Hello friends it's been awhile since I've been on Booklikes. Every time I would try to make an update or post the website would run soooooo slow. I couldn't take waiting and waiting. However, those who are on Goodreads as well as BL I didn't feel out of touch. I missed you all who I've come to appreciate and value on BL. I want to be an active participant again and hope this site stays user friendly for those like me who are clueless when it pertains to websites and computers.

I set my reading goal this year at 50 books. I would like to get back up to the 100 books I used to read in 2011-2013. Last year I barely squeaked by at 30 books, I think. I'm going for it all in 2017 and am discontinuing activities that were time wasters. I'm also going to stop reading books that are not of my favorite genres, doing so slows me down.

My to be read books for February are very exciting. There are new releases by a few of my favorite authors, new books in series I've read and others that are about some of my favorite topics. Let's hope I stay focused next month. So far in January I've finished 5 books. 

Happy reading everyone!

I finished one book in September and that was The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel. That book didn't live up to my expectations at all. After about 30% I lost interest in the plot and characters and forced myself to finish. I made some progress in Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters, but quickly put it down after I just didn't care what was to come. It was taking way too long to get there. I may pick this book up this month or next, but I'm unsure at this time. I also attempted to read The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. This book captured me from the very beginning, but due to it's visually detailed content I couldn't and can't read it all the way through without breaks. I'm really hoping to plow through it this month without being so emotional.

September was a difficult month. I had a death in my family and plenty of not-so-good health news. I was knocked off my feet a bit to say the least. But as we adults know that is life.... Expect the unexpected and know tomorrow can be a better day!

This month I'm excited about black romance, historical romance, urban fiction and always anything to do with Paris. However, Les Parisiennes is the story of the women who lived during the Nazi occupation. Not a light read, but one I'm sure to find informative. Hag-Seed is the retelling of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. I don't believe I've read that play so, this will be intriguing. The Other Einstein tells the story of Einstein's wife Mitza who was a physicist.

October 4

The Rancher Returns by Brenda Jackson

October 11

A Terrible Beauty by Tasha Alexander

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood 

Diamonds and Pearl by K'wan

October 18

Les Parisiennes by Anne Seba

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

Have you heard, read or are excited for any of these October Releases?

There's a little bit of everything I love in this line up; historical fiction and romance, slavery, mystery, suspense, war and tea. The early reviews on all of these books have been stellar. I am excited. 

September 6

Luxe 2: A La La Land Addiction by Ashley Antoinette

A Deadly Affection by Cuyler Overholt

September 13

A Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies

Darktown by Thomas Mullen

Fates and Traitors by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Orphan Mother by Robert Hicks

September 20

The Girl Who Fought Napoleon by Linda Lafferty

September 27

If I Had You by Heather Hiestand

The Girl In The Castle by Santa Montefiore

September 30

Slavery At Sea: Terror, Sex and Sickness in the Middle Passage by Sowande Mustakeem

Have you heard, read or are excited for any of these September Releases?

If you're a fan of Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld -- go read Raising Steam. Really there's no more to be said.

If you've not read a Discworld book, this isn't the place to start. This is a book that comfortably assumes our familiarity with many of the characters and there is a REAL pleasure in learning more about them, watching them behave as who they are and yet reveal new aspects. The little character reveals are wonderful - and there's one at the end that just plain delighted me.

I'm trying not to share any spoilers and it's difficult. The book is so well-constructed that I want to say "did you see XXX coming?" or "wasn't it perfect when?" or "didn't you adore Flash?"

If you're looking to dive into the Discworld, the series order is here. For me, the true magic of the books begins with Wyrd Sisters, but if you want to read the city of Ankh-Morpork set books, start with Guards, Guards. Unless, of course, you're scared of dragons ;)

Terry Pratchett plays with words. He isn't ashamed to pun - especially in footnotes. His style is witty, critical and compassionate. Some reviewers have noted more serious, sombre elements in his later novels, but I think they were there earlier. He has something to say, and he says it with laughter and hope. Raising Steam is wonderful.