2023 December Pick-It-For-Me Challenge

[☘KathyD☘]

2023 December Pick-It-For-Me Challenge

What is the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge?

The Pick-It-For-Me Challenge (PIFM) is a reading challenge where each participant gives and receives book recommendations based on a given set of rules. The assignment method and book selection rules change each month so it’s always new and always different.

The idea of the PIFM challenge is that you will get new-to-you books and authors selected for you as well as a push to read some books that have been lingering on your shelves. You may not be interested in the new books recommended, which is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf.

You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge!

After signups are closed, your names and any extra info will go into the super secret PIFM randomizer and it will select someone for you to recommend books to and someone to give you recommendations. This list will be posted along with any specific picking rules for the month.

In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or friend the person giving you recommendations. PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to keep your profile private, it is your responsibility to send a friend request to the person picking for you as soon as possible after the matchups are posted. Whether your profile is private or not, it is also very important that your profile be set to receive Private Messages (PMs) in case anyone needs to reach out to you (mods, organizer etc.)

Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!

Repicks
You can ask for repicks if:
✱ The books picked for you are not yet released
✱ If you have already read the chosen book(s) and they are on your ‘read’ shelf
✱ If you did not receive four picks from your ‘to-read’ shelf, with at least one from your preferred shelf

You may NOT ask for repicks because:
✱ A book is not available at your library
✱ A genre or author you don’t enjoy was chosen

INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP
No sorting question this month! Just make sure to add your preferred shelf if you have one.

✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱

IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until November 25 (4 pm US CDT)

You’ll have until November 29 (~4 pm US CDT) to make your recommendations.

Please do not start reading your book(s) until the first of the month. You then have the entire month to read your pick(s) and give some feedback.

If you’re new please read the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ . If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please feel free to ask!

✱Please note that late sign ups will be included at the host’s discretion and no one will be included after re-picks are assigned!✱

[☘KathyD☘]

TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!

Pickees
✱ To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read’ shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorite books and authors. In addition, you might consider updating your profile. You can include info about your favorite books, authors, genres, themes or tropes (or themes/tropes you dislike – i.e., secret baby).
✱ Please do not specify likes/dislikes in the sign-up thread. This information will not be included in the pairings and your pickee may not see your message and does not need to rely on that information when making picks.

Pickers
✱ Please remember this is primarily a romance readers group. Thus, most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are various sub genres within the romance category - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy. If your pickee reads a wide variety, you could add a non-romance as a choice.
✱ You will be using 8 picking rules to select books for you pickee. Choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These can be brand new to them (not found on any of their shelves) or a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author’s work previously. The remaining 4 titles should come from your pickee’s tbr, with a minimum of one from their preferred shelves if provided. Be sure to pick at least one book for each picking rule, but please limit your picks to no more than two books per rule as sometimes having too many options is worse than too few.
✱ Please remember when you are giving new recommendations, you are not limited to titles that you have read. You can choose books that are new releases, on your tbr, or titles you looked up on Goodreads or Amazon that you think your pickee would enjoy.

A Few Hints to Help with Book Selection
✱Check the book’s publishing date. Select “date pub” from the checkbox selections and save.
✱ Check pickee’s personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves. A personalized shelf is one the member has created. (e.g., ‘to read next,’ ‘favorites,’ ‘didn’t like’)
✱ Make sure the books you choose are not on their ‘read’ shelf. Just because it isn’t rated doesn’t mean it wasn’t read.
✱ Look at your pickee’s ‘read’ shelf and see what genres they have recently read or read the most. Reviewing their ‘read’ shelf might help you in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.
✱ If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.), contact the Mods or the month’s organizer for guidance.
✱ Include a variety of books (e.g., shorter page count, new addition to their ‘to-read’ shelf, an older book on their ‘to-read’ shelf). This variety gives your pickee options when choosing the book or books they will be reading this month. Use the sort feature within their shelves to determine the date a book was added, published or read; page numbers, ratings, etc.

If you want to volunteer to make repicks:
✱ We love that you want to help out, but please remember those who need picks have been waiting for a long time already. Please only volunteer if you are able to make the repicks within a few hours of the deadline. Thank you!

[☘KathyD☘]

Participants

☘KathyD☘ — tbr-audios
Nancy H — to-read
MountainKat — to-read-asap
Mony — 5-pifm-december
Fran — a-pifm-shelf (private profile)
Aoife — pofm-tbr
☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ — meet-greet-picks
LaurLa — 10-last-chance-picklist
SunnyCAGirl — to-read
Carina — merry-new-year
martha — to-read
Sonja — pifm
Carrie — current-tbr

[☘KathyD☘]

Pairings
Please pick for the person beneath you. The last person picks for the first person (that is, SunnyCAGirl picks for Sonja).

✅ Sonja — pifm
✅ Carina — merry-new-year
✅ Nancy H — to-read
✅ Aoife — pofm-tbr
✅ LaurLa — 10-last-chance-picklist
✅ Fran — a-pifm-shelf (private profile)
✅ MountainKat — to-read-asap
✅ martha — to-read
✅ ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ — meet-greet-picks
✅ ☘KathyD☘ — tbr-audios
✅ Carrie — current-tbr
✅ Mony — 5-pifm-december
✅ SunnyCAGirl — to-read

✅ = made picks

✱ Remember to pick a minimum of four NEW books and four books from your pickee’s TBR or preferred shelf. Please limit your picks to no more than two for each rule , since sometimes too many choices can be as bad as too few!

[☘KathyD☘]

Picking Rules

It’s that time of year when many of us take vacation time to prepare for the holidays and/or family gatherings. In between all the holiday craziness, here are some staycation ideas to help round out this busy time of year.

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
recommend a book…
✔️ that you consider “sweet”
✔️ whose main character works in the food industry (anything from farm to table)
✔️ with sweet treats on the cover

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
recommend a book…
✔️ tagged ‘mystery’ and/or ‘suspense’
✔️ tagged ‘sports’ (need to work as a team to escape!)
✔️ with a key and/or lock on the cover

🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
recommend a book…
✔️ that has been or is expected to be a movie or television show
✔️ that is part of a series with more than 5 books
✔️ whose cover has silver on it (for the silver screen)

🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
recommend a book…
✔️ published between July and December 2023 (new books!)
✔️ whose main character(s) is trying something new
✔️ that is the first in a series

🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
recommend a book…
✔️ whose main character(s) volunteers/actively helps others (includes occupations such as first responders, teachers, etc.)
✔️ with a domestic animal on the cover
✔️ whose main character(s) need support

🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
recommend a book…
✔️ set in the wilderness
✔️ with buildings (or forts) on the cover
✔️ whose character is involved in (your definition of) building

🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
recommend a book…
✔️ that seems like one you would like to spend an afternoon relaxing with
✔️ with a relaxing cover (your interpretation)
✔️ whose main character(s) needs a spa day

📖 read/listen to a book 📖
recommend a book…
✔️ about books (for example, set in a library/bookshop, main character is a writer)
✔️ you (and/or your pickee if they have rereads on their preferred shelf) rated five stars
✔️ you are looking forward to reading

[Nancy H]

I'm in!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Me please! 🙋🏻‍♀️

Please use my in desperate need of an update to-read-asap shelf - thanks!

[Mony]

I'm trying it!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[☘KathyD☘]

welcome all!

[Fran, Moderator]

I'm in! (private profile, happy to friend anyone who picks for me)

PIFM shelf- https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Aoife]

I'm in!

pofm shelf

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I’m in!
Shelf : https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[LaurLa]

Me please!!
10-last-chance-picklist

[SunnyCAGirl]

Yes! I’m in!

[Carina]

I’m in.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[martha]

count me in

[Sonja]

Thanks for hosting, KathyD! I’m in please! And please use my PIFM shelf! Thank you!

[Carrie]

I am in again

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[☘KathyD☘]

the participant list is current through Carrie...I’ll post rules shortly. 😁

[Carina]

Nancy H,

Here are your picks. Happy reading!

🧁Bake bread, cookies, other goodies

TBR - Cherry Cobbler
New - Summer at Hope Haven


🧩Visit an Escape room

TBR - Framed in Lace
New - Death Overdue


🎥Binge Favorite movies/TV Shows

TBR - Appassionata
New - Chances


🥁Take up a Hobby

TBR - The Locket
New - Talulah's Back in Town


🐶Find a Way to Volunteer

TBR - The Last Embrace
New - A Little Ray of Sunshine


🧺Build a Pillow/Blanket Fort

TBR - Dance of the Winnebagos
New - Good Fortunes


🧼Indulge in a Spa Day

TBR - The Honeymoon Cottage
New - Always, With You


🎧Read/Listen to a Book

TBR - A Merry Little Meet Cute
New - Wreck the Halls

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi MountainKat!

Here are your picks for December....I hope you find something you love here!!
* After choosing all of these and checking in the search on your shelves, I am hoping the search is working and you don't have any of the new ones on your shelf- please let me know if you do and if you would like more recs!

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
recommend a book…
tbr- Turkeys- looks sweet
new- The Anonymous Hookup- labeled 'sweet'

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
recommend a book…
tbr- How to Date Your Dragon- shelved 'suspense' by 12 people
new- Snowed In with the Player- sports romance


🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
recommend a book…
tbr- In My Wildest Dreams - part of a series with more than 5 books
new- Kiss Me This Christmas: A Steamy Holiday Romance- labeled suspensful

🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
recommend a book…
tbr- Emergency Contact - pub. Oct. 2023
new- The Seven Year Slip- pub. July 2023 (kindle edition)


🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
recommend a book…
tbr- Tic-Tac-Mistletoe- character needs help and another helps out
new- Mr. Right Now- character helps out

🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
recommend a book…
tbr- Merry Christmas Cupid- set in a rural area

🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
recommend a book…
new- Hate Me under the Mistletoe- looks like a fun one to curl up with

📖 read/listen to a book 📖
recommend a book…
tbr- Christmas Wish List- you gave it 5*
new- Drunk on a Plane- I'm looking forward to reading this one

Happy Reading!!

[Nancy H]

These look great, Carina. Thank you so much. I can't wait to get started and I just want to read them all!


Carina wrote: "Nancy H,

Here are your picks. Happy reading!

🧁Bake bread, cookies, other goodies

TBR - Cherry Cobbler
New - Summer at Hope Haven
[bookcover:Cherry Cobbler|1152084..."

[Nancy H]

Aoife,
I have been working intensely on a giant project this weekend, so I will get your picks done tomorrow. Thank you for your patience!

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Hi Kathy

🎂 Bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🎂
TBR : My Favorite Kidnapper
New: A Sweet Mess


🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
TBR : Fatal Consequences
New: Key of Light



🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
TBR: Claimed in Shadows
New: The Last Thing He Told Me


🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
TBR: Mister Black
New: Ruined Beauty


🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
TBR: Shadows in Death - law enforcement
New: Good as Gold - teacher


🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
TBR: Born in the Shadows
New: Beary Merry Christmas


🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
TBR: A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
New: The Best Man



📖 read/listen to a book 📖
TBR : Archangel's Shadows
New: My Best Friend's Girl


Happy reading!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Martha! I will try to get your picks done tomorrow. 📚

[☘KathyD☘]

Carrie...I am working on your picks, but GR is acting up and not letting me search your shelves to find new books...I’ll keep at it and hopefully get them up later today.

[Carrie]

I Mony, I hope you find something to curl up with this holiday season

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
recommend a book…

TBR:
Claus and Effect

New:
Bah, Humbug!

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
recommend a book…
TBR:
Body of Evidence

New:
Hot as Puck


🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
recommend a book…

TBR:
Heavy

New:
Wrecked


🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
recommend a book…
TBR:
Darkness Unbound

New:
Witch of Wild Things


🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
recommend a book…

TBR:
Scrooging Christmas

New:
The Problem with Mistletoe


🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
recommend a book…

TBR:
Beyond Sunrise

New:
Mr. Fixer Upper


🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
recommend a book…

TBR:
The Christmas Tart: A Regency Christmas Novella

New:
A Touch of a Brogue

TBR:
N.Y.E.

New:
The Bone Season


Happy reading!

[Carrie]

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Carrie...I am working on your picks, but GR is acting up and not letting me search your shelves to find new books...I’ll keep at it and hopefully get them up later today."

Hi it's me, I'm the problem it's me....and my massive want to read shelf...😅

[Mony]

Hi SunnyCAGirl,

Here are your books! I've read all of these, except "In a Jam". All were 5-star reads for me, but one (4-star). LOL And many were top favourites. Was happy to see so many were in your TBR. Hope you find a book you like!

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
TBR: In a Jam
NEW: Pretty Face - 1st chapter slow, then a great slow burn :)


🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
TBR: Run Posy Run - a fav mafia read
NEW: Things We Left Behind- don't judge from cover; special enemy-to-lovers romance


🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
TBR: The Spymaster's Lady - a book that stays with you
NEW: A Rogue in Winter - lovely, low key & bit unusual holiday book


🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
TBR: - The Tyrant Alpha's Rejected Mate - good world building, read whole series
NEW: On Dublin Street- a classic, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers


🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
TBR: Ransom - another wonderful Garwood story
NEW: Venetia - this is likely my fav Heyer book; happy & healing


🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
TBR: The Golden Dynasty - exciting, unique, shades of Khal Drogo & Queen Dany Targaryen in GoT
NEW: Edenbrooke - sweet, soft with a "Mr. Darcy"


🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
TBR: A Holiday By Gaslight - quiet slow burn
NEW: Irresistible - one of Balogh's best books; sweet, BBF


📖 read/listen to a book 📖
TBR: Code Name Verity - very well-written, stays with you
NEW: Love Lettering*

* A GR friend's review: Love Lettering is a special book that I’ll hold close to my heart for a long time. It’s a quiet romance with quiet protagonists, but sometimes it's the quiet moments that echo the loudest. (need patience for this one)

[Mony]

Carrie wrote: "I Mony, I hope you find something to curl up with this holiday season
🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
recommend a book…
[book:Claus and Effect|1..."

Carrie, thanks for all these wonderful books - a treasure trove!

[Sonja]

Hi Carina! Working on your picks today, but likely won't be able to post until tomorrow! Thank you!

[LaurLa]

HI Fran!! Here are your picks - let me know how you like 😁


🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
❄️TBR: The Gingerbread Man - sweet treats
❄️NEW: Bittersweet - food industry


🧩  visit an escape room 🧩
❄️TBR: Baseball Bride - tagged sports
❄️NEW: Scoring With Him - tagged sports


🎬  binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
❄️TBR: Harmony Lights: A Harmony Springs Hanukkah Short Story - silver on cover
❄️NEW: Her Secret Agent - series has 8+ books


🎨  take up a new hobby 🎨
❄️TBR: Sweet Liar - first in series
❄️NEW: Wreck the Halls - pubbed Oct 2023


🐶  find a way to volunteer 🐶
❄️TBR: Will & Patrick Meet the Family - horses on cover
❄️NEW: The Christmas Holiday - dog on cover


🚧  build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
❄️TBR: Winning Back His Wife - rustic building on cover
❄️NEW: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute - wilderness setting, sort of!


🍵  indulge in a spa day 🍵
❄️TBR: Sun of a Beach - they look relaxed!
❄️NEW: The Virgin Next Door - Veronica needs a spa day!


📖  read/listen to a book 📖
❄️TBR: Don't Stop Believing: The Librarian Checks Out the Lumberjack - librarian character
❄️NEW: By Any Other Name - 5 star AND about books

[Nancy H]

Hi Aoife,
You have a great TBR list! My own just got bigger after seeing the books on yours that intrigued me. Here are your picks for this month:

1. Bake bread, cookies. etc.: Two from food industry - Key Lime Pie Murder and A Berry Deadly Welcome


2. Visit an escape room: Two mysteries - The Birthday and Murder in an Italian Village (really good - I just finished it!)


3. Binge TV: Part of 5-book series - Engaging the Office Enemy; Silver cover, silver buildings in background - The Amsterdam Affair


4. New hobby: Published between July-December 2023 - Hello Stranger; First in series - The Thursday Murder Club Both of these were so good I couldn't put them down!


5. Volunteer: MC runs a charity - Christmas from the Heart; MC needs the support of a handyman to achieve her goals - Get a Life, Chloe Brown


6. Build a pillow/blanket fort: Buildings on the cover - Murder at the Snowed Inn and Christmas Island ( I loved this one!)


7. Spa day: Relaxing cover - The Hotel Nantucket (I LOVED this book!); One I'd like to relax with - A Lighthouse Café Christmas


8. read a book: Two about books and reading - The Lost Bookshop and Summer Reading


Have a great reading December!

[Fran, Moderator]

LaurLa wrote: "HI Fran!! Here are your picks - let me know how you like 😁


🧁
bake bread, cookies, other goodies
🧁
❄️TBR: The Gingerbread Man - sweet treats
❄️NEW: Bittersweet -..."


Thank you LaurLa! These all look great!

[☘KathyD☘]

Carrie...my apologies for the delay! It took some creative moves using the compare feature to find new books for you. Hopefully any new choices are actually new to you somehow. Happy reading!

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
Bah, Humbug!, Heather Horrocks — sweet treat on the cover (tbr)
Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus — character works in the food industry (new)

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
The Lost Apothecary, Sarah Penner — tagged mystery (tbr)
End of Story, Kylie Scott — tagged mystery (new)

🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
Lover Avenged, J.R. Ward — part of a series with more than 5 books (tbr)
Wallbanger, Alice Clayton — expected to be a movie in 2024 (new)

🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
From Blood and Ash, Jennifer L. Armentrout — first in a series (tbr)
The Dom Who Loved Me, Lexi Blake — main character tries something new (new)

🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
A Cotswold Christmas, Kate Hewitt — dog on the cover (tbr)
Alex, Sawyer Bennett — main character needs to volunteer (new)

🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
Kiss of Crimson, Lara Adrian — buildings on the cover (tbr)
Everywhere and Every Way, Jennifer Probst — main character is a builder (new)

🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
Written in the Stars, Alexandria Bellefleur — relaxing cover (tbr)
Fatal Affair, Marie Force — main character needs a spa day (new)

📖 read/listen to a book 📖
The Printed Letter Bookshop, Katherine Reay — set in a bookshop (tbr)
Identity, Nora Roberts — 5-star favorite of mine (new)

[SunnyCAGirl]

What an amazing list, Mony! Thanks so much!
Mony wrote: "Hi SunnyCAGirl,

Here are your books! I've read all of these, except "In a Jam". All were 5-star reads for me, but one (4-star). LOL And many were top favourites. Was happy to see so many were in y..."

[SunnyCAGirl]

Hello, Sonja,
I am working on your picks tomorrow! Cheers.

[martha]

hi carmen, here you go :-)


🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
tbr: Simmer Down
new: Love from Scratch

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
tbr: The Bone Witch
new: Butcher & Blackbird

🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
tbr: Stealing Home
new: Rule

🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
tbr: Hello Stranger
new: Soul of a Witch

🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
tbr: Rumor Has It
new: Crazy Stupid Bromance

🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
tbr: Grizzly Beard
new: All Rhodes Lead Here

🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
tbr: Love Next Door
new: Delilah Green Doesn't Care

📖 read/listen to a book 📖
tbr: Resting Grinch Face
new: Juniper Hill

[☘KathyD☘]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi Kathy

🎂 Bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🎂
TBR : My Favorite Kidnapper
New: A Sweet Mess
[bookcover:A Sweet Mess|51..."

thanks for the great picks, Carmen! looking forward to Friday so I can jump in! 😁

[Sonja]

Hi Carina!
Here are your picks for December. Hope you find something to cozy up with!
🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
TBR: Hiding in Alaska (MC works in chocolate factory – my kinda job!) *I noticed this is #4 in the series so I grant permission to replace this one with any of the others instead! LOL!
NEW: The Duke Alone (sweet romance!)


🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
TBR: Die Easy (mystery tag)
NEW: Silent in the Grave (mystery tag) One I may have recommended, but am putting it back on the list!


🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
TBR: Resolute Justice (silver on cover)
TBR: Her Secret Alaskan Family (silver on cover) Okay I cheated a little here, but I wanted to make sure you got the first in this series on your reading list for the month. The series sounds fun!


🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
TBR: Escape to You (first in series)
NEW: Identity (newly published) Not quite July-Dec, but I’m counting it! This was a great read and had me hooked all the way to the end!


🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
TBR: The Soldier's Surprise Family (state trooper/needs support)
NEW: Butterface (MC is a cop, MC needs support) I really enjoyed this series, especially this one!


🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
TBR: The Stalking (building on cover)
TBR/NEW: Virgin River (set in wilderness) I started this series long before Netflix made it a tv show and enjoy the books better than the show!


🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
TBR: A Royal Kiss and Tell (Sounds like a relaxing read!)
NEW: Remarkably Bright Creatures (definitely the MC needs a spa day, plus relaxing cover) My mom recommended this one and it surprised me how much I enjoyed it!


📖 read/listen to a book 📖
TBR: Claimed by a Cowboy (Reread 5 stars!)
TBR/NEW: Breathing Room (I rated 5 stars) Think I recommended this before, but I’m putting it back out there!)


Happy reading!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi martha, I didn't get these done yesterday, but I hope that your picks are worth the wait! There wasn't a lot to go on since you are newer to GR and don't have a lot of books so I have my fingers crossed that you find something to love for December. 🤞🏼

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
NEW: First Grave on the Right* by Darynda Jones
TBR: Archer's Voice* by Mia Sheridan

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
NEW: The Dom Who Loved Me* by Lexi Blake
TBR: Shallow River by H.D. Carlton

🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
NEW: Dark Lover* by J.R. Ward
TBR: Hooked by Emily McIntire

🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
NEW: Poison Princess* by Kresley Cole
TBR: Frost by C.N. Crawford

🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
NEW: Cake* by J. Bengtsson
TBR: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
NEW: Naked in Death* by J.D. Robb
TBR: Devil's Pawn by Natasha Knight

🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
NEW: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis
TBR: Falling into Forever by Avery Maxwell

📖 read/listen to a book 📖
NEW: Extreme Exposure* by Pamela Clare
TBR: The Anti-Boyfriend by Penelope Ward

I don't know if you like or would like to try audiobooks, but just in case I marked the books I listened to and enjoyed with an asterisk.

Happy Reading!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Fran wrote: "Hi MountainKat!

Here are your picks for December....I hope you find something you love here!!
* After choosing all of these and checking in the search on your shelves, I am hoping the search is w..."

Thank you so much for the picks Fran! And all the new to me ones looked new - I can't wait to check them out!

[SunnyCAGirl]

Hello, Sonja,
Here are your picks for December. I hope you find something you love!

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁

✔️ The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe (She wants to be a chef; also it’s sweet. 2nd in a series, but would recommend skipping the first book)
✔️ Witch Chocolate Fudge by H.Y. Hanna (tbr) (sweet treats on the cover)

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
✔️A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas (tbr) (mystery)
✔️ Hothead by Stella Rhys (new) (sports)

🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
✔️The Chief by Monica Mccarty (new) (highland guard series- 12 books with hot highlanders)
✔️ A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss (tbr) (silver on cover)

🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
✔️Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell (tbr) (trying something new)
✔️ Accidentally Compromising the Duke by Stacy Reid (first in series) (new)

🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
✔️ The Counterfeit Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath (heroine is detective) (new)
✔️The Witch Is Back by Sophie H. Morgan (tbr) (dog on cover)

🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
recommend a book…

✔️Untamed(new) by Pamela Clare (set in wilderness of US, 1700s)
✔️The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (building on cover; (tbr)

🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
✔️ Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan (book to spend a day relaxing with) (tbr)

✔️A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (new) (main character could use a spa day) (book 1 is my least favorite of the series by FAR)

📖 read/listen to a book 📖
✔️ Nevermore Bookstore by Kerrigan Byrne (tbr) (about books)
✔️ The Suffragette Scandalby Courtney Milan (new) (newspaper editor)

[Aoife]

It's been very busy few days (fell over my own feet over the weekend and someone crashed into my car on Monday, never mind work just being a pain :( ) - I'll get your picks this morning LaurLa!

[Aoife]

Nancy H wrote: "Hi Aoife,
You have a great TBR list! My own just got bigger after seeing the books on yours that intrigued me. Here are your picks for this month:

1. Bake bread, cookies. etc.: Two from food indu..."

Thank you!! I've been meaning to get to so many of these :D

[Aoife]

For LaurLa here are my picks for you!

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
✔️Sugar and Sliced - Sweet treat on cover
✔️Cupcakes for Christmas - MC works in food industry

🧩 visit an escape room 🧩
✔️Bailed Out - Romantic Suspense
✔️The Deeper I Fall - sports!

🎬 binge your favorite movies/television shows 🎬
✔️A Very Levet Christmas - more than 5 books
✔️The Highlander's Accidental Marriage

🎨 take up a new hobby 🎨
✔️The Christmas Rental - first in series
✔️An Unwilling Earl - MMC is a new (unexpected) Earl

🐶 find a way to volunteer 🐶
✔️Head Over Paws - dog on cover
✔️Paws off the Boss - FMC needs help to keep the animal shelter going

🚧 build a pillow/blanket fort 🚧
✔️Below Zero - set in the wilderness
✔️Didn't Expect You - buildings on cover

🍵 indulge in a spa day 🍵
✔️ Take Me Home for Christmas - relaxing cover
✔️One Week With You - relaxing afternoon to read

📖 read/listen to a book 📖
✔️Last Chance Book Club - about books
✔️The Littlest Library - about books

[☘KathyD☘]

I believe everyone has their picks...now to wait two days for December to start! Happy holidays and reading all!

[Sonja]

SunnyCAGirl wrote: "Hello, Sonja,
Here are your picks for December. I hope you find something you love!

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁

✔️ The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe (She wants to be ..."

Thank you for these great picks, SunnyCAGirl!! I've already got a hold on a couple of these from my library!
I actually have read the Suffragette Scandal - love this whole series actually!! I'm not sure why it doesn't show that I've read it thought. Anyway, no need to repick, I have plenty to keep me busy this month! Thank you so much!

[Carrie]

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Carrie...my apologies for the delay! It took some creative moves using the compare feature to find new books for you. Hopefully any new choices are actually new to you somehow. Happy reading!

🧁
..."


Thank you for your struggles and my mountain, and thank you for the picks

[LaurLa]

Aoife wrote: "For
LaurLa
here are my picks for you!

🧁 bake bread, cookies, other goodies 🧁
✔️Sugar and Sliced - Sweet treat on cover
✔️Cupcakes for Christmas - MC works in ..."

Thank-you - some great picks! Can't wait.