Top Ten Reads of 2016

Wow!  Last year I held out until the very last minute on posting my top reads for the year and it worked- my very last read made it on my top reads list.  This year I know that I'm not going to finish any more books before the new year begins so I've been thinking about my top reads list for weeks now.  It is so crazy to think that we are beginning a new year already but here we are.  I had another solid year of reading in 2016 as I finished 80 books for the year.  It wasn't the 85 that I had originally hoped for but I went ahead and lowered my Goodread's goal to 80 so I could count that as a win.  Ha!  One of these years I swear that I will finally hit a hundred books....that is one of those goals in the back of my head every year.  I've come close but haven't yet hit the hundred mark.  My reading year overall was pretty solid.  I'm still on a thriller/mystery kick but with other genres tossed in there to keep things interesting.  But let's move on to the important things- the best books I read in 2016:

It Takes One by Kate Kessler was easily one of those books that I knew instantly after finishing would make my top reads list for this year.  It was everything that I enjoy as it contained a thrilling mystery along with characters that I couldn't get enough of.  Out of all the books that I read this year, this is one that I felt deserved WAY more attention then it actually got.  I really hope that other readers find this series soon!

Find Her by Lisa Gardner was one of the most twisted and dark books that I read this year.  I also found that I couldn't stop reading it and thought about it long after I finished.  I started right in the middle of a series with this one but don't let that stop you.  It obviously didn't affect my enjoyment in the slightest as this was another book that easily made my top reads list.

City of Light by Keri Arthur began a new urban fantasy/science fiction series that I absolutely adored.  I couldn't get enough of this world which meant it had to be on my top reads list for 2016.  I would include the 2nd book as well but that feels a bit like cheating (and this is my favorite of the two).  I love the world that Arthur has created and cannot wait for more!

Pop Goes the Weasel by M.J. Arlidge is the second book in this series AND the second time that this author has been on my top reads list for the year.  I am loving this series and author so much!  This book was just as intense and page turning as the first book was which left me as one very happy reader.  At this point I will be reading anything and everything that this author writes because these books are just that good!

The Hunter by Kerrigan Byrne easily wins the award for best romance read in 2016.  This book was so FREAKING good and I just can't say anything other than that.  I was swept away by this romance which was so unlikely yet so perfect.  I've got all of this author's other books on my TBR list just waiting to be read and enjoyed.  If you haven't tried Kerrigan Byrne yet, you're missing out!

Rage Against The Dying by Becky Masterman cemented my love of this series and these characters (just an FYI that this is book one in the series- I read the 2nd book last year first).  I seriously wish Ms. Masterman wrote faster because the wait for the third book is just about killing me.  Brigid Quinn is one of my very favorite characters to read about and this is another mystery series that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves.  I love it and can't get enough!  Highly, highly recommended.

The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell was one of the harder choices as I went back and forth between this book and Cruel and Unusual by Cornwell.  Really I enjoyed each of these books equally but it was the introduction of Carrie Grethren in this book that made this book the clear winner.  I'm loving this series so much that part of me just wants to read them all straight through and the other part wants to take my time and savor them.  So, so good!

Evil Games by Angela Marsons is the second book in yet another series on this list (I'm sensing a theme here).  It was another amazing follow-up to the first book and I'm so lucky that I have found all of these amazing authors to read.  This book was just as intense and thrilling as I had hoped it would be.  I can't say enough good things about this series as well!

The Silence of the Sea by Yrsa Sigurdardottir was one of the books that stayed with me the longest.  This was such a haunting thriller that felt reminiscent of Agatha Christie in some of the best ways.  I didn't know what was going on until the very end....and even then I found myself surprised with how it all turned out.  Readers should not miss this book in my opinion!

Inherit the Bones by Emily Littlejohn was the mystery with the most gorgeous writing in comparison to all of the other books that I read this year.  This author's way with words just blew me away and I loved every minute of reading this book because of it.  If I was giving out awards for most surprisingly chilling reads, this book would also be the clear winner.  Another author that I will be watching out for in 2017!

This was a really, really tough list to make this year!  I had quite a few other books that could have/should have made my list of top reads but I stayed firm with only sharing ten.  Here are the other books that deserve honorable mention at least:

• The House at Seas End by Elly Griffiths
• The Body Reader by Anne Frasier
• A Dark and Stormy Murder by Julia Buckley
• Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti

And so many, many more.  I looked back at the books I finished this year and couldn't get over how many good books were on this list.  Obviously I'm hoping to have just as great of a year of reading in 2017.  There are already way too many books that I'm looking forward to in the new year (but that is another post).  I'll end this post wishing all of year a wonderful coming new year!  May you and your families have an amazing year in 2017.

Happy Reading!

Top Ten Reads of 2014

I've been immersed in reading everyone's best of lists and all of a sudden realized that I hadn't written my own.  It is so easy to get distracted and I've been adding books to my TBR list like crazy!  I adore this time of the year.  Fresh starts, new possibilities.....but I still love looking over my reading for the year and figuring out which books were the best.  I had a really good reading year in 2014 even though I didn't quite make my Goodread's goal.  I am ending the year having read 73 books which I'm pretty proud of!  Life gets busier and busier as the kids grow but I still am finding plenty of time to read (while enjoying tons of time with the family too!).  Without further ado though, here are the best of the best (or my favorite reads of 2014):

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon cemented my love for this author's books!  Last year one of her books made my top reads list and this year one did as well.  This book was the perfect read on a cold winter's evening and left me chilled to the bone at certain points.  I will be reading anything this author writes and plan on getting my hands on all of her books.  It is that simple. 

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters begins one of my favorite mystery series.  It wouldn't be fair to list all three of the books on my list for this year but really I could have included any/all of them.  I adore the characters in these books, find myself laughing out loud in various spots, and just can not get enough of this series.  I feel like more readers should be reading and loving these books just like I am.  Ha!

Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton was one of those books that I instantly knew would make my top reads list as soon as I finished the last page.  Haunting and filled with suspense, I couldn't put this book down and loved every thrilling moment.  Bolton's another of my favorite authors, and as I work my way through all of her books I've yet to be disappointed.  My favorite thriller of the year hands down!

Dawn's Early Light by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris was such a pleasure to read and is a part of the best steampunk series out there!  I love this series and the characters, and each book is a joy to read as we watch our dynamic duo on their crazy adventures.  The taste of romance that we got in this book just makes this series even better in my opinion!  I love this series and am impatiently waiting for the next book to release!

Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews was the best romance I read this year by far (although to be honest it felt more like urban fantasy to me but...)!  2014 has been the year of me reading Andrew's books but when all was said and done this was my favorite!  This book felt fresh and original with characters that I instantly found myself attached to.  I will be doing the waiting thing yet again as I pine for the next book in this series in 2015. 

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith was one of those books that I just immediately found myself immersed in.  I was super nervous to read this one as how could it ever live up to the love for the Harry Potter books that I have?!? This book took my expectations and shattered them giving me a mystery and characters that I couldn't get enough of.  I will be reading the next book in this series in 2015!

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells begins a new urban fantasy series by one of my favorite authors.  Are you noticing a trend yet?  This gritty, dark world that Wells has created was highly addictive.  I never know what to expect with this author's books other than I am in for a wild ride!  And this WAS one wild ride!  This book was just as good as I hoped it would be if not better.  I'm so excited that I have the second book to look forward to in 2015 with no wait!

Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart was such a delight to read!  Filled with gothic undertones, I spent my time reading this book wondering what was going to happen next.  I loved the entire reading experience!  I have a special spot in my heart for books just like this: talk about an old house filled with secrets, characters that always seem to be hiding something, and a bit of romance and I'm there.  Yet another author whose backlist of books I plan on reading in its entirety!

A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie was another mystery series that I found this year and just could not get enough of.  With two characters that I instantly adored and whodunnits that were throwbacks to Agatha Christie, I instantly fell in love with this series and this book!  I keep saying this but I've found yet another author to read all of her books.

The Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman was by far the creepiest book that I read in 2014.  Both dark and disturbing at times, this was one of those books that I just could not set down.  It left me thinking about it long after we finished.  I finished this one early in 2014 but it still gives me the shivers when I think about it.

Honorable mentions this year include the following:

• Hysteria by Megan Miranda
• The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
• Mira Grant's Newsflesh trilogy (again)
• Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke

And so many more when I start to think about it!  I had a wonderful year of reading in 2014 and am looking forward to all of the new possibilities in 2015! I hope that all of you have had a great end of the year and are as excited as I am about this new year!  Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment on my little blog! 

Happy Reading!

The Sunday Salon: Reading Randomness

Happy Sunday!  Whew, I feel like these last two weeks flew by in a blur.  It was a lot of go, go, go and not a lot of down time.  That's okay because today is going to be one of those rare quiet days where we have absolutely nothing going on.  Priceless!  Although the last two weeks were super busy, I managed to fit in a fair amount of reading in there.  That's a positive!  The flu ran through our house though which was definitely not fun.  My youngest had it the worst, and he is just now starting to act like himself again.  What else?  Oh yes, my oldest son was outside practicing baseball and managed to get a black eye after missing a pop fly.  Just in time for school pictures.  LOL!  I just may have to buy one to keep.  Other than that it was a just a normal albeit busy two weeks.

In 2014, I have already managed to read 28 books including graphic novels and audios.  That is fantastic for me and means that I'm six books ahead of my goal to read eighty books (according to Goodreads).  I was pretty happy with that number until I realized that I really haven't settled down with a good chunky read yet.  This is going to have to change!  I have a bunch of longer books that I want to read but never actually take the time to read.  I've already made my reading plans for this month but in May I shall be picking one large book that I want to focus on.  Because I know that I constantly say that I want to read ALL of the books, but really my focus is quality over quantity.  I could be missing out by not reading some of those longer books off of my TBR list.  I haven't decided yet which book that I want to read but possibles include It by Stephen King, Parasite by Mira Grant, and The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.   I'm open to suggestions if you have any other big books that you've loved recently.

On to the books I finished in the last two weeks which were:

Dark Witch by Nora Roberts- This was a good read for me but it didn't suck me in like other trilogies of hers have.  It was good enough that I definitely want to read the next book, but I was glad that I waited for my library to get a copy.  I feel like I liked it better then some other reviews I've seen, but it wasn't as great as I hoped.  Review to come.

Summoning the Night by Jenn Bennett-  This is good urban fantasy and was a great read!  I love the characters, love the unique storylines, and always find myself eager to grab the next book.  In fact, I'm already putting the third book on hold at the library because I want to read it NOW.  I will be reviewing this one very soon!

Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams- This was a cute beginning to a cozy mystery series with some paranormal aspects.  I almost instantly found myself caught between the pages but the ending of the book was a bit of a let down.  I'm hoping that the next book in the series will give us more of the answers that I didn't find from this book.  I'll be writing up my thoughts on this one as well.

The Walking Dead: Volume 3, Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman- I'm so loving reading these comics.  I never know what to expect, and they are getting darker and more intense as I go on.  This one left off with a cliffhanger so I'm putting the next one on hold asap!  I just hope that it comes in fast at the library.  I probably will wait to share my thoughts on this one until I have at least read one more volume.  So review to come.

I'm currently reading the following:

I haven't even had the chance to crack this one open yet but it will be my next read.  I've been meaning to start this one for ages (in fact according to Goodreads I added it to my TBR list back in 2011).  I'm finally pulling it off of my shelves, and am ready to see what the buzz about this series is all about.  Up next will possibly be this one:

Squee!!  I saw this on NetGalley and instantly requested it.  I just loaded it onto my ipad so I'm ready to go.  This may be my MOST anticipated read for 2014 so I will not be waiting long to read it.  Yay, yay, yay!  Happy days!

Plans for today include laundry and reading.  That's it!  It's raining outside, my house is clean (mostly), and I have nothing else planned.  I shall blog, read, and then maybe blog so more!  It sounds perfect!  What are you doing on this rainy Sunday?

Happy Reading!

Top Ten Reads of 2013

This is one of my favorite times of the year!  There is just something about reading over everyone's best of lists and then reading through all of the 2014 goals' posts.  I love it!  It motivates me, distracts me, and basically makes me want to READ ALL OF THE BOOKS!  I have been putting books on hold at the library left and right thanks to all of your lists.  Taking a (almost) two week blogging break has my bloggy mojo going strong, and I'm looking forward to sharing about my favorites books of the year with all of you.  Maybe I can also motivate myself to get some of these outstanding book reviews written (there are a ton) AND write a goals post for myself.  Maybe join a few challenges?  I've got plans!  But onto the books.  This year was a very solid reading year for me as I read 76 books.  That means I somehow managed to surpass my Goodread's goal of 75 so I'm pretty proud of myself.  I don't think that I would have made it if it weren't for audiobooks but I'm okay with that.  2013 was the year of rereads for me and I've reread/relistened to more books this year then any other year since I've started blogging.  I'm hoping to continue this trend in 2014.  But maybe with more of a focus on the books that are on my own shelves.  That's for a different post though.  Let's move on to my favorite books of 2013!

The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon was one of my favorite thrillers for the year.  It was also one of those books that made me an instant fan of the author, which means I will eventually read ALL of her books.  This is one of those rare cases where two storylines come together perfectly and I didn't prefer one over the other.  Plus, I loved the ending!  I'm super excited to have another of this author's books to look forward to in 2014!

Blackout by Mira Grant is by far MY FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR!  I've adored this zombie trilogy from the very beginning with Feed so it was almost a given that Blackout would make this list.  Almost, because there was that possibility that the book could have fallen short for me (and thankfully it didn't).  I reread both Feed and Deadline before moving on to Blackout which made my reading experience even better.  I just cannot even convey how much I loved all of these books (but it does explain my love for The Walking Dead)!  I'm just sad that it is all over now.  Thank you Mira Grant for pushing the boundaries with each of these books and for making me love these characters.  BEST ZOMBIE BOOKS EVER!

Nightfall by Ellen Connor was one of those books that sucked me in and then just wouldn't let me go.  Out of all of the romances I read this year (and I feel like I read a lot) this one was definitely the best.  And the funny thing is that there were times when I was completely frustrated with the book/main characters but in the end I just could not get enough.  Considering that I read this one pretty early on in the year and it has still stuck with me says a lot!  I cannot wait to read the next book in this trilogy and will definitely be doing just that in 2014!

The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb wins the prize for me kicking myself for waiting so long to read it!  I have had this book on my TBR list for years, and I am so glad that I finally took the time to read it.  A creepy house, ghostly encounters, and all kinds of other gothic elements made this one a surefire winner in my book.  It left me very anxious to read more by this author and thankfully I have two other of her books to look forward to.  Webb is yet another author that I found this year that will go on my automatically to be read list. 

Joyland by Stephen King was my last read of 2013 but one of the best.  It also wins the award for best cover because seriously, how can you not love it?  I haven't taken the time to read (and finish) a book by King in years and this one showed me that I've been missing out.  I loved the carny feel to this book, and King is AMAZING when it comes to really making the reader feel like they are in the pages of the story.  2014 will be a year with me reading more by King!

Lost by S.J. Bolton was a book that took my high expectations and shattered them!  I love how each book in this series seems to get better and better!  And I just cannot imagine how Bolton is going to top this one.  This was yet another book that I couldn't put down and kept trying to read as fast as I could.  I just cannot wait for the next book in this series to release!  2014 shall be an amazing year in books!  And Bolton gets added as one of my very favorite authors!  I love her books!

Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson is hands down my favorite urban fantasy read for the year.  And oh my goodness but that ending...I cannot believe that I've held off on reading the second book.  I definitely won't be resisting in 2014!  This one was action packed and tense with a potential romance that knocked my socks off.  I NEED to see what is going to happen next!  This is definitely an author that I will be reading more of! 

Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams makes this the second time this author has graced my best of lists.  This is the follow up to The Stranger You Seek which easily made my best of 2013 list.  This one was even better!  I couldn't get enough of this book and stayed up way too late reading.  I'm sensing a trend of authors here where I will basically read anything that they write (and this author is definitely on that list!).  I cannot recommend this series highly enough! 

  

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn wins the award for most unlikeable characters while STILL being one of those books that you just cannot put down!  (I seem to be on a random awards kick this year, don't I?)  I'm not sure how Flynn does it but she writes some of the most compelling books even when you don't want to actually be reading them.  As much as I hated the characters I loved the book and this one easily made my top reads of 2013 list.  I will continue to adore this author even if I cringe when thinking about what she comes up with next.

The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons takes the final spot on my top ten reads for 2013.  This book was easily the creepiest one that I read this year without being over the top.  Instead I found myself immersed within the pages even knowing that there might not be a happy ending.  I cannot wait to find out what else this author has written.  Thank goodness that I snatched this one up on a visit to my local used bookstore.  I loved this one and highly recommend it!

Honorable mentions this year go to a variety of other books that should have/could have made this list including:

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan (so cute!)

How To Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman (a great debut from this new author)

Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre (fantastic series debut)

The Black Dudley Murder by Margery Allingham (I loved this one too!)

and so many more!

I didn't even bother including books that I've already read and reread this year because I just couldn't.  I cannot wait to see what 2014 will be like!  I can tell you that I've got lots of reading plans and goals...maybe I should get to working on that post :)  If you feel like sharing then tell me which book is your favorite read of 2013.  I'm working my library holds list like crazy thanks to this time of year.  And I can always use a few more recommendations!

I hope that you all have a wonderful New Year and a FANTASTIC reading year in 2014! Thank you for taking the time to visit me here, to comment, or to just share in my love of books.  I can't tell you guys enough how much I love the friendships that I have made thanks to blogging :)

Library Loot - Ambitious

Library Loot is hosted by Marg and Claire, and is a fun way to share about your library addiction.

If you've been visiting my blog long enough you probably know that I'm a library addict.  I always love to browse the shelves and find a few books to take home.  And by few I usually mean a lot.  Let's not look at the fact that I'm supposed to be reading exclusively from my Kindle during April to help knock out a few reads on there.  I still have quite the stack of library books checked out and would like nothing better than to read them all :) 

I've been reading a lot more from the romance genre this year which has been reflected in my library finds.  I especially have been in the mood for some romantic suspense as of recently so if you have suggestions please feel free to share!  Here are some of the books that I've brought home with me recently:

Don't you just want to read all of these???  I sure do!  I just need to figure out how I'm going to find the time to read them all....but that's the fun part about the library.  If I don't get to them all, I can sure grab them again next time.  Happy reading everyone!!

Why You Shouldn't Read Two Thrillers at Once...

Because at some point you get to a really good part in both books....and then it is hard to tell WHICH book you should actually be reading RIGHT THIS SECOND.  I'm pretty sure that if I could I would be reading them both.  As I can't I'm just going to have to close my eyes and pick one (yeah I'm indecisive like that).  Thank goodness it is Friday and the weekend is finally here.  Maybe I'll have time to finish them both :)  TGIF!!!

Rereads and Mini Reviews

Before book blogging came into my life I was a HUGE re-reader (if that is really a term).  I still reread some of my favorite books but not to the same extent like I used to which I'm sure could be a discussion/post all by itself.  That's not my intent for today though.  Instead I thought I would share some mini thoughts on two rereads that I finished in 2012.  Because if I don't do it soon I probably never will.  And once again since it is STILL January I'm adding a new goal to my never-ending and always expanding list of goals for 2013:  that goal is to reread more.  I always enjoy revisiting books that I have loved from years back.  Plus, it is one of those things that I'm always saying that I'm going to do but never end up really doing.  So new goal set.  And here are some mini reviews on two rereads:

I've decided to reread the first couple of books in Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series before continuing on.  I wasn't quite sure where I had left off with the series and wanted to just go back and start at the beginning.  I remember reading this one a few years back but I didn't remember the plot at all.  And once again I found myself immersed back in Harry's world.  In this book Harry is up against his most difficult foe yet.  Harry has to figure out who is behind the most brutal and horrifying murders that he has ever come across.  And he has to do it before it hurts the people that he cares about the most.

I absolutely, hands down love this series.  Even just rereading this book sucked me down so deep in the world that Butcher creates and I didn't want the reading experience to end.  I love it!  Harry is such an awesome main character with a huge heart that gets him into trouble more often than not.  And he always seems to find himself caught up in big messes.  I'll admit that I couldn't figure out how he was going to get himself out of the mess that he was in this time because he was in deep.  What else to say?  I didn't want to put it down, I was sad when it ended because I wanted more, and I'm eager to read the next book.  In fact, just sharing my thoughts on this one has me thinking that I should grab the next book from the library.  Because I NEED more Harry Dresden in my life!  I highly recommend this series and enjoyed this reread enough that I would rate it a rare 5 out of 5 stars if I did ratings.  Just be warned that you really should read Storm Front first and that this one was quite gory at times.  Other than that I've got nothing bad to say!

Bottom Line:  A kick-ass read that left me wanting more!

Ill Wind is the first book in Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series which is ANOTHER series that I'm rereading before continuing on with.  Except with this series I know that I only read the first two books so I'm rereading these and then I'll keep going with the rest of the series.  Ill Wind was even better than I remembered it and I can't wait to grab the second book from the library.  Joanne is running for her life and there is only one person that she can go to for help.  The only problem is that he is also a wanted man in hiding.  But Joanne is desperate and determined to save herself.  As long as she can outrun the weather that is following her every step.

This book was intense from the beginning to the end.  I always find myself completely surprised and pleased when I'm sucked back into a book that I've already read.  And while I remembered some of the plot line, there were enough holes in my memory that I was still turning pages as fast as I could.  This book was one big whirlwind and I loved every second of it.  And that ending....wow!  It still packed quite the punch even the second time around.  I'm super excited now that I'm diving back in this series which means that of course I'll be picking up book 2 sooner rather than later.  This is another book that I would highly recommend especially if you are looking for a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  A must read for fans of urban fantasy and a 4 1/2 star read for sure!

Bottom Line:  A fast paced, intense read that I couldn't get enough of!

Looking back it seems that rereading both of these books was a VERY good idea.  They both left me wanting to read more in the series.  And they were both fresh and different from a lot of what is out there in the urban fantasy genre.  I'm hooked on both of these series and more than ready to continue on.  And writing up my thoughts on these two books has solidified my need to reread!  Now I just need to figure out what I want to reread next....Harry Potter anyone????

Filling My Kindle: Take Two

If I keep sharing posts like this you guys are going to think that I have no self control.  Wait a minute.  Who am I kidding??  You all should know by now that I have no self control when it comes to books :)  But on a more serious note it would probably help if I was actually reading some of these books that I can't seem to stop buying.  I think I need to join an e-book challenge just to get some of the lovely books that I have on my reader actually read.  LOL!  Who does this besides me??  I mean really....I just can't resist those stupid AMAZING daily deals on Amazon.  And then I get emails from publishers telling me about more sales and I just have to peek.  Because as we already established I lack the ability to tell myself no.  It is entirely too easy for me.  So my new goal for the year is to work on reading some of these amazing books that I can't stop buying.  Since it is still January I've decided that means it is okay to add more goals for the year as I go.  Here are a few of the books that I picked up for my reader lately:

I picked up On The Island as soon as I saw it was on sale thanks to Naida's review!  And The Monsters of Templeton has been on my TBR list for such a long time that I couldn't resist.  And the Stephen King one doesn't even need an explanation.  Don't these all look amazing???  Enough talking...I need to get to reading!  What have you picked up recently for you reader?