Random Thoughts
To start things off, it is almost time for the read-a-thon! Since my next post of this nature will be afterwards, I just wanted to wish everyone participating good luck. I have seen the piles and all of the plans. I think it is going to be a lot of fun! I'll be around, I am sure, but I am not going to actively participate. Maybe in the spring I will read, but otherwise I have always been a lurker for the read-a-thon. Or, a cheerleader. When the read-a-thon first happened Dewey actually had a hard time finding cheerleaders compared to readers, so it is good to see that isn't the case anymore! Anyway, happy reading!
On another note, three years ago I hosted a very informal reading challenge on my blog. This was back when reading challenges were not nearly as popular as they are now! I have been thinking the last few weeks about doing it again and then Sassymonkey brought it up in an email that she sent me. It only lasts the month of November and the goal is to read fiction or non-fiction dealing with one of the major wars. There is no book limit, or really any rules. It is just because it is Remembrance Day in Canada, Veteran's Day in the U.S., etc. I look at it as a way to support those that gave their lives for our countries. I hope people will informally join in! (And if you are thinking about it, let me know!)
On another note, three years ago I hosted a very informal reading challenge on my blog. This was back when reading challenges were not nearly as popular as they are now! I have been thinking the last few weeks about doing it again and then Sassymonkey brought it up in an email that she sent me. It only lasts the month of November and the goal is to read fiction or non-fiction dealing with one of the major wars. There is no book limit, or really any rules. It is just because it is Remembrance Day in Canada, Veteran's Day in the U.S., etc. I look at it as a way to support those that gave their lives for our countries. I hope people will informally join in! (And if you are thinking about it, let me know!)
Weekly Reads
This week was a bit of a slow one in some ways. I read good books, but I felt like it took me forever to accomplish it.
I read American Born Chinese earlier this year, so when I saw that the library had another book by the author I decided to give it a try. It turned out to not be as good as his first book, but I still liked it.
I really, really liked this book! I read Garden Spells earlier this year. Still haven't reviewed it, but I really liked that one, too. I think I might review both books together. I honestly didn't think the books were for me, but the magic realism made the book something I had to continue with. This one had a woman that books appeared to. The minute I read that I knew I was going to be spending some time with the book!
I mentioned on Twitter one day that the library had all the books in this series but this one and how annoying that was. I ended up getting two offers o f copies! It arrived in the mail yesterday from Harper Collins in the U.S. I think I will probably see how far I get in this series I get by the end of the year and then talk about the progress. This is book 3 and I have book 4 on hold at the library! I wouldn't say this is the best series ever, but I do enjoy it!
I feel like I have had this book out from the library forever, but I finally read it! Very proud of myself. I really liked it, too, so that was a plus. Disappointed that the library is going to make it complicated to read the rest of the series, but I will survive!
I really like non-fiction books about animals. I have wanted to read this book for a while and was happy to see it sitting on a display at the library the other day. It was good, but there were a few dull parts that I didn't really care about and I skipped most of a chapter because I was a bit bored, but still glad I read it!
As for what I am reading right now: I am very disorganized and have a small pile of books on the go. Very rare for me nowadays! We will see what winds up getting read this week...
Weekly Posts
This week was a bit of a slow one in some ways. I read good books, but I felt like it took me forever to accomplish it.
I am so glad that I read this book. It was the perfect vampire and paranormal novel for Halloween. It was creepy, that's for sure. I look forward to more books in the trilogy as they are released. There were a few graphic scenes, but otherwise it was a good read.
I read American Born Chinese earlier this year, so when I saw that the library had another book by the author I decided to give it a try. It turned out to not be as good as his first book, but I still liked it.
I really, really liked this book! I read Garden Spells earlier this year. Still haven't reviewed it, but I really liked that one, too. I think I might review both books together. I honestly didn't think the books were for me, but the magic realism made the book something I had to continue with. This one had a woman that books appeared to. The minute I read that I knew I was going to be spending some time with the book!
I mentioned on Twitter one day that the library had all the books in this series but this one and how annoying that was. I ended up getting two offers o f copies! It arrived in the mail yesterday from Harper Collins in the U.S. I think I will probably see how far I get in this series I get by the end of the year and then talk about the progress. This is book 3 and I have book 4 on hold at the library! I wouldn't say this is the best series ever, but I do enjoy it!
I feel like I have had this book out from the library forever, but I finally read it! Very proud of myself. I really liked it, too, so that was a plus. Disappointed that the library is going to make it complicated to read the rest of the series, but I will survive!
I really like non-fiction books about animals. I have wanted to read this book for a while and was happy to see it sitting on a display at the library the other day. It was good, but there were a few dull parts that I didn't really care about and I skipped most of a chapter because I was a bit bored, but still glad I read it!
As for what I am reading right now: I am very disorganized and have a small pile of books on the go. Very rare for me nowadays! We will see what winds up getting read this week...
Weekly Posts
Six Sentence Saturday
Review: Rampant by Diane Peterfreund
Review: Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb
Review: The Love we Share Without Knowing by Christopher Barzak
Review: Wonderland by Tommy Kovac
Guest Post: Music Munday: Josh Groban
Review: Rampant by Diane Peterfreund
Review: Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb
Review: The Love we Share Without Knowing by Christopher Barzak
Review: Wonderland by Tommy Kovac
Guest Post: Music Munday: Josh Groban
Library Loot
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world by Vicki Myron
IWK: A Century of Caring for Families by Stephen Kimber
Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert
Tigerheart by Peter David
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Canuck Rock: a history of Canadian popular music by Ryan Edwardson
The awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world by Vicki Myron
IWK: A Century of Caring for Families by Stephen Kimber
Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert
Tigerheart by Peter David
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Canuck Rock: a history of Canadian popular music by Ryan Edwardson
The awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Sunday Book Coveting
I have started making Sunday Book Coveting books that I really want to read. In most cases I own them... I covet my own books because there are not enough hours in the day. It is as simple as that!
What books do you really want to read? I have way more that I could post about, but that's nothing new. That's sort of the point of a TBR pile, right?
If you run your November challenge again, I will definitely join in. There are several WWI & WWII related books on my TBR pile and, as you note, November would be an appropriate time to read at least one of them.
ReplyDeleteI just told you this on Twitter, but I love these posts!! I'm with you on The Eternal Smile. I totally loved it, but it definitely wasn't as good as ABC. That one was just so good!!! I really want to read the Tomorrow series. And I want to read some Sarah Addison. I have Garden Spells here on my TBR. Love what I've listened to of The Strain so far on audiobook. Really good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'll participate in your challenge, but I'd really like too!! I'm doing NaNoWriMo in November, so I'm going to be super busy :/ We'll see what happens!!
Read-a-Thon! Read-a-Thon! (Yes, I'll hush now, don't worry. ^-~)
ReplyDeleteIf I don't get to "Maus" next weekend, does that qualify as a book for your challenge? (Because I think that's about the only book I have that fits the criteria. I'm also NaNoing, but I suspect I'll still get reading time on the train. I can't seem to get my laptop out for it.)
Coveting books you already own sounds like a really, really good idea actually. (Unfortunately, most of mine are now on my Read-a-Thon pile and off-limits. I guess that's why I'm coveting them!)
Your comments on "The Sugar Queen" also make me a little less afraid of it! I might have to pick it up soon. (If, uhm, I can find it. I don't, exactly, know where it is at the moment. *scuffs feet*)
Like I told you before, I'll read Remembrance for your challenge! And hooray for coveting Geektastic...I wholeheartedly approve :P
ReplyDeleteI usually try to read a book taking place in a war during the month of November, so I'll informally join your challenge. And if anyone needs any recommendations, I highly recommend Slade's Megiddo's Shadow, and LMM's Rilla of Ingleside. :)
ReplyDeleteI swear, you are always adding books to my TBR list! =) I'm starting to become a coward when it comes to reading The Strain. I think I'll save it for the night of the read-a-thon. I hope you join in spirit.
ReplyDeleteI've seen so many people reading the Betsy-Tacy books lately. It's really making me want to give them a go!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I have anything war-related left on my TBR, but I'll take a look and see if it'd be possible for me to participate in your challenge.
I have Princess of the Midnight Ball on my Amazon wishlist- let me know what you think of it, if you get around to reading it :-)
ReplyDeleteI think I have a few war-related books on my shelves, so I could try to take part in your challenge! Just have to figure out which one seems the most interesting... A Long, Long Way by Sebastian Barry, maybe. Hmm...
I'm glad to see that you liked Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen! I loved Garden Spells and I had to return Sugar Queen to the library unread. Boo! I really need to check it back out so I can finish because I was lovin' it!
ReplyDeleteGreat book coveting. I really want to read Unseen Academicals but I have to wait till Christmas :(
ReplyDeleteKailana, has anyone else had problems leaving you comments or visiting your site besides myself??? I'm not sure what the problem seems to be other than taking forever to load but I just wanted to give you a heads up.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the covers that you shared..looking at book covers makes me want to go straight to the library :) And I've been meaning to read Garden Spells but haven't yet given it a go...soon though. Have a great week!
The Sugar Queen looks like a great book. I will put it on my wishlist. I do like magic realism from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI also just finished Tomorrow, when the war began, and I thought it was a great read. I am going to get the next ones in the series and read them as well.
I love the idea of reading challenges based around wars. I'm all challenged out for the year, though. :(
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week! And sorry you won't be actively participating in the 'thon. :( Hope you'll pop in now and then.
I love that you're coveting your own books!!! I totally get that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your little mini-challenge...I'm in. Will probably read All Quiet on the Western Front, unless I get to that one before November (yeah, unlikely).
Kelly, I LOVE these posts!!!!!
I find myself coveting a bunch of your books!!! Dewey made me cry like a baby!! Tomorrow, When The War Began looks interesting!! Loved Garden Spells and Sugar Queen...can't wait for her next one. The Strain is one that I may have to read for sure!
ReplyDeleteI think your idea for a challenge in November is a good one, Kelly. I may try to participate, but I don't want to commit because I told myself no more challenges for a while.
ReplyDeleteI've heard mixed reviews about The Strain. I am glad you enjoyed it! I am hoping to someday read Garden Spells and then maybe Sugar Queen. Both sound so good!
I saw Frostbitten in the store the other day and was tempted to buy it, but it's in hardback, which is against my buying rules. I'm behind in the series anyway (not that reading them in order matters all that much), so figure I'll get to it when I'm ready.
I pulled Lion and the Senet out of my TBR room this weekend and it's sitting here waiting for me to start. I'm really looking forward to reading it with you. :-)
It looks like you've done some great reading in the past week! I want to read Sugar Queen so much, and yet I always start reading something else. I think I have only seen good and great reviews of it! I am also very curious about The Strain, I haven't heard much about it so I'll have to check it out! I'm in need for vampires who are actually creepy instead of, eh, sparkly!
ReplyDeleteAnd is it right for me to covet your books too? Lol! As if I hadn't enough books already on my piles!
I hardly know what to comment on first. This was such a fun post to read. I recently bought Wintersmith, too and am looking forward to reading it. I love that series. You showed so many covers that I haven't even seen yet. I must live under a basket - or, in my shell.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I missed your review of Sweetness in the Belly. We met a Canadian blogger a couple years ago on our trip and she gave me this book. (Do you know Lotus, I mean from blogging?)
I'm glad to hear you liked both Sarah Addison Allen's books. Two more on the shelves but still unread. I need to spend less time on the computer!
I would like to join you for a November for a war book. You will post again to remind us, won't you?
I'd be interested in your November challenge. I'm so glad to hear that The Sugar Queen is good. I have that sitting here and keep intending to pick it up but other things sneak in and take priority.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWow, look at them books! I need to read Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen soon.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Strain too! I cannot wait to get a copy of Tomorrow, When the War Began.
ReplyDeleteI've actually checked out a copy of The Sugar Queen before but never got around to reading it. Now I'm thinking I need to recheck and read it this time! I haven't read Garden Spells, either - which did you prefer?
ReplyDeleteDid you know Dewey is apparently being made into a movie starring Meryl Streep?
I know what you mean about having enough of your own books to covet. And working in a library is like a kid working in a candy store - truly too many books and not enough time.
I nearly always try to read something war related during October or November and this year read something (On Hitler's Mountain by Irmgard Hunt) in Sept. too because of the anniversary. So, I'll happily join you in your challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you enjoyed The Sugar Queen. I really liked Garden Spells, but haven't had a chance to read The Sugar Queen. I love magical realism!
ReplyDeleteKate: That's great! I hope you will join in. :)
ReplyDeleteChris: I am glad you enjoy this post so much. The Strain would be good on audio, I'd think. It's creepy, so it would be good as a movie, too!
Shanra: Yes, Maus totally works for my challenge. I covet my own books all the time. So many books I want to read, but not enough time... The Sugar Queen was really good. I hope you find your copy!
Ana: I hope you do join in for the challenge. :)
Court: I hope you do join in. I should read Megiddo's Shadow for the challenge... Sound like a plan?
Vasilly: People are always adding books to mine, so I fill I need to return the favour...
Memory: Yeah, the Betsy-Tacy books are everywhere. I think they are a blog tour. I am getting mine from the library, so I am separate, I suppose. I hope you find something so you can join in for the challenge.
Aarti: I read Princess of the Midnight Ball tonight. It was good! I hope you join in for the challenge!
Andi: It took me a while to get to both books, but I am so glad that I did. They were really enjoyable!
Bella: I am in no hurry for Pratchett because I still have so much to read by him as it is!
Samantha: You are the only one recently that has said anything about my blog being slow... That's annoying if it is messing up! You should read Garden Spells. It was a good book!
Louise: It isn't too much magic realism, so there is more going on if it isn't your first choice. I plan to read more Marsden, too, but I have to wait for the library...
Trish: I will pop in, I am sure!
Debi: Coveting my own book saves me money. lol I am glad you are doing my mini-challenge and that you enjoy these posts!
ReplyDeleteStaci: Coveting my books is good. lol I can't wait for the new book from Addison, either. Next year!
Wendy: I hope you do read The Sugar Queen. It was good! The Strain was creepy, so it worked well for this time of year. I read Armstrong all out of order. I really must read Frostbitten. It looks good! I haven't started the Fallon either, so glad you are just starting it...
Kay: I wasn't sure if The Sugar Queen was for me, but it was really good! I am so glad I read it.
Booklogged: I really need to find time to read Wintersmith so I can read more Pratchett! It is due back at the library really soon, too, so that is part of it. I hope you enjoy Allen's books. They were really good! I will post again to remind for sure.
Kristen: The Sugar Queen is popular in this post. Here I was thinking I was like the last person to read it!
Alice: You do! They were both really good books!
Debbie: Tomorrow, When the War Began was worth it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Lesley: I think I liked Garden Spells the best, but The Sugar Queen was really good, too.
Cath: I hope you do join in on the war-themed reading.
Les: I love magic realism, too. I was just worried the romance would be too much, but it wasn't!