Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This is one meme I can get on board with - I LOVE lists! I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

Top Ten Books I Resolve to Read in 2013

1. Read 150 books this year
2. Read at least one book every night with my kids
3. Read all the books that I have on my shelf that are signed
4. Add reviews to Goodreads consistently
5. Write reviews within 48 hours of completion
6. Reduce the number of pages of unread books on my Kindle to two (currently stands at four)
7. Read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
8. Read at least one biography
9. Complete the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent (I've read the first two)
10. Complete the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine (I've read the first two)

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.
If I could have a bookish boyfriend, Patch would definitely be at the top of my list. This is one angel that I have fallen in love with over the course of the first three books in the Hush Hush series - Hush Hush, Crescendo, and Silence. And, Nora ranks up there with my other favorite strong female characters like Rose (Vampire Academy) and Meghan (Iron Fey). And, Patch and Nora's story is about to come to a close.

Finale (Hush Hush #4)
By:  Becca Fitzgerald
Due Out:  October 23, 2012

Patch and Nora have been through a lot together. They've given up so much to be together, and the crap still keeps flying in their direction. It's frustrating! But, I can't believe that all their drama and roadblocks and sacrifices are for naught. I have complete faith in Ms. Fitzgerald that she will write a "Finale" to Patch and Nora's story that will see them together and happy. I need my happily ever after! And, I only have to wait four more months to get it. 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

I have to make a confession. I'm not much of a high fantasy fan. I've tried a few, and not been able to finish them. Even very popular fantasy books among my fellow book review bloggers, like Graceling, didn't really shiver my timbers, you know? Well, a year ago, I read The Heir Chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima, and I really loved the series. I also fell a bit in love with the author herself, and sought out other works by her. It was then that I discovered The Seven Realms series.

The Crimson Crown (The Seven Realms #4)
By:  Cinda Williams Chima
Due Out:  October 23, 2012

This series REALLY has got it all - a reluctant princess, forbidden love, good vs. evil, magic, political intrigue, assassination plots - and I cannot wait to see how it all ends. This is the last book in the series, and the action and suspense has ramped up through the first three books so that it's at a fevered pitch now. How mean of Ms. Williams Chima to leave us all hanging like that - for A YEAR! I can't wait to get my happy ending - it can't come soon enough.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

I've been on a Jennifer L. Armentrout bender for about a month now. I've read every one of her YA books that has been officially released, and you'll note that my Waiting on Wednesday post from last week was also for  JLA book. In keeping with my current one-track mind, This week's Waiting on Wednesday post is about...

Deity (Covenant #3)
By:  Jennifer L. Armentrout
Due Out:  November 6, 2012

Daimon (Covenant #0.5) was the very first JLA book I ever read. The characters and the world captivated me and made me crave the remainder of the Covenant series. I've now read all that I can, and I can't believe I still have to wait almost six months until Deity comes out. It's making me crazy! Especially since Pure (Covenant #2) ended with such a bang.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

I didn't even know this series existed a month ago. And, now, I think this book is the one I'm looking forward to the most.

Onyx (Lux #2)
By:  Jennifer L. Armentrout
Due Out:  August 14, 2012

Please - someone tell me that I do not have to wait three very LONG months until I can read Onyx. Three months until I can find out where Daemon and Katy's relationship goes - or even if they have one. Does Katy have any lasting effects from what happened to her at the end of Obsidian (Lux #1)? Does the DOD know?

I enjoyed Obsidian more than I ever thought I would (check out my review). It's at times like these that I descend into shallowness and wish that I had a wildly popular blog that drew review requests and offers for ARCs from the major publishers. Because, if I had one of those blogs, I'd have already read Onyx by now. And, everyone that knows me knows that I have a problem with patience. I don't have much of it.

But, hey - it's all good. I love the readers I have (all 2 of you). And, perhaps the anticipation is part of the allure. I'm imagining all sorts of cool stuff awaiting Daemon and Katy and Dee. I'm sure it will end up being even better than all that. 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for. This week, it's a Julie Kagawa two-fer.

The Iron Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1)
By:  Julie Kagawa
Due Out:  October 23, 2012

I am SO excited for this book!! The Iron Fey series is one of my favorite, so I was so happy when I read that we had not seen the end of the Nevernever after all. The Iron Prince takes place 13 years or so after the conclusion of The Iron Knight and follows Meghan's brother, Ethan. I don't know how or why or where, and, frankly, I don't care. All I care about is that there's a possibility that Ash might show up at some point. Yay!

The Iron Legends (The Iron Fey #1.5, #3.5, #4.5)
By:  Julie Kagawa
Due Out:  August 28, 2012

The Iron Legends is a collection of the short stories that fit in between the Iron Fey books, all combined under one cover. It includes Winter's Passage (#1.5), Summer's Crossing (#3.5), and the never-before-seen Iron's Prophecy (#4.5). I've already read Winter's Passage and Summer's Crossing. I always thought after closing the book (literally) on The Iron Knight that I had read the last word in Ash and Meghan's story. Imagine my delight when I heard of this new collection of the Iron Fey short stories - that it includes a new one that takes place after the conclusion of the final book. Even though I own the other two stories for my Kindle already, I won't hesitate to purchase The Iron Legends the day it publishes.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2)

By:  Deborah Harkness

Due out:  July 10, 2012

I read A Discovery of Witches in November and loved the complex story that Harkness wove in it. It was a pretty long book, but there was lots to tell. When Diana and Matthew team up to find an ancient text, they also fall in love. These star-crossed lovers, though, are not supposed to be together - Diana is a witch and Matthew is a vampire. From my review that I wrote in November:

"I almost gave this book 5 stars. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that the author was sometimes so descriptive that I felt the need to skim. I'm a smart person and I was hopelessly lost in some places. Other than that, A Discovery of Witches was absolutely wonderful. It was romantic, suspenseful, sad, funny." I truly do look forward to reading the follow-up. 

In My Mailbox #4

As started by Kristi at The Story Siren, welcome to my listing of  all the books I've procured in the past week. Note that I did not have an IMM post last week. Sadly, that was because I went a WHOLE WEEK without getting any new books. Shocking, I know. But, never fear. That problem was rectified this week. Here's the run down:

Books I Won:

Touch of Frost, Jocelyn Adams (e-book)

Books I Was Gifted:

Fifty Shades of Grey, E. L. James (e-book)
Fifty Shades Darker, E. L. James (e-book)
Fifty Shades Freed, E. L. James (e-book)

Books I Borrowed (Library):

The Dead Girls' Dance (Morganville Vampires #2), Rachel Caine
Midnight Alley (Morganville Vampires #3), Rachel Caine

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #6)

By:  Michael Scott

Due out:  May 22, 2012

This week's installment is a book that is finishing out a series that I started about two years ago. The Enchantress is the last of six books in the The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. The main characters - Nicholas Flamel, his wife Perry, brother and sister duo Sophie and Josh, and head baddie John Dee - were introduced in the first book, The Alchemyst. The books have gotten progressively darker and more complicated. And, the fifth in the series, The Warlock, ended with a bang and a BIG cliffhanger.  


Although I'm looking forward to reading this book and finishing up the series, I'm also glad it's ending. I haven't been thrilled with the direction the series has headed. There's no wonder or joy left at all. It's become a really depressing story. A satisfying and happy ending is what I'm hoping for here. I sincerely hope Michael Scott comes through for me. 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

I admit it - I too am part of the Divergent Nation. I read Divergent at the end of 2011 and was blown away. I related to Tris so much and envied her even more. Here was a girl who was as I am - meek, quiet, subservient, and yearning to bust out and be MORE. And she did. Boy, did she ever.

The follow up to Divergent, Insurgent, is due out May 1. Check out this amazing cover, emblazoned with the Amity faction's symbol:

There has been an incredible amount of buzz surrounding the release of Insurgent. Fifty very lucky bloggers received ARCs recently in exchange for heading up and promoting one of the five factions from the Divergent series. As a marketing and PR professional, I have to say, the campaign is brilliant. I was already excited to read Insurgent. Now, I'm positively foaming at the mouth and looking for any Insurgent ARC giveaways that are out there and entering them six ways from Sunday.

I'll even jump on the bandwagon and declare myself officially a member of TEAM AMITY! Although, it would be so cool to be the badass Dauntless chick, I know in my heart of hearts that I'm a lover, not a fighter. So, if you have a chance, head over to Team Amity's faction leader, The Divergent Lexicon, and find out more about the most awesome faction of them all. Go Team AMITY!

In My Mailbox #3

As started by Kristi at The Story Siren, welcome to my listing of  all the books I've procured in the past week. Sadly, this week it's a pretty pitiful haul. The business of my job that brings home the bacon along with spring happenings (egg hunts, birthday parties, walks in the nice weather) have slowed my progress in getting through the massive pile of books I have to be read. My IMM post today is not totally bereft, however. I did get one e-book from the library this past week:

Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1), Rachel Caine

I'm starting to yearn for more adult-oriented books. Not that I'm giving up my YA obsession - hardly. I just need a little break is all. And, my new friends on Goodreads have recommend this as a good bridge between the two. I haven't started reading it yet, but it's next on my list.

The Hoppy Easter Giveaway Extravaganza is going on this week on almost 300 blogs, and I'm making it my goal to visit all of them this week. Hopefully this will be my chance to finally win a giveaway or two. I NEVER win fun stuff! I'd love to be able to report on a IMM post soon some good swag procured from my giveaway entering frenzy. Wish me luck!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

Yeah, yeah - I know. It's Thursday. *sigh* This week has been insanely difficult and stressful, and honestly, in the evenings, I've only felt like losing myself in good books. I'm sure you can appreciate that. So, the bad news is, my Waiting on Wednesday post is a day late, as is my March Book Report. But, the good news is that I'll be reviewing some great books in the next few days!

So, back to business. This week's Waiting on Wednesday post is about:

The City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments #5)

By:  Cassandra Clare

Due out:  May 8, 2012

This week, Cassandra Clare has teased and tempted us with the first chapter on her Website for the series, http://www.mortalinstruments.com/chapterone-souls.php. It doesn't disappoint. We are recapped on what has happened in the few weeks since the final scene in The City of Fallen Angels. Simon was kicked out of his house, Jace and Sebastian are missing and the Clave, which had been searching for them, has decided to stop looking. Clary, Isabelle and Alec are determined to not give up, so they start trying to figure out how to continue the search under the Clave's radar.

I must confess, I wasn't too thrilled with The City of Fallen Angels. I sincerely hope that Clare took the time between books to regroup - I want the final books in the series to finish it off with a bang. No matter whether it's an out-of-the-park homerun or not, I'll eagerly wait on these last two books to find out what happens with my beloved Jace and Clary. They better get a happily-ever-after, or I will be very grumpy.

In My Mailbox #2

As started by Kristi at The Story Siren, welcome to my listing of  all the books I've procured in the past week. Thanks to my new friend Jen at At Random, I can now call all these beauties mine:

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1), Rachel Vincent
Falling Under (Falling Under #1), Gwen Hayes
Kiss Me Deadly:  13 Tales of Paranormal Love, various authors
Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1), Melissa de la Cruz
Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2), Melissa de la Cruz
The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4), Melissa de la Cruz
Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5), Melissa de la Cruz

Having friends with overflowing bookcases is a good thing. A very good thing. :)

Let's not forget about my library stash. Since I had such a big haul last week, this week's is a bit more modest. I probably shouldn't have done at all, but I just. can't. stay. away.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1), Laini Taylor
Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood #2), J.R. Ward

Looks like I have my work cut out for me.

Waiting on Wednesday

Welcome to my first Waiting on Wednesday post! Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

My first choice is a surprising one. When I decided to do Waiting on Wednesday, I figured I'd pick an obvious choice for me, like the next in the book in the Mortal Instruments series. But, many who know me know that the Vampire Academy series is my most favorite series EVAH. Because I love it so much, I was reluctant to read the spin-off series, Bloodlines. I didn't want to ruin a good thing, you know? But, in the end, I decided to give it a try anyway. Nothing could make the VA series bad - it is what it is already. And... I actually loved Bloodlines! So, this week, my Waiting on Wednesday book is...

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2). It's due out in mid-June, which is far too long of a wait for me. Bloodlines ended in kind of a big way. I want to know what happens next! Luckily, Richelle Mead just released the first chapter of The Golden Lily, and it was deliciously infuriating. It was really good! It was captivating right from the beginning. It was exciting. And, it had absolutely nothing to do with the cliffhanger at the end of Bloodlines! ARGH! I have to wait three more months to find out what happens, and then suffer through four more years while I wait for the last of the six planned books in this series to see how it all plays out. What I won't do for a good read.

In My Mailbox

 

Welcome to my first meme! 

As started by Kristi at The Story Siren, welcome to my listing of  all the books I've procured in the past week. Check out this pretty stack.

 

So, what do we have here?

Hallowed (Unearthly #2), Cynthia Hand
Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1), Aimee Carter
Evernight (Evernight #1), Claudia Gray
Pandemonium (Delirium #2), Lauren Oliver
Silence (Hush Hush #3), Becca Fitzpatrick
Crescendo (Hush Hush #2), Becca Fitspatrick
To Tame a Highland Warrior (Highlander #2), Karen Marie Moning

I got all these from the library. I actually belong to two counties' library systems to maximize my choices. This usually causes me to have almost too many books to read within the allotted time - I get a little carried away sometimes. I guess it's a good problem to have.

These are the only books I received this week. Believe me - it's enough!

Finally Some Memes

Although I'm new to writing a blog, I'm certainly not a newbie when it comes to reading them. I've been checking out interior design, photography, canning and book reading blogs for, what seems like, years. Many blogs use "meme"s as a way to bring the blogging community together and share thoughts on a common subject. Since I just started my blog a few months ago, I've focused entirely on my book reviews as a way to get my blogging bearings. But, I realize that if I want my blog following to grow beyond 2 people, I need to get my name out there. Doing some memes is a good way to do that.

So, to that end, I'm looking to two very popular book bloggers:  The Story Siren and Breaking the Spine.

Kristi at The Story Siren started In My Mailbox as a way to highlight all the books she got her hands on in the past week, whether it be by purchasing, borrowing, or winning them. I intend to do my IMM posts on Fridays. Check out The Story Siren on Sundays to see links to all the book blogs that participate in IMM.

Jill at Breaking the Spine started Waiting on Wednesday to talk about the books she was most looking forward to reading, but hadn't come out yet. Lord knows I have a lot of books that I'm looking forward to being published in the coming months of 2012.

So, stay tuned!