Bout of Books 15 Day #2-3

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, January 4th and runs through Sunday, January 10th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 15 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

Pages Read: 776 (American Vampire Vol. 4-7) + 378 (The Heart of Christmas)

Pages Read Total: 1474

Books Read: 5

Books Read Total: 7

Comments: I read a good chunk of American Vampire and loved it. And I finished out today with a fun collection of three Christmas-themed romances.

Remaining TBR:

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

The Heart of Christmas

Title: The Heart of Christmas

Author: Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick, Courtney Milan

Publisher: Harlequin 2009

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 378

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Popsugar - Guaranteed to bring me joy

A Handful of Gold
Not only is Julian Dare dashing and wealthy, but he's the heir to an earldom. So what do you get a man who has everything? Innocent and comely Verity Ewing plans on giving Julian her heart—the most precious gift of all.

This story was very cute. I loved Verity and her plan to help her family. My problem with the story was that I wanted to see it as a full length book instead of a novella. I felt like the story has much more left to be told...

The Season for Suitors
After some close encounters with rakes in which she was nearly compromised, heiress Clara Davenport realizes that she needs some expert advice. And who better for the job than Sebastian Fleet, the most notorious rake in town? But the tutelage doesn't go quite as planned, as both Sebastian and Clara find it difficult to remain objective when it comes to lessons of the heart!

This story was my favorite of the collection. I loved the will-they or won't-they romance between Clara and Sebastian. They were great characters! Definitely enjoyed reading this one.

This Wicked Gift
Lavinia Spencer has been saving her hard-earned pennies to provide her family with Christmas dinner. Days before the holiday, her brother is swindled, leaving them owing more than they can ever repay. Until a mysterious benefactor offers to settle the debt. Innocent Lavinia is stunned by what the dashing William White wants in return. Will she exchange a wicked gift for her family's fortune?

My least favorite of the stories, I still enjoyed the story of Lavinia and William. I just didn't quite fall in love with this couple.

2015 Wrap-up

Favorite Books of the Year

Honorable Mentions: The HM category is reserved for rereads that I really loved.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Fables Series

Total Books Read – 117 books

Total Pages Read – 35,897 pages

I averaged 2908 pages per month. My lowest month was December with only 1769 pages. My highest month was April with 4544 pages. I hope to read 35,000 pages next year.

Book Rating Stats

5 stars — 45 books
4 stars — 40 books
3 stars — 30 books
2 stars —1 books
1 star — 0 books
DNFs — 3

Special Projects/Features

Readathons —I completed 5 readathons this year. While I enjoy readathons, my life now just doesn't allow much time to do a readathon. Next year I won't be participating in any.

Bloggiesta in September —I enjoyed spending a weekend working on my blog. I completed a fair number of tasks and made progress on a few more. I'll definitely be participating next year.

Day Zero Project –- After restarting this project in early 2015, I've made decent progress on this large-scale project.

Quote Wednesday —An easy post that I now do biweekly.

Currently -- I like to sprinkle these in sometimes.

Music Monday —Always love my Music Monday posts.

Top Ten Tuesday — I didn't participate that much this year, but I occasionally do...

Fashion Friday —Love my Fashion Friday posts. They are a lot of fun to make.

Arthur Updates —Since Arthur is now 2 years old, I'm only doing these twice a year...

Thanks/Odds and Ends/Fun Videos —Definitely keeping this rotation next year. I helps change up the posts.

Reading Challenges

Here’s the final breakdown:

Fantasy Project 4/5 80%
Nonfiction Adventure 10/10 100%
NPR Scifi and Fantasy 2/5 40%
NPR Teen 5/5 100%
Top 100 YA 4/5 80%
21st Century Women Authors 2/5 40%
US of YA 0/5 0%
Time Top 100 0/5 0%
Rory Gilmore 2/5 40%
1001 Books 2/5 0%
Anne Rice 0/5 0%
Feminism 4/10 40%
TBR Reduction 46/48 95.8%
Mount TBR 36/36 100%
Library 12/12 100%
Ebooks 22/25 88%
Read Your Freebies 12/12 100%
A to Z 20/26 76.9%
What’s in a Name 6/6 100%
Picture Books 150/150 100%
Seriously Series 9/10 90%
Books to Movies 7/12 58.3%
52 Books in 52 Weeks 52/52 100%
Fairy Tale 10/10 100%
Dewey Decimal 10/10 100%
Banned Books 0/5 0%
Back to the Classics 6/10 60%
New Author 15/15 100%
Blogger Recommendations 1/10 10%
Outlander 1/8 12.5%
OLW Home 10/10 100%

Total: 12/31 challenges 38.7% done

Total: 458/533 slots 85.9% done

Overall Thoughts/Reflections/Musings/Ideas

American Vampire Vol. 4-7

Title: American Vampire Vol. 4-7

Author: Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, Jordi Bernet, Dustin Nguyen, Matias Bergara, Dave McCaig

Publisher: Vertigo 2014, 2014, 2014, 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror

Pages: 208, 280, 144, 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Library; Popsugar - Library

AMERICAN VAMPIRE flashes back to two very distinct points in American history. The first tale comes from the early 1800's with the "The Beast in the Cave" featuring art by the legendary Jordi Bernet (Torpedo, JONAH HEX). Learn about the original American Vampire, Skinner Sweet, and his involvement in the brutal Indian Wars, and an ancient evil hidden in the heart of the Old West. Plus, more about the man Skinner used to call his best friend - James Book! The second tale comes straight from 1950s America, where AMERICAN VAMPIRE is terrorizing the suburbs with hot rods, teenyboppers and fangs! "Death Race" focuses on ferocious new vampire hunter Travis Kidd - but what is his connection to Skinner Sweet? As the story comes to a violent end, a sworn enemy's identity is finally revealed, and lots of blood is spilled!

Such a great volume! I really loved the story set in the 1950s, but even more the story that ending the volume "The Nocturnes." That was one hell of a way to leave the readers on a cliffhanger. So good!

Vol. 5 In the first story, series mainstays Skinner Sweet, Pearl and company return to Hollywood in the '50s during the Red Scare. In a time where America was on the lookout for the next Communist threat, was the real danger something far more insidious? A major turning point in AMERICAN VAMPIRE lore begins here! In the second tale, familiar face and vampire hunter Felicia Book is "retired" from vampire hunting when she gets called back into action to track down and kill the most powerful vampire of all time. The hunt takes our heroes through post-war Europe, behind the Iron Curtain and into the heart of Russia to track this deadly enemy...

These two stories really moved the story and mythos forward. We get to meet an iconic vampire and learn more about what the various characters have been up to. Plus, we get some tantalizing hints at what's to come. I can't wait to see where this story leads.

Vol. 6 You are cordially invited to a party--to die for! This volume of American Vampire collects eight amazing stories set in the world of American Vampire, with "lost tales," new characters and old favorites. Also collected here is the stand alone tale of Fan-favorite character Travis Kidd--the vampire hunter who likes to "bite them back" in AMERICAN VAMPIRE: THE LONG ROAD TO HELL.

This was a nice collection of side stories to compliment the larger tale. I really enjoyed the story featuring Travis Kidd. And we got a few more hints about the Grey Trader. I can't wait for the big reveal in the next volume!

Vol. 7 When we last saw Pearl in the 1950s, she had lost her love Henry in an attack on the vampire hunting organization, V.M.S., by a coven of Hollywood vampires that nearly wiped the organization off the face of the planet. Devastated and alone, Pearl is determained to leave California and all its painful memories behind. When we meet Pearl again, it is in 1960s Kansas, an era fraught with fear of nuclear war, angry demonstrations, and vast social change. What has changed in the years since the V.M.S. attack and where is Skinner Sweet?

Holy cow! That was one hell of a volume. I can't believe everything that happened in the span of a few hundred pages. I'm stoked to see more from Pearl and Cal and the reappearance of Skinner. This was the most disturbing volume so far, but I mean that in a good way. It was fascinating to learn more about the big bad and its minions. Can't wait until Volume 8.

2015 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Failed

Goal: 4/5 books

Graceling by Kristin Cashore (5/17/15)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (10/14/15)
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (2/17/15)
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (9/12/2015)
TBD

NPR Scifi and Fantasy

Goal: 2/5 books

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (10/14/15)
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (2/17/15)
TBD
TBD
TBD

Top 100 YA Novels

Goal 4/5 books

Graceling by Kristin Cashore (5/17/15)
Fire by Kristin Cashore (5/25/15)
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (8/16/15)
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (9/12/15)
TBD

21st Century Women Authors

Goal: 2/5 books

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (10/14/15)
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman (5/12/15)
TBD
TBD
TBD

Goal: 0/5 books

Time Top 100

Goal: 0/5 books

Rory Gilmore

Goal: 2/5 books

Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton (3/4/15)
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (2/19/15)
TBD
TBD
TBD

1001 Books

Goal: 2/5 books

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (2/19/15)
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (6/23/15)
TBD
TBD
TBD

Goal: 0/5 books

Interview with a Vampire
The Vampire Lestat
The Queen of the Damned
The Tale of the Body Thief
Memnoch the Devil

Goal: 4/10 books

Yes Please by Amy Poehler (3/30/15)
The F Word by Kristin Rowe Finkbeiner (7/27/15)
Witchcraze by Anne Llewellyn Barstow (5/3/15)
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (10/7/15)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

TBR Reduction

Goal: 46/48 books

January

The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer (1/24/15)
A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon (1/17/15)
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (1/12/15)
TBD

February

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (2/17/15)
Remarkable Creatures by Tracey Chevalier (2/18/15)
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (2/19/15)
Seducing the Heiress by Olivia Drake (2/19/15)

March

Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton (3/4/15)
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh (3/12/15)
Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh (3/19/15)
Yes, Please by Amy Poehler (3/30/15)

April

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (4/6/15)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (4/16/15)
Four by Veronica Roth (4/20/15)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (4/25/15)

May

At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh (5/1/15)
Witchcraze by Anne Llewllyn Barstow (5/3/15)
Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh (5/5/15)
A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh (5/9/15)

June

The Martian by Andy Weir (6/6/15)
666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce (6/9/15)
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (6/23/15)
Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich (6/26/15)

July

The Night Circus by Erica Morgenstern (7/3/15)
Highlander Unbound by Julia London (7/9/15)
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (7/14/15)
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (7/20/15)

August

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (8/16/15)
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple (8/21/15)
Interest by Kevin Gaughen (8/26/15)
Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara (8/26/15)

September

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen (9/7/15)
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (9/12/15)
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (9/22/15)
TBD

October

Saga Volume 1 (10/16/15)
Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin (10/22/15)
The Runaway Princess by Christina Dodd (10/24/15)
Someday My Prince by Christina Dodd (10/27/15)

November

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson (11/16/15)
Some Enchanted Evening by Christina Dodd (11/22/15)
The Barefoot Princess by Christina Dodd (11/24/15)
The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dod (11/27/15)

December

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig (12/2/15)
The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig (12/7/15)
Soulbound by Kristin Callihan (12/14/15)
Body and Soul by Stacey Kade (1218/15)

Goal: 22/25 books

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (4/5/15)
Yes Please by Amy Poehler (3/30/15)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (4/16/15)
Four by Veronica Roth (4/20/15)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (4/25/15)
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (6/23/15)
The Lost Soul by Gabriella Pierce (6/29/15)
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (7/14/15)
Young House Love by Sherry and John Petersik (8/17/15)
Don’t Know Much About Mythology by Kenneth Davis (9/4/15)
1491 by Charles Mann (9/28/15)
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (10/1/15)
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert (10/16/15)
Saga Volume 1 (10/16/15)
Saga Volume 2 (10/31/15)
Saga Volume 3 (10/31/15)
Saga Volum 4 (10/31/15)
After Alive by Gregory Maguire (11/5/15)
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (11/12/15)
Warrior Women by Jeannine Davis-Kimball (11/29/15)
Soulbound by Kristin Callihan (12/14/15)
Body and Soul by Stacey Kade (12/18/15)
TBD
TBD
TBD

Goal: 20/26 books

A – All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (4/16/15)
B – Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie by Kate Chopin (7/22/15)
C – TBD
D – The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman (5/12/15)
E – Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (2/19/15)
F – First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh (3/12/15)
G – Graceling by Kristin Cashore (5/17/15)
H – A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon (1/17/15)
I – Insurgent by Veronica Roth (4/6/15)
J – Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (10/14/15)
K – The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (1/12/15)
L – Love Finds You in Hershey Pennsylvania by Cerella Sechrist (1/15/15)
M – Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale (1/5/15)
N – Never Trust a Rogue by Olivia Drake (2/23/15)
O – Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (2/17/15)
P – The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd (11/27/15)
Q – TBD
R – Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (2/18/15)
S – Scandal of the Year by Olivia Drake (2/27/15)
T – Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh (3/19/15)
U – TBD
V – TBD
W – The Walking Dead Vol 18 (4/9/15)
X – TBD
Y – Y The Last Man Vol 1 (3/16/15)
Z – TBD

Seriously Series

Goal: 9/10 series

Started in 2014:

Divergent: #2 Insurgent (4/6/15), #0.1 Four The Transfer (4/20/15), #0.2 Four The Initiate (4/20/15), #0.3 Four The Son (4/20/15), #04. Four The Traitor (4/20/15), #3 Allegiant (4/25/15) √
Darkest London: #6 Soulbound (12/14/15) √
A Song of Ice and Fire: #5 A Dance with Dragons
Austenland: #2 Midnight in Austenland (1/5/15) √

Started in 2015:

Heiress in London: #1 Seducing the Heiress (2/19/15), #2 Never Trust a Rogue (2/23/15), #3 Scandal of the Year (2/27/15) √
Huxtable Quintet: #1 First Comes Marriage (3/12/15), #2 Then Comes Seduction (3/19/15), #3 At Last Comes Love (5/1/15), #4 Seducing an Angel (5/5/15), #5 A Secret Affair (5/9/15) √
Y The Last Man: Vol 1 (3/16/15); Vol 2 (4/1/15); Vol 3 (4/1/15); Vol 4 (4/3/15); Vol 5 (4/3/15); Vol 6 (4/7/15); Vol 7 (4/7/15); Vol 8 (4/7/15); Vol 9 (4/7/15); Vol 10 (4/7/15) √
Seven Kingdoms: #1 Graceling (5/17/15), #2 Fire (5/25/15), #3 Bitterblue (8/16/15) √
Princess: #1 The Runaway Princess (10/24/15), Someday My Prince (10/27/15) √
The Lost Princesses: #1 Some Enchanted Evening (11/22/15), #2 The Barefoot Princess (11/24/15), #3 The Prince Kidnaps a Bride (11/27/15) √

Goal: 7/12 Books and Movies

Outlander (2/17/15)
Insurgent (4/6/15)
Odd Thomas (5/4/15)
666 Park Avenue (6/9/15)
The Age of Innocence (6/23/15)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (10/14/15)
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (11/12/15)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

Goal: 0/5 books

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Goal: 4/6 Books

19th Century — Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie by Kate Chopin (7/22/15)
20th Century — This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald (7/22/15)
Woman Author — The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (6/23/15)
Name in Title — Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (2/19/15)
TBD
TBD

Book Blogger Recommendations

Goal: 1/10 books

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) – Marissa Meyer
Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor & Park – Rainbow Rowell
Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) – Kristin Cashore (5/17/15)
This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Attachments – Rainbow Rowell
Station Eleven – Emily St. John Mandel
Panic – Lauren Oliver
The Real Boy – Anne Ursu
The Scorpio Races – Maggie Stiefvater

Goal: 1/8 books

Outlander (2/17/15)
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breathe of Snow and Ashes
An Echo in the Bone
Written in My Own Hearts Blood

2015 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Completed

Goal: 52/52 books DONE!!!!!!!

Lives in Ruins by Marilyn Johnson (1/2/15)
Love Finds You in Hershey Pennsylvania by Cerella Sechrist (1/15/15)
The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer (1/24/15)
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (2/18/15)
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (2/19/15)
Seducing the Heiress by Olivia Drake (2/19/15)
Never Trust a Rogue by Olivia Drake (2/23/15)
Scandal of the Year by Olivia Drake (2/27/15)
Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton (3/4/15)
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh (3/12/15)
Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh (3/19/15)
The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin (3/27/15)
Yes Please by Amy Poehler (3/30/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 9 (4/7/15)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (4/16/15)
Four A Collection by Veronica Roth (4/20/15)
At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh (5/1/15)
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (5/4/15)
A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh (5/9/15)
Geek Mom by Barron, Ceceri, Lawson, and Williams (5/18/15)
Fire by Kristin Cashore (5/25/15)
Dead Wake by Erik Larson (6/1/15)
The Martian by Andy Weir (6/6/15)
The 100-Year-Old Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (6/16/15)
The Dark Glamour by Gabriella Pierce (6/22/15)
The Lost Soul by Gabriella Pierce (6/29/15)
Highlander Unbound by Julia London (7/9/15)
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (7/14/15)
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (7/20/15)
The F Word by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (7/27/15)
How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson (8/3/15)
The Complete Decorated Journal by Gwen Diehn (8/12/15)
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (8/16/15)
Interest by Kevin Gaughen (8/26/15)
Don’t Know Much About Mythology by Kenneth Davis (9/4/15)
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen (9/7/15)
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (9/22/15)
1491 by Charles Mann (9/28/15)
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (10/1/15)
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamnda Ngozi Adichie (10/7/15)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark (10/14/15)
Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin (10/22/15)
Someday My Prince by Christina Dodd (10/27/15)
After Alice by Gregory Maguire (11/5/15)
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (11/12/15)
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson (11/16/15)
Some Enchanted Evening by Christina Dodd (11/22/15)
Warrior Women by Jeannine Davis-Kimball (11/29/15)
The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig (12/7/15)
Soulbound by Kristin Callihan (12/14/15)
Body and Soul by Stacey Kade (12/18/15)
Fables Vol. 21 (12/19/15)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!

Fairest: Of Mice and Men (4/6/15)
Fables: Wolves of the Heartland (4/8/15)
Fables: Camelot (4/9/15)
Witches edited by Paula Guran (7/1/15)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (7/3/15)
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen (9/7/15)
Saga Volume 1 (10/16/15)
Saga Volume 2 (10/31/15)
Saga Volume 3 (10/31/15)
Saga Volume 4 (10/31/15)

OLW 2015: Home

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!

A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon (1/17/15)
The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer (1/24/15)
Geek Mom by Barron, Ceceri, Lawson, and Williams (5/18/15)
Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest (6/11/15)
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (6/27/15)
The Art of Steampunk by Art Donovan (7/3/15)
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (7/20/15)
Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson (8/6/15)
Young House Love by Sherry and John Petersik (8/17/15)
Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin (10/22/15)

Dewey Decimal

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!!!

0s – The Secret Museum by Molly Oldfield (8/8/15)
100s – The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (7/20/15)
200s – Don’t Know Much About Mythology by Kenneth Davis (9/4/15)
300s – Born Reading by Jason Boog (5/12/15)
400s – Common Phrases by Myron Korach (8/17/15)
500s – What If by Randall Munroe (6/23/15)
600s – The American Plate by Libby O’Connell (6/5/15)
700s – Y The Last Man Vol 10 (4/7/15)
800s – Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson (8/6/15)
900s – Lives in Ruins by Marilyn Johnson (1/2/15)

Goal: 36/36 books DONE!!!!!!!

A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon (1/17/15)
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (1/15/15)
Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton (3/4/15)
Graceling by Kristen Cashore (5/17/15)
Fire by Kristin Cashore (5/25/15)
The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer (1/24/15)
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (2/18/15)
Never Trust a Rogue by Olivia Drake (2/23/15)
Scandal of the Year by Olivia Drake (2/27/15)
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh (3/12/15)
Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh (3/19/15)
Fairest: Of Mice and men (4/6/15)
Fables: Wolves of the Heartland (4/8/15)
The Walking Dead Vol. 18 (4/9/15)
The Walking Dead Vol. 19 (4/9/15)
The Walking Dead. Vol. 20 (4/9/15)
The Walking Dead Vol. 21 (4/9/15)
The Walking Dead Vol. 22 (4/9/15)
Fables: Camelot (4/9/15)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (4/25/15)
At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh (5/1/15)
Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh (5/5/15)
A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh (5/9/15)
The Manhattan Projects Volume 1 (5/14/15)
The Martian by Andy Weir (6/6/15)
666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce (6/9/15)
Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich (6/26/15)
The Night Circus by Erica Morgenstern (7/3/15)
Highlander Unbound by Julia London (7/9/15)
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald (7/22/15)
Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie by Kate Chopin (7/22/15)
The Mad Scientist’s Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke (7/26/15)
The F Word by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (7/27/15)
Where’d You Go Bernadette be Maria Semple (8/21/15)
Interest by Kevin Gaughen (8/26/15)
Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara (8/26/15)

Goal: 6/6 Books DONE!!!!!!!!!!

A word including ‘ing’ in it — Seducing the Heiress by Olivia Drake (2/19/15)
A colour — Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (8/16/15)
A familial relation — The Made Scientist’s Daugher by Cassandra Rose Clarke (7/26/15)
A body of water — Bayou Folk and a Night in Acadie by Kate Chopin
A city — Love Finds You in Hershey Pennsylvania by Cerella Sechrist (1/15/15)
An animal — Y The Last Man Vol 8 Kimono Dragons (4/7/15)

Goal: 150/150 books DONE!!!!

It’s a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree
Monster Knows I’m Sorry by Connie Colwell Miller
Where is Baby’s Christmas Present? by Karen Katz
What’s Up Bear? by Frieda Wishinsky
Little Green Peas by Keith Baker
1 2 3 Peas by Keith Baker
The Perfect Christmas by Eileen Spinelli
Duck in the Fridge by Jeff Mack
Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein
Who Says That Cat the Cat by Mo Willems
Max at the Seashore by Kate Pope
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Hoot by Tiger Tales
What a Wonderful World by bob Theile
Good Night Zoo by Adam Gamble
Chu’s Day by Neil Gaiman
Monster Knows Excuse Me by Connie Colwell Miller
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Jennifer Adams
Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Under the Waves by Steph Hinton
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Countasaurus by Megan Bryant
Shapeasaurus by Megan Bryant
Doggies by Sandra Boynton
In My Tree by Sara Gillingham
Snowman Surprise by Julia Woolf
Blue Hat Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
Stomp Dinosaur Stomp by Margaret Mayo
The Runaway Heart by Sylvia Christianson
Duck and Goose Colors by Tad Hills
Rescue Bunnies by Doreen Cronin
Winston the Book Wolf by Marni McGee
Barnyard Baby by Elise Broach
How Gator Says Good-bye by Samoun
Dinosaur Zoom by Penny Dale
Duck and Goose: Goose Needs a Hug by Tad Hills
What Does Baby Love by Karen Katz
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
One Pup’s Up by Marshal Wilson Chall
Hello Baby! by Megan Fox
Milo Armadillo by Jan Fearnley
Three Little Dinosaurs by Charles Fuge
Windy Day in Spring by Charles Ghigna
What’s Up, Duck? by Tad Hills
My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
In the Jungle by Emily Bolam
Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
When You Take a Pig to a Party by Kristina Thermaenius McLarey & Myra McLarey
All Through My Town by Jean Reidy
Llama Llama Hoppity-Hop by Anna Dewdney
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Charles Reasoner
Who Flies, Cat the Cat? by Mo Willems
Freight Train Trip! by Susanna Leonard Hill
Jack and Jill by Charles Reasoner
1-2-3 Dinosaurs Bite! by Steve Jenkins
Hello, My Baby by Tish Rabe
Welcome to Monster Town by Ryan Heshka
Miles to the Finish by Jamie Harper
The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara
Alpha Oops! The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis
One Naked Baby by Maggie Smith
Go, Shapes, Go by Denise Fleming
Captain Beastlie’s Pirate Party by Lucy Coats
A Truck Goes Rattley-Bumpa by Jonathan London
Toys in Space by Mini Grey
Rapunzel by Trixie Belle
King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently
Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton
Skippyjon Jones Color Crazy by Judy Schachner
Click, Clack, 1 2 3 by Doreen Cronin
We Go Together by Calef Brown
Joey and Jet by James Yang
City Signs by Zoran Milich
The Trucker by Barbara Samuels
The Robot Book by Heather Brown
Honk Honk Baa Baa by Petr Horacek
Cars Trucks and Planes by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza
Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
Trains Go by Steve Light
Trucks by Paula Hannigan
There was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Fish by Jennifer Ward
Hansel and Diesel by David Gordon
Ten Naughty Little Monkeys by Suzanne Williams
100 Things That Make Me Happy by Amy Schwartz
Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy
LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
B is for Bulldozer by June Sobel
Slow Snail by Mary Murphy
The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry
Trucks by Anne Rockwell
Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
Tails Chasing Tails by Matthew Porter
Dig by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
Fast Train, Slow Train by Reverend W Awdry
Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman
Zoe’s First Book of Seasons by Heather Au
Search and Rescue by Britt Allcroft
Things That Go by Eva Steele-Saccio
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey
Daddy All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
Steampunk ABC by Karen Luk
Froggy’s Day with Dad by Jonathan London
My Daddy is a Giant by Carl Norac
Tyrannosaurus Dad by Liz Rosenberg
Truck Stop by Anne Rockwell
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
The Monstore by Tara Lazar
Planes Fly! by George Ella Lyon
A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by Jessica Law
Redbird Colors, Colors, Everywhere by Barney Saltzberg
Beach Babies by Puck
Demolition by Sally Sutton
Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray
My Foodie ABC by Puck
Llama Llama Zippity Zoom by Anna Dewdney
Monkey Truck by Michael Slack
The Thunderbolt Express by Matthew Porter
Construction Kitties by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges
Zoom Zoom by Robert Burleigh
Chick n Pug by Jennifer Sattler
Giant Vehicles by Rod Green
All Aboard by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Let’s Paint by Alborozo
Machines Go to Work by William Low
The Dinosaur Tamer by Carol Greathouse
Farm by James Brown
Goodnight Daniel Tiger by Angela Santomero
An Awesome Book by Dallas Clayton
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
Big and Little Things That Go
10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle
My Blankie by Alice Beauvisage
Who’s That Roaring?
Who Flies Cat the Cat by Mo Willems
Monster Mess by Margery Cuyler
Who’s That Eating?
Zoom, Zoom Baby by Karen Katz
Love Monster and the Perfect Present by Rachel Bright
The Bear’s Sea Escape by Benjamin Chadd
Hello Airplane! by Bill Cotter
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat
Chug Chug Tractor by Dawn Sirett
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle
Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea
Dino Shapes by Suse MacDonald
My Turn to Learn Numbers by Natalie Marshall
Cowboy Camp by Tammi Sauer
My First Trucks by Sarah Davis

Goal: 15/15 authors DONE!!!!

Lucy Dillon (1/15/15)
Anthony Doerr (4/16/15)
Olivia Drake (2/19/15)
Paula Hawkins (7/14/15)
Alice Hoffman (5/12/15)
Jonas Jonasson (6/16/15)
Dean Koontz (5/4/15)
Julia London (7/9/15)
Erica Morgenstern (7/3/15)
Gabriella Pierce (6/9/15)
Cerella Sechrist (1/5/15)
Michael Shaara (1/12/15)
Kate Talbot (6/19/15)
Brian Vaughan (3/16/15)
Andy Weir (6/6/15)

Goal: 12/12 books DONE!!!!

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (5/4/15)
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman (5/12/15)
American Vampire Vol. 2 (5/12/15)
American Vampire Vol. 3 (5/14/15)
Geek Mom by Barron, Ceceri, Lawson, and Williams (5/18/15)
Dead Wake by Erik Larson (6/1/15)
The American Plate by Libby O’Connell (6/5/15)
Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest (6/11/15)
The 100-Year-Old Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (6/16/15)
Sally Heathcote: Suffragette by Mary Talbot and Kate Charlesworth (6/19/15)
The Dark Glamour by Gabriella Pierce (6/22/15)
What If by Randall Munroe (6/23/15)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!

Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton (3/4/15)
Lives in Ruins by Marilyn Johnson (1/2/15)
The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer (1/24/15)
Yes Please by Amy Poehler (3/30/15)
Witchcraze by Anne Llewellyn Barstow (5/3/15)
Born Reading by Jason Boog (5/12/15)
Geek Mom by Barron, Ceceri, Lawson, and Williams (5/18/15)
Dead Wake by Erik Larson (6/1/15)
The American Plate by Libby O’Connell (6/5/15)
Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest (6/11/15)

NPR Teen Books

Goal: 5/5 books DONE!!!!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (4/6/15)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (4/25/15)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore (5/17/15)
Fire by Kristin Cashore (5/25/15)
Four A Collection by Veronica Roth (4/20/15)

Goal: 12/12 books DONE!!!!

Lives in Ruins by Marilyn Johnson (1/2/15)
Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale (1/5/15)
Love Finds You in Hershey Pennsylvania by Cerella Sechrist (1/5/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 1 (3/16/15)
The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin (3/27/15)
The Sworn Sword by George R.R. Martin (3/27/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 2 (4/1/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 3 (4/1/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 4 (4/3/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 5 (4/3/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 6 (4/7/15)
Y The Last Man Vol 7 (4/7/15)

Bout of Books 15 Day #1

Pages Read: 168 (Fairest) + 152 (Manhattan Projects)

Pages Read Total: 320

Books Read: 2

Books Read Total: 2

Comments: Started off my new year strong with two volumes of comics that I've been wanting to get to for awhile. Extra bonus: I really enjoyed both of them. Hoping to continue the trend fro the rest of the week.

Remaining TBR:

American Vampire Vol. 4-7
Chocolat by Joanne Harris

The Manhattan Projects Vol. 2

Title: The Manhattan Projects Volume 2

Author: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra

Publisher: Image 2013

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Graphic Novel; Popsugar - Graphic novel

"THEY RULE" The second amazing volume of the SCIENCE, BAD book of the new millennium. The battle for global supremacy is underway and the bad men of the Manhattan Projects will only accept one outcome: World domination Collecting issues #6-10 the coolest new series of the year into one super science package.

Another interesting alt-history volume. I really enjoyed seeing the Soviets and the Americans work together against the great evils (internal and external). As if Volume 1, my favorite characters is Feynman. Love his naiveté and energy. He's a great counterpoint to Fermi and Einstein. Plus we get some great backstory into the how the Soviets acquired some of their technology. Can't wait to read Volume 3.

Fairest: The Clamour for Glamour

Title: Fairest 5: The Clamour for Glamour

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2015

Genre: Fantasy Comics

Pages: 168

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel Challenge; Fairytale Retellings; 52 Books in 52 Weeks -- W1

A nice ending to the Fairest series. We get conclusions for a few characters. We get more of what was going on at the farm during the events of Fables Vol. 21. We meet a few new characters that contribute to the story. I'm sad that the Fables world is ending, but have really enjoyed the main series and all of it's spinoffs.

Fairest:

Monthly Life Goals January 2016

As I am participating in a 2016 Happiness Project, I'm scaling back my life and craft goals a bit. I'll probably only post 3-4 goals per month going forward.

Let’s check in on December’s goals and my progress.

Draft January’s blog posts— Success! I've got a fair number of posts drafted and at least the rest of my posts scheduled out.
Pinterest clean out — Success! I cleaned out a few boards and am continuing the trend in 2016.
Plan for 2016’s TBR — Success! I've got a short list of books that I want to read in 2016. But I also want a lot of space to reading what I feel like. I've decided on planning six books a month: 2 book club selections, a nonfiction selection, a series selection, and 2 pulls from my random TBR jar.
Sign up for a few reading challenges — Success! I made my list and have drafted the blog posts. I'll be officially joining the challenges in the next few days.

January's Goals:

30 Day Challenge: New Movie Month -- I love starting off the new year with a movie month. I've already made my list and started the month. Now to make it all 30 days!
Complete one freezer meal day -- I need to restart the freezer meals plan. I'm shooting for one freezer meal prep day a month until we build up our stock.
Check into an Arthur and mom class for spring -- Now that he's over 2, I want to do a music or art class this fall.
Schedule a dentist appointment -- Not a glamorous goal, but a necessary one. I need to take care of the next set of replacement fillings...

December 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

December's TBR Pile (6/9):

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

Picture Book Roundup:

Oh No George! by Chris Haughton
Freight Train Trip by Susanna Leonard Hill
One Christmas Eve by Salina Yoon
In My Den by Sara Gillingham
On My Beach by Sara Gillingham
Hurry Santa by Julie Sykes
Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton
Hide and Seek Harry Around the House by Kenny Harrison
Dino Bites bt Algy Craig Hall
Come Rhyme with Me by Hans Wilhelm
What's Up Duck? A Book of Opposites by Tad Hills
It's a Tiger by David LaRochelle
What to Do When You're Sent to Your Room by Ann Stott
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:

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