Sunday Post April 25, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 26, 2021

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.

 
Sadly my sister and nephew drove through the night so we didn't get a second visit. But there should be more visits soon.

Heather continues to suffering from dizziness and nausea and is unable to work as the light of the computer makes her nauseous. She gets the results of her CT scan this week so maybe they can find something to help beyond sleeping. 

I am thankful for the rest of the staff that helps me maintain some control in office as our closings continue.
I am still fitting in the legal work as I can and sometimes working at night at home.

I had some ups and downs in the market this week. I am refining my weekly stock options while tightening my stock holdings. 

We had very serious rain on Saturday leading to flooding over roads.
It was good I stayed home as I might not have been able to drive back in.
I did chores that allowed me to listen to audio!

Hopefully things will dry out this week. 

Reading went well this week as I enjoyed each book. I finished two audio books and one NetGalley book. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I only visited 16 blogs last week as I did some work the early nights of the week.
Shout Out this week to STUFF AND NONSENSE. Anne blogs about books, shares "photography enthusiasm and anything else that strikes her fancy."

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 April 18, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 19, 2021.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Witch of Hebron: A World Made by Hand Novel, Book 2 by James Howard Kunstler; Genre: Metaphysical Fiction, Post Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Too Crowded by Lena Podesta; Genre: Children, Fish, Sharing; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 23, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/29/2021.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 25, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. NetGalley App on phone (NG2021)

A Waterfront Wedding
A Heart's Landing Novel from Hallmark Publishing
By: Leigh Duncan
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
This is an easy listen and sweet romance.
Source: NetGalley 2021.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Kindle App on Fire Tablet (NG2020)

A Cowboy for Keeps
by Jody Hedlund
This is a lovely Christian, Historical Romance.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Pathfinder's Way
A Novel of The Broken Lands
Written by T. A. White
Narrated by Christa Lewis
Broken Lands Series, Book 1
Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins
I devoured this fantasy novel full of action and intrigue.
Source: 12/19/20199 Chirp purchase $1.99.
The Trateri are about to learn a vital lesson of the Broken Lands. Deep in the remote expanse where anything can happen, it pays to be on a pathfinder's good side. Nobody ventures beyond their village. Nobody sane, that is. Monstrous creatures and deadly mysteries wait out here. Luckily for the people she serves, Shea's not exactly sane. As a pathfinder, it's her job to face what others fear and find the safest route through the wilderness. It's not an easy job, but she's the best at what she does. When the people she serves betray her into servitude to the Trateri, a barbarian horde sweeping through the Lowlands intent on conquest, Shea relies on her wits and skill to escape, disguising herself as a boy to hide from the Warlord, a man as dangerous as he is compelling. After being mistaken as a Trateri scout during her escape, Shea finds herself forced to choose between the life she led and the possibilities of a new one. Her decision might mean the difference between life and death. For danger looms on the horizon, and a partnership with the Warlord may be the only thing preventing the destruction of everything she holds dear.

Currently Reading:
1. Print (TBR)

The Faith of Condoleezza Rice
by Leslie Montgomery
I should finish this week. So much information about this remarkable woman.
Source: February 2018 Discounted price at Christianbooks.com
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook - Adobe Digital App on Computer (2021)

Save Me (Broken Idols #2)
by M.C. Frank
I have enjoyed this author's emotional intensity.
Source: Received from Author.
"You saved my life."
"I did. Now I'm the one who's drowning."
I was playing Mr Darcy in a modern Pride and Prejudice film adaptation, shot on a Greek island. I was Hollywood's golden boy, Wes Spencer. A billionaire. One of the youngest Academy Award nominees. A prodigy.
She was just a stunt girl from Greece, surfing and diving into the azure waters of the Corfu beaches between my takes.
There was no reason for us to meet. The stunt girl and the actor. Our worlds should have never collided, but they did.
We went from a near-death experience to indifference, from indifference to hate and from hate to... to something I never would have imagined.
She changed my life and then she disappeared. I guess nearly dying in my arms scared her too much, and she couldn't come back from that. I was scared too. I still have nightmares about losing her, but this... this is worse than all my nightmares put together.
Losing her is breaking me. Without her I am constantly suffocating.
But how can I get her back, when she won't even talk to me? When she won't even tell me what I did?

3. Audible/Smartphone (2021)

Penny Preston and the Raven's Talisman
Misaligned, Book I
By: Armen Pogharian
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 04-21-21
This story is easy listening fun. I appreciate the offer from the narrator to listen.
Source: 4/22/2021 Narrator Audible Code.
Publisher's Summary
When shadow-monsters attack in the cafeteria, eighth grader Penny Preston panics, starts a food fight, and unknowingly creates a trans-dimensional rift. Summoned to the counselor’s office, she expects suspension, but instead discovers that she is misaligned and exists in more than three dimensions. Unless she immediately begins training to learn to handle her powerful abilities, she risks losing her sanity.
She agrees to secretly train with her counselor and his friend Master Poe, an exile from the seventh dimension trapped in a raven’s body, to keep her hometown, Piper Falls, safe from higher-dimensional beings seeking to gain god-like powers in our dimension.
Together with Simon, her telepathic multidimensional cat, Penny struggles to save her relationship with her best friend, protect her universe, and uncover her connection to Arthurian myth.
©2020 Armen Pogharian (P)2021 CamCat Publishing.

April 25, 2021 - I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. (I got one day behind but and caught up again.)
I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
I still have started a new 6 day study: Truth Plus Love.

I completed three books and will get those reviewed this week.
NetGalley shelf remains at 7 as I received two and added one to reading this week.
Thre author titles remain in queue - I need to start these now that NG titles are lower.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and 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 received one audible code from the narrator.
I purchased one Audible Daily Deal and one Chirp audio book.
I selected two for one credit at Audiobooks.com.
I added five 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

4/22/2021 Narrator Audible Code:

Penny Preston and the Raven's Talisman
Misaligned, Book I
By: Armen Pogharian
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
Release date: 04-21-21
For more information see this under Current Reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

4/22/2021 Two for One Credit purchase at Audiobooks.com.

Castle in the Air
By Diana Wynne Jones
Narrated By: Jenny Sterlin
Duration: 8 h 2 min

House of Many Ways
By Diana Wynne Jones
Narrated By: Jenny Sterlin
Duration: 8 h 0 min


4/24/2021 Audible Daily Deal $3.95

The Girls in the Snow, Nikki Hunt, Book 1
By: Stacy Green
Narrated by: Kate Handford
Series: Nikki Hunt, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 10-19-20

4/24/2021 Chirp Deal $.99

Act of Mercy
Written by Mandy M. Roth
Narrated by Mason Lloyd
Run Time 4h 53min
I like werewolves and PSI so I thought I would try this.

Free

I added five free Kindle titles this week, these three from World Book Day, thanks to reminder at Savvy Verse & Wit:

Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 25, 2021

We enjoyed worship music online and, after announcements, Pastor continued his sermon series “It Matters”.

Sometimes we have to take control of our thoughts of defeat, discouragement, critical, sinful and anything that is not the mind of Christ. Stop making excuses. Don’t give quarter (or toehold) to thoughts that are not of the mind of Christ.
Give your whole mind to Christ. Position yourself through surrendering daily and spending renewing time with Christ.
Many times in today's engagements we see "Terms and Conditions". We are all probably liars because we don’t really read the Terms and Conditions when we say we have and click the "accept" button.

The Bible tells us how to live on God’s terms and conditions. The biggest issue revealed is our sin versus God’s holiness.

Today's message comes from Leviticus 10 and 16. Leviticus 16 gives instructions regarding the Day of Atonement. Leviticus is an instruction manual to the Levites, the priests of Israel. It is also instruction to the people in their relationship with God.

Leviticus 10:1-7 tells of the disobedience of two priests and their immediate death. They “offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command.” They thought they could walk into God’s presence on their own terms instead of on God’s terms.

When you come into God’s presence are you coming on his terms or on your terms? Since Jesus' sacrifice, we no longer need to meet all the details of incense and sacrifices on the altar. But we still need to come to God on his terms. Do you expect your terms to be met before you will worship? It is impossible to worship someone else on your terms. That is not worship.

God says all the time: “I am the Lord your God, I am Holy!”

The Point: It Matters: Worship should happen on God’s terms, not ours.

Psalm 40:3 says that God gave David a new song to sing praise to God.

If we truly understood whose presence we were in, what would be different? Would our posture, our attitude, our offerings be different? How can we be unaffected?

I had this song in my song list and I think it is beautiful and fitting.

Verses for Today:
Leviticus 10:1-3
10 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:
“‘Among those who approach me
I will be proved holy;
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored.’”
Aaron remained silent.

Psalm 40:3
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

Lord, I pray that I recognize, value and glorify Your Holiness.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 23, 2021

Happy Friday!
I bought some new books at a yard sale last month so I will put together a new box of books soon.

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 April 16, 2021 Pick. There was one automatic win last week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.
CAROL L wins Show No Fear.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from April 16, 2021 Pick:
MARJORIE gets a GC

AND
LINDA gets a GC

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.}

I'm a day late but we can still share about Earth Day.
Image found at This West Coast Mommy.

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
All of Me by Lori Wilde

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES

New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls

New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job

New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham

New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- 

All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,357+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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, TWRP, 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 faraway 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!

#NetGalley Book Review: Too Crowded by Lena Podesta

This is very cute.
Too Crowded
by Lena Podesta

• Publisher : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (April 6, 2021)
• ASIN : B08NWFWJ4G
• Hardcover : 40 pages
• Reading age : 4 - 8 years
• Grade level : 1 - 3
Genre: Children, Fish, Sharing
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

A hilarious, heartwarming picture book with subtle lessons about the importance of sharing, home, and friendship.
Gil the Goldfish lives in a fishbowl with 138 pebbles―he counts them every day―and a castle. It feels TOO CROWDED! When Gil leaves his bowl in search of open spaces, he finds a world full of many interesting...and loud ... and possibly dangerous creatures.
It turns out that life outside the bowl might not be right for a fish. Thank goodness for Turtle, a citizen of the not-so-great outdoors who comes to Gil's rescue! Will Gil make peace with his home sweet home, and maybe even find room for a friend in the process?

Review:
Gil the Goldfish decides one day that his fishbowl, with the same pebbles to count each day, is too crowded for him. He sets out to find a better place to live. But each place he finds has a different problem. Eventually he comes upon a turtle who points out that Gil needs to get back to his bowl. Once rescued Gil experiences a change of heart and finds room for a friend.

This is a very cute and easy read. I enjoyed the adventures and experiences that were shared for Gil even though it may have been unrealistic to see a fish travel outside his bowl. The story shares a good message - that the grass isn’t always greener - and also notes that life can be better sharing with a friend. The images are clean, colorful and precise without being busy or overwhelming. I would be glad to share this with my grandchildren.

Source: NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021NetGalley goals.

Audible Book Review: The Witch of Hebron: A World Made by Hand Novel, Book 2 by James Howard Kunstler

This EOTWAWKI is a bit raw but intriguing.

The Witch of Hebron: A World Made by Hand Novel, Book 2
By: James Howard Kunstler
Narrated by: Jim Meskimen

Series: World Made By Hand, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 09-07-10
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Metaphysical Fiction, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
In the sequel to his best-selling World Made by Hand, James Howard Kunstler expands on his vision of a post-oil society with a new novel about an America in which the electricity has flickered off, the Internet is a distant memory, and the government is little more than a rumor.
In the tiny hamlet of Union Grove, New York, travel is horse-drawn and farming is back at the center of life. But it’s no pastoral haven. Wars are fought over dwindling resources and illness is a constant presence. Bandits roam the countryside, preying on the weak, and a sinister cult threatens to shatter Union Grove’s fragile stability. Here is a novel that seamlessly weaves hot-button issues like the decline of oil and the perils of climate change into a compelling narrative of violence, religious hysteria, innocence lost, and love found—a cautionary tale with an optimistic heart.
Already a renowned social commentator and a best-selling novelist and nonfiction writer, Kunstler has recently attained even greater prominence in the global conversation about energy and the environment. In the last two years he has been the focus of a long profile in the New Yorker, the subject of a full-page essay in the New York Times Book Review, and his wildly popular blog and podcast have made him a sought-after speaker who gives dozens of lectures and scores of media interviews each year.
©2010 James Howard Kunstler (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
This post-apocalyptic series is not an action packed EOTWAWKI but instead is character and drama driven. This second book expands on describing the world where the survivors are living in without power and trying to relearn skills that existed before electricity, cars, tractors, medical facilities and more. There are local rivalries that are just tense, and there are bandits and killers who are frightening.

A big portion of this story is centered on Jasper, the Doctor’s 11-year-old son. When Jasper’s puppy gets killed accidentally, Jasper is desolated. He allows his anger to push him into an act of revenge, after which he runs away to find a new life elsewhere. Jasper meets a mix of people on his adventure. He offers to help nurse a man in pain and then is cheated when he asks for food. He is then forced to become an unwilling protégé of a deranged psychopath. Along the way he finds kindness from a young girl a couple of years older and finally he helps and is helped by a self-titled witch.

The witch plays an important role interacting in separate encounters with a handful of men from Union Grove. These men include Jasper’s father and the man who is seeking to confront Jasper over his act of revenge. The ‘witch’ is a curious mix of hostess, herbalist, dream hacker and female companion.

Kunstler provides some background to the fall of society and to the history of the local religious group. He writes with strong detail and presents a world of natural and complex emotions. The events occur near Halloween and there is some dark rawness in the stark evil described. This is offset by some beauty through the author’s storytelling. I am interested in listening to the next book, The Harrows of Spring.

Audio Notes: Jim Meskimen does a very good job with the narration. He shares appropriate voices and energy for the characters. He delivers with a calm undertone until he needs to portray the manic nature of a particular character. I enjoyed the audio version which added to the entertainment value for me.

Source: 12/21/2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.