Anne Finds Joy in the ABCs

[Janice, Moderator]

Yes, getting that "Z" out of the way is desirable. I'm going to read the Black Loch for the toppler and am really looking forward to it.

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 9
2. Titles, Task G
3. Link -Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service
4. Audiobook, 12hrs, 13mins
5. Book starts with "G"
6. "Grateful"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A very moving memoir, Gary Sinise is an inspiration, he's been passionately focused on supporting veterans for so long, and achieved so much! He's devoted to his family, and they've endured a lot. He is a kind soul!

[Anne ✨]

1. Badg 2, Book 10
2. Titles, Task F
3. Link - The Final Curtain
4. Audiobook, 11hrs, 23mins
5. Book starts with "F"
6. "Final"

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Final book (#4) in a Japanese mystery series by Keigo Higashino. His stories have complex layers, with many interweaving character storylines. The MC investigator Kyoichiro Kaga cleverly follows all the clues. Each book could be read as a standalone.

[Janice, Moderator]

I admire Gary Sinise and enjoy his movies.

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 11
2. Titles, Task E
3. Link - Exit
4. Audiobook, 9hr 34mins
5. Book starts with "E"
6. "Exit"

⭐⭐⭐⭐

My first read from this author! A feel good cozy mystery with a unique premise, and filled with humor and a MC to root for. I will read more of this author.

[Janice, Moderator]

Bonus if there is humour!

[Anne ✨]

1. Badege 2, Book 12
2. Titles, Task D
3. Link - D- Dear Life: A Doctor's Story of Love and Loss
4. Audiobook, 11hrs, 14mins
5. Book starts with"D"
6. "Dear"

⭐⭐⭐
A memoir of a UK doctor who went into palliative care. She shared her throughts and stories. I agree with her thoughs on opportunity and need for palliative, but overall, book felt a bit suface level, didn't illuminate, and I wasn't engaged.

[Anne ✨]

Janice wrote: "Bonus if there is humour!"

Especially these days! Happy escapist reads in order! :) !!!

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 13
2. Titles, Task P
3. Link - Paradise
4. Audiobook, 10hr 8mins
5. Book starts with "P"
6. "Paradise"

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Solid 2nd book in Australian-set mystery series. Enjoyable all around - setting, characters, storline, audio narrator. Looking forward to #3

[Janice, Moderator]

I was going to chastise you for teasing me with yet another series to dive into. You're in luck. I already own the first book in the series but haven't read it yet.

[Anne ✨]

Janice wrote: "I was going to chastise you for teasing me with yet another series to dive into. You're in luck. I already own the first book in the series but haven't read it yet."

Ha, phew! :) Glad u have it ready to enjoy when ur in the mood for a virtual trip down under :) I'd read the first book a year ago, and recently stumbled upon the series again, realizing I had a book #2 to enjoy! I follow some Aussie GR friends, I've collected some excellent local recommendations that way, ones I don't see marketed here. I love a good Australian accent narration, and the atmosphere of dry parched Outback settings :)

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 14
2. Titles, Task T
3. Link - The Tenant
4. Audiobook, 8hrs, 50mins
5. Book starts with "T"
6. "Tenant"

⭐⭐

I had enjoyed all 3 books in "The Housemaid" series by this author, but this new standalone was seriously lacklustre. Unlikeable characters, lame storyline, weak finish.

[Janice, Moderator]

I haven't read anything by this author yet.

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 15
2. Titles, Task U
3. Link - The Unquiet Grave
4. Audiobook, 11hrs, 58mins
5. Book starts with a "U"
6. "Unquiet"

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Now THIS Is a good mystery series - Irish Police Detective procedural. Love the characters, storyline, and the audio narration is superb, really adds to the experience!!! Each book gets better, can't wait for next one!

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 16
2. Titles, Task K
3. Link - Kindness Goes Unpunished
4. Audiobook, 8hrs,42mins
5. Book starts with a "K"
6. "Kindness"

⭐⭐⭐1/2
This is a realiably enjoyable series for me - It's a western mystery. The main character Sheriff Walt Longmire is great, really like him! All the characters are well drawn, great dialogue.

[Anne ✨]

Janice wrote: "I haven't read anything by this author yet."
you're honestly not missing much - I think there's much better out there! She does weave a good 'twist' into her storylines though!

I've really enjoyed listening to the Dervla McTiernan Irish Police dectective mystery series "Cormac O'Reilly" (see post above) - that one's been great, I'm up to date with #4, eagerly anticipating book #5....

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm looking forward to book 3.

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 17
2. Titles, Task H
3. Link - Heartwood
4. Audiobook, 8hrs 45mins
5. Book starts with a "H"
6. "Heartwood"

⭐⭐1/2
this was a slow burn... it's somewhat genre-bending as it reads like non-fic biography/true crime but isn't.. I enjoyed the theme of hiking and the deep-dive into search and rescue operations. But overall, it was just a bit too slow and the plot wasn't substantial enough. meh.

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 18
2. Titles, Task Y
3. Link - Yours Truly
4. Audiobook, 11hr, 23mins
5. Book starts with a Y
6. "Yours"

⭐⭐⭐1/2
Enjoyable. but the angst between the 2 MC's too long and drawn out. I liked all the characters and both MC's family relationships and backstories!

[Anne ✨]

Badge 2, Book 19
2. Titles, Task Q
3. Link - Q- The Quiet Librarian
4. Audiobook, 8hr, 12mins
5. Book starts with Q
6. "Quiet"

⭐⭐⭐1/2

I liked the historical background of Serbian-Bosnian war. Author writes well, and the narration was very good. Story moved along nicely. Something was missing, though, enjoyment wise, it wasn't quite a 4 for me..

[Anne ✨]

Badge 2, Book 20
2. Titles, Task O
3. Link - Opal
4. Audiobook, 11hrs,22mins
5. Book starts with O
6. "Opal"

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Continuing to enjoy this Australian mystery series. Setting, characters, pacing, all good!

[Janice, Moderator]

I just finished the first book in the series. I'm not sure I'll continue. (view spoiler)[the drug cartel aspect makes me a bit anxious. (hide spoiler)] I guess that's evidence of good writing, that it causes anxiety.

[Anne ✨]

Janice wrote: "I just finished the first book in the series. I'm not sure I'll continue. [spoilers removed] I guess that's evidence of good writing, that it causes anxiety." Indeed! That does seem true :)(view spoiler)[The drug cartel is an underlying theme in all the books so far, so there's violence and lots of suspense. Creative storylines though! Just not for bedtime reading HA! (hide spoiler)] Hope your next read is a lighter one! :)

[Anne ✨]

Badge 2, Book 21
2. Titles, Task 'N'
3. Link No Time To Spare: Thinking About What Matters
4. Audiobook, 6hrs 33mins
5. Book starts with N
6. "No"

⭐⭐⭐1/2
This is a collection of informal essays/musings by Ursula Le Guin, acclaimed sci-fi author. She's witty, smart, honest, and charming, and does a perfect job with the audio narration. I don't read a lot of essay collections, but enjoyed this one, connecting with topics of aging and other observations on life!

[Anne ✨]

1. Badge 2, Book 22
2. Titles, Task 'I'
3. - The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness
4. Audiobook, 9hr, 2mins
5. Book starts with an 'I'
6. "Invisible"

⭐⭐⭐1/2
A memoir that provides deep insight into what it's like to live with autoimmune illness. Author is a journalist who wrote about her own experiences with possible lime disease that went untreated for a lenghty time. She does a good job balancing her own story with her insights from rearching experts et.

[Janice, Moderator]

The finish line is in sight. :)