A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about all the reading challenges I am doing. Yesterday started the #SFFTBR reading challenge and today starts the Backpack Across Europe Reading Challenge!
SFFTBR Reading Challenge Starts Today
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
Summer ’18 Reading Challenges
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
Mental Health PSA
This week, we’ve seen news of two rather high profile celebrity deaths from suicide. A recent CDC report found that suicides nationwide have increased by 30% since 1999. This news is concerning. But this post isn’t about that. This post is about you.
If you are in crisis, please know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
If you are thinking about suicide, if you are worried about a friend or loved one or would like emotional support, please call, text, or chat one of the resources below.
United States:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- Crisis Text Line Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
- IMAlive (online chat)
- GLBT National Help Center 1-888-THE-GLNH (843-4564)
- Email: help@GLBThotline.org
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Youth) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386)
If you or someone you know is currently in danger, please dial 911 immediately.
For international resources, please use the PostSecret Community’s International Suicide Prevention Wiki to find resources in your region/country.
The Book Run-Down: Week 22
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:
- 9 books (34 for the year)
- 1 ebook
- 1 audiobook
- 3 + 1 GARbingo books (one wasn’t on my bingo board but is on the GAR List of 100) for a total of 5 + 1 GARbingo books
- 1 five-star read
And here are the books (in the order that I finished them):
- The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
- Along Came A Spider by James Patterson
- Yes Please by Amy Poehler (audiobook)
- Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski
- Magic Hunter by C.N. Crawford (ebook)
- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Memory Zero by Keri Arthur
- Generation 18 by Keri Arthur
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.
Mystery Blogger Award
So What is Mystery Blogger Award?
“This is an award for amazing bloggers with indigenous posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging and they do it with so much love and passion.” Okoto Enigma Continue reading
Book Love: Reading Check-In
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
Quotsy April Recap
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
The Great American Read Book Bingo Challenge
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
A Post In Which I Answer 17 Questions About Books
1. What was the last book you read?
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.
2. Top 7 book characters.
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
3. What is your favorite genre?
Urban Fantasy
4. Favorite author(s)?
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.
5. Do you judge books by their covers?
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.
6. What is your favorite quote from a book?
I like it because it’s short, simple, and works in most situations.
7. Do you have any signed books?
Yes! I have quite a few. I love my signed books.
8. Have you met any authors?
Yes.
9. Hardbacks or paperbacks?
Usually paperbacks because they’re easier to tote around. But I like hardbacks for the books I want to keep.
10. Buy books new, used, or go to the library?
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.
11. E-readers or physical copies of books?
Physical
12. Prefer books set in the past, present, or the future?
I really don’t have a preference. But my fave genre, urban fantasy, is typically set in a parallel world of the present.
13. Do you mark/highlight/dog ear your books or keep them in perfect condition?
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.
14. Do you reread books?
YES! And again and again. I have reread most of my favorites multiple times.
15. Favorite villain in a book?
Professor Moriarty
16. Do you like to write reviews when you finish a book?
It depends on the book. But this year, I’m trying to make an effort to do it for every book I read.
17. Do you experience “book hangovers”?
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.
