Monday, January 7, 2013

Musing Monday - 7 January 2013



Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits.

• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).

• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
Musing Monday is a weekly meme that is hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading.
My musing....
Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.


I am currently reading Sew Deadly by Elizabeth Lynn Casey.  This is a new author to me that I happened to come across.  It has been a while since I have read a cozy mystery and this seems like a fun read so I decided to check it out.  I have only just started reading it and from what I have read so far I am really enjoying the story line.  I always enjoy reading books that have a theme to them like sewing, quilting, knitting etc....  
Sew Deadly is book 1 in the Southern Sewing Circle series and I look forward to being able to read the rest of the books in the series.

If you are interested in checking out more about the Southern Sewing Circle book series then check them out here.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

2013 Outside The Box Book Challenge

 

 

Outside The Box Book Challenge is being hosted by Musings Of A Book Lover.

Okay – for something a little different and a little fun! I hope that you will join me on this excursion through the literary genres! Choose your level, post with us at the end of the month about your experiences, and we will have a winner at the end of the year for a $50 GC from that great book place in the Ethernet!  Each posting will get your name in the hat for a chance to win! So, post monthly and your chances increase!  I hope you enjoy the categories I have created… it was fun doing it!

Choose your level – just how far out of the box do you want to go?

I’m a little Scared: 3-4 categories
It’s not so bad out here!:  5-7 categories
Look at me, outside my comfort zone!:  8-10 categories
No Box can Contain Me!: ALL 13!

Guidelines:

This challenge will run from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013.   
Grand Prize Drawing will be 7 January 2014!

1. Sign up any time. Though, it’s best to do it by the 31st of December, 2012 – that way you will have more chances to WIN! (However, sign-ups will close 1 December 2013)

2. You cannot use any books or reading material that was read before 1 January 2013 (except for #9 – but you DO have to REREAD that one to count!)

3. At the End of each month, you must post a link to your review for it to count! If you don’t have a blog, be sure to link up the review you did in GoodReads, Amazon, Library Thing, etc. We need to read your review! (There will be a one week grace period to get in the review. i.e. January 31st rolls around and the linky will be up, but you have until 6th of February to get your linky in!) Each review will get you a ‘token’!

4. Share the Love (PLEASE!?!) – Write your intentions on your blog, link back to this post, have the button on a side bar, so others will know what fun you are having, and they can have it too!

5.  Overlaps are okay, but the purpose of this is to try other books, not grabbing ONE book to fit four categories! You only get ONE token in for each review, so the more the merrier.

6. Comment below with how comfortable you are of climbing out of your literary box!  BUT, don’t feel you have to be tied to that level! You are shy and want to start slowly but love the feeling of the air outside of where you are…go for it!  You thought you could be a book sphere, but the box is warm and comfy, that’s okay too!

7. Be encouraging!  Sometimes it’s a little frightening coming out of your comfort zone. Go to the other participants’ sites and give them words to help free them. Offer suggestions on the best ways to climb out of the box – give them a ladder that they can use!

8. Optional – share books.  Be willing to swap books with other participants (unless they are library books, or books that are not yours, then you might find yourself in a whole other type of box, and I can’t help you then!)

9. Make sure you post your reviews every month.  Who knows, I just might have a surprise giveaway that month!

Now… to the categories!


#1   To the Screen
Read a book that was adapted to the screen.  Try to read the book first, then see the movie – how did they compare?

#2   Another Voice
Do you typically read books that focus on a Female Character? Try a male protagonist. A male point of view usually? See what it’s like from a woman’s perspective.

#3   Opposites Attract
 Are you always reading young adult or historical fiction? Try something that would be opposite – a contemporary read for those stuck in the past, for instance.

#4   5 Star Day
Is there a book you’ve seen featured on another blog and everyone raves about it? Even if it isn’t your cup of tea – give it a try to see what the hype is all about.

#5   XyZ pdQ
You’ve seen them – ABC book challenges – well this one is light! Grab a book that has either an X, Z or Q in the title!  Too tough? Try going for the author’s name!

#6   It’s my Birthday!
So, have a party! Read a book that was published in either your birth month or birth year!

#7   From one place…
It’s neat to read a book that was first published outside of the United States (or your country – we won’t hold it against you if you don’t live in the Good Ol’ USofA).  Make sure to pull up a slang dictionary of that country, though, otherwise you will always wonder why they put the ‘kettle on the hob’ (and, no, it has nothing to do with short hairy guys with big hairy feet!)

#8   It’s All About ME!
It seems that everyone has written a memoir of one kind or another – or someone wrote about their favorite person.  Read about their life and know that yours is still marvelous, even though you didn’t climb Mt. Everest by the age of 2!

#9   Visit an Old Friend
Do you have one of those books that you tell everyone is your favorite, because of the fond memories you have when you read it eons ago?  Read it again, just to make sure it still is your Favorite!

#10  Look at the pretty pictures!
It seems that Graphic Novels are all the rage.  Check on out and see for yourself! If you have read the original, how did the graphic novel compare?

#11  She made me do it!
You read about the book on another site.  It wasn’t necessarily something that everyone raves about, but this person spoke so well of the book, you just had too! (I know, it’s kind of like #4 – but this one is special, you were moved by the blogger’s recount of the story, you just had to!) Don’t’ forget to mention who made you grab that cookie from the jar!

#12  I couldn’t help myself!
We all do it! We walk through the book store (or even one of those super stores) and it strikes you! You stop in your tracks and you have instant Cover Love! Grab it, buy it, and READ IT! Well, was it worth it?

#13  To be or Not to be…
Time to break in to that section that very few of us fear to tread! Read a play, memorize a poem and analyze it since it’s rolling around in your head!  Give the Bard (whoever she may be!) a chance!

This sounds like a interesting challenge to participate in so I am going to sign up for....

It’s not so bad out here!:  5-7 categories

If you would like to participate then you can sign up here.

Sundays In Bed With....


Sundays In Bed With... is a weekly meme hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!



Today I can be found reading Sew Deadly by Elizabeth Lynn Casey.  This is a new author to me and is a cozy mystery.  I haven't read any cozy mysteries for a while so thought it would be good to read a different genre for a change.  So far, so good.

What book can you be found reading today?

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Books Read in 2012

BOOKS READ IN 2012

01  -  A Lasting Impression - Tamera Alexandra
02  -  Hannah's Journey - Anna Schmidt
03  - An Amish Christmas - Cynthia Keller
04  -  The Measure Of Katie Calloway - Serena Miller
05  - Jacob's List - Stephanie Grace Whitson
06  - A Man's Heart - Lori Copeland
07  - Night Fever - Diana Palmer
08  - In Bed With The Devil - Susan Mallery
09  - Doctor In Petticoats - Mary Connealy
10  - Wrangler In Petticoats - Mary Connealy
11  -  Sharpshooter In Petticoats - Mary Connealy
12  -  Matchmaker, Matchmaker - Anna Schmidt
13  -  To Win Her Heart - Karen Witemeyer
14  -  Her Best Friend's Wedding - Abby Gaines
15  -  Homespun Bride - Jillian Hart
16  -  Montana Dawn - Caroline Fyffe
17  -  Hidden Summit - Robyn Carr
18  -  Beguiled - Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand
19  -  An Amish Wedding
         A Perfect Secret - Kelly Long
         A Perfect Match - Kathleen Fuller
         A Perfect Plan - Beth Wiseman
20  -  Along Wooded Paths - Tricia Goyer
21  -  Almost Forever - Deborah Raney
22  -  Forever After - Deborah Raney
23  -  A Bride Most Begrduging - Deeanne Gist
24  -  Courting Trouble - Deeanne Gist
25  -  Firefighter Under The Mistletoe - Melissa McClone
26  -  Deep In The Heart Of Trouble - Deanne Gist
27  -  The Best Of Me - Nicholas Sparks
28  -  Where The Wind Blows - Caroline Fyffe
29  -  Home Front - Kristin Hannah
30  -  Sarah's Christmas Miracle - Mary Ellis
31  -  The Choice - Suzanne Woods Fisher
32  -  The Waiting - Suzanne Woods Fisher
33  -  The Search - Suzanne Woods Fisher
34  -  Redwood Bend - Robyn Carr
35  -  Simple Secrets - Nancy Mehl
36  -  Simple Deceit - Nancy Mehl
37  -  Simple Choices - Nancy Mehl
38  -  House of Secrets - Tracie Peterson
39  -  Leaving Yesterday - Karen Kingsbury
40  -  Paradise Valley - Dale Cramer
41  -  The Captive Heart - Dale Cramer
42  -  The Help - Kathryn Stockett
43  -  It Happens Every Spring - Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman
44  -  Summer Breeze - Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman
45  -  Falling For You Again - Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman
46  -  Winter Turns To Spring - Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman
47  -  Barefoot Season - Susan Mallery
48  -  A Life of Joy - Amy Clipston
49  -  The Fiddler - Beverly Lewis
50  -  Seek Me With All Your Heart - Beth Wiseman
51  -  The Wonder Of Your Love - Beth Wiseman
52  -  Love Finds You In Victory Heights - Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
53  -  Sunrise Point - Robyn Carr
54  -  Wanted Perfect Partner - Debbie Macomber
55  -  Beyond Hopes Valley - Tricia Goyer
56  -  The Protector - Shelley Shepard Gray
57  -  The Good Father - Diane Chamberlain
58  -  A Heart Divided - Kathleen Morgan
59  -  The Survivor - Shelley Shepard Gray
60  -  A Town Called Valentine - Emma Cane
61  -  Need You Now - Beth Wiseman
62  -  Murder In Plain Sight - Marta Perry
63  -  Vanish In Plain Sight - Marta Perry
64  -  Attic Treasures
         Grandmas Doll - Wanda Brunstetter
         Fishing For Love - Tammy Shuttlesworth
         This Prairie - Janet Spaeth 
         Seeking The Lost - Pamela Kaye Tracy
65  -  Living With Max - Chloe Maxwell
66  -  Father Of The Bride - Barbara Delinsky
67  -  Missing - Shelley Shepard Gray
68  -  The Search - Shelley Shepard Gray
69  -  Sworn To Silence - Linda Castillo
70  -  Pray For Silence - Linda Castillo
71  -  Breaking Silence - Linda Castillo
72  -  Gone Missing - Linda Castillo
73  -  A Texan's Promise - Shelley Gray
74  -  Almost Amish - Kathryn Cushman
75  -  Love Finds You In Martha's Vineyard - Melody Carlson
76  -  First, Best And Only - Barbara Delinsky
77  -  Distant Shores - Kristin Hannah
78  -  A Place Called Home - Jo Goodman
79  -  The Amish Nanny - Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould
80  -  Summer Breeze - Nancy Thayer
81  -  The Inn At Rose Harbor - Debbie Macomber
82  - Julia's Hope - Leisha Kelly
83  - Whispers Down the Lane - Beverly Lewis
84  -  Emma's Gift - Leisha Kelly
85  -  Katies Dream - Leisha Kelly
86  -  Small Change - Sheila Roberts
87  -  Secret In The Willows - Beverly Lewis
88  -  Catch A Falling Star - Beverly Lewis
89  -  Night Of The Fireflies - Beverly Lewis
90  -  A Cry In The Dark - Beverly Lewis
91  -  House Of Secrets - Beverly Lewis
92  -  Echoes In The Wind - Beverly Lewis
93  -  Praying Circles Around Your Children - Mark Batterson
94  -  Hide Behind The Moon - Beverly Lewis
95  -  Windows On The Hill - Beverly Lewis
96  -  Shows Beyond The Gate - Beverly Lewis
97  -  Love Anthony - Lisa Genova
98  -  The Boy Under The Table - Nicole Trope
99  -  The Summer I Dared - Barbara Delinsky
100 - The Bridesmain - Beverly Lewis
101 - Taken - Barbara Freethy
102 - Played - Barbara Freethy
103 - The Christmas Bus - Melody Carlson
104 - Best Friend, Worst Enemy - Beverly Lewis
105 - Double Take - Melody Carlson
106 - The Christmas Dog - Melody Carlson
107 - Friends Forever - Danielle Steel
108 - One Summer - David Baldacci
109 - A Time To Dance - Karen Kingsbury
110 - A Time To Embrace - Karen Kingsbury
111 - Angels At The Table - Debbie Macomber
112 - Redemption - Karen Kingsbury
113 - Remember - Karen Kingsbury
114 - Return - Karen Kingsbury
115 - Rejoice - Karen Kingsbury
116 - Reunion - Karen Kingsbury
117 - The Goodbye Quilt - Susan Wiggs
118 - Twas The Night Before - Jerry B. Jenkins
119 - Lost December - Richard Paul Evans
120 - The Snow Globe - Sheila Roberts
121 - The Christmas Box - Richard Paul Evans
122 - The Gift Of Christmas Present - Melody Carlson
123 - The Goodenoughs Get In Sync - Carol Kranowitz
124 - Sage Creek - Jill Gregory
125 - The Christmas Pony - Melody Carlson

Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 Goodreads reading challenge completed

Each year I challenge myself to reading 125 books a year in the goodreads reading challenge.

Once again this year I managed to complete this challenge by reading exactly 125 books.



In 2013 I will challenge myself to read another 125 books.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Another reading year drawing to an end....

As the 2012 reading year comes to an end I thought it might be about time I revivied this blog and will try my best to keep it active in 2013.

Time to go on the search for challenges to participate in during 2013 and set my reading goal of how many books I hope to read in 2013.  I usually aim to read 125 books each year and come very close to being able to complete that amount each year.  My wishlist of books I would like to read continues to steadily grow and there always plenty of great book recommendations to be found on goodreads.

If you aren't already a member of goodreads then you should check it out here.  They have an app for your phone so you can always be sure to check in when you are out and about.  Great for being able to scan a book and check to see if you have already read it or be able to recommend the book to a friend.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Friday Finds - 15-06-2012


FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).

So, come on — share with us your FRIDAY FINDS! :D


As my To Be Read list continues to grow some more books I have added to my list this week include...

The Midwife's Confession - Diane Chamberlain

"Dear Anna, What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry..."The unfinished letter is the only clue Tara and Emerson have to the reason behind their close friend Noelle's suicide. Everything they knew about Noelle--her calling as a midwife, her passion for causes, her love for her friends and family--described a woman who "embraced" life.Yet there was so much they "didn't" know.With the discovery of the letter and its heartbreaking secret, Noelle's friends begin to uncover the truth about this complex woman who touched each of their lives--and the life of a desperate stranger--with love and betrayal, compassion and deceit.

Chasing Fireflies - Charles Martin



They have one summer to find what was lost long ago."Never settle for less than the truth," she told him. But when you don't even know your real name, the truth gets a little complicated. It can nestle so close to home it's hard to see. It can even flourish inside a lie. And as Chase Walker discovered, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive--and as magical--as chasing fireflies on a summer night. A haunting story about fishing, baseball, home cooking, and other matters of life and death.

The Beach Trees - Karen White


From the time she was twelve, Julie Holt knew what a random tragedy can do to a family. At that tender age, her little sister disappeared-never to be found. It was a loss that slowly eroded the family bonds she once relied on. As an adult with a prestigious job in the arts, Julie meets a struggling artist who reminds her so much of her sister, she can't help feeling protective. It is a friendship that begins a long and painful process of healing for Julie, leading her to a house on the Gulf Coast, ravaged by hurricane Katrina, and to stories of family that take her deep into the past. 

The God Box - Mary Lou Quinlan


This is the transformational story of one woman's care and compassion. When Mary Lou Quinlan's beloved mother, Mary Finlayson, dies, her family is bereft - until Mary Lou finds her mother's "God Box", or rather, boxes. These simple containers are stuffed with tiny notes written by Mary, praying for everything from the right flooring for her daughter's new home to a cure for her own blood cancer. Mary's petitions for friends, family, and even strangers are presented with love and without expectation - the ultimate expressions of letting go. Note by note, Mary Lou unearths insights into her mother's compassion, faith, and perseverance. And through the journey, she discovers her own more empathetic, more engaged self - the woman her mother had believed in all along. Ideal as a gift book: Poignantly written and beautifully designed, "The God Box" is a gift for every mother, every daughter, every human being who, regardless of faith, trusts in the permanence of love and the power of family. Author is a renowned expert on women's issues: Mary Lou Quinlan is the author of three books and multiple features in women's magazines and other media. She is developing "The God Box" concept as a play, a mobile application, and an online.

The Bungalow - Sarah Jio


A sweeping World War II saga of thwarted love, murder, and a long-lost painting.

In the summer of 1942, twenty-one-year-old Anne Calloway, newly engaged, sets off to serve in the Army Nurse Corps on the Pacific island of Bora-Bora. More exhilarated by the adventure of a lifetime than she ever was by her predictable fiancé, she is drawn to a mysterious soldier named Westry, and their friendship soon blossoms into hues as deep as the hibiscus flowers native to the island. Under the thatched roof of an abandoned beach bungalow, the two share a private world-until they witness a gruesome crime, Westry is suddenly redeployed, and the idyll vanishes into the winds of war.

A timeless story of enduring passion, The Bungalow chronicles Anne's determination to discover the truth about the twin losses-of life, and of love-that have haunted her for seventy years. 

A Texan's Promise - Shelley Gray


Past promises will be tested as new ones are given... 

When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant is the victim of her stepfather 's advances, Clayton knows he must protect her honor and move her far away from the ranch and from the man she fears. 

As they make their way West, an unexpected, deep bond develops between Vanessa and Clayton far more powerful than a mere friendship or his sense of duty to her. But Vanessa 's stepfather won t let her go so easily. As Clayton and Vanessa place their faith in God and their trust in each other, will they find healing and hope for the future together?



What books have you added to your To Be Read pile this week?

If you would like to join and check out what other reads have added to their To Be Read lists then visit Friday Finds at Should Be Reading.