November 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

November’s TBR Pile (6/10):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
2. Series Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
3. Nonfiction Pick: Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink √
4. Carry-over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
5. Jar Pick: Wild by Cheryl Strayed √
6. Book Club Selection (December): Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
7. Added: The Last Honest Seamstress by Gina Robinson √
8. Added: Cinder by Marissa Meyer √
9. Added: Revival Vol. 1 √
10. Added: Revival Vol. 2 √

Picture Book Roundup:

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2063 pages Pages Remaining: 737,394 pages

Current Read - The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo

Books I Gave Up On 

Challenges Completed  

Books bought/received 

2016 Total Spent: $21.25

Comments – November's reading sucked majorly... Hoping to actually finish some books in December.

December’s TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
2. MVPA Book Club Selection (February): Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
3. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
4. Nonfiction Pick: ???
5. Carry-over: The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo
6. Jar Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
7. Jar Pick: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

October 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

October’s TBR Pile (10/13):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. Series Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
3. Nonfiction Pick: ???
4. Carry-over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
5. Jar Pick: The Motel Room by Alyssa Cooper √
6. Added: Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin √
7. Added: Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin √
8. Added: Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin √
9. Added: The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall √
10. Added: The Stranger's Obituary by Jessica L. Randall √
11. Added: The Obituary Society's Last Stand by Jessica L. Randall √
12. Added: Rat Queens Vol. 3 √
13. Added: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger √
14. Added: Duke of a Gilded Age by Suzanne G. Rogers √

Picture Book Roundup:

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 1894 pages Pages Remaining: 739,457 pages

Current Read – Slowly slowly making my way through Voyager by Diana Gabaldon. I can't read it during night time feedings because the book is too large and my day time reading has gone down due to baby and toddler needs. I'm also reading a historical romance during the night feedings.

Books I Gave Up On 

Challenges Completed  -- I finished reading 20 different women fiction writers. Always love to complete this challenge. I would have finished it sooner, but I tend to read multiple books by the same women authors and decided to only count one book from each women author for the challenge. I also knocked out my Read My Damn Books challenge of 40 fiction books from my shelves.

Books bought/received 

From Amazon ($5.98)

• The Stranger's Obituary by Jessica L. Randall
• The Obituary Society's Last Stand by Jessica L. Randall

2016 Total Spent: $21.25

Comments – Decent showing for what I knew was going to be a slow reading month. Knocked out two more challenges and many challenges spots. Also finished a few series including The Finishing School by Gail Carriger that was started back in August. Looking forward to November's reading.

November’s TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
2. Series Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
3. Nonfiction Pick: Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
4. Carry-over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
5. Jar Pick: Wild by Cheryl Strayed
6. Book Club Selection (December): Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

September 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

September's TBR Pile (6/10):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio √
2. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
3. Nonfiction Pick: The Residence by Kate Anderson Brower √
4. Carry-over: High Rise by J.G. Ballard
5. Carry-over: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
6. Jar Pick: Where the Girls Are by Susan Douglas (DNF)
7. Added: The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh √
8. Added: Founding Myths by Ray Raphael √
9. Added: Let's Talk About Video Games by Ian Bogost √
10. Added: Circling the Sun by Paula McClain √

Picture Book Roundup:

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2017 pages Pages Remaining: 741,351 pages

Current Read - Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

Books I Gave Up On -- I ended up DNFing Where the Girls Are by Susan Douglas. I just couldn't get into the book at all. Probably not a bad book, just not what I wanted this month.

Challenges Completed  

Books bought/received 

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments - Late pregnancy exhaustion left little time for reading. I'm really not super happy with my overall reading for September, but oh well. October's not going to be much better due to a new baby. Hopefully I can finish out the year strong with November and December.

October's TBR Pile: I'm going to keep my TBR pile super light because of baby Q arriving last week.

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. Series Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
3. Nonfiction Pick: ???
4. Carry-over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
5. Jar Pick: ????

August 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

August's TBR Pile (12/15):

1. Book Club Selection: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary √
3. Series Pick: Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger √
4. Nonfiction Pick: Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
5. Jar Pick: Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick √
6. Jar Pick: Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger √
7. Series in August: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
8. Carry-over: Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke √
9. Carry-over: High Rise by J.G. Ballard (waiting on J to finish...)
10. Added: Rat Queens Vol. 1 √
11. Added: Rat Queens Vol. 2 √
12. Added: What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Cheated by Tevi Troy √
13. Added: Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade √
14. Added: More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh √
15. Added: No Man's Mistress by Mary Balogh √

Picture Book Roundup: Somehow I totally forgot to record any new books read with Arthur.

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3443 pages Pages Remaining: 743,368 pages

Current Read - The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh

Books I Gave Up On (1) - First Bite by Bee Wilson. I was interested in the premise of the book, but it seemed super preachy and was pretty boring.

Challenges Completed  - Nonfiction Books. I finished at least 20 nonfiction books. Love me some good nonfiction!

Books bought/received 

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments - Decent reading this month. Keeping my reading momentum leading up to the baby coming.

September's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio
2. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
3. Nonfiction Pick: The Residence by Kate Anderson Brower
4. Carry-over: High Rise by J.G. Ballard
5. Carry-over: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
6. Jar Pick: Where the Girls Are by Susan Douglas

July 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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July's TBR Pile (11/15):

1. Book Club Selection:The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood √
3. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
4. Nonfiction Pick: Thunderstruck by Erik Larson √
5. Jar Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
6. Jar Pick: The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig √
7. Additional: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke (review pending)
8. Additional: High Rise by J.G. Ballard (review pending)
9. Additional: Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick √
10. Added: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner √
11. Added: The Scorch Trials: The Graphic Novel Prelude √
12. Added: The Curious Case of the Werewolf that Wasn't... by Gail Carriger √
13. Added: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger √
14. Added: The Last Star by Rick Yancey √
15. Added: George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton
2. Dinosaur vs. Mommy by Bob Shea
3. Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times by Andrew Fox
4. Froggy Goes to the Library by Jonathan London
5. Calling All Cars by Sue Fliess
6. Race Car Count by Rebecca Kai Dotich
7. Go-Go Gorillas by Julia Durango
8. Digger Dog by William Bee
9. Red Car, Blue Car by Jonathan Litton
10. Job Site by Nathan Clement
11. Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus by James Dean
12. The Little Shop of Monsters by R.L. Stine and Marc Brown
13. The Pirate Jamboree by Mark Teague
14. How to Find Gold by Viviane Schwarz
15. The Rise and Fall of Oscar the Magician by Matthew Porter
16. Let's Play by Herve Tullet
17. Ten Playful Tigers by Betty Schwartz and Lynn Seresin
18. Digger the Dinosaur by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
19. Listen to My Trumpet by Mo Willems
20. Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Partners by Erica Silverman
21. The Toy Breaker by Geoffrey Hayes
22. Oliver, Amanda, and Grandmother Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen
23. Happy Pig Day by Mo Willems
24. Race Around the World by Susan Amerikaner
25. Peep and Ducky Rainy Day by David Martin
26. Tickle Monster by Edouard Manceau
27. The Find It Book by Margaret Wise Brown
28. One Bear Extraordinaire by Jayme McGowan
29. Elmer and Grandpa Eldo by David McKee
30. Billy and Goat at the Street Fair by Dan Yaccarino
31. I'm Cool by Kate & Jim McMullan

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3407 pages Pages Remaining: 750,218 pages

Current Read - An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  - Perpetual Challenges: I knocked 20 books off my extremely long list of perpetual reading lists.

Books bought/received 

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments -

August's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary
3. Series Pick: Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
4. Nonfiction Pick: Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
5. Jar Pick: Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick
6. Jar Pick: Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger
7. Series in August: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
8. Carry-over: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
9. Carry-over: High Rise by J.G. Ballard

June 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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June's TBR Pile (17/18):

1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Joy of Books by Eric Burns √
3. Series Pick: The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Willig √
4. Nonfiction Pick: The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart √
5. Jar Pick: The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman √
6. Jar Pick: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke (in progress)
7. Additional: Forevermore by Kristen Callihan √
8. Added: Who Put the Devil in Deviled Eggs? by Ann Treistman √
9. Added: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey √
10. Added: Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents by Douglas Brode √
11. Added: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick √
12. Added: Five Ghosts Vol. 1 √
13. Added: East of West Vol. 1 √
14. Added: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey √
15. Added: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig √
16. Added: Wytches Vol. 1 √
17. Added: East of West Vol. 2 √
18. Added: East of West Vol. 3 √
19. Added: East of West Vol. 4 √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Digger to the Rescue by Mandy Archer
2. Night Light by Nicholas Blechman
3. Tractor Saves the Day by Mandy Archer
4. Toot and Pop by Sebastien Braun
5. The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur by Cheryl Bardoe
6. Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4713 pages
Pages Remaining: 750,218 pages

Current Read - Childhood's End by Arthur C Clarke; High Rise by J.G. Ballard; The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig (almost done)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  

Books bought/received

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments - Holy cow June was a great reading month! I knocked out 4713 pages, 17 books, and eight 5 star reads. I can't expect July to be as good for reading, but I will definitely keep reading. I even have a great stack from the library just waiting for me to dive in. Plus two books I'm reading in tandem with J so we can watch the movies (Childhood's End and High Rise) and the final book in the Pink Carnation series!

July's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection:The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
3. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
4. Nonfiction Pick: Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
5. Jar Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
6. Jar Pick: The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig
7. Additional: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
8. Additional: High Rise by J.G. Ballard
9. Additional: Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick

May 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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May's TBR Pile (8/10):

1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander √
3. Series Pick: Saga Vol. 5 √
4. Nonfiction Pick: ???
5. Jar Pick: Breathe by Sarah Crossan (took back to the library)
6. Jar Pick: The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa √
7. Added: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan √
8. Added: Bitch Planet Vol. 1 √
9. Added: Top 10 by Alan Moore √
10. Added: Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Archives Vol. 1 √
11. Added: In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. 1 Zany Zoo by Lori Degman
2. 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
3. 20 Hungry Piggies by Trudy Harris
4. 100 Bears by Magali Bardos
5. Who's Tools by Toni Buzzeo
6. Countdown with Milo by Mike Austin
7. If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
8. If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff
9. Hide and Seek Harry at the Playground by Kenny Harrison
10. Pete the Cat's Train Trip by James Dean
11. Animal ABC by Marcus Pfister
12. Monster Book  by Alice Hoogstad
13. Does a Kangaroo have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle
14. Beastly Babies by Ellen Jackson
15. Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
16. Mister Got to Go, Where are you by Lois Simmie
17. Little Owl's Day by Divya Srinivasan
18. Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli
19. The Good Ship Crocodile by J. Patrick Lewis
20. Rescue by Kate Riggs
21. Big Rig by Jamie Swenson
22. Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
23. Mummy Cat by Marcus Ewert
24. Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz
25. Pirates in Pajamas by Caroline Crowe
26. Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray
27. Curious George Discovers the Rainbow by Amy Cherrix

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2737 pages
Pages Remaining: 754,931 pages

Current Read -

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  

Books bought/received

From Amazon ($8)

• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• The Joy of Books by Eric Burns

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments - So I didn't reach my page goal for the month, but I did come fairly close. Plus I knocked off a few good reads.

June's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Joy of Books by Eric Burns
3. Series Pick: The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Willig
4. Nonfiction Pick: The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart
5. Jar Pick: The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman
6. Jar Pick: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
7. Additional: Forevermore by Kristen Callihan (ARC!!!)

April 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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April's TBR Pile (10/10):

1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (reread) √
3. Series Pick: The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig √
4. Nonfiction Pick: Failure is Impossible by Lynn Sherr √
5. Jar Pick: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline √
6. Jar Pick: A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin √
7. Added: Away in a Manger by Lauren Willig √
8. Added: Ivy and Intrigue by Lauren Willig √
9. Added: After You by Jojo Moyes √
10. Added: The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst √
11. Added: The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Twenty-Six Pirates by Dave Horowitz
2. Duck to the Rescue by John Himmelman
3. Food Trucks by Mark Todd
4. The Day Louis Got Eaten by John Fardell
5. Cock-a-Doodle Dudley by Bill Peet
6. Pigs to the Rescue by John Himmelman
7. Build, Dogs, Build by James Horvath
8. Go Go Go Stop by Charise Mericle Harper
9. Space Dog by Mini Grey
10. Yellow Copter by Kersten Hamilton
11. Look by Jeff Mack
12. Alphabet Trains by Samantha Vamos
13. Bad Pirate by Kari-Lynn Winters
14. Elephants Can't Jump by Jeanne Willis
15. Noisy Animal Peekaboo by Sirwett
16. Hiccupotamus by Steve Smallman
17. Dino-Daddy by Sam Lloyd
18. How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? by Jane Yolen
19. Ninja Bunny by Jennifer Grey Olson
20. Firebears The Rescue Team by Rhonda Gowler Greene
21. A People House by Dr. Seuss
22. Hello Olaf by Andrea Posner-Sanchez
23. Camp Rex by Molly Idle
24. Pirates in Pajamas by Caroline Crowe
25. Small Elephant's Bathtime by Tatyana Feeney
26. Sophie's Animal Parade by Amy Dixon
27. Dining with Monsters by Agnese Baruzzi

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3882 pages
Pages Remaining: 757,668 pages

Current Read - The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- My first completed challenge of 2016 is I Love Libraries! I can't resist the shiny new finds from the library.

Books bought/received

Amazon $4

• And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander (for book club)

2016 Total Spent: $7.27

Comments - 2016's reading has rocked! I've read so many great books, got some off my shelves, and added to my pages read total. I'm so excited as to what May will bring. The next Bout of Books readathon is coming soon (I'll be posting my goals/TBR posts soon). But that also means that I have just a few weeks before the twins arrive. We'll see how my reading fairs in the summer.

May's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
3. Series Pick: Saga Vol. 5
4. Nonfiction Pick: ???
5. Jar Pick: Breathe by Sarah Crossan
6. Jar Pick: The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa

March 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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March's TBR Pile (21/21):

1. Book Club Selection: I Robot by Isaac Asimov √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan √
3. Series Pick: The Magicians by Lev Grossman (reread) √
4. Nonfiction Pick: The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell √
5. Jar Pick: The Maze Runner by James Dashner √
6. Jar Pick: Graphic novel -- The Manhattan Projects Vol. 3 √
7. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 1 √
8. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 2 √
9. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 3 √
10. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 4 √
11. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 5 √
12. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 6 √
13. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 7 √
14. Added: Morning Glories Vol. 8 √
15. Added: Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr √
16. Added: The Manhattan Projects Vol. 4 √
17. Added: The Manhattan Projects Vol. 5 √
18. Added: The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig √
19. Added: The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig √
20. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 24 √
21. Added: Fables Farewell √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Chester's Colorful Easter Eggs by Theresa Smythe
2. Hello, Arlo
3. Big Red Fire Engine by Ken Wilson-Max
4. Hoot Hoot by Sebastien Braun
5. Duck, Duck, Goose by Tad Hills
6. Duck and Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills
7. Duck and Goose by Tad Hills
8. Hello Dinosaur by Dwell Studios
9. A Surprise for the Easter Bunny by Megan Bryant
10. Red Light, Green Light by Yumi Heo

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4227 pages
Pages Remaining: 761,550 pages

Current Read - The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig

Books I Gave Up On (0)

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

Books bought/received

Comments - Holy Cow! My reading for 2016 has been crazy. I feel like I have more time to read with a more independent toddler. Milking this for all it's worth!

April's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
3. Series Pick: The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig
4. Nonfiction Pick: Failure is Impossible by Lynn Sherr
5. Jar Pick: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
6. Jar Pick: A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

February 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

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February's TBR Pile (10/11):

1. Book Club Selection: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking √
3. Series Pick: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig √
4. Nonfiction Pick: You Did What edited by Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen √
5. Jar Pick: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs √
6. Jar Pick: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel √
7. Added: The Magicians by Lev Grossman (reread) -- In progress
8. Added: Impulse by Candace Camp √
9. Added: The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester √
10. Added: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig √
11. Added: Coffee Nerd by Ruth Brown √
12. Added: Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Pull the Tab Animals by Charlie Gardner
2. Jane Foster's ABC by Jane Foster
3. Pug in a Truck by Nancy Coffelt
4. Sally in the Snow by Stephen Huneck
5. Dig Dogs Dig by James Horvath
6. Duck Duck Moose by Dave Horowitz
7. Circus Train by Jennifer Cole Judd
8. Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton
9. ABC Animals by American Museum of Natural History
10. Pedro and George by Delphine Perret
11. What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss
12. Animals' Vacation by Shel and Jan Haber
13. Otter in Space by Sam Garton
14. Little White Fish by Guido van Genechten
15. Troto and the Trucks by Uri Shulevitz
16. Hide and Seek Harry on the Farm by Kenny Harrison
17. Duck and Goose Let's Dance by Tad Hills
18. The Pirate and the Penguin by Patricia Storms
19. Road Work Ahead by Anastasia Suen
20. Pete the Cate Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
21. Vincent Paints His House by Tedd Arnold
22. Splish, Splash, Splat by Rob Scotton
23. Splat Says Thank You by Rob Scotton
24. Construction by Sally Sutton

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3895 pages
Pages Remaining: 765,777 pages

Current Read - The Magicians by Lev Grossman; it's a reread so I can eventually read the third book!

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet, but doing well.

Books bought/received

Half Price Books $3.27

• More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh (Mistress #1)
• No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh (Mistress #2)
• The Heiress Bride by Catherine Coulter (Bride Series Sherbrooke #3)
• Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt (Maiden Lane #7)

2016 Total Spent: $3.27

Comments - I made it over my goal of 3000 pages for the shortest month of the year. So excited about my reading this year. Next month's reads look amazing. I can't wait.

March's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: I Robot by Isaac Asimov
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
3. Series Pick: The Magicians by Lev Grossman (reread)
4. Nonfiction Pick: Assassination Vacation Sarah Vowell
5. Jar Pick: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
6. Jar Pick: Graphic novel -- The Manhattan Projects Vol. 3

January 2016 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

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January's TBR Pile (15/15):

1. Book Club Selection: Chocolat by Joanne Harris √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (reread) √
3. Series Pick: The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig √
4. Nonfiction Pick: The Great Influenza by John Barry √
5. Jar Pick: The Heart of Christmas √
6. Jar Pick: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon √
7. Comics Pick: The Manhattan Projects 2 by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra √
8. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 4 by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Jordi Bernet √
9. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 5 by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Dustin Nguyen √
10. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 6 by Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque √
11. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 7 by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, Matias Bergara, and Dave McCaig √
12. Comics Pick: Fairest Vol. 5 The Clamour for Glamour by Mark Buckingham, Bill Willingham, Russ Braun, Meghan Hetrick, and Andrew Dalhouse √
13. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 23 √
14. Added: The House of Hades by Rick Riordan √
15. Added: Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (reread) √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Little Green Peas by Keith Baker
2. Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner
3. Red Light, Green Light by Yumi Heo
4. Hello Dinosaur by Dwell Studio
5. Muddy Truck by CJ Calder
6. Fast truck by CJ Calder
7. Supermarket by Simon Abbott
8. Frankenstein by Jennifer Adams
9. Snow White by Trixie Belle
10. Good Night Trucks by Brian Biggs
11. Jungle Book by Jennifer Adams
12. Little Red Riding Hood by Trixie Belle
13. Sense and Sensibility by Jennifer Adams
14. Fire Engine No. 9 by Mike Austin
15. The Bus Driver by Todd Doodler
16. Goat Goes to Playgroup by Julia Donaldson
17. Lots of Spots by Lois Ehlert
18. What Can a Crane Pick Up? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
19. No More Pacifier Duck by Michael Dahl
20. Meow! Katie's Big Book of Animals by Liesbet Slegers
21. Two at the Zoo by Danna Smith
22. Duck's Vacation by Gilad Soffer
23. Pirate Nap by Danna Smith
24. Pigs in Pajamas by Maggie Smith
25. Hiccupotamus by Steve Smallman
26. I'm Your Bus by Marilyn Singer
27. Let's Go Potty Elmo by Lori Froeb
28. Dino Match by Lisa Gardiner
29. My Bus by Byron Barton
30. My Day Bathtime
31. Counting Dogs by Eric Barclay
32. Opposites by Sandra Boynton
33. Animals by Nick Ackland
34. Busy Railroad
35. American Babies
36. Spooky Pookie by Sandr Boynton
37. R is for Rocket by Tad Hills
38. Small Elephant's Bedtime by Tatyana Feeney
39. Steve, Raised by Wolves by Jared Chapman
40. Cinderella's Stepsister and the Big Bad Wolf by Lorraine Carey
41. Dinosaur Rocket by Penny Dale
42. Dinotrux Dig the Beach by Chris Gall
43. Peep and Ducky Rainy Day by David Martin
44. Sea Rex by Molly Idle
45. Monkey and Duck Quack Up by Jennifer Hamburg
46. George and the Dinosaur by Felix Hayes
47. Play and Learn 123

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4951 pages
Pages Remaining: 770,218 pages

Current Read - Hollow City by Ransom Riggs (I started this back in November 2015, but it had to go back to the library. Excited to pick it back up again.)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet, but I've made great reading progress for it just being February.

Comments - So excited about how January's reading turned out. Hoping to keep the momentum. I think my new TBR plan (detailed below) helps me manage my expectations and reading list.

February's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
3. Series Pick: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig
4. Nonfiction Pick: TBD
5. Jar Pick: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
6. Jar Pick: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

December 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

December's TBR Pile (6/9):

1. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
2. Series pick: A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
3. Reread pick: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin √
4. Book Club Selection: Chocolat by Joanne Harris
5. On my shelf forever pick: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig √
6. Added: The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig √
7. Added: Soulbound by Kristin Callihan √
8. Added: Fables Vol. 21 √
9. Added: Body and Soul by Stacey Kade √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Oh No George! by Chris Haughton
2. Freight Train Trip by Susanna Leonard Hill
3. One Christmas Eve by Salina Yoon
4. In My Den by Sara Gillingham
5. On My Beach by Sara Gillingham
6. Hurry Santa by Julie Sykes
7. Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton
8. Hide and Seek Harry Around the House by Kenny Harrison
9. Dino Bites bt Algy Craig Hall
10. Come Rhyme with Me by Hans Wilhelm
11. What's Up Duck? A Book of Opposites by Tad Hills
12. It's a Tiger by David LaRochelle
13. What to Do When You're Sent to Your Room by Ann Stott
14. An Undone Fairy Tale by Ian Lendler

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 1769 pages

Pages Remaining: 774,623 pages

Current Read - Manhattan Projects Vol. 2

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Comments - A decent ending to the year. I sneaked in a few books off my TBR pile right there at the end. Hoping to start off 2016 strong.

January's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: Chocolat by Joanne Harris
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
3. Series Pick: The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig
4. Nonfiction Pick: TBD
5. Jar Pick: TBD
6. Jar Pick: TBD
7. Comics Pick: The Manhattan Projects 2 by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra
8. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 4 by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Jordi Bernet
9. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 5 by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Dustin Nguyen
10. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 6 by Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque
11. Comics Pick: American Vampire Vol. 7 by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, Matias Bergara, and Dave McCaig
12. Comics Pick: Fairest Vol. 5 The Clamour for Glamour by Mark Buckingham, Bill Willingham, Russ Braun, Meghan Hetrick, and Andrew Dalhouse

November 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

November's TBR Pile (7/13):

1. Nonfiction: The Fringe House by Jessica Turner -- DNF
2. Reread: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
3. Book club selection: Left Neglected by Lisa Genova -- DNF
4. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
5. Series pick: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
6. Random pick: Ex Machina Book 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
7. Fairytale Pick: After Alice by Gregory Maguire √
8. Mystery Pick: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie √
9. Added: Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson √
10. Added: Some Enchanted Evening by Christina Dodd √
11. Added: The Barefoot Princess by Christina Dodd √
12. Added: The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd √
13. Added: Warrior Women by Jeannine Davis-Kimball √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. I Love My Dinosaur by Caroline Jayne Church
2. Global Babies
3. No T. Rex in the Library by Toni Buzzeo
4. Mommy Mommy by Taro Gomi
5. Kiss by Jonathan Litton

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2215 pages Pages Remaining: 776,392 pages

Current Read - The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (2)

• Left Neglected by Lisa Genova -- The narrator of this book absolutely annoyed the crap out of me. I only got to page 30 before I gave up in frustration.
• The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner -- This book was recommended to me by many people. Unfortunately, Turner's constant inclusion of God turned me off.

Challenges Completed  -- None this month

Comments - Somehow November just flew by and I got very little reading done. I think this might have been my lightest month this year. Hoping to finish the year out with some good reads.

December's TBR Pile: Still totally up in the air, although I'm hoping for a few of these to get read...

1. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
2. Series pick: A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
3. Reread pick: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
4. Book Club Selection: Chocolat by Joanne Harris
5. On my shelf forever pick: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

October 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

October's TBR Pile (11/14):

1. Nonfiction: Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin √
2. Artistic pick: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
3. Book club selection: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn √
4. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
5. Science pick: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert √
6. Series pick: 1493 by Charles Mann
7. Book to movie: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke √
8. Feminism pick: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie √
9. Added: Saga Volume 1 √
10. Added: Saga Volume 2 √
11. Added: Saga Volume 3 √
12. Added: Saga Volume 4 √
13. Added: The Runaway Princess by Christina Dodd √
14. Added: Someday My Prince by Christina Dodd √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Click, Clack, 1 2 3 by Doreen Cronin
2. Friends by Eric Carle
3. Click, Clack, A B C by Doreen Cronin
4. Frog and Fly by Jeff Mack
5. Train! by Judi Abbot
6. Dinosaur Parade by Shari Halpern
7. Robot Smash! by Stephen Martin
8. This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne
9. Ten Pigs by Derek Anderson
10. ABC Universe by American Museum of Natural History
11. How Things Grow by Eric Carle
12. Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs by Ian Whybrow
13. Caps for Sale by Esphry Slobodkina
14. My Body by Jill Ackerman
15. If you Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
16. Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs by Catherine D. Hughes
17. My Big Dinosaur Book by Roger Priddy
18. Baby Says "Moo" by JoAnn Early Macken
19. The Monsters' Monster by Patrick McDonnell
20. The Very Best Daddy of All by Marion Dane Bauer
21. Monster Knows Shapes by Lori Capote
22. Monster Knows Numbers by Lori Capote
23. A B See by Elizabeth Doyle
24. If Everything Were Blue by Hannah Eliot
25. Digging for Dinosaurs by Mike Goldsmith
26. Ten Little Mice by Joyce Dunbar
27. Cheers for a Dozen Ears by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
28. Pi-Rat! by Maxine Lee
29. The Little School Bus by Margery Cuyler
30. Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug by Mem Fox
31. Now I'm Big! by Karen Katz
32. It's Only Stanley by Jon Agee
33. Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred) by Josh Schneider
34. Kat's Maps by Jon Scieszka
35. Whose Truck by Toni Buzzeo
36. Five Little Monkeys Trick-or-Treat by Eileen Christelow

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3187 pages
Pages Remaining: 778,607 pages

Current Read - Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (yes still); After Alice by Gregory Maguire

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- OLW 2015; Fairytale

Comments - I pulled out a very decent month and completed two reading challenges. I'm super excited and read some great books, Unfortunately two of my reads were pretty duds, but I'll take my stats. Looking to finish the year strong.

November's TBR Pile:

1. Nonfiction: The Fringe House by Jessica Turner
2. Reread: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
3. Book club selection: Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
4. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (yes still)
5. Series pick: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
6. Random pick: Ex Machina Book 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
7. Fairytale Pick: After Alice by Gregory Maguire
8. Mystery Pick: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

September 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

September's TBR Pile (5/8):

1. Nonfiction: Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
2. Book Club Selection: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
3. MVPA Book club selection: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer √
4. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
5. Random pick: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton √
6. Favorite Author Pick: First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen √
7. Challenge Completer: Don’t Know Much About Mythology by Kenneth Davis √
8. Added: 1491 by Charles Mann √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Thomas The Tank Engine: The Very First Stories by Rev. Awdry
2. Monsters Love Underpants by Claire Freedman
3. Nuts in Space by Elys Dolan
4. Sock Monkey Takes a Bath by Cece Bell
5. Tractor Mac Harvest Time by Billy Steers
6. Is There a Dog in This Book? by Viviane Schwarz
7. Treasure on the Tracks by Rev. Awdry
8. Thomas and the Volcano by Rev. Awdry
9. Fall is Here by Frankie Jones
10. How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jane Yolen
11. Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon
12. Where's Ellie? by Salina Yoon
13. Happy Birthday Mouse by Laura Numeroff
14. Let's Look at Construction by Britta Teckentrup
15. Tractor Mac New Friends by Billy Steers
16. Supertruck by Stephen Savage
17. Good Morning, Busytown by Richard Scarry
18. Firefighters! Speeding! Spraying! Saving! by Patricia Hubbell
19. If I Had a Triceratops by George O'Connor
20. ABC on Wings by Ramon Olivera
21. Bear Counts by Karma Wilson
22. The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Jeanne Willis
23. Snappy Birthday by Mark Sperring

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2142 pages
Pages Remaining: 781,794 pages

Current Read - Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- Dewey Decimal: one book for each major section of the Dewey Decimal system. I really enjoy nonfiction so this challenge is great for me!

Comments - And I've hit my inevitable reading slump... I knew it was bound to happen sometime in the fall. I've been so busy with activities and planning for other activities that my reading took a nose dive. It also didn't help that I read two very involved books (The Distant Hours and 1491) that seemed to take forever! Here's hoping October goes a bit better.

October's TBR Pile:

1. Nonfiction: Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
2. Artistic pick: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
3. Book club selection: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
4. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
5. Science pick: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
6. Series pick: 1493 by Charles Mann
7. Book to movie: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
8. Feminism pick: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

August 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

August's TBR Pile (12/13):

1. Nonfiction: Creative Lettering by Jenny Doh √
2. Science Pick: How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson √
3. Writing Pick: Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson √
4. Crafty Pick: The Complete Decorated Journal by Gwen Diehn √
5. Self-Help Pick: The Crafter’s Devotional by Barbara Call √
6. Home Pick: Young House Love by Sherry and John Petersik √
7. History Pick: The Secret Museum by Molly Oldfield √
8. Book club selection: Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara √
9. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
10. Random pick: Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple √
11. Series Ender: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore √
12. Added: Common Phrases by Myron Korach √
13. Added: Interest by Kevin Gaughen √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton
2. The Little Dump Truck by Margery Cuyler
3. Elmo at the Zoo by Lori Froeb
4. Thomas and Friends Blue Mountain Mystery by by Reverend Awdry
5. Roar, Roar Baby by Karen Katz
6. Trains, Cranes, and Troublesome Trucks by Reverend Awdry
7. How Penguin Says Please by Abigail Samoun
8. 3, 2, 1... Circus! by William Wegman
9. Things that Go
10. Trucks by Debbie Powell
11. Dinosaur Opposites by Stickland
12. My First Books of Things that Go by Alain Gree
13. Duck and Goose How are You Feeling? by Tad Hills
14. What's Your Sound Hound the Hound by Mo Willems
15. Jungle Animals
16. Cookiebot by Katie Van Camp
17. A Line Can Be by Laura Ljungkvist
18. Super Guinea Pig to the Rescue by Udo Weigelt
19. Go to Bed, Monster by Natasha Wing
20. R is for Robot by Adam Watkins
21. Alphabet Trucks by Samantha Vamos
22. Never Ask a Dinosaur to Dinner by Gareth Edwards
23. Sun Above and Blooms Below by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
24. Daddy Sat on a Duck by Scott Cohn
25. My Dinosaur is More Awesome by Simon Coster
26. What's Your Favorite Animal? by Eric Carle
27. Are We There Yeti? by Ashlyn Anstee
28. Boats Go by Steve Light
29. Dog Comes Too by Hazel Hutchins
30. I'm Dirty by Kate McMullan
31. Bizzy Bear Knights' Castle by Benji Davies
32. Red Wagon by Renata Liwska
33. Hi by Ethan Long
34. Pug in a Truck by Nancy Coffelt
35. Let's Look at Trains by Britta Teckentrup
36. Good Night Thomas by Reverend Awdry
37. Who's That On the Go by Tad Carpenter
38. Bug Patrol by Denise Dowling Mortensen
39. Race Car is Roaring by Mandy Archer
40. Digger to the Rescue by Mandy Archer
41. Silly Street by Steve Bjorkman
42. Spot a Lot Vehicle Adventure by Steve Smallman
43. Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka
44. How Do Dinosaurs Say good Night? by Jane Yolen
45. Tractor Saves the Day by Mandy Archer
46. Cool Cars by Tony Mitton
47. Through the Town by Craig Shuttlewood
48. Jackson and Bud's Bumpy Ride by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3862 pages
Pages Remaining: 783,936 pages

Current Read - Dragon in Amber by Diana Gabaldon; Mortal Fear by Greg Iles

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (1) - Mortal Fear by Greg Iles. This was a book club selection for this month and after 150 pages, I just didn't care about this book at all.

Challenges Completed  -- What's in a name: harder challenge given the odd categories, but I did it!  Mount TBR: 36 Books straight off my shelves! Woohoo!

Comments - Very good month! I'm very excited to be average 3500 pages a month lately. I feel like I've actually be prioritizing reading above things like television. Go me!

September's TBR Pile:

1. Nonfiction: Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
2. Book Club Selection: TBD
3. MVPA Book club selection: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
4. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
5. Random pick: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
6. Favorite Author Pick: First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
7. Challenge Completer: Don't Know Much About Mythology by Kenneth Davis

July 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

July's TBR Pile (10/11):

1. Nonfiction: The Art of Steampunk by Art Donovan √
2. Classic: This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald √
3. Carry-over: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin √
4. Story Collection: Witches edited by Paula Guran √
5. Library Grab: Steamlust edited by Kristina Wright
6. Book Club Selection: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins √
7. Debut Author Pick: The Night Circus by Erica Morgenstern √
8. Added: Highlander Unbound by Julia London √
9. Added: Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie by Kate Chopin √
10. Added: The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke √
11. Added: The F Word by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. An Awesome Book by Dallas Clayton
2. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
3. Big and Little Things That Go
4. 10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle
5. My Blankie by Alice Beauvisage
6. Who's That Roaring?
7. Who Flies Cat the Cat by Mo Willems
8. Monster Mess by Margery Cuyler
9. Who's That Eating?
10. Zoom, Zoom Baby by Karen Katz
11. Love Monster and the Perfect Present by Rachel Bright
12. The Bear's Sea Escape by Benjamin Chadd
13. Hello Airplane! by Bill Cotter
14. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
15. The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat
16. Chug Chug Tractor by Dawn Sirett
17. Little Blue Truck's Christmas by Alice Schertle
18. Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea
19. Dino Shapes by Suse MacDonald
20. My Turn to Learn Numbers by Natalie Marshall
21. Cowboy Camp by Tammi Sauer
22. My First Trucks by Sarah Davis
23. The Many Mice of Mr. Brice by Dr. Seuss
24. Buzz Buzz Baby by Karen Katz
25. Farmer Dale's Red Pickup Truck by Lisa Wheeler
26. I'm a Truck by Dennis Shealy

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3438 pages
Pages Remaining: 787,798 pages

Current Read - Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- 15 New-to-Me Authors read!

Comments - I stayed on track with my reading and knocked out a ton of books and pages this month. Next month is very ambitious, but I think I can do it!

August's TBR Pile:

1. Nonfiction: Creative Lettering by Jenny Doh
2. Science Pick: How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson
3. Writing Pick: Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson
4. Crafty Pick: The Complete Decorated Journal by Gwen Diehn
5. Self-Help Pick: The Crafter's Devotional by Barbara Call
6. Home Pick; Young House Love by Sherry and John Petersik
7. History Pick: The Secret Museum by Molly Oldfield
8. Book club selection: Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara
9. Carry-over: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
10. Random pick: Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
11. Series Ender: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

June 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

June's TBR Pile (14/16):

1. J’s pick: The Martian by Andy Weir √
2. Carry-over: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
3. Nonfiction: Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich √
4. Classic: Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton √
5. Book club Selection: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (reread) √
6. Random pick: 666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce √
7. Debut Author Pick: The Night Circus by Erica Morgenstern
8. Library Book: Dead Wake by Erik Larson √
9. Book Club Selection 2: The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson √
10. Added: The American Plate by Libby O'Connell √
11. Added: Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest √
12. Added: Sally Heatcote: Suffragette by Mary Talbot and Kate Charlesworth √
13. Added: The Dark Glamour by Gabriella Pierce √
14. Added: What If by Randall Munroe √
15. Added: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo √
16. Added: The Lost Soul by Gabriella Pierce √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Fast Train, Slow Train by Reverend W Awdry
2. Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman
3. Zoe's First Book of Seasons by Heather Au
4. Search and Rescue by Britt Allcroft
5. Things That Go by Eva Steele-Saccio
6. Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey
7. Daddy All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
8. Steampunk ABC by Karen Luk
9. Froggy's Day with Dad by Jonathan London
10. My Daddy is a Giant by Carl Norac
11. Tyrannosaurus Dad by Liz Rosenberg
12. Truck Stop by Anne Rockwell
13. If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
14. The Monstore by Tara Lazar
15. Planes Fly! by George Ella Lyon
16. A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by Jessica Law
17. Redbird Colors, Colors, Everywhere by Barney Saltzberg
18. Beach Babies by Puck
19. Demolition by Sally Sutton
20. Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray
21. My Foodie ABC by Puck
22. Llama Llama Zippity Zoom by Anna Dewdney
23. Monkey Truck by Michael Slack
24. The Thunderbolt Express by Matthew Porter
25. Construction Kitties by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges
26. Zoom Zoom by Robert Burleigh
27. Chick n Pug by Jennifer Sattler
28. Giant Vehicles by Rod Green
29. All Aboard by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
30. Let's Paint by Alborozo
31. Machines Go to Work by William Low
32. The Dinosaur Tamer by Carol Greathouse
33. Farm by James Brown
34. Goodnight Daniel Tiger by Angela Santomero

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3975 pages
Pages Remaining: 791,236 pages

Current Read - The Night Circus by Erica Morgenstern

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed

• Nonfiction Adventure -- Part of my larger Nonfiction Adventure Perpetual Reading Challenge, I've met my goal for 2015 and will probably add to my total throughout the second half of the year
• Read Your Freebies -- Woop! Another challenge done!

Comments - Wow! What a good month of reading. I went from thinking I would possibly read 7 books and ended up with 14 read. Even with the twins being here and tons of activities, I managed to make time for reading. I think the biggest help has been instituting reading hour during Arthur's nap time. Gives everyone some quiet time and me some reading time.

July's TBR Pile:

1. Nonfiction: The Art of Steampunk by Art Donovan
2. Classic: This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. Carry-over: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
4. Story Collection: Witches edited by Paula Guran
5. Library Grab: Steamlust edited by Kristina Wright
6. Book Club Selection: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
7. Debut Author Pick: The Night Circus by Erica Morgenstern

May 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

May's TBR Pile (13/14):

1. Nonfiction: Witchcraze by Anne Barstow √
2. Fluffy romance: Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh √
3. Book to Movie: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz √
4. Book club selection: The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman √
5. Series pick: At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh √
6. Random pick: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
7. Series Ender: A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh √
8. Added: Born Reading by Jason Boog √
9. Added: American Vampire Vol. 2 √
10. Added: American Vampire Vol. 3 √
11. Added: The Manhattan Projects Vol. 1 √
12. Added: Graceling by Kristin Cashore √
13. Added: Fire by Kristin Cashore √
14. Added: Geek Mom by Barroon, Ceceri, Lawson, Williams √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. One Naked Baby by Maggie Smith
2. Go, Shapes, Go by Denise Fleming
3. Captain Beastlie's Pirate Party by Lucy Coats
4. A Truck Goes Rattley-Bumpa by Jonathan London
5. Toys in Space by Mini Grey
6. Rapunzel by Trixie Belle
7. King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently
8. Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton
9. Skippyjon Jones Color Crazy by Judy Schachner
10. Click, Clack, 1 2 3 by Doreen Cronin
11. We Go Together by Calef Brown
12. Joey and Jet by James Yang
13. The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin
14. Tails Chasing Tails by Matthew Porter
15. We Go Together by Todd Dunn
16. City Signs by Zoran Milich
17. The Trucker by Barbara Samuels
18. The Robot Book by Heather Brown
19. Honk Honk Baa Baa by Petr Horacek
20. Cars Trucks and Planes by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza
21. Mouse's First Spring by Lauren Thompson
22. Trains Go by Steve Light
23. Trucks by Paula Hannigan
24. There was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Fish by Jennifer Ward
25. Hansel and Diesel by David Gordon
26. Ten Naughty Little Monkeys by Suzanne Williams
27. 100 Things That Make Me Happy by Amy Schwartz
28. Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy
29. LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
30. B is for Bulldozer by June Sobel
31. Slow Snail by Mary Murphy
32. The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry
33. Trucks by Anne Rockwell
34. Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
35. Tails Chasing Tails by Matthew Porter
36. Dig by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4383 pages
Pages Remaining: 795,211 pages

Current Read - Dead Wake by Erik Larson

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed (0)

Comments - Wow! Another awesome month of reading. The decision to read 60 minutes a day as one of my life goals really paid off. And I ended up enjoying most of my selections. I don't think I can sustain this pace through the summer, but I'm sure I'll still find time to read.

June's TBR Pile:

1. J's pick: The Martian by Andy Weir
2. Carry-over: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
3. Nonfiction: Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich
4. Classic: Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
5. Book club selection: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
6. Random pick: 666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce
7. Debut Author Pick: The Night Circus by Erica Morgenstern
8. Library Book: Dead Wake by Erik Larson
9. Book Club Selection 2: TBD

April 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

April's TBR Pile (21/22):

1. Book club selection: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr √
2. Carry-over: Insurgent by Veronica Roth √
3. Series pick: The Walking Dead Vol. 18 √
4. Dystopian: Allegiant by Veronica Roth √
5. Comic: Y The Last Man Vol. 2 √
6. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 3 √
7. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 4 √
8. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 5 √
9. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 6 √
10. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 7 √
11. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 8 √
12. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 9 √
13. Added: Y The Last Man Vol. 10 √
14. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 19 √
15. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 20 √
16. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 21 √
17. Added: The Walking Dead Vol. 22 √
18. Added: Fables Vol 20 Camelot √
19. Added: Fairest Vol 4 Of Mice and Men √
20. Added: Fables Wolves of the Heartland √
21. Added: Four A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth √
22. Added; At Last Comes Live by Mary Balogh

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Llama Llama Hoppity-Hop by Anna Dewdney
2. Itsy Bitsy Spider by Charles Reasoner
3. Who Flies, Cat the Cat? by Mo Willems
4. Freight Train Trip! by Susanna Leonard Hill
5. Jack and Jill by Charles Reasoner
6. 1-2-3 Dinosaurs Bite! by Steve Jenkins
7. Hello, My Baby by Tish Rabe
8. Welcome to Monster Town by Ryan Heshka
9. Miles to the Finish by Jamie Harper
10. The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara
11. Alpha Oops! The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4544 pages
Pages Remaining: 799,594 pages

Current Read - At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- I Love Library Books. Even though I'm trying to read from my shelves, I always have to hit up the library for specific reads.

Comments - Check out those numbers!  Holy cow! The only reason I have that high of numbers is because I was in Indiana for the first half of the month. I had a fair amount of time just hanging out at the house. I grabbed a ton of comics and a few books and dug in. So excited about my progress. On to May!

May's TBR Pile:

1. Nonfiction: Witchcraze by Anne Barstow
2. Fluffy romance: Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh
3. Book to Movie: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
4. Book club selection: The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
5. Series pick: At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh
6. Random pick: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
7. Series Ender: A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh