Sunday Post September 29, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 30, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This was a better week althugh my secretary had a sick child in office several days and our clerk was out three days due to another death in her family.
I have the appointment with the eye specialist this week so I get to know what is best to do.
Our weather is hot, in the 90s again. We've prayed for rain and cooler weather.

I had a good week of reading/listening. We've ordered a new battery for my Kindle so I hope that will help. It should be in this week. I finished four audiobooks and one NetGalley. I posted two reviews on the blog and one on Goodreads. Also comments on another in the book highlight. I also posted the usual memes.

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to The Bookish Libra. Suzanne is a bookworm, a 40-something lover of books (eclectic tastes) who also happens to be a wife and soccer mom.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 22, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 23, 2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood; Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Literary Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 27, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/03/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Remnant (Left Behind #10) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins; Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Religious Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR- Goodreads Review: Light in August Free Bonus: Faulkner in 5 Minutes! by Audible Staff, Oliver Wyman Narrator; Genre: NonFiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 29, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Genesis
By: Ken Lozito
Narrated by: Scott Aiello
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
This was a fast paced colony sci fi.
I'm still working on the TBR.
Source: 8/30/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
By: Jordan Sonnenblick
Narrated by: Joel Johnstone
Series: Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
This is a surprisingly touching listen!
Source: 4/30/2017 Audible Daily Deal $1.95.
Publisher's Summary
Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost): He plays drums in the All-Star Jazz Band, has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn’t know he’s alive), frequently finds himself sitting across from his school counselor (who bribes him with candy), and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute). Oh, Steven has parents, too (the kind that embarrass him). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven’s world is turned upside down as he is forced to deal with his brother’s illness, his parents’ attempts to keep the family in one piece, the band, overdue homework, girls, and of course, Dangerous Pie (yes, you have to listen to the book to find out what that is).
In a debut that has won raves, Jordan Sonnenblick digs deep into the heart of a family in crisis with humor, hope, and impressive sensitivity.
©2005 Jordan Sonnenblick (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Free College, Dude
By: The Wall Street Journal
Narrated by: Alexander Quincy
Length: 5 mins
No review but my summary is here.
Source: 9/9/2017 Free Audible.
This article discusses the problems with the "free college" plan as put forth by Hillary Clinton. Several points: although college tuition might be free, room and board are not and are not affordable for the less wealthy. Also, the college may be free to attend but the cost will be paid back by the recipient for years through taxes. The article noted that when Pell grants were increased (under President Obama), college prices also increased canceling out the advantage of the increases.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Light in August Free Bonus: Faulkner in 5 Minutes!
by Audible Staff
Oliver Wyman, Narrator
I enjoyed this quick listen. My review is linked above.
Source: 9/9/2017 Free Audible.
Publisher's Summary
William Faulkner: a titan of American literature. You probably already know all about his life and work, right? No? Don’t sweat it! In five minutes, we’ll bring you up to speed on this national treasure. First, we’ll fill you in on a few key facts about his career, and then we’ll hit five important aspects of his writing that are guaranteed to impress friends, family, and potential dates.
Faulkner in 5 Minutes! was written by a humble group of Faulkner fans from the Audible staff. We hope you enjoy this short piece and that it helps you get a little more out of Faulkner.
Be sure to check out our incredible performances of Faulkner’s Light in August and The Wild Palms now.
©2010 Audible, Inc. (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

5. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Storm Rising
by Ronie Kendig
I totally enjoyed this intense, complex suspense.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on the book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Death in the English Countryside
Murder on Location Series, Book 1
By: Sara Rosett
Narrated by: Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Series: Murder on Location Series, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
I've enjoyed how this has started.
Source: 9/29/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
Location scout and Jane Austen aficionado Kate Sharp is thrilled when the company she works for lands the job of finding locations for a new film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, but then her boss, Kevin, fails to return from a scouting trip to England. Kate travels to England to salvage Kevin's and the company's reputation before word gets out that he is missing.
Things go from bad to worse when Kate arrives in Nether Woodsmoor, a quaint village of golden stone cottages and rolling green hills, only to find no trace of Kevin except his abandoned luggage. Even the rumpled, easygoing local scout they consulted, Alex, doesn't know where Kevin might be.
Increasingly worried about Kevin and with an antsy director waiting for updates about the preproduction details, Kate embarks on a search that includes a pub-crawl and cozy cottages as well as stately country manors. But Kevin remains missing, and she begins to suspect that the picturesque village and beautiful countryside may not be as idyllic as they seem.
©2014 Sara Rosett (P)2018 Tantor

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

May It Be So Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer
by Justin McRoberts; Scott Erickson
Released: September 24, 2019, I was holding off on this but I should have started it in August, not September.
I am looking forward to this.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Combining prayers in two languages--words and images--this contemporary prayer guide will help you spend time in conversation with God.
As people of faith, we all struggle at times to sustain a flourishing prayer life--a loss felt all the more keenly in these times of confusion, political turbulence, and global calamity. This unique book offers a timeless solution for the spiritual and skeptical alike.
Combining story-driven reflections with visual and written prayers, this simple 40-day prayer guide will help you reconnect with God as you rediscover your own ongoing conversation with Him. Using the familiar refrains in the Lord's Prayer as a guide, this groundbreaking resource invites you to reconnect with God creatively and organically.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Fledgling
by Molly Harper
The first book was fun so this should be good too.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
“Molly Harper’s Changeling is masterful fantasy—a spunky Cinderella story with a heroine who’s equal parts compassion, determination, and pure magical delight.” —Rachel Vincent, author of the Soul Screamers series and The Stars Never Rise, on Changeling
Days away from completing her first year at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies, Changeling-born Sarah Smith might just get away with posing as an upper-class Guardian girl named Cassandra Reed.
But strange visions of a Lightbourne destroyed by Miss Morton’s revenant army keep Sarah from enjoying her achievement. Plus, the Mother Book, Sarah’s one secret advantage and the ultimate entrée in Guardian society, suddenly stops revealing itself to her…putting her in a precarious position with the Guild. On top of all that, her former lady’s maid left Miss Castwell’s, and the new hire is, well, taking some getting used to.
If it weren’t for her two best friends, Alicia McCray and Ivy Cowel, who will do anything to protect her secret, Sarah doesn’t know if she’ll make it another year. When the three girls take summer holiday with Alicia’s family (chaperoned by an exacting and very disapproving Mrs. McCray), a relaxing vacation in Scotland is the last thing they’ll find.
Mrs. Winter is thrilled that Sarah is spending time with the influential McCray family, but Sarah can’t help but feel that her real purpose is to find other Changeling children like her, and free them to realize their own magic. Can she find genuine satisfaction in her accomplishments when she knows there are others like her out there who need her help? Will the three girls uncover the deeply-held secrets they’re looking for in the mysterious mountains of Scotland? Will the Mother Book finally start talking to her again? And will Sarah come to understand the importance of her connection with Ivy and Alicia, and the true nature of her own power…before it’s too late?

One Paris Summer
by Denise Grover Swank
On hold for now while I read some of my NetGalley titles. Then I'll give it a little more time.
Click on book title for full description.

I'm continuing to pick titles from my list of TBR audiobooks under 10 hours.
I am deciding as I get to the next one although I have lined up some for Fraterfest (October 10-15).


September 29, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I finished a 5-day study this week: Flourish In Identity and plan to start a new plan tonight or Monday. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed five books and posted three reviews. I have three reviews to post this week.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible. (Eventually, I will add older reviews.)
No change to author queue again this week.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 8 unread. My last feedback ratio was 93% which may be the best I'll ever get to unless adding a few more reviews/feedback ups that. I am now starting titles I received in July. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I have three author ebook titles left in queue. I plan to get caught up on these too- I better start soon.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.]

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No new review titles.
I remembered to pick a free Amazon Prime book this month. 
Seven audios: two at Chirp; three Audiobook.com (one free) and two free Audible Originals.
I downloaded 20 free kindle titles this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.) Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

9/22/19 Chirp Audio Deal Purchase $1.99:
The Life We Bury
By: Allen Eskens
Narrated by: Zach Villa
Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
I was interested in this suspense and the price is right!


9/22/19 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit - Two Romantic Suspense titles:
Hide and Seek
By Mary Burton
Narrated By: Christina Traister
Duration: 9 h 57 min
I like this author's work.


The Anatomist's Wife
By Anna Lee Huber
Narrated By: Heather Wilds
Duration: 11 h 47 min
This sounded good too.


9/27/19 Chirp $1.99
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
Written by Dianne Freeman
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman
This sounds like another historical mystery I will like.



Received 9/27/19:

I got a good deal on these three items-- 2/3rds the final price was shipping. The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis is our Ladies Book Club reading this month.
The two books are books 1 and 4 of The Seven Sleeper Series set that I've had on my shelf waiting to fill in the gaps. Now I have all 10.

Free

September Prime First Reads

The Dressmaker's Gift 
by Fiona Valpy





9/22/19 Audiobooks.com September VIP
Ungifted
By Gordon Korman
Narrated By: Richard Poe, Andy Paris, Andrea Gallo, Jonathan Todd Ross, Celeste Ciulla, Suzy Jackson, Erin Moon, Mark Turetsky
Duration: 6 h 16 min
This sounds fun.

September Two Free Audible Originals:
The Sisters
By: Dervla McTiernan
Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 09-05-19



Body of Proof
An Audible Original
By: Darrell Brown, Sophie Ellis
Narrated by: Darrell Brown, Sophie Ellis
Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 09-05-19

I picked up 20 free titles at Kindle this week to add to my Kindle library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 29, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher shared some “God-incidences” (not coincidences) that are discussed in Jonathan Chan’s new book the Oracle. We agreed that God uses ordinary people, even non-believers, to accomplish and fulfill His plans.

We shared communion in church service. Then Pastor proceeded to complete his series: Culture Shift. Last week he reminded us that our Hope must be on a firm foundation. This week he noted how we are often challenged to make a decision right now: there is a limited supply; this may be the last one or the last chance. Advertising leans to pressure for instant gratification.

Long-range plans used to be ten, even thirty years. Now long-range is considered to be two to five years! Christians have a view of time in terms of eternity. There is an ongoing tension in choices between now or long time.

Sin is a willful disregard of eternity. Jesus tells his disciples that he must go away, to His Father, so he can prepare a place for them and return for them. John 14:3.

Eternity is imminent.

In light of that, how do we live? We may need to be ready to suffer too. 1 Peter 4:3. Christians in Iran are growing. They have no building but in their hearts. They are living lives at risk. If you have suffered for Christ, you are finished to sin.

The Point: Setting you mind on eternity shapes every decision and every priority in your life.

Eternity should move us to prayer; dedicate yourself to love which covers a multitude of sins; use your gifts to serve on another. 1 Peter 4:7-10.

We have been collecting offerings this month for Fire Bible to serve people in Serbia. Skipping a meal out and giving a $10.00 gift of a Fire Bible is an investment in eternity.

I went to my pages of songs and this is one that I found that fits well.

I got chills listening to it even though this isn’t my usual choice of music.

1 Peter 4:7-10 (NIV)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.


Lord, please help me to keep my eye on eternity and not things of this temporary world.

Audible Book Review: The Remnant (Left Behind #10) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins

I was surprised how I jumped right into the story.

The Remnant
(Left Behind #10)
by Tim LaHaye
Narrated by: Jack Sondericker
Series: Left Behind [Abridged], Book 10
Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
Abridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-05-15
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Religious Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

The Great Tribulation unfolds as the forces of evil and the armies of God prepare for mankind's ultimate battle. Millions of Christians are protected by God as the anger of the Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia, burns against them.

Review:
The Remnant is the 10th book in the Left Behind series. The series begins with a handful of characters who are left behind when their loved ones disappear with many other Christians. That is when the star characters realize that the Godly messages they were told, but didn’t believe, were true. Many of them gather together establish the Tribulation Force to fight the coming lawlessness and rise of the antichrist.

The Remnant picks up right where the last book, Desecration, left off. The personable and powerful Antichrist, Carpathia, is gleefully about to eliminate the believers at Petra by dropping nuclear bombs on them. The Christian leaders, known as The Believers, are still involved in spreading the message of God’s salvation. They are prepared to die if that is what God has in store for them.

The antichrist team is unaware that there is a Christian spy in the New Babylon headquarters. This one man is able to coordinate aid to the believers who are spread around the world. His inside information may save the lives of many although even he can’t stop a bomb. But someone he knows can -- the supernatural hand of God.

It really has been years since I read the early books in the series. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly the characters and plot were brought back to my mind. I like the action that is a large part of the story. There were scene shifts, for example from Jordan to Chicago, which are only distinguished by the change in characters. I had to get used to recognizing those changes. This would be more difficult to follow for anyone not familiar with the series, but I would recommend this to those who have read the series.

Audio Notes: Jack Sondericker does a fine job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters. This version was abridged and there were occasional moments in the presentation that seemed to jump from one scene to another which I suspect were portions of the longer story bypassed. That did not hurt the story for me. I was fine listening to the abridged audio.

Source: 2003 Audible. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 27, 2019

Happy Friday! Well - it was another week running catch-up. My assistant was out Monday and part of Wednesday with a sick child. Our clerk had a death in her family and missed three days. Tomorrow is a day of end of month closings so no mailings again. :-( I am so sorry.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the September 20, 2019 Pick. There was one automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.
BN100 gets Siren's Song

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 20, 2019 Pick:
MYSTICA gets a GC
and
MARYP gets a GC.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Have you read any banned books this week/year?
I was rather surprised by some of the books on the challenged list.
Image found at ALA.

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

PAIRS:
Joan Johnston The Bodyguard and The Bridegroom
Nora Roberts: The MacGregor Grooms (1998) and The MacGregor Brides (1997)
SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Dawn Encounter by Jennifer Blake
Flame Lily by Candace Camp (spine creasing)
The Wedding Promise by Carolyn Davidson
The Devil's Daughter by Lara Drewry
Touch of Texas by Tracy Garrett (now Texas Gold)
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
Innocent as Sin by Elizabeth Lowell (hardback)
Tempt Me by Lucy Monroe
Abandon by Carla Neggers
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forged in Steel by Maya Banks
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Eco-Sisters: The Car by P. Ryan Hembree and Mary Ann Gustin
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Murder at Granite Falls by Roxanne Rustand
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes
SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Homecoming
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
James Patterson NYPD Red 2 and NYPD Red 3
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring by Jillian Hart
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,276+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

Audible Book Review: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

I have mixed reactions to this.
The Handmaid's Tale
By: Margaret Atwood
Narrated by: Claire Danes

Series: The Handmaid's Tale, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-01-12
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Literary Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Audie Award, Fiction, 2013
Margaret Atwood's popular dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale explores a broad range of issues relating to power, gender, and religious politics. Multiple Golden Globe award-winner Claire Danes (Romeo and Juliet, The Hours) gives a stirring performance of this classic in speculative fiction, one of the most powerful and widely read novels of our time.
After a staged terrorist attack kills the President and most of Congress, the government is deposed and taken over by the oppressive and all-controlling Republic of Gilead. Offred, now a Handmaid serving in the household of the enigmatic Commander and his bitter wife, can remember a time when she lived with her husband and daughter and had a job, before she lost even her own name. Despite the danger, Offred learns to navigate the intimate secrets of those who control her every move, risking her life in breaking the rules in hopes of ending this oppression.
Cover Art by Fred Marcellino. Used with permission of Pippin Properties, Inc.
Explore more titles performed by some of the most celebrated actors in the business in Audible’s Star-Powered Listens collection.
©1985 Margaret Atwood (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Before she was named Offred (her non-identity name), she used to have a job, a husband and a child. One day all the working women were fired, their funds frozen and given into the control of a male. Fearing their child will be taken away, her husband and she tried to sneak out of town with their child. They are caught and separated.

Now Offred is part of the first generation of women who are relegated to certain limited tasks: society spouse of a privileged leader, housekeeper (a ‘Martha’), a housemaid, a handmaiden to serve as a surrogate to birth children for the society women, or a unwoman sent to struggle to survive in the colonies. Offred has had a healthy child and is young enough to have more so she is assigned to be a handmaiden.

She is moving into a new family with a high-ranking Commander and his wife. She hopes they will be nice but instead finds he is taciturn and the wife is bitter, most likely jealous. If Offred can become pregnant all will be pleased and she will secure her future. If she does not become pregnant then she may become an unwoman.

The society and Offred’s traumatic situation is revealed through her journal entries as though they are contemporaneous although they cannot be as such thoughts are not allowed to be voiced. The handmaidens are not allowed to talk to others except in limited situations and certainly, they are not allowed to have paper and pen, much less write out their thoughts.

Offred’s trauma and confliction are understandable since she lived in a free America before the violent overthrow. She struggles not knowing what has happened to her family and her best friend. Slowly she learns about a quiet underground rebellion but how can she know who to trust? There are plenty of secret lives behind the public ones and Offred becomes embroiled in the secrets despite the great risks. The intrigues build until an anticipated unmasking that comes with twists in the final consequences.

The tasks of women in this society seemed to be justified by twisted views from biblical teachings, however, it is never explained how these views became so skewed. The story presents some moral dilemmas which are thought-provoking. It is engaging although difficult emotionally. Reading the book blurb gives a quick history of the government overthrow which I don’t recall being explained until the informative Historical Notes which is basically the epilogue.

I was pulled in from the start by the beautiful writing prose. The story is focused on Offred and Atwood builds a strong conflicted character. However – apparently intentionally -- Atwood fails to fill out where the society goes. It isn’t clear what happens to Offred, much less the rest of the women in this horrible world. I was disappointed by all of the questions left unexplained at the end. It isn’t clear to me that Offred’s story is wrapped up in the sequel. I’m not sure how to recommend this except to say that it is a dark dystopia and many readers really liked it.

Audio Notes: Claire Danes’ superb narration enhances this unhappy tale. She delivers the work as though she is there reading, if not writing, the thoughts. The emotional delivery captures the depression and repressed anger and frustration. I am glad that I listened to this to this and do recommend the audio if you are planning to read this.

Source: 11/25/18 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post September 22, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 23, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress).

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Last week was rather stressful. Two of the staff were out for two days which had me juggling their work as well as my own. Tuesday I had an eye appointment and I was totally wiped out after the doc dilated both eyes, shone really bright lights in my eyes and poked a bit. (I have an appointment with a specialist in two weeks.) I came home and went to bed after dinner. Wednesday we had a kick off function at church. When we got home I went to bed. So for those two nights I didn't even turn on the computer at night.

Here are our pets -- Bear, Princess and Tiger Lily -- at the chef's feet!

Our weather has cooled at least in the evenings - lows are 65 with highs in the 90s.

I had a slower week of reading/listening. Reading on my battery deficient Kindle is still slowing me down. I finished three audiobooks. I posted three reviews on the blog and one on Godreads. I also posted the usual memes.

I visited 20 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books. Michelle has a striking blog and introduces herself: "I spend lots of my time reading, and blogging. I am not super young, but not old either, but am young at heart, and still enjoy YA books too."
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 15, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 16, 2019.

• A2019- Audio Book Review: Cyclone, Linear Tactical Series, by Janie Crouch; Genre: Military, Romance, Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 20, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/26/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle; Genre: Adventure, Classic, Historical, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Am Legend by Richard Matheson; Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Sci Fi, Vintage; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR- Goodreads Review: Skunk Hour by Robert Lowell; Genre: Poetry; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #378 Comment Giveaway September 21, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/5/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 22, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Handmaid's Tale
By: Margaret Atwood
Narrated by: Claire Danes
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
I have mixed reactions to this (check the review this week).
Source: 11/25/18 Audible Sale $5.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Remnant
(Left Behind #10)
by Tim LaHaye
Narrated by: Jack Sondericker
Abridged version 3hrs and 4 mins.
(Link is to an unabridged version.)
I have had this for a long time to continue the series.
I was surprised how I jumped right into the story.
Source: 2003 Audible.
The Great Tribulation unfolds as the forces of evil and the armies of God prepare for mankind's ultimate battle. Millions of Christians are protected by God as the anger of the Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia, burns against them.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

This American Life: Another Frightening Show About the Economy;
58min 2009
I found this interesting even though it was for a financial crisis ten years ago. 
Source: 2009 Audible Free download. 

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (eB2019)

One Paris Summer
by Denise Grover Swank
I'm not sure if I will finish this or not.
This sort of YA is not my thing.
I'll give it a little more time.
Ladies Book Club discussed this on 9/21/19.
Source: Print books discounted through Christianbook.com. I picked up the Kindle version this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Genesis
By: Ken Lozito
Narrated by: Scott Aiello
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
This sci fi has started out quickly.
I'm still working on the TBR.
Source: 8/30/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
A mission gone wrong. Innocent lives have been lost.
Escaping wrongful imprisonment wasn't something Connor had in mind, but being put into stasis aboard Earth's first interstellar colony ship was something he couldn't have prepared for.
For 300,000 colonists, the new colony brings the promise of a fresh start...a second chance. Connor might be the wrong man for the colony, but he's the right man to see that it survives what's coming.
A new world with new challenges, but the mission has changed.
If you loved Old Man's War and Ender's Game, you'll love Genesis from First Colony, a new military science fiction series.
©2017 Ken Lozito (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Storm Rising
by Ronie Kendig
(35%) I want to get back to this one.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

I'll continue to pick titles from my list of TBR audiobooks under 10 hours.
I'll decide when I get to the next one.


September 22, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I finished 4 day study this week: Using Your Time for God and plan to start a new plan tonight. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed three books and posted four reviews so that continues to keep me current with reviews.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. (Eventually I will add older reviews.)
No change to NetGalley or author queue again this week.
[My NetGalley shelf is still at 10 unread. I have pulled/read titles released and on my list before July. Next week Soon I expect to start titles I received in July. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I have three author ebook titles left in queue. I plan to get caught up on these too- I better start soon.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.]

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No review titles.
Five audios: two at Chirp; two Audible daily deals and one free at ChristianAudio.
I still have two free September Audible Originals to pick and one Free VIP at Audiobooks.
I downloaded ten free kindle titles this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.) Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

9/16/19 Audible Daily Deal $1.95
I Hear You
The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships
By: Michael S. Sorensen
Narrated by: Michael S. Sorensen
Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins
Release date: 08-16-17
This seems like a worthwhile skill to learn for a small price!

9/19/19 Chirp Audio Deal Purchase $.99
Little Comfort
Written by Edwin Hill
Narrated by Karen White
Run time: 10 hours and 34 minutes
I like the sound of this dark thriller.


9/21/19 Chirp Audio Deal Purchase $1.99:
The Darkling Bride
Written by Laura Andersen
Narrated by Sarah-Jane Drummey
Run time: 12 hours and 2 minutes
This sounds like one I will like - Historical Irish, gothic?, mystery.


9/21/19 Audible Daily Deal $3.95
After the Galaxy: The Unsung
By: Scott Bartlett
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
Release date: 03-27-19
Of course I'm drawn to Space Sci Fi.

Free

9/22/19 ChristianAudio Free book for September, 2019
Fire Road
Kim Phuc Phan Th
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
This might be a hard one to listen to.

I picked up 10 free titles at Kindle this week to add to my Kindle library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.