Saturday, June 6, 2015

My Goodreads List

     Anonymous left a comment that said they would like to see the list of books I have read so far this year.  I am up to 62 books as of today and you can see the titles here... https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/1949868   The book covers should appear and if you click on them you will see what the average rating by readers is and then the number of stars I gave the book.  This year I have only given one title 5 stars out of 5, and that was for A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler.   If my name pops up it won't be Aunt Betsy, but my real name.  The challenge I set for myself for this year was 52 books.  Last year I set my challenge at something like 300 books and I didn't make it so I lowered the bar for myself, knowing if my depression gets bad there will be periods of time when I am incapable of reading a book.   So far I am reading about 3 books a week.   If I would quit playing Words With Friends I would have oh so much more time to read.  :)
     Mostly I read cozy mysteries, what might be referred to as fluff in some circles, a fun and entertaining read in others.   If you aren't familiar with cozies they are mysteries that seldom contain gore, graphic violence, ugly language, or sex.   For me they are just a fun read and "safe" since I don't want to read anything akin to a thriller, anything explicit, anything involving child abuse, anything too intense that is going to keep me up at night.
       I use this site http://www.cozy-mystery.com/cozy-mysteries-new-releases.html to stay on top of titles being released --- most cozies are series --- and then place holds on the titles at my library.  One of my favorite series this year is the Amish Village mysteries by Vanetta Chapman.  The Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross are always fun and at the top of the list of my favorites.  Number 17 in her series came out this spring.  There is nothing tamer than the Miss Jeffries series by Emily Brightwell.
    One of the things I like about the goodreads site is I can add books to my "want to read" list as I hear about something that sounds like my kind of book and then when I need to place holds on books I don't have to try to remember titles.  I think I have something like 120 books on my want to read list. 
    I am fortunate to live in a city with an excellent library that is well supported with a healthy new book budget.   If you are not familiar with "placing holds" on titles it is simply a service offered by most libraries.  Either in person, over the phone or by clicking "place hold" on online catalog entries you attach your library card number to a book, staff pulls the book off the shelf or catches it when it is turned in, then notifies you when your items are ready for you to pick up.    For me it is like Christmas when the library calls to let me know I have half a dozen or so books to pick up. 
     I need to break out of my current cozy mysteries mold and read a few more books with a little more depth. Do you have any titles to suggest for me?  Not only new books but your old favorites?

10 comments:

  1. I am a mystery, drama, blood and guts lover so it is doubtful you would care for any of my suggestions.Also I can barely read now because my cataracts are getting much worse and summer allergies keep my eyes running like faucets. What a whiner I am.

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    1. Oh...cataracts! I am sure they are in my future too! What will you do while recovering from surgery if you can't read? Do you like books on CD? I did, before my hearing got so bad, except they tended to put me to sleep!

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  2. I like blood and guts mysteries too. My favorites are the Scandinavian writers. I am currently reading a lot of J.A.Jance series mysteries.

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    1. When I worked at the library I pulled many a J. A. Jance book for patrons! If I just had a dollar for every one I pulled...

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  3. I just finished The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry based on your recommendation--LOVED IT!

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed it. I can hardly wait for you to read The Love Story of Miss Queenie --- let me know when you do. I want to read it again but I am going to wait awhile to give other patrons a chance to check it out.

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  5. Thanks for the link. I have not read the cozy mysteries, but they sound like fun. I will pick up a Spool of Blue Thread; it may get be good for mybookclub. You might like Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.

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    1. I am so glad you told me about this author. Somehow I have missed her but I will get this book as soon as I can. Thank you!!

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