My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

What did I read last week?

Quite an interesting mix of books this past week:

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey:  My review is here.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: I’ve been talking about re-reading this book for years. I read it during high school (just like everyone else, probably)… and had only the vaguest memory of what it was actually about. Two-word review: Loved it! I’m so glad I finally picked it up off my shelf and gave myself the time and space to enjoy it. Incredibly moving story, beautiful writing… To Kill a Mockingbird is a modern classic for a reason. Not only am I thrilled to have read it again finally, but I’m also now super-charged by the idea of revisiting bunches of “required reading” books. I’ll be making a list shortly, and I’m sure I’ll be sharing it here on the blog once I do.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black: My review is here.

And in graphic novels:

The War at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks: Terrific. Faith Erin Hicks is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors. I’ve read and loved two other of her books (Friends With Boys and The Adventures of Superhero Girl)… and I’m so excited that her next project, due out later in 2015, is a collaboration with Rainbow Rowell!

Off-line:

Ouch! I did something to my back this week… which totally put me off my game in terms of reading and reviewing. My concentration was completely shot, and I ended up sitting out my book group’s discussion because I couldn’t focus enough to contribute anything beyond “good book!”. But I’m feeling better now (thanks for asking!) and should be back to my bookish routines shortly.

Fresh Catch:

Two new books arrived this week:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

After reading a ton of YA fiction so far this month, I’m switching gears a bit and hoping to catch up with a few adult contemporary novels, starting with Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes.

Now playing via audiobook:

I’m actually in between audiobooks at the moment. I listened to an Outlander-related novella earlier in the week, started To Kill a Mockingbird on audio but got impatient with the pace and had to switch to print, and right now I’m waiting for one of my hold audiobooks to come in at the library. Normally, I’d be incredibly frustrated by having nothing to listen to, but since my exercise routine was disrupted this week because of my stupid back, I haven’t missed having an audiobook quite as much.

Reading with my kiddo:

The Expeditioners and the Secret of King Triton’s Lair by S. S. Taylor: Good book! We’re at about the halfway point now. I really recommend picking up the first book The Expeditioners and the Treasure of Drowned Man’s Cavern, if you think you might enjoy a great adventure story with a Jules Verne-esque feel to it.

Book club reading:

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. (One chapter per week)

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

OBC Book of the Month: Henna House by Nomi Eve. The discussion is up and running, and anyone can join in! Plus, author Nomi Eve will be answering questions for us this week.

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

So many book, so little time…

My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

What did I read last week?

Thanks to a bunch of my library holds coming in all at once, I was on a YA roll this past week:

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg: My review is here.

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally: My review is here.

100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith: I didn’t write a review, because I just couldn’t figure out what I could possibly say about this weird but oddly wonderful book. It’s much more Grasshopper Jungle than Winger (both of which I loved), but really defies description. I love Andrew Smith’s off-beat way of looking at the world through a teenage boy’s eyes, and the language is remarkable. I’ll be featuring this book in my upcoming Thursday Quotables post later this week!

Bloggy updates:

For those who’ve been here before, you may notice that Bookshelf Fantasies has a new look! After a year and a half with the same layout, my eyes needed something new to stare at. What do you think? I’d love to hear some feedback — and if you have any suggestions for improvements, please let me know!

Also, I wrote a post this week about being fed up with badly formatted e-ARCs, and based on the comments, it sounds like I struck a nerve! You can read about it and add your thoughts here.

Fresh Catch:

One new release arrived this week that I’m really looking forward to reading, plus I treated myself to two more of the Classic Lines versions of Jane Austen books:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’m so excited to finally be reading The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey! Now that I’ve reread The 5th Wave, I’m ready to go.

I’m still working my way through Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay — slowly. I’m picking it up and reading just one or two essays at a time when I’m in between other books, and it seems to be working for me.

Now playing via audiobook:

I finished the audiobook of Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein over the weekend. Even though I’d read the book a couple of years ago, I still found myself moved to tears while listening (which was a bit embarrassing, considering I was out for a walk at the time). I highly recommend the audio version as a nice complement to the printed book. The two narrators are both fantastic, capturing different personalities and the deep emotions of this story magnificently.

Reading with my kiddo:

The Expeditioners and the Secret of King Triton’s Lair by S. S. Taylor: Really enjoying this steampunk adventure tale!

Book club reading:

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. (One chapter per week)

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

OBC Book of the Month: Henna House by Nomi Eve (discussion starts this Wednesday, January 21st).

Postponed until February: The next Fields & Fantasies Book Club pick is Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. If you want more information or would like to join in, just let me know!

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

So many book, so little time…

My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

What did I read last week?

I ended up loving I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. My review is here.

Not so much with Perdita by Hilary Scharper. I tried to stick it out, but by the 25% mark, I realize that it just wasn’t happening for me. Sadly, this book is my first DNF of the year.

I had a great time doing some graphic novel catch-up. I adored The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks. Read about it here.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll was perfectly dark and disturbing and twisted. Perfect for when you want a creepy story or two before bedtime, so you can lie awake all night and listen to the wind.

Finally (!!!), my kiddo and I finished Talking to Dragons, the conclusion of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. Boy, was this series a mixed bag. I posted a series wrap-up here.

Fresh Catch:

My only NEW new book this week was Through the Woods — but I did come home with a big armful of books from the library, including a few novels…

… and a couple of graphic novels (by my super-favorite, Brian K. Vaughan):

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’ve started Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay. I’m reading just a few essays at a time, so this one will be on my nightstand (and in my Monday Check-In posts!) for the next few weeks.

And just for fun, I’m reading The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg. I’ve read a couple of her more recent YA books, and always enjoy her smart, strong, and funny characters.

Now playing via audiobook:

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: I’ve read the book, but I’m finding new shades and depths as I listen to the audiobook. I’m about halfway through, and I’m pretty blown away by the excellence of the narrator of part 1.

Reading with my kiddo:

The Expeditioners and the Secret of King Triton’s Lair by S. S. Taylor: We’re so excited to start this one! The first Expeditioners book was great fun, and I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of #2 from Goodreads (thank you, Goodreads!).

Book club reading:

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. (One chapter per week)

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

OBC Book of the Month: Henna House by Nomi Eve (discussion starts January 21st).

Fields & Fantasies Book Club pick for January: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

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

So many book, so little time…

My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Happy New Year!

It’s the first check-in of 2015! Wishing you all a year filled with great reading.

What did I read last week?

I read straight through volumes 1 – 4 of Brian K. Vaughan’s wonderful Saga series. Read about it here.

Winger by Andrew Smith: Incredible. For all those bloggers who’ve told me for the past year to read this book — you were right! My review is here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I posted my thoughts on Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh for this month’s Fields & Fantasies book club discussion, here.

Fresh Catch:

I had another nice-sized credit to spend at the used book store, after trading in a bunch of books — and I put it to good use:

Some pretty classics!

A couple more graphic novels by Brian K. Vaughan!

Plus a few paperbacks that I just needed to have!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’m going back and forth between two books. I’ve just started Perdita by Hilary Scharper, but I’m kind of torn between that and I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. Plus, my goal is to start Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay and just read one or two essays per week — more than that, and I’ll lose focus and just want to move back to fiction (as always).

Now playing via audiobook:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey: Just finished listening to the excellent audiobook version over the weekend. I’m so glad I took the time for it; it was a great refresher, and now I’m ready to read The Infinite Sea.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: I’ve been wanting to re-read this book, and decided to give audio a try.

Reading with my kiddo:

Talking to Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #4) by Patricia C. Wrede: Still reading this one, and it feels like forever. We’re slowly creeping closer toward the end. Maybe we’ll even wrap up this week!

Book club reading:

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. (One chapter per week)

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

OBC Book of the Month: Henna House by Nomi Eve (discussion starts January 21st).

Next up for Fields & Fantasies: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

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

So many book, so little time…

My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

What did I read last week?

Scarlet and Cress (Lunar Chronicles, books 2 & 3) by Marissa Meyer: It’s kind of painful to be caught up. Now all I can do is wait for the next release! My thoughts on my Lunar book binge are here.

Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A. S. King: Hmm. I read it – but don’t really have anything to say about it. I’ve really enjoyed other books by this author, and I think she’s very talented — but Glory O’Brien was just odd, and I didn’t connect with it in the slightest. For another take, though, you could check out Rick  Yancey’s review from last week’s New York Times.

I read Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh for this month’s Fields & Fantasies book club discussion. Stay tuned! The discussion post will be up in the next few days.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I posted my year-end wrap up (here), and made one key resolution for 2015.

Fresh Catch:

No one in my family buys me books. Sad, but true. They all seem to think I have enough books… what do they know? So I filled myself up with holiday joy by treating myself to a few books:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

It’s time to catch up on the wonderful Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan, now that I have volume 4 in my hot little hands. Rereading volumes 1 and 2 and then going straight through 3 and 4 sounds like a perfect way to enjoy New Year’s week.

Now playing via audiobook:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey: Re-reading via audiobook, and it’s mighty good the 2nd time around!

Reading with my kiddo:

Talking to Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #4) by Patricia C. Wrede: It feels like we’ve been reading this one forever… and our out-of-sync schedule during the holiday season isn’t helping matters. Sigh.

Book club reading:

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. (One chapter per week)

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 any of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…