Library Loot-August 26

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

My blame game isn't very exciting this week as I'm trying really hard to acquire some self-control. LOL!!! We'll see how long it lasts!!!!


The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
** Blame goes entirely to Nymeth. She's such an introspective person and I really take a lot away from her reviews. I'd read about this book in ALA email or something but it was her review that prompted me to get this one.






A Kiss In Time by Alex Flinn
** Just myself to blame and the author. I've enjoyed every book that she's written. This one is her spin on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. I loved Beastly(her take on Beauty and the Beast)...fantastic!! I can't wait to read this one!!!!





Books Read in 2009 to date: 127
Number of Books Checked out from the library:20
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 222 last week 232 this week

Library Loot and Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

Welcome to another addition of "BLAME IT ON SOMEONE ELSE!" Starting from the top of the pile and working our way down to the bottom:

Last Bridge by Teri Coyne
The book blogger to blame is: LISA FROM COOKS AND BOOKS
Quoted from her review-"Once I started reading THE LAST BRIDGE I found it very hard to put down. I wanted to keep going to see what would happen next. It is a dark and troubling story told in a precise manner. It's not filled with a lot of description and airy details. Teri Coyne paints a realistic picture of Cat's life as a lost soul. For some, it might be too dark, but I find myself drawn to these types of novels and appreciate the poignancy in them."

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
The book blogger to blame is: Meg from Write Meg. I totally loved her review and it's about a young girl who loves all things Austen. How can I go wrong????


While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty
The book blogger to blame is: I'm blaming Jill from Breaking the Spine because she hosts a cool meme, titled Waiting on Wednesday. If I didn't participate in this then I wouldn't have come across this one. Sounds logical to me...


Dead Dancing Women by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli
The book blogger to blame is: Kathy from Bermuda Onion. Now let me explain, Kathy hasn't read this, at least not that I'm aware of. But she does do this Literary Road Trip highlighting authors from her state. So when I picked up this book and saw that it was written by a Michigan author I decided to partake on the Literary Road Trip!! See how I made the connection??? Tricky, aren't I?


Back on Blossom Street #3 by Debbie Macomber
The book blogger to blame is: of course Dar from Peeking Between the Pages. She's the one that got me started on this series so it will ALWAYS be her fault!!

City of Glass-The Mortal Instruments Book 3 by Cassandra Clare
The book blogger to blame is: how did I not have anyone to blame for this one? Guess I'll have to take responsibility for this...darn!



70% of the books I've read this year have come from my public library!
Books Read in 2009 to date: 123
Number of Books Checked out from the library:20
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 215 last week 222 this week
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Waiting on Wednesday
is hosted by
Jill over at Breaking the Spine
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I, Alex Cross
by James Patterson

This is one series that I won't stop reading no matter what. The main reason, I love Alex Cross. Love him. So I will read this in one day and then wait for the next one. Alex and I have something going on!!

Scheduled for release November 16, 2009
From Amazon.com:Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. Alex vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim.

What book are you waiting for?

Library Loot and Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.
We share what we each picked up at the library during the week.

I've got lots of blame to pass around so let's get started!!


Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock
** Blaming rights go to Heather from Book Addiction. She posted her review on June 29th and I immediately put it in my library list for a future read. Check out her thoughts here.



What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman
** I get to blame Wendy from Caribou's Mom for this book!!! This is the comment I left after reading her review: When you compared her writing to earlier Cornwell I was hooked!!! Excellent review and I’m certainly adding this one to my must read for 09.





Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
** Lenore's been blamed plenty of times here so I'm sure she won't mind when I point the finger at her and say, "It's all your fault!!" Read her fantastic review and author interview here. I read and reviewed Undercover also written by Kephart and it blew me away. I loved this book so I'm sure her new one is spectacular!! I missed the boat by buying my own copy and helping show the big publishing companies that book bloggers can be a driving force behind book sales by word of mouth, but I hope to make up for it by getting this novel for my niece's birthday later this month.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
** I'm blaming Lisa from Books and Cooks! Read her review here but be warned you'll want to read this book after you do!! But what really sealed the deal is when I asked for friends to tell me what book has really made an impression on them and this is what Lisa said:
Lisa said...A book that stayed with me is Lonesome Dove. Those characters were amazing! More recently The 13th Tale - I loved that story! Great giveaway!!


Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
** I have no one to blame but myself. I'm wondering who has read this and did you like it? I've read some mixed reviews on it so I'm not sure if I should bother reading it or not...you tell me!!






To Read List Total today7/08/2009: 801
Last Week's To Read List total 7/01/2009: 781
Books Read in 2009 to date: 94
Number of Books Checked out from the library:24
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 170 last week 185 this week
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Waiting on Wednesday
is hosted by
Jill over at Breaking the Spine
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This series, The Last Apprentice, is a favorite of mine and lots of kids at my middle school. We're going to be very excited to get our hands on this book!! If you're looking for a middle school age fantasy series this one is highly recommended!

The Last Apprentice: Clash of the Demons
by Joseph Delaney
Scheduled to be published August 25, 2009
From Goodreads:
As the Spook's apprentice Tom's first duty is to protect the County from the dark. But now Mam needs his help in her homeland of Greece. One of the most dangerous of the old gods, the Ordeen, is about to return there, bringing slaughter and devastation. Meanwhile, the Devil himself is still loose and if he and the Ordeen join forces, a new age of darkness will descend. Mam has summoned a powerful group to her side but among them are Tom's old enemy, the Pendle witches, including the assassin Grimalkin, and the cunning clan leader Mab Moldheel. Can Tom go against all the Spook has taught him and ally himself to the witches? What is the secret that Mam is keeping from him? And what sacrifices must be made in the battle against the dark?

What book are you waiting for ?

Library Loot 7/1 and Waiting on Wednesday

Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.

I spent some quality time at my local library on Saturday and brought home these goodies!!



The Lace Makers of Glenmara
** Just look at that beautiful cover!! I saw this first at Bonnie's blog, Red Lady's Reading Room and fell in love with the story premise.







Vampire Academy
** All the blame goes to Teddy at The Eclectic Reader. If she hadn't posted this fantastic review of Book 3 then I wouldn't have picked up the first one in the series!!






Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
** All the blame for this one goes to my buddy Dar of Peeking Between the Pages!! She's used to getting blamed for a lot of my reading problems so this one will come as no big shock!!





A Good Yarn
** I'm going to blame Dar again because she's the reason why I read the first one and now I feel compelled to read the next in the series!!!








To Read List Total today7/01/2009: 781
Last Week's To Read List total 6/24/2009: 781
Books Read in 2009 to date: 86 ( read 6 this past week)
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 21
Book Blogger Buddies Recommendations TBR List: 159 last week 170 this week

____________________________________________________________________

Waiting on Wednesday
is hosted by
Jill over at Breaking the Spine
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My son Marc has been a zombie fan for years. Way before the wave of zombie books that we've seen being released this year. One of his favorite books is The Zombie Survival Guide. I swear to all of you that if zombies attack our house, Marc has several plans of attack all set up to go!! At one point though he did start to have a few zombie related nightmares so I've told him that he can't read these before he goes to bed because I don't want a 14-year-old sleeping in bed with me and my hubby!!



The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks
Published Date: October 6th 2009 by Three Rivers Press

From Goodreads:
Man has battled the undead for millenia. In The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks bestselling author and "Studs Terkel of zombie journalism," Max Brooks provides the lessons that history has taught us about zombie outbreaks. This is not a list of all zombie attacks throughout history, but a chronicling of the most famous outbreaks, gruesomely illustrated in graphic novel form. From our descendants on the African savannahs to the legions of ancient Rome to the voyages of Francis Drake to the ill-advised experiments of the Soviet army, The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attack, takes the reader on a journey across many anni horribilis and hauntingly reminds us how close the living dead have come to destroying humanity.

What book are you waiting for ?

Library Loot- June 17th and Waiting on Wednesday

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

I've been pretty good as I have only added 2 books to my stash this week!!! And now that summer is here and I'm off until Sept. 4 I have high hopes that I'll be able to plow through this pile faster!!!

Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas

** as I said in an earlier post, Kaye recommended this book to me and I can't wait to read it!!








The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

** I must see what all of the fuss is about...I know I'm sure to get hooked!!!







To Read List Total today 6/17/2009: 777
Last Week's To Read List total 6/10/2009: 766
Books Read in 2009 to date: 80
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 24

____________________________________________________________________

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by
Jill over at Breaking the Spine
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

• Hardcover: 992 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press (September 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385342454
• ISBN-13: 978-0385342452

Jamie Fraser, erstwhile Jacobite and reluctant rebel, knows three things about the American rebellion: the Americans will win, unlikely as that seems in 1778; being on the winning side is no guarantee of survival; and he’d rather die than face his illegitimate son — a young lieutenant in the British Army — across the barrel of a gun. Fraser’s time-travelling wife, Claire, also knows a couple of things: that the Americans will win, but that the ultimate price of victory is a mystery. What she does believe is that the price won’t include Jamie’s life or happiness — not if she has anything to say.

I've been in love with this series from the very first book
and I can't wait to step back into Jamie and Claire's lives again!!!

What book are you waiting for ?

Library Loot- June 10 and Waiting on Wednesday

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

I read a fantastic post last night at Nicole's blog, Linus's Blanket. This was all about our book addictions and I left her a comment stating that I now had 7 good excuses for continuing to bring books into the house faster than I can read them. I was all ready to use one of them this morning but realized I only have 2 books to post......sooooo, I will save those excuses when I really need them!!



after the moment by Garret Fremann-Weyr
** I read about this book on Shelf Awareness and the premise sounds really good. My library is great about having the newest books and I looked it up and there it was!!
Told with compassion and true understanding, After the Moment is about what happens when a young man discovers that sometimes love fails us, and that, quite often, we fail love.





Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
** I've seen this all over the book blogging community and in my own middle school hallways. YA and vampires---great combination!
The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out.





To Read List Total today 6/03/2009: 766
Last Week's To Read List total 5/27/2009: 766
Books Read in 2009 to date: 74
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 24

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Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by
Jill over at Breaking the Spine
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Undone by Karin Slaughter
Release Date: July 14, 2009

Someone had spent time with her -- someone well-practiced in the art of pain... Three years ago former Grant County medical examiner Sara Linton moved to Atlanta hoping to leave her tragic past behind her. Now working as a doctor in Atlanta's Grady Hospital she is starting to piece her life together. But when a severely wounded young woman is brought in to the emergency room, she finds herself drawn back into a world of violence and terror. The woman has been hit by a car but, naked and brutalized, it's clear that she has been the prey of a twisted mind. When Special Agent Will Trent of the Criminal Investigation Team returns to the scene of the accident, he stumbles on a torture chamber buried deep beneath the earth. And this hidden house of horror reveals a ghastly truth - Sara's patient is just the first victim of a sick, sadistic killer. Wrestling the case away from the local police chief, Will and his partner Faith Mitchell find themselves at the center of a grisly murder hunt. And Sara, Will and Faith - each with their own wounds and their own secrets - are the only thing that stands between a madman and his next crime...

What book are you waiting for ?

Library Loot- June 3

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

Every time Wednesday rolls around I always wonder how I'm going to justify my new library loot to all my friends.....I officially give up!!!



Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
** I could blame so many book buddies for this book but in all honesty I love Lisa See and when I heard about her new book I immediately put it on request at my library.








Prayers For Sale- by Sandra Dallas
**The blame here goes to Barnes and Noble and whoever put the huge display of this book at their front entrance. I was immediately drawn to the cover and when I read what the book was about I was hooked!!!









To Read List Total today 6/03/2009: 766
Last Week's To Read List total 5/27/2009: 766
Books Read in 2009 to date: 74
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 24

Library Loot- May 27

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

I'm out of excuses for my lack of self control, but I still have people to blame so I'm shunning all responsibility for grabbing these books and placing that upon fellow book lovers!! Here's what I brought home with me last Saturday!!



The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
I am totally blaming Lenore from Presenting Lenore. Her post was so fantastic that I knew if I came across this book that I would have to get it!!
Isn't the cover pretty cool?







The Might Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson
The blaming honors go to Lisa from Books on the Brain. Her review made me want this book!!! As I was browsing the new non-fiction books the title jumped out at me and the book jumped into my bag!!!







The Turnaround by George Pelecanos
I've seen and read so many reviews on this book that I truly felt like I was missing out on something truly wonderful. This book was the reason I went to the main library in the first place!! It's going to be hard to just blame this on one person......Kathy from Bermuda Onion is the person who pushed me over the cliff!! Here is a short excerpt from her fantabulous review!
I really enjoyed this book and was engrossed in it and its characters from start to finish. The character development in this crime novel is fantastic. I empathized with most of the characters and wanted them to make good decisions.


The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
I'm passing the the buck to Chris from Stuff as Dreams are Made On for this one!! He always writes these wonderfully in-depth and heartfelt reviews and after reading this one I knew I couldn't make it through 2009 without acquiring this from the library!!






Skinned by Robin Wasserman
I don't anyone to blame...darn! I thought the cover looked intriguing (reminded me of the Uglies Series) and after reading the inside jacket, the story sounded good so in the bag it went!!






To Read List Total today 5/27/2009: 766
Last Week's To Read List total 5/20/2009: 753
Books Read in 2009 to date: 73
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 21

Library Loot - May 20

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

I've been good....very good!!!! But even though I haven't been adding a lot to the loot pile it doesn't seem as if I'm getting through them fast enough. These additions were two more holds that came in for me. I had to pick them up because I feel that it would've been rude not to!! Sounds like a good excuse doesn't it!!?


Death by Bikini by Linda Gerber
---finally I have someone to blame again for getting this book. The Story Siren's blog is a YA lover's heaven, plus I read her reviews on Goodreads. This one is all her fault!





A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
--I think I read about this book from a Barnes and Noble Fall Reading Recommendation flyer.
I love the cover and it does sound pretty good.






To Read List Total today 5/20/2009: 753
Last Week's To Read List total 513/2009: 744
Books Read in 2009 to date: 72
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 23 still holding on that number!!!

Library Loot- May 13

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

I've been extremely good this week. In fact, over the weekend I took a long hard look at my huge library pile. I had to get real and ask myself how many of these books could I really get done in the amount of time I had them. After careful consideration I returned 9 books.....and then quickly acquired 4 more!! I know what you're thinking...doesn't make sense Staci!! Let me defend myself on one point...3 of them were holds that I THOUGHT I had suspended until August. Not sure why that didn't work but they showed up so I felt like I HAD to take them. The fourth one, Maisie Dobbs, I just had to get. I'd seen so many fantastic reviews of the latest Dobbs novel so I decided that I needed to start at the beginning with this series. Here are the 4 books that I brought home.




Rereadings: Seventeen Writers Revisit Books They Love edited by Anne Fadiman
--I saw this on someone's blog and felt compelled to read these stories.

Weetzie bat by Francesca Lia Block
--I forgot why I wanted to read this book. I just read on Goodreads a few reviews that described this book as "being on a bad acid trip." Great. I'm not a big fan of weird! Has anyone read this one?

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
- I read and loved Booklogged at A Reader's Journal review of Among the Mad but I can never start a series in the middle so I got the first one.

George and Sam: Two boys, One family, and Autism by Charlotte Moore
-Nick Hornby recommended this one in his book, Polysyllabic Spree. I have to interact with students that have autism and am astounded daily by their unique gifts. Sounds like it's going to be a good read.


To Read List Total today 4/29/2009: 744
Last Week's To Read List total 4/15/2009: 737
Books Read in 2009 to date: 69
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 23

Library Loot- May 6

Library Loot hosted by Eva and Alessandra
asks us to list what we brought home from
the library this week.

I've been very good once again this week!! I feel like I'm actually making a dent in my library pile. It probably has something to do with my reading being on a schedule!! I made up a calendar for May and so far I'm only 1 day behind....o.k. I'm a few days and 1 book behind!!! Oh well, here's more to add to the madness!!!



The Accidental Demon Slayer- Well, I had to get this so that I can start at the beginning of this series that looks to be fun, fun, fun!!

Vibes- I picked this up because I liked the cover! Don't you think it's cute? Also, I'm on a YA binge right now!!!

Ink Exchange- This is the next book after Wicked Lovely, which I fell in love with. Let's hope this one doesn't disappoint!!






Swallow Me Whole- I can't remember how I came across this book. Very strange...but it's a graphic novel and looks like it is going to be a good read!

Life Sucks- I finally get to blame someone!! And that someone is Linda from Silly Little Mischief. She told me about this cool YA Graphic novel and I can't wait to read it!!

A Homemade Life- Another person to blame for a book!! The blame goes to....drumroll please.....DAR!! Who would've thought? yeah, I know...Dar's responsible for a lot of people adding to their TBR list!! She featured this cover on a Cover Attraction post and I am a sucker for covers. Loved this one and a bonus...the story sounds like it's going to be a very enjoyable read!!


To Read List Total today 4/29/2009: 737
Last Week's To Read List total 4/15/2009: 707
Books Read in 2009 to date: 65
Number of Books Checked out from the library: 29