MBS September 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - SEPTEMBER

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 = none
4.75 Stars =  The Righteous Mind
4.5 Stars = Hunted, Interview with the Robot, and Kit and Elizabeth

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Machine World, Undying Mercenaries, Book 4, by B. V. Larson; Genre: Hard Science Fiction, Military Space Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
   
2. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Hunted by Meagan Spooner; Genre: Action & Adventure, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
3. A2020- Audible Book Review: Snowflakes by Ruth Ware; Genre: Collection, Mystery, Short Story, Thriller & Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
4. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Honor in an Age of Metal and Men by Anthony W. Eichenlaub; Genre: Cyberpunk, Futuristic,Sci-Fi, Western; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Open Season by C. J. Box; Ecology, Mystery, Suspense My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
   
6. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Dead Rising (The Templar Book 1) by Debra Dunbar; Genre: Necromancy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Vampires; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
7. A2020- Audible Book Review: Interview with the Robot by Lee Bacon; Genre: Children's Audiobooks, Science Fiction & Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
8. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Dungeon Born by Dakota Krout; Genre: Fantasy, LitRPG, Teen & YA, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
9. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Kit and Elizabeth by Karen Tuft; Genre: Historical, Regency Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Tracker, Sam Callahan, Book 1, by Chad Zunker Genre: Political Thriller, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
11. A2020- Audible Book Review: The Gun: The End Time Saga Origin Short Story by Daniel Greene; Genre: 90 minute Short Story, Horror, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Righteous Mind, Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt; Genre: Non Fiction, Psychology; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Total read = 12; TBR = 8; New to Me Authors = 10
Audio/Audible = 10 (7 TBRs)
eBook = 0 (0 TBR)
NetGalley = 2 (1 TBR)
Review books (other than NG) = 0
Print = 0 (0 TBR)
• Series: 8
• New to me Series: 6 (4 most likely to continue)
• Continuing for me Series: 2
• Finished for me Series: 1

Goal Progress (Year to date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 112 of 150
TBR to Date: 81 of 100 total
TBR ebooks: 3 of 24
Audio to Date: 75 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 29 of 40
Author Reviews: 10 of 12
Nonfiction: 9 of 12
Series to Date: 70 (48 New and 22 Continued) 5 Finished
• Seasonal title: Winter 1, Spring 1, Summer 1,
• Alphabet letters covered: 10 Jan; 7 Feb; 5 March; 0 April; 0 May; 1 June; 0 July; 1 August; 0 September; 

Audible Book Review: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

This helps me to see and understand other views.

The Righteous Mind
Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
By: Jonathan Haidt
Narrated by: Jonathan Haidt

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 07-23-12
Publisher: Gildan Media, LLC
Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Why can’t our political leaders work together as threats loom and problems mount? Why do people so readily assume the worst about the motives of their fellow citizens?
In The Righteous Mind, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the origins of our divisions and points the way forward to mutual understanding. His starting point is moral intuition - the nearly instantaneous perceptions we all have about other people and the things they do. These intuitions feel like self-evident truths, making us righteously certain that those who see things differently are wrong.
Haidt shows us how these intuitions differ across cultures, including the cultures of the political left and right. He blends his own research findings with those of anthropologists, historians, and other psychologists to draw a map of the moral domain, and he explains why conservatives can navigate that map more skillfully than can liberals. He then examines the origins of morality, overturning the view that evolution made us fundamentally selfish creatures.
But rather than arguing that we are innately altruistic, he makes a more subtle claim - that we are fundamentally groupish. It is our groupishness, he explains, that leads to our greatest joys, our religious divisions, and our political affiliations. In a stunning final chapter on ideology and civility, Haidt shows what each side is right about, and why we need the insights of liberals, conservatives, and libertarians to flourish as a nation. Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2012 Jonathan Haidt (P)2012 Gildan Media LLC

Review:
I often find myself struggling to understand how others view policies and political persons with such a different view from mine. I bought this book with the hope that it might give me insight…and I am happy to say it did.

Haidt presents his material in a clear essay format. He states the point he wants to make, discusses it with examples, shares supporting and opposition views, and then summarizes the evidence that he has argued. I found this helpful particularly since it has been 40 years since I studied sociology, psychology and religion in college. It helped to have the information laid out in a manner that I could process and understand.

I was surprised to hear Haidt discuss evolutionary psychology which I didn’t know existed. I am not a proponent of evolutionary theories, but I found his arguments of moral intuition, basic foundations and adaptations very interesting.

Haidt explains that the terms “left” and “right” came from the 1700s during the French revolution. When the National Assembly met to put together a new constitution, the participants sat on either side of the table. Those who wanted more change were on the left and those who wanted to stay closer to tradition were on the right.

Haidt shares a matrix of six “foundations of morality”: 1. Care/Harm (cherishing and protecting others); 2. Liberty/Oppression; 3. Fairness/Cheating (proportionality); 4. Loyalty/Betrayal (ingroup); 5. Authority/subversion (respect); and 6. Sanctity/degradation (purity). He also argues that humans are ‘groupish’. Haidt presents sound basis to support this theory that was apparently abandoned for many years. He notes that the groupish nature of man has aided in his survival.

Haidt shares which of the moral foundations are the strongest and most relevant to American liberals, Libertarians and social conservatives. Among the points, Haidt notes that our foundations “bind and blind us”. One of the most pointed things that Haidt shared was in the last chapter where he points out that some people, who score very high on the care morality foundation, often cause damage by tearing down their group supports. The example is ‘trying to help the bees even if it means burning the hive’. Haidt makes it clear that it is important for all insights to be shared and to seek compromises. If you want to understand others better, I recommend you read this book!

This definitely helped me understand the mindset of the other views. It still doesn’t help me understand the basis for the hate and violence. I don’t always agree with other policies or views but that doesn’t mean I hate the people or want to destroy them. That to me falls in the ‘cutting off your nose’ or “burning the hive” mentality.

Audio Notes: Jonathan Haidt narrates his own work and I thought he did a great job. He clearly cares about the information and wants to make it understandable while supporting it with other psychological citations or testing and surveys. I enjoyed listening but I suspect that having the print version would allow the reader to go back and be reminded of arguments. The pdf support of the described figures is helpful for the audio listener.

Source: 10/16/19 September 2019 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post October 4, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 5, 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.

I had another commercial closing this week which I had ready to go so it wasn't too intense.
I made good progress on several probates and litigation files although I have more to do.

I've gotten a couple more pictures of the deer, even in our own yard. I'll continue to try to get some closer.
But this week I am sharing a picture of my October manicure. (Hubby took terrible pictures so I had to do it myself.)

The left hand has a spider web.

Our temperatures continue to be cooler with nights in the 50s and days in the 70s.

I enjoyed my reading and listening this week. I finished two audiobooks and one ebook. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I apparently lost my 'shout out' paragraph last week while I was learning the new Blogger.
I visited 18 blogs both last week and the week before.
Shout Out this week to TBR, ETC. Tina is an avid reader and a 'book blogger and reviewer who is easily distracted by new releases.'

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 September 27, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 28, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Tracker, Sam Callahan, Book 1, by Chad Zunker Genre: Political Thriller, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 2, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/8/2020.

• A2020- Audible Book Review: The Gun: The End Time Saga Origin Short Story by Daniel Greene; Genre: 90 minute Short Story, Horror, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #405 Comment Giveaway October 3, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/17/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 4, 2020.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

The Gun: The End Time Saga Origin Short Story
By: Daniel Greene
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
Series: The End Time Saga
Length: 1 hr and 33 mins
This is an engaging short EOW listen.
Source: 8/29/2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
See review link above.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Righteous Mind
Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
By: Jonathan Haidt
Narrated by: Jonathan Haidt
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 07-23-12
I really liked this and recommend it to everyone!
Source: 10/16/19 September 2019 Audible Credit.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2020)

Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22)
by David Rosenfelt
This is another satisfying win and read in the Andy Carpenter Series.
Source: 8/25/2020 Received from Publisher and NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (A2020)

The Skeletons of Scarborough House:
(The Chapelwick Mysteries #1)
Written By: Kitty French
Narrated By: Cat Gould
Duration: 9 hours 28 minutes
I am 3/4ths in this fun, ghostly story.
(She finally got the pug.)
Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Book Club.
Summary:
Welcome to Chapelwick, a leafy English town in the hills of Shropshire, where chocolate fudge cake comes served with a side of murder.
Scarborough House is haunted, and it's not doing much for Donovan Scarborough's investment portfolio. No one wants to buy a place with levitating crockery, or (the wrong kind of) rhythmic pounding throughout the night.
Luckily, Melody 'I-See-Dead-People' Bittersweet has just launched her own ghostbusting agency with best friend Marina, geeky, keen Arthur, and a one-eared pug called Lestat. They're quick to take the case, even if it has already sort of (definitely) been given to Leo Dark, Melody's rakish, despicable ex.
Melody soon discovers the resident phantoms are three brothers, one who was murdered at twenty, while the others lived to old age. But did the family exile the right person, or did the true killer get away with it?
Donovan Scarborough doesn't care who solves the case. Whoever gets rid of the ghosts gets paid.
Can Melody and her new crew untangle the mystery, and bring the brothers peace, before Leo? Or will his distracting sexiness and Melody's bonkers family cause the agency to fall at its first hurdle?

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Uninvited: Book 8 in Krewe of Hunters series
by Heather Graham
I'm hoping jumping in on book 8 will be okay.
Source: Would you believe 2012 Netgalley?
1777: In the throes of the Revolutionary War, Landon Mansion is commandeered by British Lord "Butcher" Bedford. He stabs Lucy Tarleton—who spurned his king and his love—leaving her to die in her father's arms.
NOW: After the day's final tour, docent Allison Leigh makes her rounds while locking up…and finds a colleague slumped over Bedford's desk, impaled on his own replica bayonet.
Resident ghosts may be the stock-in-trade of stately Philadelphia homes, but Allison—a noted historian—is indignant at the prospect of "ghost hunters" investigating this apparent murder.
Agent Tyler Montague knows his hauntings and his history. But while Allison is skeptical of the newcomer, a second mysterious murder occurs. Has "Butcher" Bedford resurfaced? Or is there another malevolent force at work in Landon Mansion? Wary, yet deeply attracted, Allison has to trust in Tyler and work with him to discover just what uninvited guest—dead or alive—has taken over the house.
Or their lives could become history!

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Haunted Forest Tour
Written By: James A. Moore, Jeff Strand
Narrated By: Joe Hempel
Duration: 8 hours 56 minutes
This looks like another fun October listen.
Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club.
Summary:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Haunted Forest Tour! Sit back and enjoy a smooth ride in air-conditioned comfort as your heavily armored tram takes you through nature's most astonishing creation. The forest is packed to capacity with dangerous and terrifying creatures of all shapes, sizes, and hunger levels, and you'll get to observe these wonders in complete safety.
Howl with a werewolf! Gaze into the glowing eyes of a giant spider! Look right through a spooky ghost! See horrific monsters you couldn't even imagine, only inches away from you! Things with fangs, things with claws, things with dripping red jaws-you'll see them all!
Not thrilling enough? Well, it's Halloween, and so we're offering a very special tour through the Haunted Forest. The new route goes deeper into the woods than any civilians have ventured before, and you're guaranteed to get a good scare! Rest assured that every possible security precaution has been taken. The Haunted Forest Tour has a 100% safety record, and technical difficulties are unheard of. You will be in no danger whatsoever.
We promise.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. These are the letters that remain:
NETGALLEY:  H  M  U X  Y and Z
AUDIO:             X  and  Z

October 4, 2020 - I enjoyed reading first thing each morning this week.
I am still 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 am midway in another 3-day study: The Counsel Of The Lord Shall Stand.

I completed three books and posted two reviews which keeps me up to date.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 4, one current and three remaining titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year. Still one more that would be good for October.
I have added no new author review titles this week. I still have one carry over author ebook left. I have two audiobooks from authors. At lease one of these will be for October.
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 titles this week.
Someday I'll check the email requests I have been receiving. {Sigh.}
I added another 8 Audible Plus titles.
I used a credit at Audiobooks.com for the Mystery Book Club so I can listen to several books for October - mysteries, ghosts and howls.
Two free Kindle titles 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

I used one Audiobooks.com credit for the Monthly Audiobook Club Mystery selection. I plan to listen to several books for October.
The first book I picked up as an October read is:

The Skeletons of Scarborough House
(The Chapelwick Mysteries #1)
Written By: Kitty French
Narrated By: Cat Gould
See description above under Current Reading.

Free

More Audible Plus titles this week:

End Time: The End Time Saga, Book 1
By: Daniel Greene
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
Series: The End Time Saga, Book 1

The Breaking: The End Time Saga, Book 2
By: Daniel Greene
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
Series: The End Time Saga, Book 2

The Rising: The End Time Saga, Book 3
By: Daniel Greene
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
Series: The End Time Saga, Book 3

A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles
By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: Michael Edwards

The Last Sword Maker: The Course of Empire Series, Book 1
By: Brian Nelson
Narrated by: Bradford Hastings
Series: The Course of Empire Series, Book 1

Awakened: Paragons, Book 1
By: C. Steven Manley
Narrated by: James Anderson Foster
Series: Paragons Series, Book 1

Lost Valley
By: Walt Browning
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Series: Extinction Survival, Book 1

Satan's Gate
By: Walt Browning
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Series: Extinction Survival, Book 2

Two free Kindle titles this week, both seen at An Imperfect Christian Mom.
Patent Pending and Death (Fleming Investigations Cozy Mysteries Book 1)
by Patti Larsen
AND
Red Picket Fences: A Jennifer Temple Cozy Mystery Book 1
by Daphne McLean


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 October 4, 2020

Our service opened with the song “I’m Gonna See a Victory” which set a nice tone. Then our church celebrated communion this morning, which we missed in person but shared in spirit.

This morning’s service featured our missionary from Fire Bible. Mr. Dove proposed that we all have an expiration date, even if we don’t know when it is. Therefore we need to use what you have now, before expiration! 

The Fire Bible has been issued now in 57 languages. The Bibles are in the local language and include study resources. It is valuable especially to those in the country where it is to serve.

Mr. Dove shared about a time when he and his wife went to Laos in the 1990s, He was the only white man and the only man over 5’1. Mr. Dove was a man of 6’2 who weighed 350 pounds. An old, grandmotherly woman came up to him, poked him in the belly and asked: “how many people are in you?” Later Mr. Dove realized he should have answered “many with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit being the leaders”. By leading one person to Christ, many more have an opportunity to hear of Him.

Luke reports how Jesus sent 72 disciples out to reach others. Luke 10:1-23. He sends each of us out to reach others. If we can’t go personally, we can share in the project by giving to spread God’s word. We can always give something but can we imagine how many lives may be changed if we give beyond the comfortable?

Mr. Dove asked us: How many people are in you?

This is the song I was led to share today.
This is the message I feel and want to share to others!

Verses for Today:
Luke 10:1-23 (NIV)
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

Lord, help me to reach others and share whatever gifts you have blessed me with.

Sharing Beyond Books #405 Comment Giveaway October 3, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Q#404: How do you Unhaul? There were mixed answers so the totals exceed the number of people who commented: four donate, four gift, three hold on to their books, two swap, two use Little Free Library, two sell, and Linda primarily deletes because she reads ebooks.

The Winner from SBB #404 comments is #12 DENISE who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in. 10/3/20 I have set aside some books for SBB and will take a picture and add them to the list in the next week or so.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #405

(One Question.)

Becky asks: How do you go about deciding what to read next? or do you just go with what ever is next in you TBR pile??

We have answered somewhat similar questions regarding handling of our TBR but not this specific question. I have so many books that I try to have a little bit of a plan and that is why I have a list and keep track. The Alphabet Challenge gets me looking for books to match the alphabet. I like to rotate geners: sci fi, mystery, romance, and non-fiction. I read a couple of NetGalley titles each month and try to meet my TBR goal by reading enough books each month from prior years. I read seasonally (holidays like Christmas, New Years, Valentines, summer and ghostly and horror for October). Then I also try to include both continuing and new series.
So I pick up my next read based on all that input rather than just looking through and saying "Oh, that one looks good." :-)

Who knew they actually have flowcharts to help pick your next read!?
Image found at The Mary Sue

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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 them.

Your turn to share. Becky asks: How do you go about deciding what to read next? or do you just go with what ever is next in you TBR pile??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 17, 2020, at 5 PM central.