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?

Doctor Sleep (The Shining, #2) Sky Jumpers (Sky Jumpers, #1) Charming (Pax Arcana, #1)

What a great reading week it’s been!

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King: Done! It seemed to take me much longer than I’d expected, but I finally finished. Loved it! My review is here.

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman: Done! Totally enjoyed this adventure story for the middle grade set. My review is here.

Charming by Elliott James: At about the 80% mark, should be finished later today. Quite a fun new world of urban fantasy to explore!

And in kids’ books:

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo (Leven Thumps, #1) The Expeditioners and the Treasure of Drowned Man's Canyon

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye: Sadly, this one is going on the DNF pile. My kiddo and I really tried to stick with it, but after reading about 2/3 of this book, we still had no idea what was going on — and didn’t find it interesting enough to try to find out. We both felt that we could walk away, and so we did. Moving on…

The Expeditioners by S. S. Taylor: Our next read-aloud book is set in a steam-punk-ish world with all sorts of neat twists. We’ve only read two chapters so far, but it’s hooked us both right away.

Fresh Catch:

I can’t keep up! My pile of newly released (and promptly purchased) YA books keeps growing. Here’s this week’s addition:

Picture Me Gone

I’m really looking forward to reading this one, but I’m going to have wait a few weeks. Why? Read on…

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

I have a new goal, and I think it’s one that I can actually achieve! My Kindle is getting completely backed up with review copies that I haven’t gotten to yet (BTW – thanks, NetGalley! xoxo), and I think it’s time to really tackle the backlog! My resolution for October is to catch up on all of the ARCs currently waiting for me, with publication dates anytime from this past summer (yes, I’m behind) through November. And only then will I go back to my overflowing bookshelves and dive into the books I’ve treated myself to but haven’t read. (What? Buying books and not reading them? Shocking situation! Can anyone else relate?)

So here’s what’s up next for this week:

Before I Met You Will in Scarlet Longbourn

Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell
Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody
Longbourn by Jo Baker

The only teensy hitch that I foresee is that Just One Year by Gayle Forman is being released this week and… well… I may have to make one exception to my reading resolution and read it THE SECOND IT ARRIVES because I have been dying to know what happens for months now!!!

Anyone having a problem keeping up with their review copies? Please tell me I’m not alone!

So many book, so little time…

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

30Sep2013

The Monday Agenda 9/30/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Girl You Left Behind Doctor Sleep (The Shining, #2)

Why do I feel like I’ve had no time to read this week? Oh yeah, real life intrudes once again… I’ve been grabbing my reading time in teeny, tiny increments all week, and I’ve made little to no progress in my stacks of books waiting to be read.

Here’s what I managed to read in the past seven days:

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes: Done! My review is here.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King: I started it on Wednesday, and I’m just past the 60% mark at this point. I like it so far — just wish I had more time!!

And in kids’ books:

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo (Leven Thumps, #1)

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye. My kiddo and I are reading this one together, and so far, he likes it more than I do. I’m finding it kind of dark and scattered, and we’re far enough into it by now that we should have a better sense of what’s going on. If it were just me, I might move on at this point, but kiddo seems to want to continue — so onward we go.

Fresh Catch:

Holy crow, was this a big week for acquiring books! I attended my very favorite annual event, the Big Book Sale in support of our public libraries. Over 500,000 items on sale in a huge warehouse, with avid booklovers crowding around the tables, and everything priced at $3 or less. I wrote about it here last year — so much fun! This year, I showed a bit more restraint than usual, but still managed to come home with 25 books (for a whopping price of $46!).

Among my finds were 12 ARCs for books that have just been released this year (including Double Feature by Owen King, The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes, More Than This by Patrick Ness, and Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende), a beautiful hardcover edition of The Book Thief to replace my old battered paperback, and copies of several books that I’ve been meaning to get to, including a few more Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde and Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman.

On top of all that, this week saw the arrival of two eagerly awaited new releases as well as a couple of library books for me to read with the kiddo:

Doctor Sleep (The Shining, #2) Shadows Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes The Expeditioners and the Treasure of Drowned Man's Canyon

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

The Incrementalists Sky Jumpers (Sky Jumpers, #1) Charming (Pax Arcana, #1) Before I Met You

Assuming I get through Doctor Sleep in the next few days, I need to tackle the review books that have started to pile up:

First up: The Incrementalists by Steven Brust and Skyler White.

After that, one of several possibilities:

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman (a middle grade book)
Charming by Elliott James
Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell

We’ll just have to wait and see what strikes my fancy when the time comes to start something new!

So many book, so little time…

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

23Sep2013

The Monday Agenda 9/23/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1) Two Boys Kissing The Girl You Left Behind

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt: Done! My review is here.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan: Done! My review is here.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes: Currently reading, at about the half-way point. Very moving so far!

And in kids’ books:

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo (Leven Thumps, #1)

My son and I have settled on our next read-aloud book. We’ve just started the first book in the Leven Thumps series by Obert Skye, which seems to have originally been titled Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo, but which now appears to be called just The Gateway. Whatever the title, we’re about 6 or 7 chapters into it, and it seems to be a fun if somewhat dark fantasy series. We’ll definitely read all of book 1 before we decide about the rest of the series.

Fresh Catch:

In my quest to find books that will appeal to both my son and me, I picked up a couple of new (used) kids’ books plus a graphic novel for me:

Liesl & Po House of Secrets (House of Secrets, #1) Angel & Faith: Death and Consequences (Angel & Faith, #4)

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

The Girl You Left Behind Doctor Sleep (The Shining, #2) The Incrementalists

First, I need to finish The Girl You Left Behind… by Tuesday, because…

Holey moley, I’m so excited for the release of Doctor Sleep by Stephen King! I finished my re-read of The Shining a couple of weeks ago, and have been on pins and needles waiting for Doctor Sleep ever since! I plan to start reading it the second it arrives.

If by any chance I have time left this week, then my next book will be The Incrementalists by Steven Brust and Skyler White, one of my recent Wishlist Wednesday picks.

AND — on top of all this reading goodness — coming this week is one of my very favorite events of the year: the Big Book Sale hosted by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. Hundreds of thousands of books for $3 or less! I’ll be attending the member preview on Tuesday night. What could be more fun than being in a huge room filled with books and surrounded by hundreds of crazy book lovers? Last year, I came home with 40 books and spent $80. Let’s see how I do this year!

So many book, so little time…

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

16Sep2013

The Monday Agenda 9/16/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Fangirl The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1)

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain: Done! My review is here.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: Done! My review is here.

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt: Just about at the half-way point. It’s a fun story so far, but I’m not really clear on where it’s going.

The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis: Done! After five months and seven books, our Narnia journey has reached its end. A few reflections can be found here.

Fresh Catch:

Besides Fangirl, which I devoured as soon as it arrived, I also received one book I purchased and one book from the library, both of which I’m really looking forward to reading!

Unthinkable (Impossible, #2) Two Boys Kissing

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

First, I need to finish Mister Max.

Next, I’ll be diving into my two “fresh catch” books, Unthinkable by Nancy Werlin and Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan.

It’s highly unlikely that I’ll finish those and still have time to spare… but if I do, next up is The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes.

Plus, now that we’ve finished the Narnia books, the kiddo and I have to start our next reading adventure. Let’s see, what can I tempt him with? I’m thinking A Wrinkle in Time, but may experiment a bit and try introducing him to some stories from my Bradbury collection instead.

So many book, so little time…

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

9Sep2013

The Monday Agenda 9/9/2013

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

After a busy week of travel through Alaska (gorgeous!), I’m back and ready to dig into my ever-growing pile of books!

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Bring Up the Bodies (Thomas Cromwell, #2) The Shining (The Shining, #1) The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel: Done! I read this all in one intense day of travel, and was just blown away. My review is here.

The Shining by Stephen King: Done! Re-reading this book after 20 years, I was reminded all over again of how great Stephen King is at what he does. I’m so glad I read this one again — now I feel ready for the release of Doctor Sleep later this month! Further thoughts to follow.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce: Done! My review is here.

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain: Just started, have read about 50 pages… and I think it’s going to be great.

The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis: Now that I’m back, my son and I are picking up where we left off.

Plus, I posted a review of a book I’d read earlier. If you missed it, check out my review of Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts — a surprisingly lovely book about living through the last week of life on earth.

Fresh Catch:

Despite being on vacation, I managed to pick up two books at a used book store, plus a couple of Kindle deals:

The Lady Elizabeth In Cold Blood The Husband's Secret The Rithmatist (Rithmatist #1)

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

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1) The Girl You Left Behind The Universe Versus Alex Woods

First up, I need to finish Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which I’m really enjoying so far.

Next, I plan to read a review copy of Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt. (For some reason, I keep thinking of this as Mad Max and visualizing a young Mel Gibson. No connection, I know, but there you have it.)

After that, I have a few more ARCs to get through, starting with either The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes or The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence.

Plus, I’m very eagerly awaiting the arrival of this new release later this week:

Fangirl

So many book, so little time…

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

2Sep2013

The Monday Agenda 9/2/2013

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

I’m out of town on vacation this week, driving through beautiful Alaska (with my beautiful daughter)! Here’s the quick version of the Monday Agenda.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Returned The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic

The Returned by Jason Mott: Done! My review is here.

The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker: In all of my pre-trip frenzy, I ran out of time, and since this is a long book, I’m going to wait until I’m back from my travels to dig into it.

The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis: My son and I have read about five chapters so far. Last book in the series! I’m sad to see the Narnia adventure coming to an end. The Last Battle gets off to a pretty depressing start; I hope it picks up — and lightens up! — before the kiddo loses interest.

Fresh Catch:

For my inner fangirl, a treat from the Buffy-verse:

Willow: Wonderland

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

Here’s what I packed to bring on vacation. We’ll see how much reading actually gets done – after all, I have trails to hike, and hope to spend my nights enjoying the Aurora Borealis (fingers crossed!!).

Bring Up the Bodies (Thomas Cromwell, #2) The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk The Shining (The Shining, #1)

It’s crazy that I brought so many books, but heaven forbid that I run out!

So many book, so little time…

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

26Aug2013

The Monday Agenda 8/26/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Humans Letters from Skye: A Novel The Returned

I love these kind of weeks when I end up loving everything I’ve read.

The Humans by Matt Haig: Done! My review is here.

Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole: Done! My review is here.

The Returned by Jason Mott: I’ve read about a third of this book so far… and it’s a good one!

The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis: Done! Book #6 in our great Narnia read-aloud was terrific. I can’t believe we’ve almost finished the series!

Fresh Catch:

One new book, and a copy of a book I’ve read already but just had to have:

Bone Quill (Hollow Earth #2) Some Kind Of Fairy Tale

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

The Returned The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic

I aim to finish The Returned in the next few days.

Next up, a review copy of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker, which I think sounds like a lot of fun.

At the end of the week, I’m heading off on a week’s vacation — and I’m working on the all-important decision of what books to bring. As of now, top contenders are:

Bring Up the Bodies (Thomas Cromwell, #2) The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Rose Under Fire Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Four books for a one-week trip is a bit excessive, but I have until Friday to narrow it down!

And… the Narnia read continues! As of Sunday night, we’ve officially started the last book, The Last Battle.

So many book, so little time…

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

19Aug2013

The Monday Agenda 8/19/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1) The Humans Trash Can Days: A Middle School Saga

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling): Done! My review is here.

The Humans by Matt Haig: About 100 pages into it so far, and loving every moment.

Trash Can Days by Teddy Steinkellner: Done! This one was almost a DNF; however, I did end up finishing it and wrote up my thoughts here.

The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis: About 2/3 of the way through. The end is in sight!

Fresh Catch:

No NEW new books this week, although I did finally get my hands on a copy of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I read it in the spring as a library book, loved it, and have been looking for a copy ever since. I ended up getting the UK paperback version, which looks like this;

Eleanor & Park

Plus, I have a trip to plan, so I picked this up while I was at the library:

Fodor's Alaska 2013

Exciting!

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

The Humans The Returned Letters from Skye: A Novel

The Humans is so good! If I have time to sit and read — without interruptions — I shouldn’t have any problems finishing this up in the next day or so.

I have a review copy of The Returned by Jason Mott that I’m eager to get to. So far, I’ve heard good things!

And — just got an email from the library saying the copy of Letters from Skye that I’d requested is now available.

My son and I should be close to the end of The Silver Chair this week. Onward for the glory of Narnia!

So many book, so little time…

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

12Aug2013

The Monday Agenda 8/12/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

When You Were Here Openly Straight The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells

I read three terrific books this past week:

When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney: Done! My review is here.

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg: Done! My review is here.

The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer: Done! My review is here.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick: I read the first 20 pages, and just couldn’t get into it — and the formatting problems with the ARC didn’t help. So, for now, this is a DNF book for me. Have you read it? Should it I give it another try once it’s available in hard copy?

The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis: Moving along — we got a slow start, but my son and I have enjoyed the first four chapters so far.

Fresh Catch:

New to me this week: A graphic novel, a book for a discussion group, and two library books that I’d been waiting for (not entirely patiently):

Orchid, Volume 1 The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1) The Humans

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

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1) The Humans Trash Can Days: A Middle School Saga

How to decide? I was on a good, long wait list for both The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Humans, and now they’re both here! I hope to find time to read both this week, once I figure out which one to read first.

It’s doubtful that I’ll finish both and still have time for anything else — but if I do, it’ll be a review copy of a new middle-grade book, Trash Can Days.

Meanwhile, our Narnia journey continues with The Silver Chair.

So many book, so little time…

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

5Aug2013

The Monday Agenda 8/5/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Out of the Easy The Shade of the Moon (The Last Survivors, #4) When You Were Here

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys: Done! My review is here.

The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer: Done! My review is here.

When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney: Reading now, about 175 pages into it, and I’m really liking this one so far!

The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis: My kiddo and I just started reading The Silver Chair one over the weekend — the 2nd to last book left in our Narnia read! We’re really enjoying the series, and I’m wondering why I never read these books back when I was a kid!

Fresh Catch:

Several new books found their way to me this week:

Fairest, Vol. 2: Hidden Kingdom Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love Openly Straight To Kill a Mockingbird The Unwritten, Vol. 4: Leviathan