MBS July 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - JULY

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 2020
Favorites for the month:
5 Stars = Written in Red
4.75 Stars = Thunderhead
4.5 Stars = Crushing Depths, The Order of the Pure Moon..., Death of an Aristocrat, The Queen Bee

1. ATBR- #Audio Book Review: Termination Dust by Alana Terry; Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas by John Scalzi; Genre: Sci Fi, Space Exploration; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0; Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
3. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey; Genre: Christian Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
4. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: #The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho; Action and Adventure, Asian Myth, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
5. Author2020- Book Review: Death Of An Aristocrat (A Lucy Anne Trotter Mystery) by Anya Wylde; Cozy Mystery, Regency, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
6. Author2020- Audio Book Review: The Bomb Squad: Clash of the Patriots by Neil Perry Gordon; Espionage Thriller, Historical Fiction, WWI; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
7. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Conflicted Home: The Survivalist Series by A. American; Genre: Action & Adventure, Dystopian Fiction, Survival; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
8. 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.
9. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn; Genre: Bees, Children, Peer Pressure; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
10. 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.

Plus Three Children's Books: Little Panda, How High is Hope and Tawny Scrawny Lion.

Total read = 13; TBR = 6; New to Me Authors = 5
Audio/Audible = 6 (5 TBRs)
eBook = 1 (0 TBR)
NetGalley = 4 (0 TBR)
Review books (other than NG) = 1 ebook/1 audio
Print = 3 (1 TBR)
• Series: 7
• New to me Series: 2 (2 to continue)
• Continuing for me Series: 5
• Finished for me Series: 0

Goal Progress (Year to date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 88 of 150
TBR to Date: 65 of 100 total
TBR ebooks: 2 of 24
Audio to Date: 55 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 26 of 40
Author Reviews: 9 of 12
Nonfiction: 6 of 12
Series to Date: 54 (35 New and 19 Continued) 4 Finished
• Seasonal title: Winter 1, Spring 1,
• Alphabet letters covered: 10 Jan; 7 Feb; 5 March; 0 April; 0 May; 1 June; 0 July

Audible Book Review: Thunderhead Arc of a Scythe by Neal Shusterman

This series has me fully engaged.
Thunderhead
Arc of a Scythe
By: Neal Shusterman
Narrated by: Greg Tremblay

Series: Arc of a Scythe, Book 2
Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-09-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Dystopian, Futuristic, Sci-Fi, Teen and Young Adult
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, in the chilling sequel to the Printz Honor Book Scythe from New York Times best seller Neal Shusterman, author of the Unwind dystology.
The Thunderhead cannot interfere in the affairs of the Scythedom. All it can do is observe — it does not like what it sees.
A year has passed since Rowan had gone off grid. Since then, he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. His story is told in whispers across the continent.
As Scythe Anastasia, Citra gleans with compassion and openly challenges the ideals of the "new order". But when her life is threatened and her methods questioned, it becomes clear that not everyone is open to the change.
Will the Thunderhead intervene?
Or will it simply watch as this perfect world begins to unravel?
©2018 Neal Shusterman (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Review:
At the conclusion of book one, Scythe, Rowan and Citra were set against each other at the Scythe conclave to select one new member. Through an unexpected move, Citra is initiated as a true Scythe and Rowan went underground. Rowan takes a secret and different path to fight the corruption that is growing in the Scythedom. The Scythedom are the elite bringers of death who help maintain what should be a very peaceful society. But there is a heavy division between old and new factions of the Scythe. The old guard respects the weight of their task and serves with humility. However, there is a growing number of newer Scythes who are corrupt, brutal, and evil. This new faction is pushing to take control and rule for their own pleasure and gratification.

Grayson Tolliver is a good, quiet civilian, pretty much nondescript and of no particular notice. The Thunderhead, the AI that manages Earth, has noticed Grayson and has been his best friend for years. Now the Thunderhead has a plan to use Grayson even if it means trauma to the young man when it appears that the Thunderhead abandons him. Grayson gets unexpectedly drawn into Citra’s circle. While other Scythe’s suspect Grayson of attacks, Citra knows that isn’t true, but she can do little to protect Grayson when he is marked as an Unsavory.

Meanwhile, Scythe Farraday is off hunting for the secret to bring the Scythedom back into control. He finds a surprising bright ally hidden in a faraway museum and they race against time trying to save the world as they have known it.

Throughout the struggles of the humans, the Thunderhead is observing and commenting in the background. Although the Thunderhead may take actions that impact citizens at large, it is not allowed to interfere with the Scythedom, no matter how much it is distressed by the growing corruption.

I was completely drawn into this second book. There are surprises in the Scythes that rise to take action and it hurt my heart as situations turn against the primary characters. The final chapters of this volume have the supporters of good at the mercy of the evil.

I totally enjoyed having the Thunderhead as an alternating narrator sharing bits of history, wisdom, ponderings and even frustrations. The creativity of the author has me awed. I am excited to go on to book three to see how the conflict is resolved. I recommend this to readers who enjoy strong futuristic, dystopian elements.

Audio Notes: Greg Tremblay’s expert narration had me immersed in this world. Tremblay delivers the work with distinct voices and spot on emotion. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/16/19 Audible 2nd Settlement Credit. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post August 2, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 3, 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.

My assistant is doing a good job of spacing out my appointments on phone and limited in person when needed.
I have good news as the new contractor is busy working on additional tear out at my office so they can begin the repairs!

The morning after we arrived back home we heard a noise above our bedroom.
At first we thought it was a squirrel in the attic.
Then from the bathroom window, I saw dark shadows flying to the roof.
I looked out and this is what I saw! There were another 8 or so on our house roof.
Black Vultures - Very creepy!

Not much else new at home. We hope to get some of the smaller repairs done at home soon too.

I enjoyed the three books I finished - two audios and one ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to I'm a Voracious Reader. The site is very cute and Carol says: "I love to read. No, really. Love.To.Read. I devour books."

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 July 26, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 27, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Conflicted Home: The Survivalist Series by A. American; Genre: Action & Adventure, Dystopian Fiction, Survival; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 31, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/6/2020.

• 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 Book Review: The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn; Genre: Bees, Children, Peer Pressure; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 2, 2020.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Thunderhead
Arc of a Scythe
By: Neal Shusterman
Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 01-09-18
I liked this and need to get book 3.
Source: 12/16/19 Audible 2nd Settlement Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Caffeine
How Caffeine Created the Modern World
By: Michael Pollan
Narrated by: Michael Pollan
Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 01-30-20
I went to a quick audio and found this fascinating. (And yes, I am a coffee addict.)
Source: 2/8/2020 Two Free Member Audible Originals.
Michael Pollan, known for his best-selling nonfiction audio, including The Omnivores Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind, conceived and wrote Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World as an Audible Original. In this controversial and exciting listen, Pollan explores caffeine’s power as the most-used drug in the world—and the only one we give to children (in soda pop) as a treat.
Pollan takes us on a journey through the history of the drug, which was first discovered in a small part of East Africa and within a century became an addiction affecting most of the human species. Caffeine, it turns out, has changed the course of human history—won and lost wars, changed politics, dominated economies. What’s more, the author shows that the Industrial Revolution would have been impossible without it. The science of how the drug has evolved to addict us is no less fascinating. And caffeine has done all these things while hiding in plain sight! Percolated with Michael Pollan’s unique ability to entertain, inform, and perform, Caffeine is essential listening in a world where an estimated two billion cups of coffee are consumed every day.
©2019 Michael Pollan (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

The Wolf at the End of the World
by Douglas Smith
I really liked this and would read more by this author.
Source: Title from the publisher and NetGalley 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

You Need a Budget
The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want
By: Jesse Mecham
Narrated by: Jesse Mecham
Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 12-26-17
I switched to a shorter book so now this becomes an August nonfiction.
Source: 9/9/18 Audible Daily Deal $1.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

The Lane Betrayal (Time Box Book 1)
by John A. Heldt
I really enjoy time travel and this author
so I am looking forward to this.
Source: Book supplied by Author.
From the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage, American Journey, and Carson Chronicles series comes the first book in the Time Box saga.
Virginia physicist Mark Lane has a problem. Weeks after privately creating two time machines, he learns his corporate partner wants to use the portable devices for nefarious purposes. Rather than give him the chance to do so, Mark takes the time boxes and escapes to the relative safety of 1865.
For Mark, wife Mary, and their children, the adventure is a chance to grow. Mary runs a business. Jeremy, 19, and Ashley, 12, befriend escaped slaves. Laura, 22, finds her place as a nurse. Jordan, 25, falls for a beautiful widow. All hope to find peace in the past.
Billionaire Robert Devereaux has other ideas. Shortly after Mark's betrayal, he sends an assassin to 1865 to retrieve his property and set matters straight.
Filled with romance, suspense, and history, THE LANE BETRAYAL follows a modern American family as it tries to find security and contentment in the final weeks of the Civil War.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Monster Hunter Siege
Monster Hunter, Book 6
By: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 08-01-17
I like this series and am ready for another monster adventure.
3/17/19 February 2019 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
Number six in multiple New York Times best seller Larry Correia's Monster Hunter series.
Go big or go home.
When Monster Hunter International's top hunter, Owen Zastava Pitt, was given a tip about some hunters who had gone missing in action, he didn't realize their rescue mission would snowball into the single biggest operation in MHI's history. Their men are being held prisoner in a horrific nightmare dimension, and the only way to reach them is through the radioactive ruins of a monster-infested war zone.
As if that wasn't bad enough, it's also the home base of the powerful creature behind the devastating attacks on the Last Dragon and Copper Lake. It turns out ancient gods of chaos really hate trespassers. But this god picked a fight with the wrong crew, and now MHI wants payback. Calling on their allies, a massive expedition is formed, and with the odds stacked against them, a legion of hunters goes to war.
It's D-Day at the City of Monsters.
©2017 Larry Correia (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. The cross-outs aren't easy to see, so I made the completed letters blue.
NETGALLEY: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
AUDIO:            A  B  C  D  E  F G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z

August 2, 2020 - I am still working on getting caught up for daily reading. I need to be in the word every day. I am again 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 completed the 7-day study: Good News: Encouragement for a World in Crisis.
I don't plan to start another study until I get daily devotions caught up.

I completed three books and posted three reviews. I am up to date on reviews.
My NetGalley shelf is still at 2, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year.
I'm resisting adding any more NetGalley titles until I get some of my review titles done. I still have one carry over author ebook left. I have two audiobooks from authors. I feel good getting caught up on these books.
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.
No new review books.
I still have to check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I picked up one Chirp title for $.99.
I added one free Kindle title this week.
(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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

8/2/2020 Chirp Deal $.99
Fire in Frost
Written by Alicia Rades
Narrated by Kim Reiko

Free

I picked up one free Kindle title this week from an author I like:
The Monsoon Series: Two Book Bundle
Anya Wylde 

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

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 2, 2020

We still decided not to go to in church service yet. Hubby just too cautious. We can take best precautions at our office to minimize risk but going out exposes him more, even if it is just me going and returning home. So we are still worshipping online.

Pastor continued the sermon series Resolute Road in the second half of Romans 3.
All of us have received undeserved grace at some point during our lives. We didn’t get a ticket when we should have or we had a near accident miss or our house survived a disaster.
Our God has always been a God of second chances and often more than just two chances!
Man judges in ranges or degrees, like grades A to F or surveys 1 to 10.
God doesn't judge that way. God sees totality. People are lost or saved. No degrees. Sinful or righteous. Romans 3:21.

Our acquittal is based on grace through faith. The law has no power to save. You break it once, then you've broken it. You stand as a sinner no matter how good the rest of your life may be.
If you start a race but fall before the finish line then you don’t finish. But there is someone who will help you over the finish line. We all fall short of God's glorious standard. Our sin separates us from God.

BUT (v23-24) Through Grace, God gives the opportunity for total renewal.
God restores us to right standing as soon as we accept and confirm our belief in Christ; our faith in His sacrifice. We are returned to the position of God's greatest creation, those made in His image.

The Point: God's grace and total atonement is the hope our world needs.

We are closer than ever to the return of Christ. The end is already written.
We may try to share messages on social media but Facebook, Twitter, and others may not share our Christian posts beyond those already identified as Christians. We have to continue our message one on one. We have to continue to share our individual testimony of grace whenever and wherever we can.

We live and love in hope because God is in control!

I like this song of Grace:

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn

This is a good MG story that addresses peer pressure and bees!

The Queen Bee and Me
Gillian McDunn

File Size: 5935 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books; 1 edition (March 3, 2020)
Language: English
ASIN: B07WC3TKR4
Genre: Bees, Children, Peer Pressure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

From the highly acclaimed author of Caterpillar Summer comes a heartfelt story about the sweetness and stings of middle-school friendship.
Meg has always found comfort in her best friend Beatrix's shadow. Self-assured Beatrix is the one who makes decisions, and the girls have been a pair since kindergarten. But middle school has brought some changes in Beatrix, especially when Meg tries to step outside her role as sidekick.
A special science elective is Meg's first step away, but when she's paired with quirky new girl Hazel, Beatrix steps in to stake her claim on Meg. Meg is taken aback at how mean Beatrix can be--and how difficult it is to stand up to her friend. But as Meg gets to know Hazel while working on their backyard beehive project, she starts to wonder: Is being Beatrix's friend worth turning down the possibility of finding her own voice?
This pitch-perfect exploration of middle-school friendship dynamics brims with heart and hope, and will resonate with readers of all ages.

Review:
Meg has a nervous nature. She and Beatrice have been friends for years. As they enter middle school, Meg is excited to be accepted into a special science class. She just doesn’t know how to tell Bea who will want Meg to join her in dance class as usual. Meg has felt Bea’s ‘freeze’ attitude before and doesn’t want to experience that again.

A new girl has moved into the neighborhood. Hazel is quirky and, to Meg’s horror, Hazel keeps beehives. Hazel and her mother attend a local party hosted by Bea’s mother. When Hazel unexpectedly becomes the center of attention, Bea quickly becomes jealous and starts to make fun of Hazel. When it slips that Meg is taking science Bea is angry that Meg didn’t tell her. Things get worse when Hazel becomes Meg’s science lab partner.

Meg’s mother encourages Meg to become friends with Hazel. But Meg is afraid of the bees that Hazel is so excited about. Meg is in a quandary caught between her childhood friend and the possibility of a making a new friend. Meg wants to stand up to Bea and her entourage who are making fun of Hazel and being mean to Meg too.

This is a story of middle-grade peer pressure and growth. I could feel Meg’s anguish and I didn’t care for Bea and her friends. I felt sorry for Bea too as she is willing to lose a good friend over her own self-importance. Hazel has her own emotional issues that children can relate to. I also loved the science of the bees and how the girls used that creatively in their science project and even in response to an effort to ban the beehives from town. I think this is an appropriate book for middle graders to read to understand the impact their behaviors can have on children who are new or different.

Source: Title from the publisher and NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2020 NetGalley goal.