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).

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!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

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!

6Jan2014

The Monday Agenda 1/6/2014

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.

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!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

9Dec2013

The Monday Agenda 12/9/2013

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

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Racing Savannah Hoot (Juvenile, #1)

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally: Done! Light and romantic, this YA novel totally suited my mood at the beginning of the week. My review is here.

Dangerous Women, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois: This anthology is HUGE (784 pages), and I just don’t have the patience to read it all the way through, especially since I am notoriously bad at reading short stories in general. I wrote up my thoughts (here) on the first five stories that I’ve read. From here on out, I’ll be jumping in and reading stories in between other things — I just can’t read more than one or two stories in a row, no matter how good they are, without wanting to rip my hair out.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: Done! My son and I had such a great time with this book — and loved the movie too. My thoughts on both are here.

Fresh Catch:

I adore the world of Fables by Bill Willingham, so I had to get my hands on Fairest in All the Land! Here’s the synopsis (per Goodreads):

In the spirit of FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL and FABLES: WEREWOLVES OF THE HEARTLAND comes the first ever original graphic novel from the pages of #1 New York Times bestselling writer Bill Willingham’s FAIREST.

FAIREST has explored the secret histories of the most stunning beauties in Fabletown: Cinderella, Snow White, Briar Rose, Rapunzel, and the list goes on and on. In FAIREST IN ALL THE LAND, the best names in comics take their turns fleshing out the pasts of the loveliest Fables in existence. For all those wanting to dive into FAIREST or FABLES, this original graphic novel is a fantastic entry point, as well as a great new chapter for those that have been following Bill Willingham’s fairy tale epic for years.

Awesome, right? And seriously, if you haven’t tried Fables… what are you waiting for? It’s brilliant. Period.

Also this week, I got a bunch of new ARCs, and they all look terrific!

Don't Call Me Baby

Fan Art After the End (After the End, #1) See Jane Run

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

Roomies Gathering Storm The Firebird (Slains, #2)

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando: This young adult novel about getting ready for a fresh start in college seems really promising.

Gathering Storm by Maggie Craig: I was thrilled to receive a copy of this novel from the author. Historical fiction set in Scotland during the 1740s? Yes, please!

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley: If you want to see me beat my head into a wall, ask me about my habit of buying new releases the second they come out and then not finding time to read them! I’ve had The Firebird since its release in June, and I love this author… so I’m putting my foot down. This book WILL be read this coming week!

And finally:

My son and I have just started Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear, which was recommended to me by a friend who’s a true aficionado of science fiction and thought it might appeal to the kiddo. It’s actually an adult science fiction book, but so far seems more or less accessible so long as I pause to explain unfamiliar terms and concepts. It’s pretty cool so far… we shall see whether it works for the kiddo after we get a bit further in.

So many book, so little time…

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

4Dec2013

Wishing & Waiting on Wednesday

Posted in Wishlist Wednesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

This week’s pick:

The Vanishing by Wendy Webb
(to be released January 2014)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Recently widowed and rendered penniless by her Ponzi-scheming husband, Julia Bishop is eager to start anew. So when a stranger appears on her doorstep with a job offer, she finds herself accepting the mysterious yet unique position: caretaker to his mother, Amaris Sinclair, the famous and rather eccentric horror novelist whom Julia has always admired…and who the world believes is dead.

When she arrives at the Sinclairs’ enormous estate on Lake Superior, Julia begins to suspect that there may be sinister undercurrents to her “too-good-to-be-true” position. As Julia delves into the reasons of why Amaris chose to abandon her successful writing career and withdraw from the public eye, her search leads to unsettling connections to her own family tree, making her wonder why she really was invited to Havenwood in the first place, and what monstrous secrets are still held prisoner within its walls.

Creepy and mysterious — my kind of book!

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!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

2Dec2013

The Monday Agenda 12/2/2013

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

Did everyone survive Black Friday? I avoid shopping frenzies like the plague… except I did venture out on Small Business Saturday to shop at my local (and wonderful) used book store. Always a great pick-me-up… any excuse to browse and play with books works for me.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Lover's Dictionary Rose Under Fire Racing Savannah

The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan. Done! My review is here.

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein: Done! My review is here.

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally: Just started. A romantic, contemporary YA novel feels perfect right about now.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: One chapter to go! The long weekend, with all the holiday festivities, really threw off our reading schedule. We should be done with Hoot today — a mother/son review will likely follow in the next few days.

Fresh Catch:

It’s a George R. R. Martin kind of week!

According to Amazon, my copy of Dangerous Women, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, has shipped! I’m expecting delivery on Tuesday. Why am I so excited about this book? Read on…

The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister

My lovely daughter gave me a copy of The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister as a Hanukkah gift — perfect!

Last but not least:

I had a bookstore voucher burning a hole in my pocket… expiration date just a few days from now… so I used it. Wisely, wouldn’t you say? Me + used book stores = throwing moderation to the wind! The new Jane Eyre I picked up is especially cute, with a rubbery purple cover. Adorbs.

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

17279560

I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on my copy of Dangerous Women, which should be here on Tuesday. Why? First and foremost, this anthology includes a brand-new novella by Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series. “Virgins” is a Jamie Fraser story (!) that takes place chronologically before the events in Outlander. Be still my heart! In addition to “Virgins”, I’m most looking forward to “The Princess and the Queen” by George R. R. Martin, a novella set in Westeros a couple of hundred years prior to A Song of Ice and Fire, and “Bombshells” by Jim Butcher, a story set in the Dresden Files world which focuses on Dresden’s protégé Molly. I think eventually I’ll read many of the other stories in this collection, but for now these three are my priority. (Jumping up and down now. Can it be Tuesday already? Please?)

Since I’m usually terrible about reading short stories, once I read these three, I’ll probably put the anthology aside for a bit and just pick it back up here and there for random reading.

Meanwhile, for the rest of this coming week? For once, I really have no idea what I’ll read next, once I put down Dangerous Women. The suspense is killing me!

So many book, so little time…

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