Sunday, February 12, 2012

Week in Review (6)

Random Thoughts

We actually had a snowstorm last night. I am a bit surprised because the winter has been quiet overall. One of the neighbours is helping the guy shovel, so I am just drinking my coffee and quickly throwing this post together. Casey is sitting in the window watching them. I think she wouldn't mind adventures outside, but because of our location we have decided she is going to be an indoor cat. So, she just watches from the window instead. One of the neighbours does let his cat out and when he walks by Casey freaks out. It is rather comical. They are actually throwing snowballs at the window and Casey got so excited I just watched her try and save herself from falling out of the window. I didn't know what she was doing. They are outside laughing at her.

Challenge News

I finished essay collections by Anne Fadiman, Barbara Kingsolver, and Margaret Atwood which count for the Essay Reading Challenge.
I finished Cinder which counts for the Science-Fiction Experience and The Telling Tales challenge.

Weekly Reads

I read and reviewed the latest book by John Green this week. (Personal Copy)











I was at my local book store the other day and I found this on their bargain table for 2 dollars. I had read another of her essay collections a couple years ago, but that was all the library had by her. I was very happy to find this and get to read more. It has always been in the back of my mind, but I didn't really think about it until I saw it sitting there. (Personal Copy)







I really enjoyed this book. I have owned it for ages... My copy is actually an ARC, so you can just imagine how long it has sat waiting its turn. I had started it before, but I don't think I was in the right mood for it. This time I flew through it with no problems. I will be reviewing this with Ana (Nymeth) at some point. (Personal Copy)







I received this in the mail this week and only started it when I did because it was in my car and I was waiting for something. I didn't love it. I am a person that enjoys books with a bit of action. I spent this book wishing something would happen. There were some interesting bits and it was well-written, but it just wasn't a type of book that would wow me. I am still happy that I read it. I read England, England by him at some point and enjoyed it, so I probably will read more from him in the future. (Personal Copy)





I had heard a lot of good things about this book, so I picked it up basically on a whim back in January. I probably could have got it from the library, but I was having a bad day and figured I deserved a new book. I really enjoyed it! It was a bit predictable, but that didn't take away from it at all. I look forward to seeing where the next book in the series takes us. (Personal Copy)







Wow, this was read your own books week. And, they were all physical books, so my TBR pile actually decreased by 6 books. Anyway, I figured this was a save pick by Atwood because I really enjoy her 3 Science-fiction/Dystopia/Whatever you want to call them books. This was an exploration of the genre and really well-done. I actually wish, though, that she had just stuck with the non-fiction. I wasn't really interested in short stories after reading all the interesting essays. This will be a buddy review later in the month. (Personal Copy)





Currently Reading:
The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak
Songs of Love and Death
Bonk by Mary Roach

Weekly Posts

New Additions

Borrowed:
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harhach
A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry
The History of the World According to Facebook: A Parody by Wylie Overstreet
Enthralled Edited by Melissa Marr & Kelley Armstrong
Down These Strange Streets Edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardener Dozois


Bought:
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (gift card)
The Dread by Gail Z. Martin (gift card)
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Received:
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (Random House) (read)
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott (Random House)

Second-Hand Bookstore with Credit:

Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
The Farseekers by Isobelle Carmody
Dark Haven by Gail Z. Martin
Wake by Robert J. Sawyer
Ashling by Isobelle Carmody
Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
10th Anniversary by James Patterson
Beside a Burning Sea by John Shors




28 comments:

  1. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Cinder so much. I have it patiently waiting for me on my shelves...I almost picked it up to read but decided to go with Divergent instead. It sounds like you had a really great week of reading, and I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

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    1. It was very worth the read. I am looking forward to the sequels. I have to read Divergent one of these days myself.

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  2. You had AVM as an ARC!!! LOL! :) Can't wait to hear what you think. It's one I've been meaning to read for ages but keep thinking of excuses not to.

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  3. Your stats are off the chart!! I don't know how I missed your Green review but I'm off to check that one out! Your cat sounds like a funny animal!!!

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    1. The Green was very quite good. And, yes, the cat is a character...

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  4. I really need to read a John Green book. I love the vlog that he does with his brother but I just haven't gotten around to picking up one of his novels yet. I have Paper Towns on my TBR pile, have you read that one? Cinder also looks good. I will have to check that one out soon!

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    1. I hope you do pick up Green. I have read all of his books and quite enjoyed them all. I look forward to your eventual thoughts. And, yes, Cinder was quite good!

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  5. Yay! You got some snow!! :) We had more this morning and will have more on Wednesday. I don't mind too much now that the temps have jumped back up above zero.

    I've been interested in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle ever since it first came out. I don't own a copy, though, so I tend to forget about it until I have to shelve a copy at work or see a review in the blogosphere. Maybe this will be the year I finally read it.

    I'm also interested in The Art of Fielding. A good friend loved it, so I'm going to try to get to it before summer.

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    1. This winter has just been strange!

      Animal, Vegetable, Miracle was very interesting. I hope you do give it a read. It sort of got lost on my shelves for a while...

      I am not so sure I will get to The Art of Fielding. I am reading my own books lately and I don't want to mess with a good thing...

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  6. It looks like you had a great week!

    Cinder was such a good book. Can you believe that the next book in the series won't be about her?

    I'm thinking about reading The Snow Child this week. It's a library copy and I know it's due back soon. Happy reading!

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    1. No, I can't believe the book is about someone else... I am interested how that will work out.

      I am very curious about The Snow Child. I hope to get to it one of these days.

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  7. Ooh, I am so excited by the prospect of a joint review of AVM between you and Ana! I really enjoyed that book (though found the daughter a bit holier-than-thou) and look forward to seeing your thoughts!

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    1. Yes, the daughter is a bit holier-than-thou! I plan to mention that in my review.

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  8. I enjoyed Cinder, too, despite the fact that I also think it was pretty predictable! I guess my expectations were too high after seeing praise all over the blogosphere, but it was a pleasant diversion. :)

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    1. Yes, it was a good diversion. The predictable nature didn't really bother me.

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  9. Yummy books! The Sense of an Ending had that same effect on me -- glad I read it but no 'wow.' Salivating to read Cinder. Seriously. It's gross.

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    1. Yes, I have The Sense of an Ending in my pile to take to the second hand book store. I know I won't read it again. I hope you get to Cinder soon!

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  10. Anonymous3:49 PM

    You read a lot this week!
    :d
    aNd I'm really wondering about the Sense of Ending now :P
    Plus you got some great finds at the 2nd hand store!

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    1. I love the second hand store. Sometimes I get WAY too much and then other days are more quiet..

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  11. I've read that first Obernewtyn book and would love to find a moment to read the next... and the rest of that. But what else is new, right?

    P.S. I tagged you for a meme today if you are interested, if not, no worries!

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    1. I know. I have it now, but I am not sure when I will get to it because it means starting yet another series...

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  12. I have Cinder waiting for me, as well as John Green's latest. I cannot wait to dive into either one of them but I want to make sure I have time to savor them as well. So glad you enjoyed them both!

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    1. I look forward to your thoughts on both of them!

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  13. I bought Cinder on a whim, too. I thought it was terrific. Yes, a bit predictable but a terrific read.

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    1. It was pretty terrific. I am glad I read it!

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  14. I got Obernewtyn on PBS awhile back but unfortunately it is still sitting on my TBR shelf. Really need to get to it one day :)

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    1. I probably won't rush to start yet another series, but I do hope to get to it soon.

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