#MarvellousMay wrap-up. Completed 3 goals, good progress on 1, behind on 1, and started an extra book I hadn't scheduled. Thanks, @Andrew65 , for hosting!

📕A Piece of the World

📗Back and forth between audio and a physical copy, so I can get maximum reading time in. Trying to finish it before my book club meeting tonight!

📘At this point, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📙I don‘t generally mark up my books, unless I‘m reading a book for #LMPBC. I do occasionally use sticky notes.

If you‘re reading this post, consider yourself tagged! 😀

Just when I was bemoaning the fact that I had drunk up all the delicious tea from the #LitsyTeaSwap, look what arrived in my mailbox! A torn and battered envelope from England, in a plastic bag stamped with a letter from the USPS, apologizing for mangling my mail! Luckily, the yummy vanilla herbal tea bag inside survived unscathed, and I am happily sipping it now. Many thanks, @jenniferw88 , for this delightful surprise! You made my day!

My goals for the #MarvellousMay #Readathon hosted by @Andrew65 :

📚Complete Lost Among the Living for #SundayBuddyRead

📚 Finish listening to A Piece of the World for my IRL book club

📚Read South of the Buttonwood Tree for #LMPBC #GroupO

📚Keep up with The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Jane Austen at Home for #PemberLittens

@TheBookHippie @Readergrrl @BookBosomed1 @sprainedbrain @suvata @BarkingMadRun @jenniferw88

Thoughtful answers and fresh perspectives on questions that test Christians' faith. A quick and easy read that fostered plenty of discussion in my Bible study group.

My May #BookSpinBingo board. I think I might actually get a Bingo this month! 🤞

#Bookspin is Five Quarters of the Orange
#DoubleSpin is Jane of Lantern Hill

Thanks for hosting, @TheAromaofBooks !

What a fun #20in4 #Readathon! Thanks for hosting, @Andrew65 !

I loved trying out new tea flavors at 4pm each day, thanks to my friends in the #LitsyTeaSwap. I achieved my goals, although I decided to substitute Lady Susan for #PemberLittens instead of A Piece of the World.

Un-put-downable historical fiction, about the evacuation of German citizens as the Russians invaded German-occupied East Prussia towards the end of World War II. Told from 4 points of view, in short alternating chapters. Rich character development, fascinating story line, and heart-wrenching, realistic details about the horrors encountered by the refugees trying to flee. ⬇️

#RoadTripUSA2022

I visited 2 new States this month: Indiana and Wisconsin. Both trips were very enjoyable!

@megnews

#BFC2022 @wanderinglynn

April End-of-Month Update: lack of consistent motivation, resulting in lack of progress

May Changes: Starting Noom, for more structure to my diet

May Goals:
1 - Read Noom lesson daily
2 - Track food daily in Noom app
3 - Read daily devotional
4 - Walk 3 times per week

My goal for the May #20in4 #Readathon hosted by @Andrew65 is to read for at least 20 minutes at 4pm each day, accompanied by a nice cup of tea courtesy of my friends in the #LitsyTeaSwap .

I hope to finish Salt to the Sea for #LiteraryCrew, begin Lost Among the Living for #SundayBuddyRead, and begin listening to A Piece of the World for my IRL book club. ⬇️

A lost 400-year-old garden, filled with statues, set in a thick and verdant forest, that harbors clues to an ancient and mysterious puzzle? Yes, please!! Endearing characters, a bit of magic, and the perils of a wartime setting? Even better!

Thanks, @Readergrrl , for this fabulous pick for #LMPBC Round 14 #GroupO.

@sprainedbrain @BookBosomed1 @suvata #LitsyMarkupPostalBookClub #MagicalRealism

My May list for #Bookspin and #DoubleSpin. I love making this list each month. Thanks for hosting this, @TheAromaofBooks !

Thanks to the #LitsyTeaSwap and yesterday's mail, I am spoiled for choice as I read my #LMPBC #GroupO book this afternoon! Thanks, @curiouserandcurioser @Kshakal and @Sharpeipup ! 🫖

@Nutmegnc @BookBosomed1 @Readergrrl @sprainedbrain @suvata

This sweet collection of poems by A.A. Milne captures the magic and imagination of childhood. Some feature Christopher Robin, Pooh, and the gang, but many do not. All are delightful! The whimsical illustrations by Ernest H. Shepherd enhance the fun. I loved these poems as a child, and still do today. ⬇️

Fun romcom with some quirky nods to the Cinderella fairy tale. I loved the body positivity and the strong (and so lovable) female heroine. I was rooting for her the whole time. The insights into the worlds of fashion and reality tv were fascinating. The ending was a bit different than I expected, which was a refreshing surprise.
#FairyTaleReadingChallenge #Cinderella @Charityann

#LitsyTeaSwap envelopes going out in today's mail. @Nutmegnc @alexus_sb @Sharpeipup @MilesnMelodies @curiouserandcurioser @wordslinger42 @Kshakal @Daisey Hope y'all enjoy! 📬☕😃

Yay! My first piece of happy mail from #LitsyTeaSwap arrived! Thanks so much, @Nutmegnc . The tea is delicious. ☕😋🫐

Great parenting (and grandparenting) advice!

I defy anyone to read this book and not want to immediately book a flight to Greece… specifically Crete. The evocative descriptions of the landscape, the food, the relaxed lifestyle, and the warmth of the people provide an irresistible setting for the story. Endearing characters navigate a plot filled with surprises and emotional challenges, but the love and support of family and community never fail them. A great read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⬇️

#RoadTripUSA2022

Visited 3 new states this month: #California , #Iowa, and #NorthCarolina . All were good visits! 😀

@megnews

@TLuvs Look what was waiting for me when I returned home from vacation! So fun! I will take it with me when I go to the library tomorrow to pick up books for my April reading challenges. Thank you so very much!

@BookBosomed1

This was a delightful story! Warm and funny and hopeful. And books played a central role. Right up my alley!

This was my #DoubleSpin for March.

The match with #FragileSprout may be a bit of a stretch for #Pantone2022 , since it's not the main cover color, but I thought the flourishes we're a perfect match.

Set in #Iowa for #RoadTripUSA2022, and is # 8 in my #22booksin22 TBR Reduction Mission!

@TheAromaofBooks @Clwojick @megnews @jb72

My #BookSpinBingo board for April.

#Bookspin is Daily Rituals. Looks like I will finally clear this one off my #ShelfofShame !

#DoubleSpin is The Four Winds.

Thanks for hosting this, @TheAromaofBooks ! I look forward to playing every month.

My April Goals for #BFC2022
 @wanderinglynn

March Update for #BFC2022 @wanderinglynn

1. Read Every Day - Complete! 😃
2. Walk 4 Times per Week - not so hot - no walking days 1-22. Walked daily days 23-31, but only because I was on vacation and it was part of seeing the sights. 🤪
3. Eat Mindfully at Restaurants - epic fail! 😳😂

Need to step up my game for April. 🙂

@Andrew65
My goals for this month's #20in4 #Readathon:

1. Finish The Other Bennet Sister for #PemberLittens

2. Read The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend for #BookSpin

No set times for reading, as I am on a cruise, and will be visiting Cartagena, Colombia 🇨🇴 and the Panama Canal 🇵🇦 in between reading sessions. 😉

I really enjoyed this retelling of the Mulan story. It felt very well researched, giving the story a strong sense of place. The Chinese words and names were a bit confusing at first, but once the story got going, I hardly noticed them. The story was fast-paced and filled with adventure. Lots of plot twists and surprises. A fun read! ⬇️

@sprainedbrain Tagged book on its way to you!

#LMPBC Round 14 #GroupO

@BookBosomed1 @Readergrrl @suvata

#MarvellousMarch #Readathon went well!

I completed The Sugar Queen, Girl in Translation and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Did not start The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend because The Magnolia Sword (for #FairyTaleReadingChallenge) was calling my name. 🙂

Also started listening to One Summer in Crete for #FoodandLit #Greece.

Thanks, @Andrew65 , for the motivation!

I thought this book was delightful! The touches of magic enhanced the story, without overwhelming it.

@BookBosomed1 , @Readergrrl , @sprainedbrain - Hope y‘all enjoy it as much as I did!

#LMPBC Round 14 #GroupO @suvata
#Pantone2022 #Basil @Clwojick
#RoadTripUSA2022 #NC #NorthCarolina @megnews
#22booksin22 @jb72

Enjoying escaping with a bit of magical realism on this rainy, gloomy day. #LMPBC Round 14 #GroupO. @BookBosomed1 @Readergrrl @sprainedbrain @suvata

Thanks to @Andrew65 for another great #Readathon. #MarvellousMarch , starting today.

My goals:
Finish reading Girl in Translation for #OverBookedClub

Finish listening to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for my IRL book club

Read The Sugar Queen for #LMPBC #GroupO

Begin reading The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, my #DoubleSpin book

I really wanted to like this book, which is a “sequel” to the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The book speculates that Sundance did not die in Bolivia, because he was in prison in Wyoming at the time. Upon release from prison, he heads to New York City to track down the love of his life, Etta, who had suddenly stopped writing to him 2 years prior. ⬇️⬇️

#Pantone2022 @Clwojick
#Bookspin (Feb) @TheAromaofBooks
#22Booksin2022 @jb72

Thanks for the tag, @CaitZ !

1. I enjoy both types of POV.
2. I read Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) in French back in high school. That‘s when I learned that “reading” and “comprehending” are two very different things. 😂
3. I‘m a bit of both. My mood influences me as I plan my TBR each month, but once the list is written, I stick to it. I love to check things off!

Want to play, @MelAnn @PurpleyPumpkin @julesG ?

#WondrousWednesday

March #BookSpinBingo

#BookSpin Five Quarters of the Orange

#DoubleSpin The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

Thanks, @TheAromaofBooks , for organizing this fun game!

#RoadTripUSA2022 #Kansas #NewJersey @megnews

Two new states this month:
Kansas - The Chicken Sisters
New Jersey - A Window Opens

Guess I need to spend less time in Britain if I‘m going to hit all 50 states by the end of the year!

#LMPBC Round 14 #GroupO #magicalrealism

@BookBosomed1 @Readergrrl @sprainedbrain

Hello Group O! I have decided to go with The Sugar Queen as my pick. It has been languishing on my TBR shelf for far too long now, so this is the perfect "excuse" to read it! It will be such fun sharing it with you all and eventually seeing your comments.

#BFC2022 March Goals

I'm a bit late to the party, but excited to join this challenge!

@wanderinglynn Thanks for hosting, and please add me to the tag list. 😃

Book Goal: Read every day.

Fitness Goals:
Walk at least 4 times per week
AND
Eat mindfully at restaurants (many restaurant meals ahead in March - 2 out of town trips and 2 visits from out of town friends/family)

#20in4 #Readathon @Andrew65

I'm planning to take a 20 minute (at least) tea break at 4pm each day. I will be reading my February selections from my 3 year-long reads: Meadowland, Joyful, and England the Autobiography.

I adored this book! A perfect read for winter or a rainy day, or any time when you're feeling overwhelmed or frazzled. In these crazy times, we could all use a little more coziness in our lives, and this book is filled with lots of small ideas to add warmth and comfort to our days.

#Pantone2022 #SuperSonic @Clwojick

Ready for March #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin!

#LMPBC Round 14 #GroupO

Here are some options for my contribution to Round 14. Thoughts?

Here is my wrap-up for the #Fabulous#February #Readathon :

Finished An Old-Fashioned Girl and The Chicken Sisters

Started Sundance

Did not get to Sisters in Arms or Beauty

Lots of enjoyable reading time, despite not completing my goals. Thanks, @Andrew65 , for hosting!

I enjoyed this book, but found the archaic language and cultural references made for slow going, as I kept stopping to look up words or customs. However, I learned a lot about life in the 1870s. And I adored Polly, the main character. I think she may be my new role model! She had a true servant's heart.
#ChildrensClassicRead2022 @TheBookHippie

Realistic-feeling exploration of how a 100+ year old family feud affects the lives of two current-day sisters. Their competing fried chicken restaurants are being filmed for an episode of "Food"Wars". Some interesting family dynamics and fun plot twists. Enjoyable on audio.
#RoadTripUSA2022 #Kansas @megnews

My #FabulousFebruary #Readathon goals:

1. Complete An Old-Fashioned Girl for #ChildrensClassicRead2022
2. Finish listening to The Chicken Sisters for my IRL Book Club
3. Read Sundance, my #bookspin pick for February
4. Begin listening to Sisters in Arms for #OverbookedClub
5. Begin reading Beauty for #FairyTaleReadingChallenge

@Andrew65 @TheBookHippie @TheAromaofBooks @megnews @sblbooks @Charityann

@BookBosomed1 @Readergrrl

I just joined y'all's group! Round 14, #GroupO

So excited for my first #LMPBC, and becoming better acquainted with the magical realism
genre.

Thanks, @suvata , for organizing this!

Amazing parenting advice from Louisa May Alcott, circa 1870. From the introduction in my copy of An Old Fashioned Girl.
#ChildrensClassicRead2022
 @TheBookHippie

Fun romance with enough introspection to give it some substance. Endearing characters. Having never been to Buenos Aires, I found this to be a friendly and authentic-feeling introduction to the city through a newcomer's eyes.

#FoodandLit #Argentina
@Butterfinger @Catsandbooks