Thursday, January 31, 2013

January Reading Upate

I have decided at the end of each month, I would do a general update in addition to the challenge update posts. So without further ado:

Books Completed this Month: 24

  • Picture Books: 5 
  • Chapter Books: 1 
  • YA: 4 
  • New Adult: 1 
  • Adult Romance: 13 
Overall, not a very diverse reading month for me but this month with being knocked out with the flu for a couple weeks, I just am happy to have been reading and enjoying. I reread the Bastion Club series by Stephanie Laurens for the Bingo Challenge I am participating this year. I love that time period in historical romances, so I enjoyed going back and rereading them.

Of the measly four YA titles I have read this month, they breakdown to be two dystopia (Legend and Prodigy), one paranormal (Sweet Evil) and one contemporary (A Long Way from You). I hope that I will pick up that number during the upcoming months along with reading more middle grade fiction as well.

Pages Completed this Month: 7,862

Wow!! I’m pretty pleased with the amount of pages I read this last month. If I kept up this pace, I would read 94,000+ pages this year. As a side note, I am using the page counts from Goodreads as my basis for counting the pages I read this year.

Reviews Completed this Month: 4


Exciting Update (for me at least): 

We closed on our new house this month! We have been working on picking out paint colors and such so I apologize for the lack of posts (and reviews) for the next several weeks. A lot of our free time has been spent over there working.

Along with this general update, I will be updating all of my reading challenges over the next few days. Bare with me as I do…there are quite a few of them to update!


Here are my individual challenge updates:


Reading Bingo Challenge Update
A-Z Reading Challenge Update


Happy Reading! 


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday, #3



Week 3: January 23, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine so we can highlight titles that we are looking forward to being published.


I love contemporary/realistic fiction. I have always been drawn to it, even as a  little girl. I love it so much so that I created a whole entire independent course on it during my master's program. :-) So this week I am returning to my roots to highlight some of the contemporary fiction I am looking forward to reading this year. This titles will be used for my YA contemporary fiction challenge this year too. 

This is What Happy Looks Like
by Jennifer E. Smith
Due out April 2, 2013




Saturday, January 19, 2013

Know Me Better, Week 1


A weekly meme hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer

I thought it would be fun to answer some questions each week about me so you all can get to know me. I would love for you to participate too--respond in the comments or link back to your post if you put up your own so I can come read your answers. :-)


Where is your favorite spot to read?
Good question…I mostly like to read on the couch and curled up in a blanket right now. During the nicer weather, I like to read outside as well. 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Let's Talk About It: Why I Blog? Why Do YOU Blog?


Did you all see this post at Katie’s Book Blog about Blogging Then and Now? I have had my blog private for several years before I took the leap of faith of making it public. I even stopped writing posts for myself for about a year. I read all the time still but did not write any reviews for me to look back onto. I regretted that so I made the decision that I wanted to do this for myself again. For me, why I decided to finally make Love.Life.Read public is because I missed the connections and feedback sharing that I got with my previous job’s staff intranet blog. We would write reviews and comment on each other’s postings. My blog is my way of being able to do that again, but with a whole lot more colleagues out there in Blogland. :-) I lived vicariously through reading all the blogs I have followed but I missed the connectedness by not commenting, responding to the questions, posting reviews or participating in reading challenges. In my current job, which I love, I am the only person in my library geeked about young adult and romance titles. I am the only youth and teen librarian so I made it a professional goal this year to connect with other readers out there so I can have someone to talk books with who are equally as excited about them as I am. 

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Debuts I CANNOT Wait to Read

Week 3: January 15, 2013

This week's posting is all about the 2013 debuts we are anxiously awaiting for their publication date to finally get here. 

Top Ten Tuesday is presented by Jamie at The Broke and the Bookish

Oh boy, this is a great one BUT it has been rather difficult to come up with my list. Here are the books I am sitting on pins and needles waiting to read this year: 


1) The Elite by Kiera Cass

I have mentioned this one already once in my Waiting on Wednesday post but it bears repeating because I want to read this one SO MUCH!



Entangled Publishing


As a book lover, librarian and book blogger nothing gets me more geeked than new books! (Well, other than my family of course). Entangled Publishing is compiling a list of bloggers who would like the opportunity to review for them. 



Are you interested in being considered? Head over to Kate’s Blog to see the original call out for bloggers to submit their interest.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Week Two

Week Two: January 8, 2013


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme by Breaking the Spine. Each week we are challenged to post a title that we are eagerly waiting on to be published.


Sweet Peril
by Wendy Higgins
Due out April 30, 2012




A Long Way from You
By Gwendolyn Heasley


A Long Way from You 
By Gwendolyn Heasley
ISBN: 9780061978852

Reviewed from: eBook from my collection
Overall Rating: 4 Stars 
Reading time: less than 1 day
Steaminess rating: 2 Stars 





Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Tuesday's Top Ten: My 2013 Reading Goals

Paula @ The Broke and Bookish is asking us this week what our Top Ten Bookish Goals are for this year. 


Here are my Top Ten Bookish Goals for this year:

1) To Read the Books I Buy and to go along with that…
2) To Curb the Amount of Books I Buy 

Let me put forth the evidence, before you: 

This lovely picture above is part of my closet in my office. Now it is not just books but craft supplies, journals and such. The bottom shelf in the picture is mainly are books I've kept from grad school to refer back to--which I admit I do do quite often, especially if I am working on a paper. The two other shelves that you see right there--full of books I owe whether I've bought them or have been given either as gifts or won. There is a small box under my desk (not pictured) of more books that need to make there way into my closet for safe keeping. 


The shelves shown on the right is my tall bookcase. Because I need to do some shifting, it is a little messier than usual but this is basically my landing zone for the library books I just have to bring home with me from work. The top shelf also is where I keep my Disney books. I did not show the shelves behind the doors but there are books in there—mainly the adult titles I have either bought or been given. I also have more journals in there. 



Monday, January 7, 2013

In a Blink
By Kiki Thorpe





In a Blink 
By Kiki Thorpe
ISBN: 9780736427944


Reviewed from ARC from NetGalley 

Reading Ages: Chapter Book, 6 to 10 years of age

Overall rating: 4 stars 



Unremembered Monday


A new weekly meme hosted by Jessica Brody in celebration of her new book, Unremembered, coming out in March! 



Moments I Would Like to Unremembered

This is a hard one since I feel moments in our lives help guide us to who we are today. After mulling it over for a bit, here are a few moments:

Monday's What Are You Reading?



"Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!" Hosted by Shelia @ Book Journey


January 7, 2013

This week I am participating in Bout of Books Read-a-Thon. At the moment I am reading:


A Long Way from You 
Gwendolyn Heasley 

After I finish up it, up next will be: 


Easy 
Tammarra Webber 


Overall this week, I hope to get through 5 books. 



Happy Reading!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Bout of Books Read-a-thon

I am a little late to the game posting my participation in Bout of Books’ Read-a-thon happening January 7 to 13, 2013. Yes, I do realize that means it starts tomorrow. I have been thinking about it, just have not typed up my goals formally. Well, that ends now. :-)



The Official Blurb:The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

Without further ado, here are My Goals:

TIME DEVOTED TO READING
I will be reading all week, especially Tuesday morning as I am off from work. Every day this week I am committing to reading at least two hours, if not more. This is a busy week for me, but I do feel this is an obtainable goal.


Saturday, January 5, 2013

When in Paris
by Beverley Kendall


When in Paris
By Beverley Kendall
Series: Language in Love, #1

ISBN: 9780983800651

Reviewed from: From my eBook library        


Overall rating: 5 stars!!
Reading time: less than a day :)
Steaminess rating: 3 stars 




Once More with Feeling
By Nora Roberts

Once More with Feeling 
By Nora Roberts 
From my own TBR bookshelf 



Overall rating: 3 stars
Short read: finished in less than a day
Steamy rating: 3.5 stars





Friday, January 4, 2013

Friday Finds, Week One


Hosted By: Should Be Reading by MizB

Friday Finds “is where you share the book titles you discovered or heard about during the past week. These can be books you were told about, books you discovered while browsing blogs/bookstores online, or books that you actually purchased. MOST of the books MizB shares in her Friday Finds are titles that she discovered somewhere online —not actually books she’s purchased.”

Just one this week for me:




Shades of Gray by Kay Hooper



I received this audiobook for a review this past week. She’s a  new author to me. I’m enjoying the reading and story thus far.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Debut Author Challenge

One of the things I love is to find a new author that I fall in love with instantly (or by the end of the book at least LOL). Recent examples for me include: Kiera Cass, Kody Keplinger and Miranda Kearneally. These are by no means the only ones, but ones that pop into my head as knowing I would be staking, watching for their new titles.




Hosted By: Hobbitses

Challenge: To Read and Review 12 Debuts this year


My Progress:


  1. How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
  2. (Splintered) by A.G. Howard
  3. (Meant to Be) by Lauren Morrill
  4. (Taste Test) by Kelly Fiore
  5. .
  6. .
  7. .
  8. .
  9. .
  10. .
  11. .



Happy Reading!

First in a Series Challenge

So I am doing the Standalone Reading Challenge so it only seems fair that I do the First in a Series Challenge too. It seems more and more books are published with the intentions of them being a part of a series. Since I read series already, I am thinking I am going to start small with this challenge and try to move up if possible. I am looking forward to discovering new series this year.



Challenge: Read the first book in a series
Goal: Series Novice, 5 books

My Progress:
  1. When in Paris by Beverley Kendall (series is Language of Love)
  2. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins (series is The Sweet Trilogy)
  3. Legend by Marie Lu (Legend Trilogy)
  4. Royally Crushed by Niki Burnham
  5. Georgetown Academy: Book One by Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz
  6. .
Happy Reading!


E-Book Reading Challenge

I’m a librarian so I never will stop reading printed materials but I have reading on a Nook for years now. I recently have gotten an iPad so I now read on it. I find it especially convenient when I am traveling. I remember going on vacations prior and my husband complaining about the number of books I packed. LOL Now I can take just as many books and have them all on one device. Because this challenge allows you to move up (but not down) levels, I am planning conservatively to start.


Hosted By:  WorkadayReads 
Challenge: To read Ebooks, any genre or length
Goal: DVD, 25 books

My Progress:
  1. When in Paris by Beverley Kendall
  2. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins 
  3. One Good Early Deserves a Lover by Sarah Maclean 
  4. The Lady Risks All by Stephanie Laurens
  5. Stand-In Star by Rachael Johns
  6. Waking Up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly
  7. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
  8. Changing the Game by Jaci Burton
  9. Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton
  10. Playing to Win by Jaci Burton
  11. Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton
  12. The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
  13. .
  14. .
  15. .
  16. .
  17. .
  18. .
  19. .



Happy Reading!

Young Adult Reading Challenge

This is another tailor made reading challenge for me—I love reading young adult books! I almost feel like a bit of a cheat but I will be reading them this year, so why not? ;-) I probably could read a lot more than my stated goal but I figure I could always move up my goal if needed.




Challenge: To read Young Adult novels (any genre, any format)
Goal: Fun Size, 20 books

My Progress:

  1. A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasley 
  2. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins 
  3. Royally Crushed by Niki Burnham
  4. Spin Control by Niki Burnham
  5. Do-Over by Niki Burnham
  6. Mind Games by Kiersten White
  7. Past Perfect by Leila Sales
  8. Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally
  9. .
  10. .
  11. .
  12. .
  13. .
  14. .
  15. .
  16. .
  17. .
  18. .
  19. .



Happy Reading!

Book Bingo Reading Challenge

I used to LOVE playing bingo. In college, during the freshman orientation program’s Union Night, I had a blast running the bingo night. So I’m stepping back into time to have fun playing bingo once again. There are some intriguing challenges on this board including re-reading, 2013 publications, books that you feel everyone else has read but you and books apart of series.  



Hosted By: Kristilyn, Reading in Winter and Anne from Creativity's Corner
Challenge: To get a Bingo or go all the way and fill up the card! 
Goal: I am shooting to fill up the card and be a “Super Reader” 



My Progress:

Not certain how I am going to post the progress of this challenge so stay tuned. It is going to take A LOT of fore thought and planning since the books cannot be used on more than one square. :-) Take a look at the bingo card I will be working on this year:




Wish me luck and Happy Reading!

Fairy Tales Retold Challenge


Who doesn’t love a good fairy tale? I love how authors take the fairy tales we know and love and revamp them. I stumbled across this challenge the other day and thought it would be fun reading more of these titles this year.



Hosted by: Debz Bookshelf 
Challenge: Read as many Young Adult or Middle Grade Retellings or “Original” fairy tales
Goal: Damsel in Distress, 10-12 books

My progress:
  1. .
  2. .
  3. .
  4. .
  5. .
  6. .
  7. .
  8. .
  9. .



Happy Reading!

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

I enjoy reading romance novels, both adult and young adult. I enjoy contemporary and historical romances both. Since this is a contemporary romance challenge, I will be looking to read more of them this upcoming year.


Hosted by: The Book Vixen

Challenge: Read 10 contemporary romances this year

My Progress:

  1. When in Paris by Beverly Kendall
  2. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
  3. Changing the Game by Jaci Burton
  4. Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton
  5. Playing to Win by Jaci Burton
  6. Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton
  7. .
  8. .
  9. .



Happy Reading!

The Book Detective Week 1


Week One, January 3, 2013



A new meme showcasing what delicious reads we find by reading other blogs or see on Goodreads.






1) Craft-a-Day by Sarah Goldschadt




Another thing I love to do is make crafts. I sew, scrapbook (digital and traditional), photography and so on and love putting together craft programs at work too. I am excited to see this title. Read about this title first on Goodreads when one of my friends added it to her to read list.




2) Just One Day by Gayle Forman 




I have a confession to make…I have not read If I Stay or Where She Went yet. I know, I know—you can give me grief in the comments. ;-) If it makes you feel better, If I Stay is sitting beside me here at work begging to be picked up.




3) Sixteenth Summer   by Michelle Dalton 



I just this one today at Divergent Gryffindor’s posting about this week’s meme so I am already reaping the benefit of this weekly meme. :-)




What books have you been enticed to add to your TBR shelf or read because of seeing it mentioned in a blog posting or Goodreads?

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2013 YA Contemporary Reading Challenge

I love, love, love contemporary YA fiction! I think with the dystopia and paranormal crazes, contemporary fiction sometimes seems blah but that is so NOT TRUE. For me, reading about situations that YOU could actually experience today just gives the book a whole another dimension. I do appreciate dystopia fiction too but I have a soft spot in my heart for contemporary fiction.


Hosted By: Katie’s Book Blog 
Challenge: Any contemporary YA fiction book (any format) published in 2013
Goal: Level 3, 15+ books

My Progress:
  1. .
  2. .
  3. .
  4. .
  5. .
  6. .
  7. .
  8. .
  9. .
  10. .
  11. .
  12. .
  13. .
  14. .
  15. .
  16. .

Sophomore Reading Challenge, 2013

I do not know about you but when I come across a book that I just love and devour, I want to read more by that author. If they happen to be a first time author, then I am itching to get their sophomore title to see if they can keep up the pace. I devoured Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend and could not wait to read Shut Out then Kody Keplinger's third title, Midsummer’s Nightmare. Same with Miranda Kenneally—I LOVED Catching Jordan and could not wait to read Stealing Parker. I am looking forward to continuing on with sophomore titles this year.


Hosted By: Shanyn @ Chick Loves Lit  
Challenge: Read the SECOND book published by a YA or MG author (during 2013) 
Goal: 8 Books (hoping for more)

My Progress (will change color if read and link will be added when reviewed):
  1. The Elite (The Selection, #2) by Kiera Cass
  2. Scarlet (Lunar Eclipse, #2) by Marissa Meyer
  3. Prodigy (Legend, #2) by Marie Lu
  4. Star Cursed (Cahill Chronicles, #2) by Jessica Spotswood
  5. This Side of Jealousy (Innocents, #2) by Lili Peloquin
  6. Tarnish (The Royal Circle, #2) by Katherine Longshore 
  7. Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy, #2) by Wendy Higgins
  8. .

Bringing YA to YOU!!


I have been blessed to be able to attend online webinars during which I have heard some amazing authors discuss their work, writing and life in general. I am thrilled to have learned about the Bringing YA to You contest that is happening.

What if you could get Maria Lu (The Legend), Marissa Meyer (Cinder), Beth Revis (Across the Universe), Victoria Schwab (The Near Witch) and Megan Shepard (The Madman's Daughter) to ALL come visit a town near you? Well, that is exactly what the Bringing YA to You contest is all about. Read about these amazing books by going to the Bringing YA to You's page.

Help spread the word and be entered into a giveaway to win ten SIGNED books from all of these authors! Spread the word--who knows what will happen but you cannot win if you do not enter!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Standalone Reading Challenge

Standalone Reading Challenge 2013 

Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good series be it adult, young adult or youth but sometimes picking a book up that is not a part of one, is a relief. So I am challenging myself, with the help of Icey Books and I Like these Books, to read more independent young adult and middle grade novels this year. 


Challenge: To read YA/MG standalone novels
Goal: 15 books


My Progress:


  1. How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
  2. Winter Wishes Christmas Love by Mary Francis Shura
  3. Out of Bounds by Eileen Hehl
  4. (I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend) by Cora Harrison
  5. .
  6. .
  7. .
  8. .
  9. .
  10. .
  11. .
  12. .
  13. .
  14. .
  15. .
Happy Reading!

Dystopia Reading Challenge 2013

Dystopia Reading Challenge 2013
I have fallen in love…with Dystopia books! I am really looking forward to this challenge so I can have an excuse to read more of them this year. Have any recommendations for me? Be sure to leave them as a comment below. :-) 





Hosted by: Blog of Erised 
Challenge: Read Dystopia novels 
Goal: Revolutionist Badge, 13 to 18 books 

My Progress:

  1. Legend by Marie Lu
  2. Prodigy by Marie Lu
  3. .
  4. .
  5. .
  6. .
  7. .
  8. .
  9. .
  10. .
  11. .
  12. .
  13. .
  14. .
  15. .
  16. .
  17. .
  18. .
Happy Reading!