Thursday, December 29, 2011

Review: More Than Words Can Say





More Than Words Can Say by Robert Barclay
Pages: 400 (ARC Paperback)
Source: TLC Booktours


 Description:
Chelsea Enright never expected to inherit her grandmother's lakeside cottage deep in the Adirondacks—a serene getaway that had been mysteriously closed up decades ago. This is no simple bequest, however, because when Chelsea finds her grandmother's WWII diaries, she's stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected . . . and they have the power to turn her own life upside down. Even more surprising is the compelling presence of local doctor Brandon "Yale, and Chelsea soon finds her "short stay" has stretched into the entire summer. She cannot put this cottage and her family's past behind her easily—and the more she learns about the woman her grandmother truly was, the more Chelsea's own life begins to change . . . and nothing will ever be the same again.

My Rating:

My Review:

Top 10 of 2011 (Day 4): Top Characters in 2011



Top 10: A Week of Looking Back…. 
 ………and Looking Forward.

Last year Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and Lisa from A Life Bound By Books posted some Top 10 lists the last week of 2010. For five days they recapped some of their favorite books, covers and characters. They also listed some books they were looking forward to in 2011. This year they have invited some friends to help them co-host things and make an event out of it! Jessica and Lisa, Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and Rachel from Fiktshun came together to make the Top 10 of 2011 event.

Today's Topic:  Top 10 Characters in 2011

1. Katniss from The Hunger Games trilogy
“I can feel Peeta press his forehead into my temple and he asks, 'So now that you've got me, what are you going to do with me?' I turn into him. 'Put you somewhere you can't get hurt.” - Katniss and Peeta

2.  Peeta from The Hunger Games trilogy
“Remember, we're madly in love, so it's all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” - Peeta

3.  Death from The Book Thief
“It kills me sometimes, how people die.”
“A small but noteworthy note. I've seen so many young men over the years who think they're running at other young men. They are not. They are running at me.” - Death

4 & 5.  Liesel and Rudy from The Book Thief
“Hair the color of lemons,'" Rudy read. His fingers touched the words. "You told him about me?"

At first, Liesel could not talk. Perhaps it was the sudden bumpiness of love she felt for him. Or had she always loved him? It's likely. Restricted as she was from speaking, she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to drag her hand across and pull her over. It didn't matter where. Her mouth, her neck, her cheek. Her skin was empty for it, waiting. Years ago, when they'd raced on a muddy field, Rudy was a hastily assembled set of bones, with a jagged, rocky smile. In the trees this afternoon, he was a giver of bread and teddy bears. He was a triple Hitler Youth athletics champion. He was her best friend. And he was a month from his death.

Of course I told him about you," Liesel said.” - Rudy and Liesel

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Top of 2011 (Day 3): Top Book Boyfriends in 2011



Top 10: A Week of Looking Back…. 
 ………and Looking Forward.

Last year Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and Lisa from A Life Bound By Books posted some Top 10 lists the last week of 2010. For five days they recapped some of their favorite books, covers and characters. They also listed some books they were looking forward to in 2011. This year they have invited some friends to help them co-host things and make an event out of it! Jessica and Lisa, Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and Rachel from Fiktshun came together to make the Top 10 of 2011 event.

Today's Topic:  Top 10 Book Boyfriends in 2011


I don't have a top 10 of this list.  I don't really get attached to the men in books.  It happens though but it is rare.  So this year, I've got two and they couldn't be more different from each other.


Source

1.  Peeta from the Hunger Games trilogy
“Remember, we're madly in love, so it's all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” 

“You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope.”

 “You love me. Real or not real?"
 I tell him, "Real.”






2.  Damon from The Vampire Diaries series (though I didn't actually read it.  Watching it is enough)

*Bonus: Video of Damon's quotes after the jump :)

Why I Love Wednesdays... Favorite Book Sent/Received in 2011 AND Giveaway

Reflections of a Bookaholic

I am returning with my new feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays. Today's proclamation of love concerns our Favorite books that we sent or received

Why I Love... Mockingjay, Divergent, and Between Shades of Gray


One of the greatest things about being a reader is that I love gifting books just as much as I love to receive them.  There is just something about sending a book in the mail.  I'm so excited for the person receiving the book on the other end.  I'm nervous because I want them to love it as much as I did.  On the other hand, I LOVE getting books in the mail.  It's like getting a birthday surprises during the week.  I don't participate in IMM for personal reasons but sometimes I just want to gush about some of my luck.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Top 10 of 2011 (Day 2): Top Covers in 2011



Top 10: A Week of Looking Back…. 
 ………and Looking Forward.

Last year Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and Lisa from A Life Bound By Books posted some Top 10 lists the last week of 2010. For five days they recapped some of their favorite books, covers and characters. They also listed some books they were looking forward to in 2011. This year they have invited some friends to help them co-host things and make an event out of it! Jessica and Lisa, Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and Rachel from Fiktshun came together to make the Top 10 of 2011 event.

Today's Topic:  Top 10 Book Covers in 2011.


I've only chosen my favorite covers from the books I've read in 2011.  In no particular order...

1.



Monday, December 26, 2011

Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop


The Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. It will take place from December 27 - 31.

My Giveaway? I'm giving away any book* from Best of 2011 List which you can find here.  


*I'm not giving away the entire Hunger Games trilogy but you may choose one of the three if you are interested in those.

Here's how it will work:

Top 10 of 2011 (Day 1): Top Books I've Read in 2011


I'm excited to give everyone a peek into a event that is coming at the end of December...

Top 10: A Week of Looking Back…. 
 ………and Looking Forward.

Last year Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and Lisa from A Life Bound By Books posted some Top 10 lists the last week of 2010. For five days they recapped some of their favorite books, covers and characters. They also listed some books they were looking forward to in 2011. This year they have invited some friends to help them co-host things and make an event out of it! Jessica and Lisa, Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and Rachel from Fiktshun came together to make the Top 10 of 2011 event.

Today's Topic:  Top 10 Books I've Read in 2011.

I've read lots of great books this year but there are a few that really stick out in my mind.  In no particular order:

1.  Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
I kicked myself over and over for waiting so long to read this one.

2.  Truly Madly by Heather Webber.  This was so cute and sweet.
I couldn't help but love this new series.

3.  Exposure by Therese Fowler.
 I loved how realistic the situation was presented.  This was also one of the most capitivating stories I read this year.  I still remember that feeling of finishing this one.

4.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.
LOVES it!  I was touched in 5000 ways.

5.  The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.
 I cannot believe how good these books are.  Some people were disappointed with Mockingjay.  Though I am scarred for life, I appreciate that Ms. Collins didn't hold anything back or make it easy.  But it hurt kind of bad.  I'll never forget it. Yes. I know that I cheated by grouping three books in one.  I do what I want.

6.  The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen.
Oh the magic.  Oh the writing.  I am a fan of Ms. Sarah Addison Allen.

7.  The Violets of March by Sarah Jio.
This is such a great beach read.  I really enjoyed this one and the cover is gorgeous.

8.  32 Candles by Ernessa Carter.
This was such a fun read.  Ms. Ernessa Carter really did something unique with this and it really worked.  I felt like I was in a movie and it was awesome.

9.  The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair.
This was such a beautiful book.  This is adult fiction though it focuses on an important summer of a child.

10.  Heart of Glass by Christy Hayes.
This is such an awesome romance.  I wouldn't have changed a thing. Oh and that cover...so lovely.




Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas




Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!  Hope Santa brings family fun, great food, and tons of books :)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

2012 Book Challenges...I Think

I'm super excited to announce that I think I've narrowed down the challenges in which I'm participating in the coming year.  There are a few lost challenges (those I found, liked, but forgot where I saw them) and when I find them, I will add them in.



First up, is the Eclectic Reader Challenge from Book'd Out.  In this challenge, I commit to reading at least 12 books from 12 different genres. 
The Genres: 1) Literary Fiction, 2) Crime/Mystery Fiction, 3) Romantic Fiction, 4) Historical Fiction, 5) Young Adult, 6) Fantasy, 7) Science Fiction, 8) Non Fiction, 9) Horror, 10) Thriller /Suspense, 11) Classic, and 12) Your favorite genre

I'm thinking this should be pretty easy because I'm already a fairly eclectic reader.  But a few I'll have to seek out.
Next, I'm tackling the 2012 Multi-Cultural Book Challenge hosted by One Page at a Time and Truly Bookish.  In this challenge, I commit to reading at least 12 minority YA books this year.  If I find a challenge featuring adult books as well, I will join that as well.
The Books:  Truly Bookish shared this list from Goodreads for ideas, but I'll be looking for more recommendations through the year.  For some reason, I think this challenge will be more difficult for me because minority books aren't as easy to find.




Then, I'm taking on the Dystopia 2012 Challenge hosted by The Bookish Ardour.  In this challenge, I commit to reading at least 15 dystopian novels (Contagion level).

Here are the available Challenge Levels:
Asocial– Choose 5 books to read
Contagion – Choose 15 books to read
 Soldier – Choose 30 books to read
Drone – Choose 50 books to read
Conditioned – Choose 75 books to read
Brainwashed – Choose anywhere between 76-135 books to read
Totalitarian – Choose anywhere between 136-200 books to read

The Books:  A few weeks ago, my helpful blogger friends help put together a list of dystopian novels.  I'm going to tackle this list for inspiration.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Why I Love Wednesdays... Favorite Book in 2011

Reflections of a Bookaholic

I am returning with my new feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays. Today's proclamation of love concerns our Favorite Book in 2011

Why I Love...The Girl in the Garden

Okay so the favorite books that I read in 2011 were actually Between Shades of Gray and The Hunger Games.  Since I've already gone on and on and on about them, I decided to tell you guys about my third favorite book...The Girl in the Garden.  Many of you have noticed, I tend to love books that stick with me well after I have finished it.  That's exactly what I found with The Girl in the Garden.  I found myself intrigued by the family secrets that spanned years and frustrated for the ten-year-old who is confused by it all.  This is a book where the writing is spectacular and the premise unique.  I always love reading about different cultures as well.  This is one that you should have on your bookshelf but I wouldn't start it late at night, it is oh so hard to put down.

You can find my review here.


What is Book did you read in 2011 did you love? Feel free to create your own post and link up.  Don't want to create an entire post?  Tell me your favorites in the comments.  Thanks for stopping by for another week of Why I Love Wednesdays!!


If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image (there is a button on the right sidebar now) and link your post in the linky. Here goes.


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Review: Texas Hold Him





Texas Hold Him by Lisa Cooke
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 228 (Ereader)

Description:
To save her family from ruin, a Southern belle appeals to a high-stakes gambler to teach her poker, but he’s more interested in giving her lessons in love




My Rating:
My Review:

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Challenges Update...Ehhh I Could Have Done Better

When I signed up for three challenges last year, I thought I was really doing something.  Wrong.  I've seen other blogs sign up for and complete a lot more challenges.  I'm often laughing at my naive early blogger self.  Here's a quick update on my challenges and I'll post soon about the challenges I am joining for the new year.

1.  The 2011 Goodreads Challenge.
Completed 78/60 so far this year.
I definitely read more books than I expected to this year.  I didn't actually think I was going to make it.  Earlier in the year, my goodreads update was screaming at me that I was really behind.  Come summer I really beasted this challenge and said "now what."  I will be participating again in the coming year but I haven't set my new goal as of yet.

2.  Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

Completed 17/20 so far this year.
I'm pretty sure I will finish this challenge before the end of the year but I didn't expect to cut it so close.  Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I thought it would be a piece of cake to complete.  I didn't count on all the amazing book recommendations I would find on other blogs or by friends and family.  It caused me to really veer away from what I thought I would be reading this year.  It was very surprising and fun.  I'm so excited by this unexpected turn of events that it has made a huge impact on the challenges I enter next year.  More on that later.

3.  2011 E-book Challenge
Completed 36/50 books so far this year.
Epic fail.  I will not be completing this challenge this year.  After receiving my ereader, I only read books on it so I didn't expect this challenge to be difficult.  I didn't account for the many giveaways I would participate and win or many of the book requests that I accepted.  While, I do prefer to read book form when convenient, I can't help but feel disappointed in myself for failing in this challenge.  I can't help it.  I'm a perfectionist and if I say I'm going to do something, I will only be satisfied by getting it done.  I've got to let it go though.  I will be picking my challenges more carefully for next year.

All in all, these challenges really made me excited when I joined the book blogging community last January (yes, it has been almost a  year).  I am super excited to choose more challenges and I hope to keep up with them better this time around.

How did everyone do on their challenges this year?  Have you decided on your challenges for next year?  What advice would you give newbies like me this time last year?

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Review: Somewhere I'll Find You (Audiobook)







Somewhere I'll Find You by Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 10 hours 36 min
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

From Audible.com:
The toast of the town.... All London is at Julia Wentworth’s feet — and anything she desires is hers for the asking. But the glamorous leading lady guards a shocking secret: a mystery husband whom she does not know, dares not mention... and cannot love. For years Damon Savage has been searching for the stranger his parents wed him to without his consent, hoping to legally free himself from matrimony’s invisible chains. And he is astonished to discover his “bride” is none other than the exquisite lady he’d hoped to make his mistress! But though his wife by law, Julia will never truly be Damon’s — until he conquers her fears, his formidable rivals... and her proud, passionate, and independent heart.

My Rating:

My Review:

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Guest Post at The Unread Reader

I'm a guest over at The Unread Reader today. Whoohoo!  Head on over to find out what I'm doing when I'm not reading.  Just click on Missie's wonderful meme image below...

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