news is I love my current job, and I'm still able to listen to books while I work. These are mostly four-star reads that I've read in April.
I chose a reread of one of my favorite High School required reading novels for #BookedInTime :China
April 2025 @Cuilin

#MiddleGradeMarch #POP #TBR prompt: Written in the 1900s

#MiddleGradeMarch #TBR #POP prompt: involves travel

#MiddleGradeMarch #TBR #POP prompt: Part of a series

#MiddleGradeMarch #Pop #TBR
Prompt: Flowers on the cover

#MiddleGradeMarch #TBR #Pop prompt: author with three last names

They told us in August that our job was going to be outsourced overseas, so I'm in the middle of looking for a new job. I'm not sure how much reading I'll be able to do this month, but I'm going to try.

#BookedInTime The Golden Age of Piracy February 2025
@cuilin @dabbe
Across the Ages: dual timeline (1727 and 1927) and time travel; that is right up my alley.
The Pirate Bride: I loved the characters in this novel. However, I'm not a fan of age gap romance so that brought it down for me.

4🌟
#ThematicCozies @JulieClair

February: Romance

I found this an enjoyable read overall. Of course, I loved the Scottish setting. I'm so glad Josie got what was coming to her in the end.

My plan for #MiddlegradeMarch is to participate in the booktube reading challenge. There will be two buddy reads, in addition to the prompts. The Secret Garden and MoonGarden. Check out YouTube for more information.

4🌟
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. It was right up my alley, I love survival stories! This is the first book of read by this author and I can't wait to read more.

#ThematicCozies @JulieClair
January 2025 animal ( Diesel, the Maine Coon cat)

Set in a small town Mississippi, partially in a library.

#BookedInTime Tudor England January 2025
@cuilin @dabbe

I have mixed feelings about this month's selection. It's an extremely well researched novel, with some interesting details of Queen Elizabeth's rein. However, I felt it was too long and repetitive. They talked about how Elizabeth did not want to get married, and how she held off all her suitors, over and over again.

I received this as a Christmas gift this year. Book number one of 2025. The reading year has started off strong.

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCuriou

#WGWordsearch total: 3730 +5 =3735

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious

#Readouttheold @TheAromaofBooks

#SugarRushReadathon @bookwormjillk

#LittenListen @Aperfectmjk

#Adventathon @BookmarkTavern

1283 +5 = 1288 total points for readathons.

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious
380 points

Merry Christmas everyone!

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious

#WGWordsearch total: 1200
My Christmas books I read this week didn't have many Christmassy words. However, I thoroughly enjoyed all of them.

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious

#WintersolsticeReadathon @liseworks

#SnickerdoodleReadathon @bookwormjillk

#LittenListen @Aperfectmjk

#Adventathon @BookmarkTavern

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious

230 pts
Favorite of the week: Every Time a Bell Rings

#Goodreads #GoodreadsYearInBooks
#ReadingStats
I'm up to 125 Read now on goodreads. I always enjoy reviewing my stats at the end of the year!

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious
#WGWordsearch total: 1800

Two of my books were not searchable with Google Books. Oh well.

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious

#MidDecemberReadathon @liseworks
#LittenListen @Aperfectmjk
#Adventathon @BookmarkTavern

540 points for readathons this week.

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious @liseworks

305 pts
Favorite of the week: Christmas with the Queen

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious

#ChristmasCardReadathon @liseworks

530 pts
#LittenListen @Aperfectmjk

#Adventathon @BookmarkTavern

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious

#WGWordSearch total 7660

Only 50% of my books were able to be previewed/ searched in Google Books. Still a pretty good total.

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious @LiseWorks 600pts +35 early bird points
Readathon points have not been added yet.
#LittenListen @Aperfectmjk
#Adventathon @BookmarkTavern
This is what I have so far. I'll do my word search tally tomorrow for these.
My favorite of the week was A Christmas Memory! That one had me in tears. 5 stars🎄

#MiddleGradeMonday @Karisimo

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious
#ThisorThat #EarlyBirdPoints

#WinterGames #WinterGames2024 #ChristmasChapterChasers @StayCurious
#earlybirdpoints
#DecemberTBR (as of now subject to change😁)
#ChristmasReads
#SeasonalCozies @JulieClair I think I'll go with the tagged book for December.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead @BarbaraJean

#WeeklyForecast. I plan on finishing Piece Like a River. I'm loving it so far
#BookReport after not reading much in October since hurricane Helene hit. I'm finally getting back in the swing of things this month.

For #NFN #nonfictionNovember I read The Foundling and Under the Banner of Heaven (not pictured)

I had three four-star reads and two five-star reads.

#Appalachianstrong #foreshadowing
This book was written before the hurricane that destroyed many parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
Thank you to the author for donating all proceeds of this book to Hurricane Helene relief!

I now have power and water.🙌 internet service is still down. This is week 3 I have been unable to work. ( I work from home)

Thank you to everyone who has donated, prayed or volunteered to help in any way.

5🌟
I know a lot of people are tired of World War II fiction, but not me. I always tend to find ones from a different perspective that I haven't read before. I loved this one with 4 POVs set on the British home front. It has reconciliation and a little romance as well.

I've been offline since Thursday so I have to catch up on all my reviews. ( see my previous post)

#BookedInTime 1970s South Africa September 2024
@cuilin @dabbe

This was a compelling story that I really enjoyed and was very well done. The only reason I took off a star was I just didn't like Robin. Even though she did redeem herself a little at the end.

4🌟
When I read this book last week, I had no idea that my hometown was going to face the ravages of a hurricane. Please remember Western North Carolina in your prayers as so many have lost loved ones, their homes, businesses, and cars. Many are still without power, water, internet or cell service ( myself included, I'm currently tethered to my mom's iPad) due to catastrophic flooding. I thank God my family and I are safe.

@julieclair #seasonalcozies September 2024

As you can see, I didn't get very far before I bailed on this one. I felt the author was trying too hard to be Southern, plus the main character talks like she was speaking to a 3-year-old.
In Western North Carolina, Appalachian: is pronounced Appa-LATCH-un. Sorry, but the northern pronunciation of this word was driving me crazy.

#MiddleGradeMonday
 @Karisimo.
I read this one 3 years ago for middle grade March: Award Winners Edition.

@Karisimo #MiddleGradeMonday
4🌟 While this is technically not a middle grade, I would recommend it for that age group as well. It's a good introduction to the events of the day.

A classic I love that had me in tears! #MiddlegradeMonday featuring a new kid in town. @Karisimo

@Karisimo somehow I missed this yesterday. I had to choose one of my favorite children's classics.
#MiddleGradeMonday a book set at a boarding school.

#BookedInTime 1946/7 India's Independence August 2024

@cuilin @dabbe

4🌟
The historical aspect of this book was super interesting. It was an emotional read. I was not thrilled with the ending, am I the only one?

#MiddleGradeMonday Share a middle grade read about boat or ocean life. @Karisimo
I read these two for booked in time, last year. One nonfiction and one fiction, about the sinking of the children's ship in World War II.

I watched season 1 of When Hope Calls about a year and a half ago. I'm glad I found this companion novel. The stories were not exactly the same but in a way that makes it more interesting.
I've always enjoyed Oke's novels, since the first time I read the Love Comes Softly series, many years ago.

3.5🌟 #seasonalcozies @julieclair August 2024
The title and the cover art made me think of back to school and all the books.
Great characters, but I was disappointed in the setting. I just didn't feel enough of the Scottish vibes.

#staycationintime #staycationintimeswap #SITS
@Chrissyreadit @DinoMom thanks for hosting.
@Avanders thank you so much for my trip to Germany! I love everything, especially the historical fiction novels! It feels like a #foodandlit theme! Even the candle is food themed. @Catsandbooks and @Texreader check it out.

4.5🎄
#ChristmasinJuly
My favorite Christmas book this month. My theme of sad books continues... however this had a happy ending.

4🎄 #ChristmasinJuly
Why do I keep picking sad Christmas books this month? It's part of the Elm Creek quilt series. However, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone.

#MiddleGradeMonday Featuring a character with disability.
#disability @Karisimo
I highly recommend this one. It was a Schneider Family book award winner and the audiobook also won an award, as well.

4🎄
#ChristmasinJuly I loved the friends to lover's trope. I wasn't expecting so many sad parts in this book. I guess, I shouldn't be surprised, it seems that animal stories always go this route. That's the main reason I knocked off a star.