Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Additions to My TBR Pile

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.    

Welcome back to Tuesday. It is a cold one here in New England. This reminds me why winter and I can only be occasional friends. It is the season of my favorite holiday and the magic of the first snow. Other than that, it is as grumpy, cold and uncomfortable as a person wandering to an outhouse in the middle of a January night without shoes and a coat. 

Today, we are talking about the ten most recent additions to our book collections or our to-read lists. Over the holidays, I added one book to my Anne of Green Gables collection. This was a gift from one of the kids. Other than that, the books that have made their way here have been additions to my to-read list. 

Ten Most Recent Additions

 to My TBR Pile

Print or e-book

Audible

What are some of your recent additions? Which ones are you looking forward to reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Jan 20

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.    

Welcome back to Monday! It is a snowy one around here. Finally took all the lights off the outside of the house so they didn't get stuck on there for the winter. All the inside decorations are still up, though. Been busy working, and this time of year my hands bother me because of the cold. 

Hope you all had a nice week. Mine was filled with work, meetings, a bit of reading, and fresh nails. I love them, but I'm thinking it might be time to take a break. Have any of you removed nails after having them on a while? Figure they will be as weak as a reed. 

Here are some photos from this week:

Pretty in pink 

Made stuffed peppers last Monday

Spoke at a RAPV event on Thursday

The minute I get out of bed, Theo takes over

In my reading and blogging world., I reviewed this devotional. You can read it here. 

I also reviewed this audiobook collection. You can read the review here if you missed it. 

Posted my review of the first of Marilyn's memoirs on Friday. Click here to read it. 

On Saturday, I reviewed this one from NetGalley. You can read the review here. 

I've been reading this one. 

I also started these two. 

These are next.

Upcoming events:

• Review of Ghosting Academy by LS Delorme - Feb 3 (Review)

The latest at the Christmas Year Round blog:

Three Things to Do in January to Prepare for Next Christmas 

Christmas Books on my Kindle

Reminder that I also have a blog dedicated to Laura Ingalls Wilder, her books, and the shows based upon them. You can find Laura's Little Houses here. I am looking for input on which Little House on the Prairie character I should profile next. Would love to hear the thoughts of any fans that read this blog. 

That's it for me. Hoping today is a slower day than the most recent Mondays have been. Enjoy your day!

Resource Review: Buzz Books 2024: Romance from Publishers Lunch

 

If you are a blogger looking to find a resource that will help you decide which romance novels to add to your reading schedule for the beginning of this year, then Buzz Books 2024: Romance can help. 

Compiled by Publishers Lunch, this ninth annual edition is broken down by subgenre: contemporary, paranormal, post apocalyptic, Regency, rom-com, romantasy, sci-fi, and sports. You can also look at excerpts by age category. 

Before each excerpt is a summary, and after each excerpt is a link to request the full digital galley, author bio, imprint, ISBN and price information, publication date, and publicity and rights contacts. You'll also find editor and agent names and marketing plans. 

Since I am trying to be good and read from my TBR pile, I only requested one full digital galley. I loved how this was broken down so that I could focus on my interests first. Looks like 2025 is going to be great for romance!

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DCGH6XX3
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Publishers Lunch (August 13, 2024)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 13, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 15319 KB

I downloaded this resource from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: How I Survived My Childhood by Marilyn Meredith

 

You've been fascinated by the writing of Marilyn Meredith for decades. Now, it's time to learn her story from the very beginning. 

How I Survived My Childhood is Marilyn Meredith's first memoir. Taking the reader through her years growing up during World War II in a suburb of Los Angeles, California, through to her marriage to her beloved Hap, this is a story of the ups and downs of life, memories of a time when life was simpler--at least in some ways, and of a young girl who grows up, graduates high school, and finds the man she will marry and start a family with. 

How I Survived My Childhood tells of her father and his work at Paramount Studios, how he could build just about anything, and how he influenced Marilyn's life. It is a story of school days, childhood friends, and childhood antics. It is a story of leaving childhood behind, becoming a young woman, and then a wife. 

If you enjoy a trip down memory lane, then How I Survived My Childhood is a great read. It gives you insight into the life of a well-known author's early years and all of her fond memories growing up in an American suburb. For me, this book allowed me to get to know a good friend on an even more personal level, and that is a true blessing.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CT9W2RFX
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ 31 Months LLC; 1st edition (January 24, 2024)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2473 KB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 173 pages

I purchased a copy of this book for my Kindle. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Chirp Book Review: The Christmas Stories of Louisa May Alcott

 

Journey back in time with children's Christmas stories of old from beloved author Louisa May Alcott. The Christmas Stories of Louisa May Alcott have been compiled by Dreamscape Media and are performed by an award-winning narrator.

Let me say, though I know the work of Louisa May Alcott, I didn't recall that she wrote so many Christmas stories. Yet, here they are, compiled in one delightful audio collection for middle graders on up. Some of my favorites from this collection are:

• "Bertie's Box,"
• "A Hospital Christmas,"
• "A Christmas Turkey," and
• "A Merry Christmas."

With audio books, the narrator can make it or break it for me. This narrator did an amazing job!

If you are a fan of Little Women, Louisa May Alcott, or classic children's literature, you will want to listen to this charming collection.

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Unabridged Audiobook

I downloaded a copy of this book from Chirp. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas by Sarah Young

 

If you are looking for a beautifully illustrated, meaningful devotional for Advent and Christmas, Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas by Sarah Young needs to be on your list. 

Including excerpts from Jesus Listens® and Jesus Calling, this heartwarming devotional is filled with prayers, reflections, and Bible verses. At the end of the 40 days, which runs from December 1st - January 6th, the reader will find blank, lined pages to write down their Christmas prayers.

I loved everything about Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas: the format, the stunning illustrations, the carefully crafted devotions and reflections, and the choice of verses. The illustrations display the beauty of God's nature, the symbols of Christmas and the peace, love, and joy that fills the season. A gold ribbon allows the reader to easily keep track of their progress. Perfect as a gift for others or for you, Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas will be one of the most touching gifts received. I look forward to reading this book again next Christmas.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Nelson (October 3, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1400244242
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1400244249

This is a book from my personal collection. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Promises for 2025

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.    

Welcome back to Tuesday! Here we are at the second Tuesday of the year. How is your week going so far? 

Today, we are sharing our Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2025. I've always liked the word "Promises" better, because it kind of tricks my brain into completing more of them. Mom always told me not to break a promise. I'm all for some brain trickery if it helps me feel more productive. Here are my...

Top Ten Bookish Promises for 2025

Complete my Goodreads challenge

This year, I set my goal at 80. Goodreads is kindly telling me that I am two books behind schedule. What it doesn't know is that I am actually three reviews behind schedule. This promise might be aggressive considering the real estate year I plan to have and the other promises I am declaring, but I love working toward this challenge each year.

Read 15 books from my TBR Pile.

This is the same promise as last year. I tend to read more review books throughout the year, but I would love to whittle down my TBR Pile. I read 16 from my TBR Pile last year, so this seems manageable.

Read 4 leadership books.

Having read three last year, I plan to dedicate more time to these skills in 2025. 

Read 2 personal or professional development books.

Audible makes it easier for me to read these books, some of which I don't want to own in print. Like leadership skills, consistently developing these skills is a focus in 2025. 

Read a book in a genre I don't usually read.

This is a standing promise to expand my horizons each year by reading a book in a genre that I don't tend to read often or at all. 

Complete Amelia's Mission.

If I do nothing else with my writing in 2025, I want to complete my middle grade historical. It will still need a ton of work, and I will need to brush up on my market research, but this is the year I either hide it in my digital drawer or write the end.

Complete Sheltered Hearts.

This is the second book in the series I started with my 2023 NaNoWriMo project, Home for the Heart. I'm impatiently waiting for news on that one. If the agent accepts it, then this promise will move to the top of the list.

Invest in a new author website.

It's time. My knowledge has taken this website as far as it can go. I'm hiring a professional to redesign my author website. The wallet won't be happy, but the site needs a more professional look than I can give it. 

Plot the last book in the series.

I already know which character will be the focus of the last book in the series, but I don't know her story yet. Some ideas are tumbling around in my head, but until I finish Sheltered Hearts, it will be challenging to plot out another novel. 

Complete NaNoWriMo.

If I am able to plot out the last book in time, then I should accomplish this. 

I would add in that I would still like to make room in my schedule for two to three paid editing jobs. Not sure how feasible that is. 

What are some goals/promises on your list? Which one is your top priority this year?