The Monday Agenda 10/27/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

IRL:

I skipped the Monday Agenda last week — did you miss me? I spent a few days traveling to see family, and got to spend my dad’s 83rd birthday with him! All that travel was very good for reading. Many hours on planes = many hours with books, despite the highly (ahem) *energetic* children who all seemed to be clustered around my row on the plane.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Night of a Thousand StarsHornsSilkworm

The Ship of Bridesunwritten

Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn: I posted my review and blog tour feature earlier in the week. Check it out here.

Horns by Joe Hill: Loved it! My Fields & Fantasies Book Club post is coming later this week. And now, I’m dying to see the movie!

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith: Done! My review is here.

The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes: Done! My review is here.

The Unwritten by Mike Carey: I’m hooked. I read volumes 1 & 2 during my travels. Note to graphic novel readers: People do indeed look at you funny on airplanes when they see you reading “comic books”. But who cares? I loved the first two volumes, and can’t wait to continue!

 

Fresh Catch:

Don’t you love it when you stumble across Kindle price drops? (It’s the little things that make me happy.) Here are a few titles I scooped up for my Kindle this week:

NogginStation ElevenThe Ghost Bride

 

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Since it’s the last week of October, I figured I’d stick with spookiness and horror to kick off the week… but if there’s time, I’ll throw in some lighter fare as well.

BroodRoomsLizzy and Jane

Brood by Chase Novak

Rooms by Lauren Oliver

Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay

(And I have a sneaking suspicion that I may take a detour and dive into volume 3 of The Unwritten.)

 

Ongoing reads:

One with the kiddo:

Dragons 2

Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede: We’ve read about 1/2 of book #2 in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. A very different feel than book 1, but we’re liking it all the same!

And two book club picks:

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

 

 

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Reading and discussing two chapters per week, from now through the end of 2015!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

The Monday Agenda 10/13/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss, #3)Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)Night of a Thousand Stars

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: Done! My review is here.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede: My son and I have started a co-read of this four-book series (the Enchanted Forest Chronicles), and so far, we’re (sorry) enchanted. A strong, smart princess who prefers to find her own way rather than being rescued or married off to a handsome prince? Yes, please! We finished book #1 this past week, and we’re plowing right ahead with the rest of the series.

Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn: Just finished! I’ll be posting a review on October 21st, as part of the blog tour for this book.

Fresh Catch:

More library books! Is it crazy to complain that my holds are arriving too quickly?

exped nightmares rooms

 

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

October is the perfect time to focus on horror:

HornsBroodunwritten

Horns by Joe Hill: The October pick for Fields & Fantasies Book Club!

Brood by Chase Novak — the sequel to the super-creepy Breed!

And in non-horror reading, I think it’s about time that I finally make a dent in my graphic novel to-read pile, starting with volume 1 of The Unwritten by Mike Carey. Maybe instead of trying to find time to plow through a whole series, I should just make time for one volume per week…

Life and family:

Heading out of town this coming weekend… so there may or may not be a Monday Agenda post next week. Meanwhile, I’m busy pondering the oh-so-important question: What books should I pack for my trip?

Ongoing reads:

One with the kiddo:

Dragons 2

Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede: We’ve just started book #2 in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

And two book club picks:

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

 

 

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Reading and discussing two chapters per week, from now through the end of 2015!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

 

 

 

 

 

The Monday Agenda 10/6/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Season of StormsPrototype (Archetype #2)Lies We Tell Ourselves

Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley: Although I finished reading this book last week, I didn’t manage to post a review until a few days ago. Check it out here.

Prototype by M. D. Waters: Done! My review is here.

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley: Done! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

Our local library’s Big Book Sale was last week, and here’s what I came home with:

pile 1  pile2pile 3

Not too shabby, right? What could be better than supporting a good cause AND getting armfuls of new books?

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Mixing things up this week… my agenda includes contemporary YA, historical romance, and horror!

Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss, #3)Night of a Thousand StarsBrood

I’m looking forward to reading:

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

Brood by Chase Novak

Pop culture goodness:

Still pouting over having to wait until April…

April 4

Ongoing reads:

One with the kiddo:

Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

And two book club picks:

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

 

 

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Reading and discussing two chapters per week, from now through the end of 2015!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

 

 

 

 

The Monday Agenda 9/29/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Season of StormsArchetypePrototype (Archetype #2)

Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley: Done! Review to follow.

I did a re-read of Archetype by M. D. Waters, and I’m so glad I did! I enjoyed it every bit as much the 2nd time around (you can read my original review of Archetype here), and re-reading was a perfect lead-in to starting the sequel, Prototype.

Fresh Catch:

UsThe Unwritten: Tommy Taylor and the Ship That Sank Twice

I’m so excited to have received an ARC of Us by David Nicholls! I’ll be participating in a blog tour for this book in early November.

My other new arrival: The latest Unwritten release… despite the fact that I haven’t read any of the volumes already on my shelves.  Soon…

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Prototype (Archetype #2)Lies We Tell Ourselves100 Sideways Miles

I’m about half-way through Prototype by M. D. Waters, and if only I didn’t have to sleep, work, and interact with my family, I’d finish it today!

Coming up next:

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

Pop culture goodness:

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the mid-season finale of Outlander already! What an amazing experience it’s been watching the book I love come to life through such a creative and devoted production. And now, we wait…

April 4

Ongoing reads:

One with the kiddo:

Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

And two book club picks:

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

 

 

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Reading and discussing two chapters per week, from now through the end of 2015!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

 

 

 

 

The Monday Agenda 9/22/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Moment of EverythingHorrorstor: A Novel

The Moment of Everything by Shelly King: Done! My review is here.

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix: Done! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

Look what came this week!

The Infinite Sea (The Fifth Wave #2)

Of course, I need to re-read The 5th Wave before I’ll be ready to dive in… but still, I’m so excited that it’s here!

Also new this week, thanks to my wonderful neighborhood library branch:

Winger (Winger, #1)100 Sideways Miles

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Season of StormsPrototype (Archetype #2)

Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley: I’m about 1/3 of the way into this one. Susanna Kearsley never disappoints.

I’m so excited to start Prototype by M. D. Waters, although I think I need to take a quick read back through Archetype first so the details will be fresh in my mind.

I have a mini-trip coming up at the end of the week and haven’t quite settled on my airplane reading yet. So many choices!

 

Ongoing reads:

One with the kiddo:

Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

And two book club picks:

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

 

 

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Reading and discussing two chapters per week, from now through the end of 2015!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

 

 

 

The Monday Agenda 9/15/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy ThompsonAnnihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy, #1)

The Far West (Frontier Magic, #3)Sway

Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs: Done! My review is here.

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer: Finished, barely. Weird and creepy — which I usually like — this one just didn’t work for me. I had to force myself to finish, and I’ll admit that I resorted to skimming for the last 40 pages or so. I won’t be reading the other two books in the trilogy.

The Far West by Patricia C. Wrede: Done! I wrote a wrap-up piece about the Frontier Magic trilogy; you can read it here.

Sway by Kat Spears: Done! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

A Little Something Different

 

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

One that looks like total quirky fun:

Horrorstor: A Novel

Plus two more that seem like great escapist fiction:

The Moment of EverythingSeason of Storms

I’m not sure in what order I’ll feel like reading all of these, but as of now, these are the ones on the top of the pile!

Oh, and the kiddo and I need to figure out what to read next.

Ongoing book club reads:

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

 
 
 

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Reading and discussing two chapters per week, from now through the end of 2015!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

 

 

 

The Monday Agenda 9/8/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Museum of Extraordinary ThingsBig Little LiesFables, Vol. 20: Camelot (Fables, #20)

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman: I posted my Fields & Fantasies book club feature this past week — check it out here.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: Done! My review is here.

Fables, volume 20: Camelot: Done! I love the Fables series so, so much, and the latest volume definitely does not disappoint. Want to know more about Fables? Check out my recent post, all about why you need to be reading this amazing series.

Fresh Catch:

The newest Susanna Kearsley book (actually, a reissue of an older novel) was released this week!

Season of Storms

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy ThompsonAnnihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy, #1)Sway

Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs: I’m about halfway through this collection of stories from the world of Mercy Thompson.

Next up:

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer (book 1 in the Southern Reach trilogy)

Sway by Kat Spears

The Far West (Frontier Magic, #3)Only a few chapters left in The Far West, book #3 in Patricia C. Wrede’s Frontier Magic trilogy. The kiddo and I should be finishing up this week.

 

 

 

 

Pop culture goodness:

Outlander is just killing it, week after week. Brilliant production by Starz! Next week’s episode, “The Garrison Commander”, looks frighteningly intense:

And in other TV updates — I’m a little scared for the season premiere of Sons of Anarchy this week. I don’t know if I’m ready for the brutal violence that just has to be in store for the final season.

Ongoing book club reads:

The Scarlet PimpernelA Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)

With Outlander Book Club:

Classic Read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

In-depth re-read and discussion: A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Now underway, and so much fun!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

 

 

 

The Monday Agenda 9/1/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Museum of Extraordinary ThingsSix Feet Over ItBig Little Lies

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman: DNF. I read about 130 pages and just had to quit. The writing is lovely, but the plot simply wasn’t holding my attention in the slightest. But for a different viewpoint, check out the guest review to be posted here at Bookshelf Fantasies this week as part of our Fields & Fantasies book club.

Six Feet Over It by Jennifer Longo: Done! My review is here.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: I’ve read about 100 pages so far… and so far, so good.

Fresh Catch:

I’ve been wanting to give the Southern Reach trilogy a try, and lucky for me, the library had the first two books available:

Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy, #1)Authority (Southern Reach Trilogy, #2)

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Big Little LiesFables, Vol. 20: Camelot (Fables, #20)Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. If I keep up this pace, I’ll be done in the next few days. So long as the world doesn’t get in the way too much.

Fables, volume 20: Camelot by Bill Willingham: The new Fables arrives this week! I cannot wait to read this one… and I’m hoping against hope that somehow it will repair the gaping hole left in my chest after the last volume ripped my heart out.

Also due to arrive this week is Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs, a collection of stories from the world of Mercy Thompson.

The Far West (Frontier Magic, #3)The kiddo and I have passed the half-way point in The Far West, book #3 in Patricia C. Wrede’s Frontier Magic trilogy. Things are heating up!

 

 

 

Elsewhere on the blog:

I finally faced up to the fact that my summer reading plans didn’t go exactly as expected. Here’s a salute to five books that I meant to read… but didn’t.

Pop culture goodness:

The Doctor is back! I went to a theater screening of the first episode of the new season of Doctor Who… and it was spectacular! I’m loving Peter Capaldi and his attack eyebrows. I have a good feeling about this season!

Ongoing book club reads:

The Scarlet PimpernelA Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)

With Outlander Book Club:

Classic Read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

In-depth re-read and discussion: A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: We’re starting this week!

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

 

 

The Monday Agenda 8/25/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Geography of You and MeHotel on the Corner of Bitter and SweetCalifornia

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith: Done! My review is here.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford: Done! My review is here.

California by Edan Lepucki: Done! I liked (but didn’t love) this very-hyped book. The ending seemed unfinished to me. Is there a sequel pending, or was it just supposed to be ominously open-ended? California was a quick and compelling read, but ultimately less satisfying than I’d hoped.

Fresh Catch:

I received this book for review, and I think it looks amazing!

Horrorstor: A Novel

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

The Museum of Extraordinary ThingsBig Little Lies

I’m having a hard time deciding what I really feel like reading this week. My immediate reading plans include:

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman: I actually started reading this one via ARC last week, but the formatting was so horrible that I had to quit. One library trip later, I’m ready to try again.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: I lucked out and snagged a copy at the library!

The Far West (Frontier Magic, #3)And in children’s lit, I’m continued onward with The Far West, book #3 in Patricia C. Wrede’s Frontier Magic trilogy. The kiddo and I are both enjoying.

 

 

 

Ongoing book club reads:

The Scarlet PimpernelA Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)

With Outlander Book Club:

Classic Read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

In-depth re-read and discussion: A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: We’ll be reading and discussing two chapters per week starting September 2nd.

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1

The Monday Agenda 8/18/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

My reading this past week had a very structural focus — I had a house, a hotel, and a museum on my reading list!

Henna HouseHotel on the Corner of Bitter and SweetThe Museum of Extraordinary Things

Henna House by Nomi Eve: Done! My review is here.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford: Done! I just finished this lovely book late on Sunday. Review to follow.

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman: Just getting started, still a long way to go!

The Far West (Frontier Magic, #3)My son and I read the first few chapters of The Far West, book #2 in Patricia C. Wrede’s Frontier Magic trilogy.

 

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week!

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

The Museum of Extraordinary ThingsThe Geography of You and MeCalifornia

My immediate reading plans include:

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

California by Edan Lepucki

Pop-culture goodness:

Just eating up the new episodes of Outlander on TV! And absolutely thrilled that it’s been renewed for a 2nd season! Here’s the sneak peek at the next episode:

Ongoing book club reads:

The Scarlet PimpernelA Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6)

With Outlander Book Club:

Classic Read (starting August 18th): The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.

In-depth re-read and discussion: A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: We’ll be reading and discussing two chapters per week starting September 2nd.

Want to join one or both of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

And in real life:

We celebrated my little guy’s 12th birthday this week! At his request, we spent his birthday on a whitewater rafting adventure. He was thrilled, and we all had a blast. My baby is growing up! I’ll just be a shamelessly bragging mom for a minute and say that I’m so proud of my kiddo and the person he’s becoming. (Now if only I could get him to read once in a while… )

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading!

boy1