Crazy4reading ROOTS for 2016!!

I am in again this year. I am moving sometime in 2016 and really need to get through some of my own books. I have a lot of books. I cataloged all of my books and have them sorted into boxes by author's last name to pack up. That will hopefully help with getting things organized in my new place.

My goal is 40 ROOTS this year. Hoping they will all be physical books. The books will have to be purchased, gifted before 2016. I will count ER books even if I win those this year.

My Ticker:




I am going to try and keep track of how many new books I buy in 2016. I don't think I buy that many books so I want to see how many I actually to buy this year.




15,000 Plus page challenge:

Books read by month.

JANUARY
1. Along came a spider by James Patterson
2. Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie

FEBRUARY
1. Cat in the Crypt by Ben Baglio
2. Otherwise known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

MARCH
1. Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
2. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

APRIL
1. Junie B Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime by Barabara Park
2. Ricky Martin a scrapbook in words and pictures by Anne M. Raso
3. Chosen by P.C. Cast

MAY
1. A Pizza the size of the sun by Jack Prelutsky
2. Contact by Carl Sagan
3. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
4. I'd tell you I'd love you but then I'd have to kill you by Ally Carter
5. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
6. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

JUNE
No books read :(

JULY
1. Pyramid: A Novel (Jack Howard) by David Gibbins

Yeah, you found us again! Happy ROOTing, Monica!

Welcome back and good luck with your challenge and the eventual move!

Welcome back & Happy 2016 ROOTing!

Oh, I did a remodel in early 2015 and had to pack up all the books and move them to storage, I know how daunting that is. Good luck with both moving them and reading them!

Monica, Glad you are coming back again.

Would you please be so kind as to copy your cute ticker to the ticker thread. If you have any problems, please let me know.

>8 cyderry: done!! Great to be back!

Thank you!

Hi Monica! Good luck with your ROOT reading!

Great to see you again and good luck with your move and your ROOTing!

Welcome back, and Happy ROOTing!!!

>11 lkernagh: Thanks.
>12 connie53: Happy New Year to you too!!
>13 Tess_W: Happy New Year to you too!
>14 MissWatson: Thank you. It is great to be back
>15 LauraBrook: Thank you, great to be back!

I finished my first ROOT of 2016!!

1. Along Came a Spider by James Patterson

My second book by James Patterson and I was not disappointed in this one either. I have finally met Dr. Alex Cross. This book kept me guessing as to who was guilty. I could tell that there was a twist in this book but I wasn't able to figure it out right away.

Alex Cross gets assigned to a kidnapping at an elite school in Washington DC even though he already has a case. It seems like a cut and dry case and that it could be solved quickly. That is not what happens.

There are some many twists in this book that it kept me on my toes. I will be continuing this series.

4 stars

I am currently reading:

Cat Among Pigeons by Agatha Christie
Pretend you don't see her by Mary Higgins Clark
Quirkology by Richard Wiseman
No Place to Hide: A Novel by Susan Lewis
Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I also need to read:
Pyramid by David Gibbins
Plus my other ER books.

Wow, Monica. You are reading lots of books simultaneously. I could not do that! I would get all the stories and people mixed.

>16 crazy4reading:, I'd be interested to hear what you think of David Gibbins. I read one of his Jack Howard novels The Tiger Warrior and thought it was quite similar to some of Clive Cussler's works. I thought the history lectures were fascinating (though somewhat info-dump-y). I'd certainly love to know what disparate elements he brings together in Pyramid!

>17 connie53: Right now I am concentrating on Cat Among Pigeons. Then we will see what will be next. Sometimes I start a book and then I find myself picking up a different one because of the room I am in at the time, or if I am out and decide to read one on my phone.

>18 Caramellunacy: This will be my first book by David Gibbins. I don't think I have read any of Clive Cussler's books so won't be able to tell if they are similar or not.

I finished my second ROOT this past weekend. Finally getting around to posting my review:

#2. Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie

I love a good mystery and Cat among Pigeons is just that. Agatha Christie is one mystery writer I enjoy reading.

There is not just one murder, but three murders in a prestigious English school, Meadowbank. The book starts out with meeting the characters before they are in school.

I enjoyed the story and how it was written. I kept trying to figure out who did it and I love the fact that I didn't know until the very end.

5 stars

I am currently reading one of my ER books No Place to Hide: A Novel by Susan Lewis and I am enjoying it. I am only up to Chapter 2 and finding it interesting. I have a few more books to read too.

I am still waiting to hear about my house. IF I could get a more definitive date on when I would be moving I would start packing up more. I don't want to live out of boxes for too long. Hoping to hear something this week.

I finished 2 books this weekend. I was packing up some books and decided to take 2 short children's or young reader books. Now I can donate them to either a school or library.

3. Cat in the Crypt by Ben Baglio

I really enjoyed this book. It was a cute story about a missing cat and how everyone in the parish was seeing a white/gray cat. The new priest is allergic to cats and doesn't want a cat. I am glad I took the time to read it.

5 stars

4. Otherwise known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

I love Judy Blume books. This is a great story of a young girl and how she thinks. She has fears but doesn't like to admit it. She has an older sister and this made me think of time about my older sister and how I felt she could ruin things for me or acted like she was the best.

5 stars

I am still reading my ER book No place to Hide and I also need to start reading my Book club book. The art of hearing heartbeats by Jan-Philip Sendker

>21 crazy4reading: you know, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is not my "typical" type of book... but it was really good! I also read it for my RL book group - I hope you enjoy!

#5. Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

I loved this story. I was laughing and rooting for our heroine Lady Calpurnia. This is my first book by Sarah MacLean and I think I have found another great romance author.

Lady Calpurnia is a young lady in London whose season has passed and has never married or been in a serious relationship. Her brother tells her to create a list of things she would like to do but he doesn't expect her to actually go through with doing the things listed. Some of the items are things we wouldn't think twice about doing. Entering a men's pub. Drinking Whiskey etc.

Lady Calpurnia has a younger sister who is engaged to a Duke and this is what starts her thinking about her life. The man of her dreams Gabriel St. John is a notorious rake and she remembers the first time she met him. I know I will be looking into more books by Sarah MacLean

5 stars

I am now reading Chosen House of Night by PC and Kristen Cast

A 5 star book! Great!

>23 crazy4reading: That does sound like a cute one :).

>24 connie53: it is great to read a 5 star book once in awhile

>25 readingtangent: I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I received it as a gift through SantaThing this past year. I also have a duplicate copy so I donated both of them to my library.

Well I finished a few short books this weekend:

#6. Junie B Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime by Barbara Park

This was a cute story. I read just so I could donate to the library.

4*

#7 Ricky Martin A scrapbook in words and pictures by Anne M. Raso

Well I love Ricky Martin and have looked and read this book so many times I figure I may as well just donate it. I need to make room for when I move. Not as much space to store so many book.

5 stars (Mainly because of all the great pictures)

I am reading but not as much as I would like to. I am moving and packing up my belongings. Hard to read while books are in boxes.

Oh I have to share this. A friend at work has a daughter who loves to read and had 3 boxes of books she was planning to donate to Purple Heart. She decided to give those boxes to me. My plan was to see which books I didn't own or have never read and donate the rest to the Friends of the Library. Well I hit the mother load. There were only 3 books in the boxes that I either read, owned or didn't want to keep. I think I added about 200 more books. It was like Christmas for me.

>26 crazy4reading: Wow! That's a LOT more books in your library! Enjoy going through them all!

>26 crazy4reading: wow congrats on hitting the mother load! Hope it's not too much of a hindrance with the packing and moving! ;) (though we forgive those kinds of hindrances don't we...)

>27 rabbitprincess: I enjoyed going through them all!! I can't wait to get into my new place and start really organizing them the way I want to. I am going to have to invest in some nice shelves.

>28 avanders: Thanks! They have not been a hindrance. I got them all cataloged on here. I have most of them packed except for the ones from the part of the alphabet I had packed up already. I am just glad that my kids don't live with me because they would have told me to just get rid of them.

News about my move:

I am making settlement on Monday 4/11!! I won't be moving in until the sewer is finished. I am hoping to be able to move by that Friday. Now I just need to finish packing up my belongings and I will be ready to go. Now I just need to buy a washer, dryer, and a refrigerator. I hope to do that this weekend or Friday or at least start the process.

#8. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I have mixed emotions about this book. I felt that this book moved slow. I enjoyed seeing things through Tris and Four eyes. That was the interesting part of the book.

I just didn't care for the ending. I was surprised.

3 stars

I still don't see how this series was made into a movie. I didn't find the whole series all that great. I saw the movie and I wasn't impressed with that one either. The movie ended differently. Not sure if I would have liked that ending better in the book or not.

Will post more reviews tomorrow.

>29 crazy4reading: Congratulations! I assume settlement = what I refer to as closing? I.e., the date that you sign all the docs and "it's official" and the bank funds & you get keys? Exciting!

>30 crazy4reading: you know, I read Divergent, but did not read the other 2. I think the movies will probably be good enough for me. I've heard a lot of "meh" about the books, and I have sooo many many other books to read.... ;)

I hope the moving in went smoothly, Monica!

>31 avanders: >32 connie53: I still haven't technically moved into my new home. I am still waiting for the sewer to be finished before I can physically live in the house. I did get a new refrigerator delivered yesterday. So one more step into the direction of being able to live there. I will be going over to do some cleaning of the house too. I may try to do that this weekend. Plus I have to measure my one room to be able to get paint so I can paint the one room before I move in. I will try and post pictures of my new place.

Sounds like a lot of fun - a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun too! Can't wait to see the pics!

>33 crazy4reading: I love to see pics! Before and after!

I finished another one from my mountain.

#9. A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky

This was my daughter's book growing up. I just wanted to read it now that she is out of the house. I really enjoyed reading the poems. I read them aloud to my dog. I could visualize this book being read to children at story time or even at a library reading time. Some fun poems for children.

5 stars

I am reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett for the May Library book club. I am really enjoying it. I am still trying to get through Contact, Pyramid: A Novel (Jack Howard), Something Borrowed and a few others. Would love to finish a few this weekend.

I finished a few books and now just getting around to posting reviews.

#10. Contact by Carl Sagan

I was surprised by how much this book mentions God and religion. I can't say that there were actual aliens in this book. It is suggested but not definite. Interesting story of receiving a radio transmission from space and deciphering the code. I am glad I read the book but it wasn't quite what I was expecting.

3 stars

#11. Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Well I decided to listen to the audio of this book on my phone since I was going to be painting. I enjoyed the story quite a bit. I had heard good things about this book and series and decided to start reading/listening to it. I found myself picturing the actual scenes while listening to the story. Now I will have to look at the other books in the series.

5 stars

I finished a few books the past few days. Here is one of them:

#12. I'd tell you I'd Love you but then I'd have to kill you by Ally Carter

Wow!! As soon as I started reading this book I was enjoying it. I found myself laughing. This is a story about Gallagher Academy which is a school for girls. It is different then your usual private school. These girls are geniuses and being trained to be spies.

I loved the fact that this book is about girls in grades 7 on. The main girls are the girls in the Sophomore class. Cammie who is known as the Chameleon, because people don't notice her, is the one who meets a normal boy and 'falls in love'.

The town near the school thinks the school is for snooty girls. So they usually don't socialize with them. I enjoyed the girls using what they have learned to look into this 'normal' boy to make sure he wasn't a spy. I know I will be continuing with this series.

5 stars

#13. Chosen by P.C. Cast

I enjoyed this book but I felt it was slow moving. I wish I had read this sooner. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

4 stars

#14. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

I love the Stephanie Plum books. Plum Spooky you have Diesel back in the picture going after Wolf. Wolf is able to hurt and control people. I enjoyed this book and found myself laughing out loud.

5 stars

#15. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

I seem to always find new series to start. I haven't finished the Mercy Thompson's series and now I am enjoying The Alpha & Omega series. I enjoyed this book a lot. I actually sat here and listened even though I was headed out to the store. This series is about the Alpha and Omega's in the packs. Not sure when I will read the next book.

5 stars

Wow a lot of books, and looks like you're finding ones that you really love! Fun & Congrats!

>40 crazy4reading: I always love the Plum books!

>41 crazy4reading: That should be Patricia Briggs I think. Or am I wrong about that.

>43 connie53: You are right it should be Patricia Briggs. It is now fixed. Typing to fast and not paying attention. Thanks for letting me know.

Well my reading seems to be at a standstill. I don't seem to have the time to read or better yet, Netflix has had all my attention. My daughter got me into Dexter and I keep watching it. I am finally on the last season so hopefully I will get some reading done this week.

I also took in another dog to help a friend of my son's. The dog isn't too bad but trying to give walks to just one dog does not go over too well. Plus I still haven't moved into my new place so that is adding to my stress.

I have been reading Pyramid: A Novel (Jack Howard) by David Gibbins for awhile now. It is interesting but just not one that has been able to hold my attention for long periods at a time. I think I have about 4-5 chapters left, give or take a few. Would love to finish the book up this weekend.

Hopefully if I finish this book I will be able to get back to some of my ROOT books.

Hi Monica! Did you succeed in finishing the book?

And did you move in to your new place? Is there a date set for doing that? I think it could be very stressful not to know about things like that.

>46 connie53: Hi Connie!! I was just getting ready to post a review for the book. I will say this book took me way too long to read. I finished it while at Barnes and Noble on Saturday for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling. No I still haven't moved into my new place. It is very stressful. I am trying to budget and it is hard not knowing an actual move in date. I keep messaging the people to see how things are progressing but I feel like it is the same answer each time. Waiting for the township etc.

I had a friend check with one of the commissioner about the sewer and looking at the email chain the township hadn't received anything. I did learn that something was submitted to the sewer authority for my road so hopefully that means some progress was made. Now they have to go through the state because the sewer they want to tie into is on a state road. That will be another couple of weeks.

I will post my review in a new post.

#16. Pyramid: A Novel (Jack Howard) by David Gibbins

I have had this book for awhile. I had trouble getting into the book. I have not read any books by David Gibbins before so I didn't know what to expect. I enjoyed the characters and the interactions between them. I found the long history descriptions a tad boring. I understand having to give background information but most of it was just too long. I enjoyed the end when all the action started.

I am not sure if I had possibly read the previous books if that would have made a difference in enjoying the book. I will say if you enjoy the long winded information then this book is one you could possibly enjoy.

3 stars

I didn't realize that I had this book for about a year. I had started it a few time but something always interrupted me from reading it. I knew I had to finish it because it was an ER book. Now I only have 6 books left to read and review.

I also have to post the list of books I have purchased this year. I don't think I have bought that many. Maybe about 6 books. And next month is my Thingaversary so I will be buying books then too.

I have been posting a list of books I got from a friend from works daughter. She had books she was going to donate to Purple Heart and I told her that the Friends of the Library could use some book donations. I took the books to go through and then give them the ones I didn't want. Let's just say I only donated about 3 books. I had never read any of the other books. So I have been compiling a list in one of my other threads. So here is the list so far:

Books acquired from co-worker's daughter:
I received these books in March. It took me awhile to catalog them into LT. I finally realized I could catalog them using the app and it went so much quicker. So here is the list:

1. Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews
2. Candy By Kevin Brooks
3. The Thin Woman by Dorothy Cannell
4. Perry Mason in the case of too many murders by Thomas Chastain
5. Chamomile Mourning by Laura Childs
6. Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs
7. The Black Sheep's Redemption by Lynette Eason
8. Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
9. Death is Disposable by Evan Marshall
10. A Ruling Passion by Judith Michael
11. Annie's Rainbow by Fern Michaels
12. The Unquiet by J. D. Robb
13. The Search by Nora Roberts
14. Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
15. Carolina Mist by Mariah Stewart
16. The Gentle Art of a Servant's heart by Charles R. Swindoll
17. Hot Flash Holidays by Nancy Thayer
18. Nowhere to Hide by Carlene Thompson
19. Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax
20. Enchanted Afternoon by Susan Wiggs
21. The True Love Quilting Club by Lori Wilde
22. Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian
23. The Late Edition: The Godmothers by Fern Michaels
24. Tempted: It Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
25. The Gentle art of a Servant's heart by Charles R. Swindoll
26. FAmily Affair by Debbie Macomber
27. Harvest Moon: A Virgin River novel by Robyn Carr
28. The Butterfly Sister by Amy Gail Hansen
29. Sticky Fingers: Roxy Abruzzo by Nancy Martin
30. Just Breathe by Dee Davis
31. Life A la Mode by Linda Lenhoff
32. Dead Girls Don't wear Diamonds by Nancy Martin
33. See Isabelle Run by Elizabeth Bloom
34. Missing Justice by Alafair Burke
35. Kaleidoscope: A countess by Dorothy Gilman
36. Immortal Bad Boys by Rebecca York
37. The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
38. The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux
39. Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier
40. The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman
41. Saffron Skies by Lesley Lokko
42. The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives by Sarah Strohmeyer
43. Emma's Secret by Barbara Taylor Bradford
44. A Date on Cloud Nine by Jenna McKnight
45. Carolina Isle by Jude Deveraux
46. Goodnight, Sweetheart by Suzanne Simmons
47. Holly Lane by Toni Blake
48. Savannah Breeze: A novel by Mary Kay Andrews
49. Cape Light by Thomas Kinkade
50. Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
51. Halfway to Forever by Karen Kingsbury
52. Necessary Changes by Mary Kay McComas
53. Perry Mason in the case of Too many murders by Thomas Chastain
54. High Tide (Fear Street) by R. L. Stine
55. Nutty as a fruitcake by Mary Daheim
56. Deja Vu (Sisterhood) by Fern Michaels
57. Fatal Disclosure by Sandra Robbins
58. Drip Dead by Christy Evans
59. Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth
60. Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand
61. Abandon the Dark by Marta Perry
62. Still Life by Louise Penny
63. The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson
64. A Place called home by Jo Goodman
65. Single in Suburbia by Wendy Wax
66. The Chocolate Cupid Killings by JoAnna Carl
67. Every Crooked Nanny by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
68. The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
69. A Week From Sunday by Dorothy Garlock
70. The House on Main Street by Shirlee McCoy
71. Going Overboard by Christina Skye
72. Simply Irresistible: A Lucky Harbor Novel by Jill Shalvis
73. Full of Grace: A Novel by Dorothea Benton Frank
74. The Island: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand
75. Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson
76. Dark Visions: The Strange Power by L. J. Smith
77. The Beach Trees by Karen White
78. No Cooperation from the Cat by Marian Babson
79. Nora Jane: A Life in Stories by Ellen Gilchrist
80. Dear Emily by Fern Michaels
81. Follow the Stars Home by Luanne Rice
82. Till Death Do us Bark by Judi McCoy
83. M is for Malice by Sue Grafton
84. Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin
85. The Observatory by Emily Grayson
86. Midnight Clear: A Callahan Garrity Mystery by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
87. Sunset in Tropez by Danielle Steel
88. Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich
89. This side of Married by Rachel Pastan
90. A thin dark line by Tami Hoag
91. Irresistible Impulse by Robert K. Tanenbaum
92. The Unquiet by J.D. Robb and various authors
93. The Tears of Things by Ralph McInerny
94. Julie and Romeo get lucky by Jeanne Ray
95. Someone Like you by Barbara Bretton
96. Thirteen Reasons why by Jay Asher
97. McNally's gamble by Lawrence Sanders
98. Dusted to Death by Barbara Colley
99. Rest in Pizza by Chris Cavender
100. Don't die under the apple tree by Amy Patricia Meade

I am still not done and I am not sure how many more I have left to post. There were a total of 3 boxes of books. I will add more once I post more in my other thread. I definitely have many more roots to add to my TBR pile this year.

Wow, a lot of books, Monica.

Well I haven't finished adding to that list of books that I started and today I picked up 2 large boxes of books from a friends house. She had a yard sale and didn't sell any so she just gave them away. She left them at the end of her curb and send a facebook message to her friends that like to read. I didn't check until this morning and was surprised to find the boxes still there. I don't know how many books there are but now I have to sort through them and also catalog them. I plan to donate some to the Friends of the Library. There are cookbooks and I really don't think I will keep them. I am now officially a book hoarder!!

>51 crazy4reading: WOW, nobody wanted those boxes. Or are you the only friend that likes to read? Have fun cataloging them and welcome to the hoarders!

>52 connie53: I am not the only reader but I must be the only one that cannot pass up free books.

Well I have officially moved into my new place!! Now comes the process of emptying boxes and putting things away. My daughter started putting my books on the shelf for me. My spare bedroom is right now going to be my storage area for books and other items I need to find a place for. It is looking like a nice little reading nook!! I started organizing my kitchen and realized I still need to bring over my toaster and a few other small appliances. I am so excited. Plus I don't have any internet at home until hopefully Wed. Not much reading is getting done right now.

Congratulations on your new home!

Hurray for your new place and for a reading nook! :)

Congrats on the new home and the book Nook!

>54 MissWatson:, >55 rabbitprincess:, >56 connie53: Thanks! So looking forward to using the reading nook. Not sure my dog will like it unless I get a larger chair for us both to sit in

>49 crazy4reading: wow! Looks like a great new ... collection to add to your collection! ;)

>53 crazy4reading: and congratulations!! So nice to have a reading nook too! I love setting up new spaces like that :)

My daughter and her husband went to London over the Christmas Holiday and I cannot wait to see her pictures. She has been sending me snapchats and I have enjoyed viewing them.

I also found some free books at work. They were sitting on the table in the kitchen. Of course I picked them up. I couldn't resist. These are the books I picked up:

How Sweet it is by Sophie Gunn
Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery
The Wicked Games of a Gentleman by Jillian Hunter