WWW Wednesday - 21st May

It's the week after Bout of Books has finished and I have to admit, since Sunday night, I haven't picked my book back up!  So tonight, I think I'm going to sit down and relax and read a few chapters.

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Miz B over at ShouldBeReading.  If you'd like to join in here is what you need to do - answer these three questions:

* What are you currently reading?

* What did you just finish reading?

* What are you going to read next?

Then go and check out what everyone else who is participating is reading - I recommend you visit with pen at the ready, I always come away with new books to add to my Mt. TBR!

What are you currently reading?

On the last day of the readathon I started Half Bad by Sally Green, I've been itching to begin this and I'm so glad I did, I'm 90 pages in and loving it!  It's an interesting take on the witch genre, it's not so much about the magic, but more the politics surrounding the characters.  The main character Nathan is a half code - his mother was a white witch (good), his father a black witch (bad).  So he has to struggle constantly with everyone, including members of his family, telling him that he's 'bad'.  There is a lot of set up for Nathans character, which I'm loving, I really feel like I'm getting to know him.  The story is building up to Nathans 17th birthday, which is when witches come of age and receive three gifts.  I'm looking forward to where the story is taking me.


I'm also listening to Attachments by Rainbow Rowell.  It is so much fun, this is my first book by her.  While I'm listening to it I totally immersed - I need to keep reminding myself that it's set in 1999, it feels like a contemporary read.  I own her other two novels so I think I'll read them in the next couple of months as well.  I am loving the characters, and the back and forth between Beth and Jennifer reminds me of a friend I email with, so I'm connecting to the characters that way.  And I love Lincoln, his character is doing borderline creeper things, but I can't help it, he's adorable!  I'm enjoying it so much that I'm going to end up buying a print copy as well.


What did you just finish reading?

 The 100 by Kass Morgan.  I just loved this, it opens on a spaceship a few centuries into the future, there was an apocalyptic event on Earth and a number of ships fled to space.  But the ships are breaking down and they need to see if Earth is habitable again - so who do they send?  A crack team of scientists?  Military convoy?  Ah no, they send 100 teenaged criminals, who's only other future is death on their 18th birthday.  This is told from multiple points of view, with the focus on Clarke, who was studying to be a doctor.  Wells, who betrayed Clarke and did something so that he'd be sent with Clarke to Earth.  Bellamy, who's sister is also being sent.  And Glass, who manages to escape off the ship before it leaves on its mission.  This wasn't too heavy on the sci-fi side of things, despite being on a ship, I think because there is more of a focus on the characters rediscovering earth.  They don't have laser beams or any advanced technology   I am waiting for the sequel, which should be out in September.  I am also looking forward to seeing the tv series.

What are you going to read next?

 I placed a hold for Saga by Brian K. Vaughan, I've heard lots of good things about this on twitter and booktube and I loved Pride of Baghdad, so it's a no brainer for me.  All I know is that there is an intergalactic space war and the two main characters, from two different species have just had a baby together.  Beyond that I don't know anything, but I'm excited to find out!  


I also have Under a Graveyard sky by John  Ringo, I've never read anything by him, this one is about a family who has to put their Zombie Action Plan it to motion - which is to set sail on the ocean to avoid the hoards of zombies!  It'll be interesting how sci-fi this book is, I don't tend to read a lot of it, but zombies - I love me some zombies!

And lastly, Norwegian by Night, which is the story of 82 year old Sheldon Horowitz, an ex-marine who is struggling with his past.  He's recently moved to Oslo to live with his grand daughter and her husband.  He witnesses the murder of a woman and then rescues/kidnaps her 6 year old son.  On the run from a Balkan gang and the Norwegian police the two form a bond despite not being able to speak the same language.  I originally heard of this on The First Tuesday Book Club and everyone was quite impressed, it sounds like an interesting premise for a book.
 



So that's my reading week so far, have you read any of these?  Let me know what you think.  Want to read something with me?  I like the idea of a buddy read - let me know!

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Bout of Books 10.0 Wrap up

I can't quite believe that Bout of Books is over, what a week!  I didn't read all the books on my TBR, (and honestly I didn't expect to), but I am happy with what I did read.

Books Finished:

    Suspect by Robert Crais. 

    Taken by Robert Crais. 

    The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. 

    Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis

    A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle  by John Green.

    Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

    Foundling: Monster Blood Tattoo Book 1 by D. M.  Cornish

    The 100 by Kass Morgan

    Then by Morris Gleitzman

    The Lost Boy by Greg Ruth

    The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson

Books Started:

    Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (115pgs)

    Half Bad by Sally Green (90pgs)

    Deeper than Need by Shiloh Walker (15%)

    Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington (45 min)

    Let it Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green & Lauren Myracle (211pgs)

Total Pages: 1,938

I managed to finish five books that I'd already started and bumped a few of my May TBR.  I did most of my reading on the weekend, as I still had to show up for work during the week, but as always, my trusty audio books made it possible to read when I couldn't get to a physical copy.  I will only be participating unofficially in the August Bout of Books as, all going to plan, I'll be in Lyon getting my Librarian on for the 2014 IFLA Conference.  I'm looking forward to it so much!

But what about you guys.  How did you go with your reading?  I hope that you had as much fun as I did!

Until next time, happy reading :)

C.

Bout of Books 10.0 Day 6 Update - Saturday 17th

Books read today: 

Completed: 1 Foundling by D.M. Cornish. 

In Progress: Deeper than Need by Shiloh Walker, Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle, Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, Then by Morris Gleitzman & The 100 by Kass Morgan.

Pages Read: 312 mbt, up to Chapter 31 of Attachments. 64 the100, 87 then. 15% deeper than need (463 - not including audio & ebooks).

Challenge: No challenge today. 

Total Book Count: 7 

Suspect by Robert Crais. 

    Taken by Robert Crais. 

    The Rosie Project by Graeme  Simsion. 

    Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis

    A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle  by John Green.

    Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

    Foundling: Monster Blood Tattoo Book 1 by D. M.  Cornish

Total Pages Read: 1,005!

I cracked 1000 pages!  I'm having lots of fun with the readathon, my read pile is making me happy, I didn't get to the challenges again, but I'm going to try finish the last day off with a completed challenge.  I've strayed a bit from my original TBR, but I figured it would happen :)

How is everyone doing? Have you managed to stick to your TBR? Read lots? Read a little? Let me know!

C.

Bout of Books 10.0 Day 5 Update - Friday 16th

I'm so glad it's the weekend!  I've got some lovely reading planned :)

Books Read Today:

Completed: 1. Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard. 

In-Progress:  Foundling by D.M. Cornish, Deeper than Need by Shiloh Walker, Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle, Attachments by Rainbow Rowell & The 100 by Kass Morgan. 

Pages Read: 147, I'm almost finished Foundling and I'm glad I picked up the book, it makes it easier to understand the word changes the author uses. The illustrations are beautiful as well. I also listened to another hour of  Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, up to chapter 22 and still loving it!!

Challenge: No challenge again today, but I did visit a few blogs. 

Total Books Read: 6!

    Suspect by Robert Crais. 

    Taken by Robert Crais. 

    The Rosie Project by Graeme  Simsion. 

    Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis

    A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle  by John Green.

    Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard. 

Total Pages Read: 918. (Not including audio).

I'm very happy I've managed to finish off all my partly read books, I had a few on my TBR. How is everyone else going?

C. 

Bout of Books 10.0 Day 4 Update - Thursday 15th

Another day over, here are the stats!

Books Read Today:

Completed: 1. Novella from Let it Snow - A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle by John Green.

In-Progress:  Foundling by D.M. Cornish, Deeper than Need by Shiloh Walker, Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard, Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle.

Pages Read: 116, I l-only managed a chapter of Foundling today and I listened to another hour of  Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - loving it!!

Challenge: I didn't participate in the challenge today :(
 
Total Books Read: 5
    Suspect by Robert Crais
    Taken by Robert Crais
    The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
    Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis
    A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle by John Green.

Total Pages Read: 771. (Not including audio).

This was my slowest reading reading day so far, a late meeting meant I didn't get home until after 10pm.  I left one book at work, so I read the short story by John Green to cheer me up.  I thought it was fantastic.  I'm looking forward to the weekend, I'm hoping I can hibernate and spent it all reading!

C.

Check it out - What's in my library bag today? #2

 

I haven't had too many holds arrive this week and I've tried not to look at books that have come in as I have my huge Bout of Books TBR and I have my new book club book - The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman -  to finish.  But I may have to crack and start Shadow Spell, I've been waiting ages for it to arrive!

Blurbs are from Goodreads, 'cause I'm lazy like that.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown 

 Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.  Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

I know this was a recommendation from someone - I just can't remember who.  It does sound interesting, so I'm going to give it a go.

A Girl & Five Brave Horses by Sonora Carver

 This autobiography is the true story of Sonora Webster Carver who dove with horses from 40' towers in the 1920's. Dr. W.F. Carver, who ran the show, had previously started "The Wild West" shows with his friends, Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok.

I have been wanting to read this for so long, ever since I saw Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken back when I was 11 or 12, so I most excited to start reading this.

Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts

With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O’Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It’s where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can’t be broken….Meara Quinn is Branna’s best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor’s paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess…things Connor has always taken for granted—until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle. 

This has been out since Easter and it's taken forever for the work holds to be filled!!  I excited to see where this series goes, although it is kinda predictable, I still enjoy it.  Plus it's set in Ireland - so I automatically love it.

Have you picked up anything exciting from your local library this week?  Let me know :)

C. 

Bout of Books 10.0 Day 3 Update - Wednesday 14th

I'm having a lot of fun with the readathon, I'm trying to visit lots of blogs and read as much as I can, it's all slightly manic - but worth it!

Books Read Today:

Completed: 2 ~ The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion and Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis,

In-Progress:  Foundling by D.M. Cornish, Deeper than Need by Shiloh Walker, Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

Pages Read: 209, I listened to some of my audio of Foundling, book 1 of The Monster Blood Tattoo series and I started Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, so far I've listened to an hour of each.
 
Challenge:  'This' Made Me Think of 'That', hosted by My Overstuffed Shelves

    Always on My Mind by Jill Shalvis goes perfect with a tall glass of milk and double chocolate chip cookies!  And having the next book, (Once in a Lifetime) on hand, ready to start :)


 
Total Books Read: 4
    Suspect by Robert Crais
    Taken by Robert Crais
    The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
    Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis

Total Pages Read: 655. (Not including audio).

I'm feeling very happy that my currently reading list is going down, it's at 15 books, it was sitting around 19 when I started.  I am antsy that I haven't started any of my new books, I want to get stuck into them, but all in good time.

How is everyone else going?  Reading anything awesome?  Let me know :)

C.

Bout of Books 10.0 Day 2 Update - Tuesday 13th

Another day done and dusted, not so much reading done today, but I'm still happy with the amount I did read, here's the stats so far:

Books Read Today: 

Completed: 1 ~ Taken by Robert Crais

In-Progress: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, Deeper than Need by Shiloh Walker, Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis, Foundling by D.M. Cornish.

Pages Read: 152, and I listened to some of my audio of Foundling, book 1 of The Monster Blood Tattoo series.
 
Challenge:  Books You're Looking forward to, hosted by River City Reading, catch my list here.
 
Total Books Read: 2
    Suspect by Robert Crais
    Taken by Robert Crais

Total Pages Read: 446

My strategy so far is to finish off as many of the books I'd already started during the week, as I know I won't get a lot of time to read, but I'm hoping to get some solid reading done on the weekend, it has worked out perfectly as I don't have to work.

So what about you, how did your reading go?  Let me know in the comments below and I come check you out :)

Until next time, happy reading.

C.

Bout of Books 10.0 Books You're Looking Forward to Challenge

It's time for another challenge!  This one is hosted by River City Reading The challenge is to share a list of books that you're looking forward to reading this year.  Here's my list of anticipated reads:

I'm reading the previous book in this series at the moment, and I'm not loving it as much as the rest, but I'm really looking forward to this one, hopefully I'll finish it in May.

Who isn't excited about this book?!  I can't wait to step back in to Westeros and revisit all my favorite characters. I tossed up between waiting until closer to the release date to finish A Dance with Dragons, but I had to read it and needed to know what was happening!

This is my book club pick for June, I'm looking forward to this, I bought it in March and haven't got around to it yet.

I can't believe I still haven't managed to read this yet, I've had it for about a month now, I was so excited to read it when I first read a review about it.  Things keep getting in the way.  Dammit life, I have books to read!

This list could be a hundred books long, but I'll leave it at that.  What about you, what are you waiting to get in you hands?

C.

Bout of Books 10.0 Day 1 Update - Monday 12th

So the first day of Bout of Books is over, and I am pretty happy with my progress, I ended up reading more than I thought I would.  Even with me forgetting I had book club that night and having to try read almost the whole book before I went.

So here's the tally so far:

Books Read Today:  
Completed: 1 ~ Suspect by Robert Crais.
In-Progress: Taken by Robert Crais; The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, Deeper than Need by Shiloh Walker, Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis
Pages Read: 294
 
Challenge:  If you like X, try Y, hosted by The Book Barbies  I said if you like horror - try The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan - it's fantastic AND totally scary!
 
Total Books Read: 1

Total Pages Read: 294

And as predicted - I've already gone off on a tangent, reading two books that weren't on my original TBR.  But I like a little spontaneity!

Until tomorrows update, happy reading and I hope you're having fun!

C :)

Bout of Books 10.0 Goals!

So I started with a relatively small TBR for Bout of Books, but I keep seeing all these awesome books and my pile is getting bigger and bigger.  But as of the start of the week, here is what I'm planning on reading:

I know I won't finish all of these, but hopefully I will get through as many as I can and the rest I'll finish off in what's left of May.  I'm halfway through Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis; Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard; Taken & Suspect both by Robert Crais, so I'm going to finish those first.  Then it's onto the other books!  I'm not sure what order I'm going to read them, I may even read things that aren't even on the list (who am I kidding, there is no 'may', I WILL end up on another book tangent - it's a given).

I've also just realised that tonight is my book club meeting, so I need to try and finish that book off as well.  So I'm going to power through The Rosie Project by Graeme Simison this afternoon.  Reading sprint anyone?

What are you reading?  I'm so excited seeing everyones TBR!

C.

WWW Wednesday 7th May

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Miz B over at ShouldBeReading.  If you'd like to join in here is what you need to do - answer these three questions:

 

* What are you currently reading?

* What did you just finish reading?

* What are you going to read next?

Then go and check out what everyone else who is participating is reading - I recommend you visit with pen at the ready, I always come away with new books to add to my Mt. TBR!  

What are you currently reading?

 

The #yearathon for this month is about to wrap up, and I'm still making my way through Taken and Suspect by Robert Crais and Always On My Mind by Jill Shalvis.  I've dropped the ball this month and haven't done much print reading at all.  I'm listening to both of the Robert Crais books, so I may actually finish those by the end of the week!  

 

What did you just finish reading?

 

I think the last book I finished was Why We Broken Up by Daniel Handler and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  I read these for the Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon.  The were both fantastic, although I was VERY upset near the end of Mockingjay.  I was most unimpressed and I'll leave it at that.

 

What are you going to read next?

 

What aren't I going to read next should be the question...I have these on my TBR for Bout of Books 10.0, which starts on the 12th of May.

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

The 100 by Kass Morgan

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle

Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medieros

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Winger by Andrew Smith

Under a graveyard Sky by John Ringo

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Half Bad by Sally Green

 

But I'm not sure how I'll go, I have a full work week, plus my PT job.  But I don't have anything for Uni, so that's one thing.

 

Let me know if you're going to be participating!  I'd love to have a reading buddy and sprints are always fun to do together :)

 

Until next time, happy reading.

 

C.

 

Bout of Books 10 TBR

 So what do I have on my Bout of Books TBR?  A lot.  Possibly more than I can read - but it pays to be ambitious! 

Below is what I want to finish for the readathon:

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

The 100 by Kass Morgan

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle

Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medieros

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Winger by Andrew Smith

Under a graveyard Sky by John Ringo

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Half Bad by Sally Green

I'm hoping to update daily on the blog, but I'll be tweeting throughout the week and I may do an update video at the halfway point and another at the end of the readathon.

I also wanted to give a quick mention to my TBR for the May #yearathon, I'm going to try and finish 'Always on my Mind' and 'Once in a lifetime' by Jill Shalvis.  Both of these are from the Lucky Harbor series.  Originally I wanted to read the last of the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, but it's been so long since I read the first couple that I want to reread those before I start on the later ones.  If I don't finish those two I'll finish them up in the following week when Bout of Books starts.

What about you?  Are you participating in any of the readathons going this month?  Let me know what you're going to be reading in May.

Until next time, happy reading,

C.