My Reading List for 2014

I realize this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I seriously love a good book. I read 52 books in 2013, and I'm wondering if I'm going to beat that in 2014. I did have a couple of children's books in that list, but still. It was reading!

Here's my book review list so far for 2014

Amanda's bookshelf: 2014-book-reviews

Merlin's Blade

by Robert Treskillard

Merlin's Shadow

by Robert Treskillard

Merlin's Nightmare

by Robert Treskillard

The Sinners' Garden

by William Sirls

The Wedding Game

by Amy Matayo

Heart Of Mercy

by Sharlene MacLaren

The Thief

by Stephanie Landsem

The Headmistress of Rosemere

by Sarah E. Ladd

The Dancing Master

by Julie Klassen

Princess Ever After

by Rachel Hauck

Smitten Book Club

by Colleen Coble

Rest in Peace by Mel Starr - Book Review

About the Book:

Master Hugh, surgeon and bailiff, is asked to provide a sleeping potion for Sir Henry Burley, a friend and guest of Lord Gilbert at Bampton Castle. Sir Henry—with his current wife, a daughter by a first wife, two knights, two squires, and assorted servants—has outstayed his welcome at Bampton.

The next morning, Sir Henry is found dead, eyes open, in his bed. Master Hugh, despite shrill accusations from the grieving widow, is asked by Lord Gilbert to determine the cause of death . . . which had nothing to do with the potion.

 The sixth tale following Hugh de Singleton, Rest Not in Peace is sure to find its place among fans of detective and medieval historical fiction.

About the Author:

Mel Starr was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating with an MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970, he taught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years, thirty-five of those in Portage, MI, where he retired in 2003 as chairman of the social studies department of Portage Northern High School. Mel and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and seven grandchildren.

My Thoughts: This is my first Hugh de Singleton, and consequently Mel Starr book, and I very much enjoyed it. I like how the author portrayed medieval times, people, places, and customs. Things we take for granted, like freedom of speech and no noble system, were brought out to a delightful degree. I've always been curious about this time in history, the Plague, medicine, how families interacted with each other - or didn't - and this is right up my alley.

I especially enjoyed that Singleton didn't look down on his wife and child because of their sex, but valued his wife's opinion and intelligence and treated her as valuable and loved. Add to that, no foul language, no gratuitous sex scenes, and well thought out plot, and you have a winner.

Highly recommended for those who loved to read clean mysteries.
*My thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required they be positive.*

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Top Ten Books of 2013

Last week, I recapped all the books I read in 2013. I was surprised at how many there were! If you're curious, you can see what they were here. I realize the year isn't over and I still have three or four books on my reading list to wrap up the end of this year. 

Be that as it may, I have to admit. This year, I found some serious favorites that I refuse to give up. These, for various reasons of their own, have made it to a coveted spot on my book-snob-shelves.

My Top Ten Picks
of 2013:

and...while I haven't finished reading it at the moment, this one


is going to make it as well.  Fabulous writing and a fantastic plot.  Love this book already, and can't wait to continue the series in 2014.

So what books have made it to your list?

Pants. The Forgotten Wardrobe Item

Next week is Christmas. I mean Christmas! And, although I am finished with my shopping per-say, I have been going out a little here and there getting together with friends and buying a few what-nots.

With this shopping season, I'm rather dismayed and, well, shocked at how many women, young and old, large and thin, that have apparently forgotten their pants.

In fact, cuddly hubby and I went to one store in a ritzy part of town yesterday, (I love date-day), and we couldn't help ourselves.We stared, gawked, and then laughed uncontrollably. A woman of average height and not so lean of frame, walked in front of our car (pedestrians have the right of way) and we could see through the opaque tights she had donned that morning. 

Yes folks, you read that right. We could see the, um, dimples, all the way to where her tiny coat met her not tiny waist, and I couldn't help but wonder something. Is this really how women today want to look? Do they actually stand in front of their mirrors and say, "Yes ma'am, you're looking hot today!" and then rush out to show off their wares to the unsuspecting and uninterested masses? 

And, more importantly, 

Is it appropriate to tell these people that they forgot their pants? Or, out of politeness, do you not say a word and hope your stomach remains under control and you don't vomit in front of mankind?

I realize this is a snarky post, but seriously, what is going on in today's woman's mind? Have we women been so trained that we feel we will not get attention unless we showcase our wares, whether we are in shape or not? Have we swapped comfort for dignity and lessened our own quality in the process? 

This is entirely my opinion, and you may do with it what you will. You're not obligated to agree one bit. There once was a time when we women went out into public looking nice and proud of ourselves. Our hair was done, our makeup was on, and we made sure we looked good. I never thought I would miss the days when jogging pants or pajama bottoms were worn out. 

But at least they were more modest and covered the pertinent parts of the body. 

If this trend continues and I keep being treated to dimples and muffin tops hanging out in the most disgusting places, I'm going to need therapy. 

I can only imagine what the men are thinking.

2013 Books in Review

While 2013 has had its ups and downs, its happy times and sad times, its backsliding times and growing times, that isn't what I want to talk about today. I wanted to do a recap of the books I've read this past year, as well as the ones I'm anxiously awaiting in giddy anticipation to finish off 2013 and begin 2014 with a bang.

Action.
Adventure.
Romance.

They've caused me to laugh. To cry. And unfortunately, shut some prematurely because they weren't my favorite and I just didn't want to spend the time waiting for them to get better.

*Note, if you click the covers, you will be taken to Amazon.com, of which I am an affiliate.*

A Backward Glance at my 2013 Read Bookshelf:




Currently Reading:




For 2014:


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