July 2015 Wrap Up

 Recurve  by Shannon Mayer  3 Stars

My cousin recommended it to me & I thought I would check it out.

This book was a solid 3 stars for me.

This was a good fast paced book. I did find myself lost a few times with the world building, but since its a first in a series I expect it will be fleshed out more in the next books. I'm really looking forward to the next book. 

Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis. 3 Stars

Another solid 3 stars. This was a cute contemporary romance. I can't wait for the rest of the series. I really wanted to know more about some of the side characters, but I think that will come in time with future books.

Love in the Time of Dragons by Katie MacAlister 2.5 Stars

I felt like I was missing things throughout this whole book. I'd checked to make sure it was the first in a series before I bought it even! And it was and it wasn't. This was the first book in a second trilogy in a trilogy of trilogies. And I'm pretty sure you're supposed to read a different series before starting the trilogy of trilogies. Yeah. So now I'm trying to hunt down the other books.

It was cute but annoying since I felt like I was missing things. By the time I hit the middle I just wanted the story to be over. 

House of the Rising Sun by Kristen Painter 4 Stars

I really liked this book. It took awhile for me to get into it, I had to switch from the audiobook to a physical copy, but once I did I only put it down to eat! I can't wait until I can put my hands on the next book! I really want to find out what happens next!

The characters are great & I love the world that is being built. I did feel there were some things that could have been explained better, but I'm hoping as I read it will work itself out.

The Witness by Nora Roberts 3 Stars

This was a reread, or relisten as its an audiobook. Though parts of it I still find unrealistic, but it was still enjoyable.

Aisling Grey: Guardian Series by Katie MacAlister Series Review Overall: 4 Stars

So I got sick for a few days & spent the time reading. I picked up the four books in this series because I felt like I was missing stuff in Love in the Time of Dragons.

Book 1: You Slay Me  4 Stars

Book 2: Fire Me Up   4 Stars

Book 3: Light My Fire   4 Stars

Book 4: Holy Smokes    4 Stars

This series was fun! They were light fun reads, which is what I needed at that point in time. I loved the talking dog, demon thing. 

4 Iron Druid Short Stories/Novellas by Kevin Hearne

Three Slices #7.5             5 Stars

Kabib Unbound #0.6       5 Stars

Test of Mettle #3.5           4 Stars

The Chapel Perilous #4.6        5 Stars

I have all but The Chapel Perilous as audiobooks. I love how Luke Daniels portrays the characters in this series. The Iron Druid series is a solid favorite & I have read all but Shattered, book #7, at LEAST twice. I tend to reread/listen to them right before the next book is released. They really hold up to multiple readings, mostly because you keep finding things that you forgot or oh! I know what that is foreshadowing! Its really cool! There is also a talking dog in this series, Oberon, LOVE HIM! 

Audiobook Catalog

I stumbled across the Geeky Blogger and her Task It Tuesday series she's doing right now & it inspired me to start a catalog of all my books! So here goes:

Audiobooks Catalog!

This is what I've learned from cataloging all my audiobooks I've purchased since 2012.

2012

9 books purchased

5 books read

Total: $14.95

2013

38 books purchased

18 books read

Total: $135.91

2014

66 books purchased

26 books read

Total: $149.09

2015

12 books purchased

4 books read

Total: $45.41

Couple of things:

- all my audiobooks are on Audible

- I pay for 1 credit a month & the amount listed doesn't include the credits I've paid for

The Gwendolyn Reading Method

I love watching YouTube videos, especially those on books or Booktube. One of my favorite Booktubers is Gwen from The Gwendolyn Reading Method. Go check her out! I'll wait....

You're back, she's got a lot of personality right! I love it. She reads so much and I'm finding myself picking up books she's talked about. This has helped me greatly this year, I found myself not wanting to read a lot & I LOVE to read. Now she isn't the only one I've picked up a book because they've recommended it, but she sure is one I have read more books from! 

So I decided to make a list! 

As I'm writing this list I'm finding its mostly series!

So I'm going to post books as series, but only the ones I've read though.

First up is the London Steampunk series by Bec McMaster

I bought My Lady Quicksilver awhile ago, but when I realized it was the third book in a series it was promptly placed at the bottom if my TBR pile. It was watching a video review from The Gwendolyn Reading Method which made me pick up this series & read it. Below are the first three books in the series, which I've read. I'm currently have Forged by Desire (book 4) in my TBR pile.

Kiss of Steel, Heart of Iron, & My Lady Quicksilver
(Books 1-3)

           

      

On Dublin Street Series by Samantha Young
I think this series is considered a New Adult series. I'm honestly not sure. I've read the first three books in the series, and I'm not sure if I will continue. Mostly due to the characters in the next books. I really liked these three books, they were really quick easy reads.

On Dublin Street, Down London Road, & Before Jamaica Lane
(Books 1-3)

   

The first three books in The Others series are the three BEST books I've read in 2015!

NOT KIDDING!

The Others Series by Anne Bishop

So far there are only three books in the series

 & I am waiting not so patiently for the next book!

I actually had the first two books in mass market paperbacks, but watching Gwen just rave about the series inspired me to pick them up. I stayed up way too late reading (finishing) Written in Red, then I picked up the audiobook of Murder of Crows so I could listen to it at work. And then it was the weekend and repeated the late night reading of Vision in Silver.

Written in Red, Murder of Crows, & Vision in Silver
(Books 1-3)

                  

There are probably a lot of other books I've read after 

watching Gwen talk about them on her youtube channel. 

Is there anyone who has a lot of influence on what you read

or you take a lot of recommendations from?

2015 Spring Wrap Up

So I went on a massive reading binge. Then became overwhelmed with how much I'd read & did NOT want to write about everything I'd read! So I'm going to do a quick update on what I've read since March.

March, April, & May 2015

3 Stars:

Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis

Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis

Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis

Dark Witch by Nora Roberts (reread)

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

Double Play by Jill Shalvis

Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis

Shelter Me by Catherine Mann

Rescue Me by Catherine Mann

Four Stars:

Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Kraken King (Parts 1-8) by Meljean Brook

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Still the One by Jill Shalvis

Black Hills by Nora Roberts (reread)

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster (reread)

Five Stars:

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews

Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews (reread)

Written in Red by Anne Bishop

Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop

February Wrap Up

Here’s all the books I finished in February:

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews 4 stars

I read this as an audiobook. I love this series & recommend it to anyone who loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Magic Steals (Night Shift) by Ilona Andrews 4 stars

This is a novella about two side characters. All I have to say about it is: I want more!!

Lucky Charms (Night Shift) by Lisa Shearin 4 stars

This is the prequel novella to Lisa Shearin’s SPI series. Its a supernatural detective-ish series. The novella intrigued me I want to read the first book in the series.

The Job by Janet Evanovich 4 stars

This is the third book in the Fox & O’hare series. I’ve described this series as a combination of White Collar & Leverage. I love it & will keep reading them!

Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book two.

Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book three

Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book one

Kiss Me If You Can by Carly Phillips 3 stars

Contemporary romance. I found it unrealistic, even the subplot. I thought it was ok.

Then Came You by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book five

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede 5 stars

This is the first book in the middle grade series, Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I found this book very engaging & a bit silly. Its about a princess who runs away to live with dragons.

Night Diver by Elizabeth Lowell 3 stars

I found this story to be pretty predictable. Now I say that after having read almost all of Elizabeth Lowell’s romantic suspense novels since I was in high school.

2015 Reading Challenge January Update

So I read a lot during January...

I have one more book to read to finish the Lucky Harbor Series by Jill Shalvis.

This is a contemporary romance series set in Lucky Harbor. 

All of the books are about 300-350 pages long, 

I have read all of them in one sitting in about 3 hours or so. 

(I read fast, I'm not bragging.)

I was also lucky enough to receive Ally Carter's newest book All Fall Down in advance.

Now I was going to be able to go to her signing & launch part on January 20th in 

Tulsa, but I got sick :(

 (This is what I received in the mail!)

Here is my Bingo Card:

Here is what I've read for each square:

11. New Release One Book: All Fall Down by Ally Carter

20. Graphic Novel: Hawkeye, My Life as a Weapon

21. Series One Book: Forever & a Day by Jill Shalvis

22. Series Two Books: Once in a Lifetime and Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis

23. Series Three Books: Head over Heels, Lucky in Love, 

and It’s in His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

24. Series Four Books:  Once in a Million, He’s So Fine, At Last, 

and Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

25. Series Five Books: The Sweetest Thing, Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

As you can see I'm only showing what I've read. I'm almost done (kinda) with Five Books in a Series, so I showed what I've read so far. I decided to not plan out what I'm going to read this year. 

Hopefully it will help me complete my bingo card this year!

How are your reading challenges going?

Book Bingo 2015

I am going to try to complete the Book Bingo again this year. Since Kristilyn over at Reading in Winter isn't doing this challenge this year (she's doing a read locally challenge), I thought I'd create my own for 2015. 

I did change it up a bit, I personally struggled with the new releases so I reduced the number of new releases & added in some re-reads. I kept in the TBR & the Series columns & added in more genres!

So here is the scorecard:

Rules:

1. Have fun! 

2. The challenge runs for all of 2015, you can join at any time!

3. Each book can only count towards one square. No take backs!

4. Let me know if you're participating by commenting below. I'd love to know who all is!

5. I am going to updates every quarter on my progress.

6. A winning scorecard is one which is completely filled out,

otherwise known as a blackout!

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

Stephanie

Edit: Please feel free to download the scorecard for your own use,

if you are going to use it for your blog please link it back to me!

Thanks!

2014 Reading Challenge Update!

My final update of 2014 for my Reading Challenges.

Goodreads Challenge: COMPLETE 66/65 books

BINGO Challenge: Incomplete :( 

I didn't complete a full card but I did complete 3 columns! Really struggled with the TBR & New Release columns. 

Here is the final 2014 BINGO Scorecard:

Here is what I read for each square:

Finished Squares:

1. One Book in TBR The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

2. Two Books in TBR Heart of Steel and My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster

3. Three Books in TBR Her Mad Hatter and Gerard's Beauty by Marie Hall, 

The First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

6. Non Fiction Joss Whedon by Amy Pascal

7. Classic The Hero & the Crown by Robin McKinley

 8. ReRead Hidden Star by Nora Roberts

9. Free Square Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

10. Contemporary The Heist by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

11. One Book in a Series Captive Star by Nora Roberts

12. Two Books in a Series Down London Road and Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young

13. Three Books in a Series Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, 

and Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

14. Four Books in a Series Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, 

and Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

15. Five Books in a Series Divergent by Veronica Roth, Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke, Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews, The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper, Blood Magic by Nora Roberts

16. Fantasy Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster   

17. Free Square  How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

18. Historical Fiction Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster

19. Mystery Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

20. Romance On Dublin Street by Samantha Young                    

21. One New Release The Chase by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

22. Two New Releases Shattered by Kevin Hearne, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su & Kate Rorick

Incomplete Squares:

4. Four Books in TBR Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews, Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews

5. Five Books in TBR 

23. Three New Releases Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham, Forged by Desire by Bec McMaster

24. Four New Releases The Job by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

25. Five New Releases

Top 5 Wednesday

Books I'd Recommend for Halloween 

I'm not a huge fan of scary movies & even less of scary books. 

But I do read all around the fantasy & supernatural genres.

Which is where my recommendations are from.

So after putting this list together I realize I read a lot of series, vampire, & steampunk books & series.

1.  Elemental Assassin Series by Jennifer Estep

 There are 12 books in the series starting with Spider's Bite, and around 13 or so novellas. They're pretty quick reads & I really like the ones I've read so far.

2. The Immortal Empire Trilogy by Kate Locke

This is a steampunkish supernatural trilogy. The mythos in this series is one I haven't read before or since. I have loved Xandra since the first book, God Save the Queen.

3. Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger

I started this series & marathoned the first three books and then stopped. I really need to finish this series & the find out how it concludes. There are five books in this series, starting with Soulless.

4. London Steampunk Series by Bec McMaster

I picked up Kiss of Steel, the first book, from the library & thoughly enjoyed it. I immediately read the next two & the fourth is on my immediate TBR!

5. Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

 I have been binge reading (listening) to this series. Seriously the last 5 books added to my read bookshelf on Goodreads is from this series. I have to say Magic Bites, the first book, isn't the best in the series, but it is still enjoyable & it only gets better.

Reading Challenge Update: Uh-Oh!

Uh-Oh! I may not complete my Bingo Card!!

So I'm updating my reading challenge & I'm noticing a trend. I've a lot of books to read in the New Releases squares. I started looking at my TBR & the books I've been getting or reading lately & all the new releases are books 4 & 5 in series I'm not up to date in! 

HELP! 

I have one book which will be released on November 18th I want to read. But! It still leaves me with 10 new releases to find & read read in 2 months! What should I pick up and read?

Onto the update:

I finished a column!!!

Finished Squares:

1. One Book in TBR  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

2. Two Books in TBR Heart of Steel and My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster

8. ReRead Hidden Star by Nora Roberts

9. Free Square Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

10. Contemporary The Heist by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

11. One Book in a Series Captive Star by Nora Roberts

12. Two Books in a Series Down London Road and Before Jamaica Lane

by Samantha Young

13. Three Books in a Series Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, 

and Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

14. Four Books in a Series Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, 

and Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

16. Fantasy Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster   

17. Free Square  How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper                                           18. Historical Fiction Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster

19. Mystery Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

20. Romance On Dublin Street by Samantha Young                    

21. One New Release The Chase by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

22. Two New Releases Shattered by Kevin Hearne, 

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su & Kate Rorick

In Progress Squares:

So you may notice I have taken off what I had planned on reading for each square with the exception of two books. I have a hard time following a reading plan, so to take some pressure off I removed "the plan."

3. Three Books in TBR Her Mad Hatter and Gerard's Beauty by Marie Hall

4. Four Books in TBR 

 5. Five Books in TBR

6. Non Fiction

7. Classic 

15. Five Books in a Series Divergent by Veronica Roth, Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke, Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews, 

The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

23. Three New Releases Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts  Forged by Desire by Bec McMaster, The Job by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

24. Four New Releases

25. Five New Releases

Top 5 Wednesday

I've been following the Top 5 Wednesday Goodreads group for awhile. This week's topic is Top 5 Books You Weren't Expecting to Like But Did. I'm not actually going to do this topic (I know I'm a rebel).

I'm going way back to July & doing a topic from then.

 Top 5 Books I've Read So Far in 2014

1. Shattered by Kevin Hearne

 I was looking forward to this book since June 2013. I love this series & it makes work go so fast when I'm listening to the audio books. 

2. The Secret Diary of Lizzy Bennet by Kate Rorick

Not only did I love this book, I loved the web series. I didn't watch it when it first came out & was able to marathon every episode. :)

3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I listened to this on a trip home & at work, mistake! This book makes you feel everything. I found myself very grateful that I was alone at work & no one could see me! I read this in preparation for the movie. 

4. Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

My first Brandon Sanderson book! I loved it & have been anxiously waiting for Firefight! This book was quiet entertaining listen at work for a week. The characters & world were amazing and well done.

5. Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

I've read (listened to) Books 1-3, Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, & one of the companion novels, Gunmetal Magic. I am currently reading Book 4, Magic Bleeds. I can't get enough of this series or read them fast enough. Kate Daniels is an awesome character and I love the progression she is making throughout the series.

Into the Bonus Round: 

6. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

The third installment of the Heist Society series. I love this series mostly because it got me back into reading YA & other genres. This wasn't my favorite of the series, but I still loved it. I really enjoy seeing how the characters are growing up.

7. The Heist & The Chase by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg

The first two books in the Fox & O'Hare series. I really enjoy this series. I've described it as a book cross over of White Collar & Leverage. 

There are more I could add to this list & I'm going to try and do a Top Reads of 2014 at the end of the year. 

What have been your favorite books you've read this year?