2016 Reading Challenges - Final Update

Hi Everyone!
I'm pleased to announce that I have actually finished all of my reading challenges!

I told you a while ago that I had finished the Bethany House Challenge.

With the Anne of Green Gables challenge, I decided that I had already read the final book earlier in the year - Blue Castle. Plus I had actually had enough of reading her books. Not that I don't  like them (they are childhood favourites), but I was ready to move on to other things.

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With Christmas reading, came the end of the 2016 ABC Soup Challenge.

A - Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
B - Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
C - Crime Scene Jerusalem By Alton Gansky
D - The Director's Cut by Janice Thompson
E - Every Storm by Lori Wick
F - Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter
G - Greetings From the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay
H - A House Divided by Robert Whitlow
I - In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon
J - Jennifer by Dee Henderson
K - Kilmeny of the Orchard by L. M. Montgomery
L - Lethal Beauty by Lis Wiehl
M -  A Murder Among Friends by Ramona Richards
N - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island (Lonely Planet Guide)
O - One More Wish by Robin Jones Gunn
P - The Pounamu Prophecy by Cindy Williams
Q - The Quilt by T Davis Bunn
R - Rest Assured by Vicki Courtney
S - Seaside Blessings by Irene Hannon
T - Twice Stolen by Susanne Timpani
U - Undetected by Dee Henderson
V - A Victorian Christmas Cottage by Catherine Palmer, Debra White Smith, Jeri Odell & Peggy Stoks
W - Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow
X - XXIII Olympic Games: The Official Pictorial History, Los Angeles
Y - You Are Special by Max Lucado
Z - Zen Doodle Unleashed by Tiffany Lovering

The final book was for the letter V.

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My other reading goal for the year was to read at least 120 books. I made that yesterday!
There will be a couple more finished by New Years Eve, but I'm happy to have reached that goal.

These books included both fiction and non-fiction and all of the books included in my other reading challenges.

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I don't know if I will be doing any reading challenges next year (other than setting my self a goal of a number of books to read for the year).
I know I won't be doing another ABC Challenge, although I know that is being run again next year.

So stay tuned for news on that account.

Book Review - Breaking Free by Jennifer Slattery

Breaking Free by Jennifer Slattery

(Thank you to Jennifer for my review copy.)

Sometimes it takes losing everything to grab hold of what really matters. 

Women's ministry leader and Seattle housewife, Alice Goddard, and her successful graphic-designer husband appear to have it all together. Until their credit and debit cards are denied, launching Alice into an investigation that only leads to the discovery of secrets. Meanwhile, her husband is trapped in a downward spiral of lies, shame, and self-destruction. Can they break free from their deception and turn to the only One who can save them? And will it be in time to save their marriage?

Jennifer Slattery is an inspiring contemporary novelist whose stories of hope, love, and grace resonate with real people. She is the author of compelling contemporary romance novels such as Beyond I Do, When Dawn Breaks, Intertwined, and Breaking Free. She also writes for Crosswalk.com and devotions for her personal blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud; Internet Cafe Devotions; and Takin' It To The Streets, a ministry serving Omaha Metro's working poor and homeless. When not writing, she enjoys hanging out with her teenage daughter and real-life hero husband, as well as serving in her church.



My Thoughts

This is a hard hitting book. It is a look at the way addictions and a negative family legacy can result in a downward spiral - not just for the individual, but for the whole family. Even families who look like perfect church-going people can have hidden sin, addictions and a lot of serious problems. Yet through all of this, the story brings hope, along with friends and strangers willing to help and pray.

Get Talking - Seasons

Seasons come and seasons go ...

What's your favourite season and why?

I love Spring.
It has the promise of many things new; roses are blooming, forget-me-nots come out, daffodils bob their heads.
Spring brings hope.

Get Talking - Autobiography

Have you ever thought about writing your autobiography?
Our question for this week asks ...

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

We pulled out these cards at the dinner table the other night and this was one of the questions that we pulled out. My title would be ...

Is It Time?

My life is always about waiting and wondering when it will be time for ...

• marriage
• children
• being noticed
• finding friends
• changing jobs/careers
• getting to places on time
• people to finish/start something
• people to come/go
• moving on
• Jesus to return

There always seems to be a wait for everything.

What would be the title of your book?

Get Talking - Style

We are talking style this week.
And the question is ...

Who is your style icon?

Can't say that I have one.

When it comes to clothes, I buy things that are comfortable and modest. I don't go for the latest fashion and if I don't find something one year, I will look again the next and make do with what I have (I'm pretty good at mending and getting better at altering clothes).

Furniture and home - well I'm pretty much maxed out, space wise, at the moment. I could really do with another bookshelf (or two), but there is just no more space in my room to put it. And I would love to replace my desk (I've always wanted a roll-top desk). I have all different styles, although I'm currently in a bit of a white furniture phase (except that dust shows up a lot and I hate dusting). If I am buying, I look around for something I like, regardless of the current trends (I do like Ikea ... hmm ... must plan a trip there, even if just for a look).

When you boil it down, I guess you could say I'm my own style icon!!

Get Talking - Deserted Island

What's the classic question that always pops up at some stage?
Yes, you guessed it, and here it is for this week.

What five things would you take with you if you were stranded on a desert island?

• My Bible
• A water bottle
• A lightweight, large scarf (can be a hat, shade or blanket)
• Comfortable shoes
• A friend

Get Talking - Taste of Summer

So we have just started spring and already many people are already looking forward to summer. Not me, well except for the fact that it will make me an Auntie, summer holidays, Christmas and my birthday. I struggle with hot days and sad memories of people who are no longer with us.

Anyway ... this is meant to be a lighthearted post.

What's your favourite ice-cream flavour?

I love peppermint choc-chip.

It's so refreshing.

2016 Reading Challenges - Update 5

Hi Everyone! How are you going with your challenges?

I'm pleased to announce that I have already completed one of mine!
Actually I finished it a couple of weeks ago.

So here we are!
The last book was for:
Contains one of your favourite things in the title - Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

I had thought about something with butterflies or lighthouses, but I had read the ones I had within the last year and didn't want to read them again, so I went with this oldie, but goodie.
I've probably read it 5 times, but it's such a good story.

No more updates with the other challenges for now. It will probably be December before I finish the Alphabet Challenge and I'm still working on the last of the Anne of Green Gables Challenge. Which reminds me, I need to start the next book that I'm reading for that. Which book will it be ...?

Get Talking - Proud

What are you proud of?

I'm proud of my sisters.
They have had some health issues in recent years but keep on going. Not complaining, just getting on with life as best they can.

Get Talking - Perfect Day

What would a perfect day look like for you?

Ah ... a perfect day ...

• Walking and just sitting on the beach
• A sketch book and pencil
• A book to read
• Someone to walk and sit with me
• Leisurely lunch at a cafe
• Antique shops (Op shops would be ok too)
• Dinner out somewhere

Get Talking - First Time Around

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Hmm ... interesting! Just after I turned 30 I started to keep a list of things that I did for the first time. It was fun to keep and had some wacky things on it. I still have the list somewhere! These days, every so often, I will do something and realise that I had never done it before.

I really can't think of anything recently. So I've hunted the list of things I did for the first time since I was 30, so that you can have a laugh!

• Bought a brand new dress (not one from an Op Shop)
• Jumped on a Bouncy Castle
• Gone to Kinder (I was working there, but I never went as a child)
• Bought 3 pairs of shoes at once
• Eaten waffles
• Had a Humpty Dumpty Egg for Easter (you know the ones with Smarties inside)
• Attended an International Sporting Event (Champions Trophy for Hockey)
• Eaten duck
• Watched the same TV series in it's entirety twice in one year (The West Wing)
• Had my face painted (by a 5 year old!!) 

How about you? Anything on your list?

Get Talking - Learning Doesn't Stop

I know I haven't done these for a few weeks. I just didn't feel like doing it. But I'm going to try to do a few while I do this one and schedule them so that you don't miss out on the fun. We all go through seasons of things, and some times of the year are harder than others. This is one of my hard times.

Learning doesn't stop just because we finish school and university. There is learning that happens everyday whether we realise it or not.

What's something you learnt this week?

I have learned that mental strain can manifest itself physically, There was a  particularly hard decision to make at work that could result in some serious consequences for somebody else. The stress of the decision and the questioning whether or not I made the right decision has resulted in physical illness for me. Maybe I would have got sick anyway, I don't know, but the timing is significant.

This was on top of what is always, for me, a difficult time of the year as I remember loved ones who I have lost. There are some weeks where you just wish you could go to sleep and wake up when they are over - this past week is one of those for me.

Sorry for the downer week. I hope things were better for you.

2016 Reading Challenges - Update 4

Since my last update I have figured out the last books that I needed for this challenge and read all but one of them.

A - Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
B - Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
C - Crime Scene Jerusalem By Alton Gansky
D - The Director's Cut by Janice Thompson
E - Every Storm by Lori Wick
F - Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter
G - Greetings From the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay
H - A House Divided by Robert Whitlow
I - In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon
J - Jennifer by Dee Henderson
K - Kilmeny of the Orchard by L. M. Montgomery
L - Lethal Beauty by Lis Wiehl
M -  A Murder Among Friends by Ramona Richards
N - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island (Lonely Planet Guide)
O - One More Wish by Robin Jones Gunn
P - The Pounamu Prophecy by Cindy Williams
Q - The Quilt by T Davis Bunn
R - Rest Assured by Vicki Courtney
S - Seaside Blessings by Irene Hannon
T - Twice Stolen by Susanne Timpani
U - Undetected by Dee Henderson
W - Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow
X - XXIII Olympic Games: The Official Pictorial History, Los Angeles
Y - You Are Special by Max Lucado
Z - Zen Doodle Unleashed by Tiffany Lovering

So that leaves me with just one more book for the challenge!! I won't be reading this one for a little while because it is a Christmas book.

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I've finished the Anne series and started on the last 4 books for this challenge. I'm still not sure what the final book will be, although I may just count one that I read earlier in the year.
Since my last post I have read:

• Rainbow Valley
• Rilla of Ingleside
• Kilmeny of the Orchard.

I finished Kilmeny of the Orchard just this morning.

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I managed to add 2 books for this challenge, leaving me with just one to go.

• Takes place during your favourite season: Toss the Bouquet by Janice Thompson, Amy Matayo and Ruth Logan Herne
• Is at least 100 years old: Misstress Elizabeth Spencer by Elizabeth C. Traice

So how are you going with your reading challenges?

Get Talking - Future

Do you think about the future much? Do you have dreams of what life will be?

The question this week is on these lines.

What are you looking forward to?

• Heaven
• Becoming an Auntie
• Getting married (one day, I hope)
• Having children (also one day, I hope)
• Bed and sleep tonight
• Paperific later this month

Get Talking - Mentors

Have you ever had a mentor? It could have been for any reason - work, ministry ...
I haven't really had one ... well except for when I was doing my CPA and it was a requirement for completion. Other than that, although I have wanted one sometimes it has never worked out.

The question is:

Who's your dream mentor?

I can honestly say that I really don't know. I think it would depend on the context - are they for work or something else? Whoever they are need to be a person of integrity, knowledgeable in their field, and actually care about me.

Get Talking - Sunday

What's your favourite way to spend Sundays?

I like to sit with my family and either watch a movie or play board games.
I used to love going over to my best friend's house and hanging out with her, but that hasn't been possible since she moved out of the country.

Get Talking - Fashion and Fears

Hello!
It's been a good 2 weeks; it's been a bad week ...
2 weeks off work for school holidays, except for the two holiday club shifts that I worked. I got some things done. And then week 2 started with an epic tooth ache. One trip to the dentist (which is somewhere I avoid unless absolutely necessary because of bad experiences as a child) turned into a week of antibiotics followed by a 2nd trip to the dentist and a tooth extracted. Then I've also ended up with a nasty cold - so I may just be going back to work a little later than expected.
I suppose it's given me a little more time to rest, but it's also a little frustrating that things have been cancelled or postponed or just not done.

Anyway, I'm doing 2 questions again this week because I didn't get my act together over the last couple of weeks. I know, I keep giving excuses. Maybe I need to schedule things a bit so you don't miss out.

First up:

What's your worst fashion mistake?

I'm not sure, although maybe it was wearing white pants as a kid and playing in the grass - those grass stains never did come out, but we sure did have fun playing.

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Second:

What are you afraid of?

• Spiders
• Dying alone

Kind of random, but there you have it.

ACRBA Tour - The Warrior Lord's Sword by Ray Hawkins

4 - 8 July

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Warrior Lord's Sword

(April 2016)

by  Ray Hawkins

About the Book:

'The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword ...'That is one of the ways the Bible defines itself. This Devotional takes you into 30 other of its definitions. Your confidence in and appreciation of God's word will be strengthened as you understand its claims.The author's hope is that this book will enrich your love for and understanding of God's unchanging scriptures. For God has expressed Himself within them so you will know Him in a personal way.Scripture is God's breath in print with power to declare His glory. It is His sword to strike against ungodliness. He has given it to us also to guide, guard and govern our relationship of faith in Him.

About the Author

Ray Hawkins, retired after over 40 years as a Churches of Christ minister, enjoys sharing themes from the Scriptures through Devotional writing. Married to Mary, multi-published inspirational romance author, they have three children and five grandchildren. Ray shares his insights in his first two books on Marriage and Children with more ideas to come about ministry and much more. Living in Beauty Point Tasmania Ray heads up a new Christian Fellowship as well as doing relief preaching, community work and writing.

My Thoughts:

I haven't finished reading this yet.
Ray always gives me things to think about, learn and study more.
This book gives glimpses of the purpose of the Bible and reminds us that it is God's Word.

2016 Reading Challenges - Mid-Year Update

I know, I know ... you haven't heard from me about what I'm reading lately. If you read my last post for my Get Talking series you would see that I've been changing over computers and did't have the files I needed until recently. Some people would say, why don't you just put everything on a cloud so you can access it everywhere. Well, how secure are they? Anybody could hack into them if they really wanted to, so I'll stick with having things on my own device. Anyway, on to books ...

Just 2 more books in the Anne series to read, then on to other L M Montgomery books. I'm still not sure whether I'll try to read as many of her books as possible (as a friend suggested) or not. But I've still got time to work things out, since it is only June.

June's book was Anne of Ingleside. I love reading about the antics of her and Gilbert's children. More to come in the next book - Rainbow Valley!

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I've been doing really well on the Alphabet Soup Challenge - just 6 books to go. Since my last update, I have added (books in bold added since last update):

A - Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
B - Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
C - Crime Scene Jerusalem By Alton Gansky
D - The Director's Cut by Janice Thompson
E - Every Storm by Lori Wick
F - Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter
G - Greetings From the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay
H - A House Divided by Robert Whitlow
I - In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon
J - Jennifer by Dee Henderson
L - Lethal Beauty by Lis Wiehl
M -  A Murder Among Friends by Ramona Richards
N - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island (Lonely Planet Guide)
O - One More Wish by Robin Jones Gunn
P - The Pounamu Prophecy by Cindy Williams
S - Seaside Blessings by Irene Hannon
T - Twice Stolen by Susanne Timpani
U - Undetected by Dee Henderson
W - Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow
Y - You Are Special by Max Lucado

I'm in the middle of a book for 'R', then I just need to work out K, Q, V, X and Z.

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Finally the Bethany House 2016 Reading Challenge.
It's been a struggle to find books for this one, but I have managed to add a few squares.

Added this time are:

• Is a nonfiction book about the era/setting of a favourite novel - Lonely Planet Guide: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island
• You found at a yard sale or thrift store - You are Special by Max Lucado
• Has a character with your best friend's name - Jennifer by Dee Henderson (the character is also the title of the book!)

One of my sisters was also doing this challenge, and she has now finished. We will be reading the same book for 'Is at least 100 years old.'

Now you are all up-to-date with my reading challenges. How are you going with yours?

Get Talking - Smiles and Giving Things A Go

Ok, so you're probably all wondering what is going on. "Where are Beth's posts?" I'm sure you've been asking. My life has been crazy. 2 jobs plus church and family commitments mean I'm one really tired person, plus I've had to get a new computer because my last one was about to die, so I've had to find the time to transfer files over, particularly things that I use to post on my blog, plus the usual life essentials. The files are finally transferred, and I have 2 weeks off from the usual work hours - I still have to work a few days, but today is not one of them.

Since I missed last week, I'll give you 2 questions today.

What made you smile today?

It was something that you wouldn't readily think of, but today my Mum went out with a friend, and that made me smile. Mum hasn't done that much over the past few years due to things that have been going on in our family, so for her to get out without any of her daughters was an amazing thing.

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What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

If I could try anything, knowing that I wouldn't fail, I'd go ahead and learn to fly aeroplanes (of course I would also have to have the money to pay for the lessons). Ever since my first flight (even though it wasn't the greatest experience or for a nice reason) I've wanted to be able to fly myself. I love seeing what the world is like from the air.

What about you? What made you smile? What would you try?

Get Talking - Future Plans

One thing that I never really done in my life is make long-term plans. Sure, I have ideas of what I would like life to be, but so far none of that has worked out. This week's question says:

Where do you want to be five years from now?

In 5 years I would really like to be married and raising a family. I'd like to be a stay-at-home Mum.

ACRBA Tour - Shoes Off Feet Up by Ellen Carr

6 – 10 June

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Shoes Off Feet Up

(By HopePost Publishing, 25 November 2015)

by  Ellen Carr

About the Book:

Shoes Off, Feet Up: Poems of everyday life and faith invites you to sit down, put your feet up and read awhile. It celebrates life with all its fun and adventures, its blessings and encouragements and its challenges. Some of Ellen's poems touch on the light-hearted and humorous side of life, some rejoice in the joys of life and nature, while others deal with the deeper issues of living with faith in God. 

You are invited to dip into this book and find some treasures. You will be blessed, encouraged and amused by these poems, and occasionally you will be challenged. Shoes Off, Feet Up ~ poems you will want to return to again and again. 



Ellen Carr is an award winning author who lives in Melbourne, Australia. She writes about life, nature, things of amusement, and of her faith in God. She enjoys seeing the funny side of life, as well as pondering things of more serious importance.

About the Author

Ellen Carr lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband,Rod. She has two adult daughters, Sarah and Alison, who have flown the nest. When she isn’t busy writing, Ellen delights in pottering about, drinking coffee, singing in a community choir, volunteering as a Christian religious studies teacher, travelling, and spending time with family and friends. A retired teacher, Ellen has always enjoyed writing. She has written educational material, radio scripts, short stories, and of course, poetry. Writing from her heart, her works are about life, nature, amusing situations, and her faith in God. Her faith and her daily walk with God are high priorities in her life, followed by
family, friends and fun. She enjoys seeing the funny side of life as well as pondering things of more serious importance.

Many of her award-winning poems and stories have been published at FaithWriters.com, an online Christian writers’ website, and some poems appear in Glimpses of Light, an Australian anthology, which raised money for CBM (formally Christian Blind Mission).

Several of her pieces will appear in the upcoming series, Mixed Blessings. Her poem, Twelve Long Years, included in this collection, was awarded a Judges’ Commendation in the Tabor Adelaide
Creative Writing Awards competition.

In addition, her poems have been read on the radio program, Songs of Hope, on 88.3 Southern FM, in Melbourne, Australia. She also wrote the lyrics for a song, The Peace of God, played on that same station. Other poems have appeared in church news sheets, religious educational material, magazines, and on Ellen’s blog.
You can find more of her work, and a link to her blog, at her website: Ellen Carr, Postbox Poetry and HopePost Publishing, at: postboxpoetry.wordpress.com

My Thoughts:

So many of these poems I can relate to and see the pictures they represent in my head or around me; things I've done and said.
Birds in the bird-bath, disappearing post boxes, tissues going through the wash, whale watching in Warnambool ...

Good work Ellen. I hope I can read more of your poems in the future.

Get Talking - Circus

Yes, I know I missed the last 2 weeks, but since there are only 50 cards in the pack it doesn't really matter.
So, getting back to the cards, this weeks question is:

If you joined the circus, what act would you perform?

If I joined the circus, I'd probably be a clown. I don't like performing, so having my face painted so that I was unrecognisable would be good. As a child I enjoyed the Enid Blyton books about Mr Galliano's Circus, but I liked Mrs Brown the best - she didn't perform, but kept things going for others.

Get Talking - Goals

Are you ready for this week's question? Well here it is:

What's one goal you're working towards right now?

A goal that I'm working on right now are my reading challenges for the year. I always set a target of how many books I want to read over the course of the year. This year the number is 120. So far I have read 48. I've got 8 books in various stages of being read and I recently bought some new books! There will also be a vast selection of books that I choose to re-read - like a bunch of old friends!
Some of these books will also be included in the specific reading challenges that I have chosen to participate in this year (speaking of those, I really should do a new update very soon). The original post where I outlined which challenges I am doing for the year can be found here.