Archive for the ‘On My Bookshelf’ Category
On My Bookshelf: 1/29/12
January 29th, 2012 | 
Author: On My Bookshelf is a weekly meme where you show off the goods you get each week. These can be books you bought, you borrowed, you got from the library, you downloaded, you won, you got from review. I think that covers it all. This meme was started by Kristi at The Story Siren. She actually calls it In My Mailbox, but I have an itty bitty mailbox and my things always get wet, so I ship them to work, so I renamed it because I’m compulsive like that.
Anyway, I got some goodies this week. The first two I downloaded on NetGalley after being contacted by a publicist. I am halfway through one and hope to buckle down and finish it today. The other, I have started, but put it aside when I realized which one I needed to review first.
From Goodreads.com:
The sausage maker’s youngest daughter is heading for the fight of her battle-scarred life. It’s the era of the counterculture and Vietnam. But twenty-four-year-old Kip Czermanksi is nowhere near her home in California. She’s in a jail cell in her hometown in Wisconsin awaiting a court appearance in the mysterious death of her ex-lover, who happened to be her brother-in-law. Given her father is the small town’s leading citizen; Kip isn’t overly worried, at first. But the personal grudge the DA holds for all the Czermanskis is about to find a foil Kip. What follows is a wild ride through Kip’s present predicament and her past. She’ll come to regret leaving her life in LA, regardless of the good reason for which she returned, when family dynamics and sibling rivalries, magnified by her counterculture attitudes and feminist beliefs, lay Kip’s life bare before the courtroom. Distrusting her legal team, her rebellious history well known, things both personal and legal spiral out-of-control. It doesn’t look good for Kip Czermanski.
In a time of hardship and heartbreak, sometimes, reality just isn’t enough. Slipping Reality is the story of fourteen-year-old Katelyn Emerson, who, when faced with the glaring reality of her brother’s illness, rebels against the truth by slipping away into the depths of her own imagination. There, she finds the kind of support and comfort she feels she deserves. There, she does not have to feel so alone. And yet, as Katelyn’s grasp on reality begins to unravel, so too does the story of a girl who grew up too fast and fell apart too soon. Emily Beaver’s debut novel is a coming of age story that deals with the trials of young grief, insight, and growth where it’s least expected.
I also had to get a new audio book this week from the library. Although I have fallen in love with Mary Higgins-Clark’s mysteries, I needed something different. I have listened to three of hers in a row now. So, instead, I got something fun and light. This is The Full Box by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes. This is the complete “Full” series that the duo wrote. I listened to the first book, Full House , and really liked it and decided I’d just get the whole set and finish the series. I am almost done with Full Tilt and it is just as fun and action packed as the first book.
Did you get any goodies this week?? If so, what are they?
Posted in Books, On My Bookshelf | 
Tags: ags johnson, audio book, Book Review, Books, charlotte hughes, emily beaver, full blast, full box, full house, full speed, full tilt, in my mailbox, janet evanovich, netgalley, On My Bookshelf, reading, slipping reality, the sausage maker's daughters | 
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On My Bookshelf: 1/22/12
I think this is the most consistent I have been with this weekly meme since I started blogging a few years back. The good thing about this is that I am getting some awesome new books. The bad part, I need more time to read all these awesome new books. Oh but I am not complaining!
On My Bookshelf is a slight variation of In My Mailbox by Kristi at The Story Siren, a weekly meme to show off the good books you got the previous week, whether from the library, bought, borrowed, won from a giveaway, downloaded…you know the drill!
This week, I had my eye on a book I’ve been seeing all over Twitter and blogs and HAD to get my hands on it. Thanks to a gift card by one of my husband’s friends, I am considering it a late Christmas gift.
Yes friends, I got Cinder this week and I am PUMPED!!! But, as you can see, that’s not all I got, I also got a new notebook. It’s a canvas material and has an elastic band to keep it closed and a marker inside to let you know where you left off. I get one of these a year to keep track of the books I’ve read, days I’ve written and which agents I have sent letters to. A new notebook always gives me inspiration to do more work so I can fill it up and not waste my pages.
In case you have been living under a book rock, here is the description of Cinder from Goodreads.com:
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
Did you get any goodies this week???
Posted in Books, On My Bookshelf |
Tags: Books, cinder, in my mailbox, journal, marissa meyer, notebook, On My Bookshelf, reading, Writing |
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On My Bookshelf: 1/15/12
On My Bookshelf is my own little deviation of In My Mailbox by Kristi at The Story Siren. The only thing that’s different is the title because I am super OCD and since I don’t get my books in a “mailbox” I had to change it up a little. I know, I’m a freak!
Anyway, I got this book last week, but wasn’t at work to pick it up, so we’re posting it this week. And I’m really excited about it.
It’s A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster. It’s the fourth book in the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series. I read Trace of Fever for review last year and loved it. I am normally very strict about reading all the books in order, but ended up skipping 1 and 3 and I liked the one I read so much, I don’t care. These men are very swoon worthy and I can’t wait to read this one.
From Goodreads:
He never saw her coming…
Spencer Lark already knows too many secrets about Arizona Storm, including the nightmare she survived and her resulting trust issues. But in order to expose a smuggling ring—and continue avenging his own tragic past—the bounty hunter reluctantly agrees to make Arizona a decoy. Yet nothing has equipped him for her hypnotic blend of fragility and bravery, or for the protective instincts she stirs in him.
Arizona wants to reclaim her life, which means acting as bait to lure the enemy into a trap. Sure it’s dangerous, especially with a partner as distractingly appealing as Spencer. But as their plan—and their chemistry—shifts into high gear, Arizona may discover there’s an even greater risk in surrendering her heart to a hero…
Yes, if you can tell from the picture, I did get this book as part of a blog tour and got a cool badge to go along with it. I love these little guys and am trying to find a place to show them off. I may get a cork board and start sticking them on there.
The only bad thing about this…if you are looking forward to this review, you are going to have to wait a while. The book doesn’t come out until April and my day on the tour isn’t until April 5. I know I won’t be able to wait that long to read this book. I may have to drop a hint or two, or use this as teaser Tuesday for the next few months to give you guys a preview!
This is kind of off base with this post, but since I went and grabbed the link to Lori Foster’s website (above), I’ve been reading her FAQ section. If you are an aspiring author, let me suggest reading about her. She has published 100+ books. She wrote several in the five years between when she started and when she got published. It’s very inspiring. Lately, I’ve been feeling the itch to write and wanting to get back into it, and I need to just sit down and do it and quit talking about it. Even if it’s not a full-time profession for me one day (which I’m still not giving up faith on), I still would love to have my writing out there. The ideas are swirling around in my head and it’s time to get them on paper. For some, it comes quickly and easy, but for Lori, it took some time and she never gave up. I could continue gushing about Lori, but I’ll let you head to her website and read for yourself!
Did you get any goodies this week?
Posted in Books, On My Bookshelf |
Tags: a perfect storm, Book Review, Books, in my mailbox, lori foster, men who walk the edge of honor, On My Bookshelf, reading, trace of fever |
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On My Bookshelf: 12/18/11
We are a week away from Christmas so of course, this week, I did some major holiday reading downloading. But before I get there, let me give props to Kristi at The Story Siren for starting this meme. I just changed the title a little to more match my OCD reading needs.
So, back to the books this week… I think I was a little optimistic. I downloaded not one, not two, but three Christmas themed books to my Nook, courtesy NetGalley. I am now a week away from Christmas and still haven’t finished one of the three books I downloaded. Better quit stalling on the blog and get to reading huh???
So, here’s my list to get me prepped for Christmas:
Christmas has never brought out the best in the MacDougal family. Still, year after year, they gather together in the Blue Ridge Mountains to try to make the season merry and bright. But this year is an especially strained one, with Shayne’s impending divorce, Morwenna’s slavish devotion to work and Bobby’s reluctance to face what life has to offer. They’ve never felt less like a family.
Then, in the midst of a snowy sibling shouting match, a mysterious stranger appears. He could be a criminal, a madman—or something far more unexpected. Despite their fears and the growing danger in the dark woods around them, the MacDougals take a leap of faith. But when another stranger arrives on the mountainside, they don’t know which of them to believe. One of these men can’t be trusted. And one is about to bring Christmas into their hearts.
Dating Matthew O’Brien—a playboy and a younger man—cost Laila Riley her career and her parents’ respect. A high price, even for love—and when Laila decides it was just a fling, she breaks it off, despite Matthew’s objections.
But the O’Brien family has other ideas, and they conspire to get Laila to join them on a Dublin holiday. It’s a great time to get away from it all, but Laila has reservations about the trip. Matthew’s bound to be there, and she’s far from immune. What if she can’t resist temptation?
Meanwhile, the O’Briens are in an uproar over matriarch Nell’s unexpected romance with an old flame. Will she follow her heart despite the risks? And will Laila discover that some risks are actually once-in-a-lifetime opportunities?
Two magnolias-and-mistletoe-inspired holiday stories from the bestselling author of more than thirty romantic, humorous novels.Laughter and love combine in Sandra Hill’s BLUE CHRISTMAS—with a touch of Elvis magic. Wealthy Wall Street businessman Clayton Jessup III has only one reason for arriving in Memphis a few days before Christmas—to sell off his inheritance, an embarrassingly kitschy hotel named The Blue Suede Suites. His feelings for the Land of Elvis are dark: his long-dead Memphis mother abandoned him and his dad when Clay was a baby, and now Clay wants nothing to do with a southern legacy that couldn’t be more different from his sophisticated big-city life.But then he steps in trouble—literally—when he confronts the bizarre group of Elvis impersonators who’ve set up a living Nativity scene on his property. One slip of a wingtip in some sheep poop lands Clay in the care of gorgeous Annie Fallon, whose big-haired Elvis-girlfriend get-up can’t hide her wholesome, sexy appeal. Annie and her brothers have set up the Nativity scene to earn some badly needed money for their struggling dairy farm.The last thing she needs is an angry Yankee with a concussion and a come-hither smile . . .In JINX CHRISTMAS, sexy NASCAR star Lance Caslow makes a last-ditch effort to win back his ex-wife Brenda. Five years ago, his reckless pursuit of racetrack fame tore them apart and broke Brenda’s heart. Now Lance shows up in Louisiana determined to make things right this Christmas, not just for himself and Brenda, but for their young daughter, Patti.He’s got his work cut out for him, and desperate measures are needed. Lance will do anything to prove he’s worthy of Brenda’s trust again—even join the Cajun Christmas show starring a raucous Cajun family whose menfolk dance for charity events in little more than a smile . . .
What did you guys get this week?? Anyone else doing a little holiday reading??
On My Bookshelf: 11/6/11
On My Bookshelf is my own little deviation of In My Mailbox, started by Kristi at The Story Siren. It’s a weekly meme where you show off the good books you got that week in the mail.
This week, not only am I changing the name, I’m changing what I’m doing on the meme. I’m a rebel, I know.
I havent’ gotten any books lately. I’ve actually been fully focused on knitting and making button lamps that reading has lost some love. I still read about an hour a night before bed and at lunch during work, but the hours on the couch in the evening now are spent doing new loves.
So although I didn’t get any new books, I can honestly say I really don’t need them. This week, I’m going to show you what’s on my bookshelf, and let me warn you, I have more books on my TBR than I am proud to say. But I made a pact, with myself, this week that I am going to stay away from NetGalley (sorry old friend) and be very picky and choosy if given opportunities from authors/publicists and try to chip away at my bookshelf.
Ok, here’s my list….exhaustive list:
Rosie Dunne by Cecilia Ahern
Swede Dreams by Eva Apelqvist
Whacked by Jules Asner
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Face Value by Kathleen Baird-Murray
Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
A Hamptons Christmas by James Brady
Vanished by Kate Brian
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Icing on the Lake by Catherine Clark
Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad
A Match Made on Madison by Dee Davis
Girls’ Poker Night by Jill A. Davis
Holly’s Inbox: Scandal in the City by Holly Denham
Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovich
The Heroines by Eileen Favorite
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Splendor by Anna Godbersen
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Babyville by Jane Green
Book Ends by Jane Green
French Kissmas by Cathy Hapka
Pardon my French by Cathy Hapka
Tourist Trap by Emma Harrison
Island Boys and Girls by Rachel Hawthorne
Labor of Love by Rachel Hawthorne
Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Fear Nothing by Dean Koontz
Intensity by Dean Koontz
Little Pink Slips by Sally Koslow
Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie
A Vision of Murder by Victoria Laurie
Killer Insight by Victoria Laurie
This Pen for Hire by Laurie Levine
Apocolipstick by Sue Margolis
Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty
Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty
Fashionistas by Lynn Messina
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Westminster Abby by Micol Ostow
High Profile by Robert B Parker
1st to Die by James Patterson
2nd Chance by James Patterson
Morning Glory by Diana Peterfreund
Un-Bridaled by Eileen Rendahl
The Truth About Diamonds by Nicole Richie
Bad Moon by Todd Ritter
A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket by Fran Rizer
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts
Vision in White by Nora Roberts
Nine Stories by JD Salinger
Swoon at your Own Risk by Sydney Salter
He’s So Not Worth It by Kieran Scott
She’s So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott
Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton
Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton
The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Violet by Design by Melissa Walker
Girls Night In by Jennifer Weiner, Meg Cabot, Sophie Kinsella & more
Foul Play by Patricia Tichenor Westfall
40 Love by Madeleine Wickham
Ok, so if you’re still with me, I hope you are not hating for having all of these gems on my shelf and continuing to pick up other books to read. And I think you’ll agree with looking at my list, not only by the awesome titles and authors, but also at the sheer volume, that I should probably stick with clearing off my bookshelf, rather than perusing online for new books. Now I’m not going to say this is a hard and fast rule. I am easily persuaded and have had these books on my shelf for months, and some, years. They’ll be there is something extremely, amazingly important ends up on my shelf.
Does anyone else have this many books on their TBR? Am I a book hoarder??