August 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

August's TBR Pile Recap:

Books Read and Reviewed (19/20 books)

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:

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

Month of Movies September 2013

I haven't had a month of movie watching since February. I have, of course, watched movies since then, but I thought it would be nice to once again highlight some fun movies. Most will be new to me, but I might also highlight some of favorites...

Tentative TBW (To be watched)

The Rum Diary
Tideland
The Host
Howl's Moving Castle (fave)
Sweet Land (fave)
What Dreams May Come (fave)
The Sapphires
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (rewatch)
Olympus Has Fallen
Silver Linings Playbook

FF #28: Classic LBD

Here's my take on a classic little black dress. I love the bit of lace detail and the hem. Of course I had to add a pop of color with those gorgeous red shoes. The gold jewelry rounds out the classic look. Reminds me a bit of Audrey Hepburn...

Prabal Gurung black dress

stylebop.com

Gianvito Rossi suede slip on shoes

$620 - brownsfashion.com

Stella Dot cuff bracelet

stelladot.com

Forever 21 long necklace

forever21.com

The Fantasy Project Challenge

From Michelle: How does everyone feel about doing a Wheel of Fortune spin for September/October? The premise is to choose 15 books from your list (see more in depth details in the sign-up post HERE) and then on September 1st, I will randomly choose a number between 1-15. Whichever number that comes up will be the book you read in September/October.

Here are my choices for the spin... Can't wait to dive in and start reading.

Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Neil Gaiman – Anansi Boys
Gail Carson Levine – Ella Enchanted (Enchanted #1)
Gregory Maguire – Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
George RR Martin — A Feast for Crows (Song of Fire and Ice #4)
Cormac McCarthy – The Road
Karen Marie Moning — Darkfever (MacKayla Lane #1)
Karen Marie Moning — Bloodfever (MacKayla Lane #2)
Karen Marie Moning — Faefever (MacKayla Lane #3)
Maria Snyder — Poison Study (Study #1)
Maria Snyder — Magic Study (Study #2)
Maria Snyder — Fire Study (Study #3)
Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels
Gregory Maguire — Wicked

The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End, Vol. 9 The Kindly Ones, Vol. 10 The Wake by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End, Vol. 9 The Kindly Ones, Vol. 10 The Wake

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Vertigo 1995, 1996, 1997

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 168, 320, 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W35; TBR Pile

How I Got It: Library Loan

Reminiscent of the legendary Canterbury Tales, THE SANDMAN: WORLDS' END is a wonderful potpourri of engrossing tales and masterly storytelling. Improbably caught in a June blizzard, two wayward compatriots stumble upon a mysterious inn and learn that they are in the middle of a "reality storm." Now surrounded by a menagerie of people and creatures from different times and realities, the two stranded travelers are entertained by mesmerizing myths of infamous sea creatures, dreaming cities, ancient kings, astonishing funeral rituals and moralistic hangmen.
A new edition of the classic title reprinting issues #57-69 of THE SANDMAN and "The Castle" from VERTIGO JAM, with pivotal events that laid the groundwork for the finale of THE SANDMAN.
In the final Sandman tale, Morpheus made the ultimate decision between change and death. As one journey for the Endless ends another begins for the Lord of Dreams and his family. All the final pieces come together for the final moments of the Sandman.

Three more wonderful Sandman volumes. I am consistently surprised by the quality of text and illustrations. For every volume, I don't have much to say other than I seriously enjoy my time.

Sandman

1. Preludes and Nocturnes
2. The Doll's House
3. Dream Country
4. Season of Mists
5. A Game of You
6. Fables and Reflections
7. The Brief Lives
8. World's End
9. The Kindly Ones
10. The Wake
11. The Dream Hunters
12. Endless Nights

More Thanks...

It's been a couple of weeks since my last Thursday Thanks post. I feel like it's a good time to take a moment and think... Picture: Adorable cardigan and bow tie I bought for Arthur from Colby Ave on Etsy. This will be his Christmas outfit. I just need to buy some nicer black or gray pants for him.

1. Crafting time -- I spent most of the day yesterday making Thank You cards from baby Arthur to friends and family for future baby gifts. I wanted the personal touch. And I really love them. I made 16 and all 16 are different. My next project is to create the template for arrival cards. I may be crazy to take on such a project, but I love my crafting time.

2. Maintenance guys -- We had another upstairs neighbor's bathroom leak and they were on it. Because of their quick speed, no major damage was done. The guys just need to replace the paint that had peeled off. They are always so nice and courteous. Love our maintenance guys and the fact that I don't have to deal with this crap.

3. J's parents -- The other week they randomly sent up a box of baby clothes and a cute little card. I was not expecting those. Really, I'm not expecting many gifts this time around, but if I do get them, they are definitely appreciated. Extra fun: the Carters onsies they sent us match a potential going home outfit that I've already bought. Very cute!

4. Other bloggers -- Three bloggers that I follow just had their babies within the last two weeks. I love reading about their experiences. They help me get into the baby mode.

5. J's technical prowess -- Because of many issues, J thought it was time to change our hosting sites. I don't know the first step in doing this. Thankfully J is very knowledgeable, even when things did not go smoothly. Hopefully. my readers didn't notice anything amiss, but I guarantee the backend was crazy looking. We think everything's fine now. And if it isn't, I live with techie...

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Pages: 279

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Jane Austen Etc.; ebook; Book to Movie; Book Bingo -- 4 rereads

How I Got It: Own It!

Book: Always a favorite. I have to reread the complete Austens once every few years. This particular novel always rates highly with me. Every time I reread it, I find something else new. This time I picked up the animosity between Wickham and Elizabeth after he and Lydia are married. You could cut the tension in that room with a knife. And yet, Elizabeth tries to be polite and cordial while giving Wickham the what for. Love it! As I have now read the main six novels, I guess I need to start over again next year.

MV5BMTU1MDY4OTU5OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTg5NzAyMw@@._V1_UY268_CR4,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

BBC Version: This is the definite version. I love Colin Firth's standoffish manner. I love Jennifer Ehle's version of Elizabeth. Her spirit is just amazing. The scene with Darcy emerging from the pond is a lovely piece of cinema, but I always have a bit of an issue with how completely out of time it is. Overall, I'm just loving this version.

Movie Version: I'm not a huge fan of Keira Knightly. In this film, I can see her as Elizabeth. She's quieter and more reserved than Ehle's version, but it works in the mood of this film. Darcy is to die for in this one. Love him so much. My only issue is the scene in the field between Elizabeth and Darcy. The scene is not canon at all, but I do love the romantic feel of it.

Quote Wednesday -- Smith

Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea! -- Sydney Smith

Hmmm.. tea! Is there anything better than a nice hot cup of tea? I think not.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Misc. Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time. To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account. Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme. Enjoy!

Jason Mraz "You and I Both" - I absolutely adore this song... there's something so tragic yet beautiful about it.

Paramore "Crushcrushcrush" -- Still my favorite Paramore song. It's my favorite to perform on Rock Band (even if I don't sing that well...)

NeedtoBreathe "Won't Turn Back" -- Love the entire sound of NeedtoBreathe. They speak to the little bit of me that loves bluegrass.

Gavin DeGraw "Young Love" -- I think I love the acoustic version even better than the original.

Keane "Somewhere Only We Know"

Bout of Books 8.0 is Done! (Until Next Time...)

Pages Read Today: 118 (Pride and Prejudice)

Pages Read Total: 1976

Challenges: None

Comments: Another case of me getting busy with life and forgetting to update and participate in challenges. Thankfully that did not mean that I forgot to read. After finishing The Host, I rented the movie and watched it to complete my review. That left me with the agony of choosing the next book. I decided to finish the readathon by starting Pride and Prejudice. And what a great choice! It's been a few years since I read this one. Diving in, the book felt like a return home. I am really enjoying rediscovering the world of Elizabeth Bennet. I don't want to rush through the novel, but I'm sure I'll finish in a few days.

Goals:

Read at least 1000 pages √
Commit to reading at least 2 hours a day √

TBR Pile:

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Sandman Vol. 6 by Neil Gaiman
Sandman Vol. 7 by Neil Gaiman
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (in progress)
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
The New Deadwardians
American Vampire

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Sunday Sunset #29

Listening To: The Faint channel on Pandora. It always goes to very interesting places...

Book finished: Fun Home; The Sandman Vol. 6; The Sandman Vol. 7; The New Deadwardians; The Sugar Queen; American Vampire Vol. 1; The Host

Reading: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

On the Nightstand: M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman; Sandman Vol. 8, 9, and 10; The Dragon Men by Steven Harper; As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason

Making Lists: Updating my Target and Amazon baby registries. I think they are now complete, or at least complete enough for people to shop from them. Things are duplicated between the lists, but I figure once something is bought from either, I can delete the duplicate (or similar item from the other site). And anyway most people get gift receipts or Amazon does returns. J informed me this morning that he bought a mobile, so I deleted those as well. Thankfully I didn't actually have to go into a store to do the registries. Amazon's is absolutely amazing and easy. While Target's is a bit of a pain, I knew what I wanted so that made it move quicker. They could definitely use an update in the process...

Around the house: There was no major water damage from the leak emanating from the upstair neighbor's bathroom. The maintenance guy sanded everything down and applied some drywall. Now he just needs to come back to repaint and retexture and everything should be good to go. Thankful it wasn't a bigger problem than that.

On the Job: In one word: frustrating! I'm really looking forward to this being done, but not looking forward to the decrease in income.

From the kitchen: I tried two new recipes this week. I made a variation of my usual chili. This time I added an entire jar of jalapeños, adobo chilis, and cayenne pepper. The result was a smokey spicy chili that we both enjoyed. I will have to add this version to my usual mix of recipes. I also tried a honey mustard chicken recipe from Rachael Ray. It was decent, but the flavor wasn't very strong. I think we will try this one again sometime.

Crafting: Nothing this week, but I have big plans for next week. I received my Stampin' Up order, so I'm all set to make baby thank you and arrival cards. I want to play around with a few ideas. Once I settle on a design (or a few), I want to make a batch so I'm ready when Arthur decides to make an appearance. I'll post some pics of the possibles...

Watching: This past week was the Bout of Books readathon, so I limited my tv watching. I am still slowly making my way through S10 of Smallville (halfway done!). J and I are watching an episode or two of Monk in the evening before bed. It always him to work and me to write or peruse blog posts. We also rewatched Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz in preparation for going to see The World's End on Friday. While I think The World's End is the least funny of the three, it's still a great movie, part homage to Shaun and Hot Fuzz and part homage to science fiction movies. We will definitely buy this one when it comes out on dvd. Plus, I loved all the little references here and there. Someone (possibly from i09 or The Nerdist) wrote that with each viewing of Shaun and Hot, they notice some other little reference or joke. It's completely true. I can't wait to rewatch The World's End to catch even more than I did upon one viewing.

Pregnancy Update: I had my 32 week appointment. The usual 10 minute, in and out affair. Even the doctor commented that at this point, the appointments are pretty boring. I don't really have any questions. He doesn't really have any concerns. We are just sitting and waiting until the baby decides to make an appearance. Plus, we made my 36 and 38 week appoints and reaffirmed my birth plan.

From Nature: The temperatures have been beautiful lately, but I am constantly hot. This kid is making me run hot all the time. No fun! Thankfully we have a pool. Swimming makes everything feel better and keeps me fairly cool during the hot parts of the day.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Back Bay Books 2008

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 620

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal -- Aliens; TBR Pile; Book to Movie; Bingo -- 3 rereads

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

A reread for me. With the release of the movie this year, I wanted to reread the book and do a bit of comparison. I remember that I enjoyed The Host more than the Twilight series, but I wanted to see if my memories lived up. They do live up to my memories. I really enjoyed this book. The story of the aliens taking over Earth through body snatching isn't anything new. But Melanie/Wanderer's story of understanding and identity is nice and unique. I loved following their slow realization that neither of them are the enemy. And watching the love triangle (or is it a square?) develop did not annoy me like in the Twilight series. This one felt genuine. I loved rereading this book. And I'll even admit to ugly crying in parts.

Movie:

Overall, I quite enjoyed this adaptation. I'll admit that the voiceovers for Melanie and Wanderer's internal conversations were awkward, but the movie kept them to a minimum. The actors actually portray their characters well. The movie spent a lot of time following the searcher, but it added to the heightened fear of capture. My favorite character was Jeb played by William Hurt. He captured that exact mix of crazy and genius that I loved from the book. I went into the viewing thinking I would hate the movie, but it turns out that I really enjoyed it.

Bout of Books 8.0 Day #4 and 5

Pages Read Today: 620

Pages Read Total: 1858

Reading Helpers: Lots of yogurt, bagels, and juice. My usual breakfast foods.

Challenges: None

Comments: I completely missed a day of challenges and updates. But don't worry, I was reading the entire time. I started and finished The Host (reread) and am waiting until tomorrow to watch the movie version. Very excited. Now to pick my next selection.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

FF #27: Perfect Beach Wear

We may not have warm water in Northern California, but we do have lovely beaches to lounge on. Believe me, I only stick my toes in for a minute. I love this layered look perfect for lounging on the beach reading a book. I feel the need to have another beach day before the little one comes.

Wildfox couture

sundancebeach.com

Mauro Grifoni leather zipper pants

thecorner.com

A NonFiction Adventure Reading Challenge

When I found The Fantasy Project, I also realized that Michelle had created a nonfiction challenge. How did I not know about these? I lover her seasonal readathons and general book choices. I need to jump on this challenge also... I'm setting a goal of 100 books in 5 years, so my end date is August 2018. I think I can manage that, and I just might go over. I really want to read the nonfiction in my own stacks and branch out to those must reads I keep seeing. See my list below the challenge details:

Here are the guidelines:
choose 50+ non-fiction books; the number is up to you. Choose 50, 75, 100, 200. It's entirely your choice
Books must be non-fiction--biography, autobiography, history, memoir, cooking, travel, science, etc.
list them at your blog (or on Goodreads or another social media site, if you do not have a blog)
choose your completion goal date five years in the future and make note of it with your list of titles (like this: reading goal--50 books goal dates--March 20, 2012 - March 20, 2017)
come back here and post the link to your list in the linky below
write a review (or a short summary) on the book when finished and link it to the title in your list (or link to your review on Goodreads, again, if you don't have a blog)
there will be pages posted at the top of the blog for you to link your reviews
when you have completed the challenge, come add your link to the Completed Challenges page
there will be a blog roll in the sidebar where I will list you/your blog linked to your lists
grab the button in the right sidebar and link it back to this blog
check out this PAGE which contains links to various online sources with lists of reading ideas
I might host a read-a-long from time to time. If you are hosting one, or an event or challenge surrounding a non-fiction title, post about it at this PAGE
this challenge can be crossed over with any other challenges
your link in the linky below mustlead to your list, not just your main blog address. Any links that are blog links only will be deleted

Updates: *I was asked if the list has to be made in advance. The idea is to work toward reading non-fiction that you've been wanting to read so the list is mandatory. However, the list does not have to be set in stone. You can change out titles as the mood suits you.

My List:

The first 24 are taken directly from my Goodreads TBR shelf. And the first 53 are those that I currently own. The rest are suggestions and those I've been wanting to read. Notice the huge trend of history and women's studies volumes. Can you guess what my college majors were?

Tales from the Boom Boom Room by Susan Antilla
A History of God by Karen Armstrong
The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong
The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong
Alexander Hamilton by Richard Brookhiser
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
What Ifs? of American History by Robert Cowley
Collapse by Jared Diamond
Where the Girls Are by Susan Douglas
Born for Liberty by Sara Evans
Longitudes and Attitudes by Thomas Friedman
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
The Confessions of St. Augustine
The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Joan Aiken Hodge
13 by Nathaniel Lackenmeyer
1776 by David McCullough
Founding Myths by Ray Raphael
A Great Improvisation by Stacy Schiff
The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto
When God was a Woman by Merlin Stone
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
One Woman, One Vote by Marjorie Wheeler
A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonescraft
The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins
Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain
The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich
You Did What by Bill Fawcett
No Turning Back by Estelle Freedman
Bachelor Girl by Betty Israel
Ladies and Not So Gentle Women by Alfred Allan Lewis
Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels
Becoming Mona Lisa by Donald Sassoon
A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom
What They Didn't Teach You About the Civil War by Mike Wright
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Spinning Straw into Gold by Joan Gould
John Adams by James Grant
Frida by Hayden Herrera
Histories by Herodotus
Witchcraze by Anne Llewellyn Barstow
Democracy by Alexis de Tocqueville
Jesus and the Lost Goddess by Timothy Freke
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen
College Girls by Lynn Peril
Boundaries of Her Body by Deborah Rowland
Warrior Women by Jeanine Davis
Five Sisters by James Fox
The Words We Live By by Linda Monk
Catherine the Great by Robert Massie
Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
Royal Panoply: Brief Lives of the English Monarchs by Carolly Erickson
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Joy of Books by Eric Burns
The Golden Bough by James George Frazer
On Writing by Stephen King
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson
Washington by Ron Chernow
American Lion by Jon Meacham
Woodrow Wilson by John Milton Cooper
The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
Traitor to His Class by H.W. Brands
Truman by David McCullough
Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr
In the Footsteps of Alexander by Michael Wood
The Map that Changed the World by Simon Winchester
She-Wolves by Helen Castor
The Vanished Library by Luciano Canfora
(the rest is TBD)

American Vampire by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Stephen King

Title: American Vampire

Author: Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Stephen King

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror

Pages: 200

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

How I Got It: Library Loan

This volume follows two stories: one written by Snyder and one written by King. Snyder's story is set in 1920's LA, we follow Pearl, a young woman who is turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of righteous revenge against the European Vampires who tortured and abused her. This story is paired with King's story, a western about Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire-- a stronger, faster creature than any vampire ever seen before with rattlesnake fangs and powered by the sun.

This was a refreshing change from the sparkly vampires. Here we get classic horror. Vampires with a vicious streak. Vampires consumed with blood. Vampires would transform into something truly grotesque. I was riveted from the opening page. Snyder and King's stories blend seamlessly together to create a unique tale of the first American Vampire. I loved seeing Skinner and Pearl evolve into something new and compare them to the old style European vampires. Vampire clan wars are too much fun! I am really wanting to get back to the library to snap up the next volume.

Bout of Books 8.0 Day #3

Pages Read Today: 200 (American Vampire Vol. 1)

Pages Read Total: 1238

Reading Helpers: Mocha and a cranberry scone for breakfast reading at the coffeehouse. Roasted garlic humus and Triscuit crisps for afternoon reading time.

Challenges: TBR List Challenge @ Musings of a Bookshop Girl:

Which 5 books are at the top of your TBR pile at this moment?

The Host by Stephenie Meyer -- Want to reread and then rent the movie version. I keep shoving it farther down the pile...
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen -- I have to reread a few Austen novels each year. I haven't gotten to this on in awhile. I think it's time.
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon -- After The Shadow of the Wind, I am in love with Zafon's writing.
A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin -- Need to get my Song of Fire and Ice fix. This one's up next for me.
Gale Force by Rachel Caine -- I am determined to finish the Weather Warden's series this year. I have the last three books, but shoved them aside for half a year.

If I gave you a wad of cash and sent you into a bookshop right now, which 5 books would you buy to add to the stack?

Prisoner of Heaven of Carlos Ruiz Zafon -- Love Zafon's writing. Need the third book to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series.
Emma by Jane Austen (Penguin Clothbound Edition) -- Slowly replacing my crappy editions with the beautiful Penguin Clothbound Editions. Emma is next on my list to replace.
A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin -- Duh! Need the next one!
Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale -- Been wanting to read this sequel for awhile now.
Bossypants by Tina Fey -- How have I not read this yet? I adore Tina Fey. Really need to get on this.

Comments: I had actual work to do today, so my reading time was cut in half. I did make it through the comic, American Vampire Vol. 1. True horror in its essence. I think I might need to pick up Volume 2...

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Quote Wednesday -- Alcott

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. -- Louisa May Alcott

I've been thinking a lot lately about my dreams and aspirations. I see them in the far away, but they are hazy and not well formed. I think I need time to reflect on them.

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

Title: The Sugar Queen

Author: Sarah Addison Allen

Publisher: Bantam 2009

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 294

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre -- Fairy Tale; What's in a Name -- Kitchen Find; TBR Pile; Dusty Bookshelf

How I Got It: I own it!

Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter is her favorite season, she’s a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother’s house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night…. Until she finds her closet harboring Della Lee Baker, a local waitress who is one part nemesis—and two parts fairy godmother. With Della Lee’s tough love, Josey’s narrow existence quickly expands. She even bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who is hounded by books that inexplicably appear when she needs them—and who has a close connection to Josey’s longtime crush. Soon Josey is living in a world where the color red has startling powers, and passion can make eggs fry in their cartons. And that’s just for starters.

Another entertaining Allen book. I caught on to the twist early on, but still really enjoyed seeing the plot unfold. I immediately rooted for Josey and loved Della Lee. Amazing characters! And the addition of Chloe was nice. As the story progressed, you couldn't help but root for Josey and Chloe to get their own lives apart from moms and boyfriends. It's always nice to see female characters assert themselves for identity. By the last chapter I was completely in tears, not from sadness, but from happiness at the character growth. I can't wait to see how the other book club members felt about the book and get Allen's newest book.

Bout of Books 8.0 Day #2

Pages Read Today: 294 (The Sugar Queen)

Pages Read Total: 1038

Reading Helpers: A sesame seed bagel with cream cheese and key lime greek yogurt for breakfast. An Arnold Palmer, chili, and cornbread for dinner. Fitting dinner considering the setting of the book in North Carolina during winter.

Challenges: Didn't participate today... hopefully I can jump on the challenge tomorrow.

Comments: I had a friend and her little boy over for lunch and a pool date, so not a huge amount of reading done today. After they left, I had a few household chores to do and just needed a bit of television time (Smallville S10, determined to finish this month). I did start and finish my book club selection and am loving it! Of course, I knew I liked Sarah Addison Allen's books. It's not a huge surprise that I like this one. And I've already surpassed my week page count goal of 1000 pages. This readathon is rocking!

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team