Monthly Wrap-up: July 2017

July life in a few words:

• Charlie turned 3 months old.
• Rain.
• Exhaustion. 
• Good books.
• New car!
• More rain.
• There isn't enough hours in the day. 

I read some good books in July, as you can see by their ratings below. Dangerous

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5

The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan 

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas 

The Stats

Total Number of Books Read: 3

Total Number of Fiction: 3

Total Number of Non-fiction: 0

Total Books Sent for Review: 0

Total Books Read from My Shelves: 1

Total Library Books Read: 2 (Dangerous Girls was from Rivited)

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 0

eBooks: 2

Audio Book: 1

Genres Read:

Young Adult, Mystery,Suspense, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Historical Fiction

Total Books Read in 2017: 15

Monthly Wrap-up: June 2017

Yesterday Canada celebrated it's 150th birthday! Hoping all my fellow Canadians had a wonderful day. 

Well I know the people in my area won't be sad to see the month of June come to an end. It rained pretty much everyday. The majority of my township was flooded out. Roads were washed out and farmers fields looked more like lakes. Luckily my family didn't have any water damage, but many we know weren't so fortunate. Hopefully July will bring sunny days.

Charles turned 2 months old on the 19th. He is doing amazing and is officially grown out of size newborn clothes and diapers.

Now onto the books..

Another month with 2 books completed. However I made great progress on two other books, but didn't quite get them finished by the end of the month.

🌟🌟🌟 The Little Shadows by Marina Endicott
Rating: 3/5
My Thoughts: The Little Shadows follows three sisters who make up a Vaudeville act in the years before and during World War I. It wasn't until the last quarter of the book that I started to get into the story. While I found parts to be interesting, I didn't have a strong connection to the characters and felt it was far too long of a book.

🌟🌟🌟.5  If You're Gone by Brittany Goodwin
Rating: 3.5/5
My Thoughts: I was sent a copy of If You're Gone by Brittany Goodwin, from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book follows a teenager whose boyfriend has disappeared. I enjoyed this emotional story and how the author chose to focus on the grief associated with losing someone.

The Stats

Total Number of Books Read: 2

Total Number of Fiction: 2

Total Number of Non-fiction: 0

Total Books Sent for Review: 1

Total Books Read from My Shelves: 0

Total Library Books Read: 1

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 1

eBooks: 1

Audio Books: 0

Genres Read:

Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary. 

Total Books Read in 2017: 12

Back in January I posted 2017 First Quarter TBR: January-March from this list I have completed all but one book. That book I have yet to read is:

I hope to complete this one soon. Now here we are at the end of the second quarter. I didn't end up doing a TBR for this quarter, because well it simply slipped my mind. 

And because I'm overly ambitious I have come up with another challenge for myself. For this one I have divided the books on my back-list since 2007, into years. After I have completed these I will reward myself with a Book Outlet order. Click on the link below to check out that post:

Reading Catch-up: 2007

And that's all for now. I hope you had a wonderful June and happy reading.

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Monthly Wrap-up: May 2017

Another whirlwind month has come and gone. It was full to the brim with a growing baby, my brothers wedding and a family reunion. I also celebrated my first Mother's Day.

The wedding was just beautiful. I am so happy for my brother and my new sister in-law. We couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was great and the winery where the reception was held was just beautiful. It was nice to see my family who flew in from Newfoundland. It was the first time in more than 20 years that all my Dad's brothers and sisters were together. My Grandmother was so proud. Coming up for the wedding also gave them the opportunity to meet Charles. The poor thing was probably so confused as to who would be holding him next, but he was a good boy and hardly fussed.

Now that everyone has gone home and all the wedding events are behind us, we can get some much needed rest. But not too much with a newborn in the house, of course ha. Speaking of which my baby boy is now 6 weeks old. He is becoming more bright and focused with each passing day and is finally starting to gain some weight.

Now lets talk about my reading progress during the month of May:

I completed 2 books this past month. That is better than April, but still not as much as I completed pre-baby. I have been spending a fair amount of time reading though. The book I have been reading for some time now (see: Currently Reading image) is quite long, so it is taking me much longer than I had hoped it would. I plan to finish it up within the next couple of days.

🌟🌟🌟.5  No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom, #1) by Elizabeth Ludwig
Rating: 3.5/5
My Thoughts: No Safe Harbor is a historical fiction set in late 1800's New York City. It follows a young Irish lady named Cara who comes to NYC in search of her brother who she previously thought was dead. It was a good book that I would recommend. However I enjoyed the second book in this series more than the first.

🌟.5 The Littlest Cowboy (The Texas Brands #1) by Maggie Shayne 
Rating: 1.5/5
My Thoughts: An orpahaned baby boy left on the steps of the Brand family ranch, followed by the arrival of his aunt who harbors a traumatic past. I can't begin to count the number of eye rolls I did while reading The Littlest Cowboy. I liked the concept of the story, but way it progressed wasn't my cup of tea.

The Stats:

Total Number of Books Read: 2

Total Number of Fiction: 2

Total Number of Non-fiction: 0

Total Books Sent for Review: 0

Total Books Read From My Shelves: 2

Total Library Books Read: 0

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 0

eBooks: 2

Audio Books: 0

Genres Read: 

Historical fiction, Christian fiction

Contemporary Romance

Total Books Read in 2017: 10

What did you read during the month of May? Leave me as message in the comments. Happy June and happy reading to all.

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Monthly Wrap-up: April 2017

Well the month of April was quite a whirlwind for me. I admit that the first couple of weeks just dragged on as my due date got closer, The further along in my pregnancy I got, the more uncomfortable and anxious I became, Then there was the added stress of having to move again. I am so thankful for my family and friends who stepped up once again to help us. I don't know how we would have gotten it all done without them.

We welcomed our baby boy Charles to the world on April 19. Labour and delivery went smoothly and I had a great team of nurses and doctors around me, as well as my husband and mom.

I am so in love with my sweet little boy. It still feels so surreal that he is finally here and that we are parents. Charles is only less than 2 weeks old now, but he has already brought so much joy to our lives,

Here is my reading progress for the month:

Only one book completed in April. I was a bit preoccupied, hehe.

🌟🌟🌟.5 A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 
Rating: 3.5/5
This book follows a curmudgeon middle-aged widower and a colourful cast of neighbors who keep foiling his plans to commit suicide, It was a humerous story despite the description and I would recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

The Stats 

Total Number of Books Read: 1
Total Number of Fiction: 1
Total Number of Non-fiction: 0
Total Books Sent for Review: 0
Total Books Read From My Shelves: 1
Total Library Books Read: 0

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 0
eBooks: 1
Audio Books: 0

Genres Read:

Contemporary: 1

Total Books Read in 2017: 8 

Once again I don't have a set TBR for May, but I hope I can sneak in some reading in between feedings and diaper changes. 

Wishing you all a wonderful may. 

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Monthly Wrap-up: March 2017

Hello everyone,

Well March was kind of a crappy month on my end. I've been trying to get over a bad cold for the past three weeks. Just when I think that it is starting to go away it comes back with a vengeance. Being pregnant I can't really take anything to help me get better, so I've just been trying to get a lot of rest and keep hydrated.

I turned 30 on the first of the month. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I enjoyed dinner with my family to celebrate. And then that weekend, my mom threw me a baby shower, which was nice.

Other than that I've just been counting down the weeks until my due date. Only about 3 more weeks to go! We are all so excited for our new arrival to make his grand appearance.

Let's move on to my very dismal reading progress..

I was really hoping that I would complete more books in the month of March, but this cold has kicked the crap out of me and I haven't felt much like reading, unfortunately. It looks like I'm not going to meet me goal for the first quarter TBR, but what can ya do?

🌟🌟🌟 A Vote for Murder (Murder, She Wrote #22) by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain
Rating: 3/5
Beloved mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is invited to Washington D.C. to attend a literary event, when a senators chief of staff is found murdered. This audio book was narrated by Cynthia Darlow.
Favourite Part: The relationship between Jessica and her Scotland Yard friend.
Recommendations:  I would recommend A Vote for Murder to fans of the television show Murder, She Wrote.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Empress Holds the Key (Jack Rogan Mysteries, #2) by Gabriel Farago 
Rating: 4/5
An old war-time picture is discovered in a burned down cabin depicting a Nazi officer, uncovers a trail connecting a violin to a Vatican cover-up that could change the fate of Christianity.
Favourite Part: How the author connected all the different time periods together.
Recommendations: I would recommend The Empress Holds the Key to fans of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series.

The Stats

Total Number of Books Read: 2

Total Number of Fiction: 2

Total Number of Non-fiction: 0

Total Books Sent for Review: 1

Total Books Read from My Shelves: 0

Total Library Books Read: 1

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 0

eBooks: 1

Audio Book: 1

Genres Read:

Mysteries: 2

Thriller/ Suspense: 1

Total Books Read in 2017: 7

I don't have a set TBR for April at the moment. All of my books are still packed up and I'm not sure when I will get them all unpacked. So it looks like this month I will just pick up whatever catches my interest. 

Did you do a monthly wrap-up for March? If so I'd love to check it out, so be sure to leave me your links in the comments below. 

Wishing you all a wonderful April. 

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Monthly Wrap-up: February 2017

Hello everyone and welcome to my monthly wrap-up for February 2017. This past month was another blur of doctors appointments as I count down the weeks until my due date. Thankfully everything is going well and baby is growing on schedule.

Today is my 30th birthday, which to be honest I haven't even given much thought to. I always thought that the big 3-0 would hit me harder, but since I've been so busy concentrating on my upcoming due date, its kind of taken a back seat. I celebrated with my family on Sunday, just the 6 of us with a yummy dinner at my parents house. A small gathering is just what I wanted, complete with one of my favourite meals and dessert. It was a nice night.

I have just about 7 weeks to go until my due date!

Now, lets get to the books..

I completed 3 books in the month of February, which is one more than January. Goodreads is telling me that I am 2 books behind schedule to reach my goal of 45 books in the year. I'm ok with that though. Plus I am on track to completing my goal for my first quarter TBR, which is 4 books from my back-list.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware 
Rating: 4/5
Set in the aftermath of the great San Francisco earthquake in 1906, A Race to Splendor follows a young female architect as she competes to re-build the hotel her family once owned.
Favourite Part: Reading about strong independent women who fought to forge careers in a male dominated profession.
Recommendations: I would recommend A Race to Splendor to those interested in historical fiction featuring trail blazing women.

🌟🌟🌟 The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) by Rick Riordan
Review to come.
Rating: 3/5
Percy and his friends go on a quest into the labyrinth in a bid to stop the rise of Kronos.
Favourite Part:  Grover and Tyson.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book to those who have read the previous books in the series. However I think it is best read in book format and not listened to in audio like I have been doing. After 4 books, I'm still not a big fan of the narrator.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford 
Review to come.
Rating: 4/5
Henry Lee, an American of Chinese descent remembers his childhood during the war years and his forbidden friendship with a Japanese-American girl named Keiko.
Favourite Part: The beautiful relationship that Henry and Keiko form.
Recommendations: I would recommend Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet to those interested in American history during WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Stats

Total Number of Books Read: 3

Total Number of Fiction: 3

Total Number of Non-fiction: 0

Total Books Sent for Review: 0

Total Books Read From my Shelves: 2

Total Library Books Read: 1.5
(Note: I read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet in two different formats; my own eBook copy and in physical format from my library) 

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 1.5

eBooks: 0.5

Audio Books: 1 

Genres Read:

Historical Fiction: 2

Fantasy: 1

Middle Grade: 1 

Total Books Read in 2017: 5 

The Empress Holds the Key (Jack Rogan Mysteries, #2) by Gabriel Farago follows a journalist as he uncovers a lead connecting a Nazi war criminal with Swiss bank accounts, a Vatican cover-up and a middle-eastern terrorist organization. I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review. So far it is quite fast paced and exciting.

A Vote for Murder (Murder She Wrote, #22) by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain (Narrated by: Cynthia Darlow): follows the beloved mystery novelist as she is invited to the capitol for a literacy event, when a murder is committed. I'm enjoying this story in audio format, however I wish that Angela Lansbury was the narrator.

• No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom, #1) by Elizabeth Ludwig 
• Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum, #18) by Janet Evanovich 

Did you do a monthly wrap-up? If so I'd love to check out your post, so leave me a message below and I will be sure to check it out. Hope you all have a wonderful March! 

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Monthly Wrap-up: January 2017

Hello everyone and welcome to my January wrap-up. I hope you all had a wonderful month. For me it was quite busy with unpacking (we moved into a new place) and doctors appointments.

I am now in the third trimester of my pregnancy and feeling great. Time sure is flying by. We have started gathering baby items and I can't wait to start putting together my little boys nursery. 11 more weeks to go!

We had some very mild weather here in Ontario this past month. There were a couple of days with heavy fog, but now it is starting to get quite cold.

Last weekend we watched the movie X-Men: Apocalypse and it was pretty good. Normally I'm not into superhero movies, but for some reason I really enjoy this franchise. Here is the trailer:

Is it just me or does James McAvoy (Professor X) look like an 80's Paul McCartney? Quicksilver is definitely my favourite character in this movie though.

I completed 2 books in January, which isn't quite up to my monthly standard, but it I did get much more reading done this month than I have in a while.

Click the links below to read my reviews:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley 
Rating: 5/5
I loved this young adult contemporary novel about a teen who hasn't left his house in 3 years and the people who befriend him.
Favourite Part: The main character Solomon was wonderful. I was able to relate to so much in this book and re-read many parts several times.
Recommendations: I would recommend Highly Illogical Behavior to fans of young adult contemporary who are looking for a humerus novel that will make them reflect.

🌟🌟🌟.5 Skeletons in the Attic (A Marketville Mystery, #1) by Judy Penz Sheluk 
Rating: 3.5/5
This was an enjoyable mystery written by a local author. It follows a woman who inherits her childhood home and begins investigating the mysteries behind her mothers sudden disappearance.
Favourite Part: The author based the setting of this novel on a town that it nearby me. I enjoyed the familiar locations and also the Canadian references throughout.
Recommendations: I would recommend Skeletons in the Attic to those who enjoy mysteries that have a bit more meat to their bones than the typical cozy.

The Stats:

Total Number of Books Read: 2

Total Number of Fiction: 2

Total Number of Non-fiction: 0

Total Books Sent for Review Read: 1

Total Books Read From My Shelves: 0

Total Library Books Read: 1

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 1

eBooks: 1

Genres Read:

Young Adult: 1

Mystery: 1

Total Books Read in 2017: 2

A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware is a historical fiction set after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. I had hoped to have this one finished to include in January's wrap-up, but I'm not quite there yet. It shouldn't take me too much longer though as I am really enjoying this story.

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) by Rick Riordan is another one I was hoping to have finished by now. I am listening to it in audio format on my Overdrive app from my library and it expired before I got to the end. So now I'm on the waiting list to borrow it again. Hopefully it won't be too long of a wait.

• The Empress Holds the Key by Gabriel Farago (sent for review) 
• No Safe Harbor (Edge of Freedom, #1) by Elizabeth Ludwig

Did you do a monthly wrap-up? If so I'd love to check out your post, so leave me a message below and I will be sure to check it out. Hope you all have a wonderful (possibly romance filled) February. 

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Monthly Wrap-up: September, October & November 2016

Monthly Wrap-up:

September,

October

& 

November

2016

Hello everyone,

I haven't done a monthly wrap-up since August. Normally I'm good at doing one each month, but lately my reading progress hasn't been anything to shake a stick at. 

Life has just been very hectic lately. For those of you who don't know, I am expecting my first child in late April! So my weeks have been consumed with doctors appointments and trying to get as much rest as I can. Because of my heart problems, this is a quite high risk pregnancy, but I have a great team of doctors around me and we are all optimistic that things will run smoothly. So far so good. *Fingers crossed!!*

We are also in the process of moving, which is exciting and stressful all at the same time. It made more sense for us to move out of our 1 bedroom, into a two before the baby comes. I'm looking forward to getting all settled in.

Now onto the books..

My Reading Progress: 

Books Completed: 

1. The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel 
2. The Blackfriar Murders: A Cosy Mystery Series: Book One: At the Bottom of the Stairs by M'Lissa Moorecroft 

Yikes! Only two books in the past several months. I am not happy with this total at all, but when life gets crazy, what can ya do? Right?

Currently Reading:

Yes I've been reading The Girl in the Castle since like August, but I am enjoying it. I'm starting to make good progress on it the past couple of days.

I have been using What To Expect.. as a guideline that I will continue with throughout my pregnancy. I am finding it very informative. 

Up Next:

I will continue on with the books I have been sent by authors to read and review. I am determined to catch up, it just may take me a while. I think I can, I think I can! 

I hope you are all doing well and wishing you happy holidays! 

Hosted by: Book Date 

Monthly Wrap-up: August 2016

Goodbye sticky, humid, unbearable August. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. I definitely live in the wrong province. The weather of my second home in Newfoundland is much more suitable for my likes, that is for sure.

I am so ready for fall to begin. No, not because pumpkin spice everything (yuck), but because of the cooler weather and the beautiful changes in colour. Crunching leaves, apple picking, the smokey smell in the air. Ah I can't wait.

Things are slowly looking up on my end and I am optimistic that it will continue that way. (Fingers crossed!).

Now onto the books..

My Reading Progress:

I did much better with my reading progress during the month of August. Although this past week I'm afraid I've fallen into a slump..

Books Read By Month:

January: 8

February: 5
March: 6

April: 4
May: 8
June: 5
July: 4

*August: 6*

1. A Beauty Refined (Sapphire Brides, #2) by Tracie Peterson
   Rating: 4/5
   My Review
   
   
2. The One Who See's Me by Kandi J. Wyatt
   Rating: 2.5/5
   My Review
3. An Amish Family Christmas: A Charmed Amish Life Christmas Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray 
   Rating: 3.5/5
   Review Date: October 18, 2016
4. The Obituary Society (The Obituary Society, #1) by Jessica L. Randall
   Rating: 3.5/5
   My Review
5. The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew, #2) by Carolyn Keene
   Rating: 3/5
   Review Date: September 8, 2016
6. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt 
   Rating: 4/5
   Review Date: September 15, 2016

The Stats:

Favourite Book of the Month:

Favourite Cover of the Month:

Favourite Setting: The Tuck family home in Tuck Everlasting

Favourite Character: Tuck (Tuck Everlasting)

Total Books Read: 6
Total Number of Fiction: 6

Total Number of Non-fiction: 0

Total Books Sent for Review: 2
Total Books Read from My Shelves: 1
Total Library Books Read: 2

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 2
E-Books: 4

What did you read during the month of August? Please leave me your links so I can visit your monthly wrap-ups. Hope you all had a wonderful summer and wishing you a great September.

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Monthly Wrap-up: July 2016

Well am I ever glad to see the month of July end. For me this past month was stressful and way too hot. Thankfully things are starting to look up and I am optimistic for the weeks to come. I don't really have anything to report other than that, so lets move on to my reading progress.

My Reading Progress:

Unfortunately my reading progress slowed down even more during the month of July. However according to Goodreads I am 11 books ahead of schedule. I have set a goal for myself to read 50 books this year and I am already at 40. 

Books Read By Month:

January: 8

February: 5
March: 6

April: 4
May: 8
June: 5
July: 4

1. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3) by Rick Riordan 
   Rating: 3.5/5
   My Review
2. Blaming the Wind by Alessandra Harris
   Rating: 4/5
   My Review
3. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan 
   Rating: 4/5
   My Review: Date TBD
4. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
   Rating: 3/5
   My Review: Date TBD

The Stats

Favourite Book of the Month and Favourite Cover of the Month:

Favourite Setting: Rural Scotland (The Bookshop on the Corner)
Favourite Character: Nina (The Bookshop on the Corner)
Total Books Read: 4
Total Number of Fiction: 4
Total Number of Non-fiction: 0
Total Books Sent for Review: 2
Total Books Read from My Shelves: 1
Total Library Books Read: 1

Formats Read:

Physical Books: 1
eBooks: 2
Audio Books: 1

I hope you all had a wonderful July and wishing you happy reading in August! 

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