Now that 2017 is halfway over I decided that I wanted to create a blog post to freak everyone out (all two of you!). I specifically wanted to point out how things change when you least expect it to. My last post indicated that I was going to remain on my "compound" as we called our home and ignore the rest of the world. That didn't happen.

We decided in February to get a realtor and sell the compound while the market was trending upwards in our area. Of course that meant a lot of packing, trashing, repainting, squabbles, mental breakdowns and purging of many books. I THREW BOOKS OUT, Y'ALL .. something I never thought I would do. But who really needs ARC's lying around? No one. Now that we are officially moved and fairly settled into a new home, if I come across more books to unpack I will probably have another bonfire. I have donated many, many, many books to the local family owned bookstore - even after moving and lugging those books to the new house I realized don't really need all those books... and it did hurt -but it was a necessary thing.



I now have a garden that I can play in without fear of poison ivy! And we have real live neighbors that my kids can socialize with, and we're positioned for the best schools in the district. This move has encompassed the last seven to eight months of my life but now I am ready to focus on things that make me happy again.

The move also means a new church, new beginnings for the family and new friends, too. I resist change, so I'm still adapting but I think I am getting to a point where I can take a deep breath and not see yet another big chore that still needs to be done. We are blessed to be where we are and the Lord was at our side all the way -- if you only knew the drama!




"A.. historical tale of one woman risking it all for her dreams set in 1890s Berlin" - The story is about bicycling, family, friendship, society and it was a little slow at times. However the characters were so intriguing that I really did not want to leave them. So I am almost done reading the second title in the Century trilogy.

2016 was full of ups and downs and I am definitely happy to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. I have no aspirations, no resolutions, no pressure on myself except to live my life how I want to, take care of my family and ignore everyone else. Topping off 2016 was the political atmosphere on facebook among my 'friends' - which was ugly and disappointing to witness. I realized so many things about the world we live in and how warped it is. I unfriended many, unfollowed others, and decided I like my life on what we affectionately call The Burton Compound and I will focus on our introverted life and that is it. To hell with everything else.


According to Goodreads, I read thirty books during 2016. Here is a screenshot of my top rated titles.
I really enjoyed reading several of Billy Coffey's titles this year. I would like to read more from Kate Morton, and more from favorites Susanna Kearsley, Philippa Carr and Elizabeth Chadwick. I did read two very very very long Games of Thrones books, and don't think I'll have the urge to continue the series (except for the television series of course).


I deleted many of my older reviews due to author's political rants or general unfriendliness in social media that I came across. I have no desire to pretend I support any author in any way shape or form, and I definitely do not want my site to ever be associated through a google search to an author I find to be rude and unworthy of my measly reviews of years gone by.