Thank you to @BeckyMerilatt for recommending this book. I enjoyed Liesel and Po a bit more, but this was just as cute. A single dad and his daughter Cordelia care for Monsters. One day her dad and all the monsters disappear, leaving Cordelia on her own. She sets off on an epic adventure to bring them home. My 9 year old was not as interested in this book, but I would recommend giving this a try as she still enjoyed listening to bits and pieces.

Author Jenny Lawson is having Booksgiving on her blog. (Thebloggess) I‘ve gifted a couple books today to people that shared their amazon wishlist on today‘s blog post. (Addresses are hidden) Just sharing in case someone was in need of a book and wanted to comment on the blog. Or for anyone that would enjoy sending a book to a stranger. Happy #Booksgiving

Sorry I‘ve been MIA with migraines. This week I‘ve re-listened to the Spellslinger series. I‘ve enjoyed it more this time around. Still haven‘t listen to the final book in the series that was released in December. I thought book 5 Queenslayer was the final book.

#potteraday The Polyjuice Potion. It‘s Christmas time at Hogwarts. Harry receives another Weasley jumper. The US version describes his present as a hand-knitted sweater from Mrs. Weasley and a large plum cake. Hermione‘s talent as a witch is highlighted in this chapter, but something goes horribly wrong for her by the end. The trio also end up with more questions than answers about the Chamber of Secrets.

Another listen to Jenny Lawson‘s audiobook Furiously Happy. This one deals with her mental health and other health issues a bit more than Let‘s Pretend this Never Happened. Today her blog theblogness was about depression and finding delight in everyday life. Jenny swears like a sailor and is beautifully weird and humorous. Can‘t wait for her bookstore to open! The photo is from her blog of Rory and Rory2. Today I found delight by knitting.

And.....we are already at the half way mark and 50% done with HPCoS. November 7th 1992 and Dobby makes another appearance. #potteraday With every reread I tend to waver on my feelings for Dobby in this book. At the beginning I‘m frustrated with him, by the end I love him. I also remember very little about Nov 1992. (Book timeline not publishing date) I think I had just returned from vacation in Hawaii. Where were you or what were you doing in 92?

Staying on top of #potteraday even with a migraine.I could use one of Madam Pomfrey‘s cures. I got a muggle injection in the butt cheeks instead. 😂 The Writing on the Wall has so much squeezed in one chapter. Prof Binns tells the students about the chamber while mispronouncing names. Hermione reads up on polyjuice potion. The trio discovers spiders leaving the castle. And Ron delivers one of his classic lines.

Harry ends up in Filch‘s office after getting muddy footprints on the floor. Nearly Headless Nick convinces Peeves to make a distraction so Harry doesn‘t get in trouble. I‘m fairly certain the vanishing cabinet that is damaged is the one Draco must fix in HPHBP. Always amazes me how long J.K. waited to connect things from previous books. HPCoS was published in 1998. HPHBP was published in 2005. I can‘t even remember yesterday. #potteraday

I thought it would be fitting to binge listen to a Mary Higgins Clark audiobook. Short running time at just over 7 hours. Sad to say goodbye to the Queen of Suspense.

For my #januarywrapup I am not counting the number of books I‘ve read this month. It caused a bit of stress last year to have a goal. Even though I surpassed it I was fixated on the number. So this year I am figuring out the value I receive from my public library. I only counted books I finished, and books I‘ve borrowed from either of my two public libraries. Most were audiobooks and some ebooks. $454.48

With a 4hr and 47 minute audiobook running time,this was a quick mystery. Interesting characters and perhaps more humor or triller than mystery. Borrowed from the library, but it‘s list price is very expensive for the run time. Most books over $25 have a 24 hr running time. So it‘s pick only if it‘s the price of a novella or less.

I found out from fellow litten @Texreader that Jenny Lawson is opening Nowhere Bookstore in our town. So I relistened to this one to celebrate. In my house we embrace weird. This book is delightfully weird. Also lots of swearing, odd taxidermy, and mental health issues. This book was the bright light in a trying week. I‘m the caregiver for my husband and today we are switching to a new dr. I also embrace the positive. Sometimes change is good.

January 31 The Whomping Willow #potteraday I‘ve read HPCoS 30+ times and I still notice details I‘ve missed. When Ginny is waiting to be sorted I realize she‘s ridden on the Hogwarts Express knowing Ron and Harry are missing. I can‘t imagine how nervous and worried she must be at that moment. I would guess she sat next to Hermione on the train. Imagine Hermione ‘They‘re going to be expelled!‘ ‘What do they think they‘re doing?‘

Another read for #authoramonth2020 Another short book by Backman. Perhaps now I‘ll finally give A Man Called Ove a chance. I had a hard time following along with this audiobook, but for this book it‘s fitting.

This one was between so-so and a pick. I decided on pick after I continued to think about it after the ending. My audiobook has a Christmas tree on the cover. This cover matches the story more. Also it‘s a novella. So it was a super quick read. My first book by Backman for #authoramonth2020

#readwithmrbook #onewordtitle Second and final in this series. The ending was unexpected.

#readwithmrbook #onewordbook Another series by Amie Kaufman. Houston Public library has this one and my local one did not. You can get a library card from Houston Public library for a fee outside of Texas, or free for Texas residents. $20 for six months.

#readwithmrbook #onewordbook Favorite book from 2019 and a relisten this month.

This is my #1wordtitle for #readwithMrBook This author visits elementary schools and will be at my daughters school in February. He was nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet award. Floors includes ducks that live in a hotel and use the elevator.

January 28 HPCoS Chapter Two Dobby‘s warning. It took me a long time to realize that Mafalda Hopkirk from the Improper use of magic office was the same witch Hermione impersonated in DH to break into the ministry. I‘ve also always wonder how Dobby has all of Harry‘s letters. Owls are pretty persistent on delivering letters to the right person, how did they not wait to hand them to Harry? This chapter ends on a cliff hanger too! #potteraday

Most people that know me know I like Harry Potter. Only my family knows I listen to the audiobooks on repeat. 😬 I started tracking a little over two years ago. Deathly Hallows must be one of my favorites.

It took me a bit to get through this one. My daughter loves the puppy‘s purpose series. Written from the dog‘s perspective, the writing is a bit simple. It just made it difficult for me to listen to it for long stretches. Glad I finished it, but I couldn‘t imagine diving into the next one any time soon. My daughter did mention that Bailey‘s story and Ellie‘s story were similar to this book.

Insomnia means extra reading time. Got an early start on HPCoS day 1 for #potteraday #readalong #harrypotter This is my favorite quote from chapter one The Worst Birthday. Poor Harry really does have an awful day.

#audibleoriginal January free pick from audible. Thanks to a recommendation from @wanderinglynn I enjoyed the book. The MC is 12, and this seemed best for the preteen crowd. My 9 year old daughter absolutely loved it. It‘s pretty rare a book for elementary aged readers has such a good twist.

Another bail on a popular book. I enjoyed One of Us is Lying, but pretty early on I‘m throwing this one onto the DNF list due to teenaged sex scenes. Just not a world I want to create in my head. 😂

This book is highly rated and I‘m just not feeling it. No spoilers, but at this point of the book it feels like it isn‘t tackling race issues, but drama over a guy. The wait list is so long at my library I‘m done feeling guilty about not enjoying this one. I know someone will be happy to be getting this one earlier than expected. 😁

Fifth time giving this audiobook a listen. James Marsters (aka Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as narrator is why I enjoy this book so much. One book in the series has a different narrator and I struggled through it. Also, not a fan of the author‘s description of female characters. Pros: Wizard for hire in Chicago, a mob boss, and vampires... plus side kicks a plenty. A fairy that loves pizza and a talking skull that likes romance books? Yes!

Happy New Year! Actually listening to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin with my kiddo. One of my daughter‘s favorite books. She has her red envelope under her pillow. As a child I was told the money would grow over night, so I couldn‘t peak. For dinner we will be having dumplings for good fortune and long noodles for longevity.

I don‘t remember any beaches, bungalows or more than one burglary. I listened to the audiobook, and reading reviews I would skip the ebook. ....Up most instead of utmost, your and you‘re type errors. #cozymystery so I overlooked several problems with the plot.

Thank you for the tag @LauraJ 1️⃣ My go to remedy when I‘m sick is cuddling with my dogs. 🐾 And local honey. Any self care is good when I‘m sad. 2️⃣ I saw Puget Sound the last time I went home to the PNW. 3️⃣ After last year and the stress of hitting 365, I have zero goals. I‘m skipping this weekends read along for a Harry Potter Watch a long. Plus Sundays I volunteer at Church with the production team.

1️⃣ Usually audiobooks. I have ADHD and just do better if I multitask. 2️⃣ I have two library cards and I use both daily. 3️⃣ Daily. 4️⃣ Mostly Overdrive, but also Audible, Libby, and Sora. 5️⃣ I tagged the last audiobook I borrowed from the library. The last books I bought were a few of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series books, and a couple A dog‘s journey books. (For my daughter, I have a hard time saying no when she asks for books)

Listened to this one again, this time with my daughter. David Tennent is such a fun narrator. I‘ve never watched the movie, but I‘m 100% sure the book is better.

Third and final book in this series. I just had a hard time sticking with this one. Others describe it as fast paced, but it dragged several times for me. Also I didn‘t realize this was from MacMillan publishers until I was almost done with it. 😩 It was a loan from my library.

January 21 Through the trap door. I‘ve been battling migraines lately, so just a quick update. The trio finish their exams and discover Hagrid must have let slip how to get past Fluffy. I‘ve always liked how all three characters are important to get through the tasks. #potteraday #readalong #harrypotter

This is a single story written by 26 authors for charity. It‘s a quick read (9 hr audiobook)and the audiobook includes the author‘s name at the beginning of a chapter. I‘m not disappointed I read it, but I‘m glad it didn‘t stretch out any longer.

Listened to the full cast audio again. Plus read a few of my favorite parts. Stand out book from 2019 thanks to @Enchanted_Bibliophile The format is a bit different and includes things like this drunken email. Evil company with a warship on its way, out of control zombie type virus, and an AI that can‘t be trusted.

This is book two from the Unearthed series. I would recommend reading these in order. Although this book wasn‘t as much of a thrill ride as Unearthed, it answered the important questions and wrapped up everything nicely. Nice to see a bit of diversity from minor characters in couples from this author.

Decent patterns by various designers. Oddly written as it‘s for beginner knitters, but includes complex projects like a brioche hat and several sweaters or jumpers. Also includes directions on how to take a bath and how to make tea. Still shocked over the directions to add fruit jelly to tea. Is this an actual thing? Worth noting, there is a pattern for a hat that was made for baby Harry Potter but wasn‘t used due to the warm weather.

My kind of girls day. Skipped school. 😬 Bought some books. Enjoyed a 50/50 burger. (beef and bacon mince) Now we are hanging out at the pool. This book (play) starts with a Langston Hughes poem. Looks promising.

Took my 9 year old to a used book store and she made quick work of picking out some books from a couple series she enjoys.

Not usually a fan of romance, however I really enjoyed the relationship between Amelia and Jules. I discovered Amie Kauffman late last year and have enjoyed every book and series she has written. YA book with mild language and violence.

Thank you @LibrarianRyan for the tag. 🔸I found HPPS on CD narrated by Stephen Fry. 🔸We are out of town for a meeting. Hoping to finish a knit hat and visit some bookstores. 🔸I just started Undying by Amie Kauffman. 🔸Still new so everyone I know has already played along. #thoughtfulthursday

Jan 16: Quidditch #potteraday #readalong #harrypotter My favorite part of this chapter is Lee Jordan‘s Quidditch commentary.

I finished, although the last 50% was a bit of a chore. Deserves a solid so-so as I could not guess what the twist would be, as there‘s always a twist in Deaver‘s books. The picture is of the Hope Diamond. The cutting edge title refers to diamonds.

Chapter ten Halloween for today‘s #potteraday #readalong #harrypotter This is the point in the book when Harry and Ron become friends with Hermione. I love the end of the chapter when it explains a shared experience made them friends. It goes along with my Bible study on friendship. This week is all about being vulnerable. “The shortest distance between strangers and friends is a shared awkward story.” Lisa-Jo Baker. Troll bogeys=friendship

#currently listening/reading Just added Unearthed to my already overreaching list. I‘m currently reading HPPS in paperback, kindle, and listening on overdrive and on CD. Such a Fun Age I have to limit when I listen due to language.

Found a used copy of HP and the Philosopher‘s Stone read by Stephen Fry on CD. My 9 year old asked “What are those?” when she saw the CDs. 🤣 Ready for #potteraday now.

Picking though the Lincoln Rhyme series that I haven‘t already read. The last 4 or 5 in this series are meh. This was book number 13. Bit disappointed really that book number 13 was underwhelming. Creepy bad guy that leaves a noose made of cello strings as a calling card.

American girl gets shipped off to an English boarding school. I feel like I should have enjoyed this book more. This will be another #readalsoin2020 I will forget entirely what this book is about soon. A secret society, mysterious messages from an anonymous “friend” and the disappearance or death of her father years earlier. This should have been a gloriously dark MG book. Still worth reading.