43 weeks down! At the time that I started writing this post there is 56 days, 6 hours,47 minutes and 43 seconds until Christmas!  Have you all noticed that I’m a little obsessed with Christmas? I’m seriously counting the days until I can turn my blog into an awesome winter wonderland! Did you all noticed the new fall look to the blog? What do you think? I’ve decided to update the graphics for the season!

Not much to report on the real-life front this week so I’ll hop right into bookish things. I read 6½ books this week! Yes, some of them were novellas but still! I’m super proud of myself.  Had I not ended up in the ER last night with the little (she smashed her hand in the door but she’s OKAY!) I would have finished 7 books.

So, let’s take a look to see what’s new on the blog!

New on the Blog

• [22 Oct] Weekly Wrap Up: Week 42
• [23 Oct] Goodreads Monday

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren’s Page Turners. To take part, you simply choose a random book from your TBR and show it off. Don’t forget to check out her blog and link back to Lauren’s Page Turners.

• [23 Oct] The Storekeeper’s Daughter by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My Thoughts:
★★★★★
The story is somewhat predictable but I enjoyed this book because of the emotional connection I felt to the characters. Some reviewers said the predictability and simplicity was a negative for them but I have to disagree.  This book leaves off without a conclusion. However, the story continues in book #2, The Quilter’s Daughter.
Genre: Christian/Amish

• [24 Oct] Picturing Heaven by Randy Alcorn

My Thoughts:
★★★
**This book was okay. It says that it’s a devotional but it doesn’t really feel like one. It’s more of a muse about heaven and what heaven will be like.  The pictures are lovely but I didn’t like that the pictures are partially colored in for you with gold ink.
Genre: Christian/Coloring Book

• [25 Oct] Wordless Wednesday: Muse

• [26 Oct] The Character Builder’s Bible by iCharacter iCharacter LimitedAgnes de BezenacSalem de Bezenac

My Thoughts:
★★★★★
**Beautifully written and illustrated! My little ones loved this book. With racially diverse characters, adorably illustrated scenes and lessons on character trait—this will be a book that you and your family can enjoy for many years.
Genre: Christian/Children/Bible Storybook

• [27 Oct] The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran Clark & Nick Eliopulos

My Thoughts:
★★★★★
**I loved this book! This book would be a wonderful fantasy to share with your middle grade kids.  This book has elements reminiscent of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter but it’s presented in a fresh, new way. It feels like you’re reading someone’s table-top adventure in ways. I was pleasantly surprised and my daughter loved it!
Genre: Secular/Middle Grade/Fantasy

• [28 Oct] Draw 50 Sea Creatures by Lee J. AmesErin Harvey

My Thoughts:
★★★★★
**This book ranges from simple to complex.  It’s very detail oriented and would be enjoyed by anyone that loves sea life.  I can’t get the hang of shading and wished the book talked more about this but like anything, I think drawing takes some natural ability and a lot of practice.

 

Upcoming Reviews

Really Woolly Christmas by Bonnie Rickner Jensen
Serafina and the Twisted Staff by Robert Beatty
The List by Patricia Forde
Waiting for His Return by Carrie Turanksy
Pay for my Sins by Iryna Combs

Goals for this Week

The Gift is a repeat from last week but I knocked out a few other books that I worked in due to a schedule change!

**A complimentary copy of this book was provided by The Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.

Posted By: Kristin Filed Under: Weekly Reading Roundup, Wrap Up Tagged With: Book Blogger, Wrap up