The Sunday Post #58 (Fall Reading Edition)

"The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Happy Sunday everyone!  Fall weather has hit here and I'm enjoying every minute of it.  I'm actually typing this up on Saturday afternoon with the windows open, a blanket covering me to keep the chill off, and the sound of rain which is the absolute icing on the cake.  This is my absolute favorite time of the year for a reason.  I am one of those rare birds that enjoys all four seasons (yes, even the snow and cold) but fall has always been my favorite.

I haven't finished a single book this week.  I'm in the middle of four books currently which is absolutely unheard of for me.  In reality that looks like me with bookmarks in three books and actually reading the fourth one on a continual basis.  I always want to read all of the books, but lately I REALLY WANT TO READ ALL OF THE BOOKS!  It's kind of affecting my focus because it just feels like I want to read everything and right this second.  So basically that seems to have led to me starting multiple things and finishing none of them this week.  I need to do better next week!  When I get like this, I usually try to slow down reading which seems like the opposite of what one would want to do.  But I don't want to race through books....so I'm really working on just enjoying that one book that I'm focusing on and then I can do the same thing with one of the other books I have currently going.  That's the plan anyways!

I've also been very blessed this week with book mail thanks to publishers.  I've gotten out of the habit of sharing about the books I receive for review on here but I would like to change that.  I'm hoping that by sharing it will also keep me accountable to share my thoughts on these books after finishing.  I can always use the gentle push especially when it comes to writing up my thoughts.  With that being said, I'm planning on sharing my thoughts on at least two books this week (not in this pile) that I received for review but haven't yet shared my thoughts on.  Maybe three if I'm feeling extra motivated (I'm woefully behind on reviews in general).  Anyways, these books all hit my mailbox this week so hence one of the reasons why I'm feeling the need to read ALL of the books.  Let's move on though to what I'm currently reading.

I currently have bookmarks in the following books:

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller is the book I'm really actually reading.  It is absolutely delightful!  I'm just a little over halfway through this one (I'm reading it on my e-reader) and you guys I swear I'm reading it with a smile on my face half of the time.  If you enjoyed A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn, then I really think that you will enjoy this one as well.  I haven't seen this one much on bookstagram yet which is just a shame because it really is a delight so far!

Trace of Evil by Alice Blanchard is a print copy of a book that is due to release in December if I'm correct.  The ONLY reason that I'm not reading this one right this second is because of the above book and it will be what I'm diving into exclusively next if I'm honest.  I'm such a sucker for women detective fiction so this is kind of already my jam.

Death Masks by Jim Butcher should really need no explanation.  I NEEDED some Harry Dresden in my life and purposefully read the first few pages so that it wouldn't end up going back to the library unread.  It has been at least a year since I read the fourth book in this series so it is definitely time to dive back into Harry's world!

After the Flood by Kassandra Montag has been all over the bookstagram world lately so of course I requested it from the library.  I probably wouldn't have started this one but another bookstagrammer was reading it and I decided to just add one more to the pile and read it with her.  It's actually due back to the library soon though so if I can't renew I will just let it go back and get to it another time.

Whew!  That's a lot.  Plans for Sunday include laundry and reading.  The Walking Dead returns this weekend which I'm pretty pumped about.  We will be watching football and just basically being as lazy as possible while also preparing for the upcoming week.  That's my plan anyways - we will see what actually happens!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Bookish Friday (Oh My!)

Remember when a couple of weeks ago I told you that I had basically shattered my book buying ban?  And it was true.  I completely managed to not only break it (using my birthday as an excuse) but went completely overboard on my bookish haul.  It was so much fun though that I can't really feel all that bad about it.  It was my birthday after all!  I'm apologizing in advance for the poor quality pictures but I was in a rush....and I never would have gotten this post finished otherwise!  I'm going to have to really be firm with myself in the upcoming months because no more books can fit on my shelves.  Seriously, it is a bit ridiculous but it is so easy to share with you guys since I'm sure you understand :)  First, let me share the books that I picked up at the used bookstore (and I still have $11.00 in credit so I did get rid of some books too in my defense):
 

 

So many good books here!  A few of these are going straight to my sister for her enjoyment but most of these are just waiting for me to read them (the Nora Robert's books).  I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't excited to read them all but I'm especially excited for Island of the Lost Girls AND Crooked House.  I can't wait to get started on all of these but first let me show you what I also found at my local thrift shop:

 

This was the best deal EVER!  I got all of these books for ridiculously cheap...so cheap that I just couldn't resist!  I actually have read Dead Until Dark awhile back and wasn't blown away but for this price I figured I would try them again.  If I still don't like them I will pass them on to my sister or other friends.  Finally, let me show you the most recent review copies that are gracing my shelves.  I figured since I was sharing pictures of my latest bookish acquisitions then I should also share the review copies that I have received.  I've gathered these in the past couple of weeks (definitely not all at once but they are waiting patiently to be read):

Whew!  I'm tired just thinking about all of these books.  I'm also clapping my hands in glee with excitement :)  Netgalley and Edelweiss ban? Check! Library ban?  Check!  Used bookstore ban?  Check!  Now it is time to just read, relax, and enjoy!

Tell me...have you read ANY of these?  Which ones should I read first or would you recommend?

I Caved...(A Bookish Haul)

I swear that I always have the best intentions when it comes to book buying bans but then something happens and my plans go awry.  This time I feel compelled to tell you that it wasn't my fault.  We went school shopping for the kids in a city that we don't usually go to that has another branch of my favorite used bookstore.  And while I was able to resist going into Barnes and Noble without bringing anything home, the temptation was too great when I walked into the used bookstore.  It is always fun to see what different books they have and I'm always looking to add to my collection of vintage mysteries.  Here are the books that I managed to bring home with me:

Whee!  I love me some old vintage covers like The Wall has!  I also brought home another book with an equally fabulous cover but soon found out that I already had it on my shelves.  Ugh!  This is the exact reason that I put myself on a book buying ban in the first place.  LOL!  I obviously have too many books if I'm buying duplicates without realizing it.  I'm super excited about G is for Gumshoe though because I was just whining in my last book haul post that my used bookstore didn't have it.  Now I shall continue on with my reading of the Alphabet mystery series! 

There you have it folks!  I am weak with no self control when it comes to books :)  I'm restarting my book buying ban although I'm not sure how long it will last with my birthday coming up next month.  I AM planning on getting a new Kindle but until then I'm NOT buying any more books.  For real.....at least I think.  What books have you bought lately???

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 15th)

It's Monday! is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey and states:

"Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!"

Good morning my lovely readers!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!  I definitely did even though as always it went by way too fast.  I've said this a couple of times recently but I have been a bit absent around the blog as of late especially when it comes to visiting/commenting on other blogs.  It sucks but it is probably going to stay this way for a bit longer as my Kindle died last week.  Ugh!  I was so bummed but what can you do??  The damn thing tries to turn on but won't get past the starting point.  Makes me a bit crazy so I've put it up for awhile.  Seeing as that was the main way I read most of your blogs (yes, I know it was meant for books but...) I may seem more quiet than usual.  My birthday is coming up in a few months so I'm going to wait patiently until then before I get a new reader.  The only positive is that with less distractions I've been a reading machine!  Seriously, since I last shared with all of you I have finished four books.  FOUR BOOKS!  I'm so impressed with myself :)  Here is what I've been reading:

Blackout by Mira Grant was just as AMAZING as I hoped.  I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to write up a coherent review of this book but be warned that gushing will ensue!

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis was cute and a fun read.  It didn't knock my socks off (but I blame Blackout for that) but I'm so glad that I finally read it.  I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book soon.   

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz was a crazy but delightful read.  This book had me cracking up at times and I'm eager to see what future hijinks Isabel can get herself into.  I pulled this one off of my own shelves (I'm so proud), and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner!

Finally, The Hunter by Monica McCarty was a historical romance that read just the way I like.  Hot chemistry between the two main characters kept me turning the pages way too fast and I was sad to see it end.  Thank goodness that I have the first 5 or 6 books of this series to enjoy next.

I'm currently reading the following book:

I love me some Barbara Michaels and I was delighted to find this one at our local Goodwill.  Since my shelves are currently overflowing I decided to start with this one.  And speaking of my shelves....look what else I picked up at the buy one book, get one free sale while I was at Goodwill:

How could I resist all of this wonderfulness???  I couldn't I tell you!  It makes me feel better to tell you that at least half of these will be going to my sister for her to read first the next time she is in town.  But considering that my shelves are now seriously sagging I'm going to have to put myself on a book buying ban.  For real!  (This does not count my library books...just saying)  Enough out of me though!

Happy Monday and Happy Reading!