Eleni's Reading for August 2018

I'm continuing to tackle my TBR pile - using the Author A-Z challenge to chose the next book, but also listening to audio books as they become available. 


Read: 13               (up 3)
Series: 8               (up 3)
TBR:   6                (up 1)
Audio: 4                (up 2)
AWW: 3                (down 1)
Graphic novels: 0  (same)

Fantasy Romance / Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy 

• The Golden Apple (The Dark Forest #1) by Michelle Diener | 4.25 stars
• Shifting Hearts (Wiccan Haus #1) by Dominique Eastwick | 4.5 stars
• One for the Money (Night Huntress #4.5) by Jeanine Frost  (in Magic Graves duology with Ilona Andrews) | 4.5 stars | short story
• With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent | 5 stars | YA - fab way to end the series

Contemporary Romance (erotic)  / Rural Romance 

• New Year's Kisses by Rhian Cahill | 4.5 stars | novella

Historical Romance | Historical Fantasy | Historical with Romantic Elements

• Sacrifice (Y Ddraig: The Dragons of Brython #1) by Gwendolyn Beynon | 5 stars - just wow!!
• The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict (audio narrated by Mozhan Marno) | 4.5 stars
• The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) by Julia Quinn | 4.5 stars
• The Duke and I: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, #1.5) by Julia Quinn | 4 stars

Speculative Fiction (no romance)

• Out of Time: 2 Strange Tales by Milo James Fowler | 4.5 stars | short stories
• Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (audio narrated by Martin Jarvis) | 5 stars - hilarious!

Children's 

• A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1) by Madeleine L'Engle (audio narrated by Hope Davis) | 4.5 stars | children's

Non-fiction

• My Life in France by Julia Child & Alex Prud'Homme (audio narrated by Kimberley Farr) | 4.5 stars | non-fiction |


~Happy Reading~

Eleni's Reading for July 2018!

Here are my June reads.

Read: 8                 (down 1)
Series: 5               (down 1)
TBR: 5                 (up 1)
Audio: 2                (down 2)
AWW: 4                (same)
Graphic novels: 0 (down 2)




Fantasy Romance / Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy

• Storm of Fire (Search for Home #2) by S.E. Gilchrist | 4.25 stars
• The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter #4) | 4.5 stars
• Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress #4) by Jeanine Frost (read by Tavia Gilbert) | 5 stars

Contemporary Romance (erotic)  / Rural Romance 

• Claudine's New Adventure by Elizabeth Dunk (Nicole Murphy) | short story | 4.25 stars
• A Sapphire for Karina by Imogene Nix | short story | 4.25 stars
• The House on Burra Burra Lane (Swallow's Fall #1) by Jennie Jones | 4.5 stars

Cozy Mystery

• Cat Raise the Dead (Joe Grey #3) by Shirley Rousseau Murphy (audio narrated by Susan Boyce) | 4.25 stars

Non-fiction

• You Have Too Much Sh*t by Chris Thomas - short book | 4 stars

~Until next time, Happy Reading!~

Eleni's Reading for June 2018

Here are my June reads.

Read: 9               (down 1)
Series: 6               (down 2)
TBR: 4                 (down 2)
Audio: 4                (up 3)
AWW: 4                (up 4)
Graphic novels: 0 (down 2)



Historical Romance

• Let Love Find You (Reid Family #4) by Johanna Lindsey (audio narrated by Anne Flosnik) | 4 stars
• A Person of No Consequence by Alison Stuart | Short story | 4 stars



Paranormal Romance /SciFi Romance

• Winter Born (Dark-Hunterverse # , Were-Hunter #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon | short story | 4 stars.
• The Undead Next Door (Love at Stake #4) by Kerrelyn Sparks (audio narrated by Deanna Hurst) | 4.5 stars .
• Atrophy (Atrophy #1) by Jess Anastasi | 4.75 stars

Contemporary Romance / Romantic Elements

• Pretty Shore (Astonvale #2) by  Carla Caruso | 4.25 stars
• Action Man Meets Miss Adventure & other romantic short stories by Claire Baxter | 5 stars (short story collection)
• The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern (audio narrated by Amy Creighton) | 4.25 stars






Children's
• Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (Underland Chronicles #3) by Suzanne Collins (audio narrated by Paul Boehmer) | childrens | 4.75 stars

~Until next time, Happy Reading!~

Eleni's Reading for May 2018

Here are my May reads - finished off a few on my TBR pile this month. Yay!

Read: 10               (down 1)

Series: 8               (up 2)
TBR: 6                  (up 6)
Audio: 1                (down 5)
AWW: 4                (up 4)
Graphic novels: 2 (down 2)

Historical Romance

• Bound for Eden (Frontiers of the Heart #1) by Tess LeSue | 4.75 stars - good fun
• The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn (audio) | 3.75 stars

Paranormal Romance

• Magical Redemption (Myth & Magic #3) by Nicola E. Sheridan | 4.75 stars 
• The Crocodile Virgin: A Short Story by Jenny Schwartz | 4 stars

Graphic Novels

• Smile (Smile #1) by Raina Telgemeier | graphic novel | 4 stars
• Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Storm Front, Volume 1: The Gathering Storm (The Dresden Files Graphic Novels #1.1) by Jim Butcher et al. | 4 stars

Mystery

• Lost Cause (Daisy Dunlop Mysteries #1) by J.L. Simpson | 4.5 stars
• Missing You (Missing #5) by Meg Cabot (writing as Jenny Carroll) | 4.5 stars - YA and Romantic Elements

Anthologies

• Focus 2012: highlights of Australia short fiction by Tehani Croft Wessely (editor) | 4 stars

Sci-Fi

• The Last Colony (Old Man's War #3) by John Scalzi | 4.5 stars

Happy Reading!

Eleni's January to March 2018 reads

I'm falling a bit behind in my goal of 110 books but I've managed 20 books so far in 2018. Here is my reading for January to March.

Fantasy/Sci-fi

• Equal Rites (Discworld #3) by Terry Pratchett | 4.5 stars
• Rhio's Dancer (The Four-Sided Pentacle #2.5) by Denise Rossetti | novella | 5 stars
• Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth (audio narrated by Emma Galvin and Aaron Stanford ) | 4 stars

Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy/Dystopian Romance

• Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10) by J.R. Ward | 4.5 stars
• Skin (Flesh #2) by Kylie Scott | 4.75 stars
• What Trouble Is: A Short Story (Flesh #2.6) by Kylie Scott | 5 stars
• Devil to Pay (Night Huntress #3.5) by Jeanine Frost | 4 stars | novella
• Love by Premonition by Holley Trent | 4.5 stars - humorous elements
• Free Fall (Retrievers #5) by Laura Anne Gilman | 4.75 stars
• Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4) by Jim Butcher (audio narrated by James Marsters) | 4.25 stars
• The Lost (Celestial Blues #2) by Vicki Pettersson (audio narrated by Kevin Fabian) | 4 stars

Historical Romance

• A Rogue of My Own (Reid Family #3) by Johanna Lindsey (audio narrated by Rosalyn Landor) | 4 stars
• Deception on Sable Hill (Chicago World's Fair Mystery #2) by Shelley Gray (audio narrated by Tavia Gilbert) | 4 stars
• Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon | re-read | 5 stars
• Miss Tonks Turns to Crime: A Novel of Regency England (Poor Relation #2) by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton) (audio read by Davina Porter ) | 4 stars

Mystery

• Flying Too High (Phryne Fisher, #2) by Kerry Greenwood (audio narrated by Stephanie Daniel) | 4 stars
• His Majesty's Hope (Maggie Hope Mystery #3) by by Susan Elia MacNeal (audio narrated by Susan Duerden) | 4.25 stars

Graphic Novels

• Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Circus of the Damned, Volume 1: The Charmer (Anita Blake Graphic Novels) by Laurell K. Hamilton,  Jessica Ruffner, and Ron Lim (Illustrator) | graphic novel | 4 stars

Non-fiction

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson (audio narrated by Roger Wayne) | non-fiction | 4 stars
• The Bletchley Girls by Tessa Dunlop (audio narrated by Anna Bentinck) | non-fiction | 4 stars

Happy Reading!
~Eleni

December 2017 reads

My reading picked up a little at the end of the year. All entertaining books.


Romantic Suspense

• Never Surrender by Rosie Miles | 5 stars
• Down Among the Dead Men by Claire Baxter | 4.5 stars 

Paranormal Romance

• Magical Creations (Myth & Magic #2) by Nicola E. Sheridan | 4.25 stars
• Mind Raider (The Anomaly #2) by Anna Hackett | 5 stars

Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy

• The Frog Prince by Elle Lothlorien | 4.5 stars

Non-fiction

• Self-Publishing: Absolute Beginners Guide by Imogene Nix & Suzi Love | 4 stars

Happy Reading!

~ E

November 2017 reads

Still busy on the personal front so not much reading done in November.



Historical romance

• The Taming of the Duke (Essex Sisters #3) by Eloisa James | 5 stars

Paranormal historical YA

• Dark Days Club (Lady Helen #3) by Alison Goodman (audio read by Fiona Hardingham) | YA | 4.5 stars

Contemporary Romance

• February or Forever (Tarrin's Bay #2) by Juliet Madison | 4.5 stars

Happy Reading!

~ E 

October 2017 reads

A quieter month in October for reading as it was very busy on the personal front.

A total of 5 works with none (!) of them being audio. As for series reading, there were 3 titles.



Urban fantasy/paranormal romance/fantasy

• Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson #2) by Patricia Briggs | 4.5 stars - what a rough world Mercy finds herself a part of.
• Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The Laughing Corpse, Volume 3: Executioner (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The Laughing Corpse #3 graphic novel) by Laurell K. Hamilton, Jessica Ruffner (text) and Ron Lim (Illustrations) | 4.5 stars - gruesome 
• Freaks of Greenfield High (Freaks #1) by Maree Anderson | YA | 5 stars - well written & enjoyable read.

Contemporary Romance / Erotic romance

• Mistletoe Not Required by Anne Oliver | 4.5 stars - emotional heart strings pulled as heroine talks of breast cancer.
• A Real Online Fantasy (Hot Down Under) by Cate Ellink | short story | 4.25 stars - one HAWWT read.

~~Happy Reading~~

September 2017 reads

Here's a list of what I read in September. 
A total of 15 works with 6 of them being audio. As for series reading, there were 9 titles.

Historical Romance

• The Elusive Bride (Black Cobra Quartet #2) by Stephanie Laurens (audio read by Simon Peeble) | 4 stars
• Do You Want to Start a Scandal (Spindle Cove #5/Castles Ever After #4) by Tessa Dare (audio read by Carmen Rose) | 5 stars - just love these series. Are such fun!

Urban fantasy/ paranormal romance/ fantasy

• A Dance with Dragons, Part 2 (A Song of Ice & Fire #5) by George R.R. Martin | 5 stars - finally I have 'caught up' to where the books have ended for the series, though I want to read the offshoot series about the Knight.
• At Grave's End (Night Huntress #3) by Jeaniene Frost (audio read by Tavia Gilbert) | 5 stars
• Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent | YA | 5 stars - amazing. 
• Merlin edited by Martin H. Greenburg | anthology | 4 stars

Sci-Fi Romance/ Futuristic

• The Recruit (The Morcai Battalion #2) by Susan Kyle (aka Diana Palmer) | 4 stars
• Lifer (Lifer #1) by Beck Nicholas | YA futuristic | 5 stars - amazing!! - I wrote about it on the ARRA blog.

Contemporary Romance

• Christmas Wishes by Rhian Cahill | novella | 4.5 stars - lovely friends to lover story.

Children's

• The Opal Deception Graphic Novel (Artemis Fowl Graphic Novels #4) by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, artist: Giovanni Rigano | 5 stars - great artwork.
• The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan (audio read by Jesse Bernstein) | children's | 5 stars

Other

• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (audio read by Juliet Stevenson) | 3.75 stars
• Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil de Grasse Tyson | non-fiction | 4 stars - fascinating. 
• Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation by Bill Nye (audio read by the author) | non-fiction | 5 stars - fascinating!
• Liz Fielding's Little Book of Writing Romance by Liz Fielding | non-fiction | 5 stars

~Happy Reading!!

Reading in February and March

Here it is at last - the reading update for February and March.

I haven't tackled the TBR pile as much as I'd liked but continued listening to audio books. 15 out of the 20 books belonged to a series - yes I did start some new ones because of availability but I do want to dwindle down my series to something more manageable *grin*.

1. Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone  (Warlock Holmes #1) by G.S. Denning | 4.5 stars
2. Dragon Blood (Hurog #2) by Patricia Briggs (audio read by Joe Manganiello) | 5 stars
3. The Bad Guys: Apocalypse Now (Bad Guys #4) by Aaron Blabey (childrens) | 5 stars
4. Stone Castles by Trish Morey | 5 stars
5. Beauty and the Beast (Spindle Cove #3.5) by Tessa Dare (novella) | 5 stars
6. The BFG by Roald Dahl (audio read by David Walliams) | 5 stars
7. Magic Study (The Chronicles of Ixia #2 - Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder | 4.5 stars
8. Don't Look Back (Lake & March #2) by Amanda Quick (audio read by Josephine Bailey) | 5 stars 
9. Red Hot Lover (Winged & Dangerous #3) by Mel Teshco (novella) | 5 stars
10. The Untamed Bride (Black Cobra Quartet #1) by Stephanie Laurens (audio read by Simon Peeble) | 4.5 stars
11. Late for the Wedding (Lake and March #3) by Amanda Quick (audio read by Josephine Bailey) | 5 stars
12. Hit (Makedde Vanderwall #4) by Tara Moss (audio read by Tara Moss) | 4.25 stars
13. Secrets of Sloane House  (Chicago World's Fair Mystery #1) by Shelley Gray (audio read by Tavia Gilbert) | 4 stars
14. A Stolen Season by Tamara Gill | 4.5 stars
15. One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, #2) by Jeaniene Frost (audio read by Tavia Gilbert) | 5 stars
16. Devil's Bride (Cynster #1) by Stephanie Laurens | 4 stars
17. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo graphic novel (Millenium #1 graphic novels) by Denise Mina  | 4 stars
18. Homer's Odyssey by  Seymour Chwast (graphic novel) | 4 stars
19. The Singing Bones: inspired by Grimm's Fairy Tales by Shaun Tan (scultpures to passages from fairy tales) | 5 stars
20. The Seventh Son (The Tales of Alvin Maker #1) by Orscon Scott Card (audio read by various readers) | 4 stars

Happy Reading!

January 2017 reading wrap up

Not a bad start to the year. I have focused on series reading this month and continuing listening to audio books. I did make the mistake of listening to an abridged audio - Split Second - not too bad for abridged but I managed to find the ebook to fill in the blanks.  Unabridged is always much better.

1. Hands of Flame (Negotiator/Old Races Universe #3) by C.E. Murphy | 4.5 stars
2. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare (audio read by Ari Graynor) | 4.5 stars
3. Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham (audio - read by Lauren Graham) | 4.5 stars
4. Kiss Me, Annabel (Essex Sisters #2) by Eloisa James | 5 stars
5. Helloween: a collection of horror short stories by Samantha Comb | 4 stars
6. Fairy Dust (Sookie Stackhouse #4.1) (short story) by Charlaine Harris | 4 stars
7. Split Second (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell #1) by David Baldacci (Abridged audio / e-book) | 4 stars
8. Rise of the Blood (Latter-Day Olympians #3) by Lucienne Diver | 5 stars
9. Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich (audio read by Kate Schorr) | 4 stars
10. Cat on the Edge (Joe Grey Mysteries #1) by Shirley Rousseau Murphy (audio read by Susan Boyce) | 4 stars
11. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan (childrens/MG) | 5 stars
12. The Questionable Client (Kate Daniels #0.5) (short story) by Ilona Andrews (short story) | 5 stars

~Happy Reading in February!~

September reads

I can't believe it's the 9th October already. Seriously, where has the time flown.

I read / finished the following in September. I am quite pleased with this effort.

Goddess Girls - Persephone the Phony
Book 2 of the Mount Olympus Academy sees Persephone feel like a phony because she feels she has to agree and be nice with everyone. All that gets shaken up when she meets supposed bad boy, Hades. A cool take on Greek mythology and a book that's written well for the kids.

It suited the age group this is aimed for. I would have enjoyed when I was a child.



Penumbra by Keri Arthur
Book 3 of Spook Squad series which ended up being a trilogy. While it wraps up much of the mystery of the first 3 books, the upcoming war is left in the air. I'm not complaining as Keri wrote Riley Jensen and her story. I would have love to see how the characters progressed with the knowledge they have. Great stuff by Keri Arthur.

I reviewed End of the Night Girl in an earlier post, but I will say again that it's brilliant.

You have probably noticed an increased reading of romance genre books, with this month having Rachel Bailey's At the Billionaire's Beck and Call? and Claire Baxter's Her Mediterranean Makeover. I'm loving reading these books more regularly. While I don't write in these styles I appreciate their good stories and the category length. I believe that everything we experience (be it reading, writing, watching tv, taking the dog for a walk) all helps us with our own stories and inspiration. These two ladies are people whom I admire and it's no coincidence that I had them on my Writing Buddy Wednesday column over at Eleni's Taverna. What I have been trying to do is read the the author buddies featured as I go along. So the book goes to the top(ish) part of the TBR pile. It helps me get back to these books and support my friends.

So what am I currently reading from the WBW ~ Tracey O'Hara's Death's Sweet Embrace, and I'm totally loving it. She has such a fantastic style. 

So to date, how am I going with the challenges?

Speculative fiction = 11/12 (no change)
Currently reading: 

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara
Covet by J.R. Ward

Troubletwisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams

The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells

Horror & Urban Fantasy = 9/24 (up by 1)
Currently reading:
Death's Sweet Embrace by Tracey O'Hara


Mystery & Suspense = 4/12 (no change)
Currently reading: Moonlight Becomes You by Mary Higgins Clark


Stephen King = 1/12 (up by 1)
Will read: Under the Dome


Romance = 11/24 (up by 7)
Currently Reading:
Home is Where the Bark Is by Kandy Shepherd.

So not a bad effort. :))

March reading

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
A slow start with the word of financial espionage and libel suit against Mikael Blomvkist. He gets an offer to work on a decades old murder and because it has the potential to lead to more info on the espionage, he accepts.

Lisabeth Salander, a freelancer with Milton Security (intelligence reports) is an girl who is unconventional in her looks, her attitude and her social niceties. We see her deal with her work and other personal matters. She's a loner and she is a ward of the state despite being 25.

About the first quarter is interesting but it is in a different style to what I'm used to - it is telling the story in many cases. But especially since we are introduced to Henrik Vanger and his mystery, and also Lisabeth, I was drawn more and more into the story. The last quarter especially has you gasping.

Apparently the Swedish title is Men Who Hate Woman, and that definitely suits the story and the mystery.
(Mystery & Suspense)


Mistral's Kiss by Laurell K. Hamilton (book 5 of The Merry Gentry series)
Merry continues on her journey to stay alive in the Unseelie court. She and her men re-awaken old magic that had been lost. While of course there is some more sex with her guards (so she can get pregnant and therefore be named heir to the Unseelie Court - before her cousin Cel can). Definitely an erotic urban fantasy - I'm wondering if there are any positions left!!!

It is the intrigue of the courts that is fascinating and there is more and more as the book unfolds. The words flow effortlessly making it an easy read, despite all the political intrigue.
(Horror & Urban Fantasy)

Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four Vol 1: Family of Heroes

This was a kid friendly version of the Fantastic Four. Good artwork as usual.  

The Avengers: I am an Avenger by Marvel Comics
A collection of comic issues that include the changing of the official Avenger line up. It's really interesting to see it jump and see the changes over the years. Great artwork as you would expect.

Astonishing X-Men: Exogenetic by Warren Ellis

Fab artwork and because I don't read things in order of series, I do ponder over storylines. You can read as a one off though. 

Storyteller: Writing Lessons From 27 Years of The Clarion Writers' Workshop by Kate Wilhelm
A really interesting read of two of the lecturers at Clarion. Very interesting of how it got started, and the whole process. And for once I read it without reading anything else (one reason was because I had to return to its owner). Still, it was good to read something on the craft and writing as a topic. I haven't done that in so long.

As you can see I have read more comics - actually, I should say I FINISHED the comics. I have quite a few books in the process of being read. I usually have books at different stages of reading and depending on my mood is what I would read. But with Storyteller, I tended to just to mainly concentrate on that book. And it was good to go back to that for a little bit at least. I'll see how I go.

Anyhow, the update:

6 books added this month = 19 books 

Speculative Fiction 2/12 (no change)

Horror & Urban Fantasy 4/24 (up by 1)

Mystery & Suspense 2/12 (up by 1)

Stephen King 0/12 

Romance 3/24 (no change)

How are you all going with your reading? 

February reads

February has come and gone, so here's what I read.

Books read in Feb = 7
Total books read to date = 14

Again I had a fantastic month of reading.



The Right Chord by Elisabeth Rose

A lovely romance. Grace and Harry get off on the wrong impression from the start, with Grace trying to be more assertive. Add a dog, Woof, who howls when Grace practices (she's in an orchestra), and Harry's cute kid, and there's lots of situations for misunderstandings and confusion.
(Romance)

Love is a Four Legged Word by Kandy Shepherd 

I loved this book. It made me laugh with Brutus, the millionaire mutt.  Will definitely reading more of Kandy's books.

There were so many tongue-in-cheek things I loved it's hard to list them all, but must say the romance between Maddy and Tom is just so lovely. And the best pack ending!! :)
(Romance)

hey what is it with me and books about dogs this month?!!



Generation 18 by Keri Arthur (Spook Squad, Book 2)

This is the second book in the Spook Squad series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the futuristic setting, the characters (Gabriel - mmmm), and the storyline. Sam is still trying to piece together where she comes from. She and Gabriel have lots of tension but he pushes her away afraid she will be killed. And there is a mysterious man she meets and is in her dreams too...someone she doesn't know if she can trust but who knows all about her and her past. He's just not saying...
(Horror & Urban Fantasy)


The Arrival by Shaun Tan

This is a book devoid of any words but the pictures speak enough for it. The story of immigrants going into another country. I see familiar faces really, having been a daughter of immigrants, but also the photographs of family as they were when they first arrived in Australia. Such a lovely book in sepia tones. I can say there was emotion stuck in my throat 'reading' the stories in there. Fantastic artwork as usual. Making everything both familiar and unfamiliar.

Oh btw - Shaun won an Oscar for Best Short Animated Film for The Lost Thing. Fantastic news!!! I've read the book but haven't seen the movie. 

Night of the Living Trekkies by Keith David Anderson & Sam Stall 

It’s sci-fi/horror – zombie book set at a Star Trek convention. Much fun had with the two genres and of course it was funny. There was even Star Wars references shown in. I actually picked up this book from the library because of the Book trailer....it's gold.
(Horror & Urban Fantasy)

Trailer YouTube link



Shaun of the Dead (Graphic Novel)

Adaptation of the movie. Still laughed at bits (even though I've seen the movie) and the art work is very good. Didn't realise they had put this out until I spotted in my library.



Glory in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death, Book 2)

The second of the Eve Dallas and Rourke series. Again great writing and I was able to move along with this story quickly. I love the relationship between these characters. Both are from unloving backgronds and it's nice to see them have comfort in each other. I shall be continuing with the next book.
(Mystery & Suspense)

So summing up:

Speculative Fiction 2/12 (no change)

Horror & Urban Fantasy 3/24 (up by 2)

Mystery & Suspense 1/12 (up by 1)

Stephen King 0/12 

Romance 3/24 (up by 2)

So looks like the Horror&UF and the Romance Challenges are out in front.

Until next time, happy reading!

January reads

So far: 6 books read this year.

Not a bad start at all. Things have slowed down over the last week though.

All of the books are listed in the 100+ challenge - I've just put specialised challenges in brackets.

The Secret Countess by Eva Ibboston

I started to find the rhythm about a 1/2 way through the book as there were more and more interactions. And of course with the introduction of Muriel, who I didn't like from the start.


The Gift by Cecilia Ahern

Lou is a man who is busy, busy, busy. You want to strangle him for being so clueless about his family but as time he grows on you as you see the doubts creep in and him realising what is important. While people may say this is cliche, it is something that makes you think about the way we spend our time. And really with the world seeming to speed up on us, this is a good thing - to think.
(Spec Fiction)

At Twilight by Maggie Shayne
This is books 4 (Beyond Twilight) & 5 (Born in Twilight) from the Wings of The Night series. You don't really need to read the others to understand what is going on. There's little bits of information that is repeated, such as certain mortals having a rare gene that allows them to become vampires. And characters that reoccur but you don't really need their back story to follow it. I quite enjoyed the two stories and the way vampirism is handled. I'll read the previous books and then start from book 6 again.

(Spec Fiction)

House of Cards by C.E Murphy

Book 2 of The Negotiator Trilogy. I must say I enjoyed the rhythm of this book more than the first one. Oh don't get me wrong, the first one was good, but I thought it was better in this one. Margrit continues to be involved with the Old Races- and while on one side she wants things to be normal, on the other she loves the thrill of it also.

(Horror & Urban Fantasy)

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie

I loved this book and the writing - the humour always makes me laugh in Jenny Crusie's books and I love the rhythms of her scenes. She does things we are not told to do like say 'she thought' but she makes it works and I think who cares re those conventions. Her dialogue is witty and fun, and you you wonder if there ARE ghosts in the house or if it all a hallucination. Not to mention an ex-husband and wife who have never gotten over each other despite the ten years apart. It's a fantastic read.

(Romance)

The Dead of the Night by John Marsden

A great continuation to Tomorrow When The War Began. What I like about it is that is frank - the characters question, they are teenagers who are scared and tired, and they act REAL. And so while there's a lot of planning, a lot of talking and a lot of thinking, it feels right. Will definitely continue with this series.

So there you have it, the 6 books of January!

Summing up:

Speculative Fiction - 2/12

Horror & Urban Fantasy - 1/24

Mystery & Suspense - 0/12

Stephen King - 0/12

Romance - 1/24

Looks like Spec Fiction is in the front :)

Happy Reading all!

November....

Another month gone. Here is what I read this month. Again a variation :)

September Reads

With August and September being conference months, my reading has indeed suffered but still I managed a few in September - though 4 out of 7 are graphic novels :) Still it goes to my count, and thoroughly enjoyable especially The Twilight Volume 1 and The Dark Hunters Vol 1

After having finished the first book in the Outback Baby Tales by Melissa James, I read book 2 by Michelle Douglas and book 3 by Nikki Logan. Both wonderful books. All different in styles but it suited as each heroine was a different type of person. Well done ladies.

And as I mentioned before I finished Moon Sworn - the last of the Riley Jensen books.

And I've reached the 50 book mark for the 100+ reading Challenge.  Yay me!

For the BCC challenge, I am almost at the 20 book mark. I'm not counting graphic novels in this and so it is taking longer as I try and vary my reading.

For the Support Your Library challenge, I have reached over the half way mark for the Just My Size challenge 27 books out of 50. However I have reached the amount for the Mini Challenge, so that is something.

Harlequin challenge - The Mini-series challenge - I have met the target of 24, so whatever I add now is a bonus.

What am I reading now:
Well you can always see what I'm currently reading in the widget in the left hand side bar, but that constantly changes. So here is the list:

• Memory Zero by Keri Arthur
• House of Cards by C.E. Murphy
• Untouched by Anna Jacobs
• Medalon by Jennifer Fallon
• A Game of Thrones by George R.R Martin
• Betrayal by Fiona McIntosh
• Business in the Bedroom by Anne Oliver
• Quest by Shannah Jay
• Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
• Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
• and Photoshop Elements 6 - though that one I had to return to the library. Must get that out again.

I'm also reading the latest issue of Andromeda Inflight Spaceways magazine. 

Yes that is a lot of books but as I enjoy them all, it depends on my mood on what I am actually concentrating more on. I've just finished a book called Rhiana and so I'm not sure which book I'm going to concentrate on yet.

Decisions, decisions. But what a good decision to have to make. :)

Happy reading all!!

June reads

I had a great month of reading in June. I finished off my reward book of Shadowfae, read new authors - Helene Young and Lauren Kate, caught up on a Twilight installment, and started catching on my e-TBR pile with Anna Hackett's novella Wind Kiss, Fire Bound.

Each was different and I enjoyed that immensely- though 4 out of the 5 were speculative fiction, they were all different in tone, world building, length, and voice.

Happy reading!

January reads

 

I read/ finished the following this month:


Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordon (childrens) - Fantasy

Thoroughly enjoyed this modern take on the Greek gods still living among us. It had wit & charm. Definitely will continue reading the series.

Astonishing X-men Vol 1: Gifted by Joss Whedon & John Cassaday - Comic

Great story. This is the first X-men comic I have read and so not sure what the complete backstory is (helps abit to have watched the movies). 

Lights, Camera...Kiss The Boss by Nikki Logan (debut book!) - Harlequin Romance
I LOVED this book & it's written by someone I very much admire. You wouldn't think it was a debut book - honestly, it just flowed so well & kept me entertained. It does have a nature theme but it's very cleverly woven into the story & tied to the characters. We will be seeing much more of Nikki Logan, no doubt.


Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer - YA - Paranormal romance
review here.

Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich - Mystery/ Humour
I enjoy reading this series but I do have to be in the mood. The triangle between Stephanie, Morelli & Ranger is getting a little on the 'old' side. But the humour and the way Stephanie always seems to get into trouble make up for that. And the secondary characters are a scream.

Astonishing X-men Vol 2: Dangerous by Joss Whedon & John Cassaday - Comic

A good continuation of the story.

The Morcai Battalion by Diana Palmer - Science Fiction

I really like the premise of this and I did enjoy the characters. I just felt it jumped around with the character's perspectives. I'm interested in reading the rest of the series though.

Favourite was....drum roll....

 

Nikki Logan's Lights, Camera...Kiss The Boss

The cover left is the Australian/New Zealand version that will hit the shelves in March. 

Happy Reading!