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I'm a reader who enjoys posting comments and recommendations about the books I read. You will not find a synopsis with my recommendations because you can just click on the book title for a link to www.goodreads.com for a synopsis and reviews by other readers. I prefer the 3 Reason format: the reason I chose to read it; the reason I liked (or disliked) the book; and the reason I recommend it.

Monday, June 29, 2015

 Urban Wilds (Time-Life American Wilderness Series)Urban Wilds by Ogden Tanner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is part of the series "The American Wilderness" to which I subscribed during the 1970s and it has its own shelf in our home library.  I'm taking the time to read the text of these books instead of only enjoying the pictures.
This book describes the natural areas around New York city and New Jersey.  I enjoyed Tanners text about areas I have not yet visited.  I thought perhaps additional urban wild areas might be discussed, and so I gave it only 4 stars.  I still recommend it for all armchair travelers.


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Sunday, June 28, 2015

Board Stiff (A Dead-End Job Mystery, #12)Board Stiff by Elaine Viets
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I put off reading #12 in the series because I was uncomfortable with the turn the Rob storyline had taken. I came back to the series after #13 was published.
For whatever reasons, I also find myself uncomfortable with the dead body count in so many cozy mysteries.  This mystery has 3, and I really think that third one was unnecessary.
I recommend this to fans of the series.  


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 The Essential Ken Blanchard CollectionThe Essential Ken Blanchard Collection by Kenneth H. Blanchard
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The problem with a collection is the message gets repetitive.


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Thursday, June 25, 2015

 The Voyage of Promise: Grace in Africa Series #2The Voyage of Promise: Grace in Africa Series #2 by Kay Marshall Strom
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it to my Nook library.
I found it disappointing for two reasons.  First, the villians have no redeeming characteristics so they are not more than stereotypes.  Second, this book is nothing more than a set-up for a third book.
I recommend this only for fans of this author.


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Sunday, June 21, 2015

  Death of a Dustman (Hamish Macbeth, #16)Death of a Dustman by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was given to my by my aunt, and I am glad she did.
I laughed out loud twice the first day of reading this book.
I recommend it to all readers.  It can be a stand alone for new readers.


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 The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and OrganizingThe Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I may not need to put as many clothes into drawers because I have sufficient closet space.  My closets and drawers do look neater.  I felt excited when I found a pair of sunglasses, and I did not have to buy new ones.  I don't know how I will tidy my books because that thought makes me pretty anxious because my Goodreads list shows 868 books on my to-read list.  
I recommend people who read this book check out the many YouTube videos for the KonMari method to get a visual of folding.  I especially like the series by Lavendaire and A Young Mum (She has 23 videoes called KonMari Whole House series.)  


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Tuesday, June 16, 2015

 American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for EveryoneAmerican Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone by Marco Rubio
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

My parents gave this book to me to read.
This books falls into a category by presidential candidates, and I found nothing that inspires me.  I agree that conservatives have not had good enough plans.  I agree that resisting liberal Democrats is not enough.


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Monday, June 15, 2015

 El GavilanEl Gavilan by Craig McDonald
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This ebook was free from Barnes and Noble when I downloaded it to my Nook library in 2012.
The pacing is uneven in this story of multiple police departments dealing with illegal immigrants and protecting its citizens.  I was uncomfortable with the descriptions of violent acts and the vigilante justice.  


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Sunday, June 14, 2015

 The Bayous (Time-Life American Wilderness Series)The Bayous by Peter S. Feibleman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is yet another book from my home library shelf of books from "The American Wildernes" series.  Reading this is pure armchair traveling because I have never been in bayou country, "a meeting place for rivers and the sea," Louisiana, Red River valley of Texas, southern Mississippi, and southwestern Alabama.
I enjoyed reading the two chapters about a hurricane in this land.  The names of the two chapters were "Hurricane in Atchafalaya" and "Violence and Aftermath."
I recommend this for all readers.


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Thursday, June 11, 2015

 The Edge of Dreams (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #14)The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I eagerly anticipated the release of the next Molly Murphy series.  I recommend it for fans of the series.


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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

RoomRoom by Emma Donoghue
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was voted Best Fiction of 2010 by readers on goodreads.com, and that is the reason I read it.
I give it only three stars because I find it difficult to recommend to others because its topic and theme disturb me.  


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Sunday, June 07, 2015

Bad MonkeyBad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I borrowed the audiobook from my local library, and I enjoyed listening to it because when I am told a story about Hiaasen's characters they become that much more believable.
I recommend this for fans of the novels by Carl Hiassen.


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 Central American Jungles (American Wilderness Series)Central American Jungles by Don Moser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book has been in my home library on a shelf for the Time-Life series, The American Wilderness.  I enjoy the pictures, and recently I began enjoying the text of these books.
I was unaware of so many volcanoes in this region.  This armchair traveler also learned about its jungles, birds, coastal regions, mammals, reptiles, and insects.
I recommend it for all readers.


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Saturday, June 06, 2015

 Evernote: Unleashed! Remember Anything, Accomplish Any Goal, Get More Done (Evernote for Beginners - Your Complete Guide to Mastering Evernote Quickly)Evernote: Unleashed! Remember Anything, Accomplish Any Goal, Get More Done by Jason Bracht
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was free for a short time from Amazon when I downloaded it to my Kindle for Android app.
I'm glad it was free because I already read Bracht first edition which has the same name but different cover.  Yes, there is still good information.
Buyer beware of books with different covers.


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  Dry Bones (Walt Longmire, #11)Dry Bones by Craig Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I eagerly anticipated the newest Longmire novel, and I enjoyed this one.
I recommend it for readers of the series.  I recommend new readers start at the beginning so they can become fans of the series.


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Tuesday, June 02, 2015

 The Hope of Shridula: Blessings in India Book #2The Hope of Shridula: Blessings in India Book #2 by Kay Marshall Strom
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This ebook was free when I downloaded it to my Nook library in Feb 2012.  It is the second in a series, and it is set 40 years after The Faith of Ashish so Ashish.
I found the story to be disjointed. There is a glossary of terms at the end of the book.
I don't recommend this book.


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