2009 in Review

This is the first time I've ever put numbers to my reading, so forgive me if they all don't add up....this is my first stab at tallying and all of the different categories!!

Final Total for 2009- 189 books

Categories-
Fiction: 98
Non-Fiction: 11
YA:54
Graphic Novels: 20
Short Stories: 3
Childrens: 3


Where the Books came from-
Book blogger Recommended: 69 (I got most of these from my local library)
ARCS/Author/Publisher: 22
Books From My Shelves: 6 (pathetic!)
Books from the Library: 137

Favorite Books read in 2009:

• Guernsey and Literary Potato Peel Pie Society
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
• Still Alice
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
• The Cellist of Sarajevo
• Willow
• Undercover
• A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes From My Kitchen Table
• Little Bee
• Undone
• Labor Day
• The Grand Sophy
• The Road

Challenges Completed:
Winter Reading Challenge
2009 Pub Challenge
2009 YA Challenge
RYOB Challenge - I set my goals really low for this one.
Everything Austen Challenge


Challenges that I didn't complete:
Classic Challenge- didn't read a one!!!
Unshelved Reading Challenge
What's In a Name-bombed this one


Reading Resolutions for 2010:

• will only accept 1 ARC per month
• continue to do book tours
• try to keep my library check out to 10 books and less so that I can get all of them read!
• will not buy any "new" books from stores for the first 6 months of the year
• will READ my own books!!!
• will try to get through all of the ARCs just sitting on my shelves right now. Or if I don't read them I will give them all away!!!!!!!!
• keep my reviews short and sweet!!
• Continue on with Six Sentence Saturdays
• read deliberately!! I love that!

I would like to thank each and every person who visits my blog and leaves me comments. Let's face it, it's nice to have someone interested in what you have to say and those comments really make me feel great! I hope to be an even better commenter during 2010, not sure if I will pony up the $ to get high speed but I do try my best to visit all of the blogs I dearly love to read. As I ring in the New Year tonight I will be toasting and wishing all of the best to each and every one of you!!!!

I welcome 2010 with open arms
and can't wait to see what new reading experiences
will come my way!

Library Loot- the last of 2009

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

Where has this year went???? In terms of books, this was my best reading year ever! I can't even begin to put into words how much I was influenced (in a good way) by all of the blogs that I read. Without YOU I wouldn't have been introduced to cozy mysteries, heart-breaking stories, cleverly written masterpieces, and new-to-me authors.....for that I thank all of you!!

Here is the what I dragged home for the end of the year library loot!


The Magicians by Lev Grossman
** I'm blaming Diane of Bibliophile By the Sea for grabbing this book off the shelf!!
Thanks so much Diane for all of your wonderful reviews!





Crossing Washington Square by Joanne Rendell
** Blame is going to Dar at Peeking Between the Pages for this one.....got you didn't I????






Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel
** I'm passing this one off on a great review that I read at Unmainstreammomreads!






Books Read in 2009 to date: 188
Number of Books Checked out from the library:16

** I'm working on a list of books that I checked out over the year but never managed to read. I have plans to revisit these books in 2010 and read them for Support My Library Challenge. As I write this I've been feverishly reading my library books to try to whittle them down to a more manageable number. I think I can get 2 more read before I ring in the New Year. Wish me luck!

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

My daddy and I live in an RV. I don't mind much, because we get to see the United States. Sometimes at night we park in a Walmart parking lot. This is where my live started to unravel, as we entered the store, I looked at the pictures to my left of the missing children. There it was, a picture of me!
~ June Bug
________________________________________________

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

"We're going to find her," he said. "I don't know how, and I don't know what condition she'll be in, but if it's the last thing I do, we're going to find her."
p.120 June Bug by Chris Fabry

Mailbox Monday-December 28

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
** I won this book from Rebecca at Lost in Books. I've read such good things about this one so I can't wait to read it in 2010!!!

What came for you???

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family!!

Library Loot-December 23

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

Mrs. Mallory Investigates by Hazel Holt
** I have Nan of Letters From a Hill Farm to blame for this one. She really enjoys British mysteries and after reading her reviews I always feel the NEED to read them!!!





No Wind of Blame-Georgette Heyer
** I thought I had someone to blame for this one, but alas, there are no notes in my Goodreads as to why I requested this from the library. I suppose I will have to go with the fact that I really enjoy Heyer and I wanted to read one of her mysteries!!





La's Orchestra Saves the World- Alexander McCall Smith
** I was almost done with 44 Scotland when I saw that Smith had just released the above title here in the US. Sounds good so I brought it home! But according to my notes I saw this featured on a Friday Finds by Bonnie at Redlady's Reading Room- blaming Bonnie!! Love her!





Books Read in 2009 to date: 182
Number of Books Checked out from the library:22

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

I'm in a secluded Victorian hotel during a blizzard and the other guests are being murdered one by one...can I find out who is behind this before I'm next?
~ Christmas is Murder
______________________________________________________

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

Two deaths in a row. What on earth was going on, Rex wondered, and why the devil did they have to coincide with his trip?
p. 59
Christmas is Murder by C.S. Challinor

Mailbox Monday- December 21

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

Christmas Cake by Lynne Hinton
This book came to me courtesy of Bonnie at RedLady's Reading Room. Bonnie has a heart of gold and I'm so thankful that she passed this one on to me.

Synopsis:
With the holiday season drawing near, the ladies of Hope Springs, North Carolina, are making plans for a cake cookbook—a project that will hopefully lift the spirits of a beloved member of their close-knit quartet. But Margaret Peele is downhearted and uninspired now that her cancer has returned. All she wants this Christmas is to visit her mother's Texas hometown . . . and to see their absent friend, pastor Charlotte Stewart, who left Hope Springs to run a battered women's shelter. So impulsive Beatrice Newgarden Witherspoon commandeers a very inappropriate—but comfortable—van to transport Margaret, Louise Fisher, and Jessie Jenkins across the country for a Lone Star State reunion with Charlotte. And over the course of a remarkable journey they will rediscover the greatest Christmas gift of all: eternal friendship

What came for you??

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)



The Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin Mystery #1) by M.C. Beaton
** Can I just say that I'm in love with Agatha Raisin???? She's the main character of this cozy mystery series and she couldn't be any gruffer if she tried. That's what I like about her...she's not soft and gooey, but rather a tough ol' bird who has worked hard to make it in the world. She's retired and living in a quaint village Carsely. Even though it looks like a postcard there is a lot going on in this "picturesque" place and Agatha has her nose in all of it!! There wasn't a dull moment and I do not hesitate to recommend this to anyone!!!

My Rating:







Surrender Bay (Nantucket Series #1) by Denise Hunter
** I hesitate to pigeon-hole this book as Christian fiction even though that is how it is categorized. Unlike some books in this genre, not once does the author ever bring God or faith into the story. Her plot line was feasible and how each person dealt with their issues was well-written. My only problem with this book is that now I look at my husband and wish he could be romantic like Landon Reed!!! At the back of the book Denise explains how her story is an allegory of a certain story or scripture in the Bible. I really enjoyed this book and eagerly look forward to the next in the series.

My Rating:








Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
** I seriously love Christie's writing and I can't get enough of it. In this book we meet Hercule Poirot for the first time. What a character....no wonder Christie has such a following...she knows how to draw her reader in and make a connection with her cast . The murder takes place at a mansion named Styles where Hastings (another recurring character with Poirot) is to meet up with his old college chum. Once again, I was looking at all of the wrong people and felt like a fool when I found out "who done it." I feel like I need to start writing down the clues and seeing what I come up with before the villain is revealed!!!


My Rating:

Happy 101

Thanks so much to Linda for giving me this fun award!!

List 10 things that make you happy, try to do at least one of them today, and tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day. For those 10 bloggers who get the award, you then link back to my blog and create your makes you happy list.

1. My family is my greatest source of happiness. I truly enjoy them and love spending time with them.
2. Looking at my old photos of my Grandparents- I miss them daily and love to reminisce on the stories that they would tell us kids as we were growing up.
   
3. Books- I don't think I could live without books...honestly. I get all tense and upset if I have forgotten to put a book in my purse, but I immediately feel better once I do get one in my hands.
4. Food- I love food of all types and won't even try to deny it.
5. My friends- they've been there for me when I've needed them and I love 'em for it!
6. My dog Bruce- he's my best little furry buddy. He loves me unconditionally and is very happy to just lay beside me all night.
7. Warm spring days
8. A student who comes in the library all excited about the book they just finished!
9. My morning quiet time when I'm the only one up, drinking my coffee, sitting outside (summer) and just soaking up the quietness of the day.
10. Blogging- reading new blogs, meeting new friends and corresponding with blogging buddies.

Anyone reading this...consider yourself awarded this one and play along!

Book Review: The Year of Ice by Brian Malloy

Title and Author of book: A Year of Ice by Brian Malloy
Fiction or non-fiction: Fiction
Genre: YA GLBT
Where did I get the book: My public Library

Who recommended this book to me? I heard about this book from reading Matt's blog A Guy's Moleskine Notebook. He always has the most eclectic tastes in books and I always come away in awe of his writing skills and of the complex novels he reads.


I'm always looking for well-written and HONEST gay/lesbian YA books. This one is both of those things and so much more. It's not just a story about a young man named Kevin who knows he's gay and just wants to find someone to love. It's about how his life is in such chaos since the death of his mother and finding out dark secrets about his father. It's about life and being a teenager on the brink of adulthood and feeling like you're ready to take on the world, but also wanting everything to stay the same and to remain safe. I loved every single word in this book and the ending wasn't quite what I expected, but I feel pretty confident that Kevin is going to find his "own" place in the world. For those of you that are participating in the GLBT Challenge for 2010 this is one book that I highly recommend for your list.

Library Loot-December 16

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.

Christmas is Murder: A Rex Graves mystery by C.S. Challinor
** I read Nan's awesome review and immediately requested this one from my library!







Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
** Janel and JoAnn both liked this book so I decided to get this one for my Japanese Literature Challenge!







Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)by Gail Carriger
** Linda of Book Girl of Mur-y Castell wrote a fantastic review of this one and I've seen it off and on throughout blogger world. I caved and requested it!! Hi Linda.....finally blamed you for a book!!!!! HA!HA!






A Plateful of Murder (Hemlock Falls Mysteries) by Claudia Bishop
** I grabbed this one because I'm still infatuated with cozy mysteries and this has two stories in one!! Yay!!!







A Quilter's Holiday: an Elm Creek Quilts novel by Jennifer Chiaverini
** I've read all of her Elm Creek Quilts and the holiday one matches the season..how could I resist?





Books Read in 2009 to date: 179
Number of Books Checked out from the library:26

Winner of Embellish

Wanda

Please respond to my email with your address!!
Sorry for getting to this contest so late everyone!

Teaser Tuesdays and It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

It's Tuesday...Where Are You?

I'm in England learning the true meaning of Christmas.
~ A Christmas Carol
____________________________________________________

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

" The school is not quite deserted," said the Ghost.
"A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still."
Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.

p.44 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Mailbox Monday- December 14

Mailbox Monday
is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

Through the Heart by Kate Morgenroth
** This one just showed up one day, I didn't request it so how it got here is a mystery. But it sounds like a great read!!

Synopsis:
As Nora and Timothy take turns telling their sides of the story, the reader is caught in the net of their love, and the chilling murder that results. With big questions of love, fidelity, filial responsibility and the role of fate, Through the Heart is a page-turning love story with a jaw dropping twist readers won't soon forget!



Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
** Review copy courtesy of publisher
I think this one is going to be a different read for me...but I'm looking forward to it. Has anyone read it yet?

Synopsis:
Stunningly imaginative, very funny, tightly plotted, and with sly satirical digs at our own society, this novel is for those who loved Thursday Next but want to be transported somewhere equally wild, only darker; a world where the black and white of moral standpoints have been reduced to shades of grey.

WHAT CAME FOR YOU?

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)


A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mysteries #1) by Charles Finch
** I have finally learned that some stories are slow for a reason. This one is slow in pacing because the main character Charles is a man of privilege and wealth. His days are not owed to anyone but himself, so he goes about his day at a leisurely pace. He is asked by his good friend Lady Jane to begin an inquest as to how her former maid died, he finds himself with a wonderful puzzle to try to piece together. I enjoyed this mystery very much and found that I really liked Charles and his "close friendship" with Lady Jane. Nan of Letters From a Hill Farm, has given me much insight on how to enjoy these slower paced stories and for that I thank her!!
My Rating:






Hold My Hand by Serena Mackesy
** I read an awesome review of Hold My Hand at Fleur Fisher's blog and immediately knew I had to read this book. I was not disappointed. Take a woman who married for love (she thought) and then ends up being on the receiving end of abuse. She flees with her daughter to the Cornwall area to be a caretaker of an old mansion that quite literally is haunted. This is a very suspenseful book with a ghost that is twisted and sinister- and she's a child!!! The atmosphere of this one has been compared to Rebecca (which I have yet to read) and if you enjoyed that book plus books with that Gothic eeriness to them, then you should put this one on a TBR list!!
My Rating:






Kith (The Good Neighbors #2) by Holly Black
** Jumping back into a graphic novel was a fun way to spend an hour this past week. At times I did find myself a little lost in the story. That is the drawback to a graphic novel...the art work is open to interpretation to add to the story, and sometimes I don't INTERPRET correctly!! Black has once again taken the reader into the dark side of fairies and at times humans. If you've read her novels I think you would enjoy this graphic novel series. If you're picking up a graphic novel for the first time...don't start with this series because there are much BETTER ones out there!!
My Rating:

Show and Tell

Pieces of Me

There's more to me than just books and reading, so today I felt like sharing another hobby of mine that I love to do, which is scrapbooking. I was introduced to this hobby about 6 years ago and I fell in love with it. I made my Mom a scrapbook of her parents, siblings, my Dad, and me and my brother. After that I was hooked. I don't scrap every day but I do go almost once a month with my best pal Tracy and we spend the WHOLE day just having fun and getting a few pages done!! Here are some of my favorite pages that I would like to share with you today.

Marc learning how to eat...it only took him 13 years!!!

My cutie patootie nephew Simon at the beach.

My boys being goofy inside a photo booth!!!

Marcus with his best buddy Tyler...they've been friends since Kindergarten.

My boys at the beach a few years ago...Trouble is exactly right!!!


Thanks for stopping by today and if you're
kind enough to leave a comment
tell me what other hobbies besides reading do you enjoy?????