April 2014 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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April's TBR Pile (6/10):

1. J's pick: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury √
2. Nonfiction: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling √
3. Fluffy romance: Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano √
4. Freebie: The Strain by Guillermo del Toro
5. Classic: A Vindication on the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
6. Book club selection: The Thirteenth Tale by Diana Setterfield √
7. Carry-over: Wicked by Gregory Maguire √
8. Contemporary YA: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
9. Story Collection: Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
10. Added: How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff √

Picture Book Roundup (I'm not planning on reviewing the picture books we read, but I do plan on recording them monthly for my reading challenge)

• We didn't read any new ones this month...

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 1616 pages
Pages Remaining: 826,700 pages

Current Read - The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet

Comments - Decent month.  Not the greatest and I often found myself crafting instead of reading.  I need to carve out more time to read.

May's TBR Pile:

1. Classic: The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. Book club selection: American Gods by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
3. Carry-over: A Vindication on the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
4. Contemporary YA: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (iPad)
5. Story Collection: Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
6. Series pick: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
7. Adult Contemporary: Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews
8. Mystery Pick: Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
9. Monthly Key Word (Star, Light, Never, Princess, Break, Clear): Ember by Kristin Callihan (iPad)
10. Read-a-Long: The Strain by Guillermo del Toro (ipad)

March 2014 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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March's TBR Pile (8/11):

1. February Roll-over: Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein √
2. J's pick: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
3. Nonfiction: What Ifs of American History √
4. Freebie: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
5. Series pick: The Zombie Whisperer by Jesse Petersen √
6. Classic: Tales of the Brothers Grimm √
7. Book club selection: The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy √
8. Carry-over: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
9. Monthly Key Word: Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim √
10. Library Pick: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa √
11. Added: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen √

Picture Book Roundup (I'm not planning on reviewing the picture books we read, but I do plan on recording them monthly for my reading challenge)

1. Up Tall and High by Ethan Long -- Not my favorite, not Arthur's favorite
2. Book of Big Brothers by Cary Fagan -- Cute little book, Arthur might enjoy it at a later age
3. Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier -- Loved the bright colors
4. Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia -- Great use of sounds
5. Tony and the Pizza Champions by Tony Gemignani -- Great little story, bit much for the little one
6. The Library Gingerbread Man by Dotti Enderle -- Classic tale
7. Momo and Snap are NOT Friends! by Airlie Anderson -- Lots of sounds, Arthur seemed to enjoy it

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2545 pages
Pages Remaining: 828,214 pages

Current Read - None...  I imagine that I will be starting another book tonight, but I haven't decided which one yet.

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet, but I'm still making some great strides.

Comments - Looky looky!  I read only 8 books this month, but my page total was over 2500!  I'm very pleased with my progress.  Having an active 5 month old cuts into my reading time, but I still try to make time.

April's TBR Pile:

1. J's pick: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
2. Nonfiction: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
3. Fluffy romance: Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano
4. Freebie: The Strain by Guillermo del Toro
5. Classic: A Vindication on the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
6. Book club selection: The Thirteenth Tale by Diana Setterfield
7. Carry-over: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
8. Contemporary YA: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
9. Story Collection: Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk

February 2014 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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Fantasy February's TBR Pile (8/13):

1. January Roll-over: The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin √
2. J's pick: Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein
3. Freebie: Tithe by Holly Black √
4. Book to stage: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
5. Classic: Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie √
6. Book club selection: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn √
7. Carry-over: A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
8. Monthly Motif: Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
9. Fun and Funny: The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Terry Pratchett
10. Series Pick: Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason √
11. Library Book: Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa √
12. Added: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa √
13. Added: Sh*tty Mom by Laurie Kilmartin, Karen Moline, Alicia Ybarbo, Mary Ann Zoellner √

Picture Book Roundup (I'm not planning on reviewing the picture books we read, but I do plan on recording them monthly for my reading challenge)

1. It's a Book by Lane Smith -- Library book. I love Smith's books, but this one is a bit rude for super young kids.
2. Dinosaurumpus! by Tony Mitton -- Library book.  Nice rhyming musical book with real dinosaur names.  Loved it.
3. The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket -- Library book. Awesome book!  I love they way the book teaches kids the roles of the orchestral instruments.  We will be checking this one out again (and possibly buy it).
4. 13 Words by Lemony Snicket -- Library book. Another really great book.  I love that one of the words taught is despondent.  I want Arthur to go around at four year olds telling others that they look despondent.
5. Madam President by Lane Smith -- Library book. Cute little about a little girl president.  I liked it.  Arthur didn't respond to it at all.
6. The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz -- Library book.  I really enjoyed this one.  We will definitely be checking this one out again.
7. The Dark by Lemony Snicket -- Library book. Definitely a dark book, but I really loved it.
8. Fuzzy Bee and Friends -- We own it. It's a cloth book and Arthur loves loves loves chewing on it.
9. Squishy Turtle and Friends -- We own it.  Just like the Fuzzy Bee book.
10. Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae -- We own it.  We picked up this board book from Barnes and Noble.  I really really enjoy it.
11. Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles by Alison Oliver -- We own it.  We had to get a first Sherlock Holmes book for our future detective.
12. Star Trek Book of Opposites -- We own it.  A must read.  It's all based off of the original series.  Too funny.
13. My Little Geek by Andrew and Sarah Spear -- We own it.  A very cute A to Z book for out little geek.  Very appropriate.

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2152 pages
Pages Remaining: 830,759 pages

Current Read - Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet, but I making some decent progress.

Comments - A decent reading month for the shortest month of the year.  I read some mediocre books this month.  I'm hoping March is a lot better.  I've got my TBR pile ready to go.

March's TBR Pile:

1. February Roll-over: Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein
2. J's pick: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
3. Nonfiction: What Ifs of American History
4. Freebie: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
5. Series pick: The Zombie Whisperer by Jesse Petersen
6. Classic: Tales of the Brothers Grimm
7. Book club selection: The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy
8. Carry-over: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
9. Monthly Key Word: Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim
10. Library Pick: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

January 2014 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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January's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (8/12 books)

1. J's pick: High Fidelity by Nick Hornby √
2. J's other pick: Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein
3. Nonfiction: Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
4. Fluffy romance: Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale √
5. Freebie: In the Company of Secrets by Judith Miller √
6. Series pick: A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
7. Nonfiction: Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain √
8. Book to movie: The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
9. Classic: A Room with a View by E.M. Forster √
10. Book club selection: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green √
11. Added: Shambling with the Stars by Jesse Petersen √
12. Added: The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama √

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2422 pages
Pages Remaining: 832,911 pages

Current Read - Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason; The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet

Comments - Not bad for January.  I knocked out a few books form my TBR piles and finished a few iPad reads.  I am again dedicating February to fantasy reads (except for The Nanny Diaries as I am trying to finish that from January).  Lots of great reads to look forward to.  My goal is to surpass my January pages.  Let's see if I can do it.

Fantasy February's TBR Pile:

1. January In Progress: The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin
2. J's pick: Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein
3. Freebie: Tithe by Holly Black
4. Book to stage: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
5. Classic: Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
6. Book club selection: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
7. Carry-over: A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
8. Monthly Motif: Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
9. Fun and Funny: The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Terry Pratchett
10. Series Pick: Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason
11. Library Book: Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa

December 2013 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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December's TBR Pile Recap: 

Books Read and Reviewed (10/15 books)

1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
2. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
3. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
4. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
5. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest
6. Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford
7. Flip! for Decorating by Elizabeth Mayhew
8. Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker
9. Creative Pilgrimage by Jenny Doh
10. Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
11. 1984 by George Orwell
12. The Children of Men by PD James
13. Inside the Creative Studio by Candace Prato
14. B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling
15. Sanditon by Jane Austen

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2995 pages
Pages Remaining: 835,333 pages

Current Read - A Feast for Crows; In the Company of Secrets; The Fault in Our Stars (starting off 2014 with a bang!)

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed - 8 to wrap up my 2013 reading!

• Monthly Key Word
• Nerdy Nonfiction
• Steampunk
• Classics
• Mount TBR
• Fall into Reading
• Jane Austen
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Comments - December went better than I thought it would.  It wasn't my lowest monthly page count, but it wasn't that great. The baby calmed down enough that I could actually get some reading in here and there.  And even though I didn't get to read during my big travel day, I did finish my few leftover 2013 reads.  Looking forward to my reading in 2014!

 January's TBR Pile:

1. J's pick: High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
2. J's other pick: Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein
3. Nonfiction: Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
4. Fluffy romance: Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale
5. Freebie: In the Company of Secrets by Judith Miller
6. Series pick: A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
7. Nonfiction: Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain
8. Book to movie: The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
9. Classic: A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
10. Book club selection: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

November 2013 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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November's TBR Pile Recap: 

Books Read and Reviewed (9/13 books)

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
2. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne
3. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
4. Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
5. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen
6. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
7. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
8. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest
9. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes
10. Saving Wishes by GJ Walker-Smith
11. The Watsons by Jane Austen
12. Jane Austen and the Unplesantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
13. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3606 pages
Pages Remaining: 838,328 pages

Current Read - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  

• Romance Challenge -- Five romance books down.  Not the best selection, but fairly entertaining.
• Eclectic Challenge -- Twelve different classifications. The only one that gave me any trouble was the last category for me to read: new adult.  Finished and done.
• Zombie Challenge -- Only six zombie books this year, but I do always love some zombie...
• Witches and Witchcraft -- An interesting collection of books.
• Blogger Recommendations -- Ten interesting books recommended by other book bloggers.  Found some gems in here...
• Graphic Novel -- Another successful year of comics and graphic novels.  I can't wait to see what I discover next year.

Comments - A decent reading month, but I ended up reading a lot of books that weren't on my original list.  I've got an ambitious list for December.  I highly doubt I will get to all 12 books, but I'm certainly going to try.

December's TBR Pile:

1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
2. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
3. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
4. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
5. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest
6. Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford
7. Flip! for Decorating by Elizabeth Mayhew
8. Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker
9. Creative Pilgrimage by Jenny Doh
10. Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
11. 1984 by George Orwell
12. The Children of Men by PD James

October 2013 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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October's TBR Pile Recap: 

Books Read and Reviewed (13/14 books)

1. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz
2. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
3. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
4. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine
5. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
6. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
7. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
8. Her Ladyship's Companion by Evangeline Collins
9. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
10. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant
11. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
12. Iron's Prophecy by Julie Kagawa
13. Lady Susan by Jane Austen
14. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3804 pages
Pages Remaining: 841,934 pages

Current Read -- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Books Won (1) -- Debt of Fire by J. Alexander Greenwood from The True Book Addict's FrightFall Readathon.

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

• Seriously Series -- Didn't think I was going to make it, but I knocked out 8 complete series this year!  Now I need to pick my series to focus on for next year.
• Neil Gaiman -- A huge chunk of The Sandman series and some selected novels.  I hope to finish his entire catalogue next year.
• Sub-Genre -- 15 different sub genres.  Woohoo!
• Dusty Bookshelf -- I knocked off 15 dusty books from my own bookshelves.  And those were some good reads.  I don't know why I haven't read them before.

Comments

I thought October would be a wash with baby Arthur due to arrive right in the middle of the month.  Fortunately, those first two weeks gave me a ton of time to rest and read.  Most of my reads are from the first half of the month.  Since Arthur's birth my reading has slowed down but hasn't completely disappeared.  I did manage to two books (one huge one!) and a short novella in the second half of the month.  I imagine November will be a slower reading month overall, but I do have a few books I want to get to.  Plus, I am in the middle of the monstrosity that is The Count of Monte Cristo.

Novembers's TBR Pile:

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (in progress)
2. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (iPad)
3. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
4. Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
5. Jane Austen Challenge Book TBD (iPad)
6. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
7. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
8. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest
9. Zombie Challenge Book TBD
10. New Adult Book for Blogger Recommendation Challenge TBD -- Possibly Saving Wishes by GJ Walker-Smith (iPad)

September 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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September's TBR Pile Recap: 

Books Read and Reviewed (17/18 books)

1. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder
2. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman
3. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro
4. Bachelor Girl by Betty Israel
5. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason
6. Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason
7. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
8. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper
9. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
10. Gale Force by Rachel Caine
11. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
12. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
13. A Beautiful Mess: Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman
14. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
15. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
16. The Sandman Vol. 11
17. The Sandman Vol. 12
18. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 5134 pages
Pages Remaining: 845,738 pages

Current Read - Cape Storm by Rachel Caine

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

• TBR Pile

Comments - Holy cow!  Look at those totals!  I did not except to get that high on either books or pages read.  I'm so excited about my reading accomplishments for September.  I crossed off a ton of reading challenge spots.  I even crossed off another reading challenge.  And have gotten super close to finishing many more.  I participated in Bloggiesta and cleaned up the back-end of my blog.  But most importantly, I read some amazing volumes.  The Book Thief, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and The Graveyard Book were my favorites.

Octobers's TBR Pile:

1. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz
2. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
3. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
4. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine
5. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
6. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
7. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
8. Her Ladyship's Companion by Evangeline Collins
9. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

August 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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August's TBR Pile Recap:

Books Read and Reviewed (19/20 books)

1. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
2. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
3. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
4. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (iPad)
5. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (iPad)
6. Wedding of the Century
7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (iPad)
8. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
9. Selected Short Stories of O. Henry
10. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason
11. Every Day by David Levithan
12. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
13. Sandman Vol. 6
14. Sandman Vol. 7
15. The New Deadwardians
16. American Vampire
17. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
18. Sandman Vol. 8
19. Sandman Vol. 9
20. Sandman Vol. 10

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 5842 pages
Pages Remaining: 850,872 pages

Current Read - M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

• New Author Reading Challenge (25/25 new authors read!)
• Women Authors Reading Challenge (25/25 women authors read)
• Genre Reading Challenge (18 different genres read)
• What's in a Name Reading Challenge (6 different books read)

Comments - Holy crap! I did not expect that high of book and page counts for August.  I was expecting another slow month.  But refocusing my time on reading instead of tv watching and internet surfing really paid off.  Also, the Bout of Books Readathon really helped!  I cleared 2000 page that week alone. I have high hopes for September as my last free time before the baby makes its appearance. I've stacked my TBR pile with some exciting looking reads to keep my momentum going.  Plus, I'm joining the Tackle Your TBR Pile Readathon. Look for the starting post soon...

September's TBR Pile:

1. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder
2. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman
3. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro
4. Bachelor Girl by Betty Israel
5. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason
6. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
7. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper
8. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
9. Gale Force by Rachel Caine
10. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

July 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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July's TBR Pile Recap: 

Books Read and Reviewed (10/15 books)

1. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (iPad)
2. Reached by Ally Condie
3. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
4. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
5. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason
6. Lost by Gregory Maguire (iPad)
7. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
8. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
9. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (iPad)
10. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
11. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
12. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
13. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga
14. Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (iPad)
15. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (iPad)

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4576 pages
Pages Remaining: 856,714 pages

Current Read - The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed - I finished the Library reading challenge.  Woo hoo!  And I'm getting really close on some other ones.

Comments - Despite being super busy with work, vacation, and family, I read a ton this month.  I think my determination to finish A Storm of Swords put me over the edge.  Super excited to keep my momentum up next month...

August's TBR Pile:

1. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason
2. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
3. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
4. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (iPad)
5. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (iPad)
6. Wedding of the Century
7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (iPad)
8. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
9. Selected Short Stories of O. Henry
10. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason

June 2013 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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June's TBR Pile Recap: 

Books Read and Reviewed (9/15 books)

1. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
2. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris
3. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs
4. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (not pictured)
5. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
6. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
7. Fables: Cubs in Toyland (not pictured)
8. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
9. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2669 pages
Pages Remaining: 861,290 pages

Current Read - The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins; A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed - None yet, but so close on a few of them...

Comments - Decent totals for this month.  Again my reading time was cut because of work and the addition of the boys for the summer.  I've been spending most of my free time hanging out with them, mini-golfing and going to the pool.  We're heading out of town for the holiday on another epic road trip.  I'm guessing reading time will be scarce until we return (I sometimes get car sick reading in moving vehicles).

July's TBR Pile:

1. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (iPad)
2. Reached by Ally Condie
3. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
4. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
5. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason
6. Lost by Gregory Maguire (iPad)
7. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
8. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
9. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (iPad)
10. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
11. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
12. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
13. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga

May 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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May's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (11/17 books)

1. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper
2. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
3. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
4. The Walking Dead Book 5 (not pictured)
5. The Walking Dead Book 6 (not pictured)
6. The Walking Dead Book 7 (not pictured)
7. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (not pictured)
8. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
9. Emma by Jane Austen
10. The Postman by David Brin (iPad)
11. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (review pending)

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3911 pages
Pages Remaining: 882,144 pages

Current Read - The Mistress by Susan Wiggs

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed - None yet.  I failed the T4MC Part 11, but only by 1 book.  Hopefully I do better for Part 12.

Comments - A decent reading month.  I only read 11 books, but I read almost 4000 pages.  I'd say success!  The Bout of Books 7.0 readathon really helped me focus on my reading.  While I didn't do any of the challenges or participate in the Twitter chats, I had a lot of fun reading books and reading others' blog posts.  Can't wait for 8.0!

June's TBR Pile:

1. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (iPad)
2. Lost by Gregory Maguire (iPad)
3. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
4. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
6. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner
7. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
8. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
9. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (iPad)
10. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs
11. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris
12. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
13. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain

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