Reading and Exercising (Starting 2017 with a Bang!)

Yes!  The first read-a-thon for the new year is already here.  I've participated in the Bout of Books read-a-thon a number of times and always enjoy it.  The idea of getting my reading off to a good start for the year is always a big motivator.  If you haven't participated in Bout of Books, here are the rules:

"The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 2nd and runs through Sunday, January 8th 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 18 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team"

Week long read-a-thons are usually the way to go for me since I fit my reading in wherever and whenever I can throughout the week.  My goals for this read-a-thon are to finish two books at least.  These are the two books that I'm currently reading (and started off 2017 with):

Don't Turn Out the Lights is my current print read and is quite good so far.  I'm not very far into it yet and I'm already not wanting to set it down.  Truth or Beard is my current kindle read and also my first read for #COYER Blackout.  (I'm failing at that reading challenge since I'm still working on book one but oh well.)  I'm enjoying them both so hopefully the Bout of Books read-a-thon is exactly what I need to get these two books read.  I'm still trying to decide if I want to come up with a January reading pile or not.  If I do then I will choose from one of those books if I manage to finish both of these.

I'm once again also signing up to participate with #FitReaders in 2017.  2016 was probably one of the worst years for me exercising wise.  I really didn't work out on a regular basis or much at all if I am being honest.  We just joined a local gym and I'm planning on the entire family getting healthier in the new year.  There is a cycling class that I'm hoping to try for sure but I also just want to commit to working out on a regular basis.  To start, I'm hoping to work out a minimum of three times a week.  Once I start getting into a regular routine (and get back to running) I will start setting more specific goals but for now just getting to the gym three times a week for the month of January will be enough.

Look at that: two events that have me pumped up for the new year already.  I'm excited to get exercising and also get reading.  Are any of you planning on participating in either of these events?  What are you doing to jump start the new year off in a great way?  If you are participating in either of these events let me know so that we can cheer each other on.  I'm definitely going to need the extra motivation boost when it comes to getting started on a regular workout schedule!

Happy Reading and Happy Moving!

Blogging Fun and Signing Up

It wouldn't be fall if I wasn't signed up to participate in R.I.P. (or Readers Imbibing Peril).  Even though I'm a bit later than usual in signing up, I have been reading for this challenge already.  There is no challenge out there like Carl's Annual R.I.P. event and I look forward to it every year.  As always to participate all you have to do is the following:

"There are only two expectations if you want to participate with us:

1. Have fun reading (and watching*).
2. Share that fun with others."

I always end up adding a ton of books to my TBR list thanks to this challenge.  Usually I would share a pool of possibilities but since I've been a bad blogger lately I'm going to skip that part for the first time in years.  I'm signing up for Peril the First which only requires me to read four books.  It almost feels like cheating when I've already read three books with this event in mind.  I'm counting them too because I can.  Ha!  Here is what I've read so far if you are interested (or looking for book suggestions for yourself:

If you want to sign up then go here.  Basically all of my reading till the end of October will fit in with this challenge because nothing makes me think of fall more than spooky reading.  And look at that beautiful artwork from Abigail Larson!  How could you not want to share that as well??

I'm also planning on participating in Blog Ahead.  This is a blogging event that focuses on schedule posts ahead of time.  This is something that I always want to do but very rarely happens.  I wouldn't have month long gaps in between my posts if I could schedule and plan ahead that far.  For the month of October I'm going to work really hard to creating posts ahead of time with the goal of getting at least a week ahead (if not more).  It is going to be hard but fun and I'm really looking forward to participating.  If you would like to participate yourself, sign up here.  

So I take off a month of blogging and jump back in feet first.  Sounds about right, doesn't it?  LOL!  Are you participating in either of these events?  If you are then let me know so we can cheer each other on!

Impatiently Waiting (2016 Releases That I NEED!)

I've been writing this type of post for three years now at the beginning of the new year.  There is just something about the new year and ALL of the books that will be releasing soon that gets me pumped up!  2016 is already starting off with a bang as Mira Grant has a new book being released in the Newsflesh series this year!!!!  I am SO excited that I cannot even stand it!!!  I LOVE these books!  I cannot even contain my excitement here.  Last year I didn't manage to read as many of the books on this list as I had hoped to so this year I'm going to have to change that.  There are just so many books and so little time!  Here are the books that I am already making grabby hands for:

Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton - A NEW books by Sharon Bolton!?!  I didn't even have to read the description before I was adding this one to my list.  I add a books of hers to my list every year- she is hands down of my favorite authors.  Want! Want! Want!

River Road by Carol Goodman - I have enjoyed EVERY book that I have read by this author so I couldn't help but be excited about her newest book.  And I actually was approved for a copy of this one (before my NetGalley ban) so you can bet I will be reading it very soon.  Can't wait!

City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong - A new series by Armstrong?  I NEED it!!  And it is a mystery series which makes me want to read it even more!  I cannot even right now.  Sigh.  I will be reading this one ASAP!

Butterfly in the Dark by Gilly Macmillan - This author's debut novel made my top reads list of 2015 so of course I'm adding this one to my wishlist!  And it sounds so good which makes me even more excited to read it!!

Ink and Bone by Lisa Under - There are SO many thrillers that I want to read in 2016 but this cover has me seriously lusting after this book!  It looks so creepy and I just cannot wait to read it!!

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard - This books seems to be all over the blogsphere lately but for good reason if this book is as good as it sounds.  I cannot wait to find out for myself!  Plus it doesn't hurt that it has such a gorgeous cover either!!

Unhinge by Calia Read - I basically read that this one was set in a mental institution and added it to my TBR wishlist that fast!  It seems to be part of a series though so I will need to get my hands on the first book as well.  I'm excited to read them both!!

Little Boy Blue by M.J. Arlidge - Basically I have a goal to read all of the books in this series in 2016!  This will be the fifth book in this mystery series and I'm already chomping at the bit to get my hands on it!  So excited for this series!

Forevermore by Kristen Callihan - I just started reading this series in 2015 but I can't help but pine for this newest one.  I am hoping to read all of the books in this series as well in 2016.  I have big plans for my reading this year!

Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep - I actually have a copy of this one for my kindle and I just adore the cover for it!  Yes another series that I am planning on catching up with in 2016.  (Are you sensing a trend yet? LOL!)

I could keep going and going but I'm forcing myself to stop at this point.  Rest assured that I will continue posting about other books that I am excited to read in my on the radar/wishlist posts.  There are just so many!  I can't even begin...seriously...I am pumped for 2016!  I will include really quickly a few books that would be listed above but they don't have covers quite yet:

• Rewind by Mira Grant (this is THE book that I want to read MOST in 2016)!
• The Ghost Rebellion by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris (love this series so much!)
• Grilled For Murder by Maddie Day (cozy series that I want to continue on with)
• Nine of Stars by Laura Bickle (another series I adore)

And so many more!  Tell me, what books are you looking forward to reading in 2016?  I would love to know!

COYER Summer Vacation Reading Challenge

 

Hosted by Fantasy is More Fun and Because Reading is Better Than Real Life, this is a reading challenge that I can't help but participate in because who doesn't love summer reading?  I sure do!  This one sounds super fun as they are hosting multiple read-a-thons among other fun challenges.  I'm looking forward to meeting some new to me bloggers from this as well.

 Here are the official rules:

 "1. You must create a sign-up post anytime between now and August 15th -on blog, goodreads, fb, google+, etc. Yes, that means you can sign up
until August 15th! But don’t wait, you’ll miss most of the fun!

2. You must link the sign-up post below (don’t link to your blog, link to the sign-up post).

3. You must post your review books somewhere & link the reviews to the review linky to be eligible for one of the grand prize giveaways.

4. Have Fun!

Normally you’re only allowed to read eBooks that were less than $5 for COYER, but since this is Summer Vacation you can read whatever you want!"

I decided to make a list of possibilities as my goals post (basically because I love making lists).  I probably won't stick to it too closely but it will be fun to try.  Here are just some of the books that I am hoping to read this summer:

Books I bought for my ipad (and still haven't read): 

 

Review copies from NetGalley or Edelweiss:

Library Books:

 

Review Copies (that I need to get off of my shelves):

 

Books off of my own shelves:

 

Other random books that I want to read:

 

I will be amazed if I get through half of these but you never know with all of the read-a-thons that they have planned.  It will be fun to try, and it will FINALLY get some of these books read/off of my shelves.  Good stuff! 

March Reading Plans

I'm nothing if not completely ambitious.  Ha!  When it comes to reading though, I always plan on reading a ton of books.....usually more than I can ever get through in one month.  It sure doesn't stop me from trying though.  I've been doing really good with these reading lists recently, and last month I finished six out of the nine books on my list.  Wow!  I'm impressed with myself.  LOL!  This is completely off topic but yesterday I dug my copy of the first Harry Potter book off of my shelves for my oldest son.  He wants to start reading them!!!  I'm hoping he will want to read it with me but we haven't started it yet.  I was just too excited that he wanted to read them :)  But back to my reading plans for the month of March:

• Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier- She is one of my favorite authors, and I am more than ready to read something new by her!
• Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters-  This will actually be a reread for me so I can finally continue on with this series.  Also, off of my own shelves!
• Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith- Also off of my own shelves, and one I've been wanting to read since Christine recommends it.
• Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett- This is actually my current read and VERY good so far!
• The Clockwork Wolf by Lynn Viehl- For review and because in February I loved the first book in this series :)
• Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke- For a TLC book tour in April.
• The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths- Because I loved The Crossing Places last month. I can't wait to read this one!
• This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers- Zombies!  And my goal to read more YA this year.
• Parasite by Mira Grant- Because Mira Grant is AMAZING!  And it is such a shame that I haven't read this one yet!

If I can get through the majority of these then March shall be an AMAZING month of reading!  Overtime is currently back at work so my reading time may be cut down a bit but I'm sure going to try.  A girl can hope, right? 

What books are you hoping to read this month?

The Sunday Salon (2014 Goals and Books)

Good morning everyone!  It was back to the grind this week and although I wasn't ready for a full week of work, it didn't go too badly.  It is nice to be back into a routine again but my kids were definitely not quite ready for it.  LOL!  My oldest especially likes to sleep in which makes me realize that sooner rather than later I will have a teenager on my hands.  Where does the time go?  Anyways, 2014 is already moving along and I realized yesterday that I still haven't taken the time to share with you all my goals for the new year.  Before I continue to procrastinate even further (and then eventually never do it), I thought I would quickly share my plans for the new year.

• Read more of my own books- This one is a given.  I read 76 books last year but only a very small portion of them were off of my own shelves.  And with the number of times that I bought books last year...well...this is going to have to change.  This also means accepting fewer review copies (damn you NetGalley) and maybe a few less book tours.  I try to always mix my review books with books that are for pleasure and just because but I want to do this even more.   So read more of my own books!
• Work out consistently.  Hahaha...I think that I am repeating my goals from last year!  I've started out the new year pretty well with this so far but I NEED to stick with it.  I'm bound and determined to shed a few of the pounds that I seem to keep gaining over the years.  And I just want to be healthier.  It is that simple.
• Finish some of the projects that I have planned.  I'm the queen of procrastination so this one is going to be hard for me.  But I really need to follow through and finish up some of my projects that I have had planned for years.  An example would be learning to crochet and knit.  Finishing up redecorating my bedroom.  Organizing all of my closets.  You get the picture, right?  There are a bunch of things that I always say that I'm going to do but then never get done.  This is the year that I'm going to knock a few things off of that list. 

Three goals is enough for me this year I'm thinking.  Now let's see if I can actually stick to ALL of them.  That will be the biggest accomplishment of all!  Anyways, let's move on to the books!   Since this is my first Sunday Salon post for the new year I'm going to catch you up with everything that I have read so far this year.  I've recently finished the following books:

Starter House by Sonja Condit was my first read of the year and definitely an interesting way to start off the new year.  This was a spooky read that left me turning the pages in anticipation of just what would happen next.  I read this one for a TLC Book Tour and my full thoughts on it will be shared this Tuesday. 

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews was SUCH a good read!  Whew!  I flew through this book and just couldn't get enough.  I'm so glad that I've made it a goal to catch up with this series because I think that it is definitely going to be worth my time.  I'm planning on writing up my thoughts on this one and for Magic Bites as well that will hopefully go up this week.  Maybe mini reviews?  I haven't decided for sure yet. 

In audio, I finished listening to Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell this week.  The interesting thing to listening to books that you have already read is that you find things that you missed when previously reading.  But I will talk more about that when I write up my thoughts.  I'm currently reading the following books:

Forbidden is for a TLC book tour at the end of the month.  And although The Winter People is also a review copy it is one of my most anticipated reads for the new year so I'm not complaining.  I'm reading this one on my ipad and have once again pushed back A Study in Silks.  On audio, I'm currently listening to Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb. 

Whew!  That is enough out of me for one day.  I'm hoping to get lots of laundry done today, a little bit of reading in both of my current reads, and a few reviews written.  If I can get that all done then this will count as a success!  Oh yeah, and 28 days until The Walking Dead returns!  I cannot wait!

Happy Sunday and happy reading!