Bookish Miscellany

Welcome to my weekly update for May 9, 2011! It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey [...]

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Over the past two weeks, I've Read: Jack of Kinrowan by Charles de Lint--A very entertaining retelling of a Jack tale that held up well to another re-read The House on Tradd Street by Karen White--Not perfect, but a lot of fun to read this ghost-ish mystery set in Charleston Number the Stars by Lois Lowry--An excellent Holocaust novel for children Reviewed: Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn--Good, but I had some issues with it The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee--Bibliophiles will relate to this book A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin--I love this series Jack of Kinrowan by Charles de Lint Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen--A fast, engrossing read Currently Reading: A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin The Maze Runner by James Dashner, read by Mark Deakins--Almost done! Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi--For my Holocaust Remembrance Week event next week Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America by John M. Barry--On hold at the moment while I read Primo Levi's book Up Next: I don't think I'll be finishing anything soon! A Storm of Swords should be classified as a weapon, it's so heavy! Events: I'm giving away a beautiful print (see it at the top right sidebar) and the winner's choice of a fairy tale or retelling from Book Depository up to $15 as part of Fairy Tale Fortnight. Check out the details and enter at Book Rat. My Holocaust Remembrance Week event is coming up next week. Click the link for details. What are you reading this week? I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop's, my local independent bookstore, and Better World Books. I will receive a small…

Welcome to my weekly update for April 11, 2011! It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey [...]

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Over the past two weeks, I've Read: Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn--It was good, it just pushed some of my buttons. I've been assured that my issues get resolved as the series continues, and I could even see it happening throughout this book. Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach--I'm ready to go to Paris. Or the Amalfi Coast. Alice Steinbach is a gorgeous writer and I enjoyed her observations on life. Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis--Very, very cute. I enjoyed the heck out of this one. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert--I felt bereft when I finished this book and realized that I wouldn't be spending anymore time with Rachel, the main character. Reviewed: Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull--Good start to a middle grade fantasy series. I was disappointed with the unresolved ending. Southern Plate by Christy Jordan--I'm not a cookbook fan, but I loved looking through this book of familiar dishes and reading Christy's anecdotes. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly--Very twisty, turny plot that kept me turning pages--and I'm not a fan of courtroom books. The Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji--An interesting look at the people of Iran just before their revolution. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith--My sister guest reviewed. It was her favorite of the trilogy. Corelli's Mandollin by Louis de Bernières--Gorgeous writing that was a little too dense. Currently Reading: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly--Just started it today, but I'm already loving it! The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, read by Denis O'Hare--Pretty good so far. Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America by John M. Barry--Slow-going for me,…

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Over the past two weeks, I've Read: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan--I never read series books back-to-back, but I had to know how this ended! Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi--Very funny, honest, graphic novel about the sex lives of Iranian women! The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee--Didn't finish as strongly as it started for me, but I really loved the parts that I loved. Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji--Teens in Tehran in 1973. A refeshing look at Iran, showing that we're more alike than we think. Reviewed: A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle--Like a vacation to France in a book. Without the headache of your own builders. Austenland by Shannon Hale--Very cute. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss--Very strong start to a fantasy series. Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon--Imaginative, young Zora Neale Hurston and friends investigate a murder and learn some truths about race relations. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell--If you're an Austen fan, you have to read this if you haven't already. The Known World by Edward P. Jones--Heart-breaking historical fiction about a black slave owner. Currently Reading: Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn--Almost done! I have to chew this one over before reviewing. Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach--I was ready to hop a plane to Paris by the end of the first chapter. Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis--I haven't actually started yet, but it sounds good! Up Next: I'm not sure. It's almost time for a new audiobook. I may try The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Has anyone listened to it? What did you think? What are you reading this week?…

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Over the past two weeks, I've Read: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach--Finished as weirdly funny as it started. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell--Loved this. If you're an Austen fan and haven't read it, go correct that now. Austenland by Shannon Hale, narrated by Katherine Kellgren--Very cute and very fun Percy Jackson: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan--What is there to say? I love this series and this was another good entry! Reviewed: Emily the Strange: The Lost Days by Rob Reger--3 Stars The History of Love by Nicole Krauss--3 Stars The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney--4 Stars M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman--4 Stars The Roar by Emma Clayton--4 Stars--Exciting middle grade fiction for boys and girls alike! A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore--4 Stars Currently Reading: The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee--All bibliophiles should read this. I would mark passages, but I would mark the whole book. Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn, narrated by Marguerite Gavin--I just downloaded the audio but haven't started it yet. Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan--I never read series books back-to-back, but I need to return this to my cousin, and I have to admit that I want to know what happens. Up Next: Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon--For the Okra Picks Challenge, ending this month! Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach--I'm ready for a vacation. Armchair travel will have to do for a while. What are you reading this week? I have an affiliate relationship with IndieBound, Book Depository, and Better World Books and will receive a small commission at no cost to you if…

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Over the past two weeks, I've Read:The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman--An important Holocaust story, but I felt the book lacked focus. Three To Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich--My first time through this fun mystery series, and I have to say I'm loving Morelli. Ranger has me intrigued. Plant Life by Pamela Duncan--As in a factory kind of plant. I always love books set around where I live, and this was no exception. The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews, read by Isabel Keating--I finally finished this on audio and I loved it! Reviewed:Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer--4 Stars Alice at Heart by Deborah Smith--4 Stars Fortune's Fool by Mercedes Lackey--4 Stars Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins--4 Stars Mansfield Park by Jane Austen--3 Stars Currently Reading:Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach, which is mostly interesting and oddly funny. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell--I've barely started it, but I'm excited to "meet" Mr. Thornton! Up Next:I am browsing for a new audiobook to download from my library as I write this. I don't have anything in particular in mind. Any suggestions? What are you reading this week?

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Over the past two weeks, I've Read: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss--So many people whose opinion I respect have loved this book, I expected to love it too. Unfortunately, I didn't. 3 stars. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman on audio--I've read a lot of these stories before, but I think that helped me get the hang of audio. My commute passed much faster, and I have a new appreciation for some of these stories. Plus, I love Gaiman's voice. Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint--A re-read. This is the first book in de Lint's Newford stories and I was reminded all over again why I love these. No collection of short stories is ever perfect, but this is about as close as you can get. Reviewed: Bending Toward the Sun by Leslie Gilbert-Lurie and Rita Lurie--A thought-provoking Holocaust memoir/study of the effects of the Holocaust on future generations. The Word Made Flesh by Eva Talmadge and Justin Taylor--I didn't love it, but those more into body art will. Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin--An old review. The writing is beautiful, but the symbolism defeated me. Those who ♥ NY might get more out of it. Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family--and a Whole Town--About Hope and Happy Endings by Janet Elder--A heartwarming story, but not very gripping or surprising. The King's Mistress by Emma Campion--Interesting, but too many details and excuses for my taste. Currently Reading: The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews--I'm loving this one on audio. I love Mary Kay Andrews and I really like Isabel Keating's narration. I find myself sitting in the car in the garage (the engine is off, of course) to…

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Over the past two weeks, I've Read: Fortune's Fool by Mercedes Lackey--This is another fun installment in the Five Hundred Kingdoms fairy tale series Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer--Very intense, very readable non-fiction The Roar by Emma Clayton--Fast-paced dystopian sci-fi for middle grade/YA boys and girls. And adults who like a good story. Reviewed: The Gendarme by Mark Mustian--3 Stars At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson--4 Stars The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig--4 Stars Adam & Eve by Sena Jeter Naslund--2 Stars Currently Reading: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman--Attempting audio again, this time during my commute. So far, very good. Up Next: I've just barely started all of these, so it will be a while before I choose a new read. No idea what will be next! What are you reading this week? I have an affiliate relationship with IndieBound, Book Depository, and Better World Books and will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Read: I finally finished Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George on Sunday. I also knocked out a nice little Christmas book my mom gave me, The Christmas Cross, by Max Lucado. I also read The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig. I would call these books a guilty pleasure, but I can't feel guilty about reading something that has me grinning like an idiot the whole way through! Currently Reading: I had The Roar by Emma Clayton in hand, but I'm pretty sure it's dystopian and I have to be in the right mood for that. I went completely opposite and decided to start Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland instead. What are you reading this week? I have an affiliate relationship with IndieBound, Book Depository, and Better World Books and will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.