The Monday Agenda 3/10/2014

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?

House of GlassThe Opposite of Maybe16 Things I Thought Were True

House of Glass by Sophie Littlefield: Done! A story of a home invasion that quickly spirals out of control, House of Glass focuses on the family whose world is turned upside down and how their relationships and secrets factor into the dangerous situation they face. Shelleyrae at Book’d Out wrote a spot-on review of this book; you can see it here.

The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson. Done! My review is here.

16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler: Done! My author Q&A, review, and blog tour post can be found here.

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek MythsThe kiddo and I are finished D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths this week, and loved it! A great book to share, one that we each enjoyed. Finally, a successful book pick for the two of us!

Fresh Catch:

One library book:

Grasshopper Jungle

Two books I just had to buy before that Amazon gift card burned a hole in my pocket:

Sailor Twain: Or: The Mermaid in the HudsonWe Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

(PS – I’ve read Sailor Twain already, but didn’t own a copy — and now that it’s out in paperback, just couldn’t resist!)

And the next volume in one of my ongoing series… which I really, seriously need to get caught up on one of these days:

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

Sunrise (Ashfall, #3)Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)

I’m so excited to read Sunrise by Mike Mullin, book three in the terrific trilogy that starts with Ashfall and Ashen Winter. My blog tour post will be up on March 15th — be sure to check it out!

I’m also practically bouncing off the walls waiting for the new Mercy Thompson book to arrive this week! Night Broken by Patricia Briggs will be released this Tuesday, and this will be a (as they call it in my son’s school) DEAR book for me — “drop everything and read”! Can’t wait.

And also in the works:

Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark Is Rising Sequence)Next up for the kiddo and me: We’re just starting Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper.

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 39 – 43. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 3/3/2014

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?

City of JasmineThe Husband's Secret16 Things I Thought Were True

City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn: Done! My review is here.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. Done! My review is here.

16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler: Done! Watch for my blog tour feature later this week…

Fresh Catch:

Just a few new books on my Kindle, one bought, two received as ARCs:

Somewhere in France: A Novel of the Great WarThe Here and NowThe Daring Ladies of Lowell

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

House of GlassThe Opposite of MaybeThe Mapmaker's Daughter

It looks like this will be an adult fiction week, starting with:

House of Glass by Sophie Littlefield: I meant to read this one last week, but somehow I ran out of time. (Ummm, too much TV, perhaps?)

After that:

The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson

The Mapmaker’s Daughter by Laurel Corona

And also in the works:

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek MythsMy kiddo and I are still reading D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths each night before bed, and it’s loads of fun. I feel like I’m reliving my childhood, and kiddo is really enjoying the crazy shenanigans of the gods. Finally, a win in the book arena for mom!

And my ongoing project:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 34 – 38. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 2/24/2014

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 Time TutorAfter I'm Gone

Better off FriendsWhisper Of Jasmine

The Time Tutor by Bee Ridgway: A review — plus a giveaway of the new paperback edition of The River of No Return — will be up a bit later today. Check back to enter!

After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman. Done! My review is here.

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg: Done! My review is here.

Whisper of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn: This romantic novella is a prequel to City of Jasmine (see below), and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fresh Catch:

got3No new books this week… but in book-related news, Game of Thrones season 3 arrived on DVD!

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

City of JasmineThe Husband's SecretHouse of Glass

I’m *this close* to finishing City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn, and should have a review up in the next couple of days.

Next up, I’ll be reading:

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty (which I’ve been wanting to read — and now need to read for a book group discussion)

House of Glass by Sophie Littlefield

And also in the works:

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek MythsIn the never-ending struggle to keep my kiddo engaged with books, we’re now reading assorted stories from D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths each night before bed, and he’s really enjoying it. It’s been so long since I’ve looked through this book, so I’m getting a kick out of it too!

And my ongoing project:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 29 – 33. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 2/17/2014

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 Fiery Cross (Outlander, #5)The Winter PeopleSee Jane RunThe Time Tutor

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon: I finished this massive 1,400 page book thanks to lots of binge-reading and staying up past my bedtime… but I got it done! I love the series (obviously), and was surprised by how much I enjoyed my re-read of The Fiery Cross. To be honest, I’d been avoiding it, as there are several parts that are just so awful or painful that I couldn’t stand the thought of experiencing them again. And yes, plenty of terrible things happen in this book, but there’s so much to love as well. All in all, I’m really happy that I decided to drop everything else and do a re-read!

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon: I think this one will stay on my “on hold” list for now. I hope to come back to it in a few weeks.

See Jane Run by Hannah Jayne: Done! My review is here, and I should be posting an author feature a bit later this week, so check back!

The Time Tutor by Bee Ridgway: Done! Stay tuned for a review and a very special giveaway coming up next week!

House of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini: Did not finish. I was reading this one with my son, and neither of us ended up caring enough about the story to want to continue. We’re officially done with this one.

Fresh Catch:

Here’s what arrived this week:

By Blood We Live (The Last Werewolf, #3)

By Blood We Live by Glen  Duncan: The third book in the trilogy that begins with The Last Werewolf and continues with Talulla Rising, I expect this book to be just as gory and blood-drenched as the previous two — and just as incredible a reading experience. These books are not for the squeamish, but I do think they’re excellent! I’m really looking forward to reading this one!

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

After I'm GoneBetter off FriendsCity of Jasmine

I’m about half-way through After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman. I’ve never read anything by this author before, since I don’t usually go for crime/mystery novels — but I’m really wrapped up in this book so far!  I hope to finish in the next day or so.

And after that, I’m planning to read review copies of two books due out later this month:

  • Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg
  • City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn

In addition:

Fahrenheit 451My quest to find a book that interests my son continues! We started reading Fahrenheit 451 together a few days ago. I’m convinced that he’ll love Bradbury if he just gives him a chance! So far, so good, although the language and symbolism often go over the kiddo’s head. Still, he’s interested for now, and I’m happy to have an excuse to revisit this book again after so many years!

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 24 – 28. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 2/10/2014

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?

When Audrey Met AliceArchetype

I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing two new books right in time for their release dates last week:

When Audrey Met Alice by Rebecca Behrens: My review, along with the author’s guest post, is here.

Archetype by M. D. Waters: Suspenseful and altogether terrific. My review is here.

And then things went a bit astray, despite my careful planning…

The Fiery Cross (Outlander, #5)Instead of moving forward to the next ARC on my reading schedule, I decided to reread a truly massive book. So, for the past several days, I’ve been reading Diana Gabaldon’s The Fiery Cross — because I’m in the midst of an attack of Outlander obsession and felt the need to re-read the books I’m less familiar with in order to be ready for the upcoming new book in June. Sigh. I love it, but I’m also shaking my head at myself for starting a 1400 page book when I have so much else to read!

Fresh Catch:

Two very different books came my way this week:

Riot

Riot by Mary Casanova: I just received a review copy of this new book aimed at middle grade readers, set in 1989 during a labor dispute in Minnesota. It sounds quite interesting, if a bit outside of my usual reading topics.

Locke & Key, Vol. 6: Alpha & OmegaI am completely thrilled that volume 6 of the incredible Locke & Key graphic novel series has finally been released! I think I need to hold off on reading #6, though, until I have time to re-read #5 (if not all of them), so that I can truly enjoy this final volume with all of the details fresh in my mind. I love these books!

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

The Winter PeopleSee Jane RunThe Time Tutor

Assuming I finish The Fiery Cross within the next few days (only 400 pages to go!), I’ll return to my regularly scheduled reading with:

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon (which I started last week, then abandoned for my huge red book…)

See Jane Run by Hannah Jayne: I was intrigued by the premise of this new young adult novel, and will be participating in the blog tour next week.

The Time Tutor by Bee Ridgway: A prequel novella connected to The River of No Return — which was one of my very favorite books of 2013!

In addition:

House of Secrets (House of Secrets, #1)House of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini: My son and I have practically stalled on our read-together venture with this book, but we haven’t quite abandoned it yet. We keep ending up with other things to do besides sitting down to read House of Secrets — which may be a sign that, despite being pretty fun so far, neither of us feels really grabbed by this book. We’ll keep going, and see if we get more into it this week.

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 19 – 23. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 2/3/2014

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 Splendour FallsMidwinterbloodWhen Audrey Met Alice

The Spendour Falls by Susanna Kearsley: Done! My review is here.

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick: Done! I’ve had this book on my shelf for almost a year now, and I’m so happy that I finally took the time to read it. An unforgettable book — no wonder it just won the Printz award! My review is here.

When Audrey Met Alice by Rebecca Behrens: Done! I just finished reading this terrifically entertaining middle grade novel about the life of a First Daughter who finds inspiration in the diary of a former First Daughter, Alice Roosevelt. Check out my blog tour post — today! —  to read more about the book, hear some thoughts from the author, and get my take on it all!

Fresh Catch:

I was thrilled to receive these review books this week:

House of GlassThe Serpent of Venice: A Novel

Two very different books — and I’m really looking forward to both!

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

ArchetypeThe Winter People

I’m excited to be reading:

Archetype by M. D. Waters

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

In addition:

House of Secrets (House of Secrets, #1)My son and I seem to have settled into House of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini for our newest read-together book. So far, it’s strange and eerie, set in modern-day San Francisco but with all sorts of weird, occultish things happening already. And seriously, a family buying an old, supposedly haunted mansion in Sea Cliff for $300k? Clearly, something supernatural is going on!

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon is moving right along. Coming up this week: Chapters 14 – 18. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 1/27/2014

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.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Ophelia and the Marvelous BoyThe Swiss AffairAlienated (Alienated, #1)

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee: Done! My review is here.

The Swiss Affair by Emylia Hall: Done! My review is here.

Alienated by Melissa Landers: Done! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

Just a few new books came my way this week:

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency  (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1)Deep Secret (Magids, #1)Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things (Courtney Crumrin, #1)

Plus, a couple of new ARCs, but I think I’ll hold off on writing about those until I’m a bit closer to reading them!

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

When Audrey Met AliceThe Splendour Falls

When Audrey Met Alice by Rebecca Behrens: I’ll be participating in the blog tour for this new release in early February. The book looks terrific!

I’m caught up on all of my ARCs for January, so before moving on to the February list, I’m carving out time for a book from my shelf. I’m really can’t wait to read The Splendour Falls by Susanna Kearsley, whose books just never let me down!

House of Secrets (House of Secrets, #1)In the world of reading with my kiddo, we’ve had a tough time settling on a new book to read together. We started The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King, but it didn’t grab him. After that, we read the first chapter of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, which also went nowhere. Next, we’re going to try House of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini. Third time’s the charm? We shall see.

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon is moving right along. Coming up this week: Chapters 9 – 13. Want to join in? Just let me know and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 1/20/2014

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 VanishingDirty Magic (The Prospero's War, #1)Cruel BeautyHeartbeatdinosaur summer

The Vanishing by Wendy Webb: Done! My review is here.

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells: I read a few chapters, then decided it wasn’t for me — at least, not right now. It looks like fun urban fantasy, but I suppose I just wasn’t in the mood. Maybe another time.

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge: Done! My review is here.

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott: I just finished this book late on Sunday, with more than a few tears in my eyes. Review to follow.
Updated to add: The review for Heartbeat is up now, here.

Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear: My kiddo and I finished reading this terrific sci-fi adventure story this past week. My thoughts on Dinosaur Summer are here.

Fresh Catch:

It’s a bonanza of books, some new and some picked up from the used bookstore:

The Splendour FallsJoe Golem and the Drowning City: An Illustrated Novel

The Haunting of Hill House Hollow City (Miss Peregrine, #2)

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

First up, a couple of ARCs for January new releases:

Ophelia and the Marvelous BoyThe Swiss Affair

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

The Swiss Affair by Emylia Hall

If I finish both of these, I’ll be caught up on review copies for the month, and can then indulge myself with a book or two just for me! The one I’m most looking forward to? The Splendour Falls by Susanna Kearsley! This is one author who has never let me down, and I’m really excited to read this new reissue of one of her older books.

My son and I are debating our choices for our next “together” book. Right now, we’re leaning toward The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King. So far, he’s liked the first few chapters that we’ve read, so this is looking like a definite maybe. My kiddo’s first Stephen King — what a great milestone!

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon is now underway! The goal is to read a chapter each weekday, from now until June, finishing just in time for the release of the next Outlander book, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood. Up this week in Echo: chapters 4 -8. Want to join in? Just let me know and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 1/13/2014

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?

The Golem and the Jinni PBWhat Nora Knew

SnowblindHarrowgate

I read The Golem and the Jinni right at the end of 2013, but just posted my review this past week as part of the blog tour for the book’s paperback release. Plus, I had the pleasure of attending a reading by Helene Wecker this week as well, and it was wonderful! She even provided homemade macaroons… yum.

What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin: Done! My review is here.

Snowblind by Christopher Golden: Done! My review is here.

Harrowgate by Kate Maruyama: Done! My review is here.

Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear: In the final stretch! The kiddo and I have about 30 pages left. Very intense! I should have a mother/son review up within the coming week.

Fresh Catch:

While I was at the author event for The Golem and the Jinni (held at one of my very favorite bookstores), I picked up a couple of additional books — one that I’d already read as a library book, and one that I just couldn’t resist:

RedshirtsHyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

A few requests came in at the library this week as well. Now, to find time to read them…

After Dead: What Came Next in the World of Sookie Stackhouse (Sookie Stackhouse, #13.5)ViciousThe Lucy Variations

Note: I’m glad I borrowed After Dead from the library. It took ten minutes to read. Completely unnecessary, IMHO.

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

I’m trying to be very diligent about sticking to my schedule for all the ARCs waiting to be read. My next two review copies are:

The VanishingDirty Magic (The Prospero's War, #1)

The Vanishing by Wendy Webb

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

I’m nervous about whether I’ll be able to keep up my usual reading pace over the next few months, because starting this week, I have THIS coming up:

An-Echo-in-the-Bone-Caltrop

With Diana Gabaldon’s newest book, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood, due out in June, I know I’m in desperate need of a re-read of the previous one. The Outlander Book Club will be reading one chapter of An Echo in the Bone per day (weekdays only) from January 15th through June 9th. In case you’re keeping count, that’s 103 chapters! My copy of the book has 1,150 pages. So yeah, that’s quite a bit of additional reading I’ll be doing, on top of all the new and upcoming books I plan to read as well. (If anyone wants more info on the Echo re-read, just let me know! New members are always welcome!)

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1

The Monday Agenda 1/6/2014

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.

Welcome to the first Monday Agenda post of 2014! Kicking off the first full week of reading in this sparkly new year…

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Runaways, Vol. 3: The Good Die Young (Runaways, #3)PerfectHow to Save a Life

Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan et. al.: Done! Over the course of a day and a half, I did a binge-read of this entire series — and overall, loved it very much. The series is strongest from volumes 1 – 7, with Brian K. Vaughan at the helm. Once other writers take over, the series seems to lose focus, and I was much less impressed with volumes 8 – 11.  Apparently the series was cancelled at that point, as #11 ends abruptly with a cliffhanger — sadly, never to be resolved. I feel disloyal even saying this, but even my adored Joss Whedon, who authored volume #8, can’t match the excellence and edginess of Brian K. Vaughan’s storytelling. Yes, I’m thrilled that I finally made time for Runaways — but could have lived without the last four volumes.

Perfect by Rachel Joyce: Done! My review is here.

How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr: Done! My review is here.

Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear: My son and I have about 90 pages to go, and we’re right in the thick of the most exciting part of the book! It’s very hard not to peek ahead once my kiddo goes to sleep, but I’m being good. For now.

Fresh Catch:

No new paper-and-ink books this week, but I did get a new ARC and a couple of Kindle books that I’m excited for!

The Possibilities: A NovelOrphan TrainOh Dear Silvia

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

What Nora KnewSnowblind

HarrowgateParts & Wreck

I’ve just started What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin, which seems like good rom-com fun.

Next up, two books on the creepy side:

  • Snowblind by Christopher Golden
  • Harrowgate by Kate Maruyama

But, if I feel like switching things up a bit and going for light urban fantasy, I may give Parts & Wreck by Mark Henry a try.

So many book, so little time…

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

boy1