April 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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April's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (7/21 books)

1. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (iPad)
2. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
3. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
4. Zom-B by Darren Shan
5. Birth by Tina Cassidy
6. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
7. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2900 pages
Pages Remaining: 864,970 pages

Current Read -- Choosing my next read

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (0)

Comments: I knew my reading was going to take a hit after starting my job.  This month shows just how big of a hit.  Nevertheless, I am happy with what I did read.  Going forward, I am adjusting my reading goals to reflect my minimization of time.

May's TBR Pile:

1. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
2. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkings (iPad)
3. The Postman by David Brinn (iPad)
4. Emma by Jane Austen
5. Lost by Gregory Maguire (iPad)
6. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
7. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
8. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
9. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche
10. Unbroken by Lauren Hillerbrand
11. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper
12. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner
13. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson

March 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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March's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (18/24 books)

1. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
2. Sandition by Jane Austen (iPad)
3. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
4. Death: At Death's Door by Jill Thompson
5. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
6. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
7. Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts
8. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts
9. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper
10. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
11. A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel by George R.R. Martin
12. Locke and Key Vol 5: Clockworks
13. Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend by Katie MacAlister
14. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
15. London Eye by Tim Lebbon
16. The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
17. Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
18. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
19. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
20. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
21. Crossed by Ally Condie
22. Next by Michael Crichton -- DNF
23. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (book club selection - preordered, delivering on my birthday!)
24. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (added)

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 5149 pages
Pages Remaining: 867,870 pages

Current Read -- A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (1) -- Next by Michael Crichton.  Just couldn't get into it at all...

Challenges Completed -- None yet

Comments -- Awesome reading month.  A ton of great books.  So far, I've had a great reading year.  I hope my momentum keeps up with my new job and a changing family situation.

April's TBR Pile:

1. The Secret Garden by France Hodgson Burnett (iPad)
2. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
3. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (iPad)
4. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (iPad)
5. The Postman by David Brinn (iPad)
6. Lost by Gregory Maguire (iPad)
7. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
8. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
9. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
10. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
11. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche
12. Birth by Tina Cassidy
13. Sandition by Jane Austen (iPad)
14. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern -- Book club selection
15. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
16. Zone One by Colson Whitehead
17. The Twelve by Justin Cronin
18. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper
19. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
20. Zom-B by Darren Shan
21. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

February 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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February's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (20/23 books)

1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (from January's TBR)
2. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
3. 300 by Frank Miller (iPad)
4. Cowboys and Aliens
5. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (iPad)
6. Matched by Ally Condie
7. Crossed by Ally Condie
8. Windfall by Rachel Caine
9. Firestorm by Rachel Caine
10. Thin Air by Rachel Caine
11. Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout -- DNF
12. Child of Darkness by Jennifer Armintrout -- DNF'd series
13. Veil of Shadows by Jennifer Armintrout -- DNF'd series
14. Chicks Dig Time Lords by edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O’Shea
15. Stories of Hans Christian Anderson (iPad)
16. Velveteen by Daniel Marks -- DNF
17. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
18. Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce
19. The Postman by Brinn (iPad)
20. Fables: Vol. 17 Inherit the Wind
21. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (not pictured)
22. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
23. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King (not pictured)

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 6213 pages
Pages Remaining: 873,019 pages

Current Read -- Crossed by Ally Condie

Books Won (3)

• Epub of Fallen by Lauren Kate from Louise @ Book Bliss
• The Turning by Francine Prose and Feedback by Robison Wells from Michelle @ The True Book Addict
• Y from Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader

Books I Gave Up On (4): 

• Jennifer Armintrout's Lightworld/Darkworld.  I felt very confused by the world...  I gave the series 85 pages and it just wasn't pulling me in at all.  I give up.
• Velveteen by Daniel Marks.  I gave it 100 pages and nothing was compelling me to read it.  I just think it's not my cup of tea.

Challenges Completed -- None yet, but I'm making great progress.

Comments -- A mixed bag this month.  I read a few great books and a DNF'd a few books.  I felt very schizophrenic this month.  But I am happy with my page counts and challenge slots. I knocked off quite a few books from my TBR list.  Onward to March!

March's TBR Pile:

1. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
2. Sandition by Jane Austen (iPad)
3. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
4. Death: At Death's Door by Jill Thompson
5. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
6. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
7. Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts
8. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts
9. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper
10. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
11. A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel by George R.R. Martin
12. Locke and Key Vol 5: Clockworks
13. Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend by Katie MacAlister
14. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
15. London Eye byTim Lebbon
16. The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
17. The Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
18. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
19. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
20. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
21. Crossed by Ally Condie
22. Next by Michael Crichton
23. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (book club selection - preordered, delivering on my birthday!)

January 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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January's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (22 books)

1. Wanted by Mark Millar (not pictured)
2. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (not pictured)
3. Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
4. Locke and Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (not pictured)
5. Locke and Key Vol. 2: Head Games (not pictured)
6. Locke and Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows (not pictured)
7. Locke and Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom (not pictured)
8. Beauty and the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (iPad)
9. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
10. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
11. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
12. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine
13. Chill Factor by Rachel Caine
14. Almost America by Steve Tally
15. The Passage by Justin Cronin
16. Persuasion by Jane Austen (iPad)
17. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (iPad)
18. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
19. One Day by David Nicholls
20. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson
21. A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock
22. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 6823 pages Pages Remaining: 879,232 pages

Current Read -- Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Books Won (3)

• Dearly Departed by Lia Habel and Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan from Angela at The Reading Cave
• In a Fix by Linda Grimes from Jessica at Book Sake

Books I Gave Up On (0) -- It was a good reading month.

Challenges Completed -- No yet for 2013, but great progress.

Comments -- A great start to my 2013 reading.  I'm feeling a great momentum.  Now I just need to keep it up.  It's hard to pick my favorite reads for January.  I loved A Game of Thrones, Persuasion, The Passage, and One Day.

February's TBR Pile:

1. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
2. 300 by Frank Miller (iPad)
3. Cowboys and Aliens
4. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (iPad)
5. Matched by Ally Condie
6. Crossed by Ally Condie
7. Windfall by Rachel Caine
8. Firestorm by Rachel Caine
9. Thin Air by Rachel Caine
10. Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout
11. Child of Darkness by Jennifer Armintrout
12. Veil of Shadows by Jennifer Armintrout
13. Chicks Dig Time Lords by edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O'Shea
14. Stories of Hans Christian Anderson (iPad)
15. Velveteen by Daniel Marks
16. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
17. Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce
18. The Postman by Brinn (iPad)
19. Fables Vol. 17 Inherit the Wind
20. Book club selection -- The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (not pictured)
21. Other book club selection -- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
22. Author event selection -- The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (not pictured)

December 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (21 books)

1. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees
2. Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris
3. Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes
4. Chocolate by Shara Aaron and Monica Bearden
5. The Boys Vol. 12: The Bloody Doors Off
6. Social Q's by Philip Galanes
7. Not Quite What I was Planning edited by Smith Magazine
8. Click edited by Courtney E. Martin and J. Courtney Sullivan
9. Sprezzatura by Peter D'Epiro and Mary Desmond Pinkowish
10. A History of Egypt by Jason Thompson
11. Words Words Words by David Crystal
12. Active Liberty by Stephen Breyer
13. Blue by Lisa Cregan
14. Minigami by Gay Merrill Gross
15. The Green Book
16. The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall
17. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
18. The Magician King by Lev Grossman
19. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
20. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
21. Batman: Earth One

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 6666 pages
Pages Remaining: 886,055 pages

Current Read

None as I am switching to my 2013 lists.

Books Won (1)

• The Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews from Maggie at Literary Winner

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

• What's in a Name 6 -- I didn't think only 6 books would be hard to complete, but somehow it took me all year.  But I will be adding this to my challenges for next year.
• Back to the Classics -- Difficult but I did it and read some great classics.
• Mixing It Up -- 16 books from 16 different genres.  Loved it!
• Historical Fiction -- I never get to it until the second part of the year, but I do love this genre.
• Seasonal Reading Challenge
• Fantasy Reading Challenge

Comments

I ended the reading year with a bang.  Look at those numbers!  I am very excited about my progress.  And while I didn't finish all the challenges that I started, I still think my completion rate is pretty awesome.  I'm hoping to start 2013 well with some great books.

November 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (16 books)

1. The Girl from Junchow by Kate Furnivall
2. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
4. The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall
5. An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell
6. Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott
7. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
8. As You Like It by William Shakespeare
9. Pericles by William Shakespeare
10. Othello by William Shakespeare
11. Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
12. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
13. Poems of Emily Dickinson
14. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
15. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
16. Mythology by Edith Hamilton

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4459 pages
Pages Remaining: 892,721 pages

Current Read

• The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
• The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees
• The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

Books Won (3)

• A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano from Library Thing's Early Reviewers
• The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter from Cathy at Addicted to Books
• The Velveteen by Daniel Marks from Becky at Stories and Sweets

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

• Shakespeare Reading Challenge -- 12 plays in a year.  3 histories, 3 tragedies, 3 comedies.  Overall I enjoyed the challenge, but at this point, I definitely need something else.
• Telling Tales -- This was a much more difficult challenge to finish, but I finally did it.
• Science Fiction -- Mixed results in my enjoyment, but some good reads.
• Books2Movies -- Twenty books made into movies.  This challenge will be on the list for next year.

Comments

November was awesome!   I knocked out three reading challenges and over 4000 pages.  Traveling to Indiana for Thanksgiving allowed me a ton of time for reading on planes and in airports.  And I used my iPad to read most of those books.  I'm hoping to finish at least four more reading challenges in December and finish 2012 out with a bang!

Next Month's TBR -- Last chance to knock out those reading challenges

• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (about halfway through)
• The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
• The Firemaster's Mistress by Dickason
• Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes
• Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
• The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees
• Some book about food...
• The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristin McMorris
• More nonfiction?

October 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (12 books)

1. Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeleine Roux
2. Persuasion by Jane Austen
3. The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
4. Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater
5. Siege by Rhiannon Frater
6. Feed by Mira Grant
7. Deadline by Mira Grant
8. Blackout by Mira Grant
9. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
10. The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
11. The Princess and the Bear by Mette Ivie Harrison
12. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 5178 pages
Pages Remaining: 897,180 pages

Current Read

Girl from Junchow by Kate Furnivall

Books Won (2)

• The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
• A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

• Zombie Reading Challenge -- 24 awesome horror filled books for me to enjoy.  I already have my eyes on some zombie books for next year's challenge.

Comments

Pretty good month for reading.  I started out with the FrightFall Readathon and the goal of finishing my zombie challenge.  I got through five books during the readathon.  Decent showing for not a huge amount of reading.  And within the next week I had finished my zombie challenge. I also joined a book club and we had our first meeting (Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks).  Because of the holidays and traveling, we won't be having our next meeting until December.  I'm really looking forward to it.  For next month I want to knock out my Shakespeare challenge and Fantasy challenge.  I plan on loading my iPad with reads for the Thanksgiving traveling.  Hopefully I can have tons to read and only have to lug one physical book (for take-off and landings).  Plans plans plans...

Next Month's TBR -- iPad reads month

• Cymbeline by Shakespeare
• Pericles by Shakespeare
• As You Like It by Shakespeare
• Othello by Shakespeare
• Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott
• The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
• Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep? by Philip K. Dick

September 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (15 books)

1. This Book is Overdue by Marilyn Johnson
2. Haunts of San Jose by David Lee
3. Twelfth Night by Shakespeare
4. Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love
5. Liberty Defined by Ron Paul
6. King Lear by Shakespeare (review pending)
7. The Maiden's Hand by Susan Wiggs
8. At the Queen's Summons by Susan Wiggs
9. The Lost Millennium by Florin Diacu
10. Change.edu by Andrew Rosen
11. Slanted and Enchanted by Kayla Oakes
12. Ten Discoveries that Rewrote History by Patrick Hunt
13. On Target by Laura Rowley
14. Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun by Gita May
15. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  4216 pages
Pages Remaining: 902,358 pages

Current Read

Persuasion by Jane Austen and a ton of zombie books!

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (3)

• Fables series reading challenge -- Finally knocked this one out.  I wanted to read Volume 17, but couldn't wait.  Instead I read Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love, part of the spin-off series.
• Romance reading challenge -- After completing a historical romance trilogy, I finished it.
• Harry Potter -- Loved rereading these.

Comments

After a train wreck of an August, my reading got back on track.  I am so excited to have read some great books (fiction and nonfiction).  And I finished three! reading challenges.  I knocked off so many items on my large reading challenge list.

Next Month's TBR -- it's a zombie month!  At least a zombie week.

• Feed by Mira Grant
• Deadline by Mira Grant
• Blackout by Mira Grant
• Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeleine Roux
• The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
• Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater
• Siege by Rhiannon Frater

August 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (10 books)

1. Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin
2. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
3. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
4. The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
5. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
6. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
7. Much Ado About Nothing By Shakespeare
8. Richard III by Shakespeare
9. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
10. Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  2751 pages
Pages Remaining: 906,574 pages

Current Read

This Book is Overdue by Marilyn Johnson

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (1)

• YA -- Another 12 books off my list!  This will definitely be making an appearance for next year, but I'm also thinking of adding a Children's fiction challenge.

Comments

I had scheduled a wonderful readathon with Bout of Books and I had hoped to get through a huge stack of books.  Life had other plans.  My medical issues took all of the strength and motivation from me.  I just didn't get as much read as I wanted, but I think my numbers are still respectable.  Plus, I knocked out some Shakespeare right at the end of the month.

Next Month's TBR -- So many books as the year is winding down.  My top priorities...

• Harry Potter 7
• A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn
• This Book is Overdue
• Teachers Matter
• The Haunts of San Jose
• The Maiden's Hand by Susan Wiggs
• At the Queen's Summons by Susan Wiggs
• The Princess and the Bear by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Shakespeare (lots of him)

July 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (17 books)

1. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
2. The Sandman Vol. 4 Season of Mists
3. The Sandman Vol. 5 A Game of You
4. Persepolis: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi
5. Adriannna's Fairy Tales by Adrianna White
6. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
7. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville
8. Carole's Christmas by Anny Glynn
9. 12th Night
10. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
11. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
12. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
13. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
14. Hater by David Moody
15. Dog Blood by David Moody
16. Them or Us by David Moody
17. Ashfall by Mike Mullin

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 5867  pages
Pages Remaining: 909,715 pages

Current Read

Ashen Winterl by Mike Mullin

Books Won (1)

Eden's Root by Rachel Fisher from the author!

Books I Gave Up On (1)

Jemima J by Jane Green -- I gave it 48 pages and just couldn't connect with any of the characters.  The book was published in 1999 and makes the internet sound like this new wonderful thing.  Maybe if I read it in 1999, I would have liked it.  In 2012, it just felt dated...

Challenges Completed

• Graphic Novel Challenge -- I loved this one!  I signed up for 20 volumes, but I'm sure that I'll be reading more throughout the rest of the year.
• Support Your Local Library -- Easy peasy.  I just can't resist the lure of all the books on the shelves.  I really do need to put myself on a library ban and get to my own books (note my abysmal progress on the Mount TBR challenge).
• Vampire Challenge -- I originally was going to read Jeanine Frosts books, but found myself rounding out the challenge with the Vampire Academy series.  This will definitely be on my list for next year's challenges.

Comments

Loving my progress this month.  I knocked out three reading challenges and over 5000 pages.  I still need to focus on a few specific challenges, but I'm happy.  I also finished three series!  I really need to keep up my motivation.

Next Month's TBR

• The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (readalong)/watch movie
• His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
• Persuasion by Jane Austen/watch move
• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen/watch movie
• a couple Austen related books
• Lots of Shakespeare plays/watch movies
• HP and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep? by Philip K. Dick/watch Blade Runner

June 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (17 books)

1. Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
2. Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli
3. The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes
4. Beauty by Robin McKinley
5. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
6. The Sandman: The Doll's House
7. The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker
8. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
9. The Boys: Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men
10. Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life (series review pending)
11. Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
12. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
13. Frostbite by Richelle Mead
14. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
15. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
16. Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon
17. The Sandman: Dream Country

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 5024 pages
Pages Remaining: 915,582 pages

Current Read

The Sandman Volume 4 Season of Mist

Books Won (4)

Whisper Cape by Regan Walsh from the author!

The First Days trilogy by Rhiannon Frater from Book Chick City...  look so pretty!

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

Read Your Name Challenge -- 23 books for 23 letters in my full name.  First challenge of the year done!

Comments

It was a good month for reading!  My favorite of the month was definitely The Lost Hero!  The boys and I can't wait to start The Son of Neptune.  I also enjoyed starting the Vampire Academy and Sandman series.  I got a few knocked out my Mount TBR and a few from my general TBR list.  I'm ahead on my GoodReads challenge and want to stay that way.  I'll try to keep the reading going strong for the rest of the summer.  Wish me luck!

Next Month's TBR

• The Sandman Vol. 4,5,6,7,8
• Rebel Angels and A Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
• HP and the Deathly Hallows
• The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
• Vampire Academy #4,5,6 by Richelle Mead
• His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman
• Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
• The First Days trilogy by Rhiannon Fr

May 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (13 books)

1. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
3. The Frog Prince by Stephen Mitchell
4. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
5. Paris in Love by Eloisa James
6. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
7. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben Winters
8. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
9. Wonderland by Tommy Kovac and Sonny Liew
10. Kick -Ass by Mark Millar
11. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
12. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
13. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 1910

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  4448 pages
Pages Remaining: 920,606 pages

Current Read

Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein

Books Won (3)

So excited!  I just found out that I won the As the World Dies trilogy by Rhiannon Frater from Book Chick City.  I've been wanting to read these for awhile.  I can't wait to get these...

Books I Gave Up On (1)

Paris in Love by Eloisa.  -- While, I ultimately decided to stop reading, I did share why I stopped reading it in a review.

Challenges Completed

• Bout of Books Readathon -- I always have fun doing this one!
• Getting close to some regular RCs...

Comments

A much better month than I originally thought.  Of course, participating in the Bout of Books Readathon helped focus my reading.  I finished 5 books in that week alone.  I knocked out a few from the TBR shelves and a few from the library.  I also completed two more HP books which gets me back on track for my one a month plan.  Overall I have to say my favorite book this month was Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.  I can't wait until the movie comes out (June 22nd!).  Looking forward to knocking out a few reading challenges next month.

Next Month's TBR

• The Sandman Vol. 1, 2, 3
• Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
• Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli
• HP and the Half-Blood Prince
• Beauty by Robin McKinley
• The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
• Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
• Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
• Ashes by Isla Bick

April 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (12 books)

1. Everneath by Brodie Ashton
2. Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield
3. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
4. Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos
5. Beastly by Alex Flinn
6. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson
7. The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
8. The Walking Dead: Book 4
9. Bad Doings and Big Ideas by Bill Willingham
10. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
11. Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux
12. The Radleys by Matt Haig

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  4244 pages
Pages Remaining: 925,054 pages

Current Read

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (0)

Comments

I thought April would be a wash with Spring Break vacation and moving, but I ended up with a respectable book and page counts.  I didn't get around to reading my MonthlyShakespeare (Much Ado About Nothing) or my Monthly Harry Potter (Goblet of Fire).  So those are definitely going on the list for May.

Next Month's TBR

• HP 4
• Much Ado About Nothing
• HP 5
• Antony and Cleopatra
• Have to unpack my books before specifying any others...

March 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (12 books)

1. The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan
2. Evermore by Alyson Noel
3. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
4. Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean
5. Rise Again by Ben Tripp
6. Eat, Slay, Love by Jesse Petersen
7. Timeless by Gail Carriger
8. The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
9. Henry V by Shakespeare
10. Readings on Shakespeare's Histories
11. Doctor Who: The Forgotten
12. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  3739 pages
Pages Remaining: 929,298 pages

Current Read

?  I have a list of things to read, but don't know where to start.

Books Won (0)

There were two but somehow I packed them away before notating..  Crap.

Books I Gave Up On (1)

Shadowland by Alyson Noel (Immortals #3) -- I'm done with this series.  I just couldn't get over the totally immature and ridiculous nature of the characters and storyline.

Comments

March wasn't the best reading month, but I did knock out quite a few library books.  Since we're moving at the end of April, I really need to get library books read and returned and pack the rest of my books. 

Next Month's TBR

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
• Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare
• Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux
• Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
• Ill Wind (Weather Warden series) by Rachel Caine
• The Radleys by Matt Haig
• Mythology by Edith Hamilton
• The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
• The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
• Bad Doings and Big Ideas
• Snow Crash
• The Girl from Jungchow by Kate Furnivall

February 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (15 books)

1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
2. Fables: Super Team
3. American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout
4. Night of the Necromancer by Kyle West and Jelani Sims
5. Zombie Blondes by Brian James
6. A Gentleman Always Remembers by Candace Camp
7. An Affair without End by Candace Camp
8. The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore
9. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
10. MacBeth by Shakespeare
11. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
12. Doctor Who: Through Time and Space
13. The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs
14. You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay
15. Undead Much by Stacey Jay

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4712pages
Pages Remaining: 933,037 pages

Current Read

Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready

The Long Weekend by Salita Kalhan

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (0)

Comments

I thought I would hit a reading rut this month.  So thankful that it didn't happen.  I have some great plans to keep this reading streak going. 

Next Month's TBR

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
• Henry V by Shakespeare
• Immortals series by Alyson Noel
• The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
• Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean
• Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux
• Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield
• First Days by Rhiannon Frater
• Rise Again by Ben Tripp
• Pure by Julianna Baggott
• The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
• Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

January 2012 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (25 books)

1. Jack of Fables: The End
2. Fables: Witches
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
4. The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks
5. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
6. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
7. The Boys: The Big Ride
8. Brains: A Zombie Memoir by Robin Becker
9. Fables: Rose Red
10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
11. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
12. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
13. Hatter M Volume 1
14. Hatter M Volume 2
15. Hatter M Volume 3
16. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
17. A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
18. Autumn: Purification by David Moody
19. Autumn: Disintegration by David Moody
20. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
21. A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare
22. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Manga Edition
23. Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster
24. Harry Potter Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley
25. The Joy of Scrapbooking by Lisa Bearnson

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 7005  pages Pages Remaining: 937,749 pages

Current Read

Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs -- Won in a giveaway before Christmas.  Really been wanting to get to this one!

Books Won (3)

• Moonlight and Oranges by Elise Stephens from Laura Ashlee at Owl Tell You About It
• Triangles by Ellen Hopkins from Cindy at Oodles of Books
• The Long Weekend by Saviat Kalhan from Michelle at The True Book Addict (A Winter's Respite Readathon)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (2)

Two readathons, A Winter's Respite from The True Book Addict and Bout of Books 3.0.  I thought I did well on both of those readathons.  I think I might be getting better and focusing my reading time.

Comments

What an awesome start to the reading year!  I am so excited about my progress so far.  Check out those reading challenge progress bars; I've made headways into many of those.  Plus, I read some really great books this month, specifically The Hunger Games trilogy.  Hope I can keep the momentum up next month.

Next Month's TBR

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
• MacBeth by Shakespeare
• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• A Gentleman Always Remembers by Candace Camp
• Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux
• The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
• The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming
• Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean
• American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout
• The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs
• The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore
• Rise Again by Ben Tripp
• First Days by Rhiannon Frater
• Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• Night of the Necromancer by Kyle West
• Sunshine by Robin McKinley
• Zombie Blondes by Brian James
• An Affair Without End by Candace Camp

December 2011 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (9 books)

1. Peter and Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham
2. Fables: Sons of Empire
3. Fables: The Good Prince
4. Fables: War and Pieces
5. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
6. Fables: The Dark Ages
7. Fables: The Great Fables Crossover
8. Jack of Fables: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack
9. Jack of Fables: The Fulminate Blade

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  2247  pages
Pages Remaining: 944,364 pages

Current Read

None -- taking a bit of a break before diving into 2012 reads.

Books Won (1)

A Game of Thrones by George Martin from Angela

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (2)

2011 -- Finally done!  It took me forever to get through all the categories.  I finished Inkheart, which counted for the Bablefish category.

Fables Series -- I absolutely adore this series.  Can't wait to read more next year.

Comments

I think I finished the year off on a strong note.  I didn't read as many books I would have liked this month, but I think 9 is respectable given all the events going on.  I'm taking a bit of a reading break to grear up for next year's reading.

Next Month's TBR

See the new 2012 Reading Challenges Page... There's just too many to list right here.

November 2011 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (7 books)

1. Blameless by Gail Carriger
2. Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell
3. The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall
4. Fables: Arabian Nights (and Days)
5. Heartless by Gail Carriger
6. The Queen's Dollmaker by Christine Trent
7. The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:   2600 pages
Pages Remaining: 946,611 pages

Current Read

Peter and Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham and Steve Leialoha -- I adore the Fables comic series and this novel is just as good...  Can't wait to finish it!  Now if only I could find the time.

Books Won (1)

Switched by Amanda Hocking from LibraryThing

Books I Gave Up On (0)

It was a good selection of  books.  All 7 of my attempted reads were good enough to finish.

Challenges Completed (1)

Contemporary Romance

Comments

This month was a dismal failure.  I got so busy at work, at home, and traveling that I just didn't get much read.  I've been averaging 15 books a month, so 7 is bad.  I have about 30 books to read for December if I'm going to finish my main reading challenges.  I have given up completely on three of them, but I really want to cross the finish line for the others.  Hopefully!  I have some reading time blocked out in December so I can tackle some of those. 

Other than that, November was a full month.  I got most of my Christmas cards made.  That's right, I'm making homemade Christmas cards this year.  I had a great Stampin' Up class with some new ideas to try out.  But the big event was traveling back to Indiana for Thanksgiving.  I finished a book on the plane going there and a book on the plane coming back.  The rest of the time was spent hanging with my boys, friends, and family.  We had packed days with activities and reconnecting with friends.  I was a bit disappointed with some of the people I thought were friends.  But I did get to see many others and we had a great time. 

Next Month's TBR

• ~7 Fables volumes
• Contact by Carl Sagan
• The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
• Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
• The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
• Boneshaker and Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
• Heart of Iron by Ekaterine Sedia
• The Girl from Jungchow by Kate Furnivall
• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
• The Dress Lodger by Holman

October 2011 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (24 books)

1. Soulless by Gail Carriger
2. The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy
3. Jack of Fables: Americana
4. Fables: Wolves
5. The Elephant Mountains by Scott Ely
6. The Boys: The Name of the Game
7. The Boys: Get Some
8. Accidentally Dead by Dakota Cassidy
9. The Boys: Good for the Soul
10. The Boys: We Gotta Go Now
11. The Boys: Herogasm
12. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
13. The Walking Dead: Book 3
14. The Affinity Bridge by George Mann
15. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
16. The Boys: The Self Preservation Society
17. Night World Vol. 1 by L.J. Smith
18. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
19. The Boys: The Innocents
20. The Boys: Highland Laddie
21. Night World Vol. 2 by L.J. Smith
22. Changeless by Gail Carriger
23. Jack of Fables: Turning Pages
24. Jack of Fables: The Big Book of War

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 6034 pages
Pages Remaining: 949,211 pages

Current Read

Blameless by Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate #3) -- Absolutely in love with this series right now.  I'm blowing through Blameless and should be starting Heartless very soon.  Unfortunately I have to wait a few months for Timeless.

Books Won (7)

Thank you all for hosting some great giveaways!  I can't wait to dig into this spooky pile.

• Awaking by Madeline Freeman from The Wormhole.
• Feed by Mira Grant  from Julie at My Book Retreat.
• Zombie Apocalypse, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters and Zombie Blondes from Michelle at Castle Macabre.
• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs from Lori at Pure Imagination.
• Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay (personalized and signed!!!)  from Kelly at Reading the Paranormal.

Series I Gave Up On

Night World -- It became much too formulaic for my tastes.  I had to call it quits.

Challenges Completed (6)

Frightful Fall Readathon.  Dewey 24-Hour Readathon.  Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.  Bout of Books Readathon.  Page to Screen Reading Challenge.  Vampire Challenge.

Three readathons and three reading challenges completed.  I am very happy with my success from this past month. Also I am getting closer and closer to my 2011 reading goals (over 80% done!).

Comments

I knew this month would be a transition time.  Settling into my full time position meant I had to reexamine my reading habits and time.  Hence the abundance of graphic novels in my reading list.  They are easier to stop and start than full length novels.  Plus I can finish one of them in a day.  They helped me smooth over the transition.  I already have my TBR list for next month.  It's full of historical fiction to wrap up that and some other yearly challenges.  I am certain the Fables series will be continued once those books come off hold at the library.  And J just told me today that the next The Boys volume comes out towards the end of the month...  You know we will be getting and devouring that.

September 2011 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (12 books)

1. Warrior by Zoe Archer
2. Fables: Homelands
3. Scoundrel by Zoe Archer
4. Jack of Fables: The (Nearly) Great Escape
5. Rebel by Zoe Archer
6. Jack of Fables: Jack of Hearts
7. Stranger by Zoe Archer
8. Jack of Fables: The Bad Prince
9. Just a Little White Lie by Lynnette Hallberg
10. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
11. Staying at Daisy's by Jill Mansell
12. The Walking Dead: Book Two

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  3490 pages
Pages Remaining: 955,245 pages

Current Read

Soulless by Gail Carriger -- Loving it so far!

Challenges Completed (1.5)

A movie challenge completed... Well almost.  We tried to watch one movie for every letter of the alphabet from our collection.  We have a few letters left.  Specifically Q, V, W, X, Y, and Z.  We have at least two movies for each of those letters, but we ran out of days.  I figured we wouldn't watch one movie a night.  The new fall seasons started two weeks ago.  Plus some nights we spent time talking or reading or blogging.  Therefore we are a bit behind.  But we have recommitted to finish out those letters in the next two weeks.

And the Summer Romance Challenge! I committed myself to reading 24 books for the challenge (8 historical romance, 8 contemporary romance, and 8 paranormal romance).  At the start of September, I was a bit scared.  I still had 7 books to read and four of those were from contemporary romance.  Thankfully I found some good books and finished the challenge out.

Comments

A new life challenge started.  The Day Zero Project: 101 things in 1001 days.  I am really excited to make some tangible goals for myself for the next 2.75 years.  I've already made some good progress.  I hit a snag this past week, but I know have a better laid out plan.

I am a bit disappointed with my reading this week.  The total is lower than I would like, but I have a good excuse: I got a job!  I'm so excited to start a new job, and not just because that means an influx of money.  It's a small, but integral position at a great social service organization focused on kids.  Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful.  I've eased into the organization and atmosphere easily.  I'm even out of the training portion of the job and have claimed my area and responsibilities.  It feels great.

Hopefully next month I'll be able to up my reading back to its usual numbers.  Plus I have two reading challenges coming up: Fall Frightful Reading Challenge and the Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon (first attempt!).  Looking forward to it!