My Reading Goals (TBR) for Jan 2020

My January 2020 Reading Goals

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Book 1 

"Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster"

by Jon Krakauer

Genre-Nonfiction, Adventure, Memoir.

4.16 stars on Goodreads out of 5 stars

Overview,

A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that "suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down." He was wrong. The storm, which claimed five lives and left countless more--including Krakauer's--in guilt-ridden disarray, would also provide the impetus for Into Thin Air, Krakauer's epic account of the May 1996 disaster. 

Quote,

"Why did you want to climb Mount Everest?"

This question was asked of George Leigh Mallory, a Himalayan mountain climber in 1921.

And his answer was,

"Because it’s there."

“But at times, I wondered if I had not come a long way only to find that what I really sought was something I had left behind.” 

― Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air

My Thoughts,

We are all made differently. Just because a mountain is there is no reason, in my opinion, to climb it. I had someone ask me once, "You do want to run a marathon, don't you?" My answer without hesitation was "No." I guess the one thing that I would want to do is go to a Dude Ranch and ride horses even maybe go on a cattle roundup. To many, this would be as dangerous as a climb up Mt. Everest. So see, we are all made differently. 

Two movies are supposed to be based on the events contained in this book. They are both called Everest. I watched both the trailers, and I will be watching the one produced in 2015.
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Book 2

"The Family Upstairs"

by Lisa Jewell

Genre-Mystery, Thriller, Fiction.

4.01 stars on Goodreads out of 5 stars

Overview

"Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone".

Quote about the book by People

In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets

My Thoughts,

There must be some not so nice people living upstairs, and now there are dead people in the house and four missing children. I hope it ends well!

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Book 3

"True Colors"

by Kristin Hannah

Genre-Fiction, Women's Fiction, Chick Lit.

3.93 stars on Goodreads out of 5 stars

Overview,

True Colors is New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah's most provocative, compelling, and heart-wrenching story yet. With the luminous writing and unforgettable characters that are her trademarks, she tells the story of three sisters whose once-solid world is broken apart by jealousy, betrayal, and the kind of passion that rarely comes along.

Quote

"Abuse can make an animal mean."

My thoughts,

I don't remember where or when I bought this book. What probably interested me was the photo of the horse on the cover. I am interested in the relationship between the sisters and the family dynamic. I like the quote too; I wonder if they are speaking of animals as well as humans?

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Book 4

"Long Bright River"

by Liz Moore

Genre-Mystery, Fiction, Thriller.

4.38 stars on GoodReads out of 5 stars.

Overview from the book jacket,

In a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis, two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey, walk those same blocks on her police beat. They don't speak anymore, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling. 

Then Kacey disappears, suddenly, at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in Mickey's district, and Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit--and her sister--before it's too late.

Quote

I could not find a quote. 

My thoughts,

I am very interested in the opioid crisis. I can't even imagine the extent this problem is causing in families. This is a fiction book but will possibly give a bit of insight into the pain involved in the horrible problem of addiction. My brother was an alcoholic, and I have seen first hand the damage this does on the addicted and those that love them. His addiction lead to his demise. 

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Book 5 

"A Grave Matter"

by Anna Lee Huber

Genre-Mystery, Historical Fiction

4.03 stars on Goodreads out of 5 stars

Overview from the book jacket,

Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her dear friend, Lady Kiera Darby is in need of a safe haven. Returning to her childhood home, Kiera hopes her beloved brother Trevor and the merriment of the Hogmanay Ball will distract her. But when a caretaker is murdered and a grave is disturbed at nearby Dryburgh Abbey, Kiera is once more thrust into the cold grasp of death.

Quote

“Remember friends as you pass by as you are now, so once was I. 

As I am now so you must be prepare yourself to follow me.

(18th Century epitaph)” 

My thoughts,

I like mysteries, and I love historical fiction, so this should be a good choice for me.

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I would love to know what you are reading.  If you have read any of the above books did you enjoy them?  Drop me a note in the comment box.

Take care and happy reading!

KathieyV:-)