Mount TBR Checkpoint #2

Well, I'm just over half way there!  I think I'm actually going to make it!  29 out of 48 and still half the year to go!

Revelation by C.J. Sansom and Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay are both mysteries.  I loved them both!  Picnic at Hanging Rock was my first book by Joan Lindsay and it's set in Australia, a place I've always wanted to visit!!

I have read FOUR books all purchased on March 1, 2008 so far.  The most recent one of these is The Prophet of Akhran by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman.

1.  My ex was/is:  a Trouble Magnet (Alan Dean Foster)
2.  My best friend is:  Song of Susannah (Stephen King)
3.  Lately at Work:  I've had to deal with Zombies and Other Unpleasant Things (William Bebb)
4.  If I Won the Lottery:  I'd buy The House of Bairn (Thomas K. Martin)
5.  My Fashion Sense:  makes more sense By the Light of the Moon (Dean Koontz)
6.  My Next Ride:  will be Big Trouble (Dave Barry)
7.  The One I Love is:  Flinx Transcendent (Alan Dean Foster)
8.  If I Ruled the World. I Would:  think it was A Time of Madness (Thomas K. Martin)
9.  When I Look Out My Window, I:  see Beauty (Sheri S. Tepper)
10.  The Best Things in Life are:  told by The Storyteller (Jodi Picoult)

Read It Again, Sam Wrap-Up

I actually completed my goal on April 24th, but I knew I had one more book and I wanted to have all the re-reads on my list before I did this post.  It's the first challenge I completed this year!!

I chose the level Feeling Nostalgic (Reread 8 books).  I re-read the following books:

1.  The Gunslinger by Stephen King
2.  The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King
3.  The Waste Lands by Stephen King
4.  Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
5.  Wizard and Glass by Stephen King
6.  The Wind Through the Keyhole by Stephen King
7.  Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King
8.  Song of Susannah by Stephen King
9.  The Dark Tower by Stephen King

Some of these books had only been read once before (Doomsday Book  and the last three of The Dark Tower series) and one I read again for the *eleventh* time (The Gunslinger).  I enjoyed each and every book I chose for this challenge and I'm planning to do this challenge again next year!

Mount TBR Checkpoint #1

Well, I'm slowly climbing Mount Ararat.  I've read 11 books so far that count towards this challenge, which equals 3862 of the 16854 miles I have to go.  It's all uphill from here!

My favorite cover came from By the Light of the Moon by Dean Koontz.

Shep O'Conner, also from By the Light of the Moon, is simply the most fun, most unusual and most lovable character I've come across in a long time.  Yes, he's autistic and rarely speaks, but he steals the show!

I was surprised (and not in a good way) by The Witches of Eastwick.  I'd waited so very long to finally read the book that had been made into the movie starring Jack Nicholson and Cher.  Unfortunately, it was....well, just really awful and boring.

My word for the Scrabble is Gads!  (I wish I could do Gadzooks, but I'm missing that double O and the K!).  The word is made up of books I really liked!

G ~ The Gunslinger by Stephen King
A ~ The Awakening by Thomas K. Martin
D ~ Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
S ~ State of Fear by Michael Crichton

I'm still climbing.  I've got a Jodi Picoult novel coming up next and I can never put her books down!

End of the First Quarter 2017 Wrap-Up

I'd been trying to do monthly wrap-ups last year, but I just can't seem to get on schedule.  So, I'm going to try quarterly this year.  I'm a little early this time around, but I have plans this weekend.

I haven't finished any challenges -- yet!  I have visited 11 US states...well, 10 and Washington, DC which isn't a state but is on my list.  I've also visited 4 countries.  I've actually visited more than that, but I'm not counting places that are just stop-overs.  They have to be a real part of the story.

My favorite new-to-me book this time around is State of Fear by Michael Crichton.  My absolute favorite, however, was a re-read, The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King.  It would likely be my favorite under almost any imaginable circumstances.  2017 has been a great reading year so far!

2016 Wrap-Up

Yes, I know, there are still a few days left in 2016, but I'm taking a reading break until the first of the year.  I've had a string of books that just weren't easy to read (or easy to enjoy in some cases) and I'm ready for a little vacation.

I've already got my first book for 2017 picked out and I'm ready to begin fresh.

My favorite book of the year was nearly impossible to pick.  So, I picked two....for two completely different reasons.

One Second After by William R. Forstchen opened my eyes to the fact that the world and our country are not safe.  As I said in my original review, this book should be required reading.  It's just that important.

The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke was probably the most enchanting and wonderful book I've ever read of any genre.  The fact that it was science fiction just made it that much better.  Mr. Clarke taught me what science fiction is supposed to be like.

I had a fabulous year.  I read more books than I've read since 2011.  I finished 22 reading challenges.  I *almost* finished the remaining two.  I've broken through my 'readers block' into a new love and passion for reading.  I'm so grateful and will mark this year as the year I made it out of the dark times and back into really living again.

Start of December Wrap-Up

This wrap-up runs from November 4 until today.  Well, I visited one new state and one new country this time around!  I'm still not reading like I was earlier in the year, but I'm doing fine.  I've finished three new challenges this month:  The Monthly Keyword Challenge, The Title Fight Challenge, and What's In A Name Challenge.  The rest should be finished when the year is done, with the exception of Mount TBR Challenge which I mistakenly upgraded back in June.  And, really, I finished my original goal.....so I'm not being too hard on myself about it.

My favorite book this month was a non-fiction.  I read so few of this genre that I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book!  Haunted Heart was really, really good!

Start of October Wrap-Up

This wrap-up runs from September 5 through today.  I've completed three new challenges this time around -- Color Coded Reading Challenge, Reading Challenge Addict AND Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge!!  I am so very happy I finished the Outdo Yourself challenge so early in the year.

It's hard to choose my favorite book this time around.  I really loved two:













And, they are both by the same author.....and both so really good!  I'm not choosing either one.  I choose both.  They are awesome in their own ways.

No new states this time around, but I've been reading quite a bit of Science Fiction so I'm not surprised.  I just got the first three novels of the Foreigner series yesterday.  It's been a great year!

Start of September Wrap-Up

Better late than never!  This wrap-up runs from July 15 through today.  I'm struggling just a little bit.  I've been choosing books that are taking a really long time to finish.  I'm not sure I'll ever meet my new goal for the Mount TBR Reading Challenge, but I'll sure try.  Plus, I met my original goal, so that counts for something!!

But, I have completed two new challenges -- 20 Books of Summer and Flights of Fantasy!  That's a total of 14 ~ only 2 more to go to complete the Reading Challenge Addict!!

I loved Moonheart by Charles de Lint the very best this time around!

Eight new states for the Around the World Reading Challenge for a total of 35!  This has become one of  my very favorite challenges!

I'm really feeling blessed this year.  I have plenty of time to read and plenty of wonderful books to choose from.

Mid July 2016 Wrap-Up

For June 13th through today, I have plenty of news!  I completed my original goal for the Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge and so I upgraded to the highest level!  I feel confident that I'll make it.  I also reached my original goal in the Mount TBR Reading Challenge and so, once again, I upgraded, doubling my goal!  I'm so excited!

I haven't completed any new challenges (except the two I upgraded) this time around, but I'm down now to the harder challenges and I'm on track to finish them.

My favorite book is easy again this time around!  Gray Mountain by John Grisham was so very good!

I visited 5 more states for the Around the World Reading Challenge - total 27!  I did include the District of Columbia on my list but even if I hadn't, I'm over half-way through the nation!

It's been such a fabulous year for me.  I just love how much time I have now for reading!

Mid June 2016 Wrap-Up

This update runs May 15th through today.  My biggest news this month:  I'm only 6 books away from completing the Outdo Yourself Challenge!  I am still not where I was back in 2011.  Back in 2011, I had already read 71 books by this time, but I am up to 51 today and that is so much better than just a year ago!

I've completed two more challenges, Read My Own Damn Books and Women Challenge.

Once again, there were a few really good books and picking a favorite is hard!


It may not have gotten the highest rating of the three, but I'm going to choose Unhinged by A. G. Howard because I was completely unprepared for how much I'd love this book!  Plus the cover artwork is fantastic!

Three more states crossed off this time around - total 22!  I'm seriously loving keeping a map and keeping track of where my books take me.  I think the Around the World Challenge is one of my favorites!

What An Animal Reading Challenge IX ~ Wrap-Up

Well, I finished the What An Animal Challenge IX (hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews) today.  I got Level 4 (read 21 or more books with or about or with pictures of animals).

I saw everything from a Demon, to Beshti (space camels), to a Selkie -- eight different types of animals in all!  Dogs were the animal I saw the most often, in eight different books.  Dragons came in second place.  I think the animal character I liked the most was Manchee, a dog from The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.  But I met so many wonderful (and sometimes scary!) critters that it is a hard choice.

Either way, this challenge was fun and it's only May and I'm done.  I had no idea I read so many books with animals in them!  I'll probably keep tracking just to see how far I get though!

Mid May 2016 Wrap-Up

This wrap-up runs April 12th through today.  Biggest news ~ I completely revamped my blog's look.  I decided to go with a standard template (with edited colors) because I just got tired of trying to force blogger to work with the non-standard one. I'm still toying with the details, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

I finished six more challenges ~ Dusty and/or Clunky Challenge, Dystopia Challenge, Finishing the Series Challenge, Literary Loners Challenge, New Authors Challenge, and Pages Read Challenge - that's a total of 8 challenges completed so far!  Some of them, I'm still keeping track on...others, not.

My favorite book this time around is easy!

William R. Forstchen's One Second After was the best novel by far.  It's in the running for best novel this year.

I've visited three new states, for a total of 19, and one new country, for a total of 10.  I think next year, I'll have to take on more mini challenges for the Around the World Challenge!  I had no idea my books would take me to so many different places!

I only need 15 more books to complete what has always been the hardest challenge for me -- the Outdo Yourself Challenge.  I'm very excited by all the great reading I've been doing!!

1st Quarter 2016 Wrap-Up

I'm going to start doing wraps more often, but for now, here's January through March:

I completed 2 of my many challenges - TBR Triple Dog Dare and Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge.  Since I really think I can make the next level, I'm still keeping track on the Cloak and Dagger challenge.  I underestimated myself!

I'm already well over half-way done with the Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge!  I think I'm going to be doing far better than I ever thought possible this year.

Usually, I can easily pick a favorite book....but right now, it's a really hard choice between these two:
Since I'm forced to choose, I'll choose the one by Arthur C. Clarke because it caught me so off guard, so completely by surprise.  I expect greatness from Stephen King.  I didn't expect to love The City and the Stars as much as I did.

I've visited 9 countries and 16 states.....I had no idea it would be this many places!  I underestimated myself for the Around the World Challenge too!

All in all, I'm thrilled with my reading progress this year.  Next year, I'll have to challenge myself to higher levels!

Annual End of Year Survey 2015

6th Annual End of the Year Survey - 2015 Edition
Hosted by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner

Number Of Books You Read:  As of today, 55.  I'm hoping to read a couple more.

Number of Re-Reads:  1 - The Gunslinger by Stephen King (for about the 10th time!)

Genre You Read The Most From:  Fantasy

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?  Oh no, I can't pick just one!  The Martian by Andy Weir, Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez and Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?  The Dreaming Place by Charles de Lint.  Not one of his best by a long shot.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  Dissolution by C. J. Sansom.  It's so rare I find historical fiction (or a mystery) that draws me in like this one did.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?  The Martian by Andy Weir

5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

Best Series Started:  The Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn

Best Sequel:  Betrayer by C. J. Cherryh

Best Series Ender:  Mystic Empire by Tracy & Laura Hickman

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?  Melanie Rawn

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?  The Innocent Man by John Grisham - absolutely great non-fiction / true crime

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?  The Last Juror by John Grisham - Thrilling and impossible to stop reading, especially the last 1/2.

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?  I'm not doing any re-reads next year.  I have too many books on my TBR I haven't read yet.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?  Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint - I loved this artwork, it went perfectly with the story.

11. Most memorable character of 2015?  William Blakely (from Blockade Billy by Stephen King)

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?  And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?  The Pact by Jodi Picoult

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?  Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez.  It sat forever, with me assuming I'd be disappointed.  Was I ever wrong!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

"His canine mind knew that on the other side of that light was a paradise of unending mountains of liver-flavored treats and things in constant need of being peed on and slow rabbits." -- Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Shortest:  Blockade Billy by Stephen King (132 pages)

Longest:  Skybowl by Melanie Rawn (760 pages)

17. Book That Shocked You The Most:  Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult.  The ending shocked me so badly that I'm still in denial.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)  (OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)  Bren & Jago from the Foreigner series.  Inter-species relationship that is so romantic in an alien kind of way.  

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year:  Richard & Door from Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously:  Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.  I'm seeing a pattern here.  This book is the answer to many questions.

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 that You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:  I didn't read any books based solely on a recommendation.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?  Rohan from Melanie Rawn's awesome Dragon Prince and Dragon Token trilogies

23. Best 2015 debut you read?  The Martian by Andy Weir - it actually came out in 2014 but it's a debut and I read it in 2015

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?  This is a toss up between The Foreigner series by C. J. Cherryh and the Dragon Prince / Dragon Token series by Melanie Rawn.  Equally great settings, it's like you're *there*.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?  Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez.  I've never read such a great story that was so darn funny too.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?  Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult.  This novel left me feeling bruised and broken.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?  The Warrior's Tale by Allan Cole and Chris Bunch.  This story was so completely fabulous.  It was by far the best of the series it went with....and one of the better Fantasy books I've read in a long time.  It's not a huge surprise to me that it turned out to be my favorite book for 2015.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?  Okay, again, Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult - crushed doesn't even begin to describe how I felt after finishing it.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?  From a Whisper to a Scream by Charles de Lint - some evil never dies indeed....

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?  Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston.  How many ways can you mess up a murder investigation and how many people's lives can you ruin?  It was a true story, which just made me more angry.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?  Whatever I Think Of!  Jamie joined so many great challenges that I couldn't resist!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?  My favorite is The Warrior's Tale by Allan Cole and Chris Bunch.  Runners-up -  Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman or Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult....there are others I'm fond of too, but with these I found myself with plenty to say and the right words to say my thoughts with.

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?  This one.  Or the one I wrote when I found out one of my favorite series has been cancelled (Farewell to Deathlands).

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?  Is this a meme?  If so, I'll say this one.  If not, I did a meme called All About my TBR that I enjoyed.  I don't do events to speak of.  I just love reading and can't help blogging about it.  

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?  Finishing Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2015.  It's taken me three tries, but I finally got it right.  It's the last challenge I had to finish in 2015 and this is the first year since 2011 that I finished all my challenges.  Goes to show, time does heal all wounds.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?  Learning how to put my blog posts on Pinterest had me in knots for 3 or 4 days.  But, seriously, this has been a turn around year for me.  I knew I had to keep up with my blog and finish my challenges this year or give up.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?  Since I have almost no followers and since those I do have aren't active anymore, I don't get many comments, but my Farewell to Deathlands post has had the most visits, with one of my posts about 2016 Challenges a close second.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?  I wish my whole blog got a little more love lol.

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?  I found Bookbub this year.  That's been fun, although I still don't like e-books as much as 'real' books.

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?  YES, all of them!!!!!

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?  The next book in the Deathlands series, Hanging Judge.  Now that there'll be no more, I really want to read what few books are left.

  

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?  Sovereign by C. J. Sansom - his novels make me feel like I'm there, in the past, solving a mystery.  

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?  As far as I know, the only debut novel I plan to read next year is A Case of Need by Michael Crichton but it was published in 1968 so I'm not sure it applies, especially since I'm not 100% sure it was his first novel.  He used several pseudonyms.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?  Again, Deathlands.  I plan to read 7 or 8 of these books next year.  I'm completely looking forward to it.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?  Finish all of my challenges and maybe get some new followers now that I have figured out Pinterest and have started being more active in the community of book blogs.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:  I don't get any books before they're released, so none.

2015 Challenges Complete!

As of today, I completed the last challenge on my list.  I've successfully read more pages (finally!) than last year - granted, so far it is only 259 more pages, but that counted to finish off the Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2015.

I'm sure I'll manage to squeeze in at least one more book this year and I'll keep tracking my pages and book count for the 2016 challenge that starts in January.  I've cleared off my page count on the sidebar though.  If you want to see my pages for 2015, you'll have to follow the above link because that's where I put it.

But for now, I can take a deep breath.  I did it!

September / October 2015 TBR Challenge Wrap Up

Goal:  50
Completed:  42

The date the book was added to my TBR is in parenthesis.

30. Fistandantilus Reborn by Douglas Niles  (7/28/2009)
31. Tymora's Luck by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb  (3/14/2009)
32. Eight Days to Live by Iris Johansen  (7/23/2010)
33. The Ruins of Isis by Marion Zimmer Bradley  (2/12/2009)
34. The Innocent Man by John Grisham  (5/10/2008)
35. The Dreaming Place by Charles de Lint  (11/30/2009)
36. From a Whisper to a Scream by Samuel M. Key  (7/16/2011)
37. I'll Be Watching You by Samuel M. Key  (2/23/2010)
38. Mystic Warrior by Tracy & Laura Hickman  (9/18/2008)
39. Mystic Quest by Tracy & Laura Hickman  (9/18/2008)
40. Mystic Empire by Tracy & Laura Hickman  (9/12/2008)
41. Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint  (1/17/2010)
42. Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez  (7/18/2011)

From a Whisper to a Scream by Charles de Lint was a sure winner.  Until I read Gil's All Fright Diner.  I am a sucker for a new author who really surprises me and writes a great read.  My favorite by a good margin.

July / August 2015 TBR Challenge Wrap Up

Goal:  50
Completed:  29

The date the book was added to my TBR is in parenthesis.

19. The Warrior Returns by Allan Cole (5/27/2008)
20. Dissolution by C. J. Sansom  (8/22/2008)
21. Dark Fire by C. J. Sansom  (7/18/2008)
22. Glory by Alfred Coppel  (10/27/2008)
23. Glory's War by Alfred Coppel  (3/26/2008)
24. Glory's People by Alfred Coppel  (3/27/2008)
25. The Pact by Jodi Picoult (11/22/2008)
26. Angel of Darkness by Charles de Lint (7/31/2009)
27. Deathworld by Harry Harrison  (3/18/2009)
28. Deathworld 2 by Harry Harrison (3/18/2009)
29. Finder's Bane by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb  (2/12/2009)

My favorite was either Angel of Darkness or Dark Fire.  It's too hard to choose between them!

May / June 2015 TBR Challenge Wrap Up

Goal:  50
Completed:  19

The date the book was added to my TBR is in parenthesis.

May / June
11. The Dragon Token by Melanie Rawn (8/19/2008)
12. Skybowl by Melanie Rawn (8/19/2008)
13. Army Wives by Tanya Biank (3/28/2015)
14. The Walking by Bentley Little (11/22/2008)
15. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini  (3/12/2015)
16. The Far Kingdoms by Allan Cole & Chris Bunch  (5/26/2008)
17. The Warrior's Tale by Allan Cole & Chris Bunch  (6/18/2008)
18. Kingdoms of the Night by Allan Cole and Chris Bunch (5/26/2008)

My favorite this time is easy!  The Warrior's Tale by Allan Cole & Chris Bunch was just great!

March / April 2015 TBR Challenge Wrap Up

Goal:  50
Completed:  10

The date the book was added to my TBR is in parenthesis.

March / April
7. Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn (8/19/2008)
8. The Star Scroll by Melanie Rawn (8/19/2008)
9. Sun-Runner's Fire by Melanie Rawn (8/23/2008)
10. Stronghold by Melanie Rawn (8/19/2008)

Favorite of these?  Impossible to decide!  All of the Melanie Rawn books are fantastic!

January / February 2015 TBR Challenge Wrap Up

Goal:  50
Completed:  6

The date the book was added to my TBR is in parenthesis.

January / February
1.  The Wind Through the Keyhole by Stephen King (10/18/2014)
2.  Hunters of the Red Moon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (2/27/2008)
3.  Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult  (5/26/2008)
4.  Children of Chaos by Dave Duncan  (9/18/2008)
5.  Mother of Lies by Dave Duncan (2/22/2009)
6.  Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz  (9/12/2008)

Favorite of these?  Children of Chaos.  I love to find an unexpectedly great new author.