Friday, April 30, 2010

April Report 2010





Here is an overview of what I read and what I got in April.
 
I read 21 books this month.
 
Young Adult
 
Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt
Twilight the Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim
Kin (The Good Neighbors) by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Kith (The Good Neighbors) by Holly Black and Ted Neifeh
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
 
Middle Grade
 
The Emperor's Code by Gordon Korman
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jim Benton
A Dangerous Engine: Benjamin Franklin, from Scientist to Diplomat by Joan Dash
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker
 
Adult Books
 
Born to Be Wild by Christine Warren
Black Jack by Lora Leigh
Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Changeless by Gail Carriger
Spooky Little Girl by Laurie Notaro
Broken by Shiloh Walker
Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh
A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters
Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher
Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick
 



And I'm currently reading Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts. 
 
Added
 
This month I added 89 books to my LibraryThing account.
Right now 71 are still TBR.
 
Young Adult - 23
Middle Grade - 9
Kindle Books - 27
 
Progress on Challenges
 





2010 YA Debut Author (Goal = 24 books)
January I read 3
February I read 3
March I read: 4
April I read: 3
Total to Date: 13
 





2010 YA Reading Challenge (Goal = 25)
January I read 7
February I read 5
March I read: 7
April I read: 8
Total to Date: 19
 





Flashback Reading Challenge (Goal = 6)
January I read: 0
February I read: 1
March I read: 2
April I read: 0
Total to Date: 3
 





2010 E Book Reading Challenge (Goal = 20)
January I read 4
February I read 1
March I read: 13
April I read: 1
Total to Date:19
 





RYOB Reading Challenge (Goal = 100)
January I read: 16
February I read: 12
March I read: 19
April I read: 17
Total to Date: 64
 





2010 TBR Reading Challenge (Goal = 12)
January I read: 3
February I read: 1
March I read: 0
April I read: 1
Total to Date: 5
 





Bottoms Up Reading Challenge (Goal = 36)
January I read 3
February I read 3
March I read: 0
April I read: 1
Total to Date: 7
 





In the Middle Reading Challenge (Goal = 10)
January I read: 3
February I read: 3
March I read: 3
April I read: 4
Total to Date: 13
 
 

Mostly this month was a good reading month. One week was a little disturbed by my attendance at two conferences about children's and young adult books. The conferences were great but they added to my TBR stack rather than allowing me to reduce it.

I also did not do well on reading books that have been on the TBR stack for a while for the Bottoms Up Challenge. I also only read one book on my Kindle this month. I just have one more e-book to read to complete that challenge and raise the number of completed challenges from one to two. I did complete the In the Middle Challenge this month but I am still going to keep track of the number of middle grade books I read.


 

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Book Beginnings and Friday 56: Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.
Alone, with Norah Jones whispering through the iPod, Laurel transformed a panel of fondant into a swatch of elegant, edible lace.
The Friday 56

Rules:
  • Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
  • Turn to page 56.
  • Find the fifth sentence.
  • Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
  • Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
  • Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
Both my beginning and my 56 come from Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts. This is the third book in the Bride Quartet following Vision in White and Bed of Roses.

It had been a second home to her for as long as she could remember. Now, of course, it was home. And that lovely house stood only a quick call from the pool house and guest house where her friends lived and worked.
This ought to be a nice, relaxing romance and a perfect way to end the work week.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Review: Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick


Burning Lamp (Book Two in the Dreamlight Trilogy)
Author: Amanda Quick
Publication: Putnam Adult (April 20, 2010)
 
Description: In this second novel of the Dreamlight Trilogy from New York Times-bestselling author Amanda Quick, psychic power and passion collide as a legendary curse comes to a burn...

The Arcane Society was born in turmoil when the friendship of its two founders evolved into a fierce rivalry. Nicholas Winters's efforts led to the creation of a device of unknown powers called the Burning Lamp. Each generation of male descendents who inherits it is destined to develop multiple talents-and the curse of madness.

Plagued by hallucinations and nightmares, notorious crime lord Griffin Winters is convinced he has been struck with the Winters Curse. But even has he arranges a meeting with the mysterious woman Adelaide Pyne, he has no idea how closely their fates are bound, for she holds the missing lamp in her possession.

But their dangerous psychic experiment makes them the target of forces both inside and outside of the Arcane Society. And though desire strengthens their power, their different lives will keep them apart-if death doesn't take them together.
 
My Thoughts: This was another enjoyable historical romance by Amanda Quick. I like that the trilogy is spanning all three and Jayne Ann Krentz's pseudonyms. The first book was the contemporary Fired Up written by Jayne Ann Krentz. The final book will be Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle and will be the futuristic.
 
This one is the historical. The story begins with Adelaide escaping from the brothel that she has been sold to by putting the man who purchased her to sleep with her talent of manipulating Dreamlight. Mr. Smith wanted to use her talents to control an artifact that he brought with him.
 
The story then continues 15 years later when Adelaide has returned from the United States. While she was away she made a fortune and learned to be very self-sufficient and competent. She meets Griffin Winters who is a local crime boss in London and who is searching for a missing artifact and a woman who can control dreamlight. Without her, he fears that he will go insane. As it happens, Adelaide took the artifact with her when she escaped the brothel and is willing to help Griffin. However, the villain who attempted to use her in the brothel is also searching for the artifact. Griffin and Adelaide must find out who he is and stop him. He is in league with one of Griffin's rival crime bosses too.
 
I liked that we met again some characters from other Amanda Quick books. In an earlier one we had learned about he formation of Jones & Jones Detective Agency. Now we could see how Lucinda and Caleb were getting along. The book is filled with nasty villains and dangerous situations. It is also filled with romance and Adelaide and Griffin learn to trust and love each other. This was a very pleasant read. Fans of the Arcane Society paranormal romances will enjoy this episode.
 
Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge
 
 

Contest: Beautiful Malice

Daisy Chain Book Reviews is giving away 5 ARCs of Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James. She gave it a good review. Check out all the details here. You have until May 5 to enter and the contest is International.
 

Sunday, April 25, 2010

It's Monday, What are you reading? (April 26, 2010)

It's Monday, What are you reading is a meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. This is what Sheila has to say about this meme:
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.
I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment. You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.
I had a very busy week this past week and it really cut into my reading time.

On Wednesday I attended a BER workshop entitled "What's New in YA & How to Use It in Your Program" where I learned about lots of YA books in genres that I don't usually read.

On Friday and Saturday I attended the Spotlight on Books Conference. Friday afternoon's speaker was Doug Johnson who showed us many ways to use technology to enhance reading. I actually got to touch and play with an iPad. Friday evening included a series of Lightning Rounds where people had 5 or 15 minutes to tell us something. I have great bibliographies of books to add to my Elementary Media Center collection. On Saturday we heard from Dara Dokas (Muriel's Red Sweater), author/illustrator Henry Cole (A Nest for Celeste), and Ben Mikaelson (Touching Spirit Bear). What a life of adventure that man has lived!

So I came home with autographed books and more to add to my TBR stack but I didn't have much reading time since I drove to and from these conferences.

What I Finished: Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher was filled with adventure, danger and lots of very difficult decisions for wizard Harry Dresden as he attempts to gather all of his resources to rescue the daughter he didn't know he had from the Red Court vampires. This was an excellent book.

What I am Currently Reading: The Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick. I wanted something lighter after reading the Dresden book and hope this fits my needs. I am a big fan of Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick. I like her style and voice and usually find her books to be very engaging and readable.

What Is Coming Next? These are pretty much the same as last week. I am hoping to get to Mistwood by Leah Cypess, The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, and Romancing the Dead by Tate Hallaway.

However, Burned (House of Night) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast and Savor the Moment (The Brides Quartet) by Nora Roberts are supposed to land in my mailbox on Thursday this week too. They may jump the line and become my next reads.

That is my plan. We will see how it holds up in execution. What do you have planned?
 

Review: Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher


Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12)
Author: Jim Butcher
Publication: Roc Hardcover; First Ediition/First Printing edition (April 6, 2010)
 
Description: Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.
 
My Thoughts: This was another compelling episode in this long-running series. Harry Dresden has had a hard time before. He has solved many problems and faced many enemies. This time the problem comes very close to home when he learns that the daughter he did not know he had has been kidnapped by an old enemy and is scheduled to be sacrificed. Harry must gather all his resources to battle the Red Court vampires and save his daughter.
 
This book does let us connect again with some or our favorite characters from earlier books in the series. Karrin Murphy has a large role, as does Harry's brother Thomas, and his apprentice Molly. Mouse also plays a big role and we learn more about him. We even get to see more of Harry's godmother the Leanansidhe who is described by Molly as "a spooky crazy death Sidhe lady."
 
The title - Changes - is very apt. Harry experiences many in this book. He loses almost everyting. His beloved car is trashed which also causes the loss of his wizard's staff. His home is burned to the ground which causes the loss of his workshop and the tools there. He is stripped bare of the trappings of his life and is left with only the essentials - his will and his character. The smart mouthed character that we have known throughout the series still remains. Butcher's use of descriptive language is excellent. Many of the analogies were unexpected. "Mac's place looks like Cheers after a mild apocolypse" is just one example.
 
I think the big question here for me is "what choice do you make when all of your choices are bad?" or "what are you willing to give up to reach your goal?" One of my favorite quotations from all of the many books I have read comes from Lois McMaster Bujold. It says "Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart." Harry comes terrifyingly near trading his heart for what he most desires. Perhaps he has traded his heart. His next adventures might make that clearer.
 
I highly recommend the Harry Dresden series to lovers of urban fantasy. They are thought provoking and filled with fascinating characters and great adventures.
 
Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge
 
 

Saturday, April 24, 2010

In My Mailbox (April 25, 2010)

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.

I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the cool books everyone gets. You will discover lots of wonderful blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

This was a big shopping week for me. Lots of my favorite authors came out with new books this week.


Laura Ann Gilman has started a new series that is a spin-off of the Retrievers series. This book is Hard Magic.

There is a new Arcane Society book by Amanda Quick. I am really looking forward to starting The Burning Lamp.

Iris Johansen has a new Eve Duncan book too. Eight Days to Live is supposed to be more about Jane. I am hoping that Eve at least makes an appearance.

Jo Beverly has a new book too. According to Amazon, The Secret Duke has kidnapping, danger and forbidden passion. That sounds good to me.


I found these free books while checking out the Kindle Store. Against All Odds by Irene Shannon is a thriller; A Promise to Remember by Kathryn Cushman sounds like contemporary women's fiction, and The Autobiography of Ben Franklin to continue by fascination with Benjamin Franklin.


These were recommended on one of the many IMM posts I visited last week. Forbidden Book: Journeys into the Mystic which looks like a lovely graphic novel. I also added This Pen for Hire by Laura Levine to my Kindle. This is the first in a mystery series.



I also heard good things about Ann Aguirre and so I took advantage of Amazon's 4-for-3 offer to get her first two books in the Corine Solomon series -- Blue Diablo and Hell Fire and to add the second and third in the Sirantha Jax series -- Wanderlust and Double Blind.

That was my week. What couldn't you resist this week?

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Getting Random with....


Jennifer at Reading With Tequila is getting random with me today. Stop at her blog and check out my totally random answers. You can win an $15 Amazon gift card by filling out the form there.
 

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Teaser Tuesday: Changes by Jim Butcher


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12)
Author: Jim Butcher
Publication: Roc Hardcover; First Ediition/First Printing edition (April 6, 2010) 
"Harry," she said quietly. "I know you must be angry."
"I burn things to ash and smash holes in buildings when I'm angry," I said. "I'm a couple of steps past that point right now." (page 10)
Product Description from Amazon: Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.
Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.

 



 

Sunday, April 18, 2010

It's Monday (April 19, 2010)! What Are You Reading!

It's Monday, What are you reading is a meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

This is the first time that I am participating in this meme.

Here is an explanation of the meme in the creator's own words:
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment. You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.
This is what I read and reviewed last week (Links go to my reviews):
This is what I am currently reading:
This is what is next on the TBR stack (Links go to Amazon):
  • Changes by Jim Butcher
  • Mistwood by Leah Cypess (2010 YA Debut Author Challenge)
  • The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (Flashback Challenge and E-Book Challenge)
  • Romancing the Dead by Tate Hallaway (Bottom of the Stack Challenge and prep for attending author signing May 8)

Other Posts: I posted two lists of books on my other blog -- Ms. Martin Teaches Media. One is a list of the top 100 Middle Grade books and the other is a list of the top 100 Young Adult books. I have read about half of each list. Now I have lots of additional books for my "You should really read this someday" list.
  



Review: A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters


A River in the Sky
Author: Elizabeth Peters
Publication: William Morrow (April 6, 2010)
 
Description: August 1910. Banned from the Valley of the Kings by the Antiquities Service, Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, are relaxing at home in Kent, enjoying the tranquil beauty of summer. But adventure soon beckons when they are persuaded to follow would-be archaeologist Major George Morley on an expedition to Palestine, a province of the crumbling, corrupt Ottoman Empire and the Holy Land of three religions. Searching for the vanished treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem, Morley is determined to unearth the legendary Ark of the Covenant.

The skeptical Emerson wants no part of the scheme until a request from the War Office and Buckingham Palace persuades him to reconsider. The Germans are increasing their influence in Palestine and British intelligence insists that Morley is an agent of the Kaiser, sent to stir up trouble in this politically volatile land. Emerson can't believe that the seemingly inept Morley is a German spy, but could he be mistaken?

Determined to prevent a catastrophically unprofessional excavation that could destroy priceless historical finds as well as cause an armed protest by infuriated Christians, Jews, and Muslims who view the Temple Mount, also known as the Dome of the Rock, as sacred, Amelia, Emerson, and company head to Palestine. Though it is not to her beloved Egypt, the trip to Jerusalem will also reunite her with her handsome and headstrong son, Ramses, working on a dig at Samaria, north of the holy city.

Before Ramses can meet his parents, however, he is distracted by an unusual party of travelers who have arrived in Samaria, including a German woman archaeologist and a mysterious man of unknown nationality and past. Unfortunately, Ramses's insatiable curiosity and his knack for trouble lead him to a startling discovery: information he must pass on to his parents in Jerusalem—if he can get there alive.

Once again the Peabody-Emerson clan must use all their skills and wiles to find the truth, prevent a bloody holy war, and save their son from the clutches of a nefarious enemy in this wonderfully engaging tale chock-full of thrills, mystery, and daring from the inimitable Elizabeth Peters.

My Thoughts: This is the 19th in an excellent series. I love Amelia Peabody Emerson. She is an original. She is intrepid and seems to have no fear. She is convinced that there is no situation that she cannot handle. Since the books are purported her diaries, we get a good chance to hear her voice and read her thoughts.

The books are filled with danger, archaeology, and often crimes. This one definitely focuses on spies. No one except our intrpid heroine and her family are what they seem. It was a fun visit with old friends.

Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge

Saturday, April 17, 2010

In My Mailbox (April 18, 2010)

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.

I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the cool books everyone gets. You will discover lots of wonderful blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

This is what I got this week. (I was trying not to buy too many and maybe catch up just a little.)


I bought A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters because I can't pass up any of Amelia Peabody's adventures. This one goes back in the series and takes place in 1910. Ramses is missing. There's something about a search for the Ark of the Covenant too.

Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong is a collection of many of the short stories that she wrote for her blog or website. I didn't read them there and am eager to find out more about the fantasy world that she has created.

I also added one book to my Kindle. Linda Hilburn regained the rights to a book she had written earlier and released it again as an ebook. I am eager to see what her style is like as I read Undead in the City.

That was my mailbox this week. What did you get?

Friday, April 16, 2010

Review: Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh

Lion's Heat
Author: Lora Leigh
Publication: Berkley; Original edition (April 6, 2010)

Description: The mating urge cannot be ignored...

Bad boy Jonas Wyatt knows it is fate that Rachel becomes his mate. He can sense it. He can also sense her reluctance. But she has little power over the mating heat of the Breeds. It is Jonas's destiny to claim her. And nothing will stop him from having his way.
 
My Thoughts: This was another hot episode in the Breeds series. Jonas Wyatt has been the master manipulator in many of the previous books. This time he has met his match. Rachel has been hired to be his assistant and, since she is a friend of the lion Primus, Jonas can't force her out of the job. Rachel is more than willing to stand up to him and have her say. He says they are mates but she disagrees. The scientists are baffled because their mating is not following a standard pattern. 
 
Rachel has a baby from a previous relationship that Jonas accepts as his child. He is determined to protect her and her mother. The baby, Amber, is in danger from a genetics council scientist who is determined to find the secret of the Breed's lack of aging when they are mated. He is more than willing to experiment on a baby and the baby's biological father is willing to sell her to him.
 
The tension in this story was strong and the romance was heated. It was a great escapist fantasy and a nice addition to the Breeds series.
 
Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge