Category: Books
November 2025 Book List
15 books left until 2026! My goal for 2025 is 175 books and I am getting so close. FictionPanic Room by Robert Goddard What is in the panic room? Who is in danger? Who can stop it? Only The Beautiful by Susan MeissnerTwo women – two tragic stories – a devastating war and a fight
My October 2025 Reading List
I have two months left to complete my 175 book challenge for 2025. I completed 15 books during October. Reading brings me so much joy and I continue to learn something with every book I finish. Reading takes you into a different world, a different perspective and opens doors that allow you to try new
September 2025 Book List
I am 34 books away from my goal of 175 books for 2025. I need to read 14 books each during October, November and December. I have LOTS of time for reading, listening and journaling and so I feel that this goal is definitely within my reach. I am a reader and I choose to
Book List for August 2025
I can’t believe that it is September 1st! Another beautiful, warm summer filled with relaxation and circles of friends and family is rolling to an end. School starts again tomorrow and the trees are already showing the signs of cooler nights. I read 13 books this month AND rode 509 km for the Great Cycle
July 2025 Reading List
Goodreads has let me know that I am 7 books ahead of schedule for my 175 book goal for this year. I have read 108 books as of yesterday, August 31st. Reading is a change in perspective, an escape, a goal each day – it makes you think and feel. Reading makes a difference. Fiction
June 2025 Book List
You can tell that summer is here because my reading has increased dramatically. My favourite afternoon is a couple of hours floating in the pool, reading a book, enjoying the sun and the heat. I understand that I am blessed and I appreciate every. single. day. FictionMistrust by Margarent McHeyzerOne night that changed the life
May 2025 Reading List
I would highly recommend any of the 15 books that I read this month. Summer is here (or around the corner) and so the days of sitting on the front porch or in the backyard gazebo or by the pool have arrived. Expose yourself to different perspectives – either in fiction or non-fiction and you
April 2025 Reading List
Non-FictionOpen When…..by Dr. Julie Smith This is a book with guidance for some of your tough days and times. Open When…it’s hard to be with yourself…it’s hard to be with other people…it’s hard to be with your feelings…you’re healing by the past…Listen to the positive voice within you when you need it the most. Eat
March 2025 Book List
W e are 25% through 2025 and I am 28% through my goal of 175 books. I enjoy reading both fiction and non-fiction. I believe in listening to and reading books. Reading makes a HUGE difference in my life. It brings me relaxation and perspective, it introduces me to ideas and history and it moves
January 2025 Reading List
Here we go! February is here already and I have completed 17 books during the first month of 2025. Non-FictionThe Little Book of Mindfulness: 10 Minutes a Day to Less Stress, More Peace by Patrizia CollardThis is a quick reads that reminds you of the importance slowing down, calming your mind and lightening your spirit.
Do you need to fix your walk?
For those of us over 50, we need to remember that we are not helpless in the face of the changes that occur in our bodies as we age, and there are practical solutions available. There is SO much living ahead for us and we need to make sure that we can live happy, healthy
The Final 21 Books of 2024
I made it – 175 books in 2024. I have set a new goal for 175 books in 2025. I left my goal the same because that seems to be my personal “zone”. I want my goal to be achievable – it is about 15 books a month. I like to delve into some thick
November 2024 Book List
This year is flying to an end…SO MUCH has been happening in the world. This quote by Adam Grant (one of my favourite authors) ” Disappointment comes from knowing things could be better. Gratitude flows from knowing things could be worse. We don’t control events, but we do choose our outlook. Where we focus shapes
Ishi by Akiko Yabuki
This year for my birthday, my very thoughtful husband found this book (through a colleague) and, he knows how I feel about connection and moving forward and doing my best to be the best version of myself (and help others do the same). This little picture book promotes every aspect of living your best life.
October 2024 Reading List
I am down to my last 35 books this year to reach my goal of 175 books by December 31st. Why do I read so much? The main reason that I read so much is because I want to listen to different perspectives. Whether I am reading fiction or non-fiction, I am reading someone’s perspective
September Reading List 2024
October 1st has now come and gone. I read and listen to books every day. I love my opportunities to share reading and books with children – our days of reading on the porch or reading in the sun are slowly coming to an end. We will soon be curling up with a book by
August Reading List 2024
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges In addition to riding over 300 km for The Great Cycle Challenge this August, I read 16 books. I have 4 months to reach my goal of 175 books this year and 60 books left to read. It is NEVER
TOP 11 AUTHORS FROM MY GOODREADS LIST…
I use Goodreads as an app to keep track of my reading. I took a look to see some of the authors from whom I have read multiple books. You will not be disappointed with any of these authors. Alan Bradley is a Canadian mystery writer known for his Flavia de Luce series, which began
July 2024 Reading List
I have hit 98 books this year and I am aiming for 175. This month, I read 17 books. I have been using the public library lately and finding some good reads there. The issue with libraries is that they don’t seem to manage to get the most up-to-date books and their “hold” process is
June 2024 Reading List
Summer is here so, there is reading in the pool, reading on the porch, reading in the gazebo and listening while walking, biking, sewing and even while knitting or crocheting. I read SO many good books this month. I will continue to divide them between fiction and non-fiction and hope that I inspire you to
How does your garden grow?
Today, as I was sitting in the backyard, I was so surprised to see that my tomato plants are covered with blossoms and even small tomatoes. We have cucumelons and regular cucumbers and cabbage and herbs, our strawberry plants are already starting to ripen and the flowers our blooming. The challenge of the perennial garden
May 2024 Book List…
I read 12 books in May. With my goal of 175 books in 2024, I need to read 15 books each month for the next 7 months. So, now, when I start mindlessly scrolling through Facebook or some other form of social media, I remember my goals and move on. Although escaping into a good
April 2024 Reading List
Reading books is definitely my “superpower”! It has been fun to read a variety of books and then share the highlights on our podcasts under “Books Worth Reading”. Lots of books that I read are “inspirational” or thinking books but, many more are just good stories….so below, I have listed things that make a “successful”
My Reading List: March 2024
10 reasons for keeping track of the books you read….1. Keep track of the books you read and when you read them. If you don’t keep a reading journal, how do you know what books you read and when you read them? 2. Record your thoughts and feelings about the books so you can accurately recommend
My Reading List – February 2024
February definitely went out with a bang – snow and ice – or, due to Leap Year, did March actually come in like a lion? I always set myself reading goals each month – I have now reached 27 of my 175 books for 2024….that leaves 14.8 books per month for the rest of 2024.
January 2024 Reading List
I have committed to reading 150 books in 2024. I managed to read 13 in January – I need to up my game a little if I am going to reach my goal and so I am going to be watching less TV and spending more time reading and knitting or crocheting and listening as
December 2023 Reads
….and it is a wrap – I read 154 books this year. I have set a new goal for 2024 of 175 books which is about 3-1/2 books per week. As most people know, I read about 3 books a week – usually on Kindle but, always one on audible so that I can listen
November 2023 – Books I Read
I have 7 books left to complete my goal for 2023. I love to read, listen and think and write about the books I read. I like to challenge myself to read books about different perspectives and aspects of history that I don’t understand and know much about. I recently re-read a quote: “In essentials,
October 2023 Book List
I have 19 books left to read to reach my 150 book goal for 2023. With travel, I did not read quite as many books but, I did manage to read 10 books this month. Spending a few days on the beach between Spain and Portugal gave me a chance to read, nap and listen
September 2023 – My Book List
I can honestly say that I love to read. I read SO many books that I need an app to keep track of them. I use Goodreads because it allows me to track my reads in a simple and efficient way and gives book recommendations. I also have my “yearly” goal. My goal this year
Your job is to stay curious…
Curiousity seems to be the current “buzz word” of the day…stay curious, ask questions, avoid “telling” people what to do, rather listen and continue to probe. Give choices and ownership and your team/family will be more effective because you will have individuals who are engaged and not just sitting back waiting for you to do
August Book List 2023
I have now read 110 out of the `150 books on my reading challenge. That leaves 40 books left until December 31st….there are 122 days left this year…so, that is about 10 books per month. I think that is very doable for me so, maybe, I will even go over…who knows. This month, I am
July 2023 Book List
Once summer arrives, I spend lots of afternoon floating in the pool on m favourite raft….reading. The sun shining and, sometimes, a drink or a snack…just floating and reading. This month, I read (and listened) to a total of 18 books. I am not going to try to rate them. I really enjoyed them all
My 10+ Best Read Authors…
Trying to decide what to read – you will never go wrong choosing one of these authors…. Kate Bowlerhttps://katebowler.com/ Lucy Foleyhttps://www.hookedtobooks.com/lucy-foley-books/ Richard Rohrhttps://www.thriftbooks.com/a/richard-rohr/201735/ Kate Mortonhttps://www.katemorton.com/ Alan Bradleyhttps://alanbradleyauthor.com/ Mitch Albomhttps://www.mitchalbom.com/books/ Anthony Doerrhttps://www.anthonydoerr.com/books Miriam Toewshttps://www.thriftbooks.com/a/miriam-toews/242534/ Robertson Davieshttps://www.bookseriesinorder.com/robertson-davies/ Stuart McLeanhttps://www.thriftbooks.com/a/stuart-mclean/251482/ Heather O’Neillhttps://www.harpercollins.ca/author/cr-100079/heather-oneill/ Liane Moriartyhttps://www.booksradar.com/moriarty-liane/moriarty.html Louise Pennyhttps://www.louisepenny.com/books.htm Kate Quinnhttps://www.bookseriesinorder.com/kate-quinn/ Fredrick Backmanhttps://mmbbookblog.com/fredrik-backman-books-in-order/
June 2023 Book List
This month was a difficult one to rate. I read/listened to some pretty amazing books. I am ordering these in order of my preferences but, I thoroughly enjoyed each book. Summer reading is one of my favourite things to do and I do it ALL THE TIME. I listen when I am cooking, cleaning, biking
May 2023 – My Reading List
In the middle of the month, Barbara Kingsolver won a Pulitzer for her book, Demon Copperhead. I was in the process of reading (listening to) another of her novels, Flight Behaviour and it is my top pick for this month. Still Life by Louise PennyIt is the first in her Gamache series. I am determined
April 2023 – Book List
April was a great month for books – 16 in total – I will list them in order of preference….although, I really had a good month because I really enjoyed all of them. The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch AlbomI love all of his books – he is not for everyone but, this book
March 2023 Reading List
March was a great month for reading. It is very difficult for me to determine which book is my favourite. I read 11 books this month – and I have read 37 books so far this year. My goal for 2023 is 150 books (I read 138 last year) so, I have completed 24% of
Together: Our Community Cookbook
I recently donated a whole box of cookbooks to Women’s Place in Niagara for the book sale that they have annually. However, this week, in watching a documentary about Meghan and Harry, I was introduced to the cookbook, Together. The “Hubb Community Kitchen” came about after a fire in the Grenfell Tower in London brought
The Foundation of Everything is Love
Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest who has written many, many books. He is definitely one of my favourite authors. He believes that people are disillusioned with conservative religion and church institutions that teach that nonbelievers go to hell. He believes that a person does not have to follow Jesus or practice any formal religion
February 2023 Reading List
10 Top Reasons Why Reading is ImportantIt improves creativity and imagination. You learn….you think and you challenge yourself. It increases your vocabulary. It improves tour memory. The part of your brain responsible for memory and attention is stimulated. It increases your concentration and attention span. Reading improves your writing skills – you have more to
January 2023 – My Reading List
This year, my goal is to read 150 books. I am using the Goodreads App to track my reading through the “2023 Reading Challenge”. I have read 10% of the books I want to read this year (including 2 I have already finished for February). Remember, for me, this includes books on my Kindle (which
My December 2022 Book List
I read 128 books this year. I love reading – I love listening to books, reading a “real” book and reading off my Kindle. Encourage a love of reading in your children – read a variety of genres of books. Don’t be afraid to stay in for a whole day and just read, read, read.
My November Reading List
This was a really stellar month for reading (and listening – because I have a subscription to audible) and so it is hard for me to put the books in order but, here goes – from most “fun” or most “impactful”…all the way down – but, I really like every. single. one. Man’s Search for
My October 2022 Reads
I have rated them from my MOST favourite….on down…. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GamusThis writing style was both fun and serious – easy to read and managed to bring to the forefront the struggles of women in a man’s world. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad
September 2022 – My Reading List
Reading is definitely a habit for me – I love it in all forms. I have listed my books in order of preference. I have recently started to use the library again – The Fonthill Library – I am not buying as many books and I am finding some really amazing little hidden gems. The
August 2022 Reading List
A new addition to my reading list will be picking my “favourite” of the month. Thanks to my friend Colleen, who asked me for my favourite from July and I really hadn’t thought about it. So, going forward, I will be doing a little reflection each month and listing my books in order of “enjoyment”
Wisdom from “How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion and Persuasion” by David McRaney
Why do we want to change the other person’s mind? Why is this important? THE THREE PILLARS of COMMUNICATION TRANSPARENCY Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in other social contexts, is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. Transparency implies openness,
My Reading List – July
The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide To Repairing Our Humanityby Sally Kohn Year of WondersBy Geraldine Brooks How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasionby David McRaney Defending Jacobby William Landay The Dogs of Winterby Ann Lambert East of the Mountainsby David Guterson The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to
My June Reading List…
Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thriveby Marc Brackett“We have a crisis on our hands and its victims are our children.” Marc Brackett is an emotional scientist (not an emotional judge) and he has developed a remarkable effective plan to improve the lives of children
My Reading List – May 2022
The Good German Dennis Bock Snow Flower and the Secret FanLisa See Responsibility Rebellion: An Unconventional Approach to Personal EmpowermentKain Ramsay The Last GospelDavid Gibbins What She WitnessedCole Baxter The Orphan’s TalePam Jenoff The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic IllnessMeghan O’Rourke When We Believed in MermaidsBarbara O’Neal My Name is Mary SutterRobin Oliveira The Golden CoupleGreer
April 2022 Reading List
It is getting warmer, the pool will soon be ready to swim in – and my favourite leisure activity – floating and reading will begin. I found some great books this month – I highly recommend all of them. This is How It Is Laurie Frankel An American Marriage Tayari Jones Atlas of the Heart:
A Blessing for Ukraine
By Kate Bowlerhttp://katebowler.com I listen to “Everything Happens” which is a podcast by Kate Bowler. She is a Canadian academic and writer from Winnipeg, Manitoba who is currently a professor of history at Duke Divinity School. She is currently in remission from colon cancer but, she is fragile and brings a truly deep and honest
March 2022 Reading List
Short and sweet…. Black Cake Charmaine Wilkerson Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being HatedAlison Arngrim The Billionaire Murders: The Mysterious Deaths of Barry and Honey ShermanKevin Donovan The Family Next DoorSally Hepworth The Dream DaughterDiane Chamberlain
Reading List for February 2022
Dragon TearsDean Koontz UnlessCarol Shields The Madness of CrowdsLouise Penny The SentenceLouise Erdrich TestimonyAnna Shreve Three Words for GoodbyeHazel Gaynor, Heather Webb The Bone CodeKathy Reichs The German GirlArmando Lucas Correa
Reading List – January 2022
One for the Blackbird, One for the CrowA “life on the prairies” story from the 1800’s with a shocking beginning and a happy ending. – Olivia Hawker The MaidA modern day mystery with some unique characters. – Nita Prose The Perfect Horse: The Daring Rescue of Horses Kidnapped by HitlerIt is a WWII story with
December 2021 Reading List
Busy December days with lots of projects to complete have definitely slowed down my reading – most of my reading this month has been on audible – while I was sewing or baking or cooking. Greenlights – Matthew McConnaughey The Night Circus – by Erin Morgenstern All the Best People– by Sonja Young A Corruption
November 2021 Reading List
A Slow Fire Burning Paula Hawkins The Art Dying Ambrose Parry Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted Suleika Jaouad The Girls in the Stilt House Kelly Mustian In the Sanctuary of Outcasts Neil W. White III Operation Angus Terry Fallis Somewhere in the Unknown World: A Collective Refugee Memoir Kao Kalia Yang
October 2021 Reading List
The Hummingbird’s Daughter – Luis Alberto Urrea Apples Never Fall– Liane Moriarty The Push – Ashley Audrain Call Me Indian: From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the NHL’s First Treaty Indigenous Player– Fred Sasadkamoose Speak, Silence – Kim Echlin Five Little Indians – Michelle Good Rising Strong – Brene Brown Fight Night –
September 2021 Reading List
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry Gabrielle Zevin “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power Jody Wilson – Rayboud Expecting To Die Lisa Jackson Flight Patterns Karen White The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row Anthony Ray Hinton, Lara Love Hardin, Bryan Stevenson The Innocents Michael Crummey
August 2021 – My Reading List
The Snow Child – Eowyn Ivey Case Histories – Kate Atkinson The Twenty-Ninth Day – Alex Messenger The Winter Wives – Linden MacIntyre The Husband’s Secret – Liane Moriarty Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman My Secret Sister – Helen Edwards and Jenny Lee Smith The Second Time Around – Mary Higgins Clark
July 2021 – Reading List
The Friday Night Knitting Club – Kate Jacobs Good Company – Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II – Madline Martin The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell – Robert Dugoni The Widow of Rose House – Diana Biller All About Us – Tom Ellen The Lady of the
June Reads 2021
In Another Time – Jillian CantorDon’t You Cry – Mary KubicaThe Blackhouse – Peter MayAgent Running in the Field – John le CarreThe Secrets Between Us – Thrity UmrigarProfessional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual – Luvvie Ajayi JonesThe Girl with the Louding Voice – Abi DareThe Whiskey King: The remarkable true story of Canada’s most infamous
May Reading List
Downfall – Robert RotenbergMoloka’i – Alan BrennertAnd Then There Were Nuns: Adventures in a Cloistered Life – Jane ChristmasEast Coast Girls – Kerry KletterEverything is Spiritual: Who We are and What We’re Doing Here – Rob BellHomecoming – Yaa GyasiUpstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They HappenDaring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable
The Ten Best Female Characters in Literature
Jo March Little Women – Louisa May Alcott Jane Eyre Anne ShirleyAnne of Green Gables – Lucy Maud Montgomery Lizzie BennettPride and Prejudice – Jane Austen ClaireOutlander – Diana Gabaldon MadelineLudwig Bemelmans and John Bemelmans Marciano MatildaRoald Dahl Laura Ingalls Little House on the Prairie – Laura Ingalls Wilder Lucy The Chronicles of Narnia by
April Reading List
Wickham Hall by Cathy BramleyToo Much ad Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. TrumpWhen the Moon is Low by Nadia HashimiThe Vanishing Half by Brit BennettBring Me Back by B.A. ParisIcebergs by Rebecca JohnsThe Rose Code by Kate QuinnShakespeare’s Wife by Germaine GreerBlue Moon by Lee ChildOur
March Books
Little Cruelties – Liz NugentA Tiny Bit Marvelous – Dawn FrenchBraving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone – Brene BrownThe Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart TolleConversations with Friends – Sally RooneyIt’s OK to Laugh: About My Husband’s Tumour and Other Horrible Things –
I Love to Read
I read every single day. My dream day is to curl up with a book, in a warm, sunny sport, preferably by water and read. I usually have three books on the go at the same time – one on audible, one “real” book and one on my kindle. My kindle is old – it