Christmas Tree Level!

HOHOHOREADATHON 2023

Join! HoHoHo Readathon 2023

1. ECHOES IN THE NIGHT. SCARE STREET ARC.
2. #DEADENDTOURS: ST. RALPH'S HOSPITAL KU VIRTUAL ADOPT-AN-AUTHOR
3. THE CHRISTMAS GUEST. LIBBY VIRTUAL
4. DESTROYER (CYGNUS FIVE BOOK TWO) HOOPLA VIRTUAL SF
5. MISTER LULLABY. AUDIO. EVERAND. VIRTUAL.
6. EXTINCTION. NG ARC. Current. SF.
7. CHRISTMAS GUESTS. Lisa Unger. Libby Virtual
8. GODKILLER. Hannah Kaner. Audio. Everand.
9. WINTER'S GIFTS. Everand Audio. Virtual. SF.
28. DOCTOR WHO: THE DALEK CONTRACT. Everand Audio. Virtual. SF.
29. THE CLIFF HOUSE. Libby Virtual.

YULETIDE SPIRIT Reading Challenge

2023 Yule Spirit

1. DESTROYER (CYGNUS FIVE BOOK TWO) by Alex Oliver. SF.
2. MISTER LULLABY by J. H. Markert. Cosmic Horror/SF. Audio.
3. EXTINCTION by Douglas Preston. Contemporary SF/Thriller.
4. CHRISTMAS GUESTS. Lisa Unger. Libby Virtual
5. GODKILLER. Everand Audio. Virtual
6. WINTER'S GIFTS. Everand Audio. Virtual. SF.
7. DOCTOR WHO: THE DALEK CONTRACT. Everand Audio. Virtual. SF.
8. THE CLIFF HOUSE. Libby Virtual.
9. FIREFAX.. Everand Audio NG.
10. DEAD LETTERS: EPISODES OF EPISTOLARY HORROR. CLP ARC. Release Dec. 1
11. ORBITAL Audio Virtual NG Shelf
12. THE SECOND STRANGER. Libby Virtual
13. AND WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU TONIGHT? NG AUDIO NG SHELF VIRTUAL SF/SPECULATIVE DECEMBER WOMEN IN SF
14. YULETIDE INVASION (reread, 2022) KU VIRTUAL SF
15. BRYNMORE [graphic] NG ARC. NetGalley Shelf
16. BOOK OF DEATH. Scare Street ARC.
17. "LAYING THE GHOST," Eric Brown. CLARKESWORLD August 2010
18. DEAD SILENCE. Audio Everand Virtual. DECEMBER WOMEN IN SF #2
19. THEY WALKED LIKE MEN. Everand Ebook Virtual. Classic SF #1
20. LINESMAN. Everand Audio Virtual [NG MOUNT TBR].
21. ALEC KERSEY AND THE HAUNTED CHRISTMAS. Everand ebook Virtual
22. DEAD SILENCE. KU Virtual/NG Mount TBR. SF. December Women in SF.
23. THE LAST TRANSMISSION. SF. EVERAND VIRTUAL
24. DOCTOR WHO SYSTEM WIPE. SF. NG MOUNT TBR.
25. DOCTOR WHO THE DROSTEN'S CURSE. SF. NG MOUNT TBR
26. DOCTOR WHO BIG BANG GENERATION. SF. NG MOUNT TBR.
27. WORMWOOD, NEVADA. LIBBY VIRTUAL. SF.
28. "One Last Job," Mount TBR
29. THE ALIEN THAT ATE CHRISTMAS. Mount TBR .
30. A VERY SCALZI CHRISTMAS. NG Mount TBR . (2023 completed)
31. ALIENS LOVE CHRISTMAS TOO . Mount TBR
32. TO CHALLENGE HEAVEN. NG Current. Audio.
33. CHRISTMAS PIE. own.
34. THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
*Read 36 (+ 2 in Progress).
11 Christmas Reads + 2 Christmas read 1-2 days prior.
7 Christmas specials watched.*

Review: THE WITCH HITCH by Elizabeth Bass

Elizabeth Bass' Magical Rom-Coms, with recurring characters and that lovely absorbing tension between skepticism and magic-users (Witchcraft) are extraordinarily delightful! I can say these novels are "Magical" in more than one sense! I totally adore them, even though I generally run in the opposite direction from romance. These characters are both so well-rounded and realistic, and it's so easy to find empathy with them. Plenty of Suspenseful tension is present too, and as these characters learn and grow through struggles and adversity, so does their empowerment intensify. [Next Review: LETTER TO THREE WITCHES by Elizabeth Bass]

Review: NOT A CREATURE WAS PURRING

Although my usual reading diet is Horror and Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction, sometimes I need to clear my reading palate (and take a break from scaring myself) so I read mysteries and Cozy mysteries. I don't mind an occasional pleasant ending [though I couldn't tolerate a steady diet] and NOT A CREATURE WAS PURRING brought exactly what I needed: a fun, intriguing, mystery with well-delineated characters, a community suffused with dogs, cats, and Pet lovers, some really worthwhile folks and some we'd wish to avoid, and a clever canine sleuth and stalwart protective feline. There's even a sturdy twist in the denouement which verges toward a more edgy type of Villain than I expected. It's a warm-hearted feel-good suspenseful mystery with a snowy Christmas setting. Just what I needed at the moment.

2021 ALPHABET SOUP CHALLENGE

Read the Alphabet In 2021!

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT & CHRISTMAS READING CHALLENGE 2020

 

@ 2020-christmas-spirit-readingchallenge

November 23, 2020-January 6, 2021

Christmas Tree Level

Christmas Titles Read:

1. NUTS AT CHRISTMAS (British Holiday Comedy)

2. CARFAX HOUSE (British Paranormal Christmas Ghost Story)

3. THE DAUGHTER CLAUSE (Santa Claus Family women's fic)

4. MIDWINTER MURDER by Agatha Christie (short story collection: Christmas,  Yule,  Winter)

5. SNOWED IN by Rhoda Baxter (British Christmas Cozy)

6. "Merry Christmas,  Mr. Babbers " by Mario Guarda

7. THE VISITOR: A CHRISTMAS HORROR NOVELLA by Sergio Gomez 

8. SECRET SANTA by Edward Lorn

Review: TOMES AND TERRIERS by Hilary Avis

5 ++ Cozy Stars

Magic Library Mystery Book 1

I absolutely adore this Cozy! Here's proof: I read an ARC, but quickly pre-ordered because this story is just so good and I can't wait to continue the series! While reading,  I saw an email question "What is your favorite Cozy?" TOMES AND TERRIERS might just be that!

The story [only the first in a new Series!] is suffused with dogs and a magical memory Library and some really wonderful characters,  including our middle-aged protagonist,  her husband, and the dedicated, heartfelt, nurse at the assisted living home. Of course,  not everyone is perfect: there are a couple of grumps, some smartypants, and an eight-year-old con artist. But the combination is heartwarming,  the plot is super-intriguing, and the difficulties are almost insurmountable.  Can't wait for the Sequel!

Review: KILLER CHARDONNAY by Kate Lansing

5 Cozy Stars

Vintner Parker Valentine just wants her new vintage and new wine shop in Boulder,  Colorado,  to open to success. That shouldn't be too much to ask! Yet Grand Opening sees an ugly breakup of a customer couple, dismay of a famous wine critic (there goes the ratings), corked by the sudden unexpected demise of the critic.

This is the Grand Opening that should never have occurred!

Includes recipes and wine-pairing, plus lots of gentle no-fuss education on the art and science of wine-making. 

Review: A CALL FOR KELP by Bree Baker

5 Cozy Stars

Working for saving Bees is a worthwhile environmental cause, but murdering is not an acceptable volunteer option! On tiny barrier island Charm, North Carolina,  excitement and adulation turns to dismay when the star attraction of a Bee documentary is discovered deceased. But intrepid amateur sleuth and tea shop proprietor will find who killed her last link to her beloved late grandmother, or die trying.

Review: MAIN LINE IS MURDER by Donna Huston Murray

5 Stars

First in the Ginger Barnes Cozy Mystery Series,  MAIN LINE IS MURDER is a Philadelphia-setting edgy Cozy. As you read you will discover why I use the term "edgy." Gin Barnes' husband is the newly appointed Head of School at a nearly-failing Main Line private academy,  determined to make the school a success.  Gin does her part by organizing rummage sales (which in this case requires creative thinking) but then discovers a much-disliked staff member,  deceased--in the School.  Before parents withdraw their children en masse,  Gin determines to investigate without letting husband Rip or the police detective realize.

I found this Cozy quite enjoyable [and at times heartwrenching] and anticipate the Series. 

Review: THE LOSS OF A GRANDPARENT TO COVID-19, Gramps

4 Stars 

Be prepared to weep copiously.  A mother and her small son grieve for the beloved grandpa lost to Covid-19, especially  [for the child] because of the quarantine preventing the family's presence.  As they both recall verbally their favorite memories of Gramps, a little peace begins to settle in. 

Review: HOUSE FULL OF LLAMAS by Melissa Winn

4 Stars

This is designed as a bedtime story for young children.  I found it creative, but I think too lengthy for bedtime reads and a little too complex for pre-readers or young (early elementary) readers.

Review: TEENY WEENIES: THE EIGHTH OCTOPUS AND OTHER STORIES

5 Stars
Children's

Twelve ventures into the delightfully and gently bizarre for youngsters up through middle grades. Good lessons wrapped in "could that really happen?" types of situations.  My favorite of course was "The Eighth Octopus," but all are good!