Sunday Post January 16, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 17, 2022

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.

Last week work was a little different as I spent the time preparing for trial on Thursday. I felt the trial day went well but we didn't finish and need to set another date to go back.

Friday I spent in the emergency waiting room as they took hubby in for Covid treatment. He went to see the doctor for chills and a raw throat, suspecting his annual sinus infection. The NP at our doctor’s office was concerned when his blood pressure and oxygen levels were too low. We thought he was going to the hospital to get the infusion right then. Instead, he was put into a separate room and I sat around the emergency waiting room for six hours before a doctor admitted him and told him that the treatment is given over five days. I felt cold symptoms yesterday (runny nose, little sore throat, little headache), but a home test showed negative for Covid. I am feeling fine today with just some nose blowing due to the cold. Still, I will quarantine for five days so I am out of office through Tuesday.

Progress on the building repairs! We were all happy to see scaffolding at the building as they begin work on the front, fixing brick along the top level and preping for roof repairs.

I don't know about these days with 40 degree spread in the temperatures like 79 down to 39. We have had rain that makes it chilling (for us). Last evening/night we had high wind warnings. I heard our awning jumping in the middle of the night.

My reading was better this week, especially with five hours to read the ebook on Friday. I finished the kindle ebook and two audiobooks. I posted two reviews (one today as internet was out Saturday evening) with my usual memes.

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to LISA EVERYDAY READS. Lisa says she is a "Wife, Mom and part time Libran at our local library..." Her blog "features romance books with and without Spice of all kinds. As well as link ups, meme and book tours."

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 9, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 10, 2022.

• A2021- First Book 2022 Audible Book Review: The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel; Genre: Apologetics, Spiritual Growth; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 14, 2022. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/20/2022.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 16, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection by Alexander C. Kane; Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (A2021)

Artificial Condition
By Martha Wells
Narrated By: Kevin R. Free
Duration: 3 h 21 min
I was a little disappointed by this second book.
Source: 8/28/2021 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
Click on book title for full description; review linked above.

2. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

The After Days Trilogy
(After Days Trilogy #1-3)
by Scott Medbury
Book three in this series moved the story forward and brings the community to a point of evacuation.
Source: Free Kindle 2017.
Click on book title for full description; review linked above.

3. Audio/Smartphone NetGalley App (NG2021)

The Chase
by Candice Fox
This is a solid crime thriller.
Received 11/17/2021 Audiobook through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description; review linked above.

Currently Reading:

1. ebook/Kindle App on phone (ebTBR)

Bad Wolf (Bad Wolf Chronicles Book 1)
by Tim McGregor
I looked for a “B” kindle title and liked this cover.
I also like the idea of cops v werewolf.
Source: Kindle Free May 12, 2012.
Detective Lara Mendes’s hard work pays off when she finally gets to join the homicide detail. There’s only one catch; she has to partner up with a cop no one wants to work with.
John Gallagher is a veteran homicide detective who wants nothing more than to work alone. When the Lieutenant partners him with Lara Mendes, his first reaction is to ditch her but a call comes in about a body on the river bank and the rotation says they’re up.
What they find are human remains, mutilated and partially devoured. Their investigation reveals a killer stalking the city with a pack of vicious, feral dogs.
And the suspect believes he is a werewolf.
But this is Portland, where crazy bastards outnumber normal ones ten to one. Except there’s another catch. The crazy werewolf guy? He isn’t crazy...

2. Audio/Smartphone (A2021)

Bunker (Book 2) Dogs of War
Written by Jay J. Falconer
Read by Gary Tiedemann
Run Time 4h 40min
I decided on a shorter "B" audio in a series. Plus I wanted Post-Apocalyptic/dystopian.
Source: 10/2/2021 Chirp Purchase $1.99.
Those Who Resist, Triumph. Those Who Kneel, Serve.
When a covert communication is intercepted, Jack Bunker and the town leaders of Clearwater swing into action to uncover the secret behind its deadly intent.
However, before their defenses can be fortified and the threat neutralized, a ruthless faction gains a foothold, turning to kidnapping and torture for control.
As the body count rises, Bunker is forced to summon a part of himself he loathes in order to save everyone he cares about.
But rescuing his friends won’t be easy, not when the insurgents focus their attention on him and his mysterious past.

3. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

The Black Wolves of Boston
By: Wen Spencer
Narrated by: Ian Alan Carlsen, Corey Gagne, J. Paul Guimont, Jennywren Walker
Series: The Black Wolves of Boston, Book 1
Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins
This sounds like a good fantasy with a vampire, wolf and hunter working together.
New to me author, "B" title.
Source: July 2021 Audible Sale for $6.00.
Publisher's Summary
From the Romantic Times Sapphire award-winning author of the internationally best-selling Elfhome series.
Rebuild a life, save a city
Silas Decker had his world destroyed when he was attacked by vampires outside of New Amsterdam. He has rebuilt his life a dozen times in the last 300 years - each time less and less successfully. Now he lives alone, buried under a hoarding habit, struggling to find some reason to wake up with the setting of the sun.
Eloise is a Virtue, pledged to hunting evil. What she doesn't know is how to live alone in a city full of strangers who know nothing about monsters.
Seth is the 16-year old Prince of Boston, ward of the Wolf King. Now he is left in a city that desperately needs his protection with enemies gathering all around.
Joshua believes he is a normal, college-bound high school senior. His life is shattered when he wakes up in a field, covered with blood, and the prom committee scattered in pieces about him like broken dolls.
These four must now come together to unravel a plot by Wickers, witches who gain power from human sacrifices and have the power to turn any human into their puppet. Four people who lost everything struggle to save Boston by saving each other.
©2017 Wen Spencer (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

January 16, 2022 - I am really enjoying the videos in my new Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I like the look of this project. I am looking forward to keeping up with my reading each day.

I may start smaller studies soon.

I completed three books for review this week.
My NetGalley shelf has two back to three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I still have two author titles remaining in queue. They will (obviously) be read in 2022.
(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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review books.
I usually start the year NOT buying books except if I use my audio credits. So far so good.
I added two free Audible Plus titles.
I do have Audiobooks.com credits but they are good for 60 days. I'll be picking my free VIP book in the nest week or so.

I got one free Kindle book.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Two from Audible Plus Catalog:

Iron Dragoons: Terran Armor Corps, Book 1
By: Richard Fox
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Series: Terran Armor Corps, Book 1

Terra Nova Chronicles: Publisher's Pack
By: Richard Fox , Josh Hayes
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Series: Terra Nova Chronicles, Book 1-2


I got one free Kindle title:

No Promises (Iron Bound Book 1)
Z.J. Cannon


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

Audible Book Review: Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection by Alexander C. Kane

This is a bit zany fun listening.

Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection
By: Alexander C. Kane
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
Release date: 08-22-17
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
Think superheroes are tough? Try having one for a boss, or co-worker. That’s the predicament Andrea Vernon finds herself in as the heroine of Alexander C. Kane’s debut audiobook. Drowning in debt, and forced to move back into her parents’ Queens apartment, Andrea starts looking for a job. Luckily for her, she finds herself recruited—well, really kidnapped—by the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection (C.U.P.), an organization that deploys superheroes. Suddenly Andrea must contend with co-workers who can shoot lightning from their fingertips, face the imminent destruction of humanity, and juggle a fledgling romance with a giant lumberjack. It’s all in a day’s work for the would-be novelist turned superstar secretary.
Audible Hall of Fame narrator Bahni Turpin is perfectly cast as a normal person finding herself in abnormal circumstances. Turpin brings to life an entire cast of quirky characters, along with their heroically funny antics in the cubicle next door. If you’ve ever wondered what a genetically altered rhinoceros sounds like, or needed to take a break from your own office drudgery, this is the comedy for you.
© 2017 Alexander C. Kane (P) 2017 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
All her life Andrea has hoped her parents would be proud of her efforts. But Andrea’s European Studies/English degrees aren’t impressive to a family including a “Doctor”, a “Professor”, and a “State Senator”. Andrea hasn’t found the right job to settle into and, having struggled without a job for months, she has applied online for a job as an Administrative Assistant who “Must be willing to never ask questions. Ever.” Suddenly someone cuts a hole in her apartment wall as another man in a gas mask walks through her door to take her to an interview.

Andrea agrees to accept a job at the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection (C.U.P.), Soon she is dealing with all sorts of superheroes and learning how to please her secretive boss, Mrs. Persephone Oh. It turns out that Andrea is an excellent AA and willing to job into action when the need arises.

The surperhero characters are strange and fun with most having quirky abilities. Teleporter Joe can only teleport one way to one place, The Big Axe grows in size with his special, deadly axe, Tiger King uses his speed and claws, Kitchen Sink uses a costume that gives the wearer a deep voice and all sorts of weapons to throw at villains, and Professor Well Actually can’t help correcting facts as he begins each sentence with “Well, actually…”. There are many more and the C.U.P. administrative office has to deal with all normal Human Resource issues, their complaints regarding supplies, uniforms, and salaries, while keeping the teams organized to protect the public at large at a profitable cost while minimizing risks and damages.

When an alien egg spaceship arrives at Yankee Stadium C.U.P. slides in to secure the protection contract and face the enemy. Even with all of the C.U.P. superheroes brought in from all of the states, there is no guarantee they will succeed in keeping the threat within the contracted territory and defeating an alien force to safe the world.

I actually started listening to this book months ago in the car as I don’t always download books on some of the other apps. I found it easy to pick this up on and off without losing the thread of the zany story. There may be some argument that there are political statements being made but I just ignored that aspect while enjoying the entertainment. This did remind me of Douglas Adams’ A Hitchhikers Guide. I recommend it to those who enjoy that sort of entertainment.

Audio Notes: Bahni Turpin does a wonderful job with narration. Her voice for Andrea fits and brings the character to life. She also provides other clear, distinct voices while delivering effective energy to the action. I am glad I was able to enjoy this in audio.

Source: 2018 Audible 7/13/18 Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet (new series or standalone) goals.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 16, 2022

This morning my church experience was different than expected. We have had a lot of illness in our community in the form of flu, strep, and Covid. These illnesses have impacted our church family including a group of teachers and leaders, including our Sunday School teacher and our youth pastor. Accordingly, in caution, it was decided to not have services this morning.

My own husband is in hospital with Covid – he was more concerned about a raw throat but the NP at our doctor’s office was concerned when his blood pressure and oxygen levels were too low. We thought he was going to the hospital to get the infusion right then. Instead, he was put into a separate room and I sat around the emergency waiting room for six hours before a doctor admitted him and told him that the treatment is given over five days. I felt cold symptoms yesterday, but a home test showed negative for Covid. Still, I will quarantine for five days so I am out of office through Tuesday at least.

I ended up listening a live service of Real Life with Jack Hibbs. The worship was nice with songs I know. The sermon was good with a two-fold message: We are all sinners, and our only Hope is through the savior, Jesus.

I found this song to share today:

Verses for Today:
Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I'll adopt the song as my prayer this morning. Although I also add prayers for health for my church family and friends everywhere!

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 14, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

I had a busy week with trial on Thursday. It went well but didn't finish so there will be delay until another day.

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the January 7, 2022 Pick. There was no 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 were no titles blocked last week.

CONGRATULATIONS to
Random.org picked Winners from January 7, 2022 Pick:
ASHFA gets a GC
AND
NATALIJA 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 love these cute book inserts, Don't you?
Image found at Bored Panda.

New Book Box #95 November 7, 2021

I'll add the titles through the week (16 including 2 doubles, 1 pair).
(on top) (Two) Rancher's Wild Secret and Hold Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates
(on top) Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
(Two) The Taming & The Conquest by Jude Deveraux
(Pair) Dreaming of You and Promises of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
What We Find by Robyn Carr
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
The Hollows by Ben Larken
Robbie Taggart: Highland Sailor by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella
Storm Sisters: Friends Through All Seasons by Afton Rovrik (Hardback)
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three Audio CD Books:
Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale
A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson

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.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

(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 TWELVE years I have posted 91 groups of mostly 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling approximately 1,535 books available to find new homes! (As of November 26, 2021).

I am happy to say that so far at least 1,388 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!

First Book 2022 Audible Book Review: The Case for a Creator By: Lee Strobel

This is an informative work, full of scientific analysis.
The Case for a Creator
By: Lee Strobel
Narrated by: Lee Strobel

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 10-05-04
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Apologetics, Spiritual Growth
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Discover the astonishing evidence for intelligent design in this New York Times best-selling book by award-winning journalist Lee Strobel.
"My road to atheism was paved by science...but, ironically, so was my later journey to God," Strobel says.
During his academic years, Lee Strobel became convinced that God was obsolete, a belief that colored his journalism career. Science had made the idea of a creator irrelevant - or so Strobel thought.
But today science points in a different direction. A diverse and impressive body of research has increasingly supported the conclusion that the universe was intelligently designed. At the same time, Darwinism has faltered in the face of concrete facts and hard reason. Has science discovered God? At the very least, it's giving faith an immense boost, as new findings emerge about the incredible complexity of our universe.
Join Strobel as he reexamines the theories that once led him away from God. Through his compelling and highly readable account, you'll encounter the mind-stretching discoveries from cosmology, cellular biology, DNA research, astronomy, physics, and human consciousness that present compelling evidence in The Case for a Creator.

Review:
Lee Strobel has done a long series on “The Case for…” related to Christ and Christian faith. I am a strong believer in creation by design with God as the intelligent and creative designer. Accordingly, I was expecting to like this book, and I was glad to be impressed with the extent of science shared in support of an intelligent creator. Using the skills of a serious journalist, Strobel reaches out to experts in six scientific disciplines: Cosmology, Physics, Astrology, Biochemistry, Biological, and Consciousness. The interviews are presented in a clear fashion with the author raising challenges in each field.

This presentation might be a little dry for some readers. There is more scientific technical detail in this work than I have used in my study lessons fifteen years ago. I am curious to see if the companion study series uses the same interview format or adds more visual imagery.

I have a soft spot for Lee Strobel from my journalism days. Some part of my brain remembers when he changed from an atheist to a Christ believer. After providing solid scientific basis to support Theism, Stobel concludes with some wonderful Bible verses that show God's handiwork and declaration of creation. 

I am glad I chose this as my first book of 2022 as I learned a lot of science while reinforcing my faith. I recommend this to Christ followers who would enjoy the depth of scientific data to support their faith. I also recommend this to readers who are skeptical and are open minded to hear the scientific evidence that overcomes Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Audio Notes: Lee Strobel does a fine job narrating his own book. He brings his open-mindedness and confidence into the reading. I am glad I had the audio although I would like to have a print copy as well.

Source: May 18, 2021 Purchase at $2.99 with Whispersync. This is 2022 First Book and qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

First Book of the Year 2022.