The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where We Go From Here by Hope Jahren

I read this book because someone recommended it, saying "I had no idea the government collects so much data!" *me, nodding fiercely*

Am I a nerd? Yes. Yes I am. 

I felt like I was taking a crash course on climate science, world history, and consumerism.

This book made me cry, it is not a happy read, but it's a good one. 

I almost want to go back to vegeterianism.

(Ignore me while I turn down the thermostat)

208 pages

Attack on Titan Volumes 6/7 by Hajime Isayama

Oluo is obnoxious. Kinda glad he's dead, 

 but why did they have to kill Petra too?! T-T

The forest fight scenes remind me so much of Naruto. 

The female titan is so cool! I think I know who she is... 

...but I was dumb and didn't put the entire arc on hold at once... Bleeeggghhhhh!!

Yeah, I know I can read this online, but do I like doing that? NO. I'm stubborn.

384 pages (192+192)

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaambi
...He drives an Impala

Armentrout really do love sassy children and boys who love their cars.
Any time Roth says "Stony" my brain thinks of Mushu from Mulan.
Thumper
....I have so many feelings
400 Pages

She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman by Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Harriet Tubman was my favorite historical figure growing up. My go-to research paper topic was the Underground Railroad and I felt like I knew everything about her until I read this book. I learned more about Harriet’s childhood and her family life in this one book than I had learned in the countless number of titles I read growing up. This book uses modern language and style to tell Harriet’s story. It’s a book that we grownups can feel engaged in and appreciate both the writing style and the fascinating, brave woman it depicts. I wish my daughters still needed to write research papers, because this is a great subject and a wonderful accessible title.

 176 pages 

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

I love that the chapter titles are like chapter titles of books that would have been published during the Civil War.
Aaaand I'm going to strangle all of these racists. 
Historical fiction + fighting zombies. Sign me up.
......I am concerned for a very specific character.
480 Pages

Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen

Pirates. Yes. People of color. Yes.
Marcus is cool... I'm stressed about some things, but he's cool.
That's the end?!?!
384 Pages

Everless by Sara Holland

There are so many fairy tale vibes in this story
Ok but the blood time magic concept.
I'm just gonna be in the corner with the cranky boys.
Did I see that coming...Yeah... It's ok 
384 Pages

Week of January 4- Salena

Them Bones (#1 in the Sarah Booth Delaney series) By Carolyn Haines – 336 pages

This irreverent look at Southern bell society is a lot of fun. Sarah Booth is unmarried and over 30 (GASP) How dare she buck convention like that. It isn’t as if she isn’t being pursued by eligible men…. She just chooses to follow her own path to love. 

In this first book of the series Sarah Booth is in dire financial straits and falls headfirst into working as a PI for her friends after “rescuing” a friend’s kidnapped pampered pet. Sassy, southern charm keeps this book rolling along and me turning the pages.  

The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb—352 pages

I love a good, creepy, gothic story. This is the 3^rd title I have read by Wendy Webb and I have enjoyed each one.  Ghosts, secret passages, and 50 year old mysteries are just waiting to be discovered. 

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes- 448 pages

This story packs a punch and includes topics such as education for women/poor, civil rights, small town politics, marital problems, domestic abuse, murder, and more. Give it a go and see what you think.

Read by Salena Morgan

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau

uh oh....
I'm suspicious of literally everyone except Andreus and freckles.
Ok but it's a test of humility....so like....this is gonna go bad.
Just kidding. I trust no one.

"Are you calling me a liar?"

TALK TO EACH OTHERJUST FREAKING TALK.

All of them.
Alexa play "You Ruined Everything" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (That's not the title, but searching the lyrics will get it)....
432 Pages
 

Fable by Adrienne Young

Summary: "As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home Fable has ever known. Four years ago she watched her mother drown during a storm-- and the next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she kept to herself, learned to trust no one and relied on the unique skills her mother taught her. Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to demand her rightful place beside her father. But his rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have multiplied since she last saw him-- and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems."

This book STRESSED ME OUT.

357 pages

MOBIUS | goodreads

The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier

Ok but like...I can't. I like that this isn't about one of the common fairy tales.
Max is cool. We stan.
The twins. Adorbs.
Also....Ella....
348 Pages

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon

THE WEST WING
THE ROSES
I love grumpy introverted boys...My favorite trope. 
Beauty and the Beast + Private School...Sign me up.
Aaaaand I totally called who Gaston was gonna be. 
I loved how the curse in this one worked. 
400 Pages

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

All the Criminal Minds and Sherlock vibes
Ok so I thought it was schizophrenia...
Hey look...Trauma
Yes queen....Like I have mixed feelings about the end, but like...which one hurts more...
400 Pages

Shadows by Jennifer Armentrout

We're identical...like seriously...my brain is constantly thinking "they're twins so they look the same" and "I've never heard of two pretty friends"
Alexa play "I Can Hear the Bells"

Adam truly is Willy Wonka.... I love him

192 Pages

My Hero Academia Volume 29: Katsuki Bakugo Rising

My Queen Momo...I love her
COLOR COVER!!! they're all in an actual battle
All of my favorite boys.
Eraser. Being. The Dad. We know and love. and stan.
Protec the Chilren
Bakugo Growth
....AfRo?!?
THE TITLE GUYS THE TITLE
FDSJKSLAFJAKL;FJ
KACCHAN
ok but like the definition of a hero.
INSERT ALL OF THE DANCING GIFS
WHAT?!?!?
184 Pages

Opposition by Jennifer Armentrout

BETHANY I LOVE YOU
Archer. I also love you.

Jennifer Armentrout predicted 2020.
Ow....We all gonna need all the therapy. 
They are so thirsty. I love it. 
Why can't we have nice things?
.....Bro are we gonna have a callback to the story Daemon told Kat?
That's it?!? Yeah... I really went to her Wattpad and read the other extras she wrote...I'm fine. 
326 Pages

The Emerald Sea by Richelle Mead

I'm just waiting for a cat fight...because my eye is twitching and I hate hypocrites. 
yeah she lost her mittens...right...
....So...St. Francis of Assisi.
nonononononononononono. I have a ship. Please please please. Please don't ruin it....
aaaaaaaaaaaaaand great just great
496 Pages

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

A little Snow White, a little Sleeping Beauty wrapped up with some fantastic illustrations make this a great and quick read. At less than 80 pages and many of those illustrations, this is at two-cups-of-tea length. The Sleeper and the Spindle strays enough away from the classic fairytales it is based on to make it a fresh, interesting read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and see why it was on a YouTuber’s list of best things she read in 2020, even though it was written in 2014. 

72 Pages

Origin by Jennifer Armentrout

#trauma
Luc really does remind me of Five from Umbrella Academy
I'm stressed and yet it's fluffy at the same time...what the frick...but I'm here for it. 
Whaaaaaaaaaaa
Alexa play "Waking Up in Vegas"
...Maybe I should be upset about what happened to some of them...but I'm not.... I mean I'm upset about one of them.
400 Pages

Oblivion by Jennifer Armentrout

Book 3 from Daemon's Perspective--Opal
Alexa play "Closer" by the Chainsmokers...yeah cause they mentioned Boulder.
Look at the fluff. Can we just have that.
And the sneaking. I'm down for the sneaking and training. That's cool.
......Why.... Why must we all suffer....
316 Pages

Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado

We used Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Near by Max Lucado as our advent book/video study option. The series encouraged us to step back from the busy-ness of the season and the challenges of the pandemic to reflect on Christ's birth and what it means for us. It comes complete with an advent devotional/study guide. (224 pages)

This video-based series encouraged us to:

• Revive our wonder that the One who made everything chose to make himself nothing for us.
• Rekindle our connection to the Christ of Christmas who offers lasting hope.
• Lay down our endless Christmas to-do list and receive what Jesus has already done.
• Heal our heartache by embracing the God who is always near us, always for us, and always in us.

The Advent devotional guide content focused on:

• Week 1: Hope
• Week 2: Peace
• Week 3: Joy
• Week 4: Love
• Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

If you haven't read anything by Lucado, I highly recommend him!! 

Christmas Cozies Plus a Couple More

Some people watch Hallmark movies during December; I enjoy cozy mysteries with a Christmas theme. Some were good; some were not so good. Here's the list:

Inn at Holiday Bay: Cookies in the Cottage by Kati Daley

A man is found dead at the Rosewood Estate where Shelby, Sage, and Sierra, are staying for the holiday. Officer Colt Wilder is out of town visiting family, so of course part-time innkeeper, part-time author Abby must investigate. A light-hearted read with enjoyable characters. 133 pages.

Christmas at The Grange: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery by T.E. Kinsey

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her maid, Florence Armstrong are retired spies, planning to enjoy a cozy Christmas at The Grange, when a thief makes off with a pearl necklace. Lady H. and Flo are asked to discreetly investigate. There is a fun O. Henry ending on this one.  I highly recommend this series. You can always expect strong characters and a good plot. 66 pages.

The Fatal Flying Affair: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery by T. E. Kinsey

OK. Not a Christmas-themed cozy, but when I found out a new book in this series was available, I couldn't resist. Lady Emily and Florence are asked to go undercover at an airplane manufacturing plant to find out why a pilot plummeted to his death and if there might be other nefarious activities going on as well.  315 pages.

Merry Christmas Murder: A Roland Bean Cozy Mystery by Rachel Woods

Oh, no! Someone has attacked Santa while he was on break from taking pictures with children. Reporter Roland Bean and his children are eye witnesses to the traumatic event. Bean writes about Santa and his good deeds, eliciting plenty of well-wishes for restored health from fans. But then Bean gets a tip that Santa should be on the naughty list. Is Santa naughty or nice? You'll have to read this book to find out! 340 pages.

Gingerbread to Die For: Dunbarton Christmas Mysteries by Valerie Tate

The residents of Dunbarton are abuzz with excitement. Famed chef Davina Dove has chosen Dunbarton to be the location of one of her special event cooking shows. The mayor decides it would also be the perfect time to host a Christmas cooking contest, with the Divine Dove as the judge. When Dove winds up dead after declaring the winners, there turns out to be plenty of suspects willing and able to commit the crime.  220 pages.

Miz Scarlet and the Holiday Houseguests: A Scarlet Wilson Mystery by Sara Barton

The Four Acorn Inn is closed to general guests for the holiday, but open to a good friend and her family, homicide investigator Laurencia “Larry” Rivera. Innkeeper Scarlet Wilson does her best to soothe the family squabbles while Larry investigates a new murder. To me, the character of Larry didn't quite work, but the others were fine and I am willing to try a second title in the series if one comes my way. 145 pages.

Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper: A Humorous Culinary Cozy Mystery by D.E. Haggerty 

A dead elf is found on the doorstep of Callie's Cakes and it soon becomes apparent he was murdered! Callie and friends decide they must investigate to solve the crime and save Christmas. This was my least favorite of the Christmas cozies. The characters are one-dimensional and the plot was simple. An OK read if you are looking for something light, quick and not too challenging. 108 pages.

Aloe and Goodbye: Southwestern Small Town Cozy Mystery by Janice Peacock

Ruby Shaw and her daughter are placed in witness protection in Paradise, Arizona, a former ghost town. From day one, Ruby is unable to stay under the radar when a murder takes place right next door the day she moves in and Ruby is the number one suspect. Can she clear her name? Time will tell. I liked this title enough to start following the author.  223 pages.