Books I Read in 2016

Between my calling, school and working about 20 hours a week, my reading was curtailed somewhat this year. I only managed to squeak out 55 books in 2016. 

Favorite Book Series of the Year:

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

Great book series for Elementary kids. I got it as an audiobook to listen to during a road trip and while the kids fought not being able to play on electronics for a little while, they quickly got into the story and asked for the next book in the series once we finished one. In searching for a picture to post, I discovered the fourth book in the series and hope it's as good as the other three. 

Favorite New (to me) Author:

Karen Witemeyer -- Great little easy "cotton-candy" reads. Her novels are the quintessential story of two people brought together through some twist of fate and while they dislike each other in the beginning they realize they really do love each other. Of course, no one can come right out and admit the truth so misunderstanding and chaos ensues. I love reading about books in the old west because a part of me thinks I should have lived then...

List of Books Read:

*May the Road Rise Up to Meet You - Peter Troy

*The Patron Saint of Liars - Ann Patchett

*A Match Made in Texas - Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings & Carol Cox

*The Midwife's Tale - Delia Parr

*Full Steam Ahead - Karen Witemeyer

*The Dancing Master - Julie Klaussen

*The Bell Bandit - Jacqueline Davies

*Stealing the Preacher - Karen Witemeyer

*The Lemonade Crime - Jacqueline Davies

*The Lemonade Wars - Jacqueline Davies

*How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie

*The Amish Midwife - Mindy Stains Clark & Leslie Gould

*The Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh

*Goodnight June - Sarah Jio

*Caught in the Middle - Regina Jennings

*A Change of Fortune - Jen Turano

*Her Brother's Keeper - Beth Wiseman

*The Lady & Her Monsters - Roseanne Montillo

*Invisible - Carla Buckley

*The Last Camellia - Sarah Jio

*The Bridge - Lisa Tawn Bergren

*She Shall Be Praised - Ginny Aiken

*The Obituary Writer - Ann Hood

*Short-Straw Bride - Karen Witemeyer

*The Midwife's Tale - Sam Thomas

*The Journey - Wanda E. Brunstetter

*A Respectable Actress - Dorothy Love

*My Fair Gentleman - Nancy Campbell Allen

*The House in Grosvenor Square - Linore Rose Burkard

*Forever and Forever - Josi S. Kilpack

*Midwife of the Blue Ridge - Christine Blevins

*Happily Ever After - Kiera Cass

*Stars Above - Marissa Meyer

*After You - Jojo Moyes

*The Silent Governess - Julie Klassen

*The Maid of Fairbourne Hall - Julie Klassen

*Without a Summer - Mary Robinette Kowal

*Three Weeks with my Brother - Nicholas & Micah Sparks

*A Worthy Pursuit - Karen Witemeyer

*The Book of Tomorrow - Cecelia Ahern

*Glamour in Glass - Mary Robinette Kowal

*Shades of Milk and Honey - Mary Robinette Kowal

*Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

*For Such A Time As This - Ginny Aiken

*Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not? - Travis Thrasher

*Unite Me - Tahereh Mafi

*Ignite Me - Tahereh Mafi

*Unravel Me - Tahereh Mafi

*The Secret of Pembrooke Park - Julie Klassen

*Washington's Lady - Nancy Moser

*Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

*She Walks in Beauty - Siri Mitchell

*To Win Her Heart - Karen Witemeyer

*Sixteen Brides - Stephanie Grace Whitson

*Winter - Marissa Meyer

Books I Read in 2015

I realize this post is several months late...all I can say is that I've been busy with work and school.

Even with all the busyness, I managed to squeeze in 68 books for the year. Guess I'm getting quicker at reading....

Favorite Book Series of the Year:

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer 

Comprised of Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter (bonus books Fairest and Stars Above)

She took the classic fairy tales we all know and love, added a unique twist and brought the characters all together. While the series had a pretty hefty page total of 2223 pages just for the 4 main books, it was a pretty quick and entertaining read. 

Favorite New (to me) Author:

Kiera Cass

Amazing writer...She has another great series I devoured over the course of the year.

Googling for an image I just realized the last book in the series is coming out next month and have now managed to be 131 on the wait list at the library...I'll get it eventually. 

Master List of Books Read:

*Book of Mormon
*The Prince and the Guard by Kiera Cass
*Fairest by Marissa Meyer
*Cress by Marissa Meyer
*A Captain for Laura Rose by Stephanie Grace Whitson
*Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
*Remember Me When by Ginny Aiken
*Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
*The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
*Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden
*A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears
*So Far Away by Meg Mitchell Moore
*This Time Love by Tara Randel
*Summer Campaign by Carla Kelly
*At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
*Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly
*A Beauty so Rare by Tamera Alexander
*Pumpkin Roll by Josi S. Kilpack
*The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
*The Jewel by Amy Ewing
*Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
*The Heir by Kiera Cass
*For Elise by Sarah M. Eden
*The Secrets of Life and Death by Rebecca Alexander
*Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman
*The Last Promise by Richard Paul Evans
*True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
*Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray
*Scent of Lilacs by Ann H. Gabhart
*A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher
*A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
*Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
*The Fourth War by Chris Stewart
*The One by Kiera Cass
*The Elite by Kiera Cass
*This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson
*Grace by Richard Paul Evans
*Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden
*Assassins by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
*Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
*The Selection by Kiera Cass
*Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen
*The Book of Mormon
*Apollyon by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
*Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist
*Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans
*Soul Harvest by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
*Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
*The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer
*Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
*The Blue Cotton Gown by Patricia Harman
*The Seeker by Ann H. Gabhart
*The Heart Remembers by Al and JoAnna Lacy
*Beloved Physician by Al and JoAnna Lacy
*A Field Guide for the Hero's Journey by Jeff Sandefer and Robert Sirico
*A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell
*So You Want to be an Entrepreneur by Jon Gillespie-Brown
*PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
*One More Sunrise by Al and JoAnna Lacy
*An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden
*The Dip by Seth Godin
*The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
*Mastery by George Leonard
*A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell
*As You Are by Sarah M. Eden
*The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen
*The Start-Up of You by Reid Hoffman & Ben Casnocha
*Angel Sister by Ann H. Gabhart

Books read in 2014

In the 2014 I managed to read 52 books, sadly I'm a little down from last year, but since my school work was a little more time intensive I'm not too surprised. Overall, an average of 1 book a week isn't too horrible, but in reality, it normally took me well over a week to finish the average book and during school breaks I would binge a bit. 

My favorite book series:

The Mazerunner -- Super fast paced, had my heart pounding and me flipping pages as quickly as I could to see what would happen next. Read The Kill Order (the prequel) after you read the trilogy. 

My favorite (new-to-me) author: 

Sarah M. Eden -- Awesome LDS author who created loveable and relatable characters. I have a couple other of her books in my stack to read or ready to be requested from the library. 

Here's the list of everything I managed to make it through during 2014. Since I've been on a historical / Christian / love-story binge, most of these titles are pretty clean. If you are wondering if I'd recommend it, shoot me a message and I'll try to recall it as well as I can. 

*The Book of Mormon

*Twice a Bride by Mona Hodgson

*Food Storage for Self-Sufficiency and Survival by Angela Paskett

*The Bridegrooms by Allison Pittman

*Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

*The Kill Order by James Dashner

*The Death Cure by James Dashner

*Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden

*Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

*The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

*The Giver by Lois Lowry

*The Quarryman's Bride by Tracie Peterson

*Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden

*The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

*Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

*The Maze Runner by James Dashner

*Labor of Love by Cara Muhlhahn

*Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeann Gist

*The Messenger by Siri Mitchell

*Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart

*This is my Daughter by Roxana Robinson

*This Golden Land by Barbara Wood

*Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

*The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum

*The Help by Kathryn Stockett

*The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty
*The Midwife by Jolina Petersheim
*The Outsider by Ann H. Gabhart
*A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist
*Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell
*City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
*The World's Strongest Librarian by John Hanagarne
*River of Mercy by BJ Hoff
*Where Grace Abides by BJ Hoff
*Rachel's Secret by BJ Hoff
*Walking on Water by Richard Paul Evans
*The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
*Nicolae by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins
*The Birth House by Ami McKay
*Safe Passage by Carla Kelly

*The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

*Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen

*Tribulation Force by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

*City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

*A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick

*The Fault in our Stars by John Green

*City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

*Because He First Loved Us by Henry B. Eyring

*Morning Glory by Sarah Jio

*The Wind Harp by B.J. Hoff

*The Song Weaver by B.J. Hoff

*City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

2014 BKA Family Gift Exchange

In my efforts to simply life, we thought we'd pull names earlier this year.

Gift-Giver -- Person they buy for:

Adults:
Dad -- Sharon
Mom -- Melissa
Steven -- Preston
Tiffany -- Nicole
Matt -- Dad
Melissa -- Kevin
Brian -- Matt
Nicole -- Rowan
Kevin -- Tiffany
Crystal -- Steven
Rowan -- Mom
Sharon -- Brian
Preston -- Crystal

Kids:
Kim -- Kylie
Logan -- John
Owen -- Katelyn
Evan -- Landon
Hailey -- Owen
Landon -- Kim
Kylie -- Evan
Katelyn -- Logan
John -- Hailey

Books I Read in 2013

And it's time for my annual post of the Book I read in the last year. I made it through 61 books total, 4 more than last year. Which I think isn't too bad because I have been in school since September and only found the time to read 9 since then.

Looking back at my list, I read through a lot of Christian books and a bunch by LDS authors. I find that I don't have time to read through smutty books like I used to. I read a lot of series and found some awesome new authors.

My favorite book of the year.... The Book of Mormon

I was able sneak in 3 reads of this one again this year. I learned some wonderful new insights from my Institute class I took this last semester (and developed a love and respect for Isaiah, even though I still don't understand a lot of what he is saying). I'm looking forward to my next semester of Book of Mormon 2.

My favorite series of the year... The Great and Terrible Series by Chris Stewart

I devoured this series! Written by an LDS author giving a view of Premortal life and the end of days. It gave me quite a few things to think about (and increased my desire to get my food storage acquired.) 

Favorite new (to me) author of the year... Sarah Jio

I was looking for a specific book on the shelf at the library and this one just popped out to me. I tore through it and quickly got her other 2 novels available at my library. Checking her website, I see there are two more that I need to request. 

Here is the list of all the books:

*City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

*The Book of Mormon (again, again)

*Allegiant by Veronica Roth

*A Distant Music by B.J. Hoff

*City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

*The Rapture by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

*The Book of Mormon (again)

*The Bungalow by Sarah Jio

*The Kitchen House by Kathleen Frisson

*Insurgent by Veronica Roth

*Divergent by Veronica Roth

*The Regime by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

*Ascend by Amanda Hocking

*Torn by Amanda Hocking

*Switched by Amanda Hocking

*Love in the Balancce by Regina Jennings

*Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

*The Rising by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

*Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio

*Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

*The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

*Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

*Call the Nurse by Mary MacLeod

*The Time Between by Karen White

*Parenthood by Proxy by Laura Schlessinger

*Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

*Left Behind by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

*Porter Rockwell by John Rockwell & Jerry Borrowman

*Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

*A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans

*When did I get like this by Amy Wilson

*Clear as the Moon by Chris Stewart

*From the End of Heaven by Chris Stewart

*Fury & Light by Chris Stewart

*The Second Sun by Chris Stewart

*Where Angels Fall by Chris Stewart

*The Brothers by Chris Stewart

*Rebekah by Orson Scott Card

*Sarah by Orson Scott Card

*The Book of Mormon

*Mrs. Mike by Benedict & Nancy Freedman

*All in Good Time by Tara Kuczykowski & Mandi Ehman

*Rachel and Leah by Orson Scott Card

*The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court by Bob Woodward

*Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

*Fair Warning by Hannah Alexander

*Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

*While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty
*Grave Risk by Hannah Alexander
*Last Resort by Hannah Alexander

*The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman

*The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens

*Safe Haven by Hannah Alexander

*The Wedding Dress by Virginia Ellis

*Dinner for Busy Moms by Jeanne Muchnick

*Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

*A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

*Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

*Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

*To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

*Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

2013 in Review...

So, I didn't post too many blogs this last year...time just kinda slipped past me. I pledge to do better this upcoming year. To catch you all up with things, here is 2013 in review.

The kids played in the snow...yep, we live in Idaho...it gets cold here. 

In February Kim had her birthday and turned 14.

In March Steven had his birthday and turned 33. (Sorry no pic.)

In April Evan had his birthday and turned 3.

We took pictures to send to my mom for her family tree...

some of them were crazy...

Owen

Evan

Logan 

Kim

We cut hair over and over again...about every 3 weeks. Times that by 4 heads of hair...over and over again.

In June Logan had his 7th birthday (sorry no pics.)

We went to the park and I made Kim do the hard work. 

We went to the park and played in the water...and by we, I mean the boys.

We snuggled on the couch and watched movies. 

We had water balloon fights...it took Bryant and I forever to fill those up, about 5 minutes for them to be gone.

We went camping and hiking. 

My boys and their Richardson cousins taking a break during the hike. 

In August I had my birthday and turned 29 (again).

Owen had his birthday and turned 5. 

Then, the next day...

First day of Kindergarten. (Possibly the greatest gift to me...well aside from the fact that I have to make 3 trips back and forth to Galileo....so I'm looking forward to next school year when I only need to go twice.)

Logan's first day of 2nd grade. Playing during recess. 

About two weeks after the kids started school, so did I. Online.

 Our attempt at family pictures...do you know how hard it is to get 6 people looking at the camera all at once!?!

From family photos...Owen going down the slide. 

Logan with a skeleton.

Evan climbing while Kim makes sure he doesn't fall off and die. 

Our crazy little family. 

All in all, it was a great year for our family. Just very, very busy.

Lots of love and here's to hoping I can make time to blog more often. 

BKA Christmas Gift Exchange 2013

Tonight I finally nailed mom and dad down on pulling names for the gift exchange. We decided to add Kevin, since we keep hearing rumors that "something" will happen by December 31st. Hopefully we did not err in that decision. :)

Adults ($20 limit)

Dad --> Tiffany

Mom --> Crystal

Steven --> Nicole

Tiffany --> Dad

Matt --> Brian

Melissa --> Kevin

Brian --> Matt

Nicole --> Sharon

Kevin --> Preston

Crystal --> Melissa

Sharon --> Steven

Preston --> Mom

Kids ($10 limit)

Kim --> Hailey

Logan --> John

Hailey --> Evan

Katelyn --> Kim

Owen --> Kylie

Landon --> Owen

John --> Logan

Evan --> Landon

Kylie --> Katelyn

So everyone start getting your wish lists ready! (And yes, I realize this is the 2nd post of the year...I'm busy! But I'll work on correctly that shortly, once I have all my homework done.)