MBS 2020 Reading Summary and Top Picks

MBS (Martha's Bookshelf) Year in Review

36,419  pages read; 155 books read Martha

NetGalley - reached 95% feedback ration (before loading up for 2021).

2020 Goal Summary:
COMPLETED: Goodreads Goal Read: 154 of 150 (+ Bible made 155)
COMPLETED: TBR: 104 of 100 total
COMPLETED: Alphabet on Audio 26 of 26 (using an X in title rather than starting the title)
TBR ebooks: 10 of 24
COMPLETED: Audio: 96 of 75
COMPLETED: NetGalley: 40 of 40
COMPLETED: Author Reviews: 13 of 12
COMPLETED: Nonfiction: 14 of 12
COMPLETED: Seasonal title: Winter 1, Spring 1, Summer 1, Fall 1

New to me Authors: 92

Series to Date: 90 (63 New and 27 Continued) 5 Finished

New to Me series: 63
Continuing series: 27
Series Completed: 5

Wars of the Realm -3(Chuck Black)
Bird and the Sword -2 (Amy Harmon)
Into the End -3 (Bonnie R. Paulson)
Disruption -3 (R.E. McDermott)
Metal and Men -3 (read 1 and 3) Anthony W. Eichenlaub)

Series Up ready to read next book:

Destroymen Series on final book 15
Mercy Thompson on book 12 (current)
Expeditionary Force on book 4 of 14
Commune 2 of 4
Undying Mercenaries on book 5 of 14
The Others on book 2 of 6
and more...

There is some overlap in genres but this is how I broke down the 154.
26 Dystopian and post-apocalyptic
22 Fantasy, including horror, paranormal and urban
20 Children/Middle Grade
19 Sci-Fi
14 NonFiction
13 Romantic, including Christian, Historical and Suspense
12 Mystery, Thriller
10 Cozy Mystery
9 Christian, Inspirational (plus more in NF)
6 Historical Fiction
3 Contemporary (Short Stories, not romance)

My Favorite Reads for 2020:
5 Stars = 7 Listed in the order read.

NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Deep State by Chris Hauty; Genre: Assassination Thriller, Political Thriller, Thriller; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers by Meaghann Weaver, Lori Wiener; Genre: Children, Death and Dying, Illness; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon; Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen; Genre: Business Management, Non Fiction, Self Help; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.

A2020- Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Written in Red: A Novel of the Others by Anne Bishop; Genre: Shape Shifters, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

NG2020- #NetGalley Audiobook Review: A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney; Genre: Children, Family, Farm Animals; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

4.75 Stars = 8

ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Oracle by Jonathan Cahn; Genre: Christian Prophecies, Religion & Spirituality; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Southlands, Lee Harden, Book 2 by D.J. Molles; Genre: Action & Adventure, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Paradigm by Jonathan Cahn; Genre: Christian Prophesy; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.

NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: I've Never Been This Old Before by Stan Toler; Genre: Humor, Inspirational, Self Help; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Spring in Geneva by Sylvia Kelso; Genre: Fantasy, Gothic, Short Story, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Promises to Keep: After the EMP (Disruption Trilogy) by R.E. McDermott; Genre: Alternate History, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: After It Happened by Devon C. Ford; Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

ATBR-Audible Book Review: Thunderhead Arc of a Scythe by Neal Shusterman; Genre: Dystopian, Futuristic, Sci-Fi, Teen and Young Adult; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

4.5 Stars = 38

2019 Reading Summary and Top Picks

Goodreads:

Martha

2019

This is my journey in books for 2019!

TOTALS

I read 45,167 pages across 194 books

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AVERAGE LENGTH 232 pages

MY AVERAGE RATING FOR 2019  4.3

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Here is my 2019 Bible App Snapshot.



2019 Reading Breakdown:
Total Read: 194          Met Goodreads Goal of 150; plus 44;
Total TBR Read: 108 Met TBR Goal: 100; plus 8
Total Audio: 108        Met Audio Goal: 75; plus 33
Total NetGalley: 55   Met NetGalley Goal: 40; plus 15
Total Author or Publicist Reviews: 11 Goal: 12 – short one
eBooks (including TBR and Review, but not NetGalley): 28 Met Goal: 24, plus 4
Nonfiction: 13 Met Nonfiction Goal: 12, plus 1


New Authors: 143
Books in Series: 104
New to Me series: 79
Continuing series: 25
Series Completed: 2
     Sookie Stackhouse
     Charley Davidson
Series Up To Date waiting for next book:
     Destroymen Series
     Mercy Thompson
    and more...

[The totals on these fall are a tad short of the 194 due to some overlap, but they are close enough to give an idea of the genres I read.]
Fantasy, including horror, paranormal and urban: 35
Sci-Fi, including dystopian and post-apocalyptic: 33
Romantic, including Christian, Historical and Suspense: 42
Mystery, Thriller and Cozy: 30
Christian, Inspirational: 7 (plus more in NF)
NonFiction: 16
Children/Middle Grade: 19
Historical Fiction: 7
Contemporary: 4

AND HERE ARE THE MBS FAVORITES of 2019 Reading - listed in order read.
I apparently do a good job of picking titles I like since 41% rate 4.5 stars and higher. :-)
Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2019


Favorites for January:
5.0: Quinn’s Promise Rock
4.5: The Name of the Wind and Half Share

NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Quinn's Promise Rock by Christie Thomas and Sydney Hanson; Children, Christian; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

Favorites for February:
5.0: A Bachelor Establishment and The Bird and the Sword
4.75: An Unexpected Redemption and Ladies of Intrigue
4.5: Forgotten God

ATBR- Audible Book Review: A Bachelor Establishment by Jodi Taylor; Humor, Historical Romance, Regency Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall.

NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: An Unexpected Redemption by Emily Hamsher; Christian, Medieval, Romance; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery by Michelle Griep; Christian Romance, Historical Romance; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

Favorites for March: (No 5 stars but lots of solid 4s.)
4.5 The PVC Pipe Book


Favorites for April:
4.5 Ransomed Dreams and Spec Ops: Expeditionary Force Book 2


Favorites for May:
5.0 The Hope of Azure Springs and The Anatomy of Peace.
4.75: Vigilante Assassin
4.5:Deadly Vows, Storm Cursed 

A2019- Audio Book Review: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham; Christian, Historical Romance, Western; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute; Genre: Relationship, Self Development; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Aeb2018- Book Review: Vigilante Assassin (Jake Wolfe Book 2) by Mark Nolan; Action, Mystery, Thriller; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

Favorites for June:
5.0: The Liturgy of the Ordinary
4.75: The Time Collector
4.5: Finder; Forever in a Moment; The Tale of Despereaux; and Harden: Lee Harden Book 1

A2019- Audio Book Review: Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren; Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, and Spirituality; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The Time Collector by Gwendolyn Womack; Genre: Metaphysical Fiction, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

Favorites for July:
5.0: Kingdom of Exiles
4.5: The Highwayman; Every Last Breath; Monster Hunter Memoirs; The Hashtag Hunt; The Library of Ever; and Fate Morgana

NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym Martineau; Genre: Action and Adventure, Romantic Fantasy; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

Favorites for August:
4.75 title: The Ethereal Squadron and Death Cloud
4.5 titles: No Other Will Do; Preserving Liberty; The Beekeeper's Apprentice; The Lady in the Coppergate Tower; and The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens.

NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The Ethereal Squadron: A Wartime Fantasy (The Sorcerers of Verdun) by Shami Stovall; Genre: Action, Historical Fantasy, Historical Military; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

ATBR- Audio Book Review: Death Cloud by Andrew Lane; Genre: Detective, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult Ages 12+; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.

Favorites for September:
One 5 Star: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Three 4.5 Stars: An Accidental Death, Genesis and Storm Rising.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick; Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Cancer, Diseases, Humor; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Favorites for October: no 5.0 or 4.75 ratings but I had
Eight 4.5 Stars.: Patti Smith; Ghost Talkers; Turned at Dark; Investing Isobella; The End of America; The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice; May It Be So; and October Mourning.


Favorites for November:
One 5 Star: Christmas Eve, 1914
Four 4.5 Stars: Sackett's Land, Bark of Night, Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings, and Scythe.

A2019- Audible Book Review: Christmas Eve, 1914 by Charles Olivier; Genre: Dramatization, Fiction, Historical; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Favorites for December:
One 5.0 Star: Morning Star
Four 4.5 Stars: All Hearts Come Home for Christmas; Push Back; Orphan X, The Ultimate Guide to 2020

ATBR-Audible Book Review: Morning Star by Pierce Brown; Genre: Colonization Sci Fi, Dystopian, Fantasy, Sci Fi; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

MBS Best of 2014 Reading List

MBS Best of 2014 Reading List

I had 11 reads I rated as 5.0 out of the 156 read and reviewed. There were another 10 rated 4.75 so they are noted below also.

HERE ARE MY TOP FIVE PICKS:

1. Pure entertainment!

Audio Book Review: Dreamer's Pool: Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1 by Juliet Marillier; Fantasy; my rating: 5.0.

2. Edification and faith confirming.

Audio Book Review: The Divine Inspiration of the Bible by Arthur W. Pink; Nonficton/Religion; my rating 5.0. 

3. A surprising emotional and inspiring story.

Audio Review: Unwritten: A Novel by Charles Martin; Inspirational; my rating 5.0.

4. Inspiration and study.

Book Review: Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah; Inspirational, Spiritual; my rating 5.0.

5. Fascinating history/memoir narrative; told well.

Audio Book Review: Curve of Time by M. Wylie Blanchet; Memoir; my rating 5.0. 

THESE ARE THE NEXT SIX 5.0 rated books in order of date read:

1. Timely interest - current events with Biblical connection.

Audible Review: The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret to America's Future by Jonathan Cahn; Christian Fiction; my rating 5.0.



2. Fiction Thriller.

Book Review: Sleeping Dogs by Tony Vanderwarker; Thriller; my rating 5.0.




3. Christian Fiction.

Book Review: Fair Play: a Novel by Deeanna Gist; Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 5.0. 




4. Contemporary Romance.

Book Review: Where Dreams Are Born (Angelo's Hearth) by M. L. Buchman; Contemporary  Romance; my rating 5.0.




5. Excellent ‘classic literature’ fiction.

Audible Book Review: Greenwillow by B.J. Chute; Classic Fiction; my rating 5.0.




6. Top in an entertaining series.

Audible Book Review: Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb; Crime Thriller, Mystery; my rating 5.0. 

More Wonderful Fiction Reading to Enjoy! - my 4.75 rated books:

1. Audible Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green; Young Adult; my rating 4.75.

2. Audible Book Review: Conspiracy in Death, Book 8 by J.D. Robb; Mystery, Suspense; my rating 4.75.

3. Audio Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks; fantasy; my rating 4.75.

4. Audio Book Review: Night Broken: Mercy Thompson, Book 8 by Patricia Briggs; Urban Fantasy, Paranomral Romance; my rating 4.75.

5. Book Review: Issachar's Heirs by Brian Chilton;  Political Thriller, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.75. 

6. Audible Book Review: The Undead Pool: The Hollows Book 12 by Kim Harrison; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.75.

7. Book Review: Raptor 6 (The Quiet Professionals) by Ronie Kendig; Military Romance, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.75.

8. Book Review: The Escape (Survivor's Club) by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.

9. Audible Book Review: Deadly Shores: Destroyermen Book 9 by Taylor Anderson; Science Fiction, Alternate World; my rating 4.75.  

10. Book Review: Priceless by Christina Dodd; Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.