March in Review

On this first day in April, I find myself at home because of a bad case of leg swelling.  Too much salty goodness this weekend, combined with too much on my feet time and sitting in hard uncomfortable chairs wrecked havoc on my pregnant legs.  After drinking about 100 oz of water, and running to the bathroom every half hour, I am now back to normal size.  Thank goodness for that.  I was really worried there for a few minutes that it could be something worse.

March was a pretty good reading month for me, but I didn't get as much done as I would have liked.  It's getting to be a busy time of year, and by nightfall when I normally read, I'm too exhausted to even turn the page.  Still, I did complete 16 books this month, including one non fiction and some new to me authors.  Here's the rundown:

 

 

I really enjoyed the Stephanie Bond books, and The Duck Commander Family.  My favorite for the month though, had to be Anne of Green Gables.

 

How did you reading for the month stack up?

Review: Anne of Green Gables

Title: Anne of Green Gables
Author: L.M. Montgomery
Listening Time: 10 Hours and 2 minutes
Challenges: Mount TBR, Color Coded Challenge, Monthly Key Word
Rating: 5/5

Summary from Goodreads:

As soon as Anne Shirley arrived at the snug, white farmhouse called Green Gables, she knew she wanted to stay forever...but would the Cuthberts send her back to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected—a skinny girl with decidedly red hair and a temper to match. If only she could convince them to let her stay, she'd try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes or blurt out the very first thing she had to say. Anne was not like anybody else, everyone at Green Gables agreed; she was special—a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreamed of the day when she could call herself Anne of Green Gables.

This book has been on my TBR for years.  Like since I was in the 5th grade years.  In fact, the copy I have is an Apple Classic, bought from a Scholastic/Troll book order form.  Plus, I'm pretty sure at one time it met up with a puddle or bathtub too because it's awfully warped looking.  I've looked at it from time to time, but never picked it up to seriously consider reading it.  I was changing that this year!  I downloaded the audio read by Shelly Frasier from the library and it was fabulous.  Her reading was superb!  I'm so glad that I finally read this wonderful classic!

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are looking to adopt a young boy to help them around their farm, Green Gables.  Yet, because of a mix up in messages, what they get instead is a red headed, skinny, orphan girl named Anne Shirley.  And Green Gables is never the same!  Anne is constantly finding herself mixed up in all sorts of troubles and tribulations, yet despite everything, she changes the lives of the Cuthberts for the better.

Anne is a wonderful character.  She was one that I was sad to see grow up, and I'm so glad that there are more stories to read about her in.  She is truly one of my favorite characters in literature.  I'm saddened that I waited as long as I did to get to know her.  I've missed out on so much!  I found my heart breaking with hers in her times of sorrow.  I also found myself laughing out loud at her antics.  This book was so enjoyable. 

I highly, highly recommend Anne of Green Gables, especially this particular audio.  It was beautifully read, and gave even more life to an already lively story!

Review: Murder on the Half Shelf

Title: Murder on the Half Shelf
Author: Lorna Barrett
Pages: 288
Challenges: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary from Goodreads:

Stoneham, New Hampshire, is a haven to bookstores, including Tricia’s own mystery shop, Haven’t Got a Clue, but is sadly lacking in bed and breakfasts. Pippa and Jon Comfort’s Sheer Comfort Inn opens its doors to the public in a week and the couple has offered some locals a free night as a trial run.

But what should have been a pleasant overnight stay for Tricia becomes a nightmare when she makes two startling discoveries: Pippa’s murdered body in the backyard, and the fact that her husband Jon is actually Harry Tyler, a man Tricia loved—and believed dead—for nearly twenty years.

Now Harry is the prime suspect, but Tricia doesn’t believe him capable of murder, regardless of her own feelings toward him. And even though Harry’s led a life of lies, Tricia’s learning that Pippa had her share of secrets that some people may have not wanted revealed…

Oh I cannot wait until July for book seven to come out.  Lorna Barrett left us with a huge cliff hanger and I'm so intrigued.  I've got the date marked on the calender, and I'll be getting this book no matter what!  Thank goodness I have plenty to keep me busy until then.  Ms Barrett really redeemed herself on this one.

Murder on the Half Shelf is book six in the Booktown Mystery series.  Tricia once again finds herself mixed up in a murder myster, thsi time involving her ex love.  Her presumably dead ex lover.  With all her connections to the crime, Tricia again finds herself hunting for clues, and working to clear her name.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery in book six, I really enjoyed the character interactions.  After six books, some of these peopel are realy starting to feel like family.  I often found myself cheering on the different escapades, and being upset along with Mr Everett, Angelica and Tricia!  There were a lot of new developments in Murder on the Half Shelf, and I'm so curious to see where Ms Barrett takes them.

This is the first book in the series that I've read rather than listened to on audio.  I thought I'd miss the audio horribly, but foundthat it wasn't a problem.  I also finished the book a lot faster since I didn't have to wait for a time when I could listen to the audio.

If you're looking for a good cozy mystery series, I highly highly recommend these books by Lorna Barrett.  I don't think you'll be disappointed!

What are you reading?

 

 

I can't believe another week has been here and gone.  Only 10 weeks and 5 days until my due date.  Hard to believe it's coming up so "fast."  It'll be here before we know it. 

 

We worked on Anthony's new dresser this weekend.  We're redoing an older dresser that my hubby had growing up, and it's turned into a bit more work then we originally inspected.  We got it primed this weekend though, and he should be able to spray it with the paint this coming week and put the finish on it.  Once that's done, we'll do the headboard to match and then hopefully get the room all put together.  I'm excited to see how it all comes together.  It's sock monkey themed, and I'm really hoping that Anthony feels comfortable in there.  Once that's all done, I can take care of the last minute touch ups to the nursery and put baby girl's clothes away and start washing up all the newborn stuff, like the bouncy seat cover and swing cover.  So much to do and so little time!

 

Reading wise, I had a really good week.  I read some really good books, including the first in the Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove series.  I was hesitant at first because I didn't enjoy her new series, but I really enjoyed 16 Lighthouse Lane.  I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of the series.  Here's what I read this week:

 

 



I was sad to finish up the Southern Roads trilogy, and the Booktown mystery series, but I'm happy to say that the next Booktown book will be released in July, during my summer maternity leave.  Yay!!

Here's what I hope to wrap up this last week of March:

This poor book has been here three weeks in a row now.  Too many other books just keep coming my way and keep me from finishing it!

 

 

I'm about a third of the way through this one already, and really enjoying it.  I'm so glad I discovered cozy mysteries this year!

 

 

So far, I've tried listening to this one on audio,and then reading the print version.  Neither one is really hitting home, but I'm going to try to push through it and see if it gets better for me.  I don't think I'll be trying anymore Amelia Peabody books though.

 

 

Anne of Green Gables is my audio book choice for the week.  I don't remember if I ever read this one as a girl, and I'm looking forward to reading about Anne's adventures.  I do remember the PBS movie that was one when I was younger, and very much enjoyed it!  As for the others, these are all cozy mysteries that I'm giving a try, trying to find a new series I enjoy as much as the Booktown books!

Review: 16 Lighthouse Road

Title: 16 Lighthouse Road
Author: Debbie Macomber
Pages: 368
Challenges: None
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:

Dear Reader,

You don't know me yet, but in a few hours that's going to change. I'm inviting you to my town of Cedar Cove because I want you to meet my family, friends and neighbors. Come hear their stories--maybe even their secrets!

My secrets are pretty open. My marriage failed years ago, and I have a rather...difficult relationship with my daughter. Then there's my mother, Charlotte, who has plenty of opinions and is always willing to share them.

I'm a family court judge and she likes to drop in on my courtroom. Recently I was hearing a divorce petition. In Charlotte's view, Cecilia and Ian Randall hadn't tried hard enough to make their marriage work--and I agreed. I rendered my judgment: Divorce Denied.

You wouldn't believe the reaction! Thanks to an article by Jack Griffin, the editor of our local paper (a man I wouldn't mind seeing more of!), everyone's talking.

Cedar Cove--people love it and sometimes they leave it, but they never forget it!

Olivia Lockhart

This was my second attempt at a Debbie Macomber novel, and I'm glad to say I enjoyed it more than the first attempt.  While her style of writing is still growing on me, I think I'll be continuing to check out the Cedar Cove books.

The one thing I liked most about this book was the entwining stories, and how they were all interconnected in some small way.  It was like reading about a soap opera but without the sex and smut.  This was a good, wholesome read. 

Macomber has a way of writing that really is quite enjoyable.  It's a slower pace, and there's not a lot of action.  Her writing is based on feeling, and for me, the feeling in this book totally hit home.  I connected with a lot of the characters and I'm curious to see how their stories continue in later books.  It's kind of nice not to have an open and shut case!

My favorite characters in this first book were Cecelia and Ian.  I don't know if its because they were closest to me in age, or because I'm pregnant, but something about their story kept me turning the pages, willing myself to read faster so I could know what happened to them.  They were such a troubled, young couple, and Macomber did a great job expressing both their characters.  I really enjoyed them!

I'm going to continue to borrow these through the library for now, as I'm not 100% hooked yet.  I still have a few issues, but not like I did with the newer series.  I also have the first book in the Blossom Street series downstairs on one of the shelves.  Has anyone read that series and is it similar to the Cedar Cove books?

Review: The Duck Commander Family

Title: The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty
Author: Willie and Korie Robertson
Listening Time: 5 hours and 44 minutes
Challenges: None
Rating: 5/5

Summary from Goodreads:

Faith. Family. Ducks—in that order. This audiobook gives readers an up-close and personal, behind-the-scenes look at the family in the exploding A&E show—Duck Dynasty. This Louisiana bayou family operates Duck Commander, a booming family business that has made them millions. You’ll hear all about the Robertson clan from Willie and what it was like growing up in the Robertson household. You’ll sample some of Willie’s favorite family recipes from Phil, Kay, and even some of his own concoctions; and you’ll get to know the beautiful Robertson women. You’ll hear from Korie about the joys and hardships of raising a family, running a business, and wrangling the Robertson men while staying fashionable and beautiful inside and out. Discover more about the family dynamics between brothers Willie, Jase, Jep, and parents Phil and Kay. You’ll even meet a fourth brother who isn’t in the show.

Over the past year, Duck Dynasty has become one of hubby and I's favorite tv shows.  One, it's hilarious, and two I feel that the Robertson family is a wonderful family with strong values and a sense of closeness that I admire.  I saw this book a few weeks ago when I went to Books A Million and grabbed the audio book with my most recent audio credit.  It wasn't a disappointment.

I loved the fact that this book was read by Willie and Korie Robertson.  One, it really helped the story of Duck Commander to hit home, and two it made it a great audio.  I loved listening to both of them tell their story, and felt a much closer connection to the book.  It was interesting to see the difference in how they grew up, and how they came together.  They have a wonderful marriage, with five beautiful children and I really admire them for all they've done.

I also loved learning the background of the Robertson family.  It was so interesting to learn about Kay and Phil and their struggles in their early marriage and how they started the duck call business.  Seeing how they are now, it truly surprised me to learn their background and how it was at the beginning of their marriage.  Phil has a book coming out in May, telling his story and it is definitely one that I'll be picking up.

This is a book that I'd recommend to any fan of Duck Dynasty.  It's a wonderful experience, and I feel like I learned so much about their family and their business!

Review: Sentenced to Death

Title: Sentenced to Death
Author: Lorna Barrett
Listening Time: 9 hours and 37 minutes
Challenges: Cozy Mystery Challenge
Rating: 3/5

Summary from Goodreads:

As the owner of Stoneham, New Hampshire's mystery bookstore Haven't Got a Clue, Tricia Miles can figure out whodunit in the latest bestseller way before she gets to the last page. But these days, Tricia is using her sleuthing skills for much more than the books on her shelves . . .

It’s Founders' Day in Stoneham and the whole village has turned out to celebrate in the square, including Tricia’s friend and festivities organizer Deborah Black. As everyone watches Deborah give the opening speech, a small aircraft crashes into the village gazebo, killing both Deborah and the pilot. While the Sheriff’s Department is convinced that it was an accident, Tricia has a feeling that there’s more to the story. And when she reads between the lines of the case, what she finds is worse than the most sinister whodunit …

I just finished book five in the Booktown cozy mystery series, Sentenced to Death, and while I enjoyed it, I also found various parts to be extremely frustrating.

One, this has been the longest book/audio so far, and it drug something horrible.  Especially in the middle.  There wasn't a lot of anything there to really help move the story along.  There seemed to be a lot of speculation, but not a lot of sleuthing.  The whole premise of the book seemed a little far fetched and mismatched.

Two, Tricia was super whiney in this one!  Everything was an issue, and she couldn't seem to deal with anything.  I'm a little sick of hearing about her pitiful love life, and her ex husband issues.  Stand up for yourself and quit letting these idiots treat you like dirt.  She seriously has horrible test in men, as does her sister Angelica!

And finally, I don't think the killer was completely flushed out.  Everything seemed to happen haphazardly at the end, and I felt like there were a lot of loose ends and unanswered questions.

I'm still going to continue with these books as I've really enjoyed this series up to book five.  Plus, book six is the most currently published book, with book seven not coming out until July so it will give me a break from Stoneham for a while.  Perhaps I'm just Booktown burnt out?