Sunday Post November 22, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 23, 2020

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.

Staff training is continuing this week.
I wrapped up two probates and one litigation file but will open new files this week.

There is a big bunny I spot about once a week but he is too fast to get a picture of.
This morning I share a picture of my Friday morning breakfast surprise - homemade sticky buns. (Hubby ignores that I need to lose weight but he is sooo sweet to make me breakfasts: Saturday was waffles and this morning oatmeal.)

Temps are a bit warmer this week from 79 high to 54 low.

I enjoyed my listening this week. I finished three audiobooks. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited only 14 blogs last week. I hope to do better this week.
Shout Out this week to Fundimental. Sherry says she blogs because: "I want to be able to share my love of books and help people when they are looking for their next book." (It sounds like she doesn't live too many hours from me in the Florida Panhandle.)

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post November 15, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 16, 2020.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn; Genre: Christian, Christmas Romance, Holiday, Military Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 20, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/26/2020.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas, Three Stories by Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace, and Scarlett Dunn; Genre: American Historical Romance, Christmas, Western; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 22, 2020.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (NG2020)

Cover Your Tracks
By: Daco Auffenorde
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
This is a good psychological suspense.
Source: Received from NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (NG2020)

A Long Road on a Short Day
by Gary D. Schmidt, Elizabeth Stickney, Eugene Yelchin (Illustrator)
This is a charming little story.
Source: 2020 NetGalley Audio.
A tender story of a father-son adventure with themes of community and kindness, in short chapters with vivid full-color illustrations, by bestseller and Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt and acclaimed artist Eugene Yelchin.
In a story of perseverance and determination told with warmth and sparkling with humor, a short winter day finds Samuel and Papa walking a long road on Samuel's first trading trip. Meeting strangers, practicing good manners, and proud to be in Papa's company, Samuel watches and learns as Papa trades up from almost nothing to the milk cow Mama is yearning for. Simple text combines with vivid illustrations for a satisfying tale that will resonate with readers who enjoy an adventure with dad.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Wool
Silo, #1; Wool, #1-5
By: Hugh Howey
Narrated by: Amanda Sayle
Series: The Silo Saga, Book 1
Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
I enjoyed this creative dystopian sci fi. (For #SciFi Month.)
Source: 2017 Audible Daily Deal $3.95.

Currently Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Christmas in Sugarcreek: A Christmas Seasons of Sugarcreek Novel
Written By: Shelley Shepard Gray
Narrated By: Robynn Rodriguez
Duration: 5 hours 54 minutes
  This multiple Christmas romances story is moving quickly.
Source: 2019 Audiobooks.com sale $3.99.
Summary:
The beloved characters Shelley Shepard Gray created for her bestselling Seasons of Sugarcreek series are back in Christmas in Sugarcreek—a heartwarming story of the magic of Christmastime and the blossoming of an unlikely love in a close-knit Amish community. Obedient daughter Judith Graber finds herself becoming uncomfortably enamored of the help her father has hired to assist in the store during the holidays: Ben Knox, as scandalous a bad boy as they come in staid and quiet Sugarcreek. Author of the immensely popular Sisters of the Heart novels, Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the true masters of Amish inspirational fiction, and Christmas in Sugarcreek is a delightful holiday treat for all lovers of Christian romance—especially fans of Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, and Cindy Woodsmall.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Stars My Destination
By: Alfred Bester
Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 12-05-17
I am fitting this in for Vintage Sci Fi.
Source: 6/12/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
Marooned in outer space after an attack on his ship, Nomad, Gulliver Foyle lives to obsessively pursue the crew of a rescue vessel that had intended to leave him to die.
When it comes to pop culture, Alfred Bester (1913-1987) is something of an unsung hero. He wrote radio scripts, screenplays, and comic books (in which capacity he created the original Green Lantern Oath). But Bester is best known for his science fiction novels, and The Stars My Destination may be his finest creation. With its sly potshotting at corporate skullduggery, The Stars My Destination seems utterly contemporary, and has maintained its status as an underground classic for over 50 years.
©1956 Alfred Bester; copyright renewed 1984 by Alfred Bester; special restored text of this edition copyright 1996 by the Estate of Alfred Bester; Introduction copyright 1996 by Neil Gaiman (P)2017 Tantor.

3. Print (Author2020)

The Prepared Investor: How to Prevent the Next Crisis from Affecting Your Financial Independence
by Christopher Manske
I am making good progress and plan to finish this week.
Source: I was pleased when the author offered this for my review.
Click on book title for full description.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. These are the letters that remain:
NETGALLEY:  H  M  U  X  Y and Z
AUDIO:             X  and  Z

November 22, 2020 - I continue enjoying reading first thing each morning, even this week while away.
I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I will finish my third Thanksgiving study tonight: The Blessing Devotional Plan by Kari Jobe.
I've really liked it! I'm not sure which I will start next.

I completed three books, posted two reviews and I remain up to date.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three remaining titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to may not read this year as the ebooks are taking longer to read. I need to read 5 more NetGalley titles to reach my 2020 goal so I think I will be picking up another audio and maybe a shorter ebook or two.
I have added no new author review titles this week. I still have one carry over author ebook left in my queue. (Plus a few that I received from newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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.
I am looking at more NetGalley but didn't get any yet.
Someday I'll check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I bought two audios at Chirp and 2 for 1 with a credit at Audiobooks.com.
Eighteen free Kindle titles this week (several were history as I hit one and it lead to others).
(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

I am looking at NetGalley titles - have three in mind.

Won

NONE

Purchased

Two titles from Chirp for $.99 each; both new to me authors.

Freedom in the Mountain Wind
Written by Misty M. Beller
Narrated by Leonor A Woodworth

A Bargain For A Bride
Written by Amelia Rose
Narrated by Charles D. Baker

Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com; one new to me author.

A Stranger's Secret
Written By: Laurie Alice Eakes
Narrated By: Laura Kirman

Freedom's Light
Written By: Colleen Coble
Narrated By: Devon Oday

Free

Eighteen free Kindle titles this week. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.