Sunday Post December 10, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 11, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

We have double the number of closings set this month which is a mixed blessing. We have had to spend time training new staff so I have had such a busy week. I am scrambling to keep up hoping to prepare before Christmas break.
We were busy at home too as Hubby had an unexpected medical exam Friday (results were fine) and unexpected problems with our second house needing a heater repair before the freezing weather last night.
I am behind on reviews and it is time to start planning challenges for 2018 if I can fit that in.

I enjoyed my listening and reading. I finished 3 books for the week: two Audibles and one print. I posted three reviews plus I posted my usual memes.

I visited only 25 blogs early in the week.
Shout out this week to Just Another Girl and Her Books who is hosting a fun Christmas Challenge.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 3, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 4, 2017.

• MBS November 2017 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR- Audible Review: Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos; Military Space Opera, Sci Fi; my rating 3.75.

• eNG- Book Review: Welcome to Outcast Station by Jeanne Adams, Nancy Northcott; Colonization, Mystery, Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 8, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/14/2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor; Sci Fi; my rating 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #332 Comment Giveaway December 9, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/16/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 10, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

A State of Treason
By: David Thomas Roberts
Narrated by: Charles Craig
Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
I enjoyed this entertaining story of a state at odds with a corrupt Federal government.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print/Ladies Book Club

The Vision and Beyond
by David Wilkerson
This was written in the 70's but speaks of current
and still to come events.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3

Western Christmas Weddings
3 Western Novellas
By: Jenna Kernan
Narrated by: Cody Roberts
Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
These are three charming Christmas romances.
This is a newer title from my Audible shelf.
Publisher's Summary
Three western audiobook novellas of Christmas brides engaged in holiday romance!
"The Sheriff's Housekeeper Bride" - On the run for a crime she didn't commit, Eliza Flannery escapes apprehension by posing as the new housekeeper of a stranger, only to discover afterwards, that he is the town's sheriff! Now she needs to create a Christmas celebration for his young daughter, but when the real housekeeper appears, will Eliza find the forgiveness of the season, or spend Christmas in jail?
"His Brother's Bride" - Only a cold woman would marry a man she's never met, even if it was her husband's last request. But with her daughter to care for, Clara Justice agrees to marry the family's black sheep and be Nate's wife, but she's not opening her heart, not even if it is Christmas.
"Fallen Angel" - When Ford Statler accidentally shoots a young widow who is cutting a Christmas tree for her little boy, Abby March falls under his care and protection. Now he's got more than he bargained for, making a Christmas to remember for a widow and her young son. But will she let him offer her so much more?
©2017 Jeannette H. Monaco (P)2017 Jeannette H. Monaco

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne
I'm 70% along and enjoying this.
Received through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/CD

About a Dog
By: Jenn McKinlay
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Series: Bluff Point Romances, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
This is another romance I am enjoying. A little slower listening as I am listening in the car.
I received this CD audiobook from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Rancher's Christmas Song 
(The Cowboys of Cold Creek)
by RaeAnne Thayne
I will start this Christmas read this week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Print/Ladies Book Club

The Christmas Code Booklet
by O. S. Hawkin
I am enjoying this Advent reading for December.
Click on book title for full description.

December 10, 2017 - I am up to date in the One Year Bible reading. I have been reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed 3 books and posted 3 reviews. I am now at 8 reviews pending - I hope I get time for these this week. 
I am two weeks behind linking my reviews at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is still at 7; 5 more for this year and 2 for 2018. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie.

We're working on two more fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I didn't pick up any reviews this week.
I bought one Audible daily deal and got one Audible free gift.
I bought five Kindle titles at $.99.
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

12/7/17 Daily Deal $1.95
Jacob T. Marley
By: R. William Bennett
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Length: 4 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 05-30-13

I capitulated and bought five Kindle titles for $.99 each (after all, I'd rather buy books than spend $5.00 for a fast food lunch any day):

Free

Author newsletter notified me of this freebee today:

Gather ‘Round the Sound

Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe

By: Paulo Coelho, Yvonne Morrison, Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Angele Masters, Daniel Frances Berenson, Magda Szubanski, Simon Callow, Dan Starkey, John Banks, Vern

Length: 1 hr and 12 mins

Release date: 12-08-17

I also added another 53 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 9, 2017

We had a lovely, full morning of church today. We went to early service at a church we were visiting two years ago. It was nice to see familiar faces, enjoy the worship music and a good message from the pastor. We had to leave a bit early to drive down the street to our home church for Sunday School (continuing the educational study on “death”) and Church service.

Pastor concluded the Illuminate series with Galatians 6. He reminded us of last week’s point of living a Spirit-led life that brings a higher standard. He also noted that it is from the Spirit led life that love, joy, and peace will flow.

In Galatians 6 Paul sums up this letter noting that our life reflects how we are living; we reap what we sow. What really counts in this mortal life? Whether we have been transformed.

Transformation is defined as a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. We celebrate transformation in nature such as a caterpillar to a butterfly. We should also celebrate it in our spiritual lives as a transformation in the spirit brings us from sin and death to joy and life.

If you plant something, you harvest whatever you plant. As believers we are not only to reach out to others, but we are to live for the spirit and serve and nurture the family of faith. As Paul notes, we should not grow weary but keep on.

Point: We must plant seeds for transformation to reap a harvest of transformation.

It takes love; sowing seeds of love. We show love, that others might see God's love. The hard question: What steps and sacrifices are we willing to make to see another life transformed?

I found several song videos that would fit today and it was a hard decision.

I chose this song as I do think it fits.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

I thought about Pastor’s question and thought on the sacrifice that Jesus gave. He gave His life! God, please help me to give of my time, energy, and resources to build a relationship with others to change their lives.

Sharing Beyond Books #332 Comment Giveaway December 10, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week. Many noted that Pride & Prejudice seemed to lead the adaptation pack. Sue mentioned Sherlock Holmes which is another good one for spin offs. Alina suggested Shakespeare has a number of adaptations. There were five mentions of Beauty and the Beast, three of Cinderella, two of fairy tale re-tellings generally and five couldn't think of any others.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #331 comments is: #6 Fredamans who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #332

(One Question.)

Nikki asks: When reading Hardcovers, do you remove the cover jackets first??

This question came at a good time as I just received two hardback books for review. I have not removed the cover jackets. I see that I will use them as a bookmark for part of the reading - near front and back - but I might need a real bookmark for the middle.

Image found at Ideas and Inspiration from Demco.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share. Nikki asks: When reading Hardcovers, do you remove the cover jackets first??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday December 16, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor

This is wonderfully entertaining and I am getting book two soon.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
Bobiverse, Book 1
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 09-20-16
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
There's a reason We Are Legion, We Are Bob was named Audible's Best Sci-Fi Book of 2016. Unique, hilarious, and utterly addictive, Dennis E. Taylor's debut novel kicked off an Audible-wide obsession among sci-fi diehards and new listeners alike.
Bob Johansson has just sold his software company and is looking forward to a life of leisure. There are places to go, books to read, and movies to watch. So it's a little unfair when he gets himself killed crossing the street.
Bob wakes up a century later to find that corpsicles have been declared to be without rights, and he is now the property of the state. He has been uploaded into computer hardware and is slated to be the controlling AI in an interstellar probe looking for habitable planets. The stakes are high: no less than the first claim to entire worlds. If he declines the honor, he'll be switched off, and they'll try again with someone else. If he accepts, he becomes a prime target. There are at least three other countries trying to get their own probes launched first, and they play dirty.
The safest place for Bob is in space, heading away from Earth at top speed. Or so he thinks. Because the universe is full of nasties, and trespassers make them mad – very mad.
Listener-favorite narrator Ray Porter (14, The Fold) brings the many Bobs into being in all their glory, delivering a performance that listeners have described as "outstanding," "nuanced" and a "dizzying tour de force."
©2016 Dennis E. Taylor (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Bob Johansson has sold his software company for millions. He has uploaded his brain cells/scan to be saved for future placement in a body when the technology is available. Meanwhile he plans to enjoy traveling, reading and relaxing for his retirement. He didn’t expect to die suddenly.

Bob ‘awakens’ in a future world to discover that he is being prepared to become part of a computer. He is property of the state and has no control over where he is assigned. Bob is in competition with several other saved brains to see which – or, who – will be used to control an AI probe heading to space to search for habitable planets. Bob learns through his mentor that the US project is in a race with other nations to be the first successful launch. There are also enemies who object to the use of the brains.

Bob manages to survive a launch that is rushed to escape sabotage. He must search his system to make sure that there are no remaining sabotage traps. He successfully makes it to a safe place in space where he begins to replicate himself, with each new “Bob” picking its own name. As the team continues in the mission to develop stations and seek habitable planets, they discover that some of the other nations have made it into orbit also. And some of those do not want to share space or what remains of the home planet earth.

This story is full of fun humor as well as exciting suspense, danger and strategies. The brain expanded with computer capabilities is an intriguing and creative notion. It was fun that the replications have different personality strengths, or weaknesses, from the original Bob. It is also fun to have the original Bob, and brothers/sons, share bits of the far distant past which is our current culture.

This is fast-paced and well written. I highly recommend this to sci fi fans, especially those who like their sci fi adventure served with a good slice of humor.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter does a great job narrating this. He pulls in the nuances of the characters and makes the story zing along. I loved this audio experience and look forward to book two!

This audio was added with a credit to my Audible Library in 2016. It qualifies for Mount TBR and Audio Book Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 8, 2017

Happy Friday!
I am so busy at work and now training new staff. I am beginning to feel the pressure. I continue to push along as best I can.

Last week was the last of the November Celebration with four winners. This week I am back to two random winners but there were plenty of wins through AUTO! Sorry I haven't gotten that last box listed yet. I don't think I will get to that until my Christmas break time.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the December 1 Pick. There were FOUR automatic wins this week! Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.
AUTO: CAROLNW gets Total Control (audio CD)
BN100 gets Atlantis Found
DI gets a Stephanie Laurens Pair
and BECKY gets Desperado

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 1 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC;
NATALIJA gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

 
It is always time for me to get wrapped in good books but this looks appropriate for the holidays.
Image found at Pinterest.

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017 (37 titles)
24 in the top picture and 13 in the lower picture. Not sure that you can read the titles so I will try to list these soon.

Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado


New Book Group #75 September 29, 2017

SINGLES:
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
Morning Song
Daring
Named of the Dragon
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
The Painted House (audio)

New Book Group #74 August 25, 2017

SINGLES:
Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce (slight spine wear)
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey (slight spine wear)
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson – Audio Cassettes
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman

New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
SINGLES:
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
SINGLES:
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)

New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
SINGLES:
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
SINGLES:
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLES:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)

New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016-- All Gone

New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,129+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!