Sunday Post July 29, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 30, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.

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.

This week was a little disjointed by a broken AC unit in the office. Surprising how distracting it can be to work in 90 degree office. Happily the new unit was installed and running late Wednesday.

We have still been having steady storms every afternoon with hot days preceding.

You can't tell by the one book finished but I enjoyed my reading this week. I finished one NetGalley and am far along in another and an audio book. I posted three reviews on the blog and all of my usual memes.

I visited only 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Colletta's Kitchen Sink. Colletta shares books and several of the popular weekly memes plus some nice family photos.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post July 22, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 23, 2018.

• NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The Year of the Knife by G.D. Penman; Alternate History, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy; my Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 20, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/2/2018.

• A2018- Audible Book Review: Audible Book Review: The Dispatcher by John Scalzi; Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi; my rating: Story 4.5 of 5.0; Narrator 4.5 of 5.0.

• NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks by Gavin Aung Than; Cartoon, Comic Strip, Self-Help; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #349 Comment Giveaway July 28, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/11/18.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 29, 2018.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

Science Geek Sam and his Secret Logbook
by Cees Dekker (Author), Corien Oranje (Author), Perta van Rijssen (Illustrator)
This is a fun read weighing out creation and scientific theories.
Source: NetGalley (requested end of 2017 but received 1/2/18).

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (2018Audible - Review)

The Painter of Time
By: Matthew S O'Connell
Narrated by: Susan Fouche
Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
I am still fascinated by the history and art detail in this. And there is an interesting twist in the mystery!
Just two hours to go.
Source: Author Marketing Experts.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Talon - epic fantasy novel (The Astor Chronicles Book 1)
by Amanda Greenslade
I am 56% and really like this fantasy adventure with animal shifters and a battle of good and evil.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (2018Audible - Review)

Christmas at the Inn
Rose and Briar Inn Stories, Book 1
By: Andrea Twombly
I am looking forward to enjoying a sweet story. 
Source: author through AudioBook Boom.
Publisher's Summary
Annie Acorn Audio is pleased to present Christmas at the Inn written by Andrea Twombly and narrated by Lisa Leslie.
“The sign says NO VACANCY, not VACANCY.” The innkeeper's gruff reply belied his handsome face, and Angela Perkins took a step back.
Heading north for the holidays, things certainly hadn't gone as she had planned. A snowstorm, an apple pie, and an old friend all conspire to bring her to a crossroads. Will a Christmas Eve detour send her back to her snug village home, or will she forge ahead and let a turn in the road lead her to newfound happiness?
In this, the first entry in her new Rose and Briar Inn series, internationally beloved From Women's Pens author Andrea Twombly weaves a warm story of the Christmas season, rich in challenges overcome and courage discovered along a twisting road to love.
You won't want to miss this one!
©2015 Annie Acorn Publishing LLC (P)2018 Annie Acorn Publishing LLC

4. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

Jack Gilmour: Wish Lawyer
by Ed Ryder
I needed a "J" NetGalley title and this included a lawyer so it got my attention.
This offsets the sweet listen.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Don’t be careful what you wish for, be certain!
Meet Jack Gilmour, Las Vegas’ first and only demonic contract lawyer, protecting people against themselves from offers they can’t refuse.
When a casino owner Eddie Malfitano’s nephew makes a potentially fatal pact to be with a woman he met at a club, the paper trail leads to Lucia Oredis, a powerful demon from Jack’s past. She proposes a deal: to cancel the contract, Jack must investigate a conspiracy in the corridors of demonic power, and help her destroy it.
With time running out and his assistant missing, Jack goes on a quest to solve both mysteries and gets in over his head with both the human and demonic underworld. With only his wits, the Malfitano family and a gambling wizard for help, can Jack save the day and both worlds?

July 29, 2018 - I am still enjoying the prayer app which gives me five prayer groups each morning! I enjoyed reading several of the prophets last week. Now back to Chronicles. I continue on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my smartphone. You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.

I completed only 1 book and 3 reviews. So I am up to date with only one review until I finish more books this week.
I still need to find time to keep adding reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
I finished all my 2017 NetGalley titles and my NetGalley shelf is at 12 (I must have miscounted last week). I now have two author titles in queue. Still many 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 three NetGalley titles and a review book
I held off on Audible Daily Deals this week but there are Sci Fi titles on sale! Can I resist? We'll see.
I resisted the kindle bargain deals.
I did pick up some 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 received this ebook for review from the author through Author Marketing Experts.

Must Love Babies
by Lynnette Austin
"This baby's not the only one in need of a cuddle..."
This sounds so cute.


I picked these titles up from NetGalley:

A Book Without Dragons
by Olivia Berrier
"The year is 2054, and the clocks are wrong."
It's hard for me to pass up a dystopian/post-apocalyptic.

Unwritten

by Tara Gilboy

"Twelve-year-old Gracie Freeman is living a normal life, but she is haunted by the fact that she is actually a character from a story, an unpublished fairy tale she's never read."
I was caught by the idea of a character from a story. (And I needed a "U" title.":-)

For Us Human

by Steve Rzasa

"Caz Fortel is a great liar. In fact, he's a professional."
This is Christian and Sci Fi - a great mix for me.

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

I added only 29 free titles to my Kindle library this week.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 29, 2018

Our substitute Sunday School teacher shared a message that we should live our lives as though we are writing our obituary. Our actions should speak for our lives. This fit with the sermon message too.

Pastor continued his sermon series The Strong from 1 Peter. He noted that last week’s message from 1 Peter 4 spoke to practical aspects of living different. This week the message is from 1 Peter 4:7-11.

Pastor noted that we often settle for second best in our choices. Sometimes it’s a matter of money; other times it is a determined choice of taste. Of course, “best” is a relative term that varies from person to person.

So the question today is: How often do we give God our best?
Do we give God less than our best but still expect God to give us blessings?
1 Peter 4:7 starts: “The end of the world is coming soon.” This would worry many people but for Christ followers it should be exciting! We believe: “The day I die I begin a new life.”
1 Peter 4:7b: therefore be earnest in your prayer.
1 Peter 4:8: Most important... Show deep love.

Point: The church is at its best when the strong give their best.

When we settle for less, then the church is less.
Everyone has a spiritual gift. We are to use them to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10.
Use your gifts to help the church and honor God.
The Devil will minimize your gift; he will lie to you saying, ‘you ruined your gift’.

We are created to do and become more than we can imagine. God created each of us specially. Psalm 139:13-18. This scripture shows God’s Intimate and magnificent plan. We each need to seek God's best plan.

Using your gift well will give glory to God. 1 Peter 4:11.
Are you giving God your best?
Here is how to prepare:
1. Ask for God to forgive us for failing to give our best.
2. (Re) Discover your spiritual gift.
3. Commit to use your spiritual gift for God.
4. Give your best to God.
Don’t consider that you owe God a debt. Instead, pursue a right relationship with Him.

I found several songs I liked for today but chose this one.

Verses for Today:
1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

My prayer: God forgive me for failing to give my best. Help me remember this prayer each morning and, Holy Spirit, help me give my best to God each day.

Sharing Beyond Books #349 Comment Giveaway July 28, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Six people watch games shows sometimes; two only watch sport shows; two like shows with a storyline; one watches documentaries and one watches only dvds. That leaves another five who don't watch much TV and one who doesn't have a TV!

The Winner from SBB #348 comments is: #17 Becky 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.

**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 #349

(One Question.)

St. James asks: How many pages of a book do you read before deciding it's a dnf [did not finish]??

We have had this question before but back in 2013. Let's see if our answers have changed.
My answer hasn't changed. I rarely DNF. If I selected or accepted a book for review I plan to push through to the end. I can only think of one DNF over the past several years. It is a popular book and I was listening on audio. I stopped about two hours in as I found it boring and depressing. Perhaps I'll try again sometime.
(Maybe someone should ask - for another SBB- what popular book we DNF.)

Image found at Sarah's Bookshelves - follow the link to a good discussion of DNF.

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 book choice or 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.
Marjorie and St. James get 1/2 book credit or $2.50 for the month of July.

Your turn to share. St. James asks: How many pages of a book do you read before deciding it's a dnf [did not finish]??

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 August 11, 2018 at 5 PM central.

##NetGalley Book Review: Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks by Gavin Aung Than

This cartoon offering is very different from my usual read.

Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks
by Gavin Aung Than

File Size: 60076 KB
Print Length: 176 pages
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (November 11, 2014)
ASIN: B00JKNMFWY
Genre: Cartoon, Comic Strip, Self-Help
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Gavin Aung Than, an Australian graphic designer turned cartoonist, started the weekly Zen Pencils blog in February 2012. He describes his motivation for launching Zen Pencils: "I was working in the boring corporate graphic design industry for eight years before finally quitting at the end of 2011 to pursue my passion for illustration and cartooning. At my old job, when my boss wasn't looking, I would waste time reading Wikipedia pages, mainly biographies about people whose lives were a lot more interesting than mine. Their stories and quotes eventually inspired me to leave my job to focus on what I really wanted to do. The idea of taking these inspiring quotes, combining them with my love of drawing and sharing them with others led to the creation of Zen Pencils."

Review:
I don’t read too many cartoon style books and I thought this would be fun. It is fun with the author sharing some great quotes with unique and wonderful illustrations. My favorites were The Two Wolves, To Love at All (C.S. Lewis) and Invictus-- a Tribute to Nelson Mandela. All three of these are favorite quotes or poems of mine so it’s not surprising I liked them. I liked how Mr. Than matched the images to the literary works.

There are many other inspirational pieces with unique comic strips expressing emotions for each piece. The only thing that troubled me was some of the illustrations have very angry faces. We have enough terrible rage and mean-spiritedness in the world. I can appreciate the emotional intensity but I don’t think the terrible anger expressed is suitable for young people or a book promoting “zen”. I guess I have always associated “zen” with calm and peace although it is more accurately a focus of togetherness of mind and body in tune with natural intuition. Apparently the anger aspects did not bother other reviewers.

I read this on my tablet so I could experience the color comics. The set up allows expanding individual frames which I found interesting. I think the book might work even better in print but it worked fine on tablet too. Except for the anger emotions, I would recommend this as a unique presentation of inspiring words.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for 2018TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges.

Audible Book Review: The Dispatcher by John Scalzi

This is a different future dilemma and a good mystery.
The Dispatcher
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto

Length: 2 hrs and 19 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-04-16
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)
Winner, 2017 APA Audie Awards - Original Work
Zachary Quinto - best known for his role as the Nimoy-approved Spock in the recent Star Trek reboot and the menacing, power-stealing serial killer, Sylar, in Heroes - brings his well-earned sci-fi credentials and simmering intensity to this audio-exclusive novella from master storyteller John Scalzi.
One day, not long from now, it becomes almost impossible to murder anyone - 999 times out of a thousand, anyone who is intentionally killed comes back. How? We don't know. But it changes everything: war, crime, daily life.
Tony Valdez is a Dispatcher - a licensed, bonded professional whose job is to humanely dispatch those whose circumstances put them in death's crosshairs, so they can have a second chance to avoid the reaper. But when a fellow Dispatcher and former friend is apparently kidnapped, Tony learns that there are some things that are worse than death and that some people are ready to do almost anything to avenge a supposed wrong.
It's a race against time for Valdez to find his friend before it's too late...before not even a Dispatcher can save him.
©2016 John Scalzi (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
It is a future time and murder is almost impossible. Not because there are no criminals or bad people. They can kill, but 99.9% of the victims vanish and wake up at home or a familiar, safe place… and alive. A few people train to become licensed “Dispatchers”. The Dispatchers are called in to ‘dispatch' people who are about to die, whether from a violent act, during surgery gone wrong or an accident. It takes a special person to be able to deal with the emotions and consequences and Tony Valdez is such a person.

A local police detective calls on Tony to help find a fellow Dispatcher who has gone missing. Tony and the man used to be friends but the man’s wife blames Tony for introducing her husband to a shadier part of dispatching -- undocumented or “under the table” jobs. The police detective is sure that Tony can uncover clues even if he is forced to work against his will.

It is clear from the beginning of the story that not everyone approves of the job of a Dispatcher. There are tensions and ethical considerations to explore. Who knew that the aspect of ‘licensed to kill” could be a fun premise for a mystery. Well, obviously talented author John Scalzi figured this out. I enjoyed the quick detective investigation and the sometimes-brash dialogue and interaction between characters. I also liked the clever (albeit cruel) methods for killing that are used.

This does not have the humor aspects readers might associate with Scalzi. However, it has the Scalzi imagination and creativity. This is a short story but I could see it being a premise for other mysteries. I recommend this to mystery and fantasy/sci fi fans.

Audio Notes: Zachary Quinto did a great job with the narration. He nails the tone without infusing excess emotion. This fit the darker nature of the mystery. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2/16/18 Audible Daily Deal $.99. This qualifies for Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.