Hooked on Books discussion

Welcome friends!!!! I am super excited for this challenge and make new friends and learn about one another.

Challenge runs Jan 1 to Feb 28th.

Here you can keep track of all the books you will read. When you are done with your name please go to Check in tread and let me know that you have finished. That way you can start on your bonus tasks.

Once both people are finished with the others name you will be given bonus ice breaker questions that will be turned into tasks. So you can learn about each other. If you have any questions please go the Q & A

Hello Carrie

Hi Kat!

How are you? Did u have a nice Christmas?

Kat wrote: "How are you? Did u have a nice Christmas?"

We had a really nice holiday. We spent Christmas Eve with my husband’s family and then my daughter and her boyfriend were at our house for Christmas Day. I live in PA. The temperature was brutal but we got about 2 inches of snow and had a white Christmas.

How was yours?

We spent Christmas Eve with my fiancés family then got train home bit earlier as was train strikes here. We had no snow even though it was promised. I’m a big kid when it comes to snow don’t wanna walk about in it but love playing in it. Then was just me and my fiancé on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Will see my family Friday depending on whether it’s during the day or not will depend on whether john comes or not as he’s working.

Sounds like a busy holiday for you. Enjoy visiting your family on Friday.

I read in your bio you're in Scotland. It's on my list to visit one day!
My husband and I lived in Italy for 3 years and we had a chance to visit a lot of places but Scotland wasn't one of them unfortunately.

It’s not happening now as I’m not feeling great. Will have to be when I’m better. I love living in Glasgow. Where was your favourite place to visit?where do you stay?

Hate to hear you’re not feeling well. I was not feeling so great myself the past two days - head cold/sinus infection. I hope you feel better soon.

We lived very close to Venice in a little town called Azzano Decimo. We visited so many great places. There wasn’t a bad place in Italy. My favorites outside of Italy had to be Lake Bled, Slovenia and Salzburg, Austria.

Do you travel a lot?

Thanks, hopefully feel better before new year. I have a cold, it’s mainly a cough that’s annoying me. That sounds cool. We travel but only in U.K., although would love to go to Dublin and New York
I went to Spain as a child.

Any thoughts on your books? Do you plan your reading?

I would like to go to Dublin as well! We live about 6 hours from New York City so I’ve been there a few times. It’s a great place to visit - very bustling place but with so much to see and do!

I haven’t thought much about my books. I usually am a mood reader. I’m guessing I’m supposed to complete your name twice? A and T should be easy. K may require some thought.

Do you have books planned?

Wow I’m so jealous that you live so near New York. So where do you stay? Oh I didn’t think of it like that but you completing my name twice sounds fair. I have so many beginning with K! I have planned my books but only because I always plan. This is books I’ve chosen.

C - Confessions of a police officer
A - Advent killer
R - Runaway girl Emma tallon
R - Run - Mandasue Heller
I - If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon: Living with and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married by Jenna McCarthy 10/1
E - Every little breath

Can I recommend above suspicion by Lynda La Plante? I noticed a few people read a few a day! I’m in other challenges so not sure if I’ll be able to do many of the bonus tasks. I hope y don’t mind me recommending that book for you.

So we stay in Manhattan as close to Broadway as we can because we always try to catch a show. I’m a Harry Potter fan, so I was quite excited to see Daniel Radcliffe when he was there doing Equus.

I looked at your to do read list. Do you prefer police procedurals, mystery, psychological thrillers?

I read a lot of books from those genres. I’m a huge Jo Nesbo fan - very excited to see another Harry Hole will be released.

I actually own the book you recommended! It’s on my tbr pile so I’ll give it a go. Recommend away - I always enjoy hearing what other people like!

Omg that’s sooo cool! I’ve always wanted to go to New York since watching sex and the city. It’s so cool when u see something that you’ve been wanting to see or someone you admire.

I like psychological thriller, crime series, mystery sometimes but find mystery’s too tame lol. Serial killers with detective is my favourite. I haven’t read much Scandinavian books. My favourite authors are Chris carter and Angela marsons.

I actually looked at our list so that’s how I knew to recommend that one. I started to write a few options down for letters then thought she will think I’m weird. And stopped. What genres do you like?

Agreed! I have a few places that I would love to see (Alaska, Iceland, and Ireland are my top 3).

I'm guessing some of our reading will definitely overlap. I read a little of everything but enjoy thrillers and mysteries the best.

I have both Carter and Marsons on my TBR list but haven't read either. I like the Simon Serrailler series by Susan Hill, the Helen Grace series by M.J. Arlidge, The Washington Poe series by M.W. Craven and the Cat Kinsella books by Caz Frear to name a few.

Feel free to always give suggestions. I noticed you said you haven't read many Scandinavian books...too dark? I'm a big fan but they are definitely dark and dreary to say the least!

Alaska and Iceland would be freezing, I had an author recently who went to Iceland and saw the northern lights so I’d love to see that. Is that why u wanna go? Yes definitely think some of our reading will overlap. I haven’t finished Helen grace series but next one in series is 6th so I’m way behind especially since it’s on 11th and I’ve got them all. Washington pow I love Tilly! I’ve only read first one and I have Cat Kinsella series on tbr.

Carol Wyer, Kerry Wilkinson and Michael wood are others I’m enjoying.

To be honest I prefer to read books with places and names I can pronounce haha - I’ve read a few of this author https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
I loved first and didn’t like second, but have two or three on tbr

Happy New Year! I hope you had a great ringing in of the New Year! My cold is lingering so we had a quiet night in. Watched Glass Onion - so so movie in my opinion.

I definitely would like to see the Northern Lights! I'm a huge animal lover so I would really like to see the Alaskan wildlife.

Helen Grace is one of my favorites. I love Tilly too. She's written so well!!!

Have you picked your first read for 2023?

I'm in some other challenges as well so I'm trying to pick things that work for multiple things!

I read Unwanted. I gave it 4 stars. I have the next one on my TBR.

Happy new year. John wasn’t feeling well, so he didn’t stay up, but all good. We tried Glass onion today and were bored so turned it off lol. I had picked my first two for the year but already gave up on one. which was “I never promised you a goodie bag” but it’s been on my tbr since 2016 so least it’s not on my list anymore.

Instead I’m going for “if it was easy they’d call the whole thing a honeymoon” by Jenna McCarthy - I am doing a challenge and doing the first prompt which is to find a book with a subtitle - hence the strange names! Do u have any subtitle books? Maybe u can join me 😂

I love animals too, especially cats as u can see from my profile. What other challenges are you in?

Hopefully you are both feeling better now?

We watched all of Glass Onion. Wise choice to turn it off!

How is the Jenna McCarthy book coming? I just finished Things You Save in a Fire. Better than I expected it to be!

I'll have to look at my shelves for books with subtitles. I'm not sure if I have any or not.

I always do Theme Wars - this one is Harry Potter. I'm also doing Bookopoly.

I belong to Nothing But Reading Challenges group, Challenges and Fandoms group, and The Perks of Being a Book Addict group as well. Do you belong to other groups?

I have 3 cats - all rescues. Black female that's 6 and not the nicest, a gray tabby who gets into everything and an orange tabby who is the sweetest boy ever (but not very bright). We also have a Westie. He's 15 and is starting to slow down a good bit but still hanging in there. They keep us busy to say the least!

Completion Post Thread:

K - Book: Kingdom of the Wicked
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Pages: 372
Date Finished: 3/2/2023

A-Book: Above Suspicion
Author: Lynda La Plante
Pages: 400
Date Finished: 1/25/2023

T - Book: Things You Save in a Fire
Author: Katherine Center
Pages: 320 pages
Date Finished: 1/3/2023

K -

A - A Spell of Good Things
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
Pages: 352
Date Read: 2/20/2023

T - The Lost Apothecary
Sarah Penner
Pages: 301
Date Read: 1/5/2023

We are getting there. Kind of. I’d got a lot better yesterday then woke up today feeling rubbish again. Johns back to work now so he’s getting on with it. Hoping we are better soon as wanna see my family,

I’m glad it was a wise choice to turn off, I haven’t read much as wanted to finish my other book. As that’s for another challenge which I see you’ve joined in too theme wars, it was for gold.

I’m in so many groups. Romance challenges, nothing but reading challenges, 52 challenge, fiction fanatics. The challenges sure mount up. I love theme wars but sometimes I can’t do them as themes aren’t in genres I like. Like we did one last year with witches etc

Oh wow that’s a lot of animals. We have two cats, their brother and sister Bonnie and Clyde. I’m glad you enjoyed your book more than you expected I like when that happens.. I kind of has that happen with this one as reviews weren’t the greatest that’s why I mostly ignore reviews.

I’ll be getting stuck into Jenna McCarthy book as I’ve only read 28 pages but I like it so far. Will also be starting Melissa Wiesner- His secret daughter - it’s on kindle which I tend to read faster and Jenna book is on paperback

Hope you are both felling better and have made plans to see your family!!

I agree with you about theme wars - I skipped the ones that was with military stuff I think.

I love the cats names. So cute! 4 animals do keep us busy but they all weigh about 10 pounds (except the dog who is 16) so it's pretty easy :)

It's funny. I am completely the opposite of you I think. I take forever to get through a kindle book. I prefer a hard copy any day! I have a ton of books on my kindle but I tend to only read it at night when I am getting ready to fall asleep.

I finished The Lost Apothecary tonight to use for a T. It was pretty good so I'd say I'm two for two this year.

How are your books going?

We are getting there but John had to have a tooth out yesterday so he had that to deal with. Hoping now it’s out it eases for him.

I’m glad I’m not the only one that skips sone months. Thanks just suited Bonnie and Clyde we were walking along the river trying to think of name and river is called the Clyde lol. They have their yearly jag next week so I’m dreading that as they don’t like going.

It’s funny how we are all different isn’t it? Think it’s because I have a kindle holder and use that and also if I’m reading at night in bed John likes the light off.

Your doing well with our challenge I’m not doing great tbh sorry about that. Would you be annoyed if we didn’t do any extra challenges?

Hey there. Hope John is feeling better. I've only had 1 tooth pulled and I know it's not a pleasant experience.

Good luck with the kitties. I know mine get a bit out of sorts when I take them to the vet!

Busy weekend here. My daughter took a trip to the Washington DC area and gave me her 2 cats to watch. So I had 5 cats running around my house. Luckily they all get along well so it went okay. This morning has been a lot of tidying up and getting things back to normal!

Don't worry about the speed you're completing books. I'm reading for other challenges and I'm not at all concerned if we don't get around to the extra ones.

I just finished by Rachel Hawkins. I read and really enjoyed it. This one wasn't all that great.

Started . (It doesn't work for this challenge either). So far, so good.

How's your reading going?

He’s still in a bit of pain but no where near as bad before he got the tooth out.

I went back to work yesterday and now off again as I only work part time on Sundays and the rest is over time but I’m not needed until 20th.

I am reading if it was easy they’d call the whole dam thing a honeymoon which is really good for I. And gonna start runaway girl for R. Do u have books planned for the other three of my letters ? It’s so cool u had 5 cats around bet that’s was busy at feeding times.

Finished first book. Currently reading second

Completed books

C
A
R - Runaway Girl by Emma Tallon
R
I - If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon: Living with and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married by Jenna McCarthy
E - Every Little Breath by Keri Beevis

Hi Kat!

I had a busy week. Had to take both of my parents to doctors appointments (they no longer drive) so my reading time was limited a bit.

Looks like you are moving along pretty good. How were both of your books in the end?

Is John feeling better now?

I have the Lynda LaPlante book to read for one of the A's and I have some ideas for the other A. No idea for the K's yet though!

Hi Carrie.

Is your parents ok? I enjoyed both my books and considering I’ve them for years I’m chuffed that they turned out good. Emma tallon book was a start of a series. Like I need anymore series to read. I have found a series that one of the books is part of a series I’ve not started yet and it’s number 17 so I’m gonna make the first one the other R and it helps with a challenge I’m doing.

I’m 112 pages into a new book Every Little Breath by Keri Beevis it’s very good! This challenge is helping me read books that are turning out really good.


Johns getting there, his cough still lingering a bit! And sniffles - I don’t think different temps help. Hot when cold outside. Cold inside. It’s bizarre

My recommendations for K


Keep You Safe
The Kind Worth Killing
Knowing Me Knowing You

My parents are okay. They both have health issues so we are just working through some things.

I'm so glad you are enjoying your book. Do you quit a book when you don't like it? I always have a hard time not finishing and there certainly have been ones that I should have just tossed and called a day on.

Is John feeling better yet? Hopefully so!

Thanks for the recommendations. I have not heard of Keep You Safe or Knowing Me Knowing You. I will have to look them up.

I actually read The Kind Worth Killing. I think I am one of the few people who has read it that didn't love it!

Happy Reading!

I do give up majority of the time if I’m not enjoying it at all, if there’s something that’s keeping me reading I’ll carry on.

Johns feeling better mostly but he woke up with a sore neck after sleeping funny. So he’s using wheat bag, do u use them? Their amazing

Hope you like my recommendations I especially loved knowing me knowing you.

I didn’t love kind worth killing but want to read next one. How’s ur reading going? I’m 58% through every little breath it’s really good..

Finished every little breath 5* 😁

I have not used a wheat bag. I had to look it up actually. I think we have something similar though (except we fill it up with rice grains).

I love the recommendations. I'm always curious about what others read and like!

I'm glad you liked Every Little Breath! I just finished a book that did not work for this challenge but I really enjoyed.

I'm working on the Lynda LaPlante book now. So far, so good. Hope to finish it soon.

What's next on your list?

Just entered my book on Snowball Fight. We're on the same team lol. Your entry was the one right before mine!!

Carrie wrote: "I have not used a wheat bag. I had to look it up actually. I think we have something similar though (except we fill it up with rice grains).

I love the recommendations. I'm always curious about w..."

I saw a Carrie but wasn’t sure if it was you, I’m hoping you enjoy Lynda La Plante one. To be the honest the remaining books on my tbr which are for other challenges or just ones I wanted to read, won’t work for this.

I’m reading His other woman (I seem to have a lot of books beginning with H)

I have The Chosen Ones by Carol Wyer & Russell Howard: The Good News, Bad News - The Biography and Aftermath by Casey Hillfor remaining letters which will be read in Feb. What about you?

I just finished The Island which won't work for this challenge (but was a really good read).

I have a book picked out for my second A - still considering my options for the K. K is a bit harder than I thought it would be lol.

Do you read a lot of biographies and memoirs?

I just finished His secert women I liked it but was disappointed at the ending, what book did you luck for A . I gave you options for K

I love memoirs especially ones within peoples jobs and parenting or humour and I like biographies. What about you? I wouldn’t say I read a lot. Definitely aiming to read more this year. Going to try for 24 this year. I’ve done two so far.

I was thinking The Alienist for my other A book.

I checked with my library for the 2 k books you recommended. (I read the third.) They didn’t have either one but I was able to request Keep You Safe. The other one wasn’t available even by request unfortunately. I’m thinking I may read The Kitchen House.

I don’t typically read much non fiction. My goal this year is to try to read more of it though. I just bought Spare. Are you at all interested in reading that?

I finished Above Suspicion. I really liked it! It took me longer than I expected since it was 400 pages but is was really good. Would definitely be interested in reading more books in the Anna Travis series!

Hope things are well with you!

Hello. I didn’t realised you’d messaged. Hope you enjoy your choices and hopefully keep you safe comes into your library soon. Good plan that you’ve picked a K. Im interested but think my library wait will be a bit of a wait so I’m leaving it atm.I’m currently waiting on Matthew Perrys book.

I just finished girl on train by AJ Waines, was alright bit slow in middle. I got it in 2016 for Christmas so it was about time I read it Some information given was pointless padding. I’ve now started Your Truth or Mine? also still reading JD Kirk - Killing Code which I’d paused to finish other book.

I loved above suspicion but didn’t like second but never carried on but I’m now intrigued to try third in series. Maybe together at some point?

Things are alright, getting ready for work I’m not a fan of the shop I’m in today as I’m on till and they don’t give me much to do. So hoping for quick day. Things ok with you?

Hi, Hows things?

Hi Kat! Some how overlooked your last message!

Things are going well. Cold and snowy here so staying in and trying to read a bit more?

How are you? Working a lot? John feeling better?

I did love Above Suspicion. Would like to read the next one soon. I would be interested in doing a buddy read for the third one after finishing the second one.

How’s your reading coming?

It’s all good life gets busy :)

Wow I’m jealous of your snow! I want sone to make snow angels then it can go away lol I’m okay had to come home as wasn’t feeling great but feeling bit better now so hoping a rest will help and I’ll be okay for tomorrow.. someone’s off sick atm so I’m covering their shifts I was in most of the day apart from 3 hours

Sounds good. Let me know when ur ready for third one. Would have to be March or after that though as February is nuts it’s shorter but I seem to have added lots to tbr. I’m doing race for challenge on fiction fanatics and uno on another group. U doing any challenges this month?

Readings going alright. I finished 10 books. One of which was only 34 pages so technically 9 full books but 10th still counts.

I’m reading a buddy read with someone which is The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson and The Chosen Ones by Carol Wyer

Either of them could work for the name challenge :)

How’s ur reading going

Hi Kat,

You can have my snow lol. It's really pretty the first time. I love when it blankets the ground and the snow with bright white. I have about 20 male cardinals that hang around and their bright red in the white trees looks stunning!

How's work going? Been a busy week here.

I'm working on 4 books now. Hope to have the 4th one for this challenge finished tonight and then I will just have my two K books. Still waiting for my library hold.

I am doing a couple of other challenges as well. I'm doing Uno. It's one of my favorites! I am also a co-captain on Bookopoly. It's the first time I've ever been co-captain so I'm still learning the ropes!

I'll have to look up the two books you mentioned. I'm not familiar with them.

Do you like the buddy reads? I've never done one. How does it work?

Hi Carrie. I’m not up on my birds so had to look that up. Their so pretty! I finished on Sunday until 14th Feb as I only do over time apart from Sundays and I took the 12th off. It’s my birthday this week I’m turning 35! Don’t feel 35 lol. We are going to a spa near us for an over night it includes afternoon tea and dinner and massage and use of the swimming pool, hydro pool and sauna etc.

What do you do for work? Wow 4? I struggle with two. Think that’s my limit otherwise one gets left whilst I do the others. To be honest even when I do two sometimes I get into a book and the other gets ignore.I’m doing better this time.

Have you had another K that you were interested in? I haven’t played uno before still getting to grips with it and think I’m driving everyone mad with all my questions. How is bookoploy it looks complicated to me.

I do like buddy reads. Some we discuss at the end and some we read a set amount then discuss. Finished Chemistry of love. Still reading Carol Wyer book in paperback and moved on to another buddy read which is Love, Locked Down

Would you be interested as there’s a young adult group on good reads that do them.

Hi, Just finished reading love locked down - I’m moving on to the measure but will do aftermath after I’ve finished my Jd kirk book

Hope ur okay?