Tag Archives: weekly features

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/3/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

DemelzaNever Always Sometimes

Wow, this has been a really slow reading week. Somehow, the time just slid away, and there was just too much else going on. I hate when that happens.

But I did manage to finish:

Demelza by Winston Graham, book 2 in the Poldark series. And if you want to hear more about the books or PBS’s Masterpiece production of Poldark, check out my very enthusiastic post, here. There’s even some delicious eye candy…

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid: This was my weekend read, and I ended up really enjoying it. My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

Heartbreak! The very last volume in the wonderful Fables series arrived this week… and I’m holding off on reading it for a few more days until I feel really ready to see how it all works out.

Fables v22

Sharing the big version of the cover image — because it’s the last volume of Fables and it deserves all the love!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Circling the SunWhat You Left Behind

Ack! Having a hard time deciding what to read next, between all the ARCs glaring at me whenever I turn on my Kindle and the new stack of library books. (Can I help it if all my hold requests come in at the same time?)

As of this moment, I believe my next two books will be:

  • Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
  • What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi
Now playing via audiobook:

Mansfield Park

I’m approaching the halfway mark in the Mansfield Park audiobook. At this point, I’m not loving this one as much as the other Austens I’ve listened to this year. It’s been so long since I read the book, and I really don’t remember much of the plot. So far, there’s a lot of walking about in gardens and parks, plus a real lot of planning for a play. I hope it picks up soon!

Ongoing reads:

ABOSAAN&S

I’m dropping Eldest (by Chris Paolini) from my currently reading list for now. I was reading it with my son, and he just doesn’t seem interested anymore — and I’m not sure that I’m interested enough to keep going without his participation.

So, for now at least, my two ongoing reading projects are my group reads with Outlander Book Club. Still enjoying the heck out of these!

So many book, so little time…

boy1

Thursday Quotables: Never Always Sometimes

Posted in Thursday Quotables by

quotation-marks4

Welcome back to Thursday Quotables! This weekly feature is the place to highlight a great quote, line, or passage discovered during your reading each week.  Whether it’s something funny, startling, gut-wrenching, or just really beautifully written, Thursday Quotables is where my favorite lines of the week will be, and you’re invited to join in!

NEW! Thursday Quotables is now using a Linky tool! Be sure to add your link if you have a Thursday Quotables post to share.

Never Always Sometimes

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid
(upcoming release – August 4, 2015 )

I literally started this book an hour ago — and on the very first page, I found a description that I really like:

Dave looked up just as Julia was sitting down. She was wearing her usual: shorts, a plaid blue shirt over a tank top, the pair of flip-flops she loved so much that they were now made up of more duct tape than the original rubbery material. Her light brown hair was in a loose ponytail, two perfect strands looped around her ears. If the lights ever went out in her presence, Dave was pretty sure the brightness of her eyes would be more useful than a flashlight.
Don’t you just love that last sentence? It captures so perfectly how crazy this boy must be about this girl.

BONUS THURSDAY QUOTABLE!

I can’t resist adding one extra quote from a very different source.

I’m continuing my romp through Jane Austen’s novels, and this line from Mansfield Park really cracked me up today (spoken by an incredibly self-centered and self-satisfied character):

“Selfishness must always be forgiven, you know, because there is no hope of a cure.”

For whatever reason, listening to this bit via the audiobook was just too perfect.

What lines made you laugh, cry, or gasp this week? Do tell!

If you’d like to participate in Thursday Quotables, it’s really simple:

  • Write a Thursday Quotables post on your blog. Try to pick something from whatever you’re reading now. And please be sure to include a link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your post (http://www.bookshelffantasies.com), if you’d be so kind!
  • Click on the linky button (look for the cute froggie face) below to add your link.
  • After you link up, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment about my quote for this week.
  • Be sure to visit other linked blogs to view their Thursday Quotables, and have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/27/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Maybe in Another LifeGo Set A Watchman

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Done! My review is here.

Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee: I read this book during the past week, and shared some thoughts about it here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I shared some highlights and photos from my trip to the Canadian Rockies, here. (I know, I know… other people’s vacation pics!)

I also wrote a bit about revisiting Jane Austen’s books without really planning to. Check out My Year of Austen!

Fresh Catch:

One new book added to my toppling stacks this week:

Northanger Abbey 3

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Demelza

Continuing on with the Poldark series by Winston Graham, I’m in the middle of the 2nd book, Demelza. The fact that the BBC production is so unbelievably gorgeous is definitely a contributing factor to my interest in these books! But really, I’m just truly enjoying the story.

Now playing via audiobook:

Sense and Sensibility 2Mansfield Park

My year of Austen audiobooks continues! I just finished Sense and Sensibility over the weekend, and I’m now starting Mansfield Park. I’m loving “re-reading” these books via audio.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

My kiddo and I have completely stalled out on our Eldest reading project. I should check to see if he’s still interested in continuing (because if he’s not, I’m not sure that I’ll bother with it either). Also ongoing, my two group reads with Outlander Book Club — two chapters per week from now until we’re done!

So many book, so little time…

boy1

 

Thursday Quotables: Ross Poldark

Posted in Thursday Quotables by

quotation-marks4

Welcome back to Thursday Quotables! This weekly feature is the place to highlight a great quote, line, or passage discovered during your reading each week.  Whether it’s something funny, startling, gut-wrenching, or just really beautifully written, Thursday Quotables is where my favorite lines of the week will be, and you’re invited to join in!

NEW! Thursday Quotables is now using a Linky tool! Be sure to add your link if you have a Thursday Quotables post to share.

Ross Poldark

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham
(published 1945 )

I was originally going to go with a more action-oriented passage or quote, but this little paragraph caught my attention instead. I love how visual the description is:

The formal dance went on. The soft yellow candle light trembled over the colours of the dresses, the gold and cream, the salmon and the mulberry. It made the graceful and the beautiful more charming, the graceless and the ungainly tolerable; it smoothed over the tawdry and cast soft creamy-grey shadows becoming to all.

I really like the mood created, painting a picture of an enchanted evening. The rest of the paragraph is as follows:

The band scraped away, the figures pirouetted, moving and bowing and stepping, turning on heels, holding hands, pointing toes; the shadows intermingled and changed, forming and reforming intricate designs of light and shade, like some gracious depictment of the warp and woof of life, sun and shadow, birth and death, a slow interweaving of the eternal pattern.

Anyone else watching Poldark on TV? The landscape alone can make me sigh…

What lines made you laugh, cry, or gasp this week? Do tell!

If you’d like to participate in Thursday Quotables, it’s really simple:

  • Write a Thursday Quotables post on your blog. Try to pick something from whatever you’re reading now. And please be sure to include a link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your post (http://www.bookshelffantasies.com), if you’d be so kind!
  • Click on the linky button (look for the cute froggie face) below to add your link.
  • After you link up, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment about my quote for this week.
  • Be sure to visit other linked blogs to view their Thursday Quotables, and have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/20/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Sweetheart DealAll the LightRoss Poldark

The Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan: Done! My review is here.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: Done, just in time for my book group discussion later this week. Some brief thoughts on this lovely book are here.

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham: Done! Okay, I’ll admit that Aidan Turner was a big part of what drew me to the PBS airing of Poldark, but I ended up really loving the story itself, so I had to give the book a try… and really liked it! It’s my understanding that the 1st season of the TV show covers the first two books in the series, so clearly, I need to keep going! C’mere, book #2!

Off-line:

I just got back from a glorious 10-day trip to the Canadian Rockies. Mountains! Lakes! Incredible natural beauty! I’ll be sharing some highlights and photos in the next few days. Man, it’s hard to return to real life!

Fresh Catch:

A few new books came my way right before I left town:

Canada 433

And… I came home from my trip to find a library notice, saying that my request for Go Set A Watchman is ready for pick-up!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Maybe in Another LifeGo Set A Watchman

I’m just finishing up Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and will post some thoughts in the next few days.

With some trepidation, I’m about to start Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. I’m almost tempted to pass it by, but I feel like I need to read it for myself to see what all the uproar is about.

Now playing via audiobook:

Northanger AbbeySense and Sensibility 2

My year of Austen audiobooks continues! I finished Northanger Abbey while on vacation, and have just started Sense and Sensibility. I read all these books so many years ago; getting a refresher via audio is delightful.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

One with the kiddo, two with Outlander Book Club. All three should last a good long while.

So many book, so little time…

boy1

 

 

Thursday Quotables: All the Light We Cannot See

Posted in Thursday Quotables by

quotation-marks4

Welcome back to Thursday Quotables! This weekly feature is the place to highlight a great quote, line, or passage discovered during your reading each week.  Whether it’s something funny, startling, gut-wrenching, or just really beautifully written, Thursday Quotables is where my favorite lines of the week will be, and you’re invited to join in!

NEW! Thursday Quotables is now using a Linky tool! Be sure to add your link if you have a Thursday Quotables post to share.

All the Light

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
(published 2014 )

 

It strikes Werner just then as wondrously futile to build splendid buildings, to make music, to sing songs, to print huge books full of colorful birds in the face of the seismic, engulfing indifference of the world – what pretensions humans have! Why bother to make music when the silence and wind are so much larger? Why light lamps when the darkness will inevitably snuff them?

Slightly gloomy, I know, but so fitting for the mood of this wonderful and beautiful book. Here’s another I really like:

Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.

What lines made you laugh, cry, or gasp this week? Do tell!

If you’d like to participate in Thursday Quotables, it’s really simple:

  • Write a Thursday Quotables post on your blog. Try to pick something from whatever you’re reading now. And please be sure to include a link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your post (http://www.bookshelffantasies.com), if you’d be so kind!
  • Click on the linky button (look for the cute froggie face) below to add your link.
  • After you link up, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment about my quote for this week.
  • Be sure to visit other linked blogs to view their Thursday Quotables, and have fun!

Thursday Quotables: In honor of the 4th of July

Posted in Thursday Quotables by

quotation-marks4

Welcome back to Thursday Quotables! This weekly feature is the place to highlight a great quote, line, or passage discovered during your reading each week.  Whether it’s something funny, startling, gut-wrenching, or just really beautifully written, Thursday Quotables is where my favorite lines of the week will be, and you’re invited to join in!

NEW! Thursday Quotables is now using a Linky tool! Be sure to add your link if you have a Thursday Quotables post to share.

ABOSAA quote

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
(published 2006 )

I’ve highlighted this quote before, but the timing couldn’t be better for a repeat!

I’m re-reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes with my book group, and we just happened to arrive at this particular chapter this week, set in May 1775, as the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence are getting more and more intense.

Perfect for this 4th of July holiday week!

What lines made you laugh, cry, or gasp this week? Do tell!

If you’d like to participate in Thursday Quotables, it’s really simple:

  • Write a Thursday Quotables post on your blog. Try to pick something from whatever you’re reading now. And please be sure to include a link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your post (http://www.bookshelffantasies.com), if you’d be so kind!
  • Click on the linky button (look for the cute froggie face) below to add your link.
  • After you link up, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment about my quote for this week.
  • Be sure to visit other linked blogs to view their Thursday Quotables, and have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/6/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Second LifeJesse's Girl

Second Life by S. J. Watson: I read this earlier, but just posted my review this past week. You can read it here.

Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kenneally: Done! A light and lovely contemporary YA novel. Check out my review here.

And in graphic novels:

Alex + Ada 2Mush

Alex + Ada, volume 2 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn: The second volume is just as good as the first! Maybe even better! I’m so happy my library had a copy available, and I read it the instant it arrived. Now I just have to wait for #3 to be released! If you like graphic novels, check out this terrific story about robots, A.I., and yes, love.

Mush! Sled Dogs with Issues by Glenn Eichler and Joe Infurnari: Wrapping up this weirdly random reading week, I read another graphic novel that caught my eye on my way out the door of the library. Mush! is an odd but endearing book about a team of sled dogs… and their power struggles, relationships, manipulations, and anxieties. All seen through the eyes of the dogs. Strange but really enjoyable.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I have another bit of travel coming up starting tomorrow, which got me thinking about travel guidebooks. In this age of online everything, are travel books just things of the past? My thoughts are here; come add yours!

Fresh Catch:

Despite hearing mixed reactions to the Austen Project, I’m eager to read some of the modern versions of Austen’s classics. This week, my copy of Emma arrived:

Adobe Photoshop PDF

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Sweetheart DealAll the LightRoss Poldark

I’m leaving on a 10-day vacation, and while I don’t want to over-plan, I have a few books lined up that I’m really excited to read!

I’m in the middle of The Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan, which I’m hoping to finish before I head of out town.

For my vacation reads, I’m starting with All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, which my book group will be discussing at the end of the month.

Next, I can’t wait to read Poldark by Winston Graham… especially now that I have such lovely visuals from the BBC production to keep in my mind.

And of course, I’ll have my Kindle on hand, should I need even more bookish choices…

Now playing via audiobook:

Dirty JobNorthanger Abbey

I finished listening to A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore, and absolutely loved it! The narrator makes the funny even funnier. I was surprised to realize I’d completely forgotten how the book ends (I read it when it first came out in 2006), so I’m happy I took the time for a refresher before the sequel arrives in August.

And continuing onward with my Jane Austen kick, I’ve started the audiobook of Northanger Abbey, narrated by Juliet Stevenson (who did such a fabulous job with Emma). Sadly, I won’t have time to listen to the whole thing before I head out of town, and as I don’t think my traveling companions will appreciate listening to Austen in the car, I suppose I’ll have to wait a few weeks to finish.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

One with the kiddo, two with Outlander Book Club. All three should last a good long while.

Updated to add: It looks like Eldest will be on hold for a bit, as my kiddo is off to camp for three weeks… and left the book at home!

So many book, so little time…

boy1

 

Thursday Quotables: Jesse’s Girl

Posted in Thursday Quotables by

quotation-marks4

Welcome back to Thursday Quotables! This weekly feature is the place to highlight a great quote, line, or passage discovered during your reading each week.  Whether it’s something funny, startling, gut-wrenching, or just really beautifully written, Thursday Quotables is where my favorite lines of the week will be, and you’re invited to join in!

NEW! Thursday Quotables is now using a Linky tool! Be sure to add your link if you have a Thursday Quotables post to share.

Jesse's Girl

Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kenneally
(release date July 7, 2015 )

What happens when an ordinary girl meets a teen pop star?

The lighting is dim, and he doesn’t seem to notice I’m here, which is good, because I’ve moved from ogling the guitar to ogling him. Who wouldn’t? He was one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People,” and it is a truth universally acknowledged that you should stare at people who’ve made that list.
Of course, our main character isn’t the only one who notices Jesse. Here’s what happens when he steps outside his dressing room mid-snack, only to be surrounded by his adoring fans/groupies:
Before I can answer, the horde descends on him. It’s scarier than a zombie apocalypse.
“Shit,” he mutters.
“Oh my God, I love ketchup too!” a girl squeals at the bottle in his hand. “We have so much in common!”

Want to know more? Check out my review of Jesse’s Girl!

What lines made you laugh, cry, or gasp this week? Do tell!

If you’d like to participate in Thursday Quotables, it’s really simple:

  • Write a Thursday Quotables post on your blog. Try to pick something from whatever you’re reading now. And please be sure to include a link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your post (http://www.bookshelffantasies.com), if you’d be so kind!
  • Click on the linky button (look for the cute froggie face) below to add your link.
  • After you link up, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment about my quote for this week.
  • Be sure to visit other linked blogs to view their Thursday Quotables, and have fun!

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/29/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Alex + AdaSecond LifeOur Souls At Night

Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn: I loved this graphic novel! Just a really clever story about a lonely guy and a sentient AI android named Ada. I really can’t wait to see where this story goes next. Book #2 is next on my request list at the library!

Second Life by S. J. Watson: Finished right before the weekend. My thoughts will be posted on Wednesday, when I’m participating in the blog tour for this book.

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf: Done! A really gorgeous book. Check out my review, here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I thought a lot this week about the ways in which information about an author can impact how we respond to a book. I’d love to hear other opinions on the topic! My post is here.

I also finally got around to posting pictures from my Harry Potter adventures in Florida. Check ’em out, here.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

Dreams of the Golden Age

Looking forward to reading the sequel to After the Golden Age!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Jesse's Girl

I’ve read two books by Miranda Kenneally so far, and thought they were both terrific! I’m just getting started with her newest, but I have high hopes.

Now playing via audiobook:

Dirty Job

I should be done with the audiobook of A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore this week. It’s making me laugh at the most awkward moments… and sometimes, that’s just what I need.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

One with the kiddo, two with Outlander Book Club. All three should last a good long while.

So many book, so little time…

boy1