January Wrap Up

I'm linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy and The Book Date to share what I read this month.

I read a total of seven books this month. Two were audio books which is not normal for me. I don't know why, but I don't really think about listening to audio books. I need to try more of them especially with the whisper sync Kindle option. I participated in the Bout of Books read-a-thon this month, and that really got my reading off to a great start. Here are the books I read in January and what I thought about them.

Until We Find Home

This was a very sweet WW2 home front novel that dealt really well with the displacement of European Jewish children at the time. The main character Claire had a lot of growing up to do, and could be a rather difficult character to like. Fortunately, her character matures throughout the story. I enjoyed all the literary references that were sprinkled throughout the book. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy small town, British settings and refugee stories. I received this book for free for the purpose of review. When We Were Worthy I couldn't put this down. It's fast paced but with surprising depth. Loved it! Judah's Wife I'm loving this series by Angela Hunt. The characters are so vivid, and I love learning about parts of history that I am unfamiliar with. Highly recommended! I reviewed the first book in the series here. The Promises of God This was a really good introduction to the Biblical covenants. Highly recommended if your looking for some accessible theology. As Bright As Heaven I think I could read Susan Meissner's grocery list and be thoroughly entertained. This story about one family's struggle to survive the Spanish flu broke my heart. I had to the book down at about the halfway point. I didn't love the ending. I felt like it wrapped up too neatly, but after all the heart break, a happy ending was nice. First Impressions This was an enjoyable literary mystery. I listened to it on Audible which I think enhanced the reading experience. Give it a try if you're up for a little who-done-it fun. The Memory of Us I have really mixed feelings about this one. I didn't realize going in that this is a straight up romance. There wasn't much history to it except for the World War 2 setting. It felt like it could be set at any time in history really. it picked up halfway through, and I listened to the audio book. I think that helped me enjoy it more. Recommended if you like romance. What did you read this month? Let me know in the comments.

Can't Wait for The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron

I'm linking up with Wishful Endings to share an upcoming release I'm excited about.

What I'm waiting for:

The Lost Castle

When does it release? February 6, 2018

Why am I waiting? I have enjoyed all of Kristy Cambron's books, and I'm really excited about this new series. 

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Comfort Reads

I'm linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl for this week's top ten list.

Sometimes I feel really stressed out. You know that feeling. Things get hectic at home or work, and all I want to read is a calm, sweet regency era novel or historical romance. Here are some of the books and authors I reach for when I need some peace and quiet in my reading life.

A Stranger at Fellsworth

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

The Painter's Daughter

A Note Yet Unsung

With You Always

A Dangerous Legacy

The Sound of Rain

A Heart Most Certain

The Lady and the Lion Heart

What are some of your go to comfort reads? Let me know in the comments.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I'm linking up with Book Date to share this week's TBR.

Currently reading:

The English Wife

A Refuge Assured

Up next:

Where the Light Falls

What are you reading this week? Let me know in the comments.

February Cover Love

Here are my favorite covers releasing in February.

A Refuge Assured

The Sea Before Us

The Lost Castle

Keturah

The Saturday Night Supper Club

The Winter Sisters

The cover for Keturah is stunning. I also love A Refuge Assured. I want both of those for my deeper shelves. Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.

Can't Wait for The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I'm linking up with Wishful Endings to share an upcoming release I'm really excited about.

What I'm waiting for:

The Great Alone

When does it release? February 6, 2018

Why am I waiting? I loved The Nightingale, so I can't wait to see what she does with this book.

What books are you waiting for? Let me know in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Books That Deserve a Re-read

I'm linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl to share this week's top ten list.

I'm not a big re-reader. There are so many books to read that it feels like a waste of time to read books that I have already read. Still, there are books that I see on my keeper shelf that scream for another read. Whether it's because there's a movie coming out or I'm getting fuzzy on the details, here are some books that I may pick up again in the near future.

Chronicles of Narnia

Jane Eyre

A Wrinkle in Time

Persuasion

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Redeeming Love

The Magic of Ordinary Days

A Proper Pursuit

Big Little Lies

Secrets of a Charmed Life

What books do you want to re-read? Let me know in the comments.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I'm linking up with The Book Date to share this week's TBR.

Just finished:

First Impressions

Currently reading:

The Memory of Us

Interpreter of Maladies

Up next:

This Must be the Place

The Other Alcott

The English Wife

What are you reading this week? Let me know in the comments.

Can't Wait for As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

What I'm waiting for:

As Bright as Heaven

When does it release? February 6, 2018

Why am I waiting? Susan Meissner is an auto buy author for me. I love her writing style. I got an early copy through Book of the Month Club, and I'm loving it so far.

Check out Wishful Endings for more upcoming releases.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I'm linking up with Book Date to share this week's TBR.

I participated in the Bout of Books reading challenge this week, and had a great reading week. I completed two books and have nearly finished a third. Here's what I've been reading.

Just finished:

The Promises of God

Judah's Wife

Currently reading:

As Bright as Heaven

What are you reading this week? Let me know in the comments.

Can't Wait for A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green

I'm linking up with Wishful Endings to share an upcoming release I'm excited about.

What I'm waiting for:

A Refuge Assured

When does it release? February 6, 2018

Why am I waiting? I read and reviewed Jocelyn Green's previous release, The Mark of the King, and really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read her newest book.

2018 Reading Goals

The Bout of Books challenge for today is 2018 reading goals. Every year I say I'm not going to do a lot of reading goals, and every year I do them anyway. Here are some things I hope to accomplish this year in my reading life.

Read eighty-five books. My goal last year was seventy, and I completed it easily. I thought I would raise the bar a little higher this year, but still have a doable number.

Complete the Modern Mrs. Darcy reading challenge. I completed the challenge fairly easily last year. This year I have a strategy: read the books for the harder challenges first.

Read more back list books. Last year I mostly read 2017 releases. This year I want to read fewer new releases and more books that have been out for a while. One of the ways I'm going to do this is by cutting out publisher reviews. I love to get free books, but I hate feeling pressure to get a book read in a certain amount of time. 

Read twelve physical books from my unread book shelf. I read a total of ten physical books last year and almost all of them were library books.What can I say? I love my Kindle. I'm hoping to make a good dent in the books on my shelf this year. I'm using #theunreadshelfproject2018 on Instagram to keep me motivated.

Have you made any reading goals this year? Let me know in the comments. I'm linking up with Artsy Reader Girl to share my goals on Top Ten Tuesday.

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Ten Books I Didn't Read in 2017

I'm linking up with The Broke and the Bookish for this week's top ten list

I read 85 books in 2017 which is a lot. I read most of the books on my most anticipated reads list, but there were a few that slipped through the cracks. Here are the books I didn't get to last year that I hope to get to this year.

The Cottingly Secret

Where the Light Falls

Little Broken Things

To Capture What We Cannot Keep

The Forgotten Room

When We Were Worthy

The Other Alcott

Grief Cottage

Caroline

Bridge to Haven

Did you read everything on your TBR last year? What did you miss? Let me know in the comments.