February Wrap Up
Mar. 3rd, 2025 03:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
asphaltcowgrrlI had another good month, although it didn’t feel like I’d gotten many read!
What I read:
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. Audio. Read this for a group read and… I did not enjoy it. I tried to read Rebecca a few years ago, and DNF’d it. I think she’s not for me. 2/5
New Witch on the Block by Louisa West. Midlife in Mosswood #1. Audio. A fun little paranormal romance. It wasn’t quite as good as I hoped, but it was fun. 3.5/5
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. Ebook. What a delightfully weird little story about a girl who was essentially a psychological experiment of her adoptive father’s. The ending was a letdown, however. 4-ish/5
Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes by Marika Ray. Hot Flash Hookups #1. Audio. There was a lot I liked about this book. The humor, the inclusion of menopause-aged women (and all the BS that goes with it). But there were other things that fell a bit flat. Also, I should not have chosen this for audio. 3.5/5
The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley. Audio. I loved The Guncle, so I grabbed this when I saw it in the Audible Plus catalogue. I was reminded of Stephen McCauley in a lot of ways – the loss of something you treasured and learning to move one despite it all. But this was a short and sweet little story with a happy-for-now kind of ending. 4/5
The Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory Diet Cookbook for Beginners by Sofia Michael. Ebook. This was offered to me for review purposes through my blog. And since I like to cook so much, I said, sure. I don’t really deal with inflammation issues, but the book had a lot of information and some very good sounding recipes. 4/5 REVIEW.
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow. Kate Shugak #10. Audio. This was a tough book. Kate’s in deep denial over Jack’s death and my heart ached for her. She is more herself by the end but, man, this was a hard read. 4/5
Game Changer by Rachel Reid. Game Changers #1. Ebook. I started this book last year (don’t look at me like that) and I kept putting it aside for review copies. I really hate that it took me so long to finish because I really did enjoy it. Even if the couple was a bit over the top in all things.
Death Track by Sally Rigby. Cavendish & Walker #3. Audio. I think I like this series more and more as it goes on. Whitney is Whitney no matter what, but George has loosened up quite a bit since the first book. 4/5
Accidental Leigh by Melanie James. Literal Leigh Romance Diaries #1. Audio. As you can tell by the book and series titles, this was utterly ridiculous. BUT. I laughed a lot. Enough that I’ll give book 2 a shot and hope that the ridiculous settles down some. 3.5/5
Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow. Magical Fortune Cookie #2. E-ARC. Another ARC I grabbed blindly not realizing it was second in a series. I liked it well enough and you didn’t feel like you were dropped in the middle of a story either. 4/5 REVIEW.
The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid. E-ARC. Anyone up for some ANGST? Because this book has got it all. I cried more times than I want to admit. Hahaha. While I still think Time to Shine is my favorite (and no, I have not started Heated Rivalry yet, before you ask), this comes a close second. But I’m also a huge sucker for a pining idiot. 5/5 REVIEW (to be posted on March 4th)
Napoleon’s Hemorrhoids:… and Other Small Events That Changed History by Phil Mason. Audio. A collection of tidbits and factoids about different historical events, sporting events, iconic products, etc. It’s a bit nerdy, but fun. 4/5
Total Books: 13
Ebooks: 5
ARCs: 2
Print: 0
Audio: 8
Favorite of the month: The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid.
What I’m reading now:
Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead. Audio. A weird thriller/myster/possibly paranormal story set in a small Louisiana town.
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. A nonfiction account of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life and how she came to write her iconic books. Also, it’s supposed to address the things that were either changed or ‘prettied up’ when the books were sent for publication. As a lifelong fan of the series, I’m eager to learn more about her and her life.
Whelp, at least I know now why I can’t manage to get anything else done during the month. Hahaha. Reading anything good? Let me know!
What I read:
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. Audio. Read this for a group read and… I did not enjoy it. I tried to read Rebecca a few years ago, and DNF’d it. I think she’s not for me. 2/5
New Witch on the Block by Louisa West. Midlife in Mosswood #1. Audio. A fun little paranormal romance. It wasn’t quite as good as I hoped, but it was fun. 3.5/5
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. Ebook. What a delightfully weird little story about a girl who was essentially a psychological experiment of her adoptive father’s. The ending was a letdown, however. 4-ish/5
Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes by Marika Ray. Hot Flash Hookups #1. Audio. There was a lot I liked about this book. The humor, the inclusion of menopause-aged women (and all the BS that goes with it). But there were other things that fell a bit flat. Also, I should not have chosen this for audio. 3.5/5
The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley. Audio. I loved The Guncle, so I grabbed this when I saw it in the Audible Plus catalogue. I was reminded of Stephen McCauley in a lot of ways – the loss of something you treasured and learning to move one despite it all. But this was a short and sweet little story with a happy-for-now kind of ending. 4/5
The Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory Diet Cookbook for Beginners by Sofia Michael. Ebook. This was offered to me for review purposes through my blog. And since I like to cook so much, I said, sure. I don’t really deal with inflammation issues, but the book had a lot of information and some very good sounding recipes. 4/5 REVIEW.
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow. Kate Shugak #10. Audio. This was a tough book. Kate’s in deep denial over Jack’s death and my heart ached for her. She is more herself by the end but, man, this was a hard read. 4/5
Game Changer by Rachel Reid. Game Changers #1. Ebook. I started this book last year (don’t look at me like that) and I kept putting it aside for review copies. I really hate that it took me so long to finish because I really did enjoy it. Even if the couple was a bit over the top in all things.
Death Track by Sally Rigby. Cavendish & Walker #3. Audio. I think I like this series more and more as it goes on. Whitney is Whitney no matter what, but George has loosened up quite a bit since the first book. 4/5
Accidental Leigh by Melanie James. Literal Leigh Romance Diaries #1. Audio. As you can tell by the book and series titles, this was utterly ridiculous. BUT. I laughed a lot. Enough that I’ll give book 2 a shot and hope that the ridiculous settles down some. 3.5/5
Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow. Magical Fortune Cookie #2. E-ARC. Another ARC I grabbed blindly not realizing it was second in a series. I liked it well enough and you didn’t feel like you were dropped in the middle of a story either. 4/5 REVIEW.
The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid. E-ARC. Anyone up for some ANGST? Because this book has got it all. I cried more times than I want to admit. Hahaha. While I still think Time to Shine is my favorite (and no, I have not started Heated Rivalry yet, before you ask), this comes a close second. But I’m also a huge sucker for a pining idiot. 5/5 REVIEW (to be posted on March 4th)
Napoleon’s Hemorrhoids:… and Other Small Events That Changed History by Phil Mason. Audio. A collection of tidbits and factoids about different historical events, sporting events, iconic products, etc. It’s a bit nerdy, but fun. 4/5
Total Books: 13
Ebooks: 5
ARCs: 2
Print: 0
Audio: 8
Favorite of the month: The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid.
What I’m reading now:
Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead. Audio. A weird thriller/myster/possibly paranormal story set in a small Louisiana town.
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. A nonfiction account of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life and how she came to write her iconic books. Also, it’s supposed to address the things that were either changed or ‘prettied up’ when the books were sent for publication. As a lifelong fan of the series, I’m eager to learn more about her and her life.
Whelp, at least I know now why I can’t manage to get anything else done during the month. Hahaha. Reading anything good? Let me know!
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no subject
Date: 2025-03-03 11:45 pm (UTC)I'm two books into the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. It's... interesting.
Are you on Storygraph? I couldn't remember.
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Date: 2025-03-03 11:49 pm (UTC)I really enjoy that series. I have to get caught up They're bizarre, but enjoyable little novellas.
I am.
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Date: 2025-03-03 11:59 pm (UTC)Sweet. I'm enjoying it. Just got book three from the library.
I'm following you, but apparently I can't friend you. I'm here!
no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 12:39 am (UTC)Wonderful!
I think that's all you can do over there. I only had a button to follow you and when I went to 'community' your posts were all there. Yay! I have a follower. LOL
no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 03:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 12:18 pm (UTC)I'm going to fully differ with you on New Witch.
And then ask if you read the Sign of Four.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 06:09 pm (UTC)I like it! There's a bit of a learning curve as it has more features than Blogger, but I think it's worth it. And yes, it's fine to ask — I do have a paid account, but I used the free version for quite some time and it's very functional. So, no need to go paid if you don't have the funds/aren't sure you're going to like it.
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Date: 2025-03-04 06:10 pm (UTC)I was thinking about your reaction to everything in that book as I was writing my comment. I like that we often have differing opinions in what we read.
I have not read Sign of Four yet, just A Study in Scarlett. (It's not listed here because I forgot about it since the whole book wasn't done, so it's not logged as 'finished'.)
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Date: 2025-03-04 06:21 pm (UTC)I have read Sign of Four, and will move on to the next book after Napoleon.
I am very much liking Walker and Cavandish!
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Date: 2025-03-04 06:38 pm (UTC)Whoops, guess I ought to get onto that one soon. And that means Vera is next?
Note to self: Sherlock once you're done with your library book.
Agreed! They butt heads, but I like how they work together a lot.
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Date: 2025-03-04 06:43 pm (UTC)I still have almost 4 hours of Napoleon left. But I meant the next in the Sherlock massiveness. Then Vera
no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 06:50 pm (UTC)Gotcha!
I have about 4 hours left in Midnight is the Darkest Hour, too. So, Sherlock next.
Are you liking Napoleon? I found a lot of it very interesting.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 06:58 pm (UTC)When things sink in, I do like it. But it doesn't always sink.
I think it would be a great thing to refer to when reading WW2 or Watching a show about Edison. Maybe put it down after a chapter and then come back.
It's also possible that my brain is just — out.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 07:33 pm (UTC)Yeah, I know I zoned out during a few bits that didn't interest me, and had to skip backwards on a couple of others.
It'd definitely make a great reference!
Nah, not everything is for everyone. Like, say, this job. Today? It's not for me. 🤣
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Date: 2025-03-04 07:37 pm (UTC)OH! I saw last night that you can download the Hoopla ap on your TV and watch Library movies!
no subject
Date: 2025-03-04 07:44 pm (UTC)I completely forgot that Hoopla had movies! A couple of weeks ago, I did add the Kanopy app to my TV. You should look and see if your library has that, too.
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Date: 2025-03-04 09:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-05 12:58 am (UTC)I can't believe you got Hot Flashes and Hockey Slashes on audio. LOL. Hope you weren't listening in the car with your windows down.
Game Changers isn't the strongest in the series. The next one Heated Rivalry is really good. (Don't get it on audio though. LOL.) Skip Tough Guy but definitely read Role Model.
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Date: 2025-03-05 01:03 am (UTC)ME EITHER. Not my smartest move. I usually only get thrillers and mysteries in audio, but for some reason my brain thought, hey, this is safe. My brain was wrong.
I did enjoy it though, so there's that. I discovered that I do have Heated Rivalry on my Kobo though, so bonus. Okay, now I'm going to have to read Tough Guy, just because. Yes, I am a glutton for punishment.
(Luckily, I've read enough of her books to know better than to get any of them in audio...!)
no subject
Date: 2025-03-06 02:57 am (UTC)If you have a high tolerance for very girly men (and I mean VERY), then you should be fine with Tough Guy. Also it's on the retirement end of things which isn't my favorite hockey plot.
I totally forgot Common Goal which is book four in the series. It's forgettable, but she crosses characters over into the other books so you'll miss some of the fun if you skip right to five.
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Date: 2025-03-06 08:34 pm (UTC)Ah, I see! I have an issue with not reading everything in a series, unless I just get tired of it and stop. I guess we'll see!
Also, if retirement is not your thing, you might want to skip The Shots You Take. Riley's been retired for years and Adam has just retired, both are in their 40's.
It must have been forgettable! Like I said above, I do tend to read even the bad books in a series, of which I have come across many, but I'll let you know when I get there. And I do love it when characters reappear!
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Date: 2025-03-06 09:09 pm (UTC)You're welcome! There is something yucky going around for sure. One of my co-workers has a lingering cough from a cold he had weeks ago (probably COVID again).
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Date: 2025-03-07 02:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 06:30 pm (UTC)I'm about halfway through The Sign of Four and will start the next once I'm done, which ought to be no later than Sunday. So, I might be a day or so behind you. But yes, that works. Also, we probably should pick out the next couple books (we have two lined up after Vera, with Sherlock interspersed).
no subject
Date: 2025-04-18 09:16 pm (UTC)There's something to click to get friends. I just don't know what button it is.