Bibliomane Books

I am linking up with  Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday!  I haven't blogged much in 2020.  In fact, I haven't done much of anything in 2020.  But after losing a friend 2 weeks ago, I realize how important it is to DOCUMENT.  I have very few things with my mother's handwriting on it.  If she had kept a blog?  I would have been RIVETED to every post.  So here's to hoping I can actually keep up with blogging this year and that someday it will be a comfort to my kids.  ♥♥What Has 2020 Taught Me♥♥    Good question.  So many things. Life is fragile and should be respected.  We need to be more grateful.  And more kind.  Even though we may live tens of thousands of miles apart, people on the other side of the world are going through a lot of the same things we are.  Made me felt like we were a single people for the first time in my life.  That the blessed life we live here in the US - even those of us with a re...

 I didn't have the greatest reading year.  In fact, I didn't read at all from about Mid-March until end of May (if I am remembering right).  I am ending the year (this is adding on 1 more book between today and the end of the year, I think that is fair) 56 books for the year.  My GoodReads goal was only 52 for the year, so we will go with that number being satisfying enough.   These were all new authors to me!  And you will notice that two of Colleen Hoover's books took my top five!  I actually read a 3rd book from her and it was really great too!  And it won't hurt to mention - these five books were ALL available on Kindle Unlimited!  My #5 book for the year was : The Stationary Shopby Marjan Kamali What I loved the most:   The setting and history of 1953 Tehran and the loveliness of the story.  My #4 book for the year was : Layla by Colleen Hoover What I loved the most: Very twisty!  I could have done without the sex sc...

 I haven't blogged much over the past year.  In fact, I haven't done much of ANYTHING in the past year.  I am the poster child for 2020.  Working from  home, college-aged kids taking classes from home, learning how to use Google Duo for doctor's visits, becoming BFF's with my Alexa Echo Dot because it brings me into the home of my true best friend in another state so we can watch Korean dramas together.  I think I've put gas in my car 4 times this year.  NO, I am not exaggerating.  I've become even better friends with Amazon, UPS, and FED EX.  My cats are so spoiled they want for nothing.  I've baked.  I've taken up bird watching.  I spruced up my outdoor space. I've stayed in my pajamas for days. My hair forgets what it was like NOT to be in a messy bun. I've DONE ALL the 2020.   And let's not forget the mental health issues.  I was numb most of March and April.  Had to take time off of work because I could...

  2020 has been tough.  For all of us.  Some people have read more books during this time than ever before, smashing their Goodreads goals and making it through this pandemic by living through different characters and imaginary places.  I have, unfortunately, been a part of the opposite group. My reading life has suffered.  I went several months without picking up a book or my Kindle.  I will just eek out my yearly book goal.   January started out with me joining book challenges, noting read-a-thons in my planner, and listing classics I intended to read this year.  All that flew out of the window by March.  HOWEVER - I saw the Caffeinated Reviewer's post on Instagram for Ho-Ho-Ho RAT and decided to join in and get myself prepped and ready for new reading goals in 2021!  The challenge started yesterday and I have finished one book so far.  I will post a review later today!                ...

I am linking up with Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday It's been several months since I last posted.  COVID has made my anxiety/depression pretty uncontrollable, but I am trying to pull out of it.  ♥♥The Weather♥♥   Our weather in Michigan has cooled off quite a bit.  This week will be upper 70s and lower 80s.  Some rain and possibly even some thunderstorms.  ♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥ I've been off for 4 days and would like another 4 days!       ♥♥On my mind♥♥ So much.  I overthink every single detail - which leads to worse anxiety and depression.  So I've been numbing my mind - also not good - with t.v. and reading.     ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥ Overnight oats w/ Vanilla Greek yogurt and pineapple topped with shredded coconut.  ♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ Just finished "If I Had Your Face" by Frances Cha.  It was a part of my work book club.  The author jo...

I am linking up with Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday ♥♥Ramblings♥♥  Has anyone tried Ibotta or Fetch Rewards?  I've been using them for about 2 months and I've earned a little over $40! Yesterday I got big boxes of Kellogg's cereal for 74 cents a box!  Prego spaghetti sauce for 49 cents - and last week I got some free yogurt, 1/2 price Quorn products and Boca burgers and Chik'n for more than 50% off.  3 lbs of free bananas too.  Just wondered if anyone else has used them.   ♥♥The Weather♥♥    It is sunny and will be almost 60 today!!  So excited.  Warmer weather is finally on the way! My cat is relishing sitting in the window warming himself!  ♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥   I have a lot to do. A little overwhelmed - a little mad at myself for not getting more done yesterday!       ♥♥On my mind♥♥          I have rented a car a...

I'm joining in with the "One Hundred Years of Solitude" read along, which starts on March 6th.  It's hosted by Silvia Cachia and A Great Book Study .  You can find all the info HERE  More great information plus a TED talk can be found HERE I'm really excited to have this opportunity to read this book within a group setting.  It is on Master List of 52 Classics  that I would like to read.  I got utterly far behind as I didn't read a single classic in 2019!   From Amazon:   One Hundred Years of Solitude  tells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendiá family. Inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad and alive with unforgettable men and women—brimming with truth, compassion, and a lyrical magic that strikes the soul—this novel is a masterpiece in the art of fiction. The ladies have the read-along starting on the author's birthday and ...

I am linking up with Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday ♥♥The Weather♥♥ 40's and 50's this week and plenty of sun!  Thank the Lord spring is on its way!  ♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥ Tired.  I've been sick and I am still dragging.  I don't have much of a cough, buy my lungs hurt and I have been having terrible body aches.       ♥♥On my mind♥♥ Of course I am going to post about the Coronavirus again.  I'm in Michigan and the closest cases to me are in Illinois and Wisconsin.  I've been reading too much and while I am far from panicking, I did get prepared.  We have at least 3 weeks worth of food, cat supplies, cleaning and paper supplies. I have seen that in places where there are a few more cases (WA, CA) that people are starting to panic and empty shelves.  With my back and leg issues, I'm physically incapable of standing in lines for hours and hours - so I feel a lot better know...