NQAC: Biweekly Update #20: On the Travel the World in Books Readathon, Leashes, and Cool Cats

This is the start of the two week long Travel the World in Books readathon, which happens to be my second ever readathon (as I am usually uninterested in sticking to a theme for reading- I read randomly, based on my mood), as well as the second time I've participated in this readathon. I'm excited as ever to participate, even though I'm whittling back my goals in hopes of keeping up with everything.

My Readathon Goals:

1. Finish three qualifying books from my the-pile or the-invisible-pile shelves- three because I want to read longer books than I did last year, and I've been 'not feeling' a lot of books that I start to read.

2. Participate as much as possible in the mini challenges/chats (I don't have Instagram [my phone is ancient], so...).

3. Update my book map (because it's been a while), and shelve books into the (yet to be created) travel-the-world-in-books and travel-the-world-in-books-tbr shelves on Goodreads.

Recent Acquisitions (or the Piling of the-Piles):

the-pile Additions:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy
I watched the movie, or parts of it (since my obsession with Viggo Mortensen knows no bounds), read Jamie's review of it, and still want to read it for myself. Cormac McCarthy is a new to me author, but he does carry a certain reputation (or so I've heard from whispers on Goodreads). I hope reading this will be an interesting experience, despite my memory of the movie.

Prophecy: Child of Earth (Symphony of Ages #2) by Elizabeth Haydon
Since I have the first book (in ebook form), I decided to begin a series collection. I often do this with sci-fi/fantasy series books I've yet to read, because most of them make miserable standalones, and even if I don't think they're the best book ever, I usually want to know what happens next.

the-invisible-pile Additions:

The Courtesan Duchess (Wicked Deceptions #1) by Joanna Shupe
The Harlot Countess (Wicked Deceptions #2) by Joanna Shupe
The Lady Hellion (Wicked Deceptions #3) by Joanna Shupe
I bought the Wicked Deceptions series of historical romances because they sounded plot-dense (if a tad fantasy-land-ish), which is usually my thing as far as historical romance goes. I also enjoy covers that don't feature shirtless men (a pet peeve of mine), even if they're very similar to a certain someone's go-to covers for their historical romances. Hmm...

Currently Reading:

I was currently reading some different books, but I'm thinking of putting them off until I finish off my readathon goals. If you have any books you love or by authors you love that are applicable (and preferably in my TBR piles) let me know about them!

Finished These Books:

From Dream to Dream Come True: My Journey to Motherhood by Brittany Ferrell
I'm not usually interested in books like this, but since it was a freebie on Amazon and I was pining for my designated assistant job back in my Montana church's nursery, I started reading this and couldn't stop. Brittany has a long and arduous journey to become a mom, and tells it pretty much like it is. To write a memoir so candidly takes guts, but she really doesn't leave you wondering about much that happened. Although there's a few minor typos and some areas that repeat (particularly when delving into the journal entry sections) I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy journey to motherhood memoirs.

Kutath (The Faded Sun #3) by C.J. Cherryh
I wanted a bit more from the finale of the Faded Sun Trilogy, but it was written just as well as the previous books, so there's no complaints there. I would categorize this trilogy as 'epic science fiction' as it reminded me a lot of epic fantasy, despite the additions of advanced technology and space ships.

The Courtesan Duchess (Wicked Deceptions #1) by Joanna Shupe

I didn't sleep well last night, so I polished this book off of my invisible pile (despite adding it just the other day). It was a bit too dramatic for my tastes, but the plot didn't disappoint (even though the hero did). Historical romances can be a bit hit-and-miss with me when there's some obvious sexism going on just with the plot.

Local Girls by Alice Hoffman

I read this in one sitting, and liked it a lot. However, some may be irked by the odd point of view and perspective changes (it goes from first person to third person). Based on the ratings on Goodreads, you probably have to be a true Hoffman fan to enjoy this one.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #2) by Douglas Adams

I didn't like this one as much as the first book, which was odd, as I was counting on liking this one more. I think there were certain scenes that were supposed to be humorous that I really didn't get at all, or understood, but didn't find them funny. It's still worthy of a read, and I hope the third book will improve/redeem my opinion of the series

In the Blogosphere:

I've been slacking (again!) on my blog reading, but not my book reading. I'll be around more this week if the nerve pain in my shoulder doesn't start distracting me.

In My Life:

How to Save a Dog's Life #1: Make them wear a leash at all times in public areas, even when it seems like no one's around.

To expand on the above thought, know that I am pro-leash, even if your dog is the best trained best behaved canine on the planet- crap happens. It happened to us Saturday, when, while walking our dogs with our friend and their dog in a forested trail area/park (all of the dogs were leashed), another dog owner approached with their larger dog, also on leash. I waited on the side of the trail with Torrie and our friend's dog while my mom went onward with Keisha, who is the friendliest dog of the bunch. The approaching dog lunged at Keisha, but my mom pulled her back so the dog didn't have access to her. The owners of the dog were shocked, but apologized and said the dog was usually friendly, eventually bringing their dog past us. Keisha is a tiny ten pound thing that looks like a teddy bear came to life, while the other dog was a Lab mix with a jaw built for rawhide chewing, its head easily weighing ten pounds- if both dogs hadn't been wearing leashes, I can easily imagine what might have happened. It wasn't the owner's fault the dog responded, but if the dog hadn't been on leash (which is very common in that area) I would've blamed them for whatever would've transpired.

In other words, leashes are a lifeline. If you have a dog, use a leash to save your dog's life, or another dog's life. Even the mildest mannered canine can slip up, or be a victim of their own friendliness.

When I introduced George the cat to this blog, I mentioned he was one cool cat. Then this happened:

For those unaware of what that blue plastic thingy is, that is our rollaway beverage cooler. George thinks it's his kitty chariot. Therefore George = cool cat.

What's your favorite book set in a faraway land?