Sunday Post December 13, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 14, 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 two large commercial closings this week.  One was as planned and the other changed in nature in two days. It took a day to get the package changed and out and all worked out well.
My left eye did calm down but I think I am losing clarity in my eye.  My last visit two months ago the eye doctor did tell me that I was starting to get a cataract. He suggests that when it is time I should have laser surgery so I have that to look forward to. It will be very strange since I have been nearsighted all my life - I don't see the big E on the chart (actually, I only see a blurry white rectangle for the chart) without lenses. I can read and do close up needle work with the lenses off. That won't be available if I have my eyes 'fixed'.

The deer ate all the leaves off the satsuma (branches on the right) and knocked off the one fruit which hubby ate. The deer also got a lot of the leaves from the lemon towards the left.
Hubby needs to spray the area with deer repellent.

Our temps ranged from high 20s to mid 70s. We had a couple of foggy and rainy days and had to check each morning to dress accordingly.
This week the range shouldn't be as wide with lower highs and higher lows.

I enjoyed my reading and listening this week. I had variety with one audio, one ebook and one childrens' book. I posted five reviews and my usual memes. 
Countdown to finish challenges:
TBR -need to finish 5 and 3 are lined up this week. I am on track.
I'll have to see if I can find a title with "X" so I can finish the alphabet.
NetGalley - Completed!

I visited 15 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to THE BOOK DISCIPLE. Samantha has a nice looking blog, "genetic" love of reading and says "I have enjoyed discovering indie authors as well as the more ‘main streamed’ authors."

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 December 6, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 7, 2020.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Calvin the Christmas Tree by Stephen G. Bowling; Genre: Children, Christmas; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor Genre: Humorous Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• MBS November 2020 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien; Genre: Children’s Folk Tales, Fairy Tale Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 11, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/17/2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Jingle Bell Pop by John Seabrook; Genre: Christmas, Music, Nonfiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham; Genre: Christmas, Mystery, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #410 Comment Giveaway December 12, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/26/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 13, 2020.

Finished Reading:
1. NetGalley App on Phone (NG2020)

Survive the Fall (EMP: Return of the Wild West Book 1)
by Grace Hamilton
This is a family focused post-apocalyptic story.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. NetGalley App on Phone (NG2020)

Yang Warriors
by Kao Kalia Yang
Oh boy - this is touching.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. NetGalley App on Phone (NG2020)

Megge of Bury Down
The Bury Down Chronicles, Book One
by Rebecca Kightlinger
Narrated by Jan Cramer
Megge is a complex character in this engaging story of good witches in the middle ages.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Pupcakes: A Christmas Novel
Written By: Annie England Noblin
Narrated By: Amy McFadden
Duration: 9 hours 59 minutes
I like the premise of this story.
Source: November 2019 Sale at Audiobooks.com $3.99.
Summary:
Sit! Stay! Speak! author Annie England Noblin’s novel takes one woman starting over, adds an aging pug named Teddy Roosevelt, and proves the power of a well-baked dog treat.
All she wants is a settled-down life.
What she gets is a dog—and a whole new normal . . .
There he stood in the doorway: overweight, depressed and nearly homeless—a pug named Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy was Brydie Benson’s latest problem, arriving on top of her messy divorce and sudden move. Brydie needed a place to start over, so this rent-free home seemed a great idea. She just never counted on Teddy, or his owner, the Germantown Retirement Village’s toughest customer, Pauline Neumann.
And because rent-free doesn’t mean bills-free, Brydie gets a night-shift job at a big-box grocery. Whoever guessed there were so many people who wanted baked goods after midnight?
Then, she gets an idea—why not combine her baking skills with her new-found dog knowledge? And so her store Pupcakes is born. Along with a new start comes a possible new love, in the form of Nathan Reid, a local doctor with a sassy Irish Wolfhound named Sasha. And as fall turns to winter, and then to Christmas, Brydie begins to realize that life is a little bit like learning a new recipe for puff pastry—it takes a few tries to get it just right!...

2. Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

Cold Feet: A Short Story for Christmas (Hand-Me-Downs Book 2)
by Meggan Haller
This looks sweet and will help towards finishing my TBR goal.
Source: December 2016 Free Kindle download.
"He saw the distinct shape of a hand carefully placing one more stocking alongside the others. Though Jakob was sure he saw it, at first he didn’t believe it was real. It took him a long time to figure out there was no Santa, and short of a miracle, he wouldn’t be quick to change his mind."
Another Christmas and nothing had changed for 5-year-old Jakob. Papa still had no job, the family still had no money, and Jakob still had the same pair of old, threadbare socks only now with holes in them. This was the Great Depression, a time of hardship for many families, the Strumpfs included.
Year after year, Santa brought nothing for the Strumpfs but a hand-written promise that next Christmas would be better. Jakob’s older brothers and sisters believed Santa would keep his promise and bring them a gift this year—even Mama and Papa believed—but Jakob doubted. When a sensitive boy loses heart, his family must help him find it.
These days, Christmas may be a season of abundance, but this solemn tale introduces young readers to an era of struggle. A generation after Bern learned to believe in Santa in Light in the Snow, Jakob carries on the Strumpf tradition of turning hardships into happiness. With contemplative and compassionate prose, this remarkable story reminds us that where there is love, hope can flourish despite poverty.

3. Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

Thomas & the Christmas Orange: Storybook Advent Calendar Singles
by Lewis Brech
This is another TBR I have been meaning to read for years.
Source: August 2011 Free Kindle download.
From Storybook Advent Calendar
A charming story about giving and the simple things in life was inspired by a folktale about that orange that seems to appear in Christmas stockings each year. Thomas and his parents leave England in 1824. Tragedy strikes and despair and destitution follow, but warmth and love are returned from a simple orange. This is an instant classic and beloved by all who read it!

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 

December 13, 2020 - I continue enjoying reading first thing each morning, even this week while away.
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 in the middle of a ten day Advent study: 10 Days of Christmas Truths to Live All Year.

I completed three books, posted five reviews and I continue to be up to date.
I added one NetGalley title and still have the three remaining titles from 2012-13.
I have two author titles in queue which will carry over to 2021. (Plus a few that I received from newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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.
I picked up one new NetGalley title this week but plan on more in the next few weeks.

I bought three titles at Chirp.
I am lining up my two Audible picks to get this week.
No 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

I picked up one Audio NetGalley title (and have several on request and several READ I plan to add before year end).

The Salvage Crew
by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
Narrated by Nathan Fillion
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Won

NONE

Purchased

I used one Audiobooks.com credit for these two titles:

Mistletoe Miracles
Written By: Jodi Thomas
Narrated By: Julia Gibson
Duration: 9 hours 52 minutes

The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations
Written By: Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Becky Wade, Karen Witemeyer
Narrated By: Pilar Witherspoon, Liz Pearce, Stephanie Cozart, Emily Pike Stewart
Duration: 12 hours 53 minutes

And I bought three titles at Chrip for under $10.00.

What If It's True?
by Charles Martin
Narrated by Charles Martin
Run Time 9h 55min
$4.99

Armor
by John Steakley
Narrated by Tom Weiner
Run Time 13h 39min
$3.99

By Sea & Sky
by Antoine Bandele
Narrated by John Rogers
Run Time 9h 57min
$0.99

Free

No free Kindle title this week. 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 December 13, 2020

Our church opened this morning's service with Joy to the World which was lovely-- I was singing along with the video streaming. :-)

Pastor asked us to share ONE thing we think about when we think of the Christmas story. Answers included: Jesus, angels, shepherds, manger, wise men, gifts, the star, watching.

Pastor shared his message "God Speaks". He speaks directly and indirectly, through signs and seasons. He is always there to speak but are we always ready to listen? We get ready for Christmas with hustle and bustle because there is a lot of preparation. Then we are glad and relax when it is over.That isn't the way it should be. Pastor noted that God made a lot of preparation to prepare the world for His son, Jesus.

Pastor shared some of the preparation parts described in Luke and Matthew.
Luke 1:11-38
Zechariah questions when the angel tells him that he and Elizabeth will have a child. They were up in years so it may have been pretty natural to question. However, keep in mind Zechariah was a priest. Gabriel reveals who he is and says 'because you questioned, you will not speak again until the child is born'.

When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the angel appeared to Mary. Mary is an innocent teenager and she naturally questions ‘how can this be?” Then she responds with acceptance: “May your word be fulfilled.”

Matthew 1:18-24
Joseph also hears from God. He was preparing to quietly set Mary aside until an angel appeared to him in a dream. Joseph did as the angel commanded and took Mary to be his wife. Joseph acted on his faith.

God went to great lengths to prepare the earth for Jesus to come. He spoke to ordinary people.

GOD SPEAKS TO ORDINARY PEOPLE ABOUT ORDINARY THINGS.
(I would add He speaks about extraordinary things too!)

God still speaks today. How do we listen?
1. GET QUIET. Turn off the noise around us – physical and eternal noise.
2. GO TO THE WORD. Weigh what we think He is saying against His written word.
(God gives grace by saying – ‘you didn’t fully listen or follow, but I can work with that.’)
3. ASK FOR COUNSEL. Seek input from mature Christ follower who will be honest with you.
4. GO BACK TO GOD.

We might follow obediently like Joseph or we might question innocently like Mary. We might even doubt like Zechariah. But we can return to God for clarity; to LISTEN for the details.

This song speaks of "God’s plan” Who Would have Dreamed.
(Perhaps they/we should have been listening better.)

Verses for today:
Luke 1:35-38 NIV
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Matthew 1:24-25 NIV
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Lord, help me to get quiet and help me listen to You - every day, every moment.

Sharing Beyond Books #410 Comment Giveaway December 12, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB and the last month of 2020!
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Last week Q#409: What is a book that you think every child should read??
Three people named Enid Blyton, two each comments for the Bible, Black Beauty, Winnie the Pooh, and Dr. Seuss. Other books or authors mentioned include Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and la comtesse de segur and Komey Chukovsky (think Russian Dr. Seuss).

The Winner from SBB #409 comments is #3 BN100 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. 11/28/20 I have added a box of new books for SBB and will list them in the next week or so. I have to try to cross off books that have already been awarded. ]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #410

(One Question.)

Nikki asks: If you had the power to make a fave book into a movie/tv series adaptation, what book would you choose and why??

We may have had this question before but maybe we have different suggestions now. Two series that popped into my mind are the Mercy Thompson series (provided they don't cheapen it like the Sookie Stackhouse series) or the Destoryermen series. I dont' watch Netflix but if I did I would like to see the Virgin River and Bridgerton series.

Image found at Pinterest by Bookbub.

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.
I forgot to say last month that the comments were provided by Bn100 who gets 1/2 book credit (for a full book now) and Fredamans who gets $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Nikki asks: If you had the power to make a fave book into a movie/tv series adaptation, what book would you choose and why??

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, December 26, 2020, at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham

I was very pleased by this easy listen with suspense and guardian angels at Christmas.

An Angel for Christmas
Written By: Heather Graham
Narrated By: Christina Traister

Duration: 5 hours 48 minutes
Date: September 2011
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Christmas, Mystery, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
Christmas has never brought out the best in the MacDougal family. Still, year after year, they gather together in the Blue Ridge Mountains to try to make the season merry and bright. But this year is an especially strained one, with Shayne's impending divorce, Morwenna's slavish devotion to work and Bobby's reluctance to face what life has to offer. They've never felt less like a family. Then, in the midst of a snowy sibling shouting match, a mysterious stranger appears. He could be a criminal, a madman - or something far more unexpected. Despite their fears and the growing danger in the dark woods around them, the MacDougals take a leap of faith. But when another stranger arrives on the mountainside, they don't know which of them to believe. One of these men can't be trusted. And one is about to bring Christmas into their hearts.

Review:
Morwenna has traveled home even though she expects the usual family tensions. Her older brother, Shayne has worked too hard as a doctor and is facing a divorce and his first Christmas without his children. Meanwhile the youngest sibling, Bobby, is home from college and trying to figure out how to tell his father that he wants to change majors … again. When Shayne arrives the family is thrilled that his son and daughter are with him because his soon to be ex-wife decided to take a trip with a new beau. Before Morwenna and her siblings get back inside, they discover a man moaning on the edge of their woods.

Their father steps out with a rifle aimed at the stranger. An argument ensues, as Shayne is not going to leave the injured man in the snow. They finally agree to allow the man in the house out of the cold. The man, Gabe, claims that he is a police officer who has been attacked by the man he was chasing. In the fight he lost his weapon and the criminal has traded his clothes and IDs. As they share the magic of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, Gabe shares warm situations and encouragement with the family, especially winning the friendship and unwavering support of Morwenna’s niece, Genieve. Then another stranger, wearing a police officer’s uniform, shows up insisting that the family is in danger. The family is confused and reluctant when the pushing man tries to take Gabe into custody. Will the family be able to get to the local pub to get help deciding which man to trust before something bad happens?

I was drawn into the story from the first paragraphs where the cop is chasing the criminal. I thought later in the story that it might have been interesting if the good guy and bad guy hadn’t been revealed. Still there was sufficient suspense, sweetness and the hint of romance to keep me engaged. I enjoyed the light mystery for the family, the Christmas magic, Genieve’s charming birthday wishes and the angel angle. I recommend this as a quick Christmas read/listen.

Audio Notes: Christina Traister does a nice job with the narration. I like the voices and the energy. The narration made this a nice, easy listen.

Source: 2019 September Christmas deals $3.00. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Jingle Bell Pop by John Seabrook

I really enjoyed this informative little work and wished there had been more.
Jingle Bell Pop
By: John Seabrook
Narrated by: Erin Moon

Length: 1 hr and 14 mins
Release date: 12-06-18
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Christmas, Music, Nonfiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
It seems like every year, the holiday season arrives earlier and earlier. Before Halloween’s ghosts and ghouls have even had their chance to come out of the shadows, sleigh bells and ribbons begin to materialize at the mall and towering tinsel-tinged trees appear in our living rooms. But the most telltale sign of the arrival of yuletide festivities is the unceasingly merry melody of the seasonal songbook, from "Silent Night" to "Santa Baby." Love them or loathe them, these holiday earworms are here to stay. But how do these songs endure for decades? And why are there so few contemporary Christmas carols?
In this holly jolly Audible Original, New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist John Seabrook uncovers the mysteries of the holiday music machine, exploring how these hits were made and why they’ve dominated the soundwaves each and every winter. From the mid-century reign of songwriter Johnny Marks ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer") to the manufactured musical nostalgia of modern holiday hits like "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Seabrook, alongside a cast of singers, songwriters, and producers, reveals the untold stories behind the songs that have us rockin’ around the Christmas tree year after year.
©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
This little treat shares the history of the most famous and classic Christmas songs. Songs discussed include hymns such as Silent Night and Holy Night, 50’s-60’s classics like White Christmas, Santa Baby and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a few modern songs like All I Want for Christmas Is You. Song writers, producers and singers contribute to the factors that contribute to why/how a particular song might get included in the top 25 of ever repeated seasonal music. The summary was that the best of the Christmas songs are over 25 years old with little likelihood of new hits.

I found the historical and trivia details interesting. Although it seems appropriate to keep this type of work shorter, I would have enjoyed more of the history and music. I recommend this little tidbit to music fans and those who love perennial Christmas songs.

Audio Notes: Erin Moon did an appropriate job of narrating with a few interview voices included. There were some brief tidbits of songs and I would have been fine with a little more. I am glad this little work is available.

Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sale $2.98. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.