If you caught my last post, then you read about the 5 reading challenges I’m currently doing (or will be doing).
Today starts the Science Fiction/Fantasy To Be Read Reading Challenge. It runs from today, July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. Twelve months to complete this 50-book challenge. Continue reading
Somehow, someway, I have committed myself to 5 different reading challenges. That’s right. Five.
I blame Litsy (mostly).
I also blame Litsy for my exponentially growing TBR, so much so, that I put myself on a book buying ban earlier this month.
(Of course, I may have already broken that ban when I received an email today from Subterranean Press about a special edition of Kevin Hearne’s Hexed, book 2 of the Iron Druid Chronicles. I had already pre-ordered Hounded, Book 1, so I *had* to pre-order Hexed. Right?) Continue reading
Wow, can you believe we’re almost 1/2 through 2018?! This year is flying by and so are the books. This has been a bit of a crazy month for me, hence the lack of posting. But thing should be settling down in the next week, so hopefully, I’ll post more. But for now, let’s do a book check-in.
My May Stats:
And here are the books (in the order that I finished them):
I managed to finish my first audiobook. Taking some advice from my fellow Littens, I listened to a non-fiction work, Yes Please by Amy Poehler and read by Amy Poehler. While I’m still not crazy about audiobooks (and I still get twitchy about counting an audiobook as “read”), I did finish it. I have mixed opinions about the book itself (see my review on Goodreads).
I read a total of 4 GAR books: The Sun Also Rises, Along Came A Spider, The Joy Luck Club, and The Color Purple. While the Joy Luck Club is on the GAR List of 100, I don’t have it on my #GARbingo board. That’s why I’m counting it as 3 + 1. This brings my #GARbingo board total to 5 +1.
My only 5-star read of the month was The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Somehow I made it this far in life never having read it. The Color Purple was (sadly) never assigned in any of my English or literature classes. But thanks to the GAR, it was on my #GARbingo TBR. Plus, I’m trying to get through some of the thinner GAR books before tackling the chunksters like Pillars of the Earth and Atlas Shrugged.
Although there were challenging parts to read (domestic violence, rape), the story of Celie was fascinating and powerful. I highly recommend anyone read The Color Purple. It sheds some light on an often confusing and sometimes dark period in our history. It is beautifully written and just incredible.
Overall a solid month of reading despite the fact that there were about 10-12 days where I didn’t have the time or was too exhausted to read at all. But I’m still right on track for my Goodreads 2018 challenge.
To see my reviews of these 9 books or any of the other books I’ve read, find me on Goodreads.
What books did you read in May? Any favorites? Leave your recommendations in the comments below.
Can you believe it’s May already? Since we’re already one-third done with the year, I thought I’d do a reading check-in.
My book run-down by month: Continue reading
If you follow me on Litsy, then you’ve probably seen my #QuotsyApril18 posts. I’ve had a blast finding quotes and designing images to meet each day’s prompt. So much so, I decided to do a recap. Continue reading
PBS is launching the Great American Read, an 8-part series that explores and celebrates the power of reading. The GAR, hosted by Meredith Vieira, will engage audiences with a list of 100 diverse books, encouraging audiences to read the books, vote from the list of 100, and share their personal connections to the titles. Continue reading
The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi 
A friend of mine recommended Scalzi’s Redshirts, and since reading Redshirts, I’ve been hooked on all things Scalzi. I love Scalzi’s writing, his creativity, and his sense of humor. And this book did not disappoint.
First, I love the obvious reference to Philip K. Dick. Second, Scalzi is brilliant at character development and world building. Third, the irrelevant humor and clever characterization of government, religion, business, and politics. Finally, although the story starts off with a juvenile (albeit intriguing) line, the action takes off from the beginning and doesn’t stop.
I recommend this book to those of you who like The Fifth Element, Terry Pratchett, and irrelevant humor, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
This is a tough one. But off the top of my head: Kate Daniels, Gin Blanco, Sherlock Holmes, Ford Prefect, Belgarath, Eve Dallas, and Hermione Granger
Urban Fantasy
John Scalzi, David & Leigh Eddings, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Ilona Andrews, J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts), Patricia Briggs, Jane Austen, Charlaine Harris, Douglas Adams, Sarah Addison Allen, Robin Hobb, Fredrick Backman, Rachel Joyce, Mary Shelley, Darynda Jones . . . so many wonderful authors.
I try not to, but some covers just do not do the book justice. But I try to focus on the synopsis. If it’s a book I’m buying to keep, I will consider the cover if the book has multiple editions.
I like it because it’s short, simple, and works in most situations.
Yes! I have quite a few. I love my signed books.
Yes.
Usually paperbacks because they’re easier to tote around. But I like hardbacks for the books I want to keep.
All of the above. Mostly used and library. I buy new when I really, really want the book, it’s newly published (and therefore hard to find used), and I’m going to keep it.
Physical
I really don’t have a preference. But my fave genre, urban fantasy, is typically set in a parallel world of the present.
NO DOG EARRING! NEVER NEVER NEVER! It’s a horrible abomination to dog ear books.
I typically highlight/mark reference books. Otherwise, I try to keep them in good condition. I won’t say perfect, because a good book will look used.
YES! And again and again. I have reread most of my favorites multiple times.
Professor Moriarty
It depends on the book. But this year, I’m trying to make an effort to do it for every book I read.
Yes.
In the comments below, feel free to leave me a book recommendation.
And if you’d like to answer these questions and be featured in a Questions post, contact me here.
I sometimes come across word that is so perfect and brilliant, but has no direct synonym in English.
Today’s word is such a word. Continue reading
In yesterday’s post, I wrote about my new bookish obsession—Litsy.
Well this morning, I just happened to notice that my Litsy stats showed I hit 500 followers and 1500 litfluence at the same time. I, of course, immediately took a screenshot because that’s what one does when one is a geek. Continue reading
If you hadn’t already figured it out, I love books. (See here, here, and here—there are more examples, but I didn’t feel like digging them up and I figured these were enough.)
I read a lot. And I always have at least one book on me at all times. Even when I’m not carrying a physical book, I have both the Kindle and Audible apps on my phone (although I prefer physical books).
Along with my love of books, I love all things bookish (bookstores, book websites, book accessories, book-themed tees, book-themed socks, book-themed [fill-in-the-blank]). And I like love to talk about books and all things bookish. Want to engage me in conversation? Ask me what I’m reading or for a recommendation or where to buy awesome bookish stuff.
And now with my love of all things books, I have finally found the perfect place for me. My new tribe. My new favorite bookish addiction. Continue reading
