Finished Reading “The Big Dark Sky” and No Change in Treatment!

So… my CT scan came back clean. No presence of disease. Yay! I told my oncologist that I was willing to take the chemo pill, but he said that he was willing to hold off on it. I told him he won. Which means my treatments will remain the same. Well, except I got a Prolia shot for my osteopenia (precursor to osteoporosis). I only get the shot once every 6 months, so not too bad. So far.

Of course, that could all change if my brain MRI shows differently. I’m still waiting on the results. Fingers crossed that it comes back clean, too!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 10

Dates read: March 14-22, 2024
Title: The Big Dark Sky
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Horror
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 381
Paper or plastic: Hardcover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: As a girl, Joanna Chase thrived on Rustling Willows Ranch in Montana until tragedy upended her life. Now thirty-four and living in Santa Fe with only misty memories of the past, she begins to receive pleas-by phone, through her TV, in her dreams: I am in a dark place, JoJo, Please come and help me. Heeding the disturbing appeals, Joanna is compelled to return to Montana, and to a strange childhood companion she had long forgotten.
    She isn’t the only one drawn to the Montana farmstead. People from all walks of life have converged at the remote ranch. They are haunted, on the run obsessed, and seeking answers to the same omniscient danger Joanna came to confront. All the while, on the outskirts of Rustling Willows, a madman lurks with a vision to save the future. Mass murder is the only way to see his frightening manifesto come to pass.
    Through a bizarre twist of seemingly coincidental circumstances, a band of strangers now find themselves under Montana’s big dark sky. Their lives entwined, they face an encroaching horror. Unless they can defeat this threat, it will spell the end for humanity.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Kind of reminded me of Strangers (one of my favorite stories). Unfortunately, my medicated brain had trouble remembering the people in this book as they skipped from chapter to chapter (especially when I put the book down for any length of time). Still enjoyed the story, even if I couldn’t keep it straight in my head at the beginning!!

Well, spring is here. According to the calendar. Not so much in the air…yet. At least it hasn’t snowed, so that’s one positive thing. Now watch it snow. Ugh!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Democracy Awakening” and It’s a Lazy Day

I had my treatment this morning, which makes me lazy the rest of the day. I figure it’s my right. Not that I’m all that active on other days. But no shopping, no laundry, no chores. I’ll read or watch TV and crochet instead.

Treatments don’t seem so bad (mentally) now that I’m in remission, but it can still mess with my body if I don’t watch out. Especially with a headache. I try to avoid those as much as possible.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 55

Dates read: November 10-15, 2023
Title: Democracy Awakening
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Heather Cox Richardson
Genre: Non Fiction
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 253
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: In the midst of the impeachment crisis of 2019, Heather Cox Richardson launched a daily Facebook essay providing the historical background of the incessant torrent of news. It soon turned into a newsletter, and its readership ballooned to more than two million dedicated readers who rely on her plainspoken take on the present and past in America.
    Now, in Democracy Awakening, she explains how, over the decades, a small group of wealthy people have made war on American ideals. By weaponizing language and promoting false history they have led us into authoritarianism. In this compelling and original book, Richardson reminds us that it is up to us to reclaim the principles of which the nation was founded, principles that have been repeatedly championed by marginalized Americans. Their dedication to the promises embodied in our history has renewed our commitment to democracy in the past. And it is in that commitment where we will find the road map for the nation’s future.
    Richardson’s talent is to wrangle our giant, meandering, and confusing news feed into a coherent story that singles out what we should pay attention to, what the precedents are, and what possible paths lie ahead. In her trademark calm prose, she is realistic and optimistic about the future of democracy. Her command of history allows her to pivot effortlessly from the Founders to the abolitionists to Reconstruction to Goldwater to Mitch McConnell, highlighting the political legacies of the New Deal, the lingering fears of socialism, the death of the liberal consensus, and the birth of “movement conservatism.”
    Many books tell us what has happened over the last five years. Democracy Awakening explains how we got to this perilous point, what our history really tells us about ourselves, and what the future of democracy can be.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I follow Heather on Facebook and also get her letters via e-mail (in case I can’t get to Facebook). They are usually the first thing I read every morning. I love the way she explains it all. I think if I had her for a history teacher, I might have paid more attention! She makes history interesting reading. And this book is no exception.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week! With the way my reading has slowed (because I’m writing/editing—yay!), I doubt I’ll post before then. So… I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that you get to spend it with the people you love (or like).  And try not to eat too much. I know, it can be a difficult thing to do. But I’m gonna try. I’ll probably fail, but I’ll try!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Feeling…Meh

Can’t tell if I’m finally getting a bad reaction to my treatment, or if I just caught a stomach bug that my daughter and husband also had. Thing is, my symptoms are lasting way longer than theirs did. Guess I’m calling the doctor tomorrow.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 8

Dates read: February 22-26, 2023
Title: Listen to Me
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Rizzoli & Isles #13
# of Pages: 300
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are plagued by what seems to be a completely senseless murder. Sofia Suarez, a widow and nurse who was universally liked by her neighbors, lies bludgeoned to death in her own home. But anything can happen behind closed doors, and Sofia seems to have accumulated plenty of secrets in her last days, making covert calls to traceless burner phones. When Jane finally makes a connection between Sofia and the victim of a hit-and-run from months earlier, the case grows only blurrier.
    Meanwhile, Angela Rizzoli hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in all the years since her daughter became a homicide detective. Maybe the apple hadn’t fallen too far from the tree: Nothing in Angela’s neighborhood gets by her—not the gossip about a runaway teenager down the block, and definitely not the strange neighbors who have just moved in across the street. If only Jane would listen—instead of writing off Angela’s concerns as the result of an overactive imagination.
    With so much happening on the Suarez case, Jane and Maura already struggle to see the forest for the trees, but will they lose sight of something sinister happening much closer to home?
My thoughts: I love this series. I liked the TV series, too, but the characters are way different on that, which I have to remember when I start reading another book of this series. I might have figured out the case long before the end if I hadn’t made an ASSUMPTION at the beginning. That’s what I get for not paying attention, I suppose.

I hate not feeling well. I don’t necessary feel sick, just…meh. I certainly don’t feel like exercising (walking or anything), or even eating. Although, I do wish I had some bananas in the house. I don’t feel like going to the store and getting any, though. But if I’m forced to go out tomorrow, I’ll definitely stop and get some.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and… Stuff

I am doing much better in my reading goal this year. I’m also doing better with my writing. Maybe 2023 will be a good year! Well, a good year for reading and writing. For my FitBit… not so good. It died! I was forced to get another because I really miss having that thing on my wrist. I hope I like it. I am not a fan of change. Heck, is anyone?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 6

Dates read: February 9-13, 2023
Title: Tell No Lies
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Quinn & Costa #2
# of Pages: 540
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the mountains just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.
    Quinn and Costa find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking, and more death. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled onto much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost.
My thoughts: I breezed through this one. I guess that happens when you read a suspense that keeps you in suspense that you just want to keep reading! I liked the locale of this book, because it reminded me of when I lived in Ft. Huachuca, AZ. I only lived there a short time (little more than 2 years), but really loved the area. But overall, this book was entertaining and had me guessing to the end.

I’ll be in three book events this year: Literary Love Savannah (July), Books and All That Jazz (Cleveland in June), and now Book Love on the Rock (Rockford, IL in Oct). I need to post more information on this blog, and I will…eventually. But if you want the information NOW, let me know and I’ll send it to you.

Do you like attending book events? The Savannah one is actually a convention (lots of fun stuff for the readers), but the other two are basically book signings. I need to get something written up for my newsletter and I’ll be sure to share it on this blog, too. I really need to get the word out there, and I’ve been such a slacker.

FYI: My last treatment went well. I didn’t have any adverse effects (not even a headache—yay!). I just hope that’s a good thing. Sometimes I wonder if I don’t have any effects if the treatment is working. Isn’t that crazy thinking?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and It’s Treatment Day

I finished reading my latest book a couple of days ago, but just now getting around to writing this (and posting). We got back from our vacation on Sunday afternoon and I feel like I’ve been catching up since then. Also, yesterday I had a bugger of a headache (that stuck around until around 4am this morning), and I really didn’t feel like looking at my computer (if you know what I mean).

But this morning is going better. I leave in a couple of hours for my immunotherapy treatment (and really hoping my headache stays away) and I’m waiting on my coffee to finish brewing (oooh, I think it’s done!!).

Ahhh, that first sip. Yummy.

Anyway… Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 5

Dates read: January 31 – February 7, 2023
Title: Wicked Game
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Lisa Jackson & Nancy Bush
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Wicked #1
# of Pages: 366
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Free from B&N (as a member)
Blurb from Goodreads: One By One, They'll Die. . .
    Twenty years ago, wild child Jessie Brentwood vanished from St. Elizabeth's high school. Most in Jessie's tight circle of friends believed she simply ran away. Few suspected that Jessie was hiding a shocking secret-one that brought her into the crosshairs of a vicious killer. . .
    Until There's No One Left. . .
    Two decades pass before a body is unearthed on school grounds and Jessie's old friends reunite to talk. Most are sure that the body is Jessie's, that the mystery of what happened to her has finally been solved. But soon, Jessie's friends each begin to die in horrible, freak accidents that defy explanation. . .
    But Her. . .
    Becca Sutcliff has been haunted for years by unsettling visions of Jessie, certain her friend met with a grisly end. Now the latest deaths have her rattled. Becca can sense that an evil force is shadowing her too, waiting for just the right moment to strike. She feels like she's going crazy. Is it all a coincidence-or has Jessie's killer finally returned to finish what was started all those years ago?
My thoughts: For a suspense, this book was soooooo sloooooow. I did not need to know the back story of every freakin’ character! The basic story was interesting, I just wish the authors would have gotten to it sooner. Also, the romance was a bit confusing. Wasn’t sure WHO the romantic couple was going to be until almost a third through the book. I got this book free for being a member of Barnes & Noble (a choice from 5 given) and I love romantic suspense, so I thought—no brainer! I’m not going to bother getting the others in this series.

So far treatment is going well. If I have any side effects, I can’t contribute it to the drug. I have too many issues and can’t tell you what effect is from what! At least none of them are severe (which is the important thing). Dry, itchy skin. Weather or treatment? Fatigue. Treatment or just old age? Trouble climbing stairs. Heart or treatment? Or just out of shape? See what I mean?

But I did do better on the stairs during this past cruise than I did last year. I couldn’t even climb three flights last year. I did four with barely a stop for a breather (took them slow, though). So whatever is helping (heart clip, exercise, treatment), I’ll take it!

Now, it’s time for me to have breakfast. I find it helps if I eat before treatment (less chance of getting another headache).

Happy Reading!

Stacy