It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.   

 

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.     

Happy Monday, everyone! I am posting this a bit early since I have a crazy day ahead. Hope you all had a nice weekend. I'm pretty far behind in terms of Christmas shopping and preparations, but at least the main tree is up and has lights on it and most of the other decorating is done. Here's a glimpse at my week.

Through the end of November, I am #5 for individual agents in our company

RAPV Board of Directors Luncheon

RAPV Holiday Luncheon waiting for the movers to pick up toy donations

Dwight wanted to help set up the family room tree

The new tree is 9' tall

Outside lights

In my reading world, I downloaded two new books on NetGalley. You can find my review of this seasonal title here. 

I also reviewed this inspirational romance last week on the blog. If you missed it, you can read my review here. 

This next book will be a DNF for me. I simply can't slog through it. 

This will also be a DNF. I made it through part of Chapter 3, but its not for me. 

I started this next one for a January review.

I also started this next one after I got approved for it on NetGalley.

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• A Yellow House in the Mountains by Glenn Hileman - January 17 (review)
• Civil Twilight by Anique Taylor - January 23 (guest post)
• The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy - January 31 (interview)  

At Christmas Year Round last week:

• Keeping Your Pets Safe at Christmas
• Christmas Errors, Flubs & Fails: Royal Family Alleged Christmas Photo Mishap
• Keeping Families Safe This Winter
• More Christmas Quotes

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This arrived on Saturday.

I got approved for these two on NetGalley:

I used Audible credits to add these to my library.

I will be out most of the day, but I will check your blogs later. Hope you have a great day!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Dec 19

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.   

 

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.   

Happy Hanukah to all who celebrate it! I hope you have a blessed holiday. We were preparing for Christmas yesterday. The house is coming together. Today, I have to mail out Christmas cards. They will be late, but at least they will go out. 

Travis enjoys napping under the tree

All the work holiday parties are done, and my year as president of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley is coming to a end on December 31 (unofficially). It will be official on January 12, with the passing of the gavel to the incoming president. They were kind enough to get me a few gifts. What should I buy with my Barnes & Noble gift card?

I didn't read anything this past week, because I am involved in our company's Adopt A Family program. This program provides gifts for families in need. This year, we will have helped bring Christmas to more than 60 families. I did, however, finish listening to this one.

I also started listening to this one. At least something good comes out of all that time in the car.

I didn't touch any of these at all.

After those few, I really need to read this book because its review is so overdue. 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This book arrived earlier in the week. I forgot I had ordered a used copy. 

I also found these Kindle freebies this week.

That's it for me. I hope everyone who celebrates it has a great Christmas!

Book Presents from Santa

Well, Christmas is over. Aren't we all glad we spent weeks preparing just so it can be over in the blink of an eye? LOL! I met nearly all of my Christmas goals. The only one I didn't get to was baking for a few friends.

Was Santa good to you, fellow book lovers? I certainly hope so. He brought me this fabulous resource:

Craft an Engaging Plot

How does plot influence story structure? What's the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that's gone off course?

With Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure, you'll discover the answers to these questions and more. Award-winning author James Scott Bell offers clear, concise information that will help you create a believable and memorable plot, including: Techniques for crafting strong beginnings, middles, and endsEasy-to-understand plotting diagrams and chartsBrainstorming techniques for original plot ideasThought-provoking exercises at the end of each chapterStory structure models and methods for all genresTips and tools for correcting common plot problems

Filled with plot examples from popular novels, comprehensive checklists, and practical hands-on guidance, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure gives you the skills you need to approach plot and structure like an experienced pro.

I'm glad he stuck to a writing craft book this year, because I have fiction coming out of my ears.

I also gifted myself with some recent Kindle freebies.

I also purchased this one with a promotional credit.

What are some books you received this holiday season? Have you chosen one to be your first book of 2019?