Bookish Bliss (Or Recent Additions to My Shelves)

I really should work harder on not adding any books to my shelves but it is harder than you think sometimes!  These are all of the newest print books that I've brought home in the past month or so.  True fact:  I have had these sitting in a pile in my bedroom just waiting to share about them with all of you.  I should probably put them away now.  LOL!  Also, I didn't actually buy these all at once so that makes me feel a bit better.  I should probably stay away from any store selling books for awhile but where would the fun be in that??  Here is what I bought:

• The Diviners by Libba Bray - I found this gem ridiculously cheap and so it came home with me as simple as that.  Add in an absolutely gorgeous cover and the fact that this has been on my TBR list for awhile and you have a win in my book!
• Track the Cat by Nevada Barr- 1st in a new to me mystery series and a used bookstore find.  One of the best things about used bookstores is that you can find the first books in ridiculously long series.  I'm looking forward to reading this!
• A Place of Execution by Val McDermid- I actually bought this one awhile back.  Twice.  Obviously I really wanted to read it.  Ha!  So I gave one copy to my Mom and sister to read which they both highly recommended back to me.  I'm planning on reading it soon.
• The Face of Deception by Iris Johansen-  Back in my pre-blogging days I used to read this author's books and enjoyed them although I never seemed to read them in order.  I decided to pick this one up at the used bookstore so that I could finally read the series in order.
• Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart-  It is Mary Stewart.  Enough said!
• The Deep by Nick Cutter- This was actually a Goodwill find.  As it sounds perfect for this time of year I think that I've made a good decision.  Also I have heard a ton of good things about this author's books!
• The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen- I've had this author on my TBR list for months.  I couldn't resist when I found her books at the used bookstore.  I didn't realize that there was a TV show based off of this series.  I'm going to read them first then check it out!
• Girl Missing by Tess Gerritsen- This seems to be a standalone but it sounded so good so I ended up bringing it home with me as well!  (This happens a lot when I am at the used bookstore and browsing)
• Kind of Cruel by Sophie Hannah- I bought this one at my local Barnes and Noble store.  It was on the discount table and since this is Sophie Hannah I just brought it home with me.  How could I not?  She is one of  those authors that I basically want to read all of her books even though I've only actually read one book by her.

I just realized that all of these would fit in with Carl's RIP challenge.  How perfect is that?  I would say that I won't buy any more books any time soon, but I'm sure that by this point you all know that isn't true.  I just can't resist!  What books have you brought into your home lately?  Is there any book in this pile that you think I should read first?  Do tell!

The Sunday Post #19 (Back to School 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"

Well, the first week of school is in the bags for my littles and routines are starting up again.  I promise to try and share pictures later this week but it is official that I have a 7th grader, 2nd grader, and my baby is in kindergarten.  The time goes by just so fast anymore!  Football has already started up for my oldest and I'm getting excited to watch his games.  Soccer should be starting up next week for the younger two which is also lots of fun.  Busy times ahead but that is kind of the norm any more.

I've managed to blog slightly more consistently these past two weeks which is a good start.  And by consistently I mean a post each week....ha!  It is a start though and maybe I will be able to work myself up to two posts a week soon :)  Reading is going very well as I have finished four books since my last Sunday post (two weeks ago).  Two books a week for me is pretty darn good so I am very happy.  Writing all of the reviews that I am behind on though is something I really need to focus on.  I am ridiculously behind at this point with my spotty posting!  Goal for today is write at least two reviews up just so I can feel like I am making some progress.  Anyways, here are the books that I have finished in the last two weeks:

A Pattern of Lies by Charles Todd - I've actually already written up my thoughts on this one and you can read my review here.

Thrill Me by Susan Mallery - I read this one as part of a TLC book tour and my thoughts will be posted later this week.  (I am impressed with myself here as I really already have this review written- woohoo!)

Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson - This counts as my only new #COYER read but it was just so good!  Just as fast paced and intense as I have come to expect....I'm loving this series!  I am so glad that I have the next book ready to go as well.

All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell - Wow!  I am officially hooked on this series (I've already put the next book on hold at the library).  This book was so good and I stayed up way too late Friday night reading it!  Very, very good and I will be writing up my thoughts on it hopefully soon.

I'm now currently reading the following books:

Starlight on Willow Lake is my current print read and another book that I just cannot seem to set down.  I'm already over 100 pages in and hoping to find some more quality reading time later today.  Hidden is my current kindle read and I was intrigued by this one from the very first page!  Definitely going to be another great reading week with these two!

Newest Additions:

The top two are for upcoming blog tours that I will be participating in.  The Drafter was a complete surprise but it is Kim Harrison.  Of course I'm going to read it!!!  A very good week in bookish acquisitions if I do say so myself!

Plans for today are laundry, laundry, and more laundry.  Two reviews to be written (ideally) and a workout of some sort.  Watching the season premiere of Fear the Walking Dead...I am so completely pumped for this show!  Some reading and blog visiting.  It is going to be a busy day and I need to go get started.  Hope you all have a great week filled with good books.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Books! Books! Books!

Because Mother's Day fell on the day after we got back from vacation, I had no plans whatsoever and no expectations for it.  Much to my surprise (and delight) the family took me to the used bookstore and Starbucks for a coffee.  What a perfect way for me to spend Mother's day!  I overindulged and bought WAY too many books but I just couldn't seem to help myself.  There were just so many that I wanted, and I couldn't resist bringing them all home with me.  Now no more bookstore trips for me until I actually read some of these :)  Here are the books that I decided to bring home:

• Touch the Dark by Karen Chance- 1st in this urban fantasy series.  I found a ton of great sounding urban fantasy series that I haven't started yet.  It was hard for me to figure out which ones that I absolutely NEEDED for my shelves but this was one of them.
• The Walker in Shadows by Barbara Michaels- Ummm..because this is by Barbara Michaels.  So of course I had to have it! 
• Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur- I actually have already read this one but somehow I fell out of reading this series.  I want to get back to it since I really enjoyed it so I decided to grab book one and start again.  I'm so excited to get back to this series!
• Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland- Another first in a series that I'm looking forward to reading.  This is an author that I've been meaning to try and now I am actually going to do it! 
• Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean- I've read and loved a different book by this author so I'm super excited to start this trilogy.  Plus, I need some historical romance in my life!
• The Lost Night by Jayne Castle- 1st in a paranormal romance series that I've also been wanting to try.  I was on a paranormal kick today! 
• Deception Cove by Jayne Castle- 2nd in this paranormal romance series.  These both sound really great!
• Spellbent by Lucy A. Snyder- Another 1st in an urban fantasy series.  Sensing a trend here?  I've been craving good urban fantasy and I think my book selections reflect that.  I love the cover for this one as well!
• The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters-  Yay!  I have the third book in my hands now.  You guys don't know how hard it is for me to keep from starting this one RIGHT NOW!  I'm going to try to finish my current read first.
• Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon- Because I have LOVED every book that I have read by this author.  This is her debut novel, and I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to reading it.

I'm overwhelmed just writing this post up!  I cannot wait to read all of these and I'm hoping that the Bout of Books read-a-thon will help me with that.  I'm starting to think that I need to take a month to just read books off of my own shelves.  It is sounding really good especially looking at all of these!  Have you read any of these?  Which ones should I read first?

Or better yet tell me about your latest book acquisitions so I won't feel like such a book hoarder!  It would be nice to know that I'm in good company :)

The Sunday Salon - Books! (My Poor Shelves)

Good morning everyone!  The last two weeks seem to have slipped by me in a blur which meant an unexpected blogging break.  It was bound to have happened with all of the hours that I had been working so I didn't stress about it.  And happily enough I'm back to my regular forty hour work week which is much needed (and completely doable).  There wasn't much that happened that was exciting over my blogging break other than I finally broke down, and visited my used book store.  I had a bag filled with books to turn in for credit so I didn't even feel guilty for going.  I came out with a smile on my face and a small stack of books to add to my shelves.  My poor overflowing shelves!  In my defense. I still have over forty dollars worth of credit to use so really I could have brought home so many more.  In fact, I think that if I had known that I probably would have bought more books so maybe it worked out for the best.  Here are the books that I brought home with me (sorry for the crappy picture):

• The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters- only to find out that this is NOT the 3rd book in the series but instead the 8th.  Why they would list the series out of order is beyond me but I've learned my lesson.  Don't trust the list for series books that is included in the book.  Oh well, it gives me an excuse to go back for the third book.
• Birdman by Mo Hayder- First in this series and because I really enjoyed Gone by this author.
• All Shall Be Well by Deborah Crombie- 2nd in this series and because I adored the first book (which I really need to review).
• Beg For Mercy by Jami Alden- It sounds creepy and I love romantic suspense but don't read a lot of it.
• H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton- Next book in a mystery series I love.
• Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter- A book that I've had on my TBR list for awhile now.

I've also received a couple of books for review.  I can never decide if I want to share books I receive for review on here or not.  I've never really done a Mailbox Monday post or anything but I feel like I should at least post about the books that come in to my house.  Kind of to make myself accountable for actually reading them.  But....I just don't know.  Because then that would include ebooks and you guys would really see my reading addiction.  LOL!  Plus, I would have to keep track which I usually don't do.  I received these two books thanks to the lovely folks at Harper.  I'm hoping to add them both to my April reading plans list. 

In keeping with accountability, I have bought a few new books for my ipad. 

In my defense they were on sale AND my library didn't have copies of either.  Good enough reasons for me! 

Since I now have plenty of reading ahead of me (and it's not like I didn't before), I'm going to skip talking about the books I've read these past two weeks.  I will play catch up next Sunday instead.  Plans for the rest of my Sunday include catching up with all of you, review writing, a run, and TONS of laundry.  Oh yeah, and preparing myself for this week's Walking Dead episode since last week's one was CRAZY BUT SO GOOD!  I fully admit that I will be a bit lost when this show goes on break until season five.  Aack!  So worth it though :)

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!