Random Thoughts
I decided to bring back my old weekend post... I don't think I have done it since sometime in 2012. I used to love it because even if I don't post anything else that week, it gives me a chance to recap and at least feel accomplished. I will be tweaking it a bit to accommodate the things I have going on in my world.
Lucy Maud Montgomery Year
I have been getting organized for this project because I only decided at the very end of 2013 that I was even going to do it. I started her first collection of short stories, written between 1896 and 1901, and got the rest of the collections for my e-reader. I think this is the simplest way to read her short story collections even though I do have a few random volumes on my TBR. They are just collected by themes instead of year. If I go with a chronological reading I don't have to read a novel until I hit 1908. I am not sure how strict I will be. I decided to listen to Anne of Green Gables on audio, so it will just depend on where I am in the short stories when I get to the audio. I have to finish my current listen and listen to one other before getting to Anne. I have to say that so far the stories are just shorter versions of the themes that Montgomery tackles in her novels.
Graphic Novel Year
I decided on the 1st that I was going to read a lot of graphic novels this year. I fell behind in some of my favourite series not reading in 2013 and I am determined to be caught up before the year ends. I also have decided to reread Fables because I want to double-check my suggested reading order post. (And, because, it is Fables and I have only read most of them once!)
So far I have accomplished:
Fables - Volume 19: Snow White
Fables - Volume 1: Legends in Exile
Other Reading Projects
I have picked some authors that, in a dream world, I would like to work on in 2014: Lois McMaster Bujold, Terry Pratchett, and J.D. Robb. They are HUGE series, so it is more working on them and not letting them remain lost and ignored on my TBR. I finished a Bujold book at the very end of 2013 and am currently read the next book in her Vorksogian series, Shards of Honor.
Challenge News
I was in high spirits starting out the year because I managed to spend a lot of time reading, but then I got busy... I am reading books that count for challenges, but the only two books I have managed to complete so far are the Fables which count for the Graphic Novel Challenge. I am doing Bout of Books Read-a-thon starting tomorrow, though, so hopefully I will do better! I am just really paranoid this year will be bad like last year...
Audiobooks
I started listening to audiobooks in 2013. Yay! For Christmas I increased my membership to two credits a month... We will see how that goes... Currently I am still listening to Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I love it!
Currently Reading
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold (Sci-Fi Experience/Long-Awaited Reads)
The Antagonist by Lynn Coady (Postal Reading Challenge)
Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1896 to 1901 by Lucy Maud Montgomery
The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor
Weekly Reads
I am just going to include what I read in 2014...
Fables - Volume 19: Snow White - I loved this! I wish the art was a bit better... It just didn't impress me like other volumes, but I did really enjoy learning more about Snow White and can't wait for Volume 20. (Completed January 1, 2014)
Fables - Volume 1: Legends in Exile - A reread. I have actually reread this another time because I had planned to reread the series and then didn't keep it up... I originally read the book in 2009, though. On January 1, actually. So, I reread it almost exactly 5 years after I read it originally. (Completed January 2, 2014)
Weekly Posts
Top Ten Tuesday: My Favourite Books of 2013
End of the Year Book Survey - Best Books!
Cat Thursday: Looking Back on 2013
End of the Year Book Survey - Looking Ahead
New Additions
We went to Value Village last night and I got the following:
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
Eight Days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones
City of Women by David Gillman
Mrs. Robinson's Disgrace by Kate Summerscale
Redshirts by John Scalzi
I like the weekend post. I try, when I do one, to kind of recap my week, not necessarily books. Late last year I started doing the meme It's Monday, What are You Reading? I like it, but I hope it's not too repetitive. I only read/ listen to 1-3 books a week depending on time.
ReplyDeleteI love audio books, since I stopped working I need to find a good balance of when to listen at home. I love audible, I had to out my acct on hold, I just had too many in my reserve. Sounds crazy I know!!
I'll definitely be reading more Bujold this year. I just got a package in last week from Amazon that included the two-volume Baen Omnibus with the first Miles stories.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've read any of LM Montgomery's short fiction, but I do adore her Anne books.
I also am a fan of the weekend post as it is when I do most of my blog reading and it's a good time to catch up with posts from earlier in the week too that I might have missed.
ReplyDeleteThe variety of genre you read always impresses me and I always find one or two or three (or four or five or six) that I want to add to my own TBR pile. I'm not even going to try to mention all of them this time around.
Oh, you are going to love Redshirts. I actually listened to it and Wil Wheaton's brilliant narration. It still makes me laugh. City of Women is excellent. Such a fascinating subject.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are starting the year out strong! Keep it up and have a great week!
Yay, I like these posts :) Sounds like you have a really good year of reading ahead of you!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to recap what's been going on! I love the graphic for the graphic novel challenge. Cute. I'm going to look forward to your recommendations. I've not been reading many graphic novels and miss them. I have one on hold at the library so hope it comes in soon.
ReplyDeleteIm reading my very first Graphic Novel right now - Cemetery Girl by Charlaine Harris.
ReplyDeleteHave a fab reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book'd out
I really should spring for an Audible account. I love audiobooks and using Audible is a breeze.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kathy! You should start on Audible account! :D I love Audible (though if they asked me how to improve it, I could fill pages with my suggestions.)
ReplyDeleteand Kelly! YAY for back to blogging. Stretching my fingers now to start getting ready for Letter Month!
Looks like some good reading. I don't usually read Graphic novels but I think I might enjoy that Fables series. Packing for Mars sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your challenges and have fun with the Read-a-Thon!
I miss doing the Sunday Salon posts, but it's hard to prep those early (which I have to do if I'm going to post) and have them still be relevant.
ReplyDeleteI would like to put a dent in my graphic novel stack (which isn't that big--so what's my excuse?) this year if possible. And listen to more audio books. We'll see. My listening time is so small. :-(
I really like the idea of a weekend wrap up post like this.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this is going to be such a graphic novel year for me, too, as I am OBSESSED with them right now!
YAY!!! I'm so glad you're bringing these posts back, Kelly! I always enjoyed them so much! :D
ReplyDeleteI don't know how long John Scalzi (thanks to Carl) has been on my list. And still unread. Maybe I should make that one of my reading goals--read at least one Scalzi!
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