Categories
Book Club Books

What I #read in Feb. ’23 & what I #amreading!

Today the IWSG Book Club launches our March discussion about what we are reading. It doesn’t have to be a book club selection just something you are excited about. Let’s all share what we are reading, and perhaps, we’ll find something to add to our own TBR lists. Click this link to go straight to the discussion. I’m currently reading Spiral of Hooves & In Darkness: The Vampire.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.

In February 2023, I completed 5 titles. My goal was 3. Two of the publications I read were novelettes in a series and one book I previously DNFed. I read through the first part very quickly to get caught up to where I originally left off. So far, I’m going well with my Goodreads Challenge.

2023 Reading Challenge

2023 Reading Challenge
Toi has
read 2 books toward
her goal of
36 books.
hide

Below you’ll find my star ratings and review tags for each title I completed in the indicated month. You can also click the images to see the thorough reviews. There may even be a video for you to watch below, but I make no promises.

Rating: 4.0 – Review | Amazon

Rating: 5.0 – Review | Amazon | Bookshop

Rating: 4.0 – Review | Amazon | Bookshop

Rating: 4.0 – Review | Amazon

Rating 3.0 – Review | Amazon

Check out my Goodreads Wrap-Up video or watch my Book Review video below (I elaborate on the public reviews I’ve posted).

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IWSG BOOK CLUB THEME CHALLENGE

#iwsgbookclub

This a voluntary monthly challenge, just for fun. Click this image to try the challenge.

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So tell me, what are you currently reading?
Did you read anything interesting in February?
Are you going to try the March theme challenge?

Thank you for making it this far down the virtual page. Kudos to you! I’d love to know what you thought of this post in the comments below. Stay safe and be blessed.

Categories
Book Club Books IWSG

#IWSG Dec. 2022- #HappyHolidays & What I #read in Nov.

Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click here to learn more or sign up.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.

Optional Monthly Question: It’s holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

My answer to this question is, it depends. I think it changes from year to year. This year I’m playing catch up but that has mostly to do with the fact that I took a month off from blogging, social media, and socializing (outside of family), and even reduced my reading and writing. After a few recent traumas, I needed some time to process.

As far as goals go, I’m using this time to get a head start on my goals for next year. My first order of business was to get rid of the newsletter I’ve been struggling with for years. I’m done. I know every author should have a newsletter, but to what end? It hasn’t benefited me personally or been a creative outlet for me. I still wholeheartedly believe that authors should have a way of reaching their followers and fans, which is why I’ve decided to focus all my effort, moving forward, into maintaining this blog, my Youtube channel, and my Patreon community.

I’m even encouraging people to follow me on Patreon for FREE and receive my monthly updates- Oh, wait, that kind of sounds like a newsletter… That’s because it’s a free email subscription just like a newsletter would be. So that’s where I am. I won’t be heartbroken if people refuse to follow me on Patreon but I’m also not going to keep struggling to make something work just because everyone says I should.

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IWSG BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS

#iwsgbookclub

Member Spotlight

Little Ragdoll: A Bildungsroman |Amazon | Bookshop.org

Craft Book

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers… | Amazon  | Bookshop.org 

In November 2022, I only managed to start and finish one book and I’m okay with that. 

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Toi has
read 2 books toward
her goal of
60 books.
hide

Below you’ll find my star ratings and review tags for each title I completed in the indicated month. You can also click the Goodreads links to see the thorough reviews. Below the book image(s), you’ll also be able to watch a video of my monthly reviews, if that’s more your style.

 

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Front cover of a digital book entitled, Fist Love: The Art of Making Doughuts. The title is listed at the top in a variety of red, white, and pink letters. A the bottom the following text is featured, "An Insecure Writer's Support Group Anthology." In the center of the image is a take-out of cup of coffee and doughnut with an icing drizzle and a small amount of red jelling coming out the side.
5.0 – Fun and sweet

Review

Amazon

Bookshop

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I didn’t do a separate Goodreads Challenge video this month. Click below to watch my November book review video, if that’s more your speed.

Now, on to the personal updates.

I took a month off and feel much better for it. My Thanksgiving was not as restful as I would have liked, so I’m hoping a Christmas will be more laid back.

I got some really cool new glasses and would love for you to watch my unboxing video.

I’ve been feeling disconnected from the writing community for a while now. I attend events when I can and that helps, but I wish I had the time to do more. I’m blessed to live in an area that has a very active writing and bookish community, but I’m usually working during the times events are being held. I’ve been thinking of trying to host a Zoom social (with or without appearing on camera) for writers to simply connect, no pressure to produce anything but maybe have some fun with writing prompts, or just talk about our insecurities. I’d love to know if any of you’d be interested in something like that. (Wonder if the IWSG will ever have a video group?)

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Are you catching up this season or taking it easy?
Did you read any good books in November?
It may take some time, but I promise, I will eventually stop by your blog. My response time has gotten slower but I’m still making my rounds.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Joylene Nowell Butler,
Chemist Ken,
Natalie Aguirre,
Nancy Gideon, and
Cathrina Constantine!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #30).

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #blacklivesmatter

Categories
Book Club Books

#iwsgbookclub Oct. 2022 Poll & What I #read in Sept.

Please join the IWSG Book Club today on Goodreads for a short general poll. Aside from spotlighting two IWSG member books each month, we also want to engage in bookish whimsy and encourage others to have a healthy reading lifestyle. You don’t have to be reading or have read the 2 current featured books to be able to participate in this poll, so please, join in the festivities. Click the image below to see our fun poll. This month the topic is about audiobooks.

In Sept 2022, I read 4 titles, but only finished three. This month I will be focusing on lighter, silly, and fun reads.

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Toi has
read 2 books toward
her goal of
60 books.
hide

Below you’ll find my star ratings and review blurbs for each title I completed in the indicated month. If you have not signed up for my newsletter, please consider doing so. That’s where I post an overview of what I’ve been reading, watching, and writing quarterly, as well as talk about my love of reading while offering tips for having a healthy reading lifestyle. You can also click the Goodreads links to see the thorough reviews. At the bottom of this post, you’ll also be able to watch a video of my monthly reviews, if that’s more your style.

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4-stars

Review

Unrated

Review

4-stars

Review

5-star

Review

So, did you read any good books in Sept. or did you try either of the IWSG Book Club Books?

What did you think of the ones I read? Any recommendations?

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #blacklivesmatter