2014

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 Vanishing Dirty Magic (The Prospero's War, #1) Cruel Beauty Heartbeat

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 Falls Joe 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 Boy The 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!

The 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.

14Jan2014

Wishing & Waiting on Wednesday

Posted in Wishlist Wednesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

There’s nothing like a Wednesday for thinking about the books we want to read! My Wishing & Waiting on Wednesday post is linking up with two fabulous book memes, Wishlist Wednesday (hosted by Pen to Paper) and Waiting on Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine).

Here’s a recent addition to my wishlist:

Lock In by John Scalzi
(to be released August 26, 2014)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

A novel of our near future, from one of the most popular authors in modern SF.

Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. Four percent suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And one percent find themselvs “locked in”—fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.

One per cent doesn’t seem like a lot. But in the United States, that’s 1.7 million people “locked in”…including the President’s wife and daughter.

Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can restore the ability to control their own bodies to the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, “The Agora,” in which the locked-in can interact with other humans, both locked-in and not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, meaning that from time to time, those who are locked in can “ride” these people and use their bodies as if they were their own.

This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. Nothing can go wrong. Certainly nobody would be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse….

I loved Redshirts, John Scalzi’s previous novel, and although this one is completely different (and — I’m guessing — not at all funny), I’m really excited to read it. Sounds suspenseful and creepy — perfect!

What are you wishing for this Wednesday?

Looking for some bookish fun on Thursdays and Fridays? Come join me for my regular weekly features, Thursday Quotables and Flashback Friday! You can find out more here — come share the book love!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Do you host a book blog meme? Do you participate in a meme that you really, really love? I’m building a Book Blog Meme Directory, and need your help! If you know of a great meme to include — or if you host one yourself — please drop me a note on my Contact page and I’ll be sure to add your info!

13Jan2014

The Monday Agenda 1/13/2014

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

What Nora Knew

Snowblind Harrowgate

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:

Redshirts Hyperbole 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) Vicious The 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 Vanishing Dirty 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:

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.

7Jan2014

Wishing & Waiting on Wednesday

Posted in Wishlist Wednesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

For my first wishlist post of 2014, I’ve picked the upcoming new installment in a favorite series:

Skin Game (The Dresden Files, #15)

Skin Game by Jim Butcher
(to be released May 27, 2014)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, is about to have a very bad day….

Because as Winter Knight to the Queen of Air and Darkness, Harry never knows what the scheming Mab might want him to do. Usually, it’s something awful.

He doesn’t know the half of it….

Mab has just traded Harry’s skills to pay off one of her debts. And now he must help a group of supernatural villains—led by one of Harry’s most dreaded and despised enemies, Nicodemus Archleone—to break into the highest-security vault in town so that they can then access the highest-security vault in the Nevernever.

It’s a smash-and-grab job to recover the literal Holy Grail from the vaults of the greatest treasure hoard in the supernatural world—which belongs to the one and only Hades, Lord of the freaking Underworld and generally unpleasant character. Worse, Dresden suspects that there is another game afoot that no one is talking about. And he’s dead certain that Nicodemus has no intention of allowing any of his crew to survive the experience. Especially Harry.

Dresden’s always been tricky, but he’s going to have to up his backstabbing game to survive this mess—assuming his own allies don’t end up killing him before his enemies get the chance….

I was so excited to see that the next Dresden Files book has a cover and a release date! At 15 books and counting, this series hasn’t lost a bit of steam. The last book, Cold Days, had a major game-changing cliffhanger of an ending. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

What are you wishing for this Wednesday?

Looking for some bookish fun on Thursdays and Fridays? Come join me for my regular weekly features, Thursday Quotables and Flashback Friday! You can find out more here — come share the book love!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

6Jan2014

The Monday Agenda 1/6/2014

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

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) Perfect How 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 Novel Orphan Train Oh Dear Silvia

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

What Nora Knew Snowblind

Harrowgate Parts & 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.

30Dec2013

The Monday Agenda 12/30/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Promise of Amazing

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine: Done! My review is here.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker: It took me most of the week to finish this book, and I probably should have taken even more time to savor the gorgeous writing and storytelling. Wow. All I can say is wow. A beautiful, hopeful, passionate, wonderful book. I’m hosting a blog tour stop for this book on January 7th — so be sure to stop by! And — totally making my day — I just found out that the paperback release launch event will be held at one of my favorite bookstores next week, and I’m definitely planning to attend!

Fables, Vol. 19: Snow White (Fables, #19) Runaways, Vol. 1: Pride and Joy (Runaways, #1) Runaways, Vol. 2: Teenage Wasteland

In graphic novels, I had a terrific day tearing my way through three amazing books:
Fables: Snow White (Fables, volume 19)
Runaways: Pride and Joy
Runaways: Teenage Wasteland
You can see my raves about these books here.

What else happened in my bookish life this past week? Well, I wrote two end-of-year wrap-up posts, one focusing on the books I read, and one taking a look at my 2013 resolutions and seeing whether I lived up to them. (Quick spoiler: Yes and no!)

And in the realm of reading with my kiddo:

Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear: My current read-aloud with my son. We’re soldiering on with this sci-fi read, but it’s slow going… especially during winter break, when there are so many other things to do besides go to bed on time!

Fresh Catch:

So many new books this week!

I picked up a used copy of a book I’ve been wanting, received an ARC in the mail, and won two bookish holiday giveaways!

The Far Side of the Sky After I'm Gone: A Novel

From Bookish, a book and matching tote bag. Cute!

From Little Brown, a box of books — some to keep for myself, some already claimed by friends and family. So cool!

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

Perfect How to Save a Life What Nora Knew Runaways, Vol. 3: The Good Die Young (Runaways, #3)

Perfect by Rachel Joyce: A new book from the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry! I’m looking forward to reading this ARC. The book’s release date is 1/7/2014.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr: I took this out of the library last week; better read it before it’s due!

If there’s time, then the next ARC on my list is What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin. And if there’s really time (or even if there’s not…), I think I’ll be continuing with my newest obsession, Runaways!

So many book, so little time…

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

23Dec2013

The Monday Agenda 12/23/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Gathering Storm The Firebird (Slains, #2) Dear Mr. Knightley

Gathering Storm by Maggie Craig: I read this wonderful historical novel the previous week, but posted a review and Q&A with the author just this past week.

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley: Done! Loved it. My review is here.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay: Done! My review is here.

What else happened this week in my reading life? Well, I freaked out a teensy bit about book genres. You can read all about it here.

And in the realm of reading with my kiddo:

Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear: This sci-fi book isn’t the easiest for reading aloud, but my son and I are committed to seeing it through. It’s interesting, but not necessarily what we expected.

Fresh Catch:

Two new books came my way this week — both of which I tracked down based on recommendations from other book bloggers. Plus, I picked up a Sara Zarr novel at the library, since I enjoyed Roomies so much.

The Fate of Mercy Alban Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle, #1) How to Save a Life

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

The Promise of Amazing

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine: I’m looking forward to reading this ARC. The book’s release date is 12/31/2013.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker: I’ve been wanting to read this book since the day it came out last spring! And now, with its paper release coming up at the end of this month, I’m finally committing to reading it. Plus, I’m scheduled to participate in the blog tour in January, so all systems are go!

One of my winter TBR top 10 picks is the Runaways graphic novel series. I’ve been hearing about it for years! Time to give it a try — and if I love volume 1, I’ll probably end up just plowing on through.

So many book, so little time…

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

17Dec2013

Wishing & Waiting on Wednesday

Posted in Wishlist Wednesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

This week’s pick:

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
(to be released July 2014)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

One single mom. One chaotic family. One quirky stranger. One irresistible love story from the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You

American audiences have fallen in love with Jojo Moyes. Ever since she debuted stateside, she has captivated readers and reviewers alike, and hit the New York Times bestseller list with the word-of-mouth sensation, Me Before You. Now, with One Plus One, she’s written another contemporary opposites-attract love story that reads like a modern-day Two for the Road.

Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever.

One Plus One is Jojo Moyes at her astounding best. You’ll laugh, you’ll weep, and when you flip the last page, you’ll want to start all over again.

Everybody seemed to be raving about Me Before You by Jojo Moyes when it came out earlier this year… and I’m ashamed to say that I still haven’t read it! I did read The Girl You Left Behind recently (reviewed here in September ), and found both the contemporary and historical storylines to be incredibly moving and well written. One Plus One sounds completely different — but also like it could be quite a lot of fun. I’ve been wanting to read more by Jojo Moyes, and this new one seems like something I’d really enjoy.

What are you wishing for this Wednesday?

Looking for some bookish fun on Thursdays and Fridays? Come join me for my regular weekly features, Thursday Quotables and Flashback Friday! You can find out more here — come share the book love!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

16Dec2013

The Monday Agenda 12/16/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Roomies Gathering Storm The Firebird (Slains, #2)

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando: Done! My review is here.

Gathering Storm by Maggie Craig: Done! Historical fiction set in Scotland in 1743 — not as “romance-y” as it looks. I’ll have a review posted a bit later in the week.

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley: Just started — but I’m so excited to finally be reading this one!

Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear: My son and I are about 80 pages into this science fiction novel, which is a follow-up to the 1912 novel The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The early chapters were a bit confusing for both of us, but now the action in Dinosaur Summer is picking up and we’re having a slightly easier time with it. The jury is still out in terms of whether this will ultimately be an enjoyable choice for the kiddo and me — but we’re hanging in there!

Fresh Catch:

No new paper-and-ink books this week — which is a relief, since I’m about to be drowned by my TBR piles! I did pick up a few Kindle titles, taking advantage of holiday season price drops:

The Luminaries The Goldfinch The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1) After the Golden Age (Golden Age, #1)

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

The Firebird (Slains, #2) Dear Mr. Knightley The Promise of Amazing

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley: I’ve only just begun… so I expect this novel will take up most of my reading time this week.

BUT… if I’m able, then I’ll plan to start two ARCs that are in my queue for December:

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherin Reay

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

So many book, so little time…

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

11Dec2013

Wishing & Waiting on Wednesday

Posted in Wishlist Wednesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

This week’s pick:

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg
(to be released February 2014)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

For a change of pace, I thought I’d go with a contemporary YA romance this week. Earlier this year, I read Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg, and thought it was honest, funny, and touching as well. I was impressed with the nuanced writing and how the author dug beneath the surface to get at the characters’ conflicts and really explore deeper issues, even while keeping it bubbly and entertaining. I’m really looking forward to Better Off Friends. It sounds like the perfect read for the mid-winter blues!

What are you wishing for this Wednesday?

Looking for some bookish fun on Thursdays and Fridays? Come join me for my regular weekly features, Thursday Quotables and Flashback Friday! You can find out more here — come share the book love!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥