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Sunday, November 27, 2022

Sunday Post November 27, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 28 2022

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms
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.


I felt good earlier this week but didn't get done all I would have liked.
I did a little cooking  - sloppy joe again since I had left over rolls and meat in the freezer.

I did enjoy Thanksgiving lunch at Cracker Barrel with Heather and her crew. Here is a family picture.


My prayers include prayers for more unity in our nation. And a sense of reverence as we enter this special season of love.

Our temps have been okay this past week.  Temps this coming week look nice at low of 39 to high of 76 with rain in the middle of the week.


This week I enjoyed three more audios. I posted three reviews and my regular Memes.

I visited 16 blogs again last week.
Shout out this week to PINKADOT PAGES. Angie does video game reviews as well as book reviews. Check out her cute blog!

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were the posts last week:
  • ATBR: Audible Book Review: Space Knight by Michael-Scott Earle; Genre: Fantasy, LitRpg, Magic, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  • ATBR: Audio Book Review: Murder in Her Stocking by G. A. McKevett; Genre: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 3.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 3.25.
Finished Reading:
1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)


It Can't Happen Here
by Sinclair Lewis
This was a little disturbing and a good fit for my Vintage Sci Fi read for the year.
Source: 7/10/19 Chirp Purchase $3.99.

Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
Forward audiobook cover art


Forward
Stories of Tomorrow
By: Veronica Roth, Blake Crouch, N. K. Jemisin, Amor Towles, Paul Tremblay, Andy Weir
Narrated by: Evan Rachel Wood, Rosa Salazar, Jason Isaacs, David Harbour, Steven Strait, Janina Gavankar
Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
I listened to this on and off for a month when other audios wouldn't play in the car.
These are all good sci fis.
Source: 3/14/2020 Audible Deal $2.95

Publisher's Summary
For some, it’s the end of the world. For others, it’s just the beginning. With brilliant imagination, today’s most visionary writers point to the future in a collection curated by bestselling author Blake Crouch. These stories range from darkly comic to deeply chilling, but they all look forward. Featuring stories by Andy Weir, Amor Towles, Veronica Roth, N. K. Jemisin, Paul Tremblay, and Blake Crouch; with narration by Evan Rachel Wood, David Harbour, Jason Isaacs, Rosa Salazar, Steven Strait, and Janina Gavankar.

ARK, by Veronica Roth, read by Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)
On the eve of Earth’s destruction, a young scientist discovers something too precious to lose, in a story of cataclysm and hope by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent trilogy.
It’s only two weeks before an asteroid turns home to dust. Though most of Earth has already been evacuated, it’s Samantha’s job to catalog plant samples for the survivors’ unknowable journey beyond. Preparing to stay behind and watch the world end, she makes a final human connection.

SUMMER FROST, by Blake Crouch, read by Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel)
A video game developer becomes obsessed with a willful character in her new project, in a mind-bending exploration of what it means to be human by the New York Times bestselling author of Recursion.
Maxine was made to do one thing: die. Except the minor non-player character in the world Riley is building makes her own impossible decision - veering wildly off course and exploring the boundaries of the map. Soon Riley has all new plans for her spontaneous AI, including bringing Max into the real world. But what if Max has real-world plans of her own?

EMERGENCY SKIN, by N. K. Jemisin, read by Jason Isaacs (Star Trek: Discovery)
What will become of our self-destructed planet? The answer shatters all expectations in this subversive speculation from the Hugo Award-winning author of the Broken Earth trilogy.
An explorer returns to gather information from a climate-ravaged Earth that his ancestors, and others among the planet’s finest, fled centuries ago. The mission comes with a warning: a graveyard world awaits him. But so do those left behind - hopeless and unbeautiful wastes of humanity who should have died out ages ago. Get in. Get out. And try not to stare.

YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION, by Amor Towles, read by David Harbour (Stranger Things)
Nature or nurture? Neither. Discover a bold new way to raise a child in this unsettling story of the near future by the New York Times bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow.
When Sam’s wife first tells him about Vitek, a twenty-first-century fertility lab, he sees it as the natural next step in trying to help their future child get a “leg up” in a competitive world. But the more Sam considers the lives that his child could lead, the more he begins to question the choices he has made in his life.

THE LAST CONVERSATION, by Paul Tremblay, read by Steven Strait (The Expanse)
What’s more frightening: Not knowing who you are? Or finding out? A Bram Stoker Award-winning author explores the answer in a chilling story about human consciousness.

Imagine you’ve woken up in an unfamiliar room with no memory of who you are, how you got there, or where you were before. All you have is the disconnected voice of an attentive caretaker. Dr. Kuhn is there to help you - physically, emotionally, and psychologically. She’ll make sure you reclaim your lost identity. Now answer one question: Are you sure you want to?

RANDOMIZE, by Andy Weir, read by Janina Gavankar (True Blood)
In the near future, if Vegas games are ingeniously scam-proof, then the heists have to be too, in this imaginative and whip-smart story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.
An IT whiz at the Babylon Casino is enlisted to upgrade security for the game of keno and its random-number generator. The new quantum computer system is foolproof. But someone on the inside is no fool. For once the odds may not favor the house.
©2019 Ark © 2019 by Veronica Roth. Summer Frost © 2019 by Blake Crouch. Emergency Skin © 2019 by N. K. Jemisin. You Have Arrived at Your Destination © 2019 by Amor Towles. The Last Conversation © 2019 by Paul Tremblay. Randomize © 2019 by Andy Weir. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.



3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
You Can Thank Me Later audiobook cover art


You Can Thank Me Later, A Novella
By: Kelly Harms
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 10-31-19
This is a story of grief and love.
Source: 11/25/19 Free Audible Originals.

Click on book title for full description.



Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (A2022)


The Cowboys of Copper Mountain: A Christmas Collection
By: Katherine Garbera, Jane Porter, Melissa McClone
Narrated by: Loretta Rawlins
Series: Copper Mountain Christmas, Book 1-2
Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
I have enjoyed two of these and actually slowed down to enjoy the rest.
Source: 11/7/22 Audible Plus Catalog.

Publisher's Summary
Three novellas and an unforgettable short story, now available together in one festive package!
"A Cowboy for Christmas" by Katherine Garbera. Annie Prudhomme never expected to be back in Marietta, Montana, and her family is fond of reminding her that she left them and the town behind in search of better things. A humiliating divorce that cost her everything she'd gained has driven her back home, and her family isn't about to welcome her back into the fold. She's in town to rebuild the old home that she inherited and to move on once again.
"Christmas at Copper Mountain" by Jane Porter. Since the loss of her family in a plane crash, Harley Diekerhoff has led a quiet life and keeps to herself. Taking the temporary job at the Copper Mountain Ranch as widower Brock Sheenan's housekeeper seems perfect for her. But her calm cocoon is invaded with the arrival of Brock's preteen twins, Mack and Molly, who've never experienced a proper Christmas, and before she knows it Harley's determined to make their holiday perfect.
"Home for Christmas" by Melissa McClone. Ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Rachel Murphy loves the scent of gingerbread baking almost as much as she enjoys creating custom edible houses at Christmastime. But she needs a bigger kitchen if she wants to make the most of her impromptu holiday business. Enter Nate Vaughn, handsome venture capitalist turned Montana dude ranch owner - and her brother's boss.
"Mistletoe Magic" by Melissa McClone. Spending a quiet Christmas housesitting and reading novels about hot cowboys sounds perfect to Caitlin. Until a stray kitten brings her face to face with Noah, her crush from college. Watching the handsome vet in action melts Caitlin's heart and brings back long-forgotten emotion. She would be safer back at the house, lost in the pages of a book. But a toe-curling mistletoe kiss tempts her to stay. Maybe she won't be spending this Christmas...alone.
©2013 Home For Christmas 2013 Melissa McClone. Christmas at Copper Mountain 2013 Jane Porter. (P)2015 Audible Inc.



2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)


Venus Plus X
By: Theodore Sturgeon
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins
I picked this for a "V" title. It sounds interesting to me.
Source: 12/2020 Audible Plus Catalog.

Publisher's Summary
Charlie Johns has been snatched from his home and delivered to the future world of Ledom, where violence is a vague, improbable notion and technology has triumphed over hunger, overpopulation, pollution, and even time and space. But there is a change Charlie finds even more shocking: gender is a thing of the past. This is a civilization in which tensions between male and female and the human preoccupation with sex no longer exist.
Charlie finds that the human precepts he holds dear are profane in this new world. But has Charlie learned all there is to know about this advanced society? And why are the Ledom people so intent on gaining Charlie's approval?
Unsettling, compelling, and no less than visionary, Venus Plus X is Theodore Sturgeon's brilliant, original, and insightful speculation on gender and civilization.
©1988 The Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.


I very likely will listen to a nonfiction next but I haven't chosen which one.

November 27, 2022 - I am continuing up to date and love that I learn new things each time I read/listen to the scriptures. I get excited watching the devotion videos. The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read/listen to the pieces each day.
No new study this past week.


I read three audio titles and reviewed three. So I still have 5 books to review (plus 7 children's books). I keep working on these. :-)

NETGALLEY STATUS--
Back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and 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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review titles this week.
I hadn't picked up any books until I saw the Black Friday Sale at Audible. I've started with 5 that total $6.95.
One free Kindle title this week.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
NONE

Won
NONE

Purchased
11/27/2022 Five titles on sale at Audible – two series I like and three series to try. Total $6.95; all $.99 except Ghost Hunter Next Door which was $2.99.
Exit Strategy Audiobook By Martha Wells cover art
Exit Strategy
By: Martha Wells
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins


Christmas at The Grange Audiobook By T E Kinsey cover art
Christmas at The Grange
A Lady Hardcastle Mystery
By: T E Kinsey
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 2 hrs and 5 mins


Long Road to Survival Audiobook By Lee Bradford, William H. Weber cover art
Long Road to Survival
The Prepper Series, Book 1
By: Lee Bradford, William H. Weber
Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Length: 4 hrs and 2 mins


The Ghost Hunter Next Door Audiobook By Danielle Garrett cover art
The Ghost Hunter Next Door
Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries, Book 1
By: Danielle Garrett
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins


River of Teeth Audiobook By Sarah Gailey cover art
River of Teeth
River of Teeth Series, Book 1
By: Sarah Gailey
Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 4 hrs and 1 min


Free
11/23/2022
Trial by Sorcery: A Young Adult Fantasy Adventure (Dragon Riders of Osnen Book 1)
by Richard Fierce



One new title added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

7 comments:

  1. What a happy photo!

    Wishing you a great reading week

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the family pic on Thanksgiving! Enjoy your reading this week.
    Mary @Bookfan

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, dear! I didn't need to know about that Audible Black Friday Sale. How will I resist temptation? Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Cowboys of Copper Mountain sure looks good. I like Jane Porter's books. I hope you have a great week, Martha.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your outing looks like fun! I will join you in praying for unity and reverence.

    The Cowboys of Copper Mountain looks wonderful. Hope you enjoy your reading week.

    https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2022/11/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-and_01848838165.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. I must check out Audible Plus for the Copper Mountain series. Lovely family photo, great that you have such youth about you. Important prayer intention, we need that everywhere. Take care Martha.

    ReplyDelete
  7. A new Martha Wells! I so need to try her writing. Enjoy these goodies

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are always appreciated!