2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Not 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 Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig: Although I read it the previous week, I just wrote a review this past week. Click here to see what I thought.

Amity and Sorrow by Peggy Riley. Read but didn’t review. While parts of Amity and Sorrow — a story about a mother and two daughters trying to rebuild their lives after escaping a polygamous fundamentalist cult — were interesting to read, overall I found the book didn’t hold my attention very well. In the end, rather than write a not-very-positive review, I opted not to review it at all.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey: Just finished. One word review: Wow. I’ll be writing an actual review shortly. Don’t miss this intense book about an alien invasion.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. My son and I finished our read-aloud of the 2nd book in the Narnia world this week, and are happily continuing with #3.

Fresh Catch:

A big haul this week — five library books plus a review copy of the upcoming new release in the captivating Last Survivors series by Susan Beth Pfeffer:

This Is What Happy Looks Like Doll Bones Fathomless (Fairytale Retellings, #3) Invisibility Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse, #13) The Shade of the Moon (The Last Survivors, #4)

And in graphic novels, a couple of new ones from the library, plus I picked up a copy of a Fables-related title which I’d previously read but didn’t own:

Friends with Boys Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future Cinderella, Vol. 2: Fables are Forever

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

I’m planning to start with the graphic novels: Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hicks (recommended to me by my amazing daughter!), and then volumes 1 – 3 of Morning Glories, which I’ve been wanting to try.

The sixth and final book in the terrific Jane True series by Nicole Peeler comes out this week! I intend to re-read book 5, Tempest’s Fury, and then jump right into Tempest Reborn the second it arrives.

After that, I’ll hit the new (and last) Sookie Stackhouse book, Dead Ever After, which finally arrived at the library this week.

The kiddo and I just started Prince Caspian last night. These Narnia books are fun but fast, so I’d imagine that we’ll polish this one off before the end of the week.

So many book, so little time…

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

20May2013

The Monday agenda 5/20/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill: Finished! And just in time for the author’s book signing! My review (including random gushiness about the book event) is here.

Twerp by Mark Goldblatt: I read a review copy of this delightful book for middle-grade readers. My review is here.

The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig: Finished last night, review to follow. Quick response: I loved this imaginative re-telling of Hamlet!

Fresh Catch:

Just a few items this week. I bought myself copies of two books that I’d borrowed from the library and loved: The Dog Stars by Peter Heller and Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. In addition, I picked up an e-book version of The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd, which looks like the start of a promising trilogy.

The Dog Stars Attachments The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter, #1)

Looks like a few more books on my library hold list will come in the next few days as well — but sadly, no Sookie yet. For whatever reason, my library system still lists the new book as “on order”, despite the fact that it came out two weeks ago! Argh.

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

After finishing The Dead Fathers Club last night, I started Amity and Sorrow by Peggy Riley. After that, I’ll try to get through one or two library books, most likely starting with The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.

Meanwhile, I need to squeeze in a quick re-read of Tempest’s Fury, book 5 in the amazing Jane True series by Nicole Peeler. The sixth and final book comes out next week, and I want to be ready!

My son and I are about 2/3 of the way through The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and I expect we’ll be ready for book #3 in the Narnia series by the end of the week.

So many book, so little time…

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

13May2013

The Monday agenda 5/13/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Considering I was sick in bed with a nasty cold most of the week, I did pretty well with my reading plans. Accomplished in the past week:

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley: Done! My review is here.

The Theory of Everything by J. J. Johnson: Done! My review is here.

The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis: Finished this read-aloud with my son. Our thoughts are here.

Read but not reviewed:

I went on a graphic novel bender, reading three books in the Mercy Thompson series and two books in the Alpha & Omega series, all based on novels by Patricia Briggs. I enjoyed the Mercy graphic novels very much; the Alpha & Omega books fell a bit flat for me, particularly because of the cartoonish illustrations.

Also finished: My read-through of Much Ado About Nothing (c’mon, you know who the author is!). I ended up doing a quick read on my Kindle during my sick days. I’m not sure how much I truly absorbed — but it was enough to feel like I had a better familiarity with the plot and the characters. And now I can’t wait to see the movie version AGAIN when it comes out in June. (For more on the Much Ado movie, click here.)

Fresh Catch:

So first of all, this arrived this week — all 700 pages of it:

I also returned a bunch of library books, and as per usual, came home with more. But only two this time, and one is a tour book, so I consider that a win!

And in other news highlighting my amazing powers of self-restraint, I went into an adorable used book store over the weekend and didn’t buy a thing! (Of course, I didn’t see anything that I actually wanted, but that’s beside the point.)

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

Gotta finish NOS4A2. I’m about 400 pages into it — and it is by far the creepiest, most twisted thing I’ve read in ages. I came close to putting it down and picking up something lighter — you know, with kitties or rainbows — but I managed to keep going. Joe Hill is an amazing writer, but geez, this is a disturbing book.

I’m not sure what I’ll end up picking up next — I’m thinking either The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig or A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.

Meanwhile, my son and I are pressing ahead with our Narnia read, and have started The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

So many book, so little time…

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

6May2013

The Monday agenda 5/6/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn: Finished it; enjoyed it; reviewed it. My review is here.

Ask The Passengers: Done! My review is here.

Read but not reviewed:

Far in the Wilds by Deanna Raybourn: A prequel to A Spear of Summer Grass. This novella provides the backstory for one of the main characters, and is worth checking out if you’ve read Spear.

Interview with the Vampire: Claudia’s Story by Anne Rice and Ashley Marie Witter. This graphic novel retells events from Interview from the perspective of Claudia, the child vampire. Fans of Anne Rice’s books may want to read this as a side-note to the novels, but I wouldn’t recommend it in place of reading Interview with the Vampire.

Fresh Catch:

I managed not to buy any new books this week, although I did pick up a used copy of this book after a book club friend recommended it:

See? Real self-restraint this week. No guarantee that will last, however.

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

I wrote a bit of a blogging manifesto for myself over the weekend (you can read it here), in which I reminded myself to put reading ahead of blogging — in other words, read the books I really want to read, rather than picking books based on what might work well as blog posts. There are so many other sources of stress in my life. Reading shouldn’t be one of them. So, onward! With a fresh outlook, I hope.

That said, here’s where I stand in terms of a reading agenda for the coming week. I’m about midway through The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley, and I’m enjoying it very much. I decided it was finally time to make it a priority, even though it’s been on my shelf for months now, because the author has new book due out soon and I’ve heard that at least one of the characters from The Shadowy Horses will be showing up.

After much internal debate about continuing to buy brand-new hardcovers when I already have so many unread books in my house (you see where this is going, don’t you?), I finally broke down and ordered myself a copy of Joe Hill’s new novel, NOS4A2. It should be arriving on Tuesday, and I plan to start reading it the second it arrives.

Since NOS4A2 is 700+ pages, I’m guessing that will fill up my reading agenda very nicely this week, thank you very much.

But, if I do have any random down-time, I’ll continue my slow but steady read-through of Much Ado About Nothing. I’m aiming for a scene each day — not too ambitious, but it’s still not always happening. I don’t feel a great sense of urgency about this, but I would like to become more familiar with Shakespeare’s comedies, and this is a good start.

My son and I are approaching the end of The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis. We’re in Narnia and have met Aslan. Looking good. And seeming likely that we’ll continue with the Narnia books after this one is done.

So many book, so little time…

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

29Apr2013

The Monday agenda 4/29/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness: Done! My review is here. Beautiful, heart-breaking book.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: Done! Delightful. My review is here.

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn: I’ve read about 30% by now. So far, so good.

Fresh Catch:

First of all, this arrived:

Angel & Faith, volume 3: Family Reunion. My inner fangirl nerd is squealing with delight right now.

I did end up with a few library books this week as well. I don’t understand how that happened — all I did was stop at the library to return a book, and somehow I ended up with these:

I just can’t get ahead.

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

After A Spear of Summer Grass, I need to get through a few more books sitting on my Kindle, including The First Rule of Swimming and Questions of Travel. But I’m highly fickle these days, as well as easily distracted, so who knows what shiny new cover may catch my eye?

On the “call me ambitious” front, after seeing the amazing new movie version of Much Ado About Nothing this past weekend (see my reaction here), I’ve decided that I really need to read a Shakespearean comedy or two to make up for what are apparently some very sad deficiencies in my education. So, I pulled my massive Riverside Shakespeare off the shelf and plan to read through Much Ado in the next week or two. And I’m sure I’m going to be perfectly insufferable about the whole thing.

My son and I are continuing with The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis. We’ve just about reached the half-way mark at this point, and we’re finding it a quick and entertaining read.

So many book, so little time…

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

22Apr2013

The Monday agenda 4/22/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway: Done! My review is here. Short version: Amazing! Don’t miss it — the book is being released this week.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: Just started. I’ve read about 50 pages, and it’s a hoot so far.

From last week’s agenda: The Love Song of Jonny Valentine by Teddy Wayne. Finished reading during the previous week, but didn’t get the review up until a few days ago.

Fresh Catch:

NO NEW BOOKS! That’s right — a very big accomplishment for me. During this past week, I neither bought any new books nor borrowed any books from the library.

However… I did get a few review copies of books via NetGalley (thank you, NetGalley!). Here are some pretty pictures of the newest titles now waiting for me on my Kindle:

I’m really excited to read all of these, and can’t wait to dig in!

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

Once I finish Attachments, I plan to read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, and then dive into one of the lovely books pictured above.

My son and I have started reading The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis, although we haven’t gotten past the first chapter yet. I’m a Narnia novice — we’ll see how it goes for both of us. This is also a test to see whether my 10-year-old still has the patience for having his mom read to him. Fingers crossed!

So many book, so little time…

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

15Apr2013

The Monday agenda 4/15/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent: Done! My review is here.

Not on last week’s agenda, but I read it anyway: The Love Song of Jonny Valentine by Teddy Wayne. Terrific read; review to follow.

Fresh Catch:

New acquisitions, both purchased and borrowed from the library — here’s what joined my collection, permanently or temporarily, this past week:

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

I plan to start with The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway. It’s a bit on the big side, so I may not have time for much else — but if I do, I should probably dig into some of the library books I have sitting in a pile here, before the nice library folks demand them back. Waiting to be read are Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan, and The House Girl by Tara Conklin.

Don’t even ask me about all the unread titles on my Kindle…

So many book, so little time…

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

8Apr2013

The Monday agenda 4/8/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Sometimes I ask myself, why bother with a plan? After all, I just end up reading whatever strikes my fancy, 9 times out of 10. Or so it seems. Anyway, in my own probably futile attempt to control the chaos, here goes:

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. Finished last week, and finally wrote a review. Plus, my book group discussion about Dreamers of the Day was terrific. And now I can say that I’ve read everything written by Mary Doria Russell — and can only sit back and wait for her to finish the next book.

The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones. Finished! My review is here.

Not on last week’s agenda, but I read it anyhow: Stranded by Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbetts. My son finished this middle grade book, then insisted I read it as well. Our take on Stranded is here. Short version: If your kids are Survivor fans, this kids’ book by the Survivor host is a great choice.

Also in kids’ books: My son abandoned me midway through our read-aloud of Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham, so I finally decided to finish it on my own. My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

New acquisitions, both purchased and borrowed from the library — here’s what joined my collection, permanently or temporarily, this past week:

Bought or received:

Plus, I went to hear Cheryl Strayed speak this past week (she was fantastic!) and I finally bought myself a copy of Wild, since the copy I read a few months back was borrowed from a friend. And look! She signed it!

I also picked up a few books from the library. Why do all my holds come in all at once??? I may not get to read them all before they’re due again, but here’s what came home with me this week:

So yeah. My book habits are out of control. Like that’s a surprise.

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

I actually have a clean slate at the moment. I’m not in the middle of anything! So what to read?

I intend to start with Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent. A Victorian lady undertaker! Sounds like something I’ll love.

Next, I’m really looking forward to reading the review copy of The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway, which just arrived in the mail yesterday. Time travel + historical fiction = something I can’t wait to read.

Meanwhile, I really should get to one of the new, biggish novels that have come my way, but I’m trying not to overcommit — so no promises for what’s next!

So many book, so little time…

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

1Apr2013

The Monday agenda 4/1/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Back from vacation, ready to catch up with the world once again!

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

I was on a family vacation all of last week, which meant plenty of reading, but not much blogging. May the gods of the interwebs bless my bulky but trusty home computer — trying to get by on a netbook and Starbucks wifi was not a fun experience! I still have some reviews to write, but here’s how I did last week:

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. Finished it, loved it, but haven’t had time to sit down and review yet. Stay tuned.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Done! Amazing, intense, beautiful book. My review is here.

That Time I Joined The Circus by J. J. Howard. Finished last week, but didn’t review until this week.

Fresh Catch:

Despite being out of town, a few new books came my way, via a giveaway (thank you!!) and my lovely neighborhood library branch. Here’s the fresh catch of the week:

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

I’ve started the The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones, but haven’t gotten quite half-way yet. (Tried to read more on the airplane yesterday, but the three-year-old sitting behind me was just a wee bit distracting.)

Next up, either one of the library books (above) or else my new copy of A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, which I had to buy the second it came out but still haven’t had time to read yet!

So many book, so little time…

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

24Mar2013

The Monday agenda 3/25/2013

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

You’ll have to excuse my brevity and lack of pictures this week. I’m out of town, staying in a lovely hotel which charges an arm and a leg for internet access… hence, my late night visit to the Starbucks across the road, which is apparently closing in 10 minutes. So, the very brief version of The Monday Agenda, courtesy of Starbucks and my finicky netbook.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

That Time I Joined The Circus by J. J. Howard: Done! Review to follow.

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. Started, about 100 pages to go. Really enjoying so far… and learning something too, while I’m at it.

Monday Agenda feature (but not this week): Fresh Catch!

Nothing to report this week. I’m out of town, hauling books and my Kindle everywhere I go, but so far managing not to add to my load by picking up any new books.

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

Since I’m traveling, I’m trying to stay nimble and light. I have two more “real” (i.e., made of paper) books with me, The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones and Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. And I have a feeling those will last me until I’m back home again.

And that’s it! My normal blogging and reading routines are definitely off this week — a small price to pay for an opportunity to visit with family and see some new sights.

So many book, so little time…

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