Sunday Post: My Favorite Love Story, February TBR List Winner, & Keeping Busy

New to My Shelves: February's My Lit Box arrived in the mail Friday, and I was eager to open it as always. The theme of the February box is "Three's a Crowd." The book selection this month focuses on loss, friendship, healing, and forgiveness, and many of the items in the box reflect those things in one way or another. I am anxious to read Adam Silvera's book, History is All You Left Me.

Arriving the same day, was a copy of Shades of Milk and Honey (Glamourist Histories #1) by Mary Robinette Kowal (which was one of the winners in my end of the year survey of books recommended by you I will be reading in the next few months--sooner than later, I'm sure!).  The cover of my copy is the older version (I couldn't find the book in my local library system, but was able to purchase a used copy). I thought I would share both covers with you. Which do you prefer?

(the older version)

(the newer version)

What I Am Reading: I am still reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and likely will be all month long as part of the read-along. I finished Tessa Arlen's A Death By Any Other Name and hope to be starting my February TBR List winner shortly.

What I Am Listening To: I am in between audio books at the moment. I need to decide on my next one soon. Do I want to jump back into the In Death series by J.D. Robb, maybe try another nonfiction memoir, or go with something else entirely? The jury is still out.

What I Am Watching: I admit to not feeling very invested in Blacklist this season, but Blacklist: Redemption, which starts in a couple weeks has caught my eye. I also am all caught up with Timeless, which I am still enjoying and trying to ignore the glaring historical discrepancies. I have been watching OA, which I'm still on the fence about. There's also been a lot of My Little Pony and Popples in our house of late. I plan to watch the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead Monday (a day late, instead of my usual week late), which I am excited about seeing. Especially after the end of the last season. 

What's Going On Off the Blog: The Christmas tree and decorations are finally down. We decided against decorating it for Valentine's Day this year. My back is mostly back to normal. The cookie sales are coming along. I had a nice lunch with a friend the other day. Work has been busy. I attended a symposium about internet use and children and families, which highlighted the benefits as well as the risk. And I have been trying to decide (at the last minute no less) where to have my daughter's birthday. That's about it really.

Around the Blogosphere:

• Carole of Carole's Random Life in Books is a discussion worth weighing in on: Random Book Talk - To Re-Read or Not To Re-Read?
• Greg of Book Haven raises a good question: Does Time Dilute The Impact of a Book?
• Books to add to my wish list for my daughter thanks to Suko of Suko's Notebook Three Picture Books for Children

This Week In Reading Mews:

• Mouse's Corner: Flat Stanley Series (I Can Read! Level 2)
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (Top Ten Secondary/Minor Characters I Wish Could Have Their Own Books) (& Top Ten New-To-Me-Series Authors Read So Far in 2016)
• Bookish Thoughts: All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

What is your favorite Valentine's Day read?

I was not sure if I should answer this question in relation to an actual Valentine's Day read or perhaps mention my favorite love story. I cannot say I have a favorite Valentine's Day read per say. It's a holiday that usually passes with a small amount of fanfare in our house (exchanging of cards, maybe a stuffed animal or small inexpensive gift exchanged, if that). I don't generally read anything different than usual around this time of year. Except maybe in children's books. My daughter really likes the book Max's Valentine by Rosemary Wells, but, if I am honest, I'm not particularly smitten with it.

I imagine for Valentine's Day this year, I'll be reading The Handmaid's Tale or my cozy mystery winner.

If we are talking about a favorite love story (which I wouldn't mind reading anytime during the year), I am tempted to list a Jane Austen novel like Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, or even Emma because I have such love for these books. Or what about The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, a young adult novel I read last year which I adored? I think though, I will have to go with The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan, a historical fiction novel set in the early 20th century, in and around Niagara Falls, Canada. Tom and Bess were made for each other and I love their story, not to mention the history surrounding the setting and time period. The love story is only a part of this novel, but it's a memorable one.

What about you? Do you have a favorite Valentine read or love story (It doesn't have to be a romance novel)?

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Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month. 

It was a close race this past week! One vote separated the winner from the second runner up. Coming in at third was Books of a Feather by Kate Carlisle with 6 votes (26.1%). Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flowers came in second with 8 votes (34.8%). And the winner,  receiving 9 votes (39.1%), is Terrie Farley Moran's Read to Death! I am eager to read this one. Thank you to all who voted.

On the other coast, in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, Terrie Farley Moran's Read to Death features Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield, owners of a bookshop cafe. Upon returning from a day outing, the women and their book club find their driver murdered. All suspicion falls on the book club members--could a killer really be among them? And if so, who?


I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 

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 © 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.