Sarah’s Comments (group member since Apr 09, 2016)

Sarah’s comments from the Keep Calm and Keep Reading group.

HoHoHo! Happy Holidays!

I know its a bit early but I wanted to get this out there. Most of you know how this works but for those who don't its rather quite fun!

Ya'll know that receiving a gift from someone is very special, so here in KCKR we want you to feel even more special by receiving a book(s) from a Secret Santa in the group.

When the holidays rolls around I will post another message asking you to complete the following so start looking for books you may want to receive:

1. Pick out 3 books that are in paperback.

2. Message me with your list of books. (Include titles and the authors of each book and ISBN/BINC if possibe.)

3. Please provide me your mailing address.

Deadline to join the holiday exchange is Tuesday 11/01/16. This includes getting all the above information back to me.

Secret Senders
I will be selecting the names for each of us and PMing you so please be on the lookout.

You only have to choose one book out of the three titles given.

The book should be wrapped inside the shipping material.

If you choose to send anything else along that would be up to you. (Holiday Card, a couple of good websites to source books that you like) or other things such as this.

All books should be mailed out no later than Thursday 12/15/16.

If for any reason you have signed up and are unable to get your person a book please message me ASAP so a gift can still be mailed in time

Books may be purchased 2nd hand but make sure they look in good shape. If you want to order your book please make sure to order the book on time so it arrives in time for the holidays - most offer gift wrapping too!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

I'm trying to incorporate some of the same topics that we had in the old one but not every single one. If there is a thread you would like me to make please let me know. You should all be able to add your own personal topics as well for Author Talks/Reading Logs etc. Try not to get too crazy :)

Do you have what it takes this year to read 26 books, one for each letter of the Alphabet.

Here are some suggestions on how you complete your list:

1. Use the first letter of the Author's surname; Example: Charles Dickens will complete the letter D.

2. Use the first letter of the first word of the book's title; Example: Oliver Twist will complete the letter O

3. Use a mixture of both author names, and book titles.

This challenge will run throughout all of 2016....it really doesn't matter how long it takes, it's simply a way to encourage ourselves to discover new authors and genres.

You can complete the 26 letters in any order.

Create your own personal 2016 Reading Log to track your challenge by clicking "create a new topic". Label it as the A to Z challenge 2016, and post when you've read each book.

Feel free to make a "new topic" for your Reading Logs too!

This is something they did in our old group, thought I would keep it around.

Here you go! Start your 2016 here!

*******2015 READING LOG*******

January
1. Confessions of a Prayer Slacker
2015 Goal Status: 1 out of 50

February
1. Black Beauty
2. Mockingjay
3. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
2015 Goal Status: 4 out of 50

March
1. Katharine of Aragon: The Wives of Henry VIII
2. Clara and Mr. Tiffany
3. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
4. In Cold Blood
5. Divergent
6. 11/22/63
2015 Goal Status: 10 out of 50

April
Zip, Nada, Zilch

May
1. The Remains of the Day
2. Dancers' Body Book
2015 Goal Status: 12 out of 50

June
1. Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
2. The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest
3. Vinegar Fridays
4. Threadbear: A Story of Christian Healing for Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse
5. Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem
2015 Goal Status: 17 out of 50

July
1. Real Murders
2. Listful Thinking: Using Lists to Be More Productive, Successful and Less Stressed
3. Go Set a Watchman
4. Seriously... I'm Kidding
2015 Goal Status: 21 out of 50

August
1. The Promise of Jesus: God's Redemptive Story in Dramatic Audio Theater from the Word of Promise
2. The Maze Runner
3. Young Herriot: The Early Life and Times of James Herriot
4. A Bone to Pick
5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
6. The Scorch Trials
7. A Wrinkle in Time
8. Library Of World Poetry
9. The Cove
10. The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had
2015 Goal Status: 31 out of 50

September
Zip, Nada, Zilch

October & November
1. Organize Now!: A Week By Week Guide To Simplify Your Space And Your Life
2. The Spirit of the Disciplines : Understanding How God Changes Lives
3. Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God
4. The Art of Whimsical Lettering
5. Curly Girl: The Handbook
6. The Hiding Place
7. Timbuktu
8. Art Journals and Creative Healing: Restoring the Spirit Through Self-Expression
2015 Goal Status: 39 out of 50

December
1. The Woman's Comfort Book
2. Do Yourself a Favor...Forgive: Learn How to Take Control of Your Life Through Forgiveness
3. Honoring Grief: Creating a Space to Let Yourself Heal
4. A Captain for Laura Rose

The books listed below are added after they have been read. The blank letters are incomplete.

A. And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

B. Michael J. Bugeja wrote The Art and Craft of Poetry

C. The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen

D. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

E. Edgar Allan Poe wrote Edgar Allan Poe: Poems and Poetics

F. Ken Follett wrote The Pillars of the Earth

G. Neil Gaiman wrote The Ocean at the End of the Lane

H. Richard Monckton Milnes Houghton wrote The Life And Letters Of John Keats

I. Iscariot by Tosca Lee

J. Allison Jewell wrote Shine On

K. The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander

L. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

M. Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy

N. Solomon Northup wrote Twelve Years a Slave

O. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

P. Helen Prejean wrote Dead Man Walking

Q. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

R. Deanna Raybourn wrote Whisper Of Jasmine

S. Stachniak Eva wrote The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great

T. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

U. An Untamed Land by Lauraine Snelling

V. Vinegar Fridays by Hana Haatainen Caye

W. While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax

X.

Y. Yanar

Z. Zoo by James Patterson

I've chosen my remaining books from what I have at home and here they are:

Q - The Queen's Fool
V - Valentina (I read this book years and years and years ago and have searched and searched for it since and finally found it on BWW so I ordered it and it just came - woot!)

Now I just have to find an "X" book and stick to reading only these and only my other challenge books and buddy read books. I really need to ground myself from the library until I do so.

Found an "X" book: Xingu and Other Stories

It occurred to me that our January 2015 book club choice, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, starts with a "Q" so I'm down to "V" and "X" - both just picked up at the library.

One more to go - an 'X' book. I checked out an X book from the library and never even started it. I renewed it as many times as I could, but then I ran out of renewals. Sigh...
I think I have Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, Oh My! somewhere on an eReader so maybe I'll just do that.

Lol that remind me of the movie The Birds!! Every time a flock of birds swarm around all i think about is that movie. We were driving once and crossed a bridge and both cars got surrounded by a group of swallows (black birds) and it was so creepy!! When it was over I'm like"mom it's just like the movie!! "

Oh! My bad! Good to know they are safe and in good hands.

Please let us know you received the package.

Please let us know when you've mailed out the package.

Hey everyone,

Most of you are familiar with what the Round Robin is, for those who are new let me try to explain.

The Round Robin is a package full of letters written by each member who wishes to partake.

The letters inside the package will be about you - of course be mindful not to give out too much personal information since the world is a crazy place. You can include an item or two if you'd like that has some sort of meaning to you.

The cost of mailing can be a little on the heavy side if the package becomes really thick, so let's try to be mindful of that.

Once the package gets around to the first person who started it off, they will take out their items and add new ones. Just like the next person will do and those who follow.

I'll need to gather the addresses of those willing to partake so I can inform the next person where to mail. I will keep these private of course.

Right now our previous letters are MIA so I feel like we could start a new set until the originals resurface.

So, who wants to partake in this?

Is it cold outside? Rather stay in than outside, what woukd be your go to recipe.

Tether

Elephants Can Remember

Hi Jossi! welcome to our group I hope you enjoy discussing books with us. I dislike History and I have a hard time with historical fiction books and the old english some use.

erase

Whats your favorite Holiday food/recipe?

Have a mouth watering, cant stop myself from eating recipe you just cant keep to yourself?

How about a family recipe that everyone just cant get enough of?

Share here!!

Linda wrote: "Oh, that is sweet. They do have beautiful large eyes don't they. Well, the smell it can't be helped and I'm sure one adjusts with time."

No not possible lol okay it is possible but its very hard.

Who do you like, who do you dislike, whats your favorite book or author who write classical books?