TBR Pile January Wrap Up Post

Hosted over at Bookish

I am denial--how can we already been in the process of writing our wrap up posts for January?! This month has been INSANE for me. It is suppose to be a relatively calm time at my job but with my director being out of the building, it has been anything but that. Oh well, that is life and you have to roll with the punches--right?!

So, how did I do this month with my TBR Pile Challenge? 

January Rewind Challenge Update

Hosted by the Coffee Bean Bookshelf

Like I said in my sign up post, it is an occupational hazard (in such a great way though) to be surrounded by books day in a day out. However, I am constantly wanting to bring home NEW books before I finish up those I want to read that have already been out for quite some time. Not to  mention all those books I neglected when I was finishing up my degrees--both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

This challenge is sole purpose is to make sure I remind me to keep up with those books this year AND to write the reviews for them. I have a habit of just reading those books and not writing the reviews since they have been written about already. 

My initial goal: 

24 books

So how did I do for this challenge in January?

January Bingo Reading Challenge Update

Hosted by Reading in Winter and Creativity's Corner

So I am really trying to stay on top of my reading challenges this year. To do this, I am trying to make sure I post monthly updates on where I am at with them so I am accountable and also so I know where I am at with each one. :)

The first one I am updating is the Bingo Reading Challenge. This one is where we work on a Bingo Board all year long. I am shooting for a complete blackout this year. :-) If you want to join--there is still plenty of time. 

What Does My Board Look Like at the End of January?

The Secret of Isobel Key by Jen McConnel Blog Tour & Giveaway!

The Secret of Isobel Key
By Jen McConnel
ISBN: 9781619634640
Publication Date: December 19, 2013
Reviewed from: a copy provided by Ms. McConnel and Xpresso Book Tours--Thank You!

I Would NOT Want To Be In These Books: A Top Ten Tuesday

Find out more by visiting The Broke and the Bookish

I am sure we all have that experience when reading a book where we have either had longed to join the characters to live in their world or in the case of today's topic--wanted to stay far far away. In a way, this reminds me a bit of the movie Pleasantville with Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon. In this movie, the characters are transported into alternative world. Have you seen it?

Winter Wishes Read-a-Thon Wrap Up Post

Sadly, our weekend of fun has come to an end. I hope everyone who participated with us had a great time. For a reminder, here are some of the events to check out from Winter Wishes:

• My Interview with Leila Howland--still open is the giveaway for one copy of Nantucket Blue (open through Tuesday, January 28th)
• Tamara over at Shelf Addiction had a Book Spine Poetry challenge for us
• My Interview with Heidi Kling, author the Spellspinners of Melas County 

Bloggiesta Goals and Updates

For more information, check out Bloggiesta

So this is my VERY first time participating in Bloggiesta. I am looking forward to it as I am in the process of redesigning my blog at the moment so I see this as a way to help me to continue moving forward with it.

Author Interview with Heidi Kling author of Spellspinners of Melas County! Giveaway!

I am thrilled today to be hosting an interview Heidi Kling--the mastermind behind the amazing series The Spellspinners of Melas County. We have a treat for those of you participating in Winter Wishes--a chance to win a copy of Spellspinners of Melas County Season One! Read on for your chance to win a copy for yourself. :-) **Book Shimmy**

Author Interview with Leila Howland, author of Nantucket Blue!! Giveaways!!

One of the books I am looking forward to this spring is Nantucket Red. It releases on May 13, 2014. To fill the time between now and then I am thrilled to be hosting an interview with the amazing author of it and the first book, Nantucket Blue--Leila Howland!! After the reading the interview, be sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Nantucket Blue and learn about Winter Wishes grand prize drawings. 

Feature & Follow: Books I'm Looking Forward to This Year

Be sure to follow Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Today's topic is where we highlight books we are looking forward to coming out this year. :-) 

Winter Wishes Read-a-Thon Schedule of Events & Goals!!

Yippee today is the first day of Winter Wishes Read-a-thon!! We are so excited to have this snuggle fest happening this weekend. This no stress read-a-thon is all about making a dent in your TBR piles, other reading goals you set for yourself this year or even to meet other bloggers!!

Falling for Her Solider by Ophelia London Blog Tour with Interview and Giveaway!

Falling for Her Solider

By Ophelia London

ISBN: 9781622662852

Publication Date: January 14, 2014

Reviewed from: an ARC provided by the Publisher--Thank you Entangled!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Review

Fangirl 
By Rainbow Rowell
ISBN: 9781250030955
Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Reviewed from: personal copy
Purchase Notes:

I have purchased a copy for my library

I have purchased a copy for my myself too :)

Chasing Forever Down by Nikki Godwin Blog Tour

Chasing Forever Down
By Nikki Godwin
ISBN: 978-1482785913
Publication Date: March 14, 2013
Series: Dreanaline Surf #1
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Reviewed from: ARC provided by Nikki and Oops I Read Again Tours--Thank You!! 

Top Ten Debuts I'm Looking Forward to in 2014

It is Tuesday so we are listing our top ten...

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week we are highlighting our top ten debuts for the year. In no particular order, here are the top ten debut young adult books I am looking forward to this year:

Bout of Books 9.0 Wrap Up Post

What a day...I am just now getting a chance to write my wrap up post. I had to work then I went to see my favorite author speak this evening!! Well worth the long day but I am wiped and ready for bed but wanted to post this before then.

How did my goals turn out?

Goal 1: Read 2 books

I ended up the week reading 5 books during this week counting the last one I finished up Sunday evening!!

Entangled Book Blast--Chat with Authors Ophelia London, Cindi Madsen, Farrah Taylor & Others featuring Giveaways!

New Year’s Bliss Bash January 14 8pm – 10pm EST

Join five, yes FIVE!, fantabulous Bliss authors at our New Year's Bliss Bash celebrating our December Bliss releases, our January Bliss releases and a whole lot of other fantabulous other happenings going on this new year.

Who will be here you ask? We will be welcoming:


Cindi Madsen Books
Ophelia London, Author
Farrah Taylor Romance
Annie Seaton
Barbara DeLeo

Entangled Bliss Blast Book Deals!!

The amazing people at Entangled Bliss are starting 2014 with a blast! The Entangled Bliss lineup is a great imprint of contemporary romance novels. Taken directly from their website, "romance is in the air at Bliss with fun, fresh, flirty stories of modern women and every-day men finding their happily ever after in sweetest of places." If these sound like books that might be something you would enjoy, than you are in luck! Releasing today are three books:

Winter Wishes Read-a-Thon Sign Up Post

Winter is upon us and we are snuggling in for some quality reading time. Perhaps you made a goal or resolution to get more reading done this year. Winter Wishes Read-a-Thon is here to help you get going on this goal!!

Stephanie from Love. Life. Read and Tamara from Shelf Addiction two of the gals apart of Read-a-Thon Central are teaming up together to bring together a snuggle fest of a Read-a-Thon to kick off your new year!

The Details:

When: it will be happening: Friday, January 25 to Sunday, January 26

Where it's Happening: your comfy couch, bed or where else you enjoy reading

What You Need to Do Participate: Read, share with us your progress, however you choose to participate--it is you to YOU to decide! This a no-pressure read-a-thon/snuggle fest.  

See Jane Run by Hannah Jayne Blog Tour: Review and Word Association Game with Hannah Jayne

Today I am featuring Hannah Jayne, the amazing young adult author of Truly, Madly, Deadly and the recenly released See Jane Run! We got to exchange emails back and forth to play Word Association game 

More about Ms. Jayne:

Hannah is the author of the UNDERWORLD DETECTION AGENCY CHRONICLES from Kensington books and the upcoming young adult thrillers TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY and SEE JANE RUN available from Sourcebooks, Inc. When she's not battling the demons of the Underworld or tackling a murderer at Hawthorne High, Jayne kicks her feet up in her San Francisco bay area home and attempts to share couch space with two enormous cats.

Merch Girl Blog Stop, Review & Giveaway!!

Merch Girl 
By Rebecca Lewis
ISBN: 9781484005514
Publication Date: May 4, 2013
Genre: New Adult; Young Adult; Contemporary

Reviewed from: a copy provided by Rebecca and Oops I Read Again Blog Tours--Thank you!!

Draw Me In by Megan Squires Blog Tour--Review & Giveaway!

Draw Me In
By Megan Squires
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary 
Reviewed from: Copy Provided by Megan and Xpresso Book Tours--Thank You!

Author Interview featuring Anna Staniszewski

I am thrilled today to be hosting Anna Staniszewski, author of the hit series My Very Unfairy Tale Life, a popular series that has been a hit at my library with my tween library users. She has a new book that just release yesterday--The Dirt Diary! That is what we are here to talk about and celebrate. Before we get to the interview, let's learn more about her:

Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Staniszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. She was named the 2006-2007 Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and a winner of the 2009 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. When she’s not writing, Anna spends her time teaching, reading, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. She is the author of My Very UnFairy Tale Life series, published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. Look for the first book in Anna’s next tween series, The Dirt Diary, in January 2014, and visit her at www.annastan.com.  

Waiting on Wednesday: Nantucket Red by Leila Howland

Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

It has been AGES since I last posted a Waiting on Wednesday. To kick of 2014, I am highlighting a title that from an author that I am looking forward to interviewing soon:

Nantucket Red

By Leila Howland

ISBN:  9781423160953

Anticipated Publication Date: May 13, 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Sequel to Nantucket Blue

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Goals for 2014

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Is anyone else in denial that the new year has started? It does not quite seem possible to me that 2013 has come to an end and we are already one week into the new year. At the same time, there is something energizing about it though--weird huh? This same post was my first Top Ten Tuesday I participated in last year. Funny how I am kicking off the new year with this one again. :-)

The Dirt Diary by Anna Staniszewski Review

The Dirt Diary
By Anna Staniszweski
ISBN: 9781402286360
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: Tween, Contemporary, Realistic

Reviewed from: a copy provided by the publisher--Thank You Sourcebooks Fire!

Purchase Notes:

• I have purchased a copy for my library

Be sure to come back on Wednesday when Ms. Staniszweski is here at Love. Life. Read for an author interview!

Bout of Books 9.0 Goals & Updates

This week is off to a crazy start here in snowy Michigan. Hope everyone else is staying warm and safe wherever you are at in blog-o-sphere. 

Award Winners Challenge

For an added challenge this year, I am going to be seeking on adding award winning books into my reading lists this year. There is a wealth of knowledge spread out across this country and using these award winning lists as one of the ways to tap into base is a value resource. Sure, most of the times we have probably heard of the titles but I have to confess, I do not always make the time to read the titles. Well, this is the year that I that I am going to make the effort to do it. 

CYBILS Finalists!!

I am thrilled to have just finished up my second year serving as a judge for the Cybils awards. Yesterday on New Year's Day, the finalists for all the categories were announced. Congratulations to all the judges for all their hard work narrowing down to their short lists!

As part of my reading list this year, I would like to try to take the wealth and knowledge of my fellow judges and incorporate these short listed books into my 2014 TBR schedule. To keep track of them, I wrote them out here. As I read the books and used the apps, I will highlight them. I have also noted (more for my personal record) which titles I have purchased them for my library's collection.

Pushing the Limits by Nancy Fraser Review

Pushing the Limits
By Nancy Fraser
ISBN: 978-1-62266-438-2
Publication Date: December 31, 2013
Reviewed from: eARC provided from publisher—Thank You Entangled Publishing!

Happy New Year!

May this year be everything you hope and more!