A READING MACHINE!
Apparently, I was a reading machine in 2016! I think my goal was 60! haha I read 121 books! I will say I’m getting used to reading electronically. I don’t want to admit that it is second nature now so I’ll leave it at that. I bought myself a Kindle Fire for Christmas and even did the 3-month Kindle Unlimited trial so the reading experience just keeps getting better and better (highly recommend a Kindle Fire)!
GOODREADS
One thing new this year is that instead of using the back of my Journal to jot down the books I read, I started using the Goodreads website. I didn’t think I would like it but it has become a handy place to keep my book list and rate books. You can create different bookshelves “want to read”, “read”, “stopped reading” (I am keeping that list this year!), etc. Your Kindle will notify Goodreads when you start reading a book if you so choose. You can follow your friends and their recommendations too! The best part about Goodreads is that it allowed me to export my book list as an excel document so hooray for being able to easily add my book list here (below)! It’s not the prettiest but it gets the job done! Pretty snazzy!
BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
The BEST metaphysical book read this year was QUANTUM LOVE: Use Your Body’s Atomic Energy to Create the Relationship You Desire by Dr. Laura Berman. Hands down. The. Best. Berman writes as if she is talking to you using layman’s terms and concepts — and you need that with a book about quantum physics!!
As usual, I love everything (so far) by NICK PIROG and read two new books from the Henry Bins Series. Can’t Pirog write any faster??? CRIMES! What I mean is uh, I’m waiting patiently for the next book in the Henry Bins series (highly recommend it the first one, 3:00 AM is free on Amazon).
FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR
John Locke and Ben Rehder tie for favorite new mystery author. I’ve got some more of their books lined up for this year (spoiler alert – it might be Rehder because I’ve already read a couple of his this first quarter of 2017. Yes, I know I’m waaaaay late on this 2016 Review.). I am hooked on Rehder’s Roy Ballard series – an insurance fraud investigator. But, I did like the way Locke wrote and the twists and turns of his story.
WHAT I READ
I’ve been saying for YEARS that I will read more History books but the truth is, I download them the proceed to skip over them as I scroll through my “to read” list. I’ve never been into History. I’d much prefer you tell me the story than having to read it. Due to that little tidbit, the IP Factly books are right up my alley. They are for kids – easy to read, give you the gist and don’t take forever to get through! I also enjoy James Weber’s “History in 50 Events” series. Those have been good and if you read a few chapters daily it doesn’t take too long to read. I always attempt to have an informational type book going along with my the others…
I will write my memoir one day so I like to read some of those if I can get through them! A lot of those are start-stop but I did read a good one called YOU GOTTA GO TO KNOW by Chris DiCroce which is a true story about how he and his girlfriend sold everything and bought a sailboat to live on. A friend and his wife are doing that right now – what a grand adventure!
I learned this year that I don’t care for too many paranormal romances though I am interested in paranormal. I’m very picky about what I read or I should say HOW it is written.
Basically, I’m stuck in the reading Mystery’s zone. What can I say, I like to think and solve puzzles!!
GOALS FOR 2017
What are you reading? Do you set reading goals?
I will read more Business books and hopefully more metaphysical books. I set my goal on Goodreads to read 90 books in 2017 (currently at 22) but I probably should try to out-read my 2016 total right!? Stay tuned!!!
READ AND ROAR!!!
And now the book list you have been waiting for!!!
| Title | Author | My Rating | # of Pages | Date Read |
| Unspoken Bond | Blake O’Connor | 4 | 212 | 1/2/2016 |
| Saving Rachel (Donovan Creed, #3) | John Locke | 5 | 156 | 1/9/2016 |
| Dead Wood (John Rockne Mysteries #1) | Dani Amore | 4 | 204 | 1/11/2016 |
| Circled | Anne McAneny | 4 | 345 | 1/14/2016 |
| True Conviction (Adrian Hell, #1) | James P. Sumner | 4 | 308 | 1/17/2016 |
| Hunter’s Games (Adrian Hell, #2) | James P. Sumner | 4 | 329 | 1/22/2016 |
| Gone The Next (Roy Ballard Mysteries, #1) | Ben Rehder | 5 | 244 | 1/24/2016 |
| Colt (Nicholas Colt, #1) | Jude Hardin | 3 | 198 | 1/30/2016 |
| The Trigger (Agent Dallas Thriller, #1) | L.J. Sellers | 2 | 282 | 2/3/2016 |
| Loose Ends (California Corwin PI, #1) | D.D. VanDyke | 4 | 219 | 2/6/2016 |
| Quantum Success: The Astounding Science of Wealth and Happiness | Sandra Anne Taylor | 4 | 270 | 2/6/2016 |
| Imperfect Chemistry (Imperfect, #1) | Mary Frame | 4 | 198 | 2/7/2016 |
| Russian Roulette (Dev Haskell Mystery, #1) | Mike Faricy | 4 | 336 | 2/7/2016 |
| The Color of Heaven (The Color of Heaven, #1) | Julianne MacLean | 4 | 297 | 2/9/2016 |
| Don’t Be A Stranger (Valerie Inkerman #1) | A.R. Winters | 3 | 154 | 2/18/2016 |
| 3 Lies (Masters CIA Thriller, #1) | Helen Hanson | 3 | 314 | 2/22/2016 |
| Deadly Aim | Patricia H. Rushford | 3 | 320 | 2/25/2016 |
| Sweetheart in High Heels (High Heels, #5.75) | Gemma Halliday | 3 | 57 | 2/26/2016 |
| Alaska Virgin Air | Izzy Ballard | 4 | 291 | 3/2/2016 |
| The Case of the Flashing Fashion Queen (Dix Dodd Mystery, #1) | N.L. Wilson | 4 | 205 | 3/5/2016 |
| The Seven Steps to Closure | Donna Joy Usher | 5 | 410 | 3/7/2016 |
| Louisiana Longshot (Miss Fortune Mystery #1) | Jana Deleon | 4 | 223 | 3/11/2016 |
| Killer Instinct | Joseph Finder | 4 | 416 | 3/12/2016 |
| Just One Look | Harlan Coben | 4 | 390 | 3/17/2016 |
| Flight For Control | Karlene Petitt | 3 | 396 | 3/23/2016 |
| A Darkness More Than Night (Harry Bosch, #7; Terry McCaleb, #2; Harry Bosch Universe, #10) | Michael Connelly | 4 | 470 | 3/23/2016 |
| The Stone House Secret (A Jenessa Jones Mystery #2) | Debra Burroughs | 3 | 346 | 3/30/2016 |
| 101 Facts… Crocodiles! Crocodile Books for Kids – Amazing Facts, Photos & Video Links. (101 Animal Facts Book 13) | IP Factly | 3 | 66 | 4/4/2016 |
| Dog Gone (Dev Haskell – Private Investigator Book 12) | Mike Faricy | 3 | 483 | 4/4/2016 |
| 3:17 a.m. (The Lassie Files Book 2) | Nick Pirog | 4 | 53 | 4/21/2016 |
| Let Us Prey (Gotcha Detective Agency Mysteries #1) | Jamie Lee Scott | 3 | 271 | 5/2/2016 |
| Life, Take Three | Suzanne Whitfield Vince | 4 | 115 | 5/8/2016 |
| Dirty Little Secrets (J.J. Graves Mystery #1) | Liliana Hart | 3 | 307 | 5/25/2016 |
| Dying for a Date (Laurel McKay Mysteries, #1) | Cindy Sample | 3 | 254 | 5/28/2016 |
| Pick Me (Loveless & Dunn #2; Magnolia Bay #3) | Erika Marks | 3 | 135 | 5/31/2016 |
| Second Chance Love | Shawn Inmon | 2 | 283 | 6/3/2016 |
| The Last Track (Mike Brody, #1) | Sam Hilliard | 2 | 291 | 6/8/2016 |
| Torch Scene (Reed Ferguson Mystery #6) | Renee Pawlish | 3 | 242 | 6/11/2016 |
| By Your Side (Three Little Words #1) | Karla Sorensen | 3 | 309 | 6/12/2016 |
| Hidden Doors, Secret Rooms | Jamie Eubanks | 4 | 341 | 6/18/2016 |
| A Little Bit of Déjà Vu (Return to Redemption, #1) | Laurie Kellogg | 3 | 6/20/2016 | |
| Death on the Range (Target Practice Mysteries #1) | Nikki Haverstock | 2 | 166 | 6/21/2016 |
| Murder on the Menu (Nikki Hunter Mysteries, #1) | Nancy Skopin | 4 | 314 | 6/21/2016 |
| Mind If I Come In | K.L. Phelps | 4 | 330 | 6/22/2016 |
| Bed-Bugged (Doodlebugged Mysteries, #1) | Susan J. Kroupa | 4 | 110 | 6/25/2016 |
| Fur Covered Wisdom: A Dog Can Change the Way You See the World | Gila Kurtz | 3 | 197 | 6/27/2016 |
| I’m Kona Love You Forever (Islands of Aloha Mystery Series #6) | JoAnn Bassett | 3 | 302 | 6/30/2016 |
| Saving Grace (Katie & Annalise #1) | Pamela Fagan Hutchins | 4 | 278 | 7/3/2016 |
| Yours Always | Rhonda R. Dennis | 3 | 290 | 7/10/2016 |
| Chasing Ivan (Kyle Achilles #0.5) | Tim Tigner | 3 | 150 | 7/11/2016 |
| No Experience Required (Summer Rains, #1) | Lauren Stewart | 4 | 286 | 7/16/2016 |
| Joe: the Horse Nobody Loved (The Burton’s Farm #1) | Vicky Kaseorg | 3 | 232 | 7/17/2016 |
| Sell All Your Stuff and Become a House Sitter: A guide to help start your house sitting career | Al McCullough | 4 | 55 | 7/19/2016 |
| SWAMPED (Lola Polenta Mystery Book 1) | Sandy Gingras | 3 | 256 | 7/21/2016 |
| Tahoe Deathfall (An Owen McKenna Mystery Thriller) | Todd Borg | 4 | 256 | 7/23/2016 |
| Tahoe Blue Fire (An Owen McKenna Mystery Thriller Book 13) | Todd Borg | 4 | 354 | 7/26/2016 |
| Queen of the Universe | Geralyn Corcillo | 2 | 294 | 7/31/2016 |
| Witch Is When It All Began (A Witch P.I. Mystery #1) | Adele Abbott | 3 | 208 | 8/5/2016 |
| Quantum Love: Use Your Body’s Atomic Energy to Create the Relationship You Desire | Laura Berman | 5 | 392 | 8/6/2016 |
| Coronado Dreaming: The Silver Strand | G. B. Brulte | 2 | 372 | 8/11/2016 |
| Extreme Weather (Tornadoes To Hurricanes): Earth Facts and Fun Book for Kids | Speedy Publishing | 3 | 50 | 8/11/2016 |
| Saving Grace (Serve and Protect, #2) | Norah Wilson | 2 | 227 | 8/12/2016 |
| Twisted Straight: Finding My Self in the Middle | Elizabeth Zerman | 3 | 214 | 8/13/2016 |
| 101 Facts… Solar System (101 Space Facts for Kids Book 4) | IP Factly | 3 | 81 | 8/17/2016 |
| Win YOUR Day: Insights, Inspiration & Data From 100+ Entrepreneurs to Improve Your Morning Routine & Daily Productivity | Jonathon Knepper | 2 | 86 | 8/17/2016 |
| The Second Rule of Ten (A Tenzing Norbu Mystery, #2) | Gay Hendricks | 4 | 352 | 8/19/2016 |
| Hit the Road Jack (Jack Ryder, #1) | Willow Rose | 2 | 454 | 8/21/2016 |
| Gemini Rising (Mischievous Malamute, #1) | Harley Christensen | 2 | 8/23/2016 | |
| Whiskey Rebellion (An Addison Holmes Mystery, #1) | Liliana Hart | 3 | 254 | 8/25/2016 |
| Heaven to Betsy (What Doesn’t Kill You #5) | Pamela Fagan Hutchins | 3 | 311 | 8/31/2016 |
| Changes (The Randall Lee Mysteries #1) | Charles Colyott | 3 | 276 | 9/6/2016 |
| Jupiter – Space Books for Kids. Early Reader Jupiter Facts, Pictures & Video Links. (Early Reader Space Books for Kids Book 4) | IP Factly | 3 | 48 | 9/8/2016 |
| A Hero of War (Adrian Hell, #0.5) | James P. Sumner | 3 | 102 | 9/9/2016 |
| The Other Side of the World: Book 1 Luke’s Story | Suzanne Whitfield Vince | 3 | 9/13/2016 | |
| The Other Side of the World: Book 2 (Talia’s Story) | Suzanne Whitfield Vince | 3 | 9/15/2016 | |
| The Color of Destiny (The Color of Heaven Series #2) | Julianne MacLean | 3 | 320 | 9/16/2016 |
| Farewell, My Deuce (Reed Ferguson Mystery #4) | Renee Pawlish | 4 | 209 | 9/17/2016 |
| Double Blind (Kate Benedict #2) | Carrie Bedford | 2 | 264 | 9/21/2016 |
| Rosemary’s Gravy (A We Sisters Three Mystery Book 1) | Melissa F. Miller | 3 | 269 | 9/22/2016 |
| Hard Fall (A Thomas Blume Thriller, #1) | P.T. Reade | 3 | 156 | 9/23/2016 |
| You Gotta Go To Know | Chris DiCroce | 3 | 46 | 9/23/2016 |
| Civil War in 50 Events: From the Very Beginning to the Fall of the Confederate States (History in 50 Events Series Book 13) | James Weber | 3 | 164 | 9/24/2016 |
| Spiritual Psychic: Speak the Language of the Universe | Sara Wiseman | 4 | 120 | 9/24/2016 |
| Armed and Fabulous (Lexi Graves Mystery, #1) | Camilla Chafer | 4 | 334 | 9/25/2016 |
| 101 Facts… Roman Empire! Books for Kids. (101 History Facts for Kids Book 3) | IP Factly | 2 | 45 | 9/28/2016 |
| Tear Down and Die (Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery, #1) | Joanna Campbell Slan | 3 | 307 | 10/1/2016 |
| Taking the Fall (Brenna Battle, #1) | Laney Monday | 2 | 274 | 10/4/2016 |
| Adventures of the Soul: Journeys Through the Physical and Spiritual Dimensions | James Van Praagh | 2 | 176 | 10/6/2016 |
| Marriage Can Be Murder (Baby Boomer Mystery, #3) | Susan Santangelo | 3 | 237 | 10/7/2016 |
| The History of Russia in 50 Events: (Russian History – Napoleon In Russia – The Crimean War – Russia In World War – The Cold War) (Timeline History in 50 Events Book 3) | Stephan Weaver | 2 | 80 | 10/8/2016 |
| All Good Deeds (Lucy Kendall, #1) | Stacy Green | 4 | 310 | 10/8/2016 |
| Scraps of Paper (Spookie Town Murder Mystery, #1) | Kathryn Meyer Griffith | 3 | 192 | 10/9/2016 |
| The Ascension of Laney (Ascent Series, #1) | Kris Hack | 4 | 280 | 10/10/2016 |
| 3:34 a.m. (Henry Bins #4) | Nick Pirog | 5 | 188 | 10/11/2016 |
| The Sun – Our Star. Space Books for Kids. (Early Reader Space Books for Kids Book 8) | IP Factly | 3 | 46 | 10/11/2016 |
| Frequency: The Power of Personal Vibration | Penney Peirce | 3 | 271 | 10/12/2016 |
| 3:46 a.m. (Henry Bins #5) | Nick Pirog | 5 | 122 | 10/13/2016 |
| American History in 50 Events: From First Immigration to World Power (History in 50 Events Series Book 2) | James Weber | 3 | 120 | 10/14/2016 |
| Chosen (The Chosen, #1) | Denise Grover Swank | 3 | 362 | 10/18/2016 |
| Tahoe Blowup | Todd Borg | 4 | 320 | 10/20/2016 |
| The Devil Wears Scrubs | Freida McFadden | 3 | 282 | 10/22/2016 |
| Ready to Were (Shift Happens, #1) | Robyn Peterman | 4 | 168 | 10/24/2016 |
| The Shopping Swap | Erin Brady | 3 | 10/25/2016 | |
| Allegiance (Jackson Quick Adventure, #1) | Tom Abrahams | 4 | 258 | 10/26/2016 |
| Pitch Black (Blackwood Security, #1) | Elise Noble | 3 | 382 | 10/30/2016 |
| Canadian History in 50 Events: From Early Settlement to the Present Day (History in 50 Events Series Book 12) | James Weber | 2 | 108 | 10/30/2016 |
| Lassiter (Jake Lassiter, #8) | Paul Levine | 4 | 305 | 11/3/2016 |
| The Housewife Assassin’s Handbook (The Housewife Assassin, #1) | Josie Brown | 4 | 290 | 11/5/2016 |
| World History in 50 Events: From the Beginning of Time to the Present (History in 50 Events Series Book 3) | James Weber | 2 | 117 | 11/7/2016 |
| 100 Things You Didn’t Know About Ireland: A Guide To Irish History and Civilization | Brighid O’Sullivan | 3 | 62 | 11/8/2016 |
| Succulent Wild Love: Six Powerful Habits for Feeling More Love More Often | S.A.R.K. | 3 | 256 | 11/11/2016 |
| The Third Rule Of Ten (A Tenzing Norbu Mystery, #3) | Gay Hendricks | 3 | 352 | 11/12/2016 |
| The Protector (A Sydney Valentine Mystery, #1) | Danielle Lenee Davis | 3 | 406 | 11/16/2016 |
| Brainrush (Brainrush #1) | Richard Bard | 3 | 307 | 11/25/2016 |
| Rescuing Finley (Forever Home #1) | Dan Walsh | 4 | 300 | 11/26/2016 |
| Haunted on Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun, #1) | Deanna Chase | 3 | 262 | 12/11/2016 |
| Border Collie Christmas | Nancy Warren | 3 | 81 | 12/12/2016 |
| No Way Out (Jack Davis Mystery, #3) | Joel Goldman | 3 | 449 | 12/17/2016 |
| The Devil’s Bounty (Ryan Lock, #4) | Sean Black | 3 | 380 | 12/19/2016 |
| The Deep Blue Alibi (Solomon vs. Lord, #2) | Paul Levine | 3 | 496 | 12/26/2016 |
| Jack Knifed (Jack Stratton, #2) | Christopher Greyson | 4 | 266 | 12/30/2016 |
