It's all good . . .

I Love Reading - 2022

Reading has been one of my favorite things to do for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest childhood memories were of my mom reading Little House in the Big Woods or The Boxcar Children outlaid to me. Or going to the library and picking out our limit of picture books, and then my mom falling asleep as she would read them to me on the couch. Later on, when I was old enough to read to myself, I would curl up with a book and hide out in my room, devouring every single Babysitter's Club book, rereading all the Little House books, etc.

As I got older, my reading journey changed and tweaked, especially during college and high school when I had to read for school, and so my pleasure reading time definitely took a hit. Funnily enough, it was when my children were young that I found myself pulled back into my books, reading before bed once they were tucked in for the night. And then when they got bigger, I had a book with me wherever I went so I could read while I sat and waited - in the school pick-up line, at appointments, at sports practices. But the thing that really allowed me to have more time to read, was the advent of audio books that you could have on a phone or iPod, instead of a stack of CD's. I could listen to a book wherever I was or whatever I was doing - editing pictures, cleaning the house, driving around town, cooking dinner where now all things I looked forward to, because I could listen to my book :).

I really love to read. It is my happy place, but it is also a wonderful way to learn about people, history, and so many things. And so, like it has been my tradition for more years than I can count, here is the list of books I read this year.  And if you want to know my ratings and reviews, be sure to follow me on Goodreads.com. And if you want to know my favorites from this year, scroll to the bottom of the post.

* - a book I read with Arthur

** - a book I read with Derek

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

#- an audio book    

1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (779)#^
2. The Old Testament: King James Version by Anonymous  (1184)^
3. To Capture His Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen (288)#
4. A Sandy's Seashell Shop Christmas by Lisa Wingate (36)
5. The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk (352)
6. Nightingale by Deva Fagan (304)
7. The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray (576)#
8. The Christmas Bachelor Auction by Rachel John (108)
9. The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling (288)*
10. The Holly and the Ivy by Sarah M. Eden (400)#
11. The Stand-in Christmas Date by Rachel John (75)
12. Clive Cussler's Hellburner by Mike Maden (624)#
13. A Country Christmas by Josi S. Kilpack (327)
14. A Timeless Christmas by Alexis Stanton (296)#
15. Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews (194)#
16. Led by Divine Design by Ronald A. Rasband (192)#
17. All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox (352)#
18. Let It Snow by Beth Moran (367)#
19. The Parasite (Michael Vey #8) by Richard Paul Evans (352)#
20. Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan (320)#^
21. A Holiday By Gaslight by Mimi Matthews (174)
22. A Christmas Promise by Joanna Barker (306)
23. The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (351)#
24. The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig (320)#
25. Under the Jolly Roger: Being an Account of the Further Nautical Adventures of Jacky Faber by L.A. Meyer (528)#
26. Heartless by Marissa Meyer (464)#
27. The Two Bells of Christmas by Joanna Barker (150)
28. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (382)#
29. Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady by L.A. Meyer (504)#
30. The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm (259)
31. The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex (426)#
32. The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden (368)#
33. Dawnshard Brandon Sanderson (171)#
34. The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey (240)#
35. Grace Where You Are Emily Belle Freeman (121)#
36. Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions Amy Stewart (374)
37. Adjacent But Only Just Nichole Van (288)
38. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones James Clear (319)#
39. Night Elie Wiesel (215)#
40. Charlie's Raven Jean Craighead George (208)#
41. Shadow and Bone Leigh Bardugo (369)
42. The Messenger Siri Mitchell (384)#
43. The Sister Preachers: Based on the True Story of the First Sister Missionaries in 1898 Gale Sears (265)#
44. The Library Book Susan Orlean (317)#
45. Just Haven't Met You Yet Sophie Cousens (371)#
46. The No-Show Beth O'Leary (337)#
47. The Anthropocene Reviewed John Green (293)#
48. The Thing about Georgie Lisa Graff (220)
49. The Morning Gift Eva Ibbotson (410)#
50. J.D. and the Great Barber Battle J. Dillard (128)
51. Amari and the Night Brothers B.B. Alston (416)#
52. Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories Kelly Ripa (320)#
53. Long Lost Jacqueline West (288)
54. By the Great Horn Spoon! Sid Fleischman (224)#
55. The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness Elyn R. Saks (340)#
56. Kokopelli's Flute Will Hobbs (160)#
57. Billy Miller Makes a Wish Kevin Henkes (192)
58. Book Lovers Emily Henry (398)#
59. Miss Austen Gill Hornby (288)#
60. Once Upon a Camel Kathi Appelt (336)
61. Better Than Happy: Connecting with Divinity Through Conscious Thinking Jody Moore (267)#
62. In a Sunburned Country Bill Bryson (335)#
63. The Winemaker's Wife Kristin Harmel (385)#
64. Stella McCall Hoyle (176)
65. A Proper Charade Esther Hatch (226)#
66. Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest & Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms Erin Benzakein (308)
67. The One Thing You'd Save Linda Sue Park (72)
68. The Ickabog J.K. Rowling (304)*
69. Apples Never Fall Liane Moriarty (467)#
70. Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions Amy Stewart (374)
71. Restoration: God's Call to the 21st Century World Patrick Q. Mason (100)#
72. The Lacemaker Laura Frantz (413)
73. How Will You Measure Your Life? Clayton M. Christensen(240)#
74. Band of Sisters Lauren Willig (528)#
75. My Diary from the Edge of the World Jodi Lynn Anderson (432)
76. The Lincoln Hypothesis Timothy Ballard (240)#
77. The Maid Nita Prose (304)#
78. The Rose Garden Susanna Kearsley (448)
79. The Innkeeper and the Fugitive Martha Keyes (302)#
80. The Runaway King Jennifer A. Nielsen (331)#
81. A Short History of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson (544)# 
82. How to Get Away with Myrtle Elizabeth C. Bunce (346)#
83. Artemis Fowl Eoin Colfer (396)^*
84. The Enemy and Miss Innes Martha Keyes (311)#
85. How to Stop Time Matt Haig (352)#
86. The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration Tad R. Callister (484)#
87. A Proper Scandal Esther Hatch (222)#
88. The Call of the Wild Jack London (172)#
89. Zero Hour Don Bentley (432)#
90. Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War Karen Abbott (513)#
91. A Year Down Yonder Richard Peck(130)#^*  
92. Twenty-one Truths About Love Matthew Dicks (352)
93. Keturah and Lord Death Martine Leavitt (216)#
94. Bringing Down the Duke Evie Dunmore (335)#
95. Elijah of Buxton Christopher Paul Curtis (341)#
96. The Downstairs Girl Stacey Lee (374)
97. Charms for the Easy Life Kaye Gibbons (272)#
98. When It Doesn’t Make Sense John Bytheway (120)#
99. Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came M.C. Beaton (213)#
100. Courting Scandal Jaima Fixsen (295)#
101. If the Shoe Fits Julie Murphy (304)#
102. Incognita Jaima Fixsen (330)
103. Otherwise Engaged Joanna Barker (266)#
104. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood Howard Pyle (344)#
105. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? Julie Smith (368)#
106. The Deadly Hours Susanna Kearsley (352)#
107. The Daughters of Foxcote Manor Eve Chase (386)#
108. The Captive Maiden Melanie Dickerson (302)#
109. Just Last Night Mhairi McFarlane (416)#
110. America's First Daughter Stephanie Dray (606)#
111. The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 Christopher Paul Curtis (224)#
112. A Long Way From Chicago: A Novel in Stories Richard Peck (176)#^*
113. Fairest of All Sarah Mlynowski (169)#
114. The Washington Hypothesis Timothy Ballard (255)#
115. Roller Girl Victoria Jamieson (240)
116. The Siren of Sussex Mimi Matthews (400)#
117. Waterfall Lisa Tawn Bergren (386)
118. Forging Silver into Stars Brigid Kemmerer (560)#
119. The Authenticity Project Clare Pooley (320)#
120. I Must Betray You Ruta Sepetys (321)
121. The Do-Over Bethany Turner (320)#
122. Truly Madly Guilty Liane Moriarty (415)#
123. The Widow and the Highlander Martha Keyes (300)#
124. The Book of Lost Names Kristin Harmel (396)#
125. Boldly, Nobly, and Independent: 1893–1955 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(757)# 
126. Kind of a Big Deal Shannon Hale (304)#
127. A Sunlit Weapon Jacqueline Winspear (352)#
128. The Perks of Being a Wallflower Stephen Chbosky (213)#
129. Grace To Become Emily Belle Freeman (144)#
130. Before the Fortress Falls A.L. Sowards (320)#
131. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls David Sedaris (275)#
132. To Hell and Back Audie Murphy(288)#
133. The Inheritance Games Jennifer Lynn Barnes (376)
134. Greenglass House Kate Milford (376)#
135. Class Mom Laurie Gelman (304)#
136. The Social Tutor Sally Britton (228)#
137. Meet Me in the Margins Melissa Ferguson (309)#
138. A Change of Fortune Jen Turano (320)#
139. Anxious People Fredrik Backman (336)#^
140. Lily of the Valley Sarah M. Eden (390)#
141. Finding Audrey Sophie Kinsella #
142. The Duke and I Julia Quinn (384)#
143. Hardscrabble Sandra Dallas (264)
144. The Girl with the Louding Voice Abi Daré (371)
145. Gentleman Jim Mimi Matthews (378)
146. The Dark Heart of Florence Tasha Alexander (320)
147. Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter (356)#
148. Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead Elle Cosimano (353)#
149. Cinderella's Dress Shonna Slayton (322)#
150. The Last Thing He Told Me Laura Dave (320)#
151. The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country Amanda Gorman (32)#
152. Love Practically Nichole Van (346)
153. The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue Karina Yan Glaser (351)#
154. Light Changes Everything Nancy E. Turner (304)#
155. The Bookshop on the Shore Jenny Colgan (416)#
156. Bargaining for the Barrister Anneka R. Walker (240)#
157. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry Gabrielle Zevin (260)#
158. The Case of the Left-Handed Lady Nancy Springer (234)#
159. The Shop on Royal Street Karen White (384)#
160. Divine Signatures: The Confirming Hand of God Gerald N. Lund (336)#
161. The Fountains of Silence Ruta Sepetys (512)#
162. A Desperate Fortune Susanna Kearsley (529)
163. Miss Lattimore's Letter Suzanne Allain (256)#
164. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life Donald Miller (255)#
165. The Cellist of Sarajevo Steven Galloway (235)#
166. Once Upon a Wardrobe Patti Callahan (320)#
167. A Perilous Undertaking Deanna Raybourn (352)#
168. The Love Hypothesis Ali Hazelwood (383)#
169. Uprooted Naomi Novik (438)#
170. Mr. Malcolm's List Suzanne Allain (254)#
171. Spinning Silver Naomi Novik (466)#^
172. Chain of Command Marc Cameron (509)#
173. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom Christopher Healy (436)^
174. Charity Girl Georgette Heyer (256)#
175. The Unknown Ajax Georgette Heyer (356)
176. The Valet's Secret Josi S. Kilpack (288)#
177. The House in the Cerulean Sea T.J. Klune (394)#
178. Stepsister Jennifer Donnelly (352)#
179. The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear Kate Moore (560)#
180. To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson Heidi S. Swinton (588)#
181. Daisy Jones & The Six Taylor Jenkins Reid (355)#
182. The Cheat Sheet Sarah Adams (336)#
183. Sweet Home Alaska Carole Estby Dagg (298)#
184. A Vow So Bold and Deadly Brigid Kemmerer (408)#
185. A Fatal Grace Louise Penny (311)#
186. The Vanished Days Susanna Kearsley (464)
187. Age of Myth Michael J. Sullivan (432)#
188. Feathers Jacqueline Woodson (118)
189. Love and Lavender Josi S. Kilpack (320)#
190. The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II Madeline Martin (314)#
191. Fairchild Jaima Fixsen (229)
192. Clive Cussler's The Devil's Sea Dirk Cussler (432)#
193. Pax Sara Pennypacker (278)#
194. The Party Crasher Sophie Kinsella (358)#
195. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Rachel Joyce (320)#
196. The Saboteurs Clive Cussler (400)#
197. Stuck On You Portia MacIntosh (276)
198. American Dirt Jeanine Cummins (459)#
199. Magic for Liars Sarah Gailey (336)#
200. Chasing Redbird Sharon Creech (224)#
201. Goodwill for the Gentleman Martha Keyes (164)
202. At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple Marion Chesney (176)#
203. The Christmas Bookshop Jenny Colgan (288)#
204. I Am a Mother Jane Clayson Johnson (144)#

Here are my top books of the year - my five star books:

Top 11 Nonfiction:

*Live Wire by Kelly Rippa

*Grace Where You Are by Emily Belle Freeman

*In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

*The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

*Atomic Habits by James Clear

*The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration by Tad R. Callister

*The Lincoln Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard

*The Center Cannot Hold by Elton R. Saks

*The Washington Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard

*Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith

* How Will You Measure Your Life? By Clayton M Christensen

Top 12 Fiction:

*Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

*The Ickabog by J. K. Rowling

*The One Thing You’d Save by Linda Sue Park

*Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig

*Adjacent but only Just by Nichole Van

*Miss Austin by Gill Hornby

*The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

*Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews

*The Shop on Royal Street by Karyn White

*The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer

*A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear

*Hardscrabble by Sandra Dallas

Top 2 Christmas books (I read a lot of Christmas books this year):

*The Christmas Pig by J. K. Rowling 

*Let it Snow by Beth Moran

I Love Reading - 2021

For me, reading is life.  In fact, this year I even read a really fabulous book about people like me, who LOVE to read called The Reading Life.  I know, I am hopeless, but it gives me joy and feeds my soul. I always have three or four books going at once: an ebook, a physical book that sits on my nightstand, and one or two (or sometimes three) audiobooks. I read almost every genre (except horror - I don't have time to terrify myself and have nightmares), and like to mix things up, never reading too much of one type back to back. And I love, love, love talking about books. Perhaps that is why I have to be a part of a book club no matter where I am, even if I have to start one.

For many, many years now, I have rated and reviewed every book I have read on Goodreads.com, which I love doing.  It lets me not only think about each book when I finish it, but allows me to recommend books to others knowing exactly why I did or didn't like a book. And starting in 2015, I began doing reading challenges through Goodreads each year. It was really fun to see how my numbers have fluctuated and changed, especially knowing what was going on in my life at the time, like 2018 when my husband was deployed and my book numbers were over 200.  Good times.

And so, like it has been my tradition for more years than I can count, here is the list of books I read this year.  And if you want to know my ratings and reviews, be sure to follow me on Goodreads.com. And if you want to know my favorites from this year, scroll to the bottom of the post.

*** - a book I read with Arthur

** - a book I read with Derek

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

# - an audio book

1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)^
2. Doctrine and Covenants by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  (295)
3. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (128)***^
4. Jacob T. Marley R. William Bennett(202)#
5. The Santa Suit Mary Kay Andrews (224)#
6. A Boy Called Christmas Matt Haig (240)#
7. Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II Tricia Goyer (352)
8. A Redbird Christmas Fannie Flagg (193)#^
9. The Spirit of Revelation David A. Bednar (160)#
10. The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden Karina Yan Glaser (336)#
11. Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell M.C. Beaton (256)#
12. The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street Karen White (374)#
13. Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough Josi S. Kilpack (268)#
14. Frederica Georgette Heyer (437)#^
15. The Story of Diva and Flea Mo Willems (80)
16. Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President Candice Millard (339)#
17. Born This Happy Morning John Bytheway (128)#
18. All Hearts Come Home for Christmas Sarah M. Eden (304)#
19. Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks Annie Spence (244)#
20. News of the World Paulette Jiles (240)#Finlay Donovan Is Killing It Elle Cosiman (355)
21. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It Elle Cosimano (355)
22. Anxiously Engaged: A Biography of M. Russell Ballard Susan Easton Black (416)#
23. Heart in the Highlands Heidi Kimball (273)#
24. A Castaway in Cornwall Julie Klassen (400)
25. The Attic on Queen Street Karen White (384)#
26. Plot Twist Bethany Turner (321)
27. Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam M.C. Beaton (197)#
28. The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict Trenton Lee Stewart (470)#
29. Crosstalk Connie Willis (480)#
30. A Place to Hang the Moon Kate Albus (309)#
31. Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster Jonathan Auxie (368)
32. Charming Artemis Sarah M. Eden (340)#
33. I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives Caitlin Alifirenka (392)#
34. Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree: Reflections on What God Sees in Us Edward Dube (157)#
35. A Solitude of Wolverines Alice Henderson (320)#
36. The Switch Beth O'Leary (336)#
37. Ender's Game Orson Scott Card (324)#^
38. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages Trenton Lee Stewart (391)#
39. This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live Melody Warnick (308)#
40. Lovers and Madmen Nichole Van (164)
41. An Inconvenient Beauty Kristi Ann Hunter (373)#
42. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma Trenton Lee Stewart (391)#
43. The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart Nancy Campbell Allen (336)#
44. Remembering Jamie Nichole Van (382)
45. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey Trenton Lee Stewart (440)#
46. Ungifted Gordon Korman (280)
47. The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers Maxwell King (416)#
48. Flying Magic Stephanie Burgis (17)
49. How Do I Know If I Know? John Bytheway (144)#
50. Moroni's Guide to Surviving Turbulent Times John Bytheway (159)#
51. Regency Gold Marion Chesney (196)#
52. Best Friends Shannon Hale (250)
53. A Heart So Fierce and Broken Brigid Kemmerer (464)
54. Brown Girl Dreaming Jacqueline Woodson (337)
55. A Curious Beginning Deanna Raybourn (352)
56. Some Kind of Courage Dan Gemeinhart (234)#
57. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue V.E. Schwab (444)#
58. Seek This Jesus Neill Marriott (112)#
59. Real Friends Shannon Hale (224)
60. Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden M.C. Beaton (196)#
61. House of Many Ways Diana Wynne Jones (404)#
62. The Merchant and the Rogue Sarah M. Eden (368)#
63. Courting Magic Stephanie Burgis (105)
64. The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart Stephanie Burgis (247)#
65. Glitch Laura Martin (384)
66. Powder and Patch Georgette Heyer (208)
67. The Bookshop on the Corner Jenny Colgan (368)#
68. Fish in a Tree Lynda Mullaly Hunt (288)
69. Loving Lieutenant Lancaster Sarah M. Eden (256)#
70. It Started in Budapest Julie Daines (176)#
71. The Gospel at 30,000 Feet Dieter F. Uchtdorf (128)#
72. Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham M.C. Beaton (196)#
73. Castle in the Air Diana Wynne Jones (298)#
74. The Wife Upstairs Rachel Hawkins (290)#
75. Howl’s Moving Castle Diana Wynne Jones (329)#^
76. The Off Limits Rule Sarah Adams (291)#
77. The Invention of Wings Sue Monk Kidd (384)#
78. The Second Coming of the Lord Gerald N. Lund (462)#
79. Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death M.C. Beaton (184)#
80. Secrets of a Charmed Life Susan Meissner (386)#
81. Stolen Magic Stephanie Burgis (400)
82. Renegade Magic Stephanie Burgis (338)
83. Louisiana's Way Home Kate DiCamillo (240)
84. Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist M.C. Beaton (212)#
85. Emma Jane Austen (474)#^
86. The Education of Bet Lauren Baratz-Logsted (192)
87. Marilla of Green Gables Sarah McCoy (320)#
88. Savvy Ingrid La (342)#^
89. Minor Adjustments Rachael Renee Anderson (217)
90. Beach Music Pat Conroy (800)#
91. A Curse So Dark and Lonely Brigid Kemmerer (507)
92. A Silent Ocean Away: Colette's Dominion DeVa Gantt (416)
93. Isabelle and Alexander Rebecca Anderson (324)
94. Kat, Incorrigible Stephanie Burgis (295)
95. Love Your Life Sophie Kinsella (432)#
96. Frankenstein Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (352)#
97. A Madness Most Discreet Nichole Van (397)#
98. I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life Anne Bogel (156)#
99. Unwind Neal Shusterman (337)#
100. Lightning Struck Nichole Van (330)#
101. The Dreadful Debutante Marion Chesney (199)#
102. Target Acquired Don Bentley (480)#
103. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Charlie Mackesy(128)
104. Righteous Warriors: Lessons from the War Chapters in the Book of Mormon John Bytheway (128)#^
105. The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle Stuart Turton (482)#
106. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage M.C. Beaton(196)#
107. The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation Anna Malaika Tubbs (261)#
108. Love's Shadow Nichole Van (369)#
109. Now That You Mention It Kristan Higgins (416)#
110. East of Eden John Steinbeck (600)
111. Candy Experiments Loralee Leavitt (160)
112. The Beekeeper's Promise Fiona Valpy (306)#
113. A Conjuring of Assassins Cate Glass (475)#
114. Manor for Sale, Baron Included Esther Hatch (247)
115. A Foreign Crown Jen Geigle Johnson (240)#
116. Women and the Priesthood: What One Latter-day Saint Woman Believes Sheri Dew (224)#
117. The Dark Unwinding Sharon Cameron (318)#
118. Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley M.C. Beaton (192)#
119. An Illusion of Thieves Cate Glass (352)#
120. The Persian Pickle Club Sandra Dallas (196)#
121. Bellewether Susanna Kearsley (448)
122. Delirium Lauren Oliver (441)#
123. In the Shadow of Vesuvius Tasha Alexander (304)
124. The Things We Cannot Say Kelly Rimmer (448)
125. Mirage Clive Cussler (401)#
126. The Caller Juliet Marillier (480)#
127. Dragonflight Anne McCaffrey (299)#
128. Silver Dollar Duke Sally Britton (320)
129. The Cater Street Hangman Anne Perry (287)#
130. The Breadwinner Deborah Ellis (171)
131. The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl Stacy McAnulty (294)#
132. Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier (407)
133. In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks by Richard E. Turley Jr. ()#
134. Double Fudge by Judy Blume (224)***
135. Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker (320)#
136. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (243)
137. The Consequences of Fear (Maisie Dobbs #16) by Jacqueline Winspear (352)#
138. Raven Flight (Shadowfell #2) by Juliet Marillier (416)#
139. Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume (176)***
140. Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener by M.C. Beaton (256)#
141. Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright (336)#
142. The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz (406)
143. The Jungle by Clive Cussler (406)#
144. She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell (402)
145. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (288)#
146. Mariana by Susanna Kearsley (395)#
147. Reaching for the Savior by Reyna I. Aburto ()#
148. Making the Marquess (Brotherhood of the Black Tartan #4) by Nichole Van (351)
149. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner (309)#
150. Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier (410)#
151. The Guest List by Lucy Foley (330)#
152. Transformed: The Perils of the Frog Prince by Megan Morrison (373)
153. Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton (224)#
154. Mr. and Mrs. Bunny — Detectives Extraordinaire! by Polly Horvath (248)
155. Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet by M.C. Beaton (244)#
156. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (439)#
157. Loving a Lady by Nichole Van (366)
158. Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl (261)#
159. Lady Knight (Protector of the Small #4) by Tamora Pierce (416)#
160. Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison (416)#
161. The Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin #1) by M.C. Beaton (246)#
162. Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering (336)
163. Superfudge by Judy Blume (192)***
164. The Cerulean Queen by Sarah Kozloff (495)#
165. Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel by Megan Morrison (384)
166. The Best-Laid Plans by Sarah M. Eden (134)#
167. Winter Town by Stephen Emond (336)
168. Chaos Rising (Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy #1) by Timothy Zahn (336)#
169. The Unexpected Deliverer by David Butler, Emily Belle Freeman (96)#
170. American Royals by Katharine McGee (448)#
171. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (341)#
172. The Foundling Georgette Heyer (406)
173. Misleading Miss Verity by Carolyn Miller (352)
174. A Broken Queen (The Nine Realms #3) by Sarah Kozloff (419)#
175. The Enemy Between Us by Melinda Sue Sanchez (288)#
176. Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin (226)
177. Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (464)#
178. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate (388)#
179. Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s by Jennifer Worth (340)#
180. Well-Mannered Assassin by Aline, Countess of Romanones (336)#
181. Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber (272)
182. The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen (448)#
183. Close to You by Kara Isaac (384)
184. Be Not Troubled by Ronald Rasband (112)#
185. The Light We Share by Harriet R. Uchtdorf (48)
186. The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden (284)
187. Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive #4) by Brandon Sanderson (1232)#
188. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (144)***^
189. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (192)**
190. A Christmas Courting by Jennifer Moore (240)

Top Nine Children's and Young Adult Books

There were so many wonderful stories, from the heart wrenching to the fun and quirky, and I loved them all.

*A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

*Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber

*Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

*Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

*Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart

*Stolen Magic by Stephanie Burgis

*The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

*Best Friends by Shannon Hale

*A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Bridgette Kemmerer

 

Top Ten Adult Fiction Books

 

There was everything from heavy and emotional, to historical fiction, to delightful and fun. Note: some of these books were conclusions to or part of a series, so be sure to read the other books in the series first .

 

*Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

*The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

*Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl

*The Foundljng by Georgette Heyer

*The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

*Making the Marquess by Nichole Van

*The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

*Remembering Jamie by Nichole Van

*Close to You by Kara Isaac

*Courting Magic by Stephanie Burgess

 

Top Ten Nonfiction Books

 

Once again, there was a little bit of everything, from spiritual and uplifting, to eye-opening history, to fascinating, to just plain fun - like the book about people like me who love to read .

 

*I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel

*The Spirit of Revelation by David A. Bednar

*Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright (written pre-Covid)

*In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks by Richard E. Turley Jr.

*This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live by Melody Warnick

*Anxiously Engaged: A Biography of M. Russell Ballard by Susan Easton Black

*Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950’s by Jennifer Worth

*Women and the Priesthood: What One Latter-day Saint Woman Believes by Sheri Dew

*Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree: Reflections on What God Sees in Us by Edward Dube

*The Second Coming of the Lord by Gerald Lund

I Love Reading 2020

My love of reading began when I was just a little girl and my mother would read me stories - picture books we would check out from the library, old copies of The Boxcar Children, Little House in the Big Woods, or Mr. Popper's Penguins (which she had accidentally stolen from her library as a child). As I got older, you would often find me holed up in my room with a book - usually one of the original Babysitter's Club, or rereading the Little House or Anne of Green Gables series.

My love for reading only grew more over the years, and now I find myself in a season of life where I have more time to read than ever before  - partly due to amazing audiobooks that I can listen to while I work, drive, clean, etc. For the past six or seven years, I have set a yearly reading goal, and this year it was 150 books.  Well, I achieved my goal and more - I read 196 books, 65,193 pages - the average book length was 332 pages.  Some of those books were rereads, some were with my kids, some for book club, but most of them were from my never-diminishing "To Read" shelf on Goodreads.com - ha ha! I had 11 new fiction favorites of the year, as well as 11 new nonfiction favorites of the year (see the pictures below), but here is my list of books in its entirety.  If you want to see what I thought of each one, friend me on goodreads and you read my reviews of each and every book.  Happy reading!

*** - a book I read with Arthur

** - a book I read with Derek

* - a book I read with Lily

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

# - an audio book  

1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)^
2. A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White (428)
3. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (433)#
4. Frontier Follies: Adventures in Marriage & Motherhood in the Middle of Nowhere by Ree Drummond (256)#
5. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (370)#
6. Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen (368)#
7. Miss Davenport's Christmas by Marion Chesney (168)^
8. A Hopeful Christmas: A Regency Romance Collection by Anneka R. Walker (306)#
9. Marauder (Oregon Files #15) by Clive Cussler (382)#
10. To Love a Governess (Timeless Regency Collection) by Josi S. Kilpack (302)
11. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (449)^#
12. The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes by James L. Ferrell (203)#
13. Shadow of the Dragon (Jack Ryan Universe #30) by Marc Cameron (498)#
14. Refugee by Alan Gratz (352)#
15. The Queen of Raiders (The Nine Realms #2) by Sarah Kozloff (487)#
16. The Witches by Roald Dahl (208)^***
17. Squire (Protector of the Small #3) by Tamora Pierce (434)#
18. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (308)#
19. Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright (122)
20. Enchantment by Orson Scott Card (422)#
21. Bruiser by Neal Shusterman (328)
22. Juliet by Anne Fortier (447)#
23. My Life as a Potato by Arianne Costner (272)
24. The Divine Gift of Forgiveness by Neil L. Andersen (292)#
25. The Heart of a Vicar by Sarah M. Eden (268)#
26. The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White (370)
27. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (325)#
28. The Bookwanderers by Anna James (288)
29. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary (400)#
30. Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs (392)#
31. The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes (240)
32. Sabriel by Garth Nix (491)#
33. Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce (368)#
34. Underestimating Miss Cecilia by Carolyn Miller (316)
35. Snow White by Matt Phelan (216)
36. Pride by Ibi Zoboi (304)
37. The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali (320)#
38. Rakes and Roses by Josi S. Kilpack (320)#
39. American Assassin by Vince Flynn (435)#
40. Miracle at St Andrews by James Patterson (256)#
41. Page by Tamora Pierce (290)#
42. Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller (387)
43. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (289)#
44. The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan (340)#
45. Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller (387)
46. Legend by Marie Lu (305)#
47. Heist Society by Ally Carter (287)
48. All Fall Down by Ally Carter (310)#
49. First Test by Tamora Pierce (240)#
50. Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder (396)
51. Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan (294)#
52. Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson by Sheri Dew (452)#
53. The Assassins by Gayle Lynds (416)#
54. Forget Me Not by Sarah M. Eden (256)#
55. A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff (477)#
56. The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer (216)#
57. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris (464)
58. The Fiery Gloves (Knights of Right #4)by M'lin Rowley (73)***
59. A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh by Carolyn Miller (336)
60. Citizens of London: The Americans who Stood with Britain in its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson (496)#
61. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine (235)#
62. Bellwether by Connie Willis (243)#
63. Wringer by Jerry Spinelli (240)#
64. Sounder by William H. Armstrong (128)#
65. The Worst Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson (117)#
66. Second Suns: Two Doctors and Their Amazing Quest to Restore Sight and Save Lives by David Oliver Relin(432)#
67. The Westerby Inheritance by Marion Chesney (340)#
68. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (423)#
69. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (296)
70. The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman (637)
71. The Warrior's Guard (Knights of Right #3) by M'lin Rowley (73)***
72. Pillage by Obert Skye (312)
73. As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes (259)#
74. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd (331)#
75. Rush Revere and the First Patriots by Rush Limbaugh (242)#
76. Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) by Neal Shusterman (513)
77. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (337)#
78. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb (415)#
79. Wrath of Poseidon by Clive Cussler (416)#
80. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (332)#
81. The Wanderer by Sharon Creech (320)#
82. The Flirt by M.C. Beaton (208)#
83. Seven Miracles That Saved America: Why They Matter and Why We Should Have Hope by Chris Stewart, Ted Stewart (356)
84. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (192)**
85. The Silver Coat (Knights of Right #2) by M'lin Rowley (71)***
86. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman (341)#
87. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (266)#
88. Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce (252)#
89. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (438)#
90. The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower (281)
91. Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer (186)
92. The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Sławomir Rawicz (256)#
93. Stuart Little by E.B. White (131)#
94. The Falcon Shield (Knights of Right #1) by M'lin Rowley (73)***
95. Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy (725)#
96. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)^
97. Penelope by Anya Wylde (302)
98. Ghosts in the Baker Mine by Alma J. Yates (197)
99. Scythe by Neal Shusterman (448)
100. Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (513)#
101. In the Dark of War: A CIA Officer’s Inside Account of the U.S. Evacuation from Libya by Sarah M. Carlson (256)
102. The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen (448)#
103. Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard (341)#
104. Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray (351)#
105. Reforming Lord Neil by Sally Britton (253)
106. Firing Point (Jack Ryan Universe #29) by Mike Maden (480)#
107. Engaging Sir Isaac by Sally Britton (295)
108. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank (280)
109. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (177)#
110. Going Solo by Roald Dahl (210)#
111. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier (324)#
112. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver (313)#
113. My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand (544)#
114. Becoming by Michelle Obama (426)#
115. Frederica by Georgette Heyer (437)
116. Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones (332)#
117. Saints Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (833)#
118. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (182)^***
119. The Miracle of Freedom: Seven Tipping Points That Saved the World by Chris Stewart (304)
120. Saving Miss Everly by Sally Britton (274)
121. My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand (447)#
122. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)^
123. The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (272)
124. This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell (352)#
125. Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl (176)
126. The Solicitor's Son by Rachael Anderson (263)
127. Caraval by Stephanie Garber (407)#
128. My Brother's Bride by Rachael Anderson (253)
129. The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner (304)#
130. Whisked Away by Melanie Summers (325)#
131. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman (204)#
132. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (320)#
133. My Sister's Intended by Rachael Anderson (257)
134. Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen (336)#
135. The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia (471)#
136. The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson (261)
137. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell (309)#
138. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater (148)^***
139. The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy (286)#
140. Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen (400)#
141. Jip: His Story by Katherine Paterson (180)
142. Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah (304)#
143. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (288)#
144. The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson (271)
145. Regretting You by Colleen Hoover (363)
146. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (316)#
147. Jude by Kate Morgenroth (288)
148. Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon (610)#
149. Glass Slippers, Ever After, and Me by Julie Wright (336)
150. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell (301)#
151. All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams (448)#
152. The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer (438)***
153. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (870)**^
154. A Posse of Princesses by Sherwood Smith (300)
155. To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden (330)#
156. The Huntress by Kate Quinn (560)#
157. Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan (432)#
158. Gideon the Cutpurse by Linda Buckley-Archer (404)
159. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center (305)#
160. Final Option by Clive Cussler (404)#
161. The Lady and the Highwayman by Sarah M. Eden (352)
162. The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (342)#
163. Tom Clancy Code of Honor by Marc Cameron (511)#
164. The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton (272)#
165. Romancing the Rake by Nichole Van (375)
166. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (264)#
167. Suffering the Scot by Nichole Van (386)
168. Discovering Grace by Sally Britton (224)
169. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (320)#
170. Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman (256)
171. Sherwood by Meagan Spooner (496)#
172. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter (544)#
173. Hunted by Meagan Spooner (384)#
174. Rescuing Lord Inglewood by Sally Britton (329)
175. Smart Girl by Rachel Hollis (266)#
176. The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold (224)
177. Sweet Girl by Rachel Hollis (284)#
178. A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson (397)
179. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (374)#
180. Rick Steves Best of Italy by Rick Steves (544)
181. Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (400)
182. A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas (323)#
183. Flecks of Gold by Alicia Buck (290)
184. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West (330)#
185. Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz (370)
186. The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen (464)#
187. Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry (390)
188. Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton (179)#
189. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (336)#
190. Party Girl by Rachel Hollis (361)#
191. The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack (320)
192. Princess of the Sword by Lynn Kurland (360)#
193. Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor (368)#
194. The Desirable Duchess by Marion Chesney (176)#
195. What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon (411)
196. Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery (243)*^

The End of Our Quarantine Summer

I can't believe the summer is coming to a close - in some ways it seemed like it lasted forever (six months or so), and in other ways it was done in a heartbeat. It means good changes, but I will miss parts of the quarantine summer, like all the extra time we had time we had together, or all the extra time I had in the mornings to take long walks through the neighborhood trails.  And getting to watch so many amazing sunrises.

Luckily, although I may be too busy in the mornings to watch the sunrises as often, I can still watch the fabulous sunsets.

While my harvest season is over for quite a few things in my garden, luckily my raspberries are still going strong. I am in heaven, especially with beautiful and delicious giant raspberries like this one.  I pick them every other day, and Arthur and I enjoy eating them all, and sometimes we share ;).  I am the only one in the family that will pick them, because the bumble bees love my raspberries too. The funny thing is, I don't mind them, and they don't mind me - we each do our thing without bothering the other, and they make my raspberries thrive.

With it being the last week of summer before school starts, we decided to get in one more hike.  This time we went with my friend, Amelia, and her two girls, and we explored a few different trails at Nixon Park.

The boys decided to lead the way, Amelia and I were in the middle having a great time catching up, and the girls followed behind us, laughing and talking all the way.

My favorite part of the trail was this amazing bridge that wrapped around the creek. The hike was breathtaking, as usual - Pennsylvania forests are so pretty. It was a beautiful day, with gorgeous weather, and wonderful company.

We also had some big goals reached this past week.  At the beginning of the summer, I gave each of the kids a stack of books they needed to read before school started, and then as a reward, they could pick a restaurant of their choice for a celebratory dinner.  Arthur's stack of books was mostly picture books that I wanted him to read, and a few small chapter books from a couple series we have that he hadn't read, like "The Littles," "Cam Jansen," and "Flat Stanley." With all the choices of places to eat, Arthur picked McDonald's, and he was so happy with his happy meal - especially the toy.

Derek's books were a bit harder, longer, and more diverse.  I also required he and Lily to rate and review each book on Goodreads, or they could choose to write me an essay ;).  They both picked writing a review, instead of an essay - ha ha! I had him read a lot of wonderful classic YA and Children's books he had never given a chance, like "The Phantom Tollbooth" (which he loved), or some other books to stretch him, like a Zane Grey book, or some fun reads like a Clive Cussler novel and "The Princess Bride."  Derek read sixteen books in all, and he picked Olive Garden for his lunch, and we had such a great time together enjoying our meal.

Lily's stack was a bit bigger - I may have gotten a bit out of control when I was going around the house finding books I wanted her to read, because her stacks had twenty-eight books total. I picked a pretty diverse selection, everything from “The Help” to “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” to “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.” I had classics I wanted her to read, social and historical stories, and just sweet, fun books. She enjoyed them all, but her favorite was “Hope Was Here” by Joan Bauer, a book I had bought her a year or more ago that she hadn't read yet. She loved it so much that she had me read it.

To celebrate, she chose Texas Road House, and since my mom was here by there, Grandma even got to come.  We tried to go there for lunch on Friday, but when we pulled into the parking lot, one of the employees came out to tell us their plumbing was broken and that they were closed.  Crazy! We checked the other Texas Roadhouse in the area, only to discover that it didn't open until after 3pm.  Since Lily had worked super hard, and had her heart set on going there to eat, instead we went for dinner and Derek babysat Arthur - which meant Kevin got in on the fun as well. I am so proud of all the hard work my kids put in to reach the completion of this goal!

Summer coming to an end, also means the end of summer Brain Quest work that Arthur has been doing.  Some days he complains, but for the most part, he is awesome about it and works hard.  When he got to the end of the math section, there were a few pages of regrouping, and he didn't know what to do. I pulled out his base ten blocks and we walked through how to do it, and he picked it up like a champ.

School starting also meant that it was time for haircuts for the boys.  It is funny how just a little trim can make them both look so sharp and put together.  Wish I had remembered to get a picture of Derek as well, but one of Arthur's before and after will have to do.

All summer long, Lily and Derek have been mowing the lawn for our friends, the Stacey family.  They are gone right now with med students renting their house, and so the kids go once a week and take care of the yard.  I am so proud of them and how hard they have worked, especially considering that they still have to help out mowing our massive lawn as well.  At least they get paid for this one, unlike our house ;).

Today, we finished off the last little bit of summer with a water balloon fight between the boys.  They had a blast, and it made Arthur's summer, as he. has been begging to have a water balloon fight for ages.  It was so much fun to watch and I loved that it was our last summer activity of this very different summer.

Books, Disappointment, and Perspective

Almost a year ago, my siblings and I started talking about the idea of going on a trip to Italy together.  My sister, Heather, served her mission there and not only has she always wanted to go back, but she speaks Italian - definitely a bonus.  We talked for a while more, and finally decided on who would be going, all five of us Anderson girls, Cheryl's husband, Scott, as well as my brother Preston and his two daughters. It was a big group, but it was going to be amazing.  

I immediately started reading Rick Steves travel books all about Italy, and all together we decided on our itinerary, which cities we would be staying in, and booking fabulous airbnbs for the trip. We were just about to buy advance tickets to museums and such when Corona hit, so we decided to hold off a bit. Then everyone's but my plane tickets were canceled, and only my sisters, Holly and Heather, were planning on rebooking. We went from our large group, to a group of three, but it was fine.  We rebooked our lodging, the two of them bought new tickets and we prayed that we would be allowed to go, since the borders are still closed to Americans right now.

All the while, my Italy travel books from the library were sitting in my bedroom, waiting for me to pick them up again and keep planning.  But part of me just couldn't let myself even think about getting excited until I knew for sure, and so I couldn't read them anymore, and I couldn't plan.  They sat there untouched, and I kept renewing them, just in case. By now, my sisters' second round of tickets were canceled, but we were still holding out hope that we could possibly still go. However, yesterday was the day Kevin and I talked about the reality of my trip, and that even if they did open the borders in time, we would be required to do a two week mandatory quarantine, taking up our entire vacation. I was heartbroken, especially because it was just one more thing added to the long list of broken plans and canceled events since March. I took those wonderful Italy travel books, and as I turned them into the library, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a dream.

When I got up this morning, I did my usual Saturday morning walk through the neighborhood trails, and I listened to my audio book, which just happened to be a fabulous nonfiction book called "Second Suns," all about two amazing doctors that were trying to rid the world unnecessary blindness.  The story was truly fascinating, but as I was taking my walk and listening, still feeling a bit sorry for myself, I reached a section of the book where one of the doctors was working at a clinic in Rwanda they were trying to get established.  The surgeon he was working with was a survivor of the holocaust not too many years before, losing eighteen close family members to the horror of that time. As they worked that day, prisoners were brought in to receive treatment, and Dr. Geoffrey Tabin was blown away by the fact that the other surgeon, in spite of the horror and loss he suffered from the hands of these prisoners,  selflessly performed a free procedure on them to restore their site.

Brought to tears as I listened to this, and other stories in the book during my walk, I couldn't help but think that my disappointment over a canceled trip to Italy was such a small and insignificant thing in the grand scheme of things.  That I truly have so much to be grateful for - more things than I can even count, one of which was being born in a country where preventable blindness is just that, preventable and essentially nonexistent. Yes, we deal with disappointment and hard things in our lives, but we are also richly blessed.  The key is to find the blessings amidst the disappointment, and find joy amidst the trials.  Yes, I am still sad that my trip was canceled, but truthfully, I am more grateful that I live in a place and live a life where I was able to plan and even contemplate taking a dream trip to Italy.  It is all about perspective.

I Love Reading - 2019

I love reading, I love books, and escaping into a book has been one of my favorite activities since I was a little girl. This year, I had a goal of reading 150 books, and although I ended up with a little less time for reading because of other things going on this year, I made my goal, plus six extra book.  Thank goodness for ebooks and audiobooks, which helped me find a way to get in my reading, even with all the craziness of life.  This year I read 156 books for a total of 51,373 pages, with an average of over 330 pages per book.  I may be a little out of control - ha ha!  Here is my list, and if you want to see what I thought about each of these books, be sure to check me out on goodreads.com, where I rate and review each book.

*** - a book I read with Arthur

** - a book I read with Derek

* - a book I read with Lily

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

# - an audio book  

1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)^
2. New Testament (King James Version, LDS)  (406)^
3. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (338)
4. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (330)#
5. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (338)
6. The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding by Jennifer Robson (371)#
7. Unmasking Lady Caroline by Mindy Burbidge Strunk (226)
8. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (416)#
9. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (440)#
10. The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley (224)
11. The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller (304)
12. The Original Miss Honeyford by Marion Chesney (224)
13. My Weird School Fast Facts: Geography by Dan Gutman (176)***
14. The Titanic Secret by Clive Cussler (416)#
15. My Best Friend: A Red Rock Romance by Heather M. Green (238)
16. The Homecoming (The Daughters of Mannerling #6)by Marion Chesney (136)#
17. A Christ-Centered Christmas: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to the Savior by Emily Belle Freeman (104)
18. The Mayan Secrets by Clive Cussler (375)#
19. Changeling by Molly Harper (271)
20. Daisies and Devotion by Josi S. Kilpack (285)#
21. The Romance (The Daughters of Mannerling #5) by Marion Chesney (164)#
22. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (353)
23. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (370)#
24. A Town Divided by Christmas by Orson Scott Card (134)
25. Night Road by Kristin Hannah (396)
26. Lovely War by Julie Berry (480)#
27. The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events #8) by Lemony Snicket (255)#
28. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (348)
29. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (262)#
30. Faith Among Shadows by Malcolm Leal (303)
31. Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin (372)#
32. A Song for the Stars by Ilima Todd (297)#
33. Confessions of an Unbalanced Woman by Emily Watts (58)
34. The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7) by Lemony Snicket (278)#
35. Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick (275)#
36. Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow (240)
37. The Folly (The Daughters of Mannerling #4) by Marion Chesney (240)#
38. The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson (296)
39. Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen (352)#
40. Jennifer Murdley's Toad by Bruce Coville (159)#
41. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (224)***^
42. Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang (346)#
43. Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown (318)#
44. Lies, Love, and Breakfast at Tiffany's by Julie Wright (320)
45. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (398)#
46. Celtic Empire by Clive Cussler (416)#
47. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (391)
48. Promises and Primroses by Josi S. Kilpack (336)#
49. Uneasy Lies the Crown by Tasha Alexander (304)
50. Deception (The Daughters of Mannerling #3) by Marion Chesney (214)#
51. The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum (688)#
52. The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer (354)
53. The Tombs (Fargo Adventures #4) by Clive Cussler (374)#
54. Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly (340)#
55. The Intrigue (The Daughters of Mannerling #2) by Marion Chesney (196)#
56. The Midnight Gang by David Walliams (480)
57. Banishment (The Daughters of Mannerling #1) by Marion Chesney (181)#
58. The Eight by Katherine Neville (598)#
59. 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton (432)#
60. Healing Hearts by Sarah M. Eden (336)#
61. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis (240)#
62. Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella (374)#
63. Autumn Masquerade by Josi S. Kilpack (235)
64. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (178)
65. The Oracle by Clive Cussler (416)#
66. The Good Dream by Donna VanLiere (308)#
67. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (372)
68. Tom Clancy Enemy Contact by Mike Maden (480)#
69. To Tame a Land by Louis L'Amour (176)
70. Lost Girl (Neverwood Chronicles #1) by Chanda Hahn (320)#
71. Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1) by Louise Penny (293)#
72. Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes (388)
73. Have Sword, Will Travel by Garth Nix (274)#
74. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson (308)#
75. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (384)#
76. Penelope by Marion Chesney (176)#
77. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (247)#
78. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing (282)#
79. Ross Poldark by Winston Graham (455)#
80. The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal (319)
81. My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray (652)
82. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (247)#
83. How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr (341)#
84. Slave Stealers: True Accounts of Slave Rescues: Then and Now by Timothy Ballard (272)
85. Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by Victoria Dunckley (384)
86. Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men by Meg Meeker (368)
87. Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2019 by Bob Sehlinger (842)
88. Five Children and It by E. Nesbit (237)#
89. Saints, Vol. 1: The Standard of Truth, 1815-1846 The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (658)#
90. Of Windmills and War by Diane Moody (598)#
91. Vienna 1814: How the Conquerors of Napoleon Made War, Peace, and Love at the Congress of Vienna by David King (434)#
92. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (312)#
93. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell (274)#
94. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (466)#
95. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (295)#
96. The Dark Before Dawn by Jaima Fixsen (282)#
97. The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens (184)
98. The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie (400)#
99. The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas (470)#
100. The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (736)
101. Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer (368)
102. The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett by Tom Angleberger (214)#
103. The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton, James Patterson (513)#
104. Oath of Office by Marc Cameron (518)#
105. The American Agent (Maisie Dobbs #15) by Jacqueline Winspear (384)#
106. The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede (260)
107. Sea of Greed (NUMA Files #16) by Clive Cussler (480)#
108. The Scandalous Marriage by Marion Chesney (172)#
109. Flight Patterns by Karen White (416)#
110. Seeing Miss Heartstone by Nichole Van (321)
111. Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella (368)#
112. The Ghostfaces by John Flanagan (400)#
113. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella (433)#
114. 1984 by George Orwell (237)#
115. From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden (347)#
116. The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky (336)#
117. The Red Fox Clan by John Flanagan (352)#
118. Killing the SS: The Hunt for the Worst War Criminals in History by Bill O'Reilly (307)#
119. Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer (310)
120. Horrible Harry and the Green Slime by Suzy Kline (64)***
121. White Death by Clive Cussler (480)#
122. The Adventures of Vin Fiz by Clive Cussler (176)
123. Refining Felicity by Marion Chesney(167)#  
124. Horrible Harry and the Kickball Wedding by Suzy Kline (64)***
125. Ghost by Jason Reynolds (192)#
126. With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden (368)#
127. The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley (352)#
128. My Name Is Resolute by Nancy E. Turner (593)
129. Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen (361)#
130. Escape by Carolyn Jessop (413)#
131. The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd (320)#
132. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson (336)#
133. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (317)#^
134. The Painted Queen by Elizabeth Peters (544)#
135. The Caldera by John Flanagan (432)#
136. The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons (359)#
137. A River in the Sky (Amelia Peabody #19) by Elizabeth Peters (307)#
138. Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men by Meg Meeker (368)
139. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (440)
140. These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer (352)
141. The Guests on South Battery (Tradd Street #5) by Karen White (345)#
142. Three Tales Of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (242)#
143. The Paper Princess by Marion Chesney (182)#
144. Secrets at Sea by Richard Peck (238)#
145. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (190)#
146. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (546)#
147. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (327)
148. Christmas with Anne: And Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery (224)#
149. Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare (502)#
150. Return to Tradd Street (Tradd Street #4) by Karen White (336)#
151. A Season of Gifts (A Long Way from Chicago #3) by Richard Peck (176)#
152. The Reformer by Jaima Fixsen (256)
153. The Strangers on Montagu Street (Tradd Street #3) by Karen White (339)#
154. Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare (481)#
155. The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt (256)
156. Belgravia by Julian Fellowes (402)#

I Love Reading 2018

I love reading, and I have from my first memories of my mother reading Laura Ingalls Wilder to me as a little girl.  I have so many memories of my sister, Holly, dragging me out of my bedroom during summer vacation and away from a book I was caught up in.  My love of books has continued throughout my whole life, and although there were seasons where reading for enjoyment seemed to fall to the bottom of my list (during high school, college, and when I had a new baby), it has stayed strong.  This year, because of audio books and ebooks that make reading so much more convenient, I have far outdone myself, reading 201 books, over 71,000 pages, with an average of over 300 pages per book.  Crazy!  Here is my list, and if you want to see what I thought about each of these books, be sure to check me out on goodreads.com, where I rate and review each book.

*** - a book I read with Arthur

** - a book I read with Derek

* - a book I read with Lily

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

# - an audio book  

1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)^
2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (489)#
3. The Girl On Legare Street (Tradd Street #2) by Karen White (335)#
4. Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin (160)
5. Amid the Winter's Snow (Lady Emily #12.5) by Tasha Alexander (71)
6. The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee (Origami Yoda #3) by Tom Angleberger (202)#
7. Shadow Tyrants (The Oregon Files #13) by Clive Cussler (400)#
8. The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events #6) by Lemony Snicket (259)#
9. Silver on the Tree (The Dark Is Rising #5) by Susan Cooper (274)#
10. That Silent Night (Lady Emily #10.5) by Tasha Alexander (63)
11. Story Thieves by James Riley (400)#
12. Scorpion Mountain(Brotherband Chronicles #5) by John Flanagan (480)#
13. The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations by Karen Witemeyer (374)
14. Tomb of the Golden Bird (Amelia Peabody #18) by Elizabeth Peters (317)#
15. The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman (96)#
16. Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas (576)
17. The Mage's Daughter (Nine Kingdoms #2) by Lynn Kurland (378)#
18. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (386)#^
19. The Penderwicks at Last (The Penderwicks #5) by Jeanne Birdsall (256)
20. Gravity vs. the Girl by Riley Noehren (264)
21. Heat by Mike Lupica (220)#
22. The Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook (372)
23. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman (372)#
24. Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston (184)#
25. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron (329)#
26. Arctic Drift (Dirk Pitt #20) by Clive Cussler (515)#
27. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty (476)
28. The Gray Ghost (Sam and Remi Fargo Adventures #10) by Clive Cussler (400)#
29. The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel (304)#
30. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain (240)#
31. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)^
32. Drums of Desolation (Tennis Shoes #12) by Chris Heimerdinger (468)#
33. Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland (336)#
34. Aunt Dimity and the Summer King by Nancy Atherton (240)#
35. A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin (224)#
36. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls (272)#
37. Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt (197)#
38. Firelight by Sophie Jordan (322)
39. The Time in Between by María Dueñas (615)#
40. Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright (320)#
41. The Spanish Bride by Georgette Heyer (422)#
42. The Crimson Thread: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Suzanne Weyn (207)
43. Busybody Nora by Johanna Hurwitz (96)***
44. The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun by Paul Hattaway, Brother Yun (351)#
45. Killing England: The Brutal Struggle for American Independence by Bill O'Reilly (340)#
46. Redwall by Brian Jacques (352)#
47. The Time Between by Karen White (352)
48. The Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla (80)***
49. All That Makes Life Bright: The Life and Love of Harriet Beecher Stowe by Josi S. Kilpack (336)
50. Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran (429)#
51. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (672)#
52. The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley (545)
53. Aunt Dimity and the Widow's Curse by Nancy Atherton (240)#
54. The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron (71)***
55. Ashes on the Moor by Sarah M. Eden (384)#
56. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer (827)#
57. Darth Paper Strikes Back (Origami Yoda #2) by Tom Angleberger (163)#
58. Romancing Daphne by Sarah M. Eden (328)
59. The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman (384)#
60. To Die but Once (Maisie Dobbs #14) by Jacqueline Winspear (336)#
61. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas (448)
62. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (625)#
63. The Map Trap by Andrew Clements (131)#
64. The Serpent on the Crown (Amelia Peabody #17) by Elizabeth Peters (496)#
65. My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison (320)
66. Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye (368)#
67. Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer (552)# 
68. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (374)#
69. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (384)
70. My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison (320)
71. Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo (96)^***
72. The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (284)#^
73. Aunt Dimity and the King's Ransom by Nancy Atherton (240)#
74. Typhoon Fury by Clive Cussler (444)#
75. Guardian of the Horizon by Elizabeth Peters (544)#
76. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (337)#
77. Knee-Knock Rise by Natalie Babbitt (126)
78. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover (334)#
79. The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles #3) by Mary E. Pearson (679)#
80. The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd (343)#
81. Lord Fenton's Folly by Josi S. Kilpack (336)
82. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer (400)#
83. The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (Throne of Glass 0.1) by Sarah J. Maas (70)
84. Line of Sight (Jack Ryan Universe #25) by Mike Maden (496)#
85. The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley (430)
86. The Star Garden by Nancy E. Turner (320)#
87. Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan (513)#
88. How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn (448)#
89. The Naughty Nork (Moongobble and Me #5) by Bruce Coville (128)***
90. The Final Spark (Michael Vey #7) by Richard Paul Evans (316)#
91. Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian (320)
92. Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson (400)#
93. The Mischief Monster (Moongobble and Me #4) by Bruce Coville (73)***
94. The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (389)#
95. The Evil Elves (Moongobble and Me #3) by Bruce Coville (80)***
96. Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer (454)#
97. Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer (252)
98. A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (444)#
99. Slaves of Socorro (Brotherband Chronicles #4) by John Flanagan (462)#
100. I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai (327)#
101. The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen (320)#
102. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate (342)
103. The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2) by Mary E. Pearson (470)
104. Redemption by Leon Uris (896)#
105. The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn (384)#
106. My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand (491)#
107. Forever and Forever: The Courtship of Henry Longfellow and Fanny Appleton by Josi S. Kilpack (336)
108. These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 by Nancy E. Turner (384)#^
109. Superfail by Max Brunner (208)
110. Cobalt Squadron (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Elizabeth E. Wein (251)#
111. The Weeping Werewolf (Moongobble and Me #2) by Bruce Coville (71)***
112. Cinderellis and the Glass Hill by Gail Carson Levine (112)
113. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (292)
114. 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 by Thomas W. Phelan (224)
115. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (440)#
116. The Complete Tales by Beatrix Potter (400)#
117. For Love or Honor by Sarah M. Eden (272)
118. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (336)#
119. Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade by Patrick Dennis (299)
120. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (484)#
121. Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen (318)#
122. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (145)#
123. Gladly Beyond by Nichole Van (400)
124. The Dragon of Doom (Moongobble and Me #1) by Bruce Coville (80)***
125. Follow the River by James Alexander Thom (406)#
126. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson (234)
127. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (818)# 
128. The Yellow House Mystery (The Boxcar Children #3) by Gertrude Chandler Warner (192)*** 
129. More to Your Story by Jan J. and Zwick W. Craig Zwick (150)
130. The War that Saved My Life (The War That Saved My Life #1) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (316)#
131. The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott (188)^
132. The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander (384)#
133. Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle #4) by Christopher Paolini (849)#
134. The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay (320)
135. The Brontë Plot by Katherine Reay (334)
136. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (224)
137. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (425)#
138. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (282)
139. The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer (409)# 
140. Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb (448)#
141. Death in St. Petersburg (Lady Emily #12) by Tasha Alexander (304)
142. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (192)#
143. The Yellow House Mystery (The Boxcar Children #3) by Gertrude Chandler Warner (192)***
144. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini (748)#
145. A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay (368)#
146. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (272)#
147. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (615)#
148. Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay (339)#
149. The House at Pooh Corner (Winnie-the-Pooh #2) by A.A. Milne (180)***^
150. The Rent Collector by Camron Wright (304)
151. The Hunters (Brotherband Chronicles #3) by John Flanagan (403)#
152. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (208)#
153. The Rent Collector by Camron Wright (304)
154. With This Ring?: A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry (With This Ring? Collection) by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears (384)
155. The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events #5) by Lemony Snicket (221)#
156. Exodus by Leon Uris (608)^#
157. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (416)#
158. Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan (288)#
159. The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer (233)#
160. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (274)#
161. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (388)
162. Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Wendy Watson Nelson (275)
163. The House at Pooh Corner (Winnie-the-Pooh #2) by A.A. Milne (180)***^
164. Anne of Windy Poplars (Anne of Green Gables #4) by L.M. Montgomery (288)*^
165. Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child by Edward M. Hallowell (212)
166. Longbourn by Jo Baker (352)#
167. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (388) 
168. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne (176)***^
169. Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer (328)#
170. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (317)#
171. Frogkisser! by Garth Nix (372)#
172. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (407)
173. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (329)#
174. The Invaders (Brotherband Chronicles #2) by John Flanagan (429)#
175. The Lions of Lucerne (Scot Harvath #1) by Brad Thor (512)# 
176. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo (201)
177. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (398)#
178. Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander (256)
179. A Duty To The Dead (Bess Crawford #1) by Charles Todd (336)#
180. The Grave's a Fine and Private Place (Flavia de Luce #9) by Alan Bradley (363)
181. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (145)#
182. Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer (288)#
183. Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by Robin LaFevers (549)#
184. Power and Empire (Jack Ryan Universe #24) by Marc Cameron, Tom Clancy (432)#
185. Saturdays at Sea (Castle Glower #5) by Jessica Day George (262)#
186. Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables #3) by L.M. Montgomery (272)*^
187. A Fine Gentleman (The Jonquil Brothers #4) by Sarah M. Eden (256)
188. Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer (336)#
189. The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events #4) by Lemony Snicket (194)#
190. Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive #3) by Brandon Sanderson (1243)#
191. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg (208)
192. The Ladies of Ivy Cottage (Tales from Ivy Hill #2) by Julie Klassen (444)
193. The Care and Management of Lies by Jacqueline Winspear (319)#
194. Sylvester by Georgette Heyer (410)#
195. Edgedancer (The Stormlight Archive #2.5) by Brandon Sanderson (272)#
196. Outshine (House of Oak #5) by Nichole Van (329)
197. A Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer (400)
198. Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child by Edward M. Hallowell (240)
199. Sarum: The Novel of England by Edward Rutherfurd (912)
200. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J.K. Rowling (734)**^ 
201. The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events #3) by Lemony Snicket (214)#

And at a glance, here are my favorite reads of the year . . .

Here are my favorite Children's books I read this year.

And lastly, here are my favorite re-reads of the year, and The Book of Mormon gets special mention, because not only is it one of the most important books in my life, but I read it three times this year.  

Happy reading!

I Love to Read - 2017

I really love to read.  I love it.  It is my happy place - a way to learn, escape, or experience new things.  When I read, I like to mix it up and read things from many genres.  This year, I read quite a few nonfiction books, a genre that I hadn't read a ton in before.  It has been really fun, especially since listening to a nonfiction book, makes me feel like the person is telling me their story.  Right now, I am listening to a biography of Einstein, which is at times fascinating and boring, and so listening to it is perfect.  

My monthly night out, is to go to book club, and I try to never miss it.  It is my favorite, and I make such wonderful friends while I share books and my love of reading with others.  I have read a lot more e-books this year, and although I still love a paper book in my hands more than anything, it has been really convenient.  I have also listened to a ton of audio books this year.  It is so nice to listen to a book while I work, and I really love it.  In fact, I listened to 71 of the 144 books I read this year.

As always, I kept track of how many pages I read for the year - just for fun. My average book was 343 pages and my total pages for the year was 49,110.  If you want to know what I thought about each book, go to www.goodreads.com and friend me, and you can read my reviews for them all.  Remember that just because I read it, doesn't mean I loved it - you should definitely check out my reviews ;).          

*** - a book I read with Arthur

** - a book I read with Derek

* - a book I read with Lily

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

# - an audio book  

1. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith Jr. (Translator) (531)
2. Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (295)# ^
3. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (The Vanderbeekers #1) by Karina Yan Glaser (297)
4. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley (Teachings of Presidents of the Church) by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (351)#
5. Girl Waits with Gun (Kopp Sisters #1) by Amy Stewart (408)
6. The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1) by Laurie R. King (341)#
7. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer (328)#
8. A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park (128)#
9. The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1) by Mary E. Pearson (492)
10. The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta von Trapp (320)
11. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (207)#
12. The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer (272)#
13. The Bootlegger (Isaac Bell #7) by Clive Cussler (403)#
14. Arabella by Georgette Heyer (320)#
15. Deliberate Motherhood: 12 Key Powers of Peace, Purpose, Order & Joy by The Power of Moms, Amy Makechnie (256)
16. The Romanov Ransom (Fargo Adventure #9) by Clive Cussler (384)#
17. Rekindled by Tamera Alexander (334)
18. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling (48)#
19. The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles #1) by John Flanagan (434)#
20. Defying Hitler by Sebastian Haffner (309)#
21. Heir to Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson (53)
22. And Only to Deceive (Lady Emily #1) by Tasha Alexander (321)#^
23. Beartown by Fredrik Backman (418)
24. The Gangster (Isaac Bell #9) by Clive Cussler (387)#
25. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory (408)# 
26. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (675)
27. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (312)#
28. Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly (352)
29. The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) by Lemony Snicket (192)#
30. Children of the Storm (Amelia Peabody #15)by Elizabeth Peters (334)#
31. A Lion and a Lamb by Rand H. Packer (180)
32. The Grey King (The Dark Is Rising #4) by Susan Cooper (165)#
33. My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen (256)
34. The Shack by William Paul Young (272)
35. The Golden One (Amelia Peabody #14) by Elizabeth Peters (512)#
36. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (292)#
37. The Lady of the Lakes: The True Love Story of Sir Walter Scott by Josi S. Kilpack (336)
38. Lady Lollipop by Dick King-Smith (128)***^
39. Smile by Raina Telgemeier (224)
40. Greenwitch (The Dark Is Rising #3) by Susan Cooper (192)#
41. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and The Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong (144)
42. One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson (456)#
43. Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings (368)
44. A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer (341)#
45. The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (215)
46. In This Grave Hour (Maisie Dobbs #13) by Jacqueline Winspear (352)#
47. The Dark Is Rising (The Dark Is Rising #2) by Susan Cooper (224)#
48. The Emperor's Ostrich by Julie Berry (224)
49. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Harry Potter #3) by J.K. Rowling (435)**^
50. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: 14 Amazing Authors Tell the Tales by Chris Van Allsburg (221)
51. He Shall Thunder in the Sky (Amelia Peabody #12) by Elizabeth Peters (512)#
52. The Falcon at the Portal (Amelia Peabody #11) by Elizabeth Peters (464)#
53. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō (224)
54. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen (445)
55. Villete by Charlotte Brontë (478)
56. Thrawn by Timothy Zahn  (327)#
57. The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket (176)#
58. A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley (288)#
59. The Adventuress (Lady Emily #10) by Tasha Alexander (304)
60. Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive #2) by Brandon Sanderson (1087)#
61. Summerlost by Ally Condie (272)
62. Anne of Avonlea (Anne of Green Gables #2) by L.M. Montgomery (276)*^
63. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas (404)
64. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (334)#^
65. The Cutthroat (Isaac Bell #10) by Clive Cussler (393)#
66. Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen (389)
67. Tom Clancy's Point of Contact (Jack Ryan Universe #23) by Mike Maden (485)
68. Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg (231)
69. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin (416)#
70. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen (342)#
71. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (273)#
72. If I Stay by Gayle Forman (201)#
73. By Honor Bound: Two Navy SEALs, the Medal of Honor, and a Story of Extraordinary Courage by Tom Norris, Mike Thornton, Dick Couch (288)#
74. Saving Grace (Hearthfire Romance #1) by Michele Paige Holmes (380)
75. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy(Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #1) by Douglas Adams (216)#
76. Refine (House of Oak #4) by Nichole Van (375)
77. The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson (1007)#
78. Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner (337)
79. Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (130)
80. Popular: How a Geek in Pearls Discovered the Secret to Confidence by Maya Van Wagenen (272)
81. Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde (127)
82. The Lady of the Rivers (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels #1) by Philippa Gregory (502)
83. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (278)#
84. Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris (291)#
85. Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell, Patrick Robinson (390)#
86. Grit by Angela Duckworth (352)#
87. Clandestine (House of Oak #3) by Nichole Van (327)
88. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (307)
89. The Spellman Files (The Spellmans #1) by Lisa Lutz (353)
90. The Ape Who Guards the Balance (Amelia Peabody #10) by Elizabeth Peters (464)#
91. The Battle of Hackham Heath (Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years #2) by John Flanagan (346)
92. No Other Will Do (Ladies of Harper’s Station #1) by Karen Witemeyer (364)#
93. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (288)
94. A Conspiracy of Kings (The Queen's Thief #4) by Megan Whalen Turner (316)#
95. Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd (Flavia de Luce #8) by Alan Bradley (331)
96. The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden (336)
97. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (387)#
98. The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief #2) by Megan Whalen Turner (362)#
99. These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly (488)
100. Lost in Shangri-la: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff (384)#
101. The Looking Glass Wars (The Looking Glass Wars #1) by Frank Beddor (364)
102. The Kingdom (Fargo Adventure #3) by Clive Cussler (392)#
103. The Black Prism (Lightbringer #1) by Brent Weeks (629)#
104. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (386)
105. The Thief (The Queen's Thief #1) by Megan Whalen Turner (280)#
106. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown (416)#
107. The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester (242)
108. The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman (414)#^
109. Fridays with the Wizards (Castle Glower #4) by Jessica Day George (240)#
110. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two (Harry Potter, #8) by John Tiffany (Adaptation), Jack Thorne, J.K. Rowling (343)
111. The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride by Daniel James Brown (352)#
112. Divine (House of Oak #2) by Nichole Van (346)
113. The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines (208)#
114. Journey to Munich (Maisie Dobbs #12) by Jacqueline Winspear (287)
115. The Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice #12) by John Flanagan (464)
116. Trojan Odyssey (Dirk Pitt #17) by Clive Cussler (463)#
117. Killing the Rising Sun: How America Vanquished World War II Japan by Bill O'Reilly (323)#
118. Dancing on Broken Glass by Ka Hancock (394)
119. Odessa Sea (Dirk Pitt #24) by Clive Cussler, Dirk Cussler (484)#
120. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (192)
121. Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby (324)
122. Nancy and Plum by Betty MacDonald (240)
123. Blueberry Muffin Murder (Hannah Swensen #3) by Joanne Fluke (310)
124. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson (497)#
125. The Tournament at Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years #1) by John Flanagan (364)#
126. Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark Is Rising #1) by Susan Cooper (196)#
127. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo (272)
128. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(Harry Potter #2) by J.K. Rowling (341)**^
129. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1) by Ally Carter (284)
130. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (192)
131. True Faith and Allegiance (Jack Ryan Universe #22) by Mark Greaney (736)#
132. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (393)
133. Venetia by Georgette Heyer (375)#
134. Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed a Presidency by Bill O'Reilly (290)#
135. Autumn Street by Lois Lowry (224)
136. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (509)#^
137. Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan (143)
138. Pirate (Fargo Adventure #8) by Clive Cussler (387)#
139. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Mr. Lemoncello's Library #1) by Chris Grabenstein (304)
140. Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel of Early America by Amy Belding Brown (368)
141. Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O'Reilly (324)# 
142. Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka (496)
143. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling (320)**^
144. Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1) by L.M. Montgomery (309)*

I Love to Read - 2015

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am passionate about reading - I love it.  I am always in a book club, and I have a never ending stack of books to read, and as soon as I finish one, it seems to get replaced by one or two more.  I have been a voracious reader my whole life, and I truly love to read almost every genre.   I am usually reading a few books at once -  something with Lily, something with Derek, a novel, a self-help type book (lately that is usually something to help me better understand my children's ADHD), my scriptures, a church book, and an audio book as well.  And somehow, I can keep them all straight too.  Pretty crazy. 

And as usual, I kept track of the books I have read over the past year.  This year, I have had less time to read than usual, and so quite a few of the books I read were audio books (51 of the 105, to be exact).  As always, I kept track of how many pages I read for the year - just for fun. (Does it count if they were an audio book?  Sure.)  My average book was 338 pages and my total pages for the year was 35,450.  If you want to know what I thought about each book, go to www.goodreads.com and friend me, and you can read my reviews for them all.          

** - a book I read with Derek

* - a book I read with Lily

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

# - an audio book  

1. The Book of Mormon (531) - with the family, and by myself
2. Pearl of Great Price by Joseph Smith Jr., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(61)^#
3. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (Teachings of Presidents of the Church)by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (308)#
4. Throne of Jade (Temeraire #2)by Naomi Novik (398)#
5. The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin(292)
6. Erak's Ransom (Ranger's Apprentice #7)by John Flanagan (373)#
7. Carla Kelly's Christmas Collection by Carla Kelly(288)
8. Miss Davenport's Christmas (Love & Temptation)by Marion Chesney (168)#
9. Missing May by Cynthia Rylant(89)#
10. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai(272)# 
11. Marian's Christmas Wish by Carla Kelly(298)
12. Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms #1)by Brandon Mull (432)#
13. His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire #1)by Naomi Novik (356)
14. The Siege of Macindaw (Ranger's Apprentice #6)by John Flanagan (293)#
15. The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen(412)#
16. The Hound of Rowan (The Tapestry #1)by Henry H. Neff (448)
17. The Light Between Oceans by L. Stedman(343)#
18. The Sorcerer of the North (Ranger's Apprentice #5)by John Flanagan (295)#
19. The Buccaneer's Apprentice (The Cassaforte Chronicles #2)by  Briceland (349)
20. A Christmas Guest (Christmas Stories #3)by Anne Perry (208)#
21. The Battle for Skandia (Ranger's Apprentice #4)by John Flanagan (272)#
22. Palace of Mirrors (The Palace Chronicles #2)by Margaret Peterson Haddix (304)#
23. As the Ward Turns by Joni Hilton (152)*^
24. As Wide as the River by Dean Hughes(156)**^
25. Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth(Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #1)by Tamar Myers (256)
26. The Glass Maker's Daughter (The Cassaforte Chronicles #1)by  Briceland (336)
27. Just Ella (The Palace Chronicles #1)by Margaret Peterson Haddix (185)#
28. At Home in Mitford (Mitford Years #1)by Jan Karon (413)#
29. Havana Storm (Dirk Pitt #23)by Clive Cussler, Dirk Cussler (452)#
30. The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson(231)
31. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne(316)#
32. Not Just a Witch by Eva Ibbotson(185)
33. Lady Emma's Campaign (Regency Romance) by Jennifer Moore(224)
34. Around the World in Eighty Days(Extraordinary Voyages #11)by Jules Verne (252)#
35. The Icebound Land (Ranger's Apprentice #3)by John Flanagan (266)
36. Devil's Gate (NUMA Files #9)by Clive Cussler (474)#
37. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift(306)*
38. Halley's Gift and Eight Other Extraordinary Tales by Carey V. Azzara(232)
39. The Eye of Heaven (Fargo Adventure #6)by Clive Cussler (389)#
40. Valhalla Rising (Dirk Pitt #16)by Clive Cussler (527)#
41. Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys(Little Women #2)by Louisa May Alcott (329)
42. Lord of the Silent (Amelia Peabody #13)by Elizabeth Peters (496)#
43. The Harvester by Gene Stratton-Porter(280)
44. Under Fire (Jack Ryan, Jr. #8)by Grant Blackwood (512)#
45. Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward M. Hallowell(416)
46. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See(288)#
47. Under the Same Stars by Dean Hughes(152)**
48. The Evertree (Spirit Animals #7)by Marie Lu (192)#
49. Frindle by Andrew Clements(105)*^
50. Summer Campaign by Carla Kelly(288)
51. The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck(240)
52. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr(531)
53. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy(964)#
54. The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle (The League of Princes #2)by Christopher Healy (477)**
55. Against the Tide (Spirit Animals #5)by Tui T. Sutherland (192)#
56. Rise and Fall (Spirit Animals #6)by Eliot Schrefer (192)#
57. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley(527)
58. Middlemarch by George Eliot(904)#
59. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde(253)#
60. A Heart Revealed by Josi S. Kilpack(336)
61. The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle #1)(662)#
62. The Forgotten Sisters (Princess Academy #3)by Shannon Hale (324)*
63. The Candy Shop War (The Candy Shop War #1)by Brandon Mull (404)
64. Peter Pan by M. Barrie(176)#
65. The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen(460)
66. Watership Down (Watership Down #1)by Richard Adams (478)#
67. Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden(362)
68. Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career by Carla Kelly(352)
69. The Deeds of the Disturber (Amelia Peabody #5)by Elizabeth Peters (400)#
70. A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers by Hazel Gaynor(432)
71. Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education by Shinichi Suzuki(108)
72. Purses and Poison by Dorothy Howell(258)
73. The Pigeon Pie Mystery by Julia Stuart(336)
74. A Bear Called Paddington (Paddington Bear #1)by Michael Bond (159)*
75. The Burning Bridge (Ranger's Apprentice #2)by John Flanagan (262)
76. The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis(336)
77. Lion in the Valley (Amelia Peabody #4)by Elizabeth Peters (360)#
78. A Room with a View by M. Forster(240)#
79. Ability Development from Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki(108)
80. Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore(199)
81. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming(304)#
82. Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)by Tahereh Mafi (338)#
83. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce #7)by Alan Bradley (392)
84. Can't Wait to Get to Heaven (Elmwood Springs #3)by Fannie Flagg (384)#
85. The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)by Rick Riordan (528)
86. Eternity (Infinity Ring #8)by Matt de la Pena (192)#
87. Handbags and Homicide (Haley Randolph #1)by Dorothy Howell (291)
88. The Iron Empire (Infinity Ring #7)by James Dashner (192)#
89. New Testament (King James Version) (403)^
90. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher(698)#
91. Star of Deliverance by Mandy Madson Voisin(320)
92. The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle (The League of Princes #2)by Christopher Healy (477)**
93. The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan(151)#
94. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova(704)#
95. Behind Enemy Lines (Infinity Ring #6)by Jennifer A. Nielsen (192)#
96. Cave of Wonders (Infinity Ring #5)by Matthew J. Kirby (192)#
97. The Counterfeit Heiress (Lady Emily #9)by Tasha Alexander (304)
98. The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)by Rick Riordan (597)#
99. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (The League of Princes #1)by Christopher Healy (436)
100. Tom Clancy Support and Defend (The Campus #5)by Mark Greaney  (503)#
101. Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt(360)#
102. The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice #1)by John Flanagan (249)
103. Shipwreck (Island #1) by Gordon Korman(129)**^
104. Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede,  Caroline Stevermer(326)*^
105. Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin(556)

 And just in case you want to check out what I read the past few years (since I started keeping track), you can see that here: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014

I Love to Read - 2014

If my nightstand is any indication, I love to read.  I have a never ending stack of books there, and as soon as I finish one, it seems to get replaced by one or two more.  I have been a voracious reader my whole life, and I truly love to read almost every genre.  I like to mix it up, for example, right now I am reading a historical fiction, but next is fantasy.  And all the while, I am reading a self help book too.  That doesn't include the books I am reading with Lily and Derek, or the audio book I am currently listening to.  Yeah, I read a lot.

And as usual, I kept track of the books I have read over the past year.  This year, although I have had less time to read than I used to, I was able to increase my reading a little from last year - and once again, quite a few of them were audio books (39, to be exact).  That seems to be the only way I get to  "read" lately, but it's all good.  

As always, I kept track of how many pages I read for the year - just for fun. (Does it count if they were an audio book?  Sure.)  My average book was 347 pages and my total pages for the year was 34,667.  If you want to know what I thought about each book, go to www.goodreads.com and friend me, and you can read my reviews for them all.          

** - a book I read with Derek

* - a book I read with Lily

^ - a reread, which means I loved the book enough the first time to read it again

# - an audio book 

1. The Book of Mormon (531)^
2. Still Alice by Lisa Genova (292)
3. The Rithmatist (Rithmatist #1) by Brandon Sanderson (353)#
4. Fair Play (It Happened at the Fair #2) by Deeanne Gist (433)
5. Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi (374)#
6. For Elise by Sarah M. Eden (259)
7. Fire and Ice (Spirit Animals #4) by Shannon Hale (192)
8. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (344)
9. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (308)
10. The Mummy Case (Amelia Peabody #3) by Elizabeth Peters (327)#
11. Curse of the Ancients (Infinity Ring #4) by Matt de la Pena (Goodreads Author) (192)#
12. Frommer's Germany (Frommer's Complete Guides) by Caroline Sieg, Christopher N. Anderson (704)
13. Have a Little Faith: a True Story by Mitch Albom (249)#
14. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (396)
15. The Trap Door (Infinity Ring #3) by Lisa McMann (192)#
16. As You Are (The Jonquil Brothers #3) by Sarah M. Eden (193)
17. The Last Camel Died at Noon (Amelia Peabody #6) by Elizabeth Peters (448)#
18. Talking to Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #4) by Patricia C. Wrede (255)
19. Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James (291)#
20. Calling on Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #3) by Patricia C. Wrede (244)
21. Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly (288)
22. The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody #2) by Elizabeth Peters (285)#
23. Searching for Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #2) by Patricia C. Wrede (242)
24. All Things Bright and Beautiful (All Creatures Great and Small #2) by James Herriot (378)#
25. Return to Red Castle by Dorothy M. Keddington (234)
26. Rick Steves' Germany 2012 by Rick Steves (912)
27. Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2014 by Rick Steves (865)
28. The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom (224)#
29. Feathered Serpent, Part 2 (Tennis Shoes, #4)  by Chris Heimerdinger (330)# ^
30. Feathered Serpent, Part 1 (Tennis Shoes, #3) by Chris Heimerdinger (276)#^
31. The Luxe (Luxe #1) by Anna Godbersen (433)
32. Nevada by Zane Grey (365)*^
33. Gadiantons and the Silver Sword (Tennis Shoes, #2)  by Chris Heimerdinger (314)#^
34. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites (Tennis Shoes, #1)  by Chris Heimerdinger (268)# ^
35. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks (181)** ^
36. The Flight of the Falcon by Daphne du Maurier (357)#
37. Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody   #1) by Elizabeth Peters (262)#
38. An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott (360)
39. My Story: Elizabeth Smart by Elizabeth  Smart,  Chris Stewart (308)#
40. The Summer Kitchen by Lisa Wingate (354)
41. Soup by Robert Newton Peck (96)#
42. Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1) by Patricia C. Wrede (212)
43. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin (835)#
44. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella (400)#
45. A Daughter of the Land by Gene Stratton-Porter (236)
46. Blood Ties (Spirit Animals #3) by Garth Nix (192)#
47. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter #7) by J.K. Rowling (759)#^
48. Hope Springs (Longing for Home #2) by Sarah M. Eden (391)
49. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) by J.K. Rowling (652)^#
50. In My Father's House (Shiloh Legacy #1) by Bodie Thoene (408)
51. Hunted (Spirit Animals #2) by Maggie Stiefvater (192)
52. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)  by J.K. Rowling (870)^#
53. Jayhawk by Dorothy M. Keddington (244)
54. The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass (323)
55. A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn (371)
56. Aunt Dimity and the Wishing Well (Aunt Dimity  #19) by Nancy Atherton (288)#
57. The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles #1) by Cinda Williams Chima (426)
58. The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard (The Selection 0.5, 2.5) by Kiera Cass (227)
59. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J.K. Rowling (734)#^
60. Poseidon's Arrow (Dirk Pitt #22) by Clive Cussler (520)
61. Wild Born (Spirit Animals #1) by Brandon Mull (224)#
62. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3) by J.K. Rowling (435)#^
63. The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass (336)
64. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) by J.K. Rowling (342)#^
65. The Cup and the Crown (Silver Bowl #2) by Diane Stanley (344)
66. Forlorn River by Zane Grey (338)* ^
67. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling (310)#^
68. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (473)#
69. Honor Among Thieves (Empire and Rebellion #2) by James S.A. Corey (258)
70. Safe Passage by Carla Kelly (282)
71. The Quilter's Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts #1) by Jennifer Chiaverini (272)
72. The Third Door (The Three Doors Trilogy #3) by Emily Rodda (192)
73. Medusa (NUMA Files #8) by Clive Cussler (464)#
74. Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall (307)
75. The Navigator (NUMA Files #7) by Clive Cussler (532)#
76. Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith (96)*
77. Behind the Shattered Glass (Lady Emily #8) by Tasha Alexander (288)
78. The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1) by James Patterson (413)#
79. Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventurescby Kate DiCamillo (233)
80. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce #1) by Alan Bradley (374)#^
81. Everything on a Waffle  by Polly Horvath (160)*
82. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan (288)*
83. Blackmoore (A Proper Romance) by Julianne Donaldson (286)
84. Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth (525)
85. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches (Flavia de Luce  #6) by Alan Bradley (310)
86. Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings (183)
87. The Selection (The Selection #1)  by Kiera Cass (327)
88. The Serpent's Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3) by Rick Riordan (406)#
89. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls  (272)# ^
90. Wonder by R.J. Palacio (315)
91. Fascinating Womanhood by Helen B. Andelin (220)
92. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (290)
93. Corsair (The Oregon Files #6) by Clive Cussler, Jack Du Brul (446)#
94. The Silver Door (The Three Doors Trilogy #2) by Emily Rodda (288)
95. Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden (208)
96. The Silent Sea (The Oregon Files #7) by Clive Cussler (403)#
97. Peter and the Starcatchers (Peter and the Starcatchers #1) by Dave Barry (451)** ^
98. Trust No One (The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers #5) by Linda Sue Park (190)#
99. Command Authority (Jack Ryan #9) by Tom Clancy (752)
100.  A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain (416)

And just in case you want to check out what I read the past few years (since I started keeping track), you can see that here: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013