Friday, December 01, 2017

Weekly Mews: November Wrap-Up, What I Am Reading Now & What Should I Read Next? (December's TBR List Poll)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. As well as Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.


December promises to be a busy month, and I imagine I will not have as much computer time as I would like, especially toward the middle and last half of the month. Between family coming in from out of town and all of Mouse's activities, including a big holiday dance showcase, free time will be hard to come by. I am happy to say that my holiday cards are in the mail, and I am officially all done with the Christmas shopping. I am still waiting on a couple of packages, but the money is spent, and so I figure it counts as being done anyway.


I put together a bookish Advent calendar this year for my daughter, wrapping several of Mouse's Christmas books. I had mentioned the idea to her, asking if she would want to do something like that, but explained we would be using books we already owned. It just so happens she has over 24 holiday-themed books. I have always wanted to do something like this. I think it will be a lot of fun!

Did your December get off to a good start? What are you most looking forward to this month

November In Review: 

My mother paid us a visit in early November, and Anjin and I got to go on a rare date. We decided to see the new Blade Runner movie, as the original is one of my husband's favorites.

Soccer season came to an end. Mouse had fun at the season end party. I think we are all glad for the chance to sleep in on Saturday mornings again.

While my reading got off to a slow start the beginning of November, it picked up with my break from blogging Thanksgiving week. Although I had to work most of that week, I took advantage of any spare time I had to read. Mouse and I organized her books and wrapped Christmas presents. We also managed to get the house mostly decorated for Christmas. We still haven't put up the tree, but will likely be doing that this weekend.

Thanksgiving Day brought some bad news. Ten or so years ago, my mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Doctors were able to successfully remove all malignant growth. Unfortunately, it has returned. My mom went in for surgery the first of December, and we will know late next week whether the margins are clear.

In more bad news, although much less so, we sprung a leak and I spent a good part of one day this past week waiting for the plumber to come out. Fortunately it wasn't a terribly expensive fix, but it still cost a pretty penny.

My carpal tunnel syndrome seems to be flaring up in both wrists. It has made life at work and at home a bit more challenging considering how much time I spend on the computer. Add being so busy with other things, it makes me a not very good commenter as of late.

Getting back to my reading, I am actually quite proud of how will I did both quality and quantity wise in November. I read some great books--none were disappointing.

Here is what I read last month:
  • Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
  • Lust and Wonder by Augusten Burroughs
  • Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
  • Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne
  • Christmas At Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
  • Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo (audio)


Non-Book Review Posts in November:

How did your November shape up reading wise? What was your favorite book you read in November?


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New to My Shelves: 

I purchased a few e-books and one audiobook this past month that I couldn't resist:


The Breakdown by P.A. Paris
The Good Samaritan by John Marrs
Betrayed  (#3 Black Hat Thriller) by Karen E. Olson
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (audio)
Starstruck (the Cowboys of Cold Creek) by RaeAnne Thayne
Shadowed (#2 Black Hat Thriller) by Karen E. Olson
The Lost Prayers of Ricky Graves by James Han Mattson
Cursed by Fire (#1 Immortal Brother) by Jacqueline Frank


Have you read any of these? What did you think? What new books did you add to your shelves in November? 

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What I Am Reading: I am currently reading Shadowed by Karen E. Olson. Oh my gosh! Talk about suspenseful! The book hasn't let up since page one. I am sure I will be finishing the book this weekend. Probably Saturday if not tonight. My e-reader has been acting up (I'm not sure if it is the actual device or the book itself) which is the only reason I have not been able to finish it yet). Next up is another Christmas themed book. Maybe The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson.

What I Am Listening To: I just finished listening to Leigh Bardugo's Wonder Woman: Warbringer and haven't yet started another audio book. It always seems to take me a while to start another one after finishing one. I am not sure which one will catch my attention next.

What I Am Watching: I am all caught up with The Walking Dead. At least until Sunday's episode airs. It has been a rather lackluster season so far. I am enjoying The Voice and watching too many Christmas Hallmark movies. 

What I Am Worried About: Besides the global and societal issues I have no control over, everything I have to do this month. All the places I have to be. All the money I have already and still have to spend. How I will be able to get my daughter to this or that event. And if I will survive this whole dance holiday showcase ordeal. Dance/Stage mom: I am not. Work. My mom. Especially my mom. And what are we going to serve for Christmas dinner?!

What I Am Looking Forward To: Christmas Day and the day after.

What I Am Grateful For:  My family. My mom. My husband. Especially my husband. And, of course, my daughter. And my loving and playful cat who is such a comfort.


Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

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Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 




At the moment I type this, there is a cat attacking my head. Rather, rubbing herself all over me and clawing at my head. It is making blogging a little difficult at the moment, but I shall persevere. I have mysteries on the brain this month and chose three different types of crime fiction novels for you to choose from. They all offer something a bit different from one another, and I would love to know which one you think  I should read this month.

Death Below Stairs (Kat Holloway Mysteries #1) by Jennifer Ashley ~ I love a good historical mystery, and this one is irresistible sounding, don't you think?

Victorian class lines are crossed when cook Kat Holloway is drawn into a murder that reaches all the way to the throne.  
Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered.

Intent on discovering who killed the helpless kitchen maid, Kat turns to the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be. Along with the assistance of Lord Rankin’s unconventional sister-in-law and a mathematical genius, Kat and Daniel discover that the household murder was the barest tip of a plot rife with danger and treason—one that’s a threat to Queen Victoria herself.  
[Goodreads Summary]


The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn ~ Doesn't this sound intriguing? I think so!
 What did she see?

It’s been ten long months since Anna Fox last left her home. Ten months during which she has haunted the rooms of her old New York house like a ghost, lost in her memories, too terrified to step outside.

Anna’s lifeline to the real world is her window, where she sits day after day, watching her neighbours. When the Russells move in, Anna is instantly drawn to them. A picture-perfect family of three, they are an echo of the life that was once hers.

But one evening, a frenzied scream rips across the silence, and Anna witnesses something no one was supposed to see. Now she must do everything she can to uncover the truth about what really happened. But even if she does, will anyone believe her? And can she even trust herself?
[Goodreads Summary]


A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #1) by Victoria Gilbert ~ Who can resist a mystery featuring a librarian? I know I can't!

Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble.

Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families... including her own.

When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest in A Murder for the Books, the first installment of Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries.  [Goodreads Summary]



Have you read any of these? Which one do you think I should lose myself in this month? 

Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful December and Happy Reading!


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

76 comments:

  1. Hope you have a great week ahead! I ended up voting for Death Below Stairs because I love the cover. I hope you enjoy whichever wins!

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    1. Kim - Thank you for voting! I hope you have a great week as well!

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  2. I love the book advent calendar!

    The Woman in the Window got lots of buzz at BEA.

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    1. Kathy - I think it turned out great. It probably would have been taller had we had more hardcover Christmas books, but most are softcover.

      I'm really curious about The Woman in the Window. Hopefully it is as good as it sounds!

      Thanks for visiting!

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  3. Walking Dead, such a fan! But, I haven't watched any episodes of the latest season. Need to catch up very soon. I've been catching up on episodes of Supernatural. Loving it.

    I hope you have a great December! :)

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    1. Nina - It's been kind of slow this season--although lots of fighting. I really enjoy the show over all too. :-) I stalled in Supernatural with the fall TV season starting up again. I think I'm on episode six of season 12. I really like that show as well.

      I hope you have a great December too! Thank you for visiting!

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  4. OH MY GOD I NEED THAT REEDIER HELLO KITTY. *drools* What a fun idea! I hope you and your daughter have a blast reading Christmas books :) I chose Death Below Stairs

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    1. Sarah - I tried to steal the reindeer Hello Kitty from my daughter, but she won't let me have it. Haha

      I'm excited about the book Advent tree. I've always wanted to do one. :-)

      Thanks for voting! I'm really looking forward to reading Death Below Stairs.

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  5. You do have a busy month ahead. I am so eager to get my hands on The Woman in the Window. It feels like I have been waiting forever. Enjoy!

    I am hoping to download Lust and Wonder at some point. I enjoy the author and have read several of his books. But...I am trying to curtail my buying. As if a few days will make a difference. LOL.

    Have a great week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES


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    1. Laurel-Rain - Hopefully The Woman in the Window will live up to all the hype. I hope you do get a chance to read Lust & Wonder. I enjoyed it. I understand wanting to curtail buying--especially this time of year!

      Thank you for visiting!

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  6. Advent calendar is such a cute idea!
    I voted for Death Below Stairs!

    I hope you have an amazing week, Wendy! Happy Reading! ox

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    1. Michelle - I think it turned out well too. :-) I've been wanting to do a book Advent calendar for years now. I figured there was no time like the present--especially since my daughter didn't mind using books we already owned.

      Thank you for voting, Michelle, and have a great week!

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  7. December is always a busy month for many of us. For me, it also means that school holidays are here (in fact the schools closed end November) and during this period, I understand most parents would take leave off from their work to bring their children overseas for vacations. It's a great time for the parents, especially if they're both working, to bond with their children.

    And oh, I want to read The Woman in the Window! I'm sure you'd know what my choice is for your poll, right? ;)

    Hope you've a great weekend, Wendy!

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    1. Melody - Having the month off to spend with family sounds so nice! Schools in our district are only closed for two weeks, and my husband and I will be working most of it. We have Christmas and New Year's Day off, but otherwise, we'll be in the office. It's the busiest time of year at my husband's work, and they only let the most senior people have any time off. My work is open 24 hours/7 days a week, including holidays, and so someone always has to work.

      Thank you for voting! I'm looking forward to reading The Woman in the Window! Even if it doesn't win, I imagine I will read it soon. :-)

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  8. Congratulations on having all of your shopping done!! I still have a few more things to do, but I'm almost there! I can't wait to kick back and relax :)

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    1. Erica - Thank you! It does feel like a bit of relief. One thing down. A hundred million others to go. :-) Enjoy your weekend!

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  9. I love the idea of the Advent calendar using your daughter's books. I would throw in a new one as a surprise and see if she notices :) I am sorry about your mom's cancer returning, I will add her to my prayer list.

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    1. Ellen - I was thinking that too. :-) Even of the Christmas books we do own, I think she's forgotten most of them so they'll be a bit of a surprise, thankfully.

      Thank you for your prayers, Ellen, for my mom. It means a lot.

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  10. What great looking books. I'm jealous because I keep wanting to read The Hating Game. Have a great week.

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    1. Barb - The Hating Game should be a fun one, I think. :-) I hope you have a great week too!

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  11. Oh, did you like Cinder? I think it's a fun adventure retelling story. I've also heard a lot about The Hating Game. I should look into that one.

    Happy reading!

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    1. Shell - I did like Cinder, although I can't say I loved it. I'm more so looking forward to Scarlet as that one appeals to me even more. Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. Sorry to hear about your mother and your carpal tunnel issues. Your new books look great, although I haven't read any of them myself.

    For your e-reader, I would suggest doing a factory reset on it. It might not fix the issue, but I've had to do it a couple times on my Kindle Fire, and it always solved my problems.

    Hope you have a great weekend. - Katie

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    1. Katie - Thank you so much. Hopefully we will get some good news soon.

      I'll try the factory reset. I wonder though if it isn't because my e-reader is full . . . I need to delete some books, I think.

      I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  13. Wow... What a November. I hope December is full of better things.

    I really love your idea for the advent calendar! I am going to work towards that with my little one now! What a fun way to build up the festive feelings before Christmas.

    I hope you have a good week this week and enjoy those new reads!

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    1. Di - Thank you. I hope so too! The book Advent calendar has been fun. :-) I hope you do pull it off for your little one in the near future. I've been wanting to give it a try for a long time.

      I hope you have a good week too.

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  14. Sorry to hear about your mum, I hope you end up getting good news. Love the idea of wrapping the books you already own for your daughter. After all the biggest part of the fun is the unwrapping, the element of surprise and then the reading of the book together. They will be lovely memories, enjoy!

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    1. Trish - Thank you. Hopefully they were able to get all the cancerous cells.

      The book Advent calendar is a big success for far. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I’m so sorry to read about your mother. I hope you’ll get good news this week. I’m not the praying type.. but I’ll keep you in my thoughts.
    I love the idea and look of your bookish Advent calendar. That’s just such a great idea. Love it. 😉
    Your new books look great.
    Happy Reading!

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    1. Maureen - Thank you. I appreciate all the positive thoughts for her.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  16. So sorry to hear about your mother - fingers crossed that the news is good. Urgh - I recall we had a slow leak which created havoc and I'm glad it isn't as bad as that, but it is a pain. And hopefully the carpel tunnel syndrome will calm back down if your stress levels go down... Hopefully, you now have had your share as troubles are said to come in threes and you are set for a really happy, hassle-free Christmas. Love the idea of the advent calender for your daughter:) My Sunday Post - https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/12/03/sunday-post-3rd-december-2017/

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    1. Sarah - Thank you. I'm hopeful the news will be good. I'm so glad we caught the leak when we did. It could have been so much worse. I am back to wearing my wrist braces at night and that is helping some. I am also trying not to spend too much time on my phone and computer.

      Thanks for stopping by, Sarah! Have a great week.

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  17. Voted for The Woman in the Window - sounds like an exciting read!

    And I just borrowed Mr. Dickens and his Carol! I was wondering why the book sounded so familiar when I saw it :p

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    1. Eustacia - Thank you for voting! The Woman in the Window sounds so good! I hope you enjoy Mr. Dickens and His Carol! I hope to post my review later this week.

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  18. So sorry about your mom. Wishing you all the positive vibes on that front. You picked up some great books! Hope you enjoy them all! I went with The Woman in the Window for the TBR list. Have a great week!

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    1. Grace - Thank you! I appreciate the positive vibes for my mom. Hopefully I will be able to get in some good reading this month. Thank you for voting! Have a great week too.

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  19. Wishing you a more joyful December, Wendy. Hope things have already begun to improve!

    The Woman at the Window was my choice. :)

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    1. Jenclair - Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful December.

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  20. The advent calendar idea is wonderful!!! Hopefully you are able to enjoy December, even with it being so busy!

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    1. Samantha - It's been a lot of fun so far. My daughter loves opening up a wrapped book every day. :-)

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  21. I am sorry to hear about your mom. Hope all will be well. I chose A Murder for the Books.

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    1. Nadene - Thank you! I hope so too. Thank you too for voting!

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  22. Happy December! Good for you on getting the shopping done early, I got a good amount done on Cyber Monday and now I just need a few more things.
    I am sorry about your mom, sending good thoughts your way. Hopefully you will get good news.

    I'm showing signs of carpal tunnel syndrome too, after more than a decade of office/typing work plus all the crocheting I do, I'm not surprised. I am going to get one of those glove things, maybe that will help?
    I have Christmas At Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan too, from LibraryThing. If you review it, I look forward to your thoughts on it.
    Happy weekend and happy December. xo

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    1. Naida - It is a relief to have the Christmas shopping done. Everything is almost all wrapped too, which is a feat in and of itself. I am sorry to hear your wrists are bothering you too. Mine had been under control for a number of years, but evidently picked now to get bad again. I am wearing my braces at night again and that's helped some.

      I hope you enjoy Christmas At Little Beach Street Bakery! Have a great week!

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  23. Having your shopping done is a blessing. I enjoyed Death Below Stairs and selected that. The snowman pictured looks like Chilly, a character from DocMcStuffin. A show the princess adores. I will be thinking of your Mom. Have a good week!

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    1. Kim - I am glad to hear you enjoyed Death Below Stairs! I think I will too. The snowman does look a little like Chilly, doesn't he? My daughter used to really enjoy Doc McStuffins. :-) She has quite a few snowmen around the house. I hope you have a good week too!

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  24. I'm sorry to hear your mom's cancer has come back! Hopefully, the doctors will be able to help her beat it once more!
    Also, your carpal tunnel must be painful! and it's never a good time to suffer from that, right?
    I voted for The Woman at the Window, because I love both the title and the cover.
    Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading :)
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. Lexxie - Thank you! I am feeling very hopeful that my mom will beat the cancer this time too.

      I am not at all happy to be having wrist problems again. It's very inconvenient--and yes, painful. I'm trying to take it easy, but I'm not very good at it.

      Thank you for voting! I hope you have a great week too!

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  25. I'm sorry to hear about you Mom, I hope everything goes alright and they are able to make a clear decision on course of treatment. I'll keep her in my thoughts as well as you too. It's hard to go through. My husband was my rock a couple of years ago for me when I went through this, so I know you are so worried about your Mom. {hugs} Have a great week.

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    1. Jenea - Thank you. The doctor plans to start her on radiation after she gets home from visiting with us in January. She's been through this before, unfortunately, but now she is older and doesn't have my dad by her side. I hate that I can't be there for her. We're all feeling rather positive though. I am glad your husband could be there for you, and I'm sorry you had to go through it. I hope you never have to endure it agaoin.

      Thank you, again!

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  26. Oh man.. Sorry about your wrists. I've also been having a pretty terrible time with my health, these past two weeks. Meh!

    Thankfully, I've had an okay reading month. But I grabbed 20 books.. I think that's my record throughout the whole year :/ gosh, right?

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    1. Evelina - Thank you. I am sorry you are having health issues too. I hope things improve for you soon!

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  27. Okay so I really, really need to get back Karen Olsen's series as well as I enjoyed book one a lot. I think I'll request book two from the library soon (thanks for the reminder). I can't decide between two books for you TBR choice - lol - I can't even choose books for others let alone myself :) I hope you and your family have a wonderful week. I will be thinking very good thoughts for your Mom.

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    1. Samantha - I really liked the second book and hope to start the third soon. I would have a hard time choosing too. :-) Thank you for the kind wishes and the good thoughts for my mom.

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  28. The Advent calendar is a wonderful idea, you're daughter is going to love it. Sorry to hear about your mother, hopefully treatment will be able to help her. Have a great week.

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    1. Jovita - I think so too! We're having fun with it. Thank you for your kind thoughts for my mom. Have a great week too!

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  29. The end of the year is always so crazy. It looks like you got a lot of reading done in November, even though it was busy. Have a great week and enjoy your new books!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - I got more reading done in November than I expected--which is always a nice surprise. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  30. I really hope that you get good news regarding your mom's surgery.

    On your poll, I just voted for The Woman in the Window. It sounds fantastic!

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    1. Suzanne - The news ended up being mostly good, although it looks like she will need to go through another one before they can go through with the radiation treatment. Thank you for voting, Suzanne!

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  31. I am sorry to hear the news about your mom. I hope you get good news and a positive prognosis.

    I love the idea of a bookish advent calendar! I wish I'd thought of that when mine were little.

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    1. Steph - Thank you. The prognosis is fairly good, thankfully. They caught it early. We are enjoying the bookish advent calendar. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  32. I love the idea of doing a literary advent with already owned books. What a great idea! Congrats on being done with your shopping! I haven't even started yet. Lol. I'm actually currently reading The Woman in the Window. I'm very early into it, but am enjoying so far. Happy reading!

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    1. Natalie - I was a little surprised we had enough holiday themed children's books to make it work--but then, I suppose I shouldn't be. It's been a lot of fun so far. I know quite a few others who are just beginning their holiday shopping. I have so much on my plate in the next three weeks that I'm so glad I was able to get mine done relatively early. I'm not sure when I would have fit it in otherwise. I am glad to hear you are enjoying The Woman in the Window! I'm sure you are either finished or much farther in now than you were when you wrote this comment. I hope you ended up liking it. I can't wait to read it! Thanks for visiting.

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  33. My December has been good so far! I hope it will continue in this vein! I am so sorry to hear about your mother! I hope everything comes back in the clear this week!! I will be praying. I hope you can also find some relief for your pain, too. Have you had the surgery for carpal tunnel?

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    1. Charlie - I am glad you are enjoying your December so far! I hope it will continue to be a good one for you as well. Thank you for your well wishes for my mother and your prayers.

      My wrists seem to be doing a bit better at this moment. I've been wearing my braces at night and that has helped. I'm also taking more breaks from the computer (and my phone). I haven't had the surgery. Mine's not that bad yet, and I'm hoping to avoid it if I can.

      Thanks for stopping by Charlie.

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  34. I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Hopefully the news from the surgery won't be too bad. And that's awful about your carpal tunnel flaring up. I think we all could just use a week of naps and lots of rest. I think most of us are running on fumes and this month is not going to help with that! I went with the historical mystery but any of these look great! I've got 1 and 3 coming up on my reading list. I've been watching The Voice too this season and am really enjoying it. This is the first season I've ever watched and I just love how positive the coaches are. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - Thank you. The surgery was successful and they were able to get all of the cancer cells, but unfortunately the doctor will have to go back in. I guess she didn't clear enough of a margin. Yes, rest is much needed! Maybe after the holidays. :-S I've actually been resting my wrists when I can and the carpal tunnel seems to be receding. Hopefully it will stay away for a long while again. I am glad you are enjoying The Voice! I really like how positive the coaches are too. I like it much better than American Idol, which I watched in the earlier seasons.

      Thanks for voting, Katherine!

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  35. I am sorry to hear that your mom is battling cancer again. My mom had breast cancer at 45. 10 years later it returned on the same side with no breast (she elected not to have reconstruction). She beat it a second time. About 7 years later, a different type of breast cancer was found in her remaining breast and she had her second masectomy. I only tell you this because she beat it for the third time and is still going strong.

    I love your book advent idea. I wish I would have thought of that when my girls were little. Bummer on the carpal tunnel. I deal with that myself off and on and know it is now fun. Have a wonderful week, Wendy!

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    1. Carole - Thank you so much for your kind words and reassurance regarding my mom. I am so glad your mom is doing well after her bouts with breast cancer. While no cancer is good, breast cancer is one of the less deadly if caught early, which is a comfort in an of itself. Still, it is scary and I worry about my mom. Both of my grandmothers had breast cancer and I know my chances are high.

      We are having such fun with the book advent calendar. :-) I'm sorry to hear you struggle with carpal tunnel syndrome now and then too.

      Thanks for visiting, Carole!

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  36. Wendy I'm so sorry to hear the news about your mom. Praying that all will go well! You have a lot of stuff on your plate so try to get some relaxation in there somewhere! You should be super proud of having all of your shopping done. I haven't even started - so typical of me! ha.

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    1. Iliana - Thank you for your prays. Having my Christmas shopping done is a relief. One less thing to worry about. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  37. That sounds like such a cute idea for advent with your daughter! I'd have loved that as a kid.

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    1. Nikki - It's been fun doing the book advent calendar with my daughter. She loves unwrapping each book and seeing what it will be. :-)

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  38. Replies
    1. Donna Marie - It's hard to resist a book set in a library. :-) Thank you for voting!

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