Finished Reading “The Running Man” and Merry Christmas!

Well… I started writing this on Christmas, since that’s when I finished my book, but then something drew me away (don’t remember what), and family came over, and then there was a movie to see (we went out to see Song Sung Blue), dinner to cook, and more movies at home (Lethal Weapon 2 & 3—we saw 1 on Christmas Eve), well, you get the picture. Anyway, hope you had a good Christmas (if you celebrate, that is).

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 31

Dates read: December 21-25, 2025
Title: The Running Man
Year of publication: 1982
Author: Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman
Genre: Horror
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 212
Paper or plastic: Paperback
How obtained: In a collection I THINK I got at a yard sale between 1992-1997
Blurb from book: In the year 2025, the best men don’t run for president, they run for their lives…
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: The latest movie came out and I vaguely remember the first one coming out and then realizing it is a Stephen King/Richard Bachman story. I have The Bachman Books (which is in a pretty bad shape) and recognized three of the four stories. For some reason, I did NOT remember The Running Man. So I decided to read it. Turns out I had NEVER read that particular story. Have no idea why, either. The other stories are more disturbing than this one. Anyway, it was kind of cool to see how Stephen King pictured 2025 way back in 1982. Some of it was way off. Other stuff…not so much!

It’s foggy this morning and laundry day for me. Being retired has its perks (like not having to wait until the weekend to wash clothes!). But I do like my routines, so laundry day just moved from Sunday to Friday.

What weekly chores would you move to a weekday if you didn’t have to work during the week?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Sunrise on the Reaping” and I Reached my Goal!

I did it. I reached my goal of 30 books read in 2025. Just barely, too. Whew!

And I’m almost ready for Christmas. All the presents are purchased and most of them are wrapped. Yeah, I got the tree up, but I didn’t put up the ornaments. I seem to do that every other year (at least, according to my memories on Facebook).

My last CT Scan came back great. Still no sign of disease. My oncologist is NOW saying that I may be able to go off the immunotherapy. Apparently, people who have been on it for two years and went off it still show no sign of cancer after two years. While I have been on immunotherapy for three years, I had a reoccurrence of the disease in January 2024, so he’s waiting for that actual two years to pass before discussing the possibility. But he said that doctors are considering those people cured. CURED! I’d sure like that to be me.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 30

Dates read: December 8-20, 2025
Title: Sunrise on the Reaping
Year of publication: 2025
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Hunger Games (between 0 and 1)
# of Pages: 382
Paper or plastic: Hard copy
How obtained: Purchased from B&N
Blurb from book: As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
    Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
    When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all the dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight…and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Took longer for me to read because I was being stupid. Or I just wasn’t in the mood to read. That happens. But once I realized I wanted to make 30 books (31, if I’m lucky) this year, I dove into the book. Then, the book hooked me, which made it easy to finish. This is a good story. Sure, we know what happens to Haymitch in the Hunger Games, but it was neat figuring out what made him the drunk he was in book 1. It is sad. But how could it NOT be sad?

I’ve decided to try and get 31 books read this year, so I’m re-reading The Running Man (by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman). I’ve most likely read it a long time ago. It’s in a collection I have and I remember the other three stories with no issues, but not The Running Man. Why that is, I have no idea. I have 11 days to read it. Let’s see if I do it! In the meantime, Merry Christmas and…

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “You Can Die” and to Tree or Not to Tree

I’m so tempted to NOT put up the tree this year. Except I love the tree skirt I made for it last year. And I do want to put up the dated ornaments I got this year. I just don’t want the work in getting the tree into the living room. And then the work it takes to put all the ornaments on it. And then the work to take it all down. Maybe it’s time to stop. But then what do I do with all the dated ornaments? Do I keep buying them hoping I get in the mood to put up the tree in future years? I’ve been getting dated ornaments since our first Christmas as a married couple, in 1979. And we also have dated Steelers ornaments since 2003 (I think). I’m sure I will put up the tree. It’ll just be a slooooow process.

But I really wouldn’t mind NOT putting up the tree, too. I’ll keep you posted on what I end up doing.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 29

Dates read: November 23 – December 8, 2025
Title: You Can Die
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Laurel Snow Thrillers #3
# of Pages: 354
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased from B&N
Blurb from book: Men are dying in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies found near churches, charities, and counseling centers—each with valentine candy hearts shoved down their throats. They’re good men with families and community ties—or so they seem until Laurel Snow and her team begin to investigate. Then the case takes a shockingly personal turn when the father she’s never met, a former pastor, is attacked in exactly the same way.
    Now, besides solving the case, Laurel is on the hunt to discover where her father has been. Complicating things is Laurel’s troubled half sister, Abigail, a brilliant sociopath determined to prove that they’ve both inherited their father’s malignant narcissism.
    Assisting Laurel is Washington Fish and Wildlife captain Huck Rivers, a dangerous loner whose reliance on gut instinct puts him at odds with Laurel’s coolly analytic approach. But the choice may be moot when the killer hones in on Huck’s own dark secrets—putting him and Laurel squarely in the crosshairs.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: It had been a while since I read book 2, so it took me a while to remember some of the characters. This is an enjoyable series with good suspense and light romance (nothing too detailed). I do recommend you read them in order because of Laurel’s and Huck’s relationship with each other. Oh, and Laurel’s and Abigail’s relationship too. In fact, I had forgotten about Abigail until she showed up. Which really makes me question my memory, because Abigail is pretty unforgettable. Oh well…

Are you one of those who LOVES to decorate their house for the holidays? I wish I knew someone like that (who lived close by). I’d let them take it over. Because I DO like the way the house looks when it’s decorated. I just don’t want to do the decorating!

Happy Reading!

Stacy