Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 13, 2017

Happy Friday - the 13th no less!
The week started very cold but warmed up nicely. I hope everyone up north stays safe during the freezing rain that is headed in.
I am feeling all better now! I had a pushy work week as staff were away for a conference while I held down the fort. I also had court out of office three days. At the end of Thursday my desk had piles of files. I hope I can sort some of them Friday and Saturday.

Still no camera but even if I had I had no time to pull together another group of books. I do have a box and bag so maybe I can organize it for Next week.

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 January 6 Pick. There was only one automatic win this week but several lining up for next 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.
AUTO: Carol L gets No Place for a Lady

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 6 Pick:
CHRISTINA wants a Historical Romance so I picked A Dangerous Fancy as her book
and
ELIZABETH gets Christmas with the Prince

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.}

And her is another good sentiment for a new year!
Image found at Outrageously Wild (Wonderful) Librarian.

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Mistletoe Marriage by Jessica Hart
Twelfth Night Proposal by Karen Rose Smith
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
Christmas With the Prince by Michelle Celmer
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
Christmas Bonus: Strings Attached by Susan Crosby
Wanted: Christmas Mommy by Judy Christenberry
One Cowboy One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
Mistletoe and Miracles by Marie Ferrarella
Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly
Miracle on Christmas Eve by Shirley Jump
Snowbound Reunion by Barbara McMahon
Holiday Homecoming by Mae Ann Wilson


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
PAIR:
Lisa Gardner: The Perfect Husband and The Other Daughter
Stella Cameron: True Bliss and Sheer Pleasures
SINGLE:
Stray by A. N. Wilson (hardcover)
Soul of the Wildcat by Devyn Quinn
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
The Copper Beach by Maeve Binchy
Beyond Reach: A Novel (Grant County Book 6) by Karin Slaughter
Crimson Shore by Preston & Childs
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry
Critical by Robin Cook
Mania by Craig Larsen

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)

SINGLES:

*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)



New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)
SINGLES:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
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
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,032+ books have found new homes! YAY. 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!

MBS 2017 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Katrina @ Bookish Things

I have done pretty well at maintaining my NetGalley review percentage at about 85%.
I am usually reluctant to take too many titles at once since it does impact the %. Starting 2017 I have the most titles I have ever had at one time with 15 titles (+ an additional 3 which are eTreasure titles which I need to read too!)

The levels I considered are:

Silver – 25 Books
Or
Gold – 50 Books

I had to push to get in 41 for 2016.  I will go with GOLD this year and pay better attention so I can get them all in!

I will add the titles as I read them; and then link to the review when posted.
I forgot to keep the running list here but kept it in a computer document.

My Challenge completed post with the 53 NetGalley books read is HERE!

MBS 2017 Audiobook Challenge

The Audiobook Challenge is back for 2017!
Join Hot Listens and new co-host Caffeinated Book Reviewer for the 5th year of great audio books.
Check either link for the full Challenge details, links to resources and the sign-up form.
Levels

• Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
• Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
• Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
• Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
• Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
• My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I listened to 70 Audiblooks in 2016. I choose the Marathoner Level again for 2017 and hope to get to at least 70 if not more!

2017 Audiobooks: (Reviews to be linked as posted)
I ended up keeping my list in WORD on my computer. The final list is linked HERE.

MBS 2017 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge

Once again this Challenge is hosted by Lori at Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

All details and sign up form are found HERE.

AHH-  just noted these rules:

You can drop the A’s and The’s from the book titles....
The First Main Word Needs To Be The Letter You Are Counting

Except For those pesky Q, X AND Z titles the word that starts with the challenge letter can be ANYWHERE in the title. [Emphasis Added.]

I have always tried to have the beginning letter as the second word after an article like "The" or "A". Having it anywhere in the title could actually make it easier except I think I had already lined up titles for this challenge!

Last year I tried to do four titles for each letter and came pretty close. I did get at least One each.
This year I will work on TWO for each: an Audio TBR title and an ebook TBR.
I will be adding my "possible" lists this weekend.

The Completed Challenge with titles is posted HERE!

Book Review: The Skeleton Code: A Satirical Guide to Secret Keeping by Alla Campanella and Ken Massey

I found this to be a difficult read but it does conclude with a positive message.
The Skeleton Code: A Satirical Guide to Secret Keeping
by Alla Campanella and Ken Massey

File Size: 1868 KB
Print Length: 230 pages
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing (October 25, 2016)
ASIN: B01M09DBMM
Genre: Satire, Self Help
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Buy the Book:

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble

Early in life, we learn to exaggerate our positive personal qualities and hide or deny our failures and weaknesses. The Skeleton Code is a satirical and humorous look at the many ways we protect our public personas by closeting our personal secrets, an ultimately self-deluding way of life. As a parody of the self-help “success” genre, the book presents facetious strategies about how to cover up our silly and scandalous secrets before turning to The Skeleton Cure.

Review:
I had to keep reminding myself this was satire. And as satire, for 80% of the book, the authors do a very good job. Alla Campanella and Ken Massey rightly note that almost everyone has skeletons in their closets – secrets we just don’t share. But then we worry about keeping those secrets from popping out, or being found out or outed by someone else. The authors are careful to provide a disclaimer that they are not promoting immoral, unethical or illegal behavior. They then proceed to present several chapters of tricks for protecting your secrets: dressing for diversion, mimicking the masters, taking the offensive. There are several chapters sharing methods to encourage fear and help prepare a response in the event of exposure, either accidental or purposeful. There can be an art in self disclosure that minimizes the potential for negative impact. The authors provide a fitting quote from Sidney Poitier: “I know how easy it is for one to stay well within moral, ethical, and legal bounds through the skillful use of words—and to thereby spin, sidestep, circumvent, or bend a truth completely out of shape.” The authors also do a nice job of summarizing the techniques and testing the progress of the reader.

I really had difficulty sticking through this to the end. I knew it is satire but that didn’t help stop my feeling that what they were describing was somewhat ‘slimy’. Still, it just didn’t feel right or good and I didn’t want to read it. This made me feel like when I stop reading a book because the language used is just too foul – it makes me feel uncomfortable and unhappy.

I knew there was a better message but that isn’t shared until the last two chapters. The closing points note that hiding secrets may cause physical pain as well as emotional illness. It is healthier to uncover the secrets, face them and remove the skeleton from your life. This did make me feel better. The closing remarks reminded me of the Transactional Analysis course I took in my late twenties which featured resource books like I’m Ok - You’re Ok and Games People Play.

The book is well written and laid out in an easy to follow fashion. I think the authors’ introduction tried to reassure the reader that the ultimate message was positive… and it is. I just think there could be more positive ways to present the message. This one wasn’t real comfortable for me but could be very useful for the right people, right situation.

I received this title from ProBook Marketing through iRead Book Tours for an honest review. Please watch the video below for a positive view of the book. Also, see other reader/reviewer thoughts on the Blog Tour found here. This qualifies for my 2017 TBR Challenge.

Author Bios:

Ken Massey is a public speaker, author, humorist and minister enjoying the second and truer half of life. He holds two graduate theological degrees and is trained as a life coach, conflict manager and transition specialist. He enjoys golf, and traveling, but finds his greatest fulfillment helping other people discover their true worth as human beings. Ken, a native Texan, loves the beauty and the people of North Carolina, where he and Alla reside.

Alla Campanella, after traveling throughout the world, has lived in the US since 1992. A longtime student of the arts and humanities, she enjoys her work as an artist and photographer. Alla was inspired to write this book because she heard so many personal and painful secrets from her clients about their failures and foibles and wanted them to face these realities rather than hide from them.

Connect with them: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Ken Massey talking about The Skeleton Code to WTVR CBS 6 News. This is a great interview summarizing the book well.

Youtube Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW81AcUlON0