whatcha readin' special edition...the 2017 summary

My goal for 2017 was to read 24 books.
In all honesty, I was SURE that I was going to be able to do it
because I wasn't doing any weddings...
and yet...I still did not hit it.

but...I came pretty close...22 books!

the year before was 19 so it's a progression...
a slow one, but a progression nonetheless.

I also said I was going to re-read all of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books.
I read 2.
But that wasn't a 2017 goal.
That's an ongoing one.

I did want to read all of the Harry Potter books
and I DID IT.
Not all in 2017 but a good portion of them...and finished the
last two in 2018.
That was a bucket list item so yay!  :)

Here is how I felt about the remaining books I read in 2017:

◘  Harry Potter (I am not going to link them here because I am pretty sure you know where to find them) - I have to say...I completely loved these books.  I was re-reading the first couple but then the rest were new to me.  I loved them.   The characters, the writing, the imagination, the twists and turns...Dobby...Dumbledore...Dursleys...so many fun words to say.
♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn:  I enjoyed this but not as much as I had liked Gone Girl.  It might have been the subject matter though.  I have a soft spot for kids. :)  Still a great read though!
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Before You Know Kindness - Chris Bohjalian:  I really, really loved this.  His writing is beautiful and the characters always feel so real.  The story pulled me in and made me wonder what I would have done.  Great read!
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  The Mothers - Brit Bennett:  The truth is I knew nothing about this book or author.  It was right after the library took a chance and gave me a new library card and this was an e-book that was available so I read it.  And I was glad that I did. 
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Dark Places - Gillian Flynn:  I liked this one more than Sharp Objects and slightly less than Gone Girl.  Definitely carried you along wanted to know what was going to happen. 
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Witches of New York - Ami McKay:  I love her writing.  And the subject matter.  And the cover.  And the era it was written in.  And her characters.  All in all...I loved this book.  I want to read more by her!
♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

and that was what I read in 2017!  Looking forward to reading even more in 2018...
and definitely open to suggestions! 

whatcha readin'? {2017::book 12 - goal 24}

i have always been a fan of amy tan.
i just realized now that i have read
pretty much all of her fiction books....
which actually makes me a little sad.
i was hoping there were more.

but i was excited to see that she has written
a memoir called "where the past begins; a writer's memoir"...
if there is anything i love more than a memoir
(and i do love those!)
it's a WRITER'S MEMOIR.
i'm totally going to look for that one!

plus i didn't realize she had other non-fiction books
including one about being in a band!

so...back to the book...

i loved it but you knew i was going to say that, i think.

i love books about relationships and family...
and amy tan's books tend to revolve heavily around
mother/daughter relationships.
her style of writing is full of beautiful imagery and conversation,
history and customs...some mystery, some secrets to be uncovered...
i loved this book and would totally recommend any of her books.

but right now
i have to go and find her other books
AND i just realized she did a TED talk...on creativity!
and if there is anything i love more than a TED talk
(and i do love TED talks)
it's a TED talk about creativity from a WRITER!
:)

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP:  SHARP OBJECTS - GILLIAN FLYNN

where i have been when i have not been here...

the truth is
i feel like i have been
kind of all over the place...
work is busy,
christmas is coming.
the days are shorter
and darker
and colder...

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i am in snuggle down mode...
all about blankets and books,
movies and hot chocolate-y chai tea...
i tell myself the light is not good enough
to doodle by
and that one more night
away from the gym
is not going to hurt...

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i am reading harry potter...
right now i am on book 3...
harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban.
i have read it before but
i can't really remember it...
i am thoroughly enjoying it though.
i am not sure that i am going to make my goal
of 24 books before the end of the year though
which actually completely surprises me.
i was sure that i would do it this year.
finishing this one will be put me at 19.
sigh.

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i just need to shut the tv off
and disconnect myself from my little Sims world
and maybe read a real book
made out of paper and ink
and not just on my phone...
but if you are curious about my Sims world,
you might like to know
that jon bon jovi and joan jett
just got married and have a baby...
RON BON JOVI....
heeheehee...
oh.

and joannie and chachi just got engaged.
or wait.
that might have been the fonz & pinky tuscadero.

yeah.
i really need to disconnect from the virtual world for a bit.
:)

whatcha readin'? {2017::book 11 - goal 24}

oh alice hoffman.

i want to write like you.

that is all.

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP:  VALLEY OF AMAZEMENT - AMY TAN

whatcha readin'? {2017::book 10 - goal 24}

i love a book that pulls me in,
in to a story full of family dynamics
and secrets
and small town life...

small town life i totally get.
:)

i always enjoy anna quindlen's writing style
and this did not disappoint.
i loved the main character mimi
but i also adored her aunt in the attic room
and the relationship between her mom
and her sister.

pick it up...it's worth a read!

4 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP:  WHITE HORSE - ALICE HOFFMAN

ok...and sidenote....could i be any more excited
that ken follett has written a THIRD BOOK to the
pillars of the earth series!?!?!?!  (and the answer
is no if you were wondering...heh)