tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39161802787764390942024-03-12T18:36:24.708-07:00A Joyful ReaderJust trying to get through a whole lotta books before leaving this Earth...and writing about it!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-7530906237343714722016-04-01T07:53:00.000-07:002016-04-01T07:53:14.218-07:00April TBRThese are the books I am hoping to get to in April:<br />
<br />
-Finish Life Mask<br />
-Read 500 pages (the first half) of "Dance with Dragons" By: George R.R Martin<br />
- A Secret Affair" By: Barbara Taylor Bradford<br />
-Love in Another Town by: Barbara Taylor Bradford<br />
<br />
This is all I have laid out for now. I think it's keeping it simple, and easy to achieve. That's not to say I won't read other books, but I would really like to get to this list especially. So, we'll see how I do!<br />
<br />
Hope you have a great month of reading! See yah soon!<br />
<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-89440899970027105032016-03-25T07:46:00.002-07:002016-03-25T07:46:39.442-07:00Where is this year going?!Is it really the end of March already?! Wow! Although I've not been here, posting, I have been reading. What have I been reading? I will list them here, (after each title I will also write whether it was a physical copy or Kindle copy that I read for my own personal records)<br />
<br />
in January I read:<br />
"Starry Night: A Christmas Novel" By: Debbie Macomber (physical)<br />
"Catching Fire" (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins (physical)<br />
"A Storm of Swords" By: George R.R Martin (physical)<br />
"Mockingjay" By: Suzanne Collins (physical)<br />
"Against All Odds" (Heroes of Quantico,#1) By: Irene Hannon (Physical)<br />
"You are a Writer" By: Jeff Goins (Kindle)<br />
<br />
In February I read:<br />
"An Eye for an Eye (Heroes of Quantico #2) By: Irene Hannon (Physical)<br />
"In Harm's Way (Heroes of Quantico #3) By: Irene Hannon (Physical)<br />
"Millie's Fling: A Fresh, Witty British Romance Comedy of Finding Love in Unexpected Places" By: Jill Mansell (Physical)<br />
<br />
(February was not my best reading month this year. My daughter had her 5th birthday, and my parents came out to visit and celebrate with us, for two weeks, so not a lot of reading got done.)<br />
<br />
I know we still have more than a week left of March, but I will list the books I have read this month so far:<br />
<br />
"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by: Ransom Riggs (Physical)<br />
"A Lady for Ludovic" By: Sarah McCulloch (Kindle)<br />
"After the storm (Lightning strikes #2)" By: Bonnie McCune (Kindle)<br />
"A Feast for Crows" By: George R.R Martin (Physical)<br />
"Hollow city" (Miss P's #2) By: Ransom Riggs (Physical)<br />
"Debt of Bones" By: Terry Goodkind (Physical)<br />
"Miracle Beach" by: Erin Celello (Physical)<br />
<br />
<br />
I am currently reading:<br />
<br />
"Life Mask" By: Emma Donoghue (physical)<br />
"Library of Souls" (Miss P's...#3) (physical)<br />
"TikTok of Oz" (Oz #8) L. Frank Baum (Kindle)<br />
"Out of Time" By: Deborah Truscott (kindle)<br />
<br />
I think I will finish Library of Souls by the end of the month, that's what I'm shooting for anyway. We will see if it happens! <br />
<br />
So, that's all that I've read so far this year, just to catch you all up. <br />
<br />
Thank you for stopping by!<br />
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-49241327271611044932016-01-24T09:26:00.000-08:002016-01-24T09:26:03.901-08:00January TBRI know, there is just about a week left of this month, so its silly to be doing a TBR for this month, but I thought I'd do one anyway, just so I can look back and see my progress through the year.<br />
<br />
TBR:<br />
1. Finish "Starry Might by Debbie Macomber<br />
2. Finish "A storm of swords" by George R.R Martin<br />
3. Read "Catching Fire" Suzanne Collins<br />
4. Read "Mockingjay" Suzanne Collins<br />
5. Read "Against all Odds" by Irene Hannon<br />
<br />
Every month my TBR will consist of only 5 items. That way I should be able to reach all my TBR's. <br />
<br />
We'll see how this goes!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-30703088921915084702016-01-23T09:20:00.002-08:002016-01-23T09:20:34.547-08:00Welcome 2016!So! I haven't been on here since September...close to 4 months now....so I've got a lot of catching up to!<br />
<br />
First of all I want to review last year, my reading goals, and how I did.<br />
<br />
In 2015 My reading goals were:<br />
<br />
1. Read 50 books DONE! ( I read 93!)<br />
2. Read count of Monte Cristo DONE!<br />
3. Try to buy less books than the previous year DONE! (I bought over 100 in 2014, and only bought 70 in 2015)<br />
<br />
So, this was a really good reading year for me. I far surpassed my goal of 50 books. But! Even though I am happy to say I read 93 books, I feel like I kinda cheated a little. As I "read" a lot of audio books, which I could listen to on my phone at 2x the speed and get through a book in half the time! I also read a lot of Kindle freebie novellas and short stories. <br />
<br />
So, while I read "a lot"....I don't feel completely satisfied with my reading year. I feel that I really should have spent more time on reading physical books and getting them off my TBR shelf, instead of perusing amazon to see if I could find short little books that I could easily read in an hour or two, just to get my count up.<br />
<br />
So! This year, I have pulled 58 books off my physical TBR shelves and that is my goal. To finish those books. If that shelf of 58 books is empty at the end of the year, I'll count 2016 a success. I no longer am trying to read MORE just for the sake of having read a ton and have a huge number by the end of the year. I want to empty my physical shelves. (I have over 800 books on my TBR shelf that I desperately need to get through, and get off my shelf.) I will no longer go perusing Kindle freebies to find short books just to add another number to my list, I just want to enjoy my reading this year, and not worry about quantity, this year it's gonna be about quality. <br />
<br />
So, basically that is my only goal for the year. I didn't join any challenges at any groups this year on goodreads. While I am doing the goodreads challenge, I have set it at 55. A mere 3 shy of my overall true goal. So, I'm not gonna kill myself trying to out-read the next person I'm just going for enjoying what I want to read.<br />
<br />
I also would like to continue buying less this year. I would love to get down in the 30's in buying, and I think I may be able to do so, since I already have a predetermined list of books to read this year. I know I won't be able to read any new ones for a while so why bother buying any new ones? <br />
<br />
I would also like to be present here on my blog more, and maybe get more reviews done, as well, as some other features such as monthly wrap ups, and TBR's and maybe weekly reads. I have content, I just never sign in here. That will change this year....fingers crossed!<br />
<br />
I think that's about it for now. I hope you all have a lovely 2016 full of books and lots of reading, I'll see yah again soon. <br />
<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-80207807317977848892015-09-08T08:31:00.000-07:002015-09-08T08:31:00.044-07:00September TBRHere are the books I hope to get to this month:<br />
<br />
1. To Be the Best By Barbara Taylor Bradford<br />
2. Act of Will By: Barbara Taylor Bradford<br />
3. It Happened One Week By Joann Ross<br />
4. Maid for the Millionaire By: Susan Meier<br />
5. Night Shift By: Nora Roberts<br />
6. The Count of Monte Cristo (get to p. 1144)<br />
7. To Live Again By: Catherine Marshall<br />
8. The Patchwork Girl of Oz<br />
<br />
So, not too ambitious. I will probably also read another book from my Kindle as well, but haven't quite decided what yet. I've gotten a lot of new freebies lately so I'm excited to get into some of them! <br />
<br />
So, We'll see how this month goes! I'm only two books away from reaching my Goodreads challenge, so there's really no pressure. But I like to have goals. So we will see! <br />
<br />
Thank you for reading and I'll see yah again soon!<br />
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-41318928231254700512015-09-06T08:22:00.000-07:002015-09-06T08:22:09.258-07:00Catching up...I think I'm a little behind...oops. I have been reading, just not updating my blog.<br />
<br />
Here are the books I read in June:<br />
<br />
1. Since You've Been Gone by Anouska Knight (Physical book)<br />
2. David Copperfield By Charles Dickens (Audio)<br />
3. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen (Physical Library)<br />
4. I will always Write Back: How one letter changed two lives by: Caitlin Alifirenka Physical Library)<br />
5. Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer (Physical Library)<br />
6. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand (Physical/Library)<br />
7. Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin (Physical)<br />
8. The Wonderful World of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Kindle)<br />
9. Froggy Builds a Treehouse by Jonathan London (Audio)<br />
<br />
Books read in July:<br />
<br />
1. Domestic Malice (Murder She Wrote #38) by: Jessica Fletcher (Audio)<br />
2. Ladies's Night By: Mary Kay Andrews (Audio)<br />
3. Betrayal By: Danielle Steel (Audio)<br />
4. Prairie By: Anna Lee Waldo (Physical)<br />
5. The Awakening By: Kate Chopin (Audio)<br />
6. Ugly Love By: Colleen Hoover (Physical)<br />
7. Linger By: Kodilynn Calhoun (Kindle)<br />
8. The Witness By: Nora Roberts (Audio)<br />
9. Winners By: Danielle Steel (Audio)<br />
10, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud By: Rowan Coleman (Physical)<br />
<br />
<br />
Books read In August:<br />
1. Marvelous Land of Oz by: L. Frank Baum (Kindle)<br />
2. Ozma of Oz By: L. Frank Baum(Kindle)<br />
3. Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz By: L. Frank Baum (Kindle)<br />
4. The Road to Oz By: L. Frank Baum (Kindle)<br />
5. Hold the Dream By: Barbara Taylor Bradford (Physical)<br />
6. My Fake Fiance' By: Lisa Scott (Kindle)<br />
7. Kiss a Girl in the Rain By: Nancy Warren (Kindle)<br />
8. The It Girl By: Cecily von Ziegesar (Physical)<br />
9. Haunted Texas: Ghosts and Strange Phenominoa of the Lone Star state By: Alan Brown (Physical)<br />
10. The 5:2 Diet Guide to weight Loss By: Kacey Anderson (Kindle)<br />
<br />
So, you can see I HAVE been reading, quite a lot, actually. I just haven't had a chance to get to the blog and post. <br />
<br />
Thank you for reading, I hope I can get back and post an update again soon. I have a few hauls to post as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-75499736051423721092015-06-19T14:27:00.000-07:002015-06-19T14:27:00.214-07:00June Book Haul #2I hit up the Goodwill just to see if there were any good buys I could make use of there....lo and behold, I was not disappointed!<br />
<br />
I was able to get:<br />
<br />
1. <em>Walking After Midnight </em>by Karen Robards<br />
2. <em>Rebecca </em>by Daphne du Maurier<br />
3. <em>4 Blondes by </em>Candac<em>e </em>Bushnell<br />
4. <em>Barefoot </em>by Elin Hilderbrand<br />
5. <em>Cold Sassy Tree</em> by Olive Ann Burns<br />
6. <em>From Dead to Worse </em>by Charlaine Harris<br />
<br />
I truly went in thinking "Ok, I already got new ones just last week at 2nd and Charles, so I am only going to grab 2 or 3 NO MORE than 3"...yeeeah....you see how that worked out! <br />
<br />
And now I'm going on another book buying ban until my birthday....maybe....<br />
<br />
Happy Reading!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-86782391292976453682015-06-15T14:27:00.000-07:002015-06-15T14:27:00.145-07:00June Book Haul #1So! a new used media store opened in our area called "2nd and Charles" They carry video games, comic books, music movies and BOOKS! Infact an entire half of the store is books. My favorite area was the wall of clearance. 2 for the price of 1!! and I didn't see any that were over 2$ in that section. I really coulda gone a little nuts, but I kept it cool and walked out with "7 books" for 7.50! I felt like I'd hit the jackpot! (I write 7 books in parenthesis because the 3 Jenny Han books were in a one book bind up)<br />
<br />
I got:<br />
<br />
1. <em>Rosie Dunne by </em>Cecilia Ahern<br />
2. <em>The Summer I Turned Pretty by </em>Jenny Han<br />
<em>3. It's not summer without you </em>by Jenny Han<br />
<em>4. We'll Always have Summer by </em>Jenny Han<br />
5.<em> Mermaids in the Basement</em> by Michael Lee West<br />
6.<em> Dandelion Summer</em> by Lisa Wingate<br />
7. <em>The Beach Trees</em> by Karen White<br />
<br />
I really could have gone crazy buying a LOAD of books, but the look my husband gave me when I walked up with my arms overflowing was so withering, I meekly turned and put a handful back on the shelves. <br />
<br />
But!! They DO take trade ins, so very soon, I do believe I will be taking about 20-25 books that I have read but no longer want on my shelves to trade in and see what I can get for them. They do trade ins for cash or store credit. I'm fine with the store credit! Or! Maybe I will just save all the books I read until my birthday (in November) and turn them all in then and can spend a nice hefty chunk as a birthday treat. We will see. <br />
<br />
I will be returning soon with my 2nd June Haul of books I grabbed at the Goodwill. <br />
<br />
Happy Reading<br />
<br />
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-18369821059930414562015-06-12T14:12:00.000-07:002015-06-12T14:12:00.470-07:00May Book HaulSo! I went to Target to pick out a new outfit for my daughter to wear for her preschool's graduation program, and ended up wandering through the book section. I ended up walking out with 5 new ones! I couldn't help it!<br />
<br />
I got:<br />
1. <em>Hollow City </em>by Ransom Riggs<br />
2. <em>Paper Towns </em>By John Green<br />
3. <em>The Pearl that Broke it's Shell </em>by Nadia Hashimi<br />
4. <em>What I thought was True </em>by Huntley Fitzpatrick<br />
5. <em>The Rosie Project </em>by Graeme Simsion<br />
<br />
I spent nearly 60$ on these 5 books and was reminded why I usually only buy books used at Goodwill, 2nd and Charles, and Amazon or from Book outlet. OUCH!! <br />
<br />
But I am so excited about these and can't wait to get to them. <br />
<br />
Happy reading!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-25603287801400810112015-06-08T05:00:00.000-07:002015-06-08T05:00:09.348-07:00What I plan to read in JuneAs I stated in my May wrap up I am out of my reading slump and ready to hit the books this month! I'm actually really excited about quite a few books I want to get to, so here it goes!<br />
<br />
1. Get to Page 713 in "Prairie". I am STILL slogging through this one, slow and steady...or not so steady at times! <br />
2. Get to page 537 in "Count of Monte Cristo" Yup. I'm still slowly picking my way through this one as well. <br />
3. Finish <em>Hold the Dream</em> by Barbara Taylor Bradford. I started this one last month and am hoping to finish this one and move onto:<br />
4. <em>To Be the Best</em> the next in Emma Harte series by Barbara Taylor Bradford. (Get at least half way through)<br />
5. Finish <em>David Copperfield</em> by Dickins. I am currently listening to this on Audio. I am about 80% done with this so should be able to finish it this month.<br />
6. Start <em>Ladies Night </em>by Mary Kay Andrews. This is an audio.<br />
7.<strike> Finish <em>Since You've Been Gone </em>by Anouska Knight</strike>. (I started it May 30th and finished it June 1st.)<br />
8. Get halfway through<em> Love the One you're With</em> by Emily Giffin.<br />
9. Start <em>The wizard of Oz</em> This is on my kindle and I'm hoping to get about half way done with it. It's fairly short only about 150 pages, so should be easy. I may even just shoot to finish it.<br />
<br />
So, I think I have some ambitious goals for this month. So, we will see how I do with this list. Good luck to me!<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-24376157334594645622015-06-07T13:50:00.001-07:002015-06-07T13:50:09.822-07:00May Wrap upI was able to get 5 books read in May, 3 Kindle books, one Audio book and a physical Novel. They were:<br />
<br />
<em>The Christmas Wedding </em>by James Patterson (Kindle) I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars.<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>The Christmas Angel </em>by Abbie Farwell Brown (Kindle freebie) I gave this 5 out of 5 stars<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>The River Midnight</em> by Lilian Nattel (Physical copy) 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this one, even though it took me forever to read. but that was more my fault, not so much that of the book itself. I was still struggling through a reading slump last month.<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Four Roads to Boston </em>by D. Margieux (Kindle) I gave this a 5 out of 5 star rating. This is this authors debut work. A collection of short stories depicting some of her many travels and people she has met throughout these adventures. I loved this book! It was a short 100 page kindle book, so was able to read it in one sitting. The author also includes some recipes of various foods she experienced during her adventures as well. <br />
<br />
<em>Deep in the Valley</em> by Robyn Carr. (Audio) This is the first installment in the Grace Valley Trilogy. I gave this 4 out of 5 stars and will be continuing on with this series. I plan to also listen to them in audio. The narrator had a very pleasant voice and was easy to listen to. I'm excited to move onto the next in this series, soon.<br />
<br />
So, that is my short list of books I managed to get finished in the month of May. I'm hoping to get more read this month, as I feel that my reading slump has gone and I've been more willing to pick up books in my free time.<br />
<br />
Thank yo ufor stopping by and happy reading!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-51488947117809902402015-05-03T07:23:00.000-07:002015-05-03T07:23:00.083-07:00April Book HaulWell, I've been really good about not going crazy with the book buying this year. If you can believe it I have only bought 7 books so far this entire year. Last year at this time I'd already bought close to thirty. But in an attempt to get my TBR shelf emptied out a bit I have decided to slow down with my book buying this year. <br />
<br />
But I made a quick run in to my local Goodwill, where I often can find some really good books for very low prices. <br />
<br />
I was able to pick up:<br />
<br />
"Winter Garden" By Kristin Hannah<br />
"Evening News" by Marly Swick (I've never even heard of this author, but it looked good, so I thought for 2$ I'd give it a whirl!)<br />
"The Evolution of Capurnia Tate" by: Jacqueline Kelly<br />
"Sweet Caroline" By Rachel Hauck<br />
and<br />
"The Traitor's Wife" by Kathleen Kent<br />
<br />
So that is what I was able to find this go around. I AM proud to say I showed quite a bit of restraint, and did not buy the other 10 or so books that REALLY wanted to go home with me. I picked them up, we looked longingly at each other and I sighed sadly as I sat them back on the shelf, then with one last long wistful look at their sad faces I ran to the cashier to purchase the measly 5 I had chosen. It was all very heartbreaking. But sometimes a girl just has to leave some good books behind, for some other lucky soul to find and take home. <br />
<br />
I am not sure when I will actually get to these ones, but they are now happily living on my TBR shelf, making friends with all the other books sitting there waiting to be read. <br />
<br />
Until next time: Happy Reading!!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-33936459717491583272015-05-01T07:30:00.000-07:002015-05-01T07:30:01.409-07:00What I want to read in MayI am really hoping this month is better for reading than last month. Here are some things I hope to read this month. <br />
<br />
1. Get to p. 480 in "Count of Monte Cristo" (I'm currently on p. 196)<br />
2. Get to p. 659 in "Prairie" by Anna Lee Waldo (I'm currently on p. 332)<br />
3. Finish "The River Midnight" by Lilian Nattel (I'm currently 67 pages in on this 398 pager)<br />
4. Finish Listening to "Deep in the Valley" by Robyn Carr (I just started this one this afternoon, so I'm only about half an hour into it. It is around 10 hours long.)<br />
5. Finish "The Christmas Wedding" by James Patterson (I'm reading this on my kindle I'm 36% done with this.)<br />
<br />
So, we will see how I do with this list. If I finish this list and still feel like picking up something else, I'm thinking of starting "Hold the Dream" by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Its on my TBR challenge list for one of my groups on Goodreads.com. It's been sitting on my shelf for about 7 years, this year I want to get it read. It's actually in a three book compilation volume with two other BTB books, but I think trying to get to all three in the book will be a bit too ambitious. But you never know! <br />
<br />
That's what I'm planning on reading this month. Let me know what you are looking forward to picking up and reading this month, or if you've read any of these, and what you thought, down in the comments.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading. I will be back soon with my April book haul. <br />
<br />
Happy reading!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-29705685232392467992015-04-30T18:51:00.000-07:002015-04-30T18:51:15.003-07:00April Wrap UpI seem to be in a bit of a reading slump, but this month I did end up getting some things read.<br />
<br />
1. "Stolen Grace" By Arianne Richmonds (Freebie on Kindle)<br />
2. "Loving my Angel By Violet Haze (Kindle freebie)<br />
3. "Father Goriot" by Balzac Honore ( Kindle)<br />
4. "The Nightwatch" by Sarah Waters (This was VERY good, but to show JUST how much of a slump I'm in it took me 25 days to read 524 pages!)<br />
5. "The Moonstone" By Wilkie Collins (Audio...I think I would have enjoyed this more if I'd actually read it instead of listened to it.)<br />
<br />
So, I got 5 done, but they were short kindle freebies or one Audio. And the one I did read in hardcopy took me forever to finish! I'm sure hoping next month is much better! <br />
<br />
Thank you so much for the comments! I really appreciate them. I didn't even think anyone read this blog! It's nice to know at least a few do! Thank you! I'll be posting my May TBR list soon!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-2723474974598982602015-01-09T09:44:00.000-08:002015-01-09T09:44:00.610-08:00Weekend ReadsWell, last night I finished The Time Traveler's Wife. It was SO good!! So, what am I going to be reading this weekend? <br />
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I started "The Finishing School during the week, and I use the term "Started" loosely, here as I am only about 5 pages in. So I think I will try to get a bit more into this one this weekend. Then, I decided since I'm done with "Time Traveler" I want to start the next book on my TBR for this month. "Forbidden Fruit".</div>
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I am sadly behind already on "The Count" so I need to try to get caught up in it as well. So, that is what I will be reading this weekend, and probably into next week. </div>
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What will you be reading? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you will be reading this weekend, I love to hear from my readers!</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-16329628212529678302015-01-01T06:45:00.000-08:002015-01-08T07:46:02.810-08:00January 2015 To Be ReadSo, Welcome to 2015!! And here is my list of books I would like to try to get through this month. Now that the Holidays are over, and things are settling down, I feel like maybe I can a bit more reading in. Let's hope!<br />
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so for January these are the books I would like to get to:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPiFbvbCGmU/VJl83jsAlOI/AAAAAAAAAJk/MDcBokezcRg/s1600/jan%2Btbr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IPiFbvbCGmU/VJl83jsAlOI/AAAAAAAAAJk/MDcBokezcRg/s1600/jan%2Btbr.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>1. Finish "The Time Travelers Wife" I started this one last month, but only got about 150 pages in. I'm enjoying it so far, and would like to finish it this month.<br />
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2. "Forbidden Fruit" by: Erica Spindler I've had this one on my TBR shelf since 2008, and it's time I read it and moved on!<br />
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3. "Finishing School" by Gail Godwin, I bought this one when I was in Jr. college at a library book sale for 25 cents! So somewhere around 20 years ago! And it's time I got it off my shelf!!<br />
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4. "Tong Lashing" By Peter David. This is the 3rd book in the "Sir Apropos of Nothing" Trilogy. I read the first two books in this series a few years ago, and want to finish it up this month.<br />
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5. "The Bonfires of the Vanities" by Tom Wolfe I am slowly trying to work my way through the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" list by Dr. Peter Boxall. This one is on it, and I had planned to finish it last year, but never got around to it. So hopefully I'll pick it up this month.<br />
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6. "The Count of Monte Cristo" By: Alexandre Dumas Every year I pick a classic chunkster to read throughout the year. I try to read 10 pages a day so about 300 pages a month. It's slow, but it's a yearly process. Last year I read Middlemarch by George Eliot, the year before Don Quixote, and before that "Anna Karenina" I have heard really good things about this one, so I'm really excited! Sitting at 1243 pages, I'm guesstimationg this one will take me well into at least April to finish, and that's if I stick with my 10 pages a day goal, which I hardly ever do. But I give myself the entire year so I have some (a lot) of wiggle room! <br />
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So, those are all the books I hope to either start, finish or both this month!! Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you are planning to read this month, or if you have read any of these books and what you thought of them! <br />
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Hope everyone's new year is off to a great start! Thank you for reading!<br />
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-6600082602380326062014-12-31T05:30:00.000-08:002014-12-31T05:30:01.917-08:00December Monthly Run downThis month was a VERY slow reading month for me! I only read 4 books, and one was a freebie novella on my Kindle.<br />
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I read <br />
1. "Evergreen" by Richard Taylor This was the short Novella. It was fun, but just something to fill in time while waiting for my hubby to run an errand while I waited in the car! (4 out of 5 stars)<br />
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2. "Christmas on Main Street" By JoAnn Ross A book with 4 Christmas short stories in it. A fun and light read to get me in the holiday spirit! (5 out of 5 stars)<br />
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3. "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. I think I would have enjoyed this one more had I not fallen into my slump about the time I picked this one up. It is less than 400 pages and took me 19 days to finish!! It was good, I was just having one of those times, when everything else seemed to be catching my attention everytime I picked this up! I will be continuing on with this series. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.<br />
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4. "Knit the Season" By: Kate Jacobs. A fun light holiday read that also took me WAY too long to finish because of before mentioned slump.( Rated this one 4 out of 5 stars)<br />
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I was hoping to also finish "The Time Travelers Wife" By Audrey Niffennegger, but with my slump, and holiday stuff, that just wasn't in the cards. I did, however, start it, and am enjoying it so far. And will definitely be finishing it in January.<br />
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That's all for now! I will be posting a January TBR post soon! Thank you for reading! Happy New Year!!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-40353018871846169762014-12-23T05:10:00.000-08:002014-12-23T05:10:09.265-08:00Reviving this blog!I haven't posted here in forever! But I'm still reading....infact this year I read 83 books! I wanted to try to reach 85, but that isn't going to happen. I seem to be in a huge reading slump right now, and then with all the holiday stuff...nope, not gonna happen! <br />
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Next year, I do want to post to this blog regularly, to include:<br />
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Monthly TBR's<br />
Monthly Rundowns<br />
Reviews<br />
Weekly Reads<br />
Book hauls<br />
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So thinking about 6-8 posts a month! We will see if that happens! <br />
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Here are a few plans I have for reading in 2015:<br />
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-Read 50 books (This is quite a bit lower than I usually set my yearly goal, however I read SO much this year, that I neglected a few of my other beloved hobbies and so next year, I would like to focus more on some of them, by not reading so much!)<br />
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-Clear my TBR shelf of books that have been on it since 2008 and before. (I have about 35-50 of these. Some that have been on there almost 20 years. It's time they stop taking up room, so I can buy more new books! So I'm either gonna read them, or donate them!) <br />
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-Only buy 2-3 books a month (Not quite putting myself on a full on ban, but this year I bought over 130!!! So, slowing down, for sure.)<br />
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-Last but not least: post here on my book blog more! <br />
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So, that's it. <br />
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We will see what happens! <br />
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Merry Christmas all my readers, if I have any left! And Happy New Year!<br />
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Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-49322123857949043462013-09-27T09:19:00.001-07:002013-09-27T09:46:13.852-07:00Wow! Gotta Get Caught Up!Well, I have not posted here in about 7 months!!! I have been busy, moving internationally, but I have still been reading. Just no time to post here. So, here is my list of books read since my last post, each book is linked to its page at goodreads.com, so you can click on it and see it's information.<br />
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APRIL<br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14889.Joy_in_the_Morning">Joy In the Morning</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6423.High_Five__Stephanie_Plum___5_">High Five</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7089888.Big_Girl">Big Girl</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/359461.The_Guardian__O_Malley__2_">The Guardian</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/370057.The_Truth_Seeker__O_Malley__3_"> The Truth Seeker</a><br />
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MAY<br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/717709.Sweetwater_Creek">Sweetwater creek</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/104215.Fox_s_Earth"> Fox's Earth</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/104225.Downtown"> Downtown</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/595822.The_Protector__O_Malley__4_">The Protector</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/526134.The_Language_of_Letting_Go__Hazelden_Meditation_Series">The Language of Letting Go</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2767052.The_Hunger_Games__The_Hunger_Games__1_">The Hunger Games</a><br />
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JUNE<br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15654.The_Stranger_Beside_Me__Ted_Bundy_The_Shocking_Inside_Story">The Stranger Beside Me</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/426030.The_Healer__O_Malley__5_">The Healer</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964693.The_Marriage_Plot">The Marriage Plot</a><br />
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JULY<br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/102916.And_Never_Let_Her_Go__Thomas_Capano__The_Deadly_Seducer">And Never Let Her Go, Thomas Capano: The Deadly Seducer</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6858.Hot_Six__Stephanie_Plum___6_">Hot Six</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/359464.The_Rescuer__O_Malley__6_"> The Rescuer</a><br />
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AUGUST<br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8176075.Getting_to_Happy">Getting to Happy</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11033.The_Seville_Communion">The Seville Communion</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2238082.Married_by_Mistake"> Married by Mistake</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2238082.Married_by_Mistake">Love Regifted</a><br />
-T<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15633168.The_Diary_of_Darcy_J__Rhone">he Diary of Darcy J. Rhone</a><br />
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SEPTEMBER<br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/629615.Ghost_Moon">Ghost Moon</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2017249.Witch_in_Cabin_Six__Camp_Sunnyside_Friends___7_">Witch in Cabin Six</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46368.Baby_Sitters_on_Board___The_Baby_Sitters_Club_Super_Special___1_">Babysitters on Board</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13507011.Low_Pressure">Low Pressure</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3685.Black_Beauty">Black Beauty</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813544.Creepy__A_Collection_of_Scary_Stories"> Creepy</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief">The Book Thief</a><br />
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So far this year I have read 47 books, with a page total of 17,019. <br />
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I have seriously been thinking about shutting this blog down, as I don't really keep on top of it, and I keep track of all my reading endeavors at Goodreads.com.<br />
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We shall see.<br />
<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-52771561560814952832013-03-15T17:54:00.001-07:002013-03-15T17:55:08.579-07:00Book Review: Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul<b>Title:</b> Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul<br />
<b>Author:</b> Various<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 308<br />
<b>Personal Rating:</b> 4/5<br />
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<b>From the Back Cover:</b> <i>A Tribute to the women who uphold the written and unwritten oaths of service and of marriage.</i><br />
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<i>All military personnel swear an oath to uphold the constitution and protect our country, while their spouces take the unwritten oath to live a life of frequent moves, lengthy separations and endless anxieties. Their commitment requires a unique blend of patriotism, dedication, hard work and, most of all, flexibility.</i><br />
<i>The stories in </i>Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul <i>are written by military family members and the courageous women who themselves serve int he military. Each page celebrates the women who unite with kindred spirits to raise families,maintain homes and uphold the most positive attitudes when faing the fears of losing a loved one.</i><br />
<i>This special volume celebrates the unique bond between military wives and their spouses and their dedication to home and country.</i><br />
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<b>Personal Thought and Reflection:</b> It was hard for me to get through this book. As a military spouse this book hit a sensitive nerve in my heart, and I found myself with tears streaming down my face after reading many of these stories. I chuckled at some, as I shared some of these women's stories as my own. The hardships and tribulations that a family goes through when you are a military wife are many, and it was great to read these stories and know that we are truly not alone. Many women have gone before us and made the same such sacrifices that we ourselves have made, and many more will do so after our spouses have left or retired from the military. This book truly reiterates the fact that the military becomes your family, when you are far from home, your fellow military members and their families become your family. You call on them, and help them also in time of need. Personally I feel this, as my family has been stationed in Japan for the past 4 years. There is a family-like feel shared between the people who serve with you in a far away land. This book will touch the hearts of any patriotic person, not just spouses of military members.Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-57281149634226334642013-03-10T17:37:00.000-07:002013-03-15T17:38:08.758-07:00Book review-Salem Falls<b>Title: </b>Salem Falls<br />
<b>Author: </b>Jodi Picoult<br />
<b>Pages: </b>514<br />
<b>Personal Rating: </b>5/5<br />
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<b>From the back cover:</b> <i>A handsome stranger comes to the sleepy New England town of Salem Falls in hopes of burying his pas: Once a teacher at a girls' prep school, Jack st. bride was destroyed when a students crush sparked a powder keg of accusation. now, washing dishes for Addie Peabody at the Do-Or-Diner, he slips quietly into his new routine and Addie finds this unassuming man fitting easily inside her heart. But amid the rustic calm of Salem Falls, a quartet of teenage girls harbor dark secrets-and they maliciously target Jack with a shattering allegation. Now at the center of a modern-day witch hunt, Jack is forced once again to proclaim his innocence: to a town searching for answers, to a justice system where truth becomes a slippery concept written in shades of gray, and to the woman who has come to love him.</i><br />
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<b>Personal Thought and Reflection:</b> Loved this book! I had a rough start with Picoult, but have since found magic in her books. She writes on some very tough subjects that tug at the heartstrings and brings her readers to strong emotion. I experienced so much during my reading of <i>Salem Falls.</i> I felt angry, hopeful, fear, dread, and happiness at the end result. Picoult somehow makes her readers want to pull for the underdogs in her story. You fall in love with them, and start hoping with them that the end result with be in our favor. I have two more of Picoults works on my shelves and am looking forward to reading them!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-91534627100663891352013-01-11T16:35:00.001-08:002013-01-11T16:36:28.782-08:002012 Yearly Rundown...Well, I once again did the 75 book challenge with the group I'm in at Goodreads. I really had to push it to get there. And I "cheated" by adding the books I read to Alyssa.<br />
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So, I have decided not to participate in that challenge next year, and lowered my number to a 60 book challenge for the year. I think that is alot more realistic for me, as I am just so busy with my daughter, and fitness goals, and other hobbies, besides the fact that we will be moving this summer, so will be busy with that, for at least a few months!<br />
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So, here is what I read in 2012:<br />
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1. Dragons of Autumn Twilight<br />
2. The Romance Readers Book Club<br />
3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime<br />
4. Strawberry Shortcake Murder<br />
5. Of Mice and Men<br />
6. Dragons of Winter Night<br />
7. The Secret Garden<br />
8. Dragons of spring dawning<br />
9. Three Fates<br />
10. Every Breath You Take<br />
11.Nostalgic Noel<br />
12.Girls Night In<br />
13. Ask again Later<br />
14. Waiting to Exhale<br />
15. The Appeal<br />
16. Mansfield Park<br />
17. Sammy's hill<br />
18. Summer Breeze<br />
19. The summer House<br />
20. I is for Innocent<br />
21. Sea Glass<br />
22. Naked in death<br />
23. Glory in death<br />
24. Sir Apropos of Nothing<br />
25. J is for Judgement<br />
26. The White Queen<br />
27. At First Sight<br />
28. Ape House<br />
29. Where Two Ways Met<br />
30. The Pact<br />
31. Immortal in Death<br />
32. The Mayor of Casterbridge<br />
33. The Confessions of Max Tivoli<br />
34. Shanghai Girls<br />
35. Dreams of Joy<br />
36. The Queens Fool<br />
37. Envy<br />
38. Miracle<br />
39. Summer's End<br />
40. Rainwater<br />
41. Fannin' the Flames<br />
42. K is for Killer<br />
43. Blueberry Muffin Murder<br />
44. The Help<br />
45. Haunted Illinois<br />
46. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder<br />
47. Season Of Love<br />
48. Destination Frightville<br />
49. Fudge Cupcake Murder<br />
50. Changes<br />
51. Truth about Stacey<br />
52. Boy Crazy Stacey<br />
53. Christmas Threads<br />
54. Lunatics<br />
55. Sugar Cookie Murder<br />
56. The Woad to Wuin<br />
57. Atlas Shrugged<br />
58. Zuckerman Unbound<br />
59. Peach Cobbler Murder<br />
60. Elsewhere perhaps<br />
61. All I want for Christmas is You<br />
62. Cherry Cheesecake Murder<br />
63. Key Lime Pie Murder<br />
64. Carrot Cake Murder<br />
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<u>Kiddie books I read to fill out my challenge</u><br />
65. If you have a Hat<br />
66. Cougar Cub Tales<br />
67. My Little Pet Dragon<br />
68. The Going to Bed Book<br />
69. Good Night Moon<br />
70. The Very Hungry Caterpillar<br />
71. Moo, Baa, La,la,la<br />
72. Love and Kisses<br />
73. Good Night!<br />
74. How Kind!<br />
75. Julius! I love color!<br />
76. Guess How Much I Love You?<br />
77. National Geographic Look and Learn:Counting<br />
78. Easter Bunny Flap Book<br />
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So, there it is, my list for 2012. I didn't get as much read as I would have liked, since 13 of those books were picture books, but hey! They were books and they counted for the challenge! So, I guess I can just say I got 64 books read this year. And so, I have decided to take it down a notch next year, by only reading 60. With how busy I am anymore, I think that is a good goal, and I have a few huge ones I wanna get to, like The Stand, Don Quixote, and The Shining,11/22/63 for example! This year I made a list of 65 books that I wanted to read from my TBR shelf, and I think I read 36 off of it, Next year I am not doing that, I'm just gonna read what I please, because even though I was good and knocked a good 36 off my list, I also bought a bunch for my Kindle (Like all the Hannah Swensen series ones!) and read them, as well as some library books, and so while I'm glad I was able to get a bunch read off my shelf, I just want the freedom to pick and choose and if I want to go buy a new book and start it right off, or go to the library then I don't want to feel guilty about it.<br />
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<br />Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-46836609724557776252012-11-15T13:58:00.003-08:002012-11-15T13:58:44.124-08:00Birthday Book Loot!Well, I haven't posted here in a long time, but I got some books for my birthday and I'm really excited about them, so decided why not blog about them?<br />
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Here is what I got:<br />
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<i>Casual Vacancy</i> by JK Rowling<br />
<i>Getting to Happy</i> By: Terry MacMillan<br />
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and then for my Kindle I got the four books in the Lois Lowry "<i>The Giver</i>" series. Then I got the next two I needed for the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke: "<i>Key Lime Pie Murder</i>" and "<i>Carrot Cake Murder". </i><br />
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These should definitely keep me busy for awhile! Not that I needed any new books, but it is always wonderful to get some new ones every so often!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-33369663541759996092012-11-06T00:19:00.000-08:002012-11-06T00:19:07.294-08:00WHERE did this year go?!Ok, so I know we still have a good 2 months left of this year, but man, it's flown by! And as usual, I have not been keeping up with this blog at all....oops....I am sad to say behind on my 75 book challenge for the year. I logged the picture books I read to my 1 1/2 year old daughter....talk about cheating!! With the baby books, I'm like 5 books ahead of my goal, without, I am sadly behind!!<br />
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Next year I am not going to even attempt a challenge....I am setting a goal of 50 books and THAT is IT! I am just too busy now with my little toddler to really focus on reading like I used to! I think 50-60 books is a good goal for me! I have not yet decided if I will make a pre picked list like I did for this year (which I strayed from quite a bit!) or just pick and pull as I go!<br />
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One thing the pre-selected list did for me this year was keep me from purchasing as many books as I normally do! Which was a good thing! So, I'm thinking maybe I will make a pre-selected book list, and tell myself if I read all of them, then I can reward myself with some buying! We'll see how that works!<br />
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Right now I'm on vacation, visiting my in laws. I'm getting some reading in. I brought "Woad to Wuin" By Peter David (The 2nd in the "Sir Apropos of nothing" trilogy) but then went to the library with the step mom in law and she recommended a book called "Lunatics", which I've been reading, and I've gotten about half way through it in about 2 days, so it's going pretty quick! I am really enjoying it, and am hoping I can get it finished before I leave here next weekend.<br />
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I am still also working my way slowly through "Atlas Shrugged" I started it towards the beginning of September, and by the last week of the month was STILL trying to finish it, so set it aside to read some smaller books so I'd at least have a few finishes under my belt for the month. In October I decided in order to be able to get some books done AND work my way through "Atlas", I would read 100 pages in atlas then read a shorter book, then read 100 in Atlas, then read a smaller book. I got quite a bit done in October. I'm not sure on specifics, but I know I am behind on my monthly run downs, so I will know for sure how I did when I go back over them to update this blog!<br />
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916180278776439094.post-80630576846208981592012-09-29T16:47:00.000-07:002012-09-29T16:47:00.986-07:00Cute video of my 16 month old "reading"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwv2nYEPp0JFbDugcNqGZaiazf-1IQ6Lhp5_-qUI_7faHKo3naKiLoh3mCQrvs3fC8nB13eV-9b4KptJ3sRHQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Alyssa loves books just like I do!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540525283295602342noreply@blogger.com1