The Sunday Post #31 (Bout of Books Wrap-Up)

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!  How has everyone been lately?  School is back in full force so we've been busy, busy all of the time.  The kiddos have adjusted well to the back to school routine which has made everything that much easier.  We currently have high school football, travel softball, and flag football all going on so there is a TON of coordinating our schedules to fit everything in.  This upcoming Friday we are traveling about two hours away to watch my son's first high school football game of the season.  I'm so excited for him.  They've been practicing all summer and then a few scrimmages but now the real thing is finally here.  Crazy but awesome!

I spent this past week participating in the Bout of Books read-a-thon which is always a good time.  I managed to finish two books for it which has me really excited.  I've only read 35 books this year though even with those two added to my totals.  I feel like that is such a low number for me.  I don't know what the deal is but I'm really glad to see that my reading is picking back up.  I finished the following books:

Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander begins a new cozy mystery series that is being published I believe in October.  I adore her Bakeshop mystery series so I jumped at the chance to read this one.  I won't be sharing my thoughts on this one until closer to the release date but I will say that I adored it as well. 

Memory In Death by J.D. Robb was a reread and just as good as the first time that I read it.  So I started "rereading" these books by listening to them in audio despite the fact that I wasn't caught up with the series.  This has morphed into my rereading them all before I continue on...at this point I've got to be getting pretty darn close to wear I left off.  I couldn't remember what happened with this one which made me read it all the faster. 

I'm now reading the following books:

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo is my current print read.  I stopped reading it to squeeze in Memory in Death last week but have now moved back into reading this one.  I'm not very far into it yet but I'm finding it to be quite creepy already.  I'm looking forward to reading this one more later on this afternoon.

A Season to Lie by Emily Littlejohn is my current Kindle read that I've just barely begun.  I loved the first book in this series so I'm really looking forward to reading more from this one soon.  Both books are set during wintertime which feels perfect as we begin to have fall-like weather here and there. 

I would love to continue on with the reading pace that I had last week with Bout of Books and finish both of these this week.  I've got tons of really great books calling my name lately.  I never seem to stop adding books to my TBR list thanks to NetGalley.  I've also finished my last tour book for the near future.  I'm taking a break and just focusing on reading what I want, when I want with the hope that my reading will even itself out that way. 

I'm off to work on laundry for the week and maybe get in a few hours of uninterrupted reading time.  Also the Bears are on so I've got football watching going on as well.   I've got some upcoming PTO to look forward to which means that this week will either go really fast or drag on by.  Tell me what books that you've been reading lately!  Is everyone enjoying school being back in session or were you not ready for it yet?

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

When Reading Plans Go Awry....

or your reading mood changes completely and this book feels like a MUST read right now.  You just have to go with it.  I'll be back to my January reading plans after this (or at least I think I will be- ha!).

I've also decided to participate in the week long, A Winter's Respite read-a-thon, that begins today.  Cruel and Unusual will be my first book for it and then I will see where my reading mood takes me.  I've participated in this read-a-thon multiple times and it is always fun.  My goal will be to finish two books this week.  

Happy Monday and Happy Reading!

On My Wishlist (Radar Books) #16- Revived!

On My Wishlist is my way of sharing all of the books that I cannot wait to get my hands upon and read. These are a mixture of books that are about to be released along with some older titles that I really want to read as well. (All summaries are from Goodreads).

A long time ago I used to do these type of posts all of the time and then for whatever reason they fell by the wayside.  Considering how many books that I add to my TBR list in a current week...well I'm not sure why I ever stopped.  I wanted to start participating with the Waiting on Wednesday meme but then realized that a lot of the books that I want to read are actually older books.  So back to sharing books that are on my wishlist/radar that I hope to read in the very near future.  Here are just a few of those books that I have added to my TBR list lately:

Death by Coffee by Alex Erickson

"When Krissy Hancock and her best friend Vicki decide to open a bookstore café in their new town of Pine Hills, they decide to call it "Death by Coffee," after Krissy’s father’s most famous mystery novel. Little do they know how well the name fits…

On their very first day of business, Brendon Lawyer huffily takes his coffee…to the grave. It seems he had a severe allergy to peanuts…but how could there have been nuts in his coffee? And who stole his emergency allergy medication?

Fortunately, Krissy’s love of puzzles and mysteries leads her not only to Officer Paul Dalton, but also to many of her new neighbors, who aren’t terribly upset that the book is closed on Brendon. But one of them is a killer, and Krissy needs to read between the lies if she wants to save her new store—and live to see how this story ends…"

I've been on a cozy mystery kick this year so I couldn't help but add this one to my TBR list.  I actually have a copy of this one thanks to NetGalley so I will be reading it very soon.  I can't wait to give this one a try!

In Bitter Chill by Sarah Ward

"In 1978, a small town in Derbyshire, England is traumatised by the kidnapping of two young schoolgirls. One girl, Rachel, is later found unharmed but unable to remember anything except that her abductor was a woman.

Over thirty years later the mother of the still missing Sophie commits suicide. Superintendent Llewellyn, who was a young constable on the 1978 case, asks DI Francis Sadler and DC Connie Childs to look again at the kidnapping to see if modern police methods can discover something that the original team missed. However, Sadler is convinced that a more recent event triggered Yvonne Jenkins’s suicide.

Rachel, with the help of her formidable mother and grandmother, recovered from the kidnapping and has become a family genealogist. She remembers nothing of the abduction and is concerned that, after Yvonne Jenkins’s suicide, the national media will be pursuing her for a story once more. Days later, the discovery of one of her former teachers’ strangled body suggested a chain of events is being unleashed.

Rachel and the police must unpick the clues to discover what really happened all those years ago. But in doing so, they discover that the darkest secrets can be the ones closest to you."

I want to read this one so badly!  That description has me completely intrigued and I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.  It just sounds SO GOOD and like something that I will definitely enjoy!

Autumn Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn

"Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I’m Kerris Fellwater, and when I returned, I inherited my grandmother’s house—and her gift. As a spirit shaman, it’s my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don’t always stay buried.

When I was little, I was told my mother ran off. But now it looks like she was murdered. With the help of my mysterious neighbor Bryan, we begin to unravel the mystery of her disappearance, and in doing so, unearth a dark force seeking to bury Whisper Hollow. Now I must work with the dead, rather than against them, because our enemy will do whatever she can to destroy the town, and she means to start with me."

This book just recently released and I just love the sound of it!  I'm hoping to get the chance to read it really, really soon because it just sounds like a book that I will love.

Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman

"A gutsy, gory, startlingly original serial killer thriller with a heroine who'll blow a hole in the American crime landscape.

In her hey-day, ex FBI agent Brigid Quinn not only worked serial killer cases but became their prize. Small and blond, from a distance she looked vulnerable and slight. . . the perfect bait to catch a killer. But as Quinn got older, she realised she needed to find a protegee, a younger field agent to take her place. So Quinn trains a twenty-two year old and lets her loose in the field. The plan works. Until the Route 66 killer not only takes the bait, but kills the bait too.

Years on, Quinn is trying to move past the fact that she has a young woman's death on her conscience. She's now the perfect Stepford Wife - until she gets a knock on her door. The girl's body has finally been discovered. Quinn is pulled back into the case and the more she learns about the killer the more she comes to believe, despite the overwhelming forensic evidence to hand, that they have the wrong man."

I actually read the second book in this series first earlier this year and loved every minute of it!  I knew then and I still know now that it will be on my top reads list for 2015.  So how could I possibly not want to read this one?  Want, want, want!

Okay, these are just a few of the books that I've added to my TBR list lately.  I really, really need to stay away from NetGalley and Edelweiss so I quit adding books to my TBR list because SO MANY books.  I can't even begin to tell you but these are the books that are calling my name right now!  

Now tell me:  what books are on your radars or wishlists?  Do share- I would love to hear!

#COYER Scavenger Hunt...I'm In!!

I've participated in previous #COYER events and have always had a good time.  Add that to the fact that I get a little extra reading in thanks to these challenge and of course I am going to sign up once again!  I've been reading at a pretty good pace considering how busy we have been lately.  I could always stand to get more ahead though especially as I have had a serious addiction to NetGalley lately.  Ugh, why do I do this to myself?  So many books that I want to read right now so what better way to get them read but by challenging myself with other readers!?!

They have lots of fun things planned including read-a-thons, scavenger hunts and Twitter chats to name a few.  Any book that you own qualifies but I would really like to focus mainly on review books and books on my kindle.  I have entirely too many unread NetGalley/Edelweiss books that definitely need my attention.  Goals for this challenge?  Read as much as I possibly can!!  Simple as that.  Here are just a few of the many books that I might choose to read for this challenge:

So many GREAT sounding books here!  I absolutely cannot wait to begin!  Still on a pretty good thriller/suspense kick which I think that my pool of books reflect but as summer begins I have also been craving some summer romance.  Any other review book on my kindle or in print will also be considered as a possibility for this challenge.  I am so excited I just cannot wait to begin!  Bring on the reading!!

Are you participating in this upcoming #COYER reading event?  What books are you hoping to get read?  Do share!

Spring Fun (Or What I Have Been Doing This Weekend)

 

This was Friday evening.  First fire of the year with the kids (and ice cream bars of course).  Nevermind that it was bit cold and we were all wrapped up in blankets.  It was the first day of spring and we enjoyed it!

Yesterday afternoon was spent soaking up the sunshine with a picnic at a local park.  I cannot get enough of this beautiful weather!  (Especially since they are now predicting snow/thunderstorms for later tonight. Yuck!)

Today's plans involve reading to my heart's content from one of these three.  Most likely it will be on my kindle as I am halfway through Angela Marson's Silent Scream which I can't seem to set down. 

What have you been up to this weekend?  I'm off to get the day started and laundry going but tell me: what book (or books) are you planning on reading today?

Reasons I Love My Library #1

Picking up books like these....my reading plans for the month of June just flew out the window.

The Sunday Salon: Reading Hangover?

Friday night I finished S.J. Bolton's Blood Harvest which is easily going to make my top reads for 2014 list.  It may only be February but I can just about guarantee this one making the cut.  It was just so good!  Thanks to this book though I've been in a sort of bookish hangover since then.  Because what could I possibly read that will be as good as this one?  Won't any book that I read after this pale in comparison?  I felt like this might happen so yesterday I picked up the second volume of the graphic novel series The Walking Dead, Miles Behind Us.  This was perfect for the mood that I was in, and I flew through the pages entirely too fast.  Now I'm completely stuck on what I could possibly want to read next.  Hence, the title of this post: bookish hangover, anyone?

Since I'm completely struggling with book selection I thought that I would get some of your opinions on what I should read next.  Here are the books that are most calling to me:

Which one of these should I read next?  Help a girl out here....pretty please!  Which book would you read next if you were suffering from best book ever syndrome?  Or is there some other book that I should be searching out that you recently adored?  I just managed to put about eight books on hold yesterday at the library but what could a few more hurt? 

Other books besides Blood Harvest that I finished last week were:

Both were VERY good and both will hopefully have reviews up this week.  I'm telling you that I have had a really great reading month in February which is probably one of the reasons that I'm struggling now.  Decisions, decisions.

Plans for today include lots of review writing, laundry, and working out.  The usual!  New episode of The Walking Dead to look forward to which is always exciting.  And starting one of these books....after I hear your opinions that is!  What are your plans for this beautiful day?

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Friday Reads....Bout of Books Update

Happy Friday!!  I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend!  I don't know if it will necessarily happen that way but that is what I'm hoping for :)  I might even get some reading accomplished after I finish up my piles of laundry and knock this house back into shape! 

I'm going to be rereading Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews as my Friday reads this week.  I read this one probably during my first year of blogging and then never continued on with the series (I'm horrible with doing this).  Seeing all of the glowing reviews lately for this series made me itch to get back to it so I grabbed my copy off of my shelves.  It's been entirely too long and I'm not remembering any of it which means I'm completely hooked!  Once I finish I'll be able to finally continue on and read that second book.  LOL!

I'm making great progress with my reading goals for the read-a-thon this week considering I've finished both The Arrangement and Vanish With the Rose.  Any book that I finish now is just icing on the cake!  So that's my plans for this weekend: a little cleaning, lots of laundry, maybe a few Friends episodes, and definitely some reading.  I even went to the library today after work for a few scary reads (told you I had R.I.P. fever).  I've been looking forward to today all week long!

Happy Friday Everyone!  What are you reading this weekend?

The Sunday Salon: R.I.P. Fever!!!

You guys!  I seriously, seriously have R.I.P. fever as of late and am anxiously waiting for Carl to post about it!! I've been setting books aside for about a month now that I plan/want to read in the coming months but when I saw that the ladies at The Estella Society are hosting a read-along for The Historian I knew that I just HAD to participate!  I've already got this one on my shelves and have been meaning to read it for awhile now.  I actually think that I won my copy a few years back but I'm struggling to remember from who or where.  But anyways this would be a great way to get this one off of my shelves and finally read!  I can't wait to get started!

I'm also officially signing up for the Bout of Books read-a-thon.  I've participated in this one a couple of times and always had a good time.  This weeks looks to be crazy busy for me: school starts, overtime, football practice and other fun things but I'm still planning on getting some books read.  Here is what the Bout of Books website says:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

My reading plans are going to be kept to a minimum considering how crazy the week is shaping up to be.  I'm currently reading The Arrangement by Mary Balogh which I'm reading for a TLC book tour.  I also want to finish up Vanish With the Rose by Barbara Michaels which I keep setting aside for no good reason.  Actually I do have a really good reason as last week I read and loved Lost by S.J. Bolton.  S.J. Bolton is one of my FAVORITE authors and she definitely didn't disappoint with this latest book.  I plan on writing up my thoughts on this one for this week (which almost never happens) but suffice it to say that it helped to give me even more R.I.P. fever.  This book was so creepy!  So I may only plan to try and finish two books this week for the read-a-thon but if I get the chance to read more you can bet I will!  In fact I plan to get some reading done today in between loads of laundry (and cleaning).  Happy Sunday and happy reading!!