May 2014 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

May's TBR Pile (5/10):

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

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

• We were such slackers this month.  Between sickness and baby activities, not many pictures books were read and no new ones.  However, I went to the library two days ago and picked up abut 15 new pictures books to read this coming month.  Hopefully we find some great ones!

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 1797 pages
Pages Remaining: 824,903 pages

Current Read - Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet, but my totals are very good.

Comments - Five books is really low for me.  I think it might be my lowest book total since starting the blog.  However, my page totals were decent so that's something.  I read a giant brick of a book (The Strain) and finished my book club book days before our meeting.  I'm looking forward to June's TBR pile as I think I've stacked it with some great books.

June's TBR Pile:

1. J's pick: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Fluffy romance: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
3. Classic: The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. Book club selection: Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg
5. Children's Fiction: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
6. Story Collection: Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
7. Mystery Pick: Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
8. Monthly Key Word: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
9. Contemporary: Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

FF #18: Like a Painting

Another dress that reminds me of a painting.  I love the details here.  It also reminds me of a dress from the 1400s or 1500s.  Just gorgeous.  I went with mainly black accessories as to not distract from the beautiful dress.

Floral mini dress

1stdibs.com

Jimmy Choo black ankle strap sandals

$1,000 - profilefashion.com

Chunky jewelry

$25 - debenhams.com

Circle jewelry

$8.39 - newlook.com

A Plethora of Videos

** Okay, okay.  I don't have a plethora of videos for you today, but I do have a ton of videos to share. Velociraptors!  I love the Green brothers!

I imagine that this will be stupid, but the trailer makes it look pretty badass!

Another amazing cover...

The first one was way funnier than it should have been...

Learn about the octopus!

Kinda want to see this...

Another educational video for you!

I Fucking Love Science

Looks like an interesting movie...

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

Title: Summer Rental

Author: Mary Kay Andrews

Publisher: Whodunnit 2011

Genre: Women's Fiction

Pages: 402

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Well-Rounded Reader; What's in a Name -- Weather; TBR Pile; 52 Books -- W22; Women Authors

Ellis, Julia, and Dorie. Best friends since Catholic grade school, they now find themselves, in their mid-thirties, at the crossroads of life and love. Ellis, recently fired from a job she gave everything to, is rudderless and now beginning to question the choices she's made over the past decade of her life. Julia--whose caustic wit covers up her wounds--has a man who loves her and is offering her the world, but she can't hide from how deeply insecure she feels about her looks, her brains, her life. And Dorie has just been shockingly betrayed by the man she loved and trusted the most in the world…though this is just the tip of the iceberg of her problems and secrets. A month in North Carolina's Outer Banks is just what they each of them needs.

Ty Bazemore is their landlord, though he's hanging on to the rambling old beach house by a thin thread. After an inauspicious first meeting with Ellis, the two find themselves disturbingly attracted to one another, even as Ty is about to lose everything he's ever cared about.

Maryn Shackleford is a stranger, and a woman on the run. Maryn needs just a few things in life: no questions, a good hiding place, and a new identity. Ellis, Julia, and Dorie can provide what Maryn wants; can they also provide what she needs?

A light breezy beach bag book.  Thank goodness!  This hit the spot!  I needed a little levity to get me back on track.  I'm excited about the coming summer reading season.  While this novel was fairly predictable, I enjoyed taking the journey with the four main characters.

Quote Wednesday -- Szent-Gyorgyi

Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else does and thinking something different. -- Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Arthur: 32 Weeks

It was a big week for us.  We went to the Oakland Zoo for the first time.  Arthur tried out a swing for the first time.  And we both got extremely sick with a nasty cold again...

Likes: Swings! Watching other kids! Puffs!  Other people's puffs and snacks! Staying up past his bedtime! His pacifier!

Dislikes: Going to bed on time.  Not being held.  Getting his face wiped.  Not being able to pull and chew on computer cords.

Sleeping: Hit and miss lately.  Being sick really creates sleep complications.  Naps have been especially difficult this week.

Eating: This week I've been giving him more food off of my plate.  We're trying more soft foods that he has to gum. So far we're doing pretty well.

Playing: Arthur's been trying his best to explore all the areas of the house that he isn't allowed to play in.  He even escaped onto the balcony and got himself covered in dust.  We now have to be more vigilant about putting the gate up in the morning.  He's also loving playing with his balls and all the teethers.

Medical Milestones: 

• Repeating sounds -- Sometimes.  He's a pretty serious kid, but every once in awhile he does get to babbling.
• Holding two objects at once -- Check! He often grabs two toys and then doesn't know what to do with them.
• Starting to understand cause and effect -- Check! He loves playing tug of war.  He also tries to grab my computer and then looks at me...  He knows he's not supposed to play with it.
• Lifting arms up when wanting to be picked up -- Check!  All the time!
• Trying to standing -- Check! He loves to pull himself up by using me and then leaning.  Standing is his favorite position now.

Schedule:Being sick really messes with the daily schedule.  Naps are varied.  Bedtime is all over the place.  The only times I can count on are wakeup (6:00am) and cranky time (5:30pm and after).

Out and About:

• Mariposa Park -- Playdate with baby friends
• Cuesta Park -- Walk and playdate
• Oakland Zoo -- First time.  We went with Arthur's friend and his mom.  Tons of fun!
• Lots of walks around the complex, dog run, and neighborhood.

Music Monday -- iPod Shuffle May

1. Paramore "Grow Up" 

2. Justin Timberlake "SexyBack"

3. Arctic Monkeys "Brick by Brick"

Sunday Sunset #13

Being sick sucks!  J was sick for a week, Arthur and I are about to start week 3.  This cold is just hanging around...

Listening To: Random iTunes shuffle and Bastille's "Bad Blood" over and over and over.  So good!

Book finished: American Gods; The Strain; A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Reading: Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

On the Nightstand: Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg; Devil in the White City by Erik Larson; Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk

Making Lists: Lots of lists this week

• Grocery and meal plan -- I'm pulling together a meal plan list for the entirety of summer.  Yes, I am a bit of an over planner.  And yet my list should make the summer go by a bit easier.
• SU wish list -- New catalog is live in just over a week...  I've got catalog highlighted with things I want, now to narrow down to a manageable wish list.
• Craft projects -- Trying to stay on top of swaps, blog hops, and occasions (birthdays, etc).
• Summer Bucket List -- Putting the finishing touches on our summer bucket list.  I'll be sharing what it looks like (hint: I used SU's Epic Day This and That journal to document) over at my craft blog soon.
• Baby-proofing -- A few last minute items (like what to do with the LEGO Millennium Falcon)

Around the house: Putting the finishing touches on our baby-proofing project.  The boys' room and living room are baby-proofed.  We're still debating about the short bookcase in the "hallway" between the kitchen counter and boys' room.  I just might clear it and make it a toy bookcase.  I even remembered to get J to lower Arthur's crib mattress.  He's almost pulling up to his feet and I was having nightmares of him flipping over the top of his crib.  He's now very far down and would have to actually climb the crib to get out.

From the kitchen: Made a few lackluster recipes that won't be added to our rotation.  However, I did finally find a sloppy joe recipe that I actually like.  I just need to add chili powder, basil, and oregano to the recipe.  Yum yum.

Watching: Lots of documentaries for my 30 days goal for May including Cosmos and Out of Egypt series.  A full list will appear in my June Life Goals post.

From Nature: After a couple of 90 degrees days, we're back to 75-83 degrees.  Love this weather!

Shopping Scores: I managed to make it to Target yesterday to stock up on things like toilet paper.  While there, I grabbed a few tees for me (always need great fitting tees to throw on) and a cute shorts outfit (with neon dino wearing sunglasses!), onesies that fit, and a hoodie for Arthur.  We should be set on clothes for him until fall (or until he has another huge growth spurt).

Project: Working on the craft blog and my SU demonstrator business.  Lots of work that will hopefully pay off in the near future.

Picture: Bopping himself on the face with his beloved Sophie while friend Luke looks on...

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft

Title: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Author: Mary Wollstonecraft

Publisher: 1792

Genre: Nonfiction - Philosophy

Pages: 242

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Ebook; Well Rounded Reader -- Philosophy; Rereading; Classics -- Woman Author

In an era of revolutions demanding greater liberties for mankind, Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was an ardent feminist who spoke eloquently for countless women of her time.

Having witnessed firsthand the devastating results of male improvidence, she assumed an independent role early in life, educating herself and eventually earning a living as a governess, teacher and writer. She was also an esteemed member of the radical intellectual circle that included William Godwin (father of her daughter, novelist Mary Godwin Shelley, and later her husband), Thomas Paine, William Blake, Henry Fuseli and others.

First published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman created a scandal in its day, largely, perhaps, because of the unconventional lifestyle of its creator. Today, it is considered the first great manifesto of women’s rights, arguing passionately for the education of women: "Tyrants and sensualists are in the right when they endeavor to keep women in the dark, because the former want only slaves, and the later a plaything."

No narrow-minded zealot, Wollstonecraft balanced passionate advocacy with a sympathetic warmth—a characteristic that helped her ideas achieve widespread influence. Anyone interested in the history of the women’s rights movement will welcome this inexpensive edition of one of the landmark documents in the struggle for human dignity, freedom and equality.

A classic of feminist theory.  Really one of the first treatise on what would become known as feminist theory.  I first encountered Mary Wollstonecraft in college during my women's studies classes.  I was immediately struck by her well reasoned argument.  She doesn't rail against the patriarchy or the men of her lifetime.  Instead, she lays out why women deserve to be seen as worthy beings.  I agree with critics when they take issue with Wollstonecraft's inability to state that women and men are equal beings.  She cannot be classified as a true feminist, but her treatise does make strides toward that end.  A must read for fans of philosophy.

The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Title: The Strain (Strain #1)

Author: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogen

Publisher: Harper 2009

Genre: Horror

Pages: 585

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; New Author; 52 Books -- W21; Well Rounded Reader -- Horror; Chunkster

A Boeing 777 arrives at JFK and is on its way across the tarmac, when it suddenly stops dead. All window shades are pulled down. All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quiet. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Eph Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds makes his blood run cold.

In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, a former professor and survivor of the Holocaust named Abraham Setrakian knows something is happening. And he knows the time has come, that a war is brewing . . .

So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected New York begins to spill out into the streets. Eph, who is joined by Setrakian and a motley crew of fighters, must now find a way to stop the contagion and save his city--a city that includes his wife and son--before it is too late.

Holy crap that was one crazy ride!  I've forgotten how much I enjoy horror adventure novels.  This one started out strong with a dead plane on the runaway and kept running toward the climatic battle against The Master.  It did not stop.  I loved all the atmosphere in the beginning.  I loved following Eph and Nora as they attempt to understand what "killed" an entire airplane full of people.  Even though the reader knows what is happening, I was still right there with them through the initial puzzling stages.  And then when everything hit the fan, the book really came into its own.  This is one terrifying ride.  I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Strain Trilogy

• #1 The Strain
• #2 The Fall
• #3 Night Eternal

FF #17: Art House

This outfit scream art gallery or art house party.  I love the graphics on this dress.  It's so dramatic and fun.  I had to pair it with dramatic accessories.  These shoes are a work of art unto themselves.  The glasses, clutch, and bracelet are just lovely additions.

Prabal Gurung flower dress

modaoperandi.com

Isa Tapia leather sandals

shopbop.com

Boohoo black purse

boohoo.com

Georg Jensen sterling silver bangle

georgjensen.com

Metal glasses

80spurple.com

Thanks Abound

Another round of thank yous for another round of time…

1. Return of cooler temps --  We reached over 90 last week and it was not much fun.  I'm glad we're back to our usual nice temps.  We spend enough time outside that I love good temperatures.
2. New mom friends -- Arthur and I know have a weekly social schedule.  We are loving making new mom and baby friends.  As an added bonus, I'm not bored with constantly talking to a 7 month old.
3. Coffee -- The only thing keeping me awake, coherent, and somewhat happy every morning at 6am.  My boss is a taskmaster.
4. Evernote -- For helping me stay on top of both my blogs.  This has been a lifesaver for organization.
5. Stampin' Up -- I joined as a demonstrator last month and it's opened up so many possibilities.  I can't wait to see what's next.

Quote Wednesday -- Lowell

A weed is no more than a flower in disguise. -- James Lowell

Arthur: 7 Months / 29-31 Weeks

Since my last Arthur update, he's gotten much more mobile and had his first real illness.  The outcome was a moving cranky snotting baby...

Likes: Cardboard to chew on, playing outside, other baby friends, cuddling before bed time, any kind of food, new crocodile stuffed animal

Dislikes: Being sick, waiting to take a bath

Sleeping: Arthur was sleeping from 7pm to 6am until getting sick.  Now he's waking up multiple times a night.  Thankfully he's taking 2-3 naps a day.  This is helping, but I can't wait until he's feeling better and hopefully sleeping through the night.

Eating: We're experimenting with more and more nonpureed foods.  Just last week he tried and loved fish, chicken, oranges, broccoli, potatoes, green beans, and rice.  I'm hoping to move up his solid food intake this coming month.  Plus, I've introduced water in various sippy cups.  He prefers the take and toss simple spouts as opposed to the true sippy cup.  He also drank water out of a regular cup the other day.  Granted he got most of it on himself, but he did swallow some of the water.

Playing: Arthur's main goal this past two weeks was exploration.  He explored all areas of the living room: behind mom's chair (got stuck), the bookcase near his room (need to put those things away), under the dining room table, under dad's ottoman (getting stuck again).  Because of his exploration, we've had to install both fences, blocking off the entertainment center and dining room/kitchen area.  Plus, we now have to put the hall gate up during the day so we don't have to chase him down the hallway every two seconds.  Other than exploration, he's been loving his stuffed animals especially his mini sock monkey and any ball.

Medical Milestones: 

Week 29

• Playing peek-a-boo -- He likes it, but hasn't actively participated in the activity yet.
• Smiling or waving at people in public -- Nope.  Although I think this is due to his fairly serious personality and not his inability to smile at people.  He gives smiles only after getting to know people.
• Frustration when not able to get somewhere on his own -- Check!  he wants to walk and run, but has to settle for crawling right now.

Week 30

• Preference of one parent -- It used to be all mommy all the time, but he's now getting very excited when daddy comes home.  Although while sick, he prefers cuddling with mom.
• Faster and more coordinated crawling -- Double check!  He's almost gotten a hang of proper crawling.  Even without it, he's quick!
• Preference for certain foods -- Check!  He loves sweet potato puffs and most fruits.
• Fascinated by his reflection -- Double check!  Looking at himself in the mirror is his favorite pastime.  A quick way to get Arthur to smile is to show him a mirror.
• Developing a sense of empathy -- Not quite sure if this is happening yet.

Week 31

• Testing limits -- Check! He knows the hallway and computer cords are off limits, but yet he goes straight for one or the other.  The entire time he watches me waiting to be reprimanded.
• Developing the pincer grasp -- Check!  He's getting much better at grabbing small pieces of food.
• Sitting without support -- Check!  He's been fairly stable for a weeks now.  Just this past week, he started moving from crawling to sit up in one fluid motion.
• Clapping or waving -- Not yet.
• Expressing unhappiness when toys are taken away -- Yes, however he hasn't yet developed object permanence so he forgets about the toy pretty quickly.

Schedule:We've settled into a weekly routine of mom's group activities.  We have things to do Monday through Thursday.  Arthur seems to thrive with the social interaction with other babies near his age.  Unfortunately, our schedule will be changing once the twins arrive.  Hopefully we can still attend baby playdates and activities at the park.

Out and About:

• Multiple Parks -- For playdates and a mom friend's surprise sprinkle.
• Library Storytime -- We're now regulars every Tuesday at the Sunnyvale library.
• Friends Jakob's and Luke's houses for playdates (and mommy social planning sessions)
• Sushi dinner with mom and dad
• Book club -- Morning Starbuck's visit for mom's book club
• Stamp club -- Went to mom's stamp club class but was pretty cranky
• Deer Hollow Farm -- We visited the farm with the mom's group last week.  It's a cute little working farm owned by the city of Mountain View.  The farm is in a lovely nature preserve about a one mile walk from the nearest parking lot.  They have cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and geese.  Lots of fun for the babies. We plan on going back soon.

Music Monday -- Lindsey Stirling feat. Lzzy Hale "Shatter Me"

This is just gorgeous.  Enjoy! 

Bout of Books 10.0 is Over!

Pages Read Today: 206 (The Strain)

Pages Read Total: 686

Reading Helpers: A cranky non-sleeping baby...

Challenges: None

Comments: Yet again, I struggled with this readathon.  This time I'm blaming too many previously scheduled activities and sickness for my love numbers.  I just never seemed to find a lot of time to sit and just read.  Every time the baby actually took a nap, I was wrapped up in house chores or answering emails.  Although I am excited about reading and finishing American Gods before book club earlier today.  And I read Part 1 of The Strain for the readalong and more.  I think I've decided to just keep reading The Strain instead of waiting for the next time period.  It's really sucked me in and creeped me out.  I must find out what happens...

Goals:

• Read three books
• Read 1000 pages
• Review all books read √
• Finish my book club selection: American Gods by Neil Gaiman √

TBR:

• American Gods by Neil Gaiman √
• A Vindication on the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
• Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
• Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews
• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
• Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
• What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
• The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan (in progress)

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, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th 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 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

- From the Bout of Books team

Bout of Books 10.0 Day #1-4

Pages Read Today: 480

Pages Read Total: 480

Reading Helpers: Lots and lots of tea; cookies; my bed

Challenges: None

Comments: Apparently I completely fell off the updating train.  Oh well, at least I was still attempting to read these past four days.  With my limited free time (a 7 month old really sucks the life out of you), I have been trying to at least read a chapter or two before bed.  I managed to finish my book club selection American Gods (meeting is this Sunday) in these past few days.  Hopefully I can finish at least one more book before the end of Sunday.

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, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th 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 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

- From the Bout of Books team

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Title: American Gods

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: William Morrow 2001

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 480

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; NPR Scifi/Fan; Ebook; 52 Books -- W20; Lucky No. 14 -- Favorite Author

The storm was coming….Shadow spent three years in prison, keeping his head down, doing his time. All he wanted was to get back to the loving arms of his wife and to stay out of trouble for the rest of his life. But days before his scheduled release, he learns that his wife has been killed in an accident, and his world becomes a colder place.

On the plane ride home to the funeral, Shadow meets a grizzled man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A self-styled grifter and rogue, Wednesday offers Shadow a job. And Shadow, a man with nothing to lose accepts.

But working for the enigmatic Wednesday is not without its price, and Shadow soon learns that his role in Wednesday's schemes will be far more dangerous than he ever could have imagined. Entangled in a world of secrets, he embarks on a wild road trip and encounters, among others, the murderous Czernobog, the impish Mr. Nancy, and the beautiful Easter -- all of whom seem to know more about Shadow than he himself does.

Shadow will learn that the past does not die, that everyone, including his late wife, had secrets, and that the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined.

All around them a storm of epic proportions threatens to break. Soon Shadow and Wednesday will be swept up into a conflict as old as humanity itself. For beneath the placid surface of everyday life a war is being fought -- and the prize is the very soul of America.

So it turns out that I read one of Gaiman's books out of order.  Anansi Boys is a follow-up to American Gods.  I ended up knowing a bit more about Anansi than this book reveals.  It didn't ruin this book for me, so I guess it was okay.

This novel was out book club selection for May.  I was really excited to introduce my book club ladies to Gaiman as I love his work so much.  And this book did not disappoint.  I love how all of Gaiman's works (okay most of them) start in the real world with a seemingly normal person.  But then something happens that's not quite right and we're thrown into a hidden world of some kind.  In this case, we get to meet gods.  Half the fun of the novel is trying to figure which gods Shadow meets in his travels.  I got most of them; guess I know my various mythologies.  I loved following Shadow as we learn more and more of what really is going on.  The big twists threw me, but I loved them.  Overall, this is a very strong novel from Gaiman.  It has his usual style of characters and writing.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Bout of Books 10.0 Goal Posts

It's that time again.  Time to start another round of Bout of Books.  10.0 edition!

Goals:

• Read three books
• Read 1000 pages
• Review all books read
• Finish my book club selection: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

TBR:

• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• A Vindication on the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
• Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
• Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews
• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (iPad)
• Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
• What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

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, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th 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 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

- From the Bout of Books team

Ember by Kristen Callihan

Title: Ember (Darkest London #0.5)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Forever Yours 2012

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 88

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; New Author; 52 Books - W19; Read Your Freebies; Monthly Key Word - April (Light)

After a fire consumes the Ellis family fortune, the beautiful and resourceful Miranda finds herself faced with an impossible dilemma: enter a life of petty crime or watch her family succumb to poverty. But once her fiancée learns of her descent into danger--and of the strange, new powers she's discovered --saving her family may come at the high price of her heart. 

When Lord Benjamin Archer's one chance for redemption is destroyed by corrupt London antiquarian Hector Ellis, he vows to take what Ellis values most-his daughter Miranda. Forced to hide his face behind masks, Archer travels the world hoping to escape the curse that plagues him so that he can finally claim his prize.

But once Archer returns home to London, will it be revenge he seeks? Or will the flame-haired beauty ignite new, undeniable desires? 

I picked up this little prequel around the same time that I picked up the first book in the series.  I was immediately drawn in by the story and characters.  We get some background into Miranda and Archer and (I'm imagining) a set-up to the actual series.  I can't wait to dive into Firelight.  Now I just need to go find the physical book somewhere in my library...

Darkest London

• #0.5 Ember
• #1 Firelight
• #2 Moonglow
• #3 Winterblaze
• #3.5 Entwined
• #4 Shadowdance
• #5 Evernight
• #6 Soulbound
• #7 Forevermore