Sunday Post October 25, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 26, 2015

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

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 had another somewhat rough week last week as I worked through my cold for the first three days since we left Thursday for an RV trip with our kids and grandkids. Although we were set originally for nine we ended up with only six of us. DH and I are on antibiotics and slowly feeling better.

My reading and listening were very good with extra reading and listening time during the drive -- not so much with the kids though. I finished three audios and one ebook. I posted four reviews, one with giveaway, and the usual memes.

So sad no visiting last week between being sick and traveling/visiting with family.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 18, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 19, 2015.

• Book Review: Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel (The Midnight Breed Series Book 1) by Lara Adrian; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25. 

• Tour Book Review and Giveaway Link: Midnight Kiss: Touched by Midnight, Book 1 by Nancy Gideon; Paranormal Romance, my rating 4.25.  Giveaway Ended 10/25/15.

• Friday Pick Giveaway October 23, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/29/2015.

• Book Review: On the Run (The Elijah Project) by Bill Myers; Children's Inspirational Fiction; my rating 4.0. 

• Audible Review: Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson; History, WWII; my rating 5.0. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #224 Comment Giveaway October 24, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/31/15.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 25, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3

The Clay Lion
Written by: Amalie Jahn
Narrated by: Lorelei King
I really enjoyed this wonderful listen!
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Awaken His Eyes: The Awakened Book One
by Jason Tesar
This is an engaging beginning to a series.
This is part of my TBR Challenge - 
a free Kindle pick from 2011.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/MP3

Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller
Written by: Joshua Hood
Narrated by: John Pruden
Rough military action in a good suspense.
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible

The New World: Prequel to the Chaos Walking Trilogy
Written by: Patrick Ness
Narrated by: Angela Dawe
This was a quick listen that 
is a title from my TBR Pile Challenge.
I'm not sure it really pulled me into the series.
Publisher's Summary
The New World is a prequel to the award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, setting the stage for the world we discover in The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men. The story was written while the author served as writer in residence for the Booktrust an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to enjoy books.
The New World tells of Viola's journey to the New World, brilliantly capturing the hope and fear of settlers in search of a new life. Patrick Ness says that he wrote it "as a huge and deeply-felt thank you to readers. I've had so many questions about Viola and what her life was like before that I couldn't resist the opportunity to reveal just a little bit extra. I knew these things - they're vitally important to her as a character, even if they're not directly in the novels - so it felt like a secret trip I could take readers on. The challenge was to make it work on its own, too, so anyone could read it. That was really, really good fun, and I hope the final result is an exciting one."
The New World can be listened to before or after the trilogy – and some may choose to do both. The story works as a standalone piece, but listeners already familiar with The Knife of Never Letting Go will learn more about Viola’s life and the events leading to her arrival and first encounter with Todd, while newcomers to the trilogy will discover a white-knuckle ride of an introduction to the series. Whether you're a new or faithful listener, though, it's a welcome chance to immerse yourself in the world of Chaos Walking.
Listen to more Chaos Walking.
©2011 Patrick Ness (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Priceless (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 1)
by Shannon Mayer
I am almost finished this and have enjoyed it a lot.
This was a title I purchased for $.99 in January 2014.
"My name is Rylee and I am a Tracker."
When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I'm the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot.
I'm on the FBI's wanted list.
I have a werewolf for a pet, a Witch of a best friend, and have no need for anyone else in my life.
But when a salvage starts to spin out of control, help comes from a most unexpected direction.
One that is dangerously dark, brooding, and doesn't know a thing about the supernatural.
One whose kisses set me on fire.

2. Audible

Monster Hunter Alpha
Written by: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
I thought it fitting to add a Monster story
for the week of Halloween.
I am about half way and really enjoying the excitement.
This is from my Audible library as a selection in August 2014.
Publisher's Summary
Dirty Harry meets Twilight. Number 3 in the break-out series and a follow-up to Monster Hunter International and Monster Hunter Vendetta.
Earl Harbinger may be the leader of Monster Hunter International, but he's also got a secret. Nearly a century ago, Earl was cursed to be a werewolf. When Earl receives word that one of his oldest foes, a legendarily vicious werewolf that worked for the KGB, has mysteriously appeared in the remote woods of Michigan, he decides to take care of some unfinished business. But another force is working to bring about the creation of a whole new species of werewolf. When darkness falls, the final hunt begins, and the only thing standing in their way is a handful of locals, a lot of firepower, and Earl Harbinger's stubborn refusal to roll over and play dead.
Track down another Monster Hunter title.
©2011 Larry Correia (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

3. Print

You Know What I'm Sayin'?: Poetry * Drama
by Daniel García Ordaz
This is a poetry book I was gifted by the author in March at EPICon 2015.
I am really enjoying the tempos and the cultural experience.
El Zarape Press presents its first collection of poetry by the eclectic Daniel García Ordaz, The Poet Mariachi, "the voice of the Rio Grande Valley" (Texas), an emerging voice in Chicano literature. You Know What I'm Sayin'? is a celebration of the common experience of language and culture transfiguring time and place and juxtaposing the politics of urban hip-hop America with the lyricism of rural deep South Texas, a retelling of ancient history sung by a contemporary voice. With an introduction by Fulbright Scholar Dr. Debbie Cole, a linguistic anthropologist. Mainly English; some bilingual (English/Spanish), Tex-Mex and pieces. Hispanic/Latino themes as well as All-American experiences relevant and appropriate for 3rd grade to college-level.

4. eBook/Kindle

Whispers in the Reading Room
(The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series Book 3)
by Shelley Gray
I am looking forward to starting this.
I received this through NetGalley.
Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.
Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.
Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.
Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.
Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

October 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.

I posted four reviews last week which left one. Plus four new I am again at five reviews to do.
I will be reading a NetGalley selection this week which brings my shelf down to four.
I have read 8 of my 12 TBR Pile books so I just need to pick the last four and get them read in the next two months. :-) 

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 Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I didn't select any new review titles this week but I purchased one $.99 Kindle title.
And of course I added more free kindle titles to my library.

(I scanned NetGalley and some of my review requests and nothing is really jumping out at me although I am going to request some new Audio books through Audiobook Jukebox. Other than that I think it is time to work on the TBR piles!)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I was tempted by several $.99 titles this week but only purchased this.


The Tournament Trilogy
B. B. Griffith
It sounds a little like Hunger Games so I was curious.

Free

Over the past week I only added 45 free Kindle titles to my 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 October 25, 2015

We arrived home after 6:30 tonight so I am just getting onto the computer. We were away for a very fun camping trip with our daughter and three grandchildren. We were disappointed our son and his family were sick and unable to join us but still we had fun. I hope to share a few pictures from the visit later this week.

DeSoto's Cavern has a wonderful cavern tour that ends with an awesome light show which shares a special message. It made me want to share something about "In The Beginning".

A few weeks ago I saw this video so I am sharing it today/tonight.
Max Mclean is the narrator on our Audible Version of the Bible that we often listen to with our Bible reading.

Verses for Today:
Genesis 1:1-5 (NIV)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

I give thanks for God's awesome creation!

Sharing Beyond Books #224 October 24, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Sorry I missed posting SBB on 10/17 and this past week but I was down with cold bug. I will still get four in for October but won't have a fifth week for a question from my list. :-)

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
There were 8 of us who do not subscribe to magazines, 7 who do and 4 who "do not anymore". Those subscriptions include Candanian Living, Reader's Digest, Our Iowa, Golf Digest and several woman's magazines.

~~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #223 comments is: #13 Mariska who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #224 (One Question.)

Becky asks: What color socks are you wearing? and do you like the very colorful ones or the crazy patterns ones??

This seemed like a fun question going into Halloween. At this moment I am not wearing socks. Most days I wear stockings which I find comfortable for work and church, even though I wear pantsuits rather than dresses. I will say that I have a blue  pair of grip socks from hospital which I will put on shortly after I walk the dogs. I happen to love colorful, cozy socks to wear around winter time!  

 (Love these colorful socks!)

Image found at Journey Through Life.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:
Becky asks: What color socks are you wearing? and do you like the very colorful ones or the crazy patterns ones??
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday October 31, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Audible Review: Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson

This is an excellent portrayal of key Americans during WWII. History that we didn’t learn in school made ‘alive’.

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Written by: Lynne Olson
Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-22-10
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: History, WWII
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In Citizens of London, Lynne Olson has written a work of World War II history even more relevant and revealing than her acclaimed Troublesome Young Men.
Here is the behind-the-scenes story of how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain, told from the perspective of three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman, and John Gilbert Winant. Drawing from a variety of primary sources, Olson skillfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a cautious Franklin Roosevelt and a reluctant American public to support the British at a critical time. The three---Murrow, the handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR's Lend-Lease program in London; and Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain---formed close ties with Winston Churchill and were drawn into Churchill's official and personal circles. So intense were their relationships with the Churchills that they all became romantically involved with members of the prime minister's family: Harriman and Murrow with Churchill's daughter-in-law, Pamela, and Winant with his favorite daughter, Sarah.
Others were honorary "citizens of London" as well, including the gregarious, fiercely ambitious Dwight D. Eisenhower, an obscure general who, as the first commander of American forces in Britain, was determined to do everything in his power to make the alliance a success, and Tommy Hitchcock, a world-famous polo player and World War I fighter pilot who helped save the Allies' bombing campaign against Germany. Citizens of London, however, is more than just the story of these Americans and the world leaders they aided and influenced.
©2010 Lynne Olson (P)2010 Tantor

Review:
This is history that I have never heard. Lynne Olson does a grand job of following a handful of Americans that made an impact in the events of World War II (WWII). Although the story focuses on the perspective of three primary players, there are other important characters discussed as well. The three primary men are John Gilbert Winant, a politician, Edward R. Morrow, a journalist, and Averell Harriman, a millionaire socialite. Each of these had a unique contribution, growth and experience that was fascinating to follow. All three developed close relationships with Winston Churchill and were influential in encouraging Franklin D. Roosevelt to commit to aiding Britain even though they were unable to get the United States to enter the war until the attack on Pearl Harbor in November, 1941.

Wianant was a likeable, shy, idealist Republican politician. He was a three term Governor of New Hampshire and the first head of the Social Security Board, a program evolving from the “Townsend Plan” which he strongly promoted. He became a friend of all Britains as the deeply personal and committed US Ambassador to Great Britain during the war years. Olson was able to portray his brooding passion and deep friendliness. She even conveyed the frustration and tragic waste of his death.

Morrow became the ‘voice of London’ as the American broadcaster for CBS. He was an on-the- scene correspondent who brought the blight of war torn London into the homes of Americans. Just as his reporting must have made the war more real to listeners, this audiobook made the war more real for me. The descriptions of the bombing on London and the evacuation and hardships of the citizens, left homeless, jobless and hungry, gave me a new appreciation for the fact that Americans have been privileged to live mostly free of the devastation of war on our own soil.

Averell Harriman was my least favorite of these characters as it first appeared that he was always seeking political influence through his social position and money. However he had provided a special intermediary role. He was appointed by FDR as a special envoy to Europe in the spring of 1941 and helped coordinate the Lend-Lease program which brought desperately needed supplies to Britain and allies. He became Ambassador to the Soviet Union in1943 trying to balance the interests of Europe allies as they fought the war on many fronts.

I think in school history we get a very condensed, shallow view of wars of the past… and then, of course, as years go by we forget even those things we learned. I choose this audiobook because it looked like it would present an interesting view and I was not disappointed. I knew of Churchill, FDR and Eisenhower of course. And I had heard of Murrow probably through my journalism schooling. The other participants were new to me. I was not pleased to learn about the affairs between the players and the Churchill women but it is an interesting part of the history I would not otherwise know. What I found truly wonderful was the in depth views of these men, and the women involved, as they faced the struggle of war.

I appreciated Ms. Olson’s attention to details including the feelings of hope, frustration, anger and despair, as they impacted on the participants and the citizens around them. I highly recommend this audiobook for those who have any interest in a detailed view of American lives as they shared in the London experience of WWII.

Audio Notes: Arthur Morey’s authoritative and smooth narration makes this an awesome listening experience. The audiobook is longish so I am thinking the book is longish which is all the more reason for me to listen rather than read. This is well worth the audible credit!

I had this in my Audible library since 2011 and it is part of my 2015 TBR Pile Challenge. It also qualifies for my Audio Challenged and my Full House Challenge.

Book Review: On the Run (The Elijah Project) by Bill Myers

This includes zany action that should fit great with 9-12 year old readers.
On the Run (The Elijah Project)
by Bill Myers (Author), James Riordan (Contributor)

File Size: 1157 KB
Print Length: 128 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (August 30, 2009)
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
ASIN: B002SKZBGI
Genre: Children, Christian Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 (based on audience age)

In book one, On the Run, Elijah’s supernatural gifts have drawn the attention of dark forces. Separated from their parents, Zach and Piper (with a lot of help from heaven) must protect their little brother.

Review:
Elijah is a six year old with gifted talents. His teenage brother, Zach, is pretty clueless but his 13 year old sister, Piper, is careful to watch over him. Their parents have had to move several times to protect the family, but especially to protect Elijah. Not only would the public be interested in his abilities but evil people want to use him … or stop him.

Piper has a small crush on one of Zach’s cute friends, Cody. Although she doesn’t think Cody would even know who she is, she learns that he is kinder than his looks would indicate. One of his good friends, Willard, is a young ‘mad scientist/inventor’.

An accident before school brings out Elijah’s talent and puts him in the eyes of the media. Mom and Dad immediately make arrangements to move but they must sneak out of the house to draw away bad guys before the kids come home. The bad guys, a witchy woman, a mindless brute and a skinny, ambitious and evil man, are stumbling but determined.

Zach, Piper and Elijah dodge the bad guys as they head out to find their parents. Cody and Willard show up with the help of some of Willard’s wacky inventions to help the fleeing trio. A mysterious stranger appears unexpectedly just in time to help with a few narrow escapes. During the flight, Zach, Piper and even Elijah, share some Biblical wisdom, learned from their faithful parents.

The story is zany with gruesome, but comical, villains and the fun of Willard’s inventions. I appreciated the clues but thought some of the actions were “duh” or “idiot” moments. However, this is written for an audience age of 9 to 12 and I do think that it would be engaging and fun for that reading level. Not so great for adults unless you really just want some silly antics to enjoy. Also, this book has an open ending as it is just the beginning book in a series that continues with more danger and adventures.

This is another TBR title in my free Kindle library since 2010. It is one of my TBR Pile Challenge books.