December 31, 2015

New Years Resolutions, Bibliophile Style


So it's the end of the year! What!? Happy New Year everyone!
For my last post of the year I decided to end it with my goals from last year, and the ones for this year.

books read
1. Read more! Read 100 books and more!
 
Oops. *sighs* You know I didn't make it. But a Goodreads friend pointed out to me that it wasn't a bad reading year. Heck, my average rating was 3.6! Not too shabby.

my average rating for 2015

So this year I'm sticking with my goal of 100 books, with wishful thoughts of going past that. This year I'm not going to care whether they're shorts, comics, manga, or what. This year was busy-busy, and I just didn't have the energy to read as much. I think I put too much pressure on reading the "right kind" of books. Sometimes you need a little short something, or pretty pictures, to perk up your read pile.
2. Catch up on series and finish some!
moonshine
Well poor Cal Leandros series didn't get touched this year. Nor did I finally move on past book 4 for the Cassandra Palmer series. However! I made progress on a number of other series both Adult and Young Adult. I finally did the reread of the Mercy Thompson books to get myself up to my reread of the Alpha & Omega books! So I can read the books I missed when the series switched to hardback!

I feel pretty accomplished on this goal, and I'm gonna push into the New Year. My main goal though is to finally push past book one of the Cal Leandros! To push past my fear that nothing can compare to the first book Nightlife!
3. Mix up my genres!

I read one Steampunk series, a little sci-fi/dystopian series , dabbled in a few erotica titles, Paranormal Romance, some high fantasy, and lots of Urban Fantasy. Not too bad. Considering how little I read, I feel accomplished.

So my goal is more Steampunk! I really have been enjoying the Steampunk Chronicles. I'm going to try and mix some more genre in there as well.
4. Post reviews for every book read!
Again not too shabby! I've got pretty much all of them written, but sadly not posted. Especially with Open Live Writer taking over and having soooooo many glitches.

Still I'm very happy! Every time I read a book I promptly write my review, or some basic thoughts, so that I can at least keep up that way. Even if I can't get things to work out to upload posts!!
5. Read more Young Adult titles!
Actually it ended up being read an adult title, then young adult, then adult, then young adult. Repeat, repeat, and repeat. I stuck with that format until about August. When I got reading burn out! Then I just read whatever struck my fancy.

I think the format I was trying to do was too much. I've always been a random reader. So now I'd still like to read adult and YA, but I'm not going to force it. Instead my new goal is:

5. More challenges!

Actually I did really good in 2014! I didn't put them on my list for last year, but I went for it! I do really bad at challenges so I thought by not putting them on as a resolution I wouldn't jinx myself.
The Girl in the Steel CorsetWhile I didn't complete every challenge, I still did great. Even finishing my very first A to Z challenge!

This year I'm going to push just to do about the same. What can I say, I'm a no pressure kind of reader.

6. Utilizing my DNF (did not finish) powers.

Honestly I didn't have to do it too much this year. But when I did it saved me from having a bad reading year, along with a low number of books read. Some of them I wasn't in the mood for and I might go back.
However, as I'm reading an ARC of a certain book I'm battling with my need—compulsion—to finish the nice free book I got. With the fact that if I had bought this book I'd be pissed at the waste of money. I feel bad if I don't give a book a chance. I feel even worse if it's an Advanced Readers Copy that I requested! Makes me feel even worse then if I bought it.

Crazy right?

But that's the life of a reader.

7. Have fun while reading!

What? You're joking Shera. Reading is always so much fun.

Thing is when you blog and review it can become a chore. I've found myself feeling guilty for not keeping up with a series, not keeping up on ARCs, feeling like I should be reading more, and on-and-on. And with some trouble with plagiarism it can be tiring!

Especially when real life can compound on it. But hey! Reading is fun! I know it's why I've been rereading a lot of books. Because before I felt guilty for taking the time to reread books I'd already read. (See the pattern?)

Another thing that has helped is getting back more on Goodreads and chatting with other readers about books. Doing buddy reads!!

December 30, 2015

Wednesday Wishes!

I wrote this post for the WW before Christmas, but I realized I usually do a special post for WW at Christmas time.

So . . . this is going to be my final WW of 2015! Wow this year has flown by.


Crow Moon by Anna McKerrow

crow-moonGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Series: Crow Moon, book 1

Danny is a fun-loving 16-year-old looking for a father figure and falling in love with a different girl every day. He certainly doesn't want to follow in his mum's witchy footsteps.

Just as his community is being threatened by gangs intent on finding a lucrative power source to sell to the world, Danny discovers he is stunningly powerful. And when he falls for Saba, a gorgeous but capricious girl sorceress, he thinks maybe the witch thing might not be such a bad idea...

But what cost will Danny pay as, with his community on the brink of war, he finds that love and sorcery are more dangerous than he ever imagined?

Wickedness and passion combine in this coming-of-age adventure.

This cover is totally awesome! It's a big part of why I want this book. That's why they make'em pretty!

The Dark Lord's Daughter by Patricia C. Wrede

the dark lord's daughterGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Middle Grade High Fantasy
Series: N/A

Mallory Loehr and Caroline Abbey at Random House have bought a new middle-grade series from Patricia Wrede. The first volume, The Dark Lord's Daughter, follows a girl who discovers she has inherited a dysfunctional, depressed magical kingdom. Publication is slated for 2017.

Wrede is one of the authors that helped to build my addiction to books! It's been exciting seeing some of my old faves come up with new series! Especailly since she's coming back to her roots of funky magical kingdoms.

Born to Magic by David Wind

born to magicGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Tales of Nevaeh, book 1

Alternate Cover edition of ASIN B00QTYHVTO

Welcome to Nevaeh— a world where technology no longer exists, but magic does.

Long ago, the violence and radiation of the terrorist wars killed America. Those left dwell in a world of ritual and magic where ten dominions struggle for supremacy and a dark power rises to claim all.

Areenna, the only daughter of the King of Freemorn, is barely eighteen, yet her psychic ability is strong. She is summoned to ‘The Island’ and learns that the fate of her world is in her hands. She must undertake a perilous journey to save Nevaeh from destruction. But she will not travel alone.

Mikaal, the son of the High King of Nevaeh, has as much at stake as Areenna. Their quest takes them through haunted wastelands filled with mutants while an evil force does everything in its power to stop Areenna and Mikaal—for it wants Nevaeh as its own.

Urban Fantasy titles are in rare supply anymore. What I mean by that is authors are either making the jump away from UF, going to young adult, or it's only continuing series. The number of new UF is pretty much coming out of self pub.

The reviews are awesome and as I'm writing this it's currently free on Amazon! So if you havne't gotten my tweet about it or Goodreads update go grab it.

December 29, 2015

Cover Coveting (19)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources. ***All cover art may not be final.***
Oh, my! This will officially be my last Cover Coveting post of 2015. My how the year has gone by!! I'm actually typing this up on the 24th.

So hopefully there won't be another down pour of covers. ^_-


The Hidden Oracle
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan Amazon | Goodreads
The Hidden TwinThe Magic Mirror
The HIdden Twin by Adi Rule Amazon | Goodreads
The Magic Mirror by susan Hill Long Amazon | Goodreads
The Map of BonesThe Other Side Of Gravity
The Map of Bones by Francesca Haig Amazon | Goodreads
The Other Side of Gravity by Shelly Crane Amazon | Goodreads
The Requiem RedThe Sight
The Requiem Red by Brynn Chapman Amazon | Goodreads
The Sight by Chloe Neill Amazon | Goodreads
The SirenThe Skeleth
The Siren by Kiera Cass Amazon | Goodreads
The Skeleth by Matthew Jobin Amazon | Goodreads
the sweetest burnThese Vicious Masks
The Sweetest Burn by Jeaniene Frost Amazon | Goodreads
These Vicious Maskes by Tarun Shanker Amazon | Goodreads
this savage songTraveler
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab Amazon | Goodreads
Traveler by Arwen Elys Dayton Amazon | Goodreads
Unhookedunleash the storm
Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell Amazon | Goodreads
Unleash the Storm by Annette Marie Amazon | Goodreads
unnamedWarrior Witch
Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep Amazon | Goodreads
Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen Amazon | Goodreads
Where the Wild Things BiteYellow Brick War
Where the Wild Things Bite by Molly Harper Amazon | Goodreads
Yellow Brick War by Yellow Brick Amazon | Goodreads
Best: Worst:
 
unleash the storm
Ah. Perfection.
Traveler
The ugly wolf head ruined it. I know what they were trying to do.

December 28, 2015

Cover Coveting (20)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources. ***All cover art may not be final.***
Well I hope you all had an amazing Christmas! And that everyones' holidays are going well.
Well I still have cover overload! So I'm just going to post, post, post!

Divine Descendantdream on
Divine Descendant by Jenna Black Amazon | Goodreads
Dream On by Kerstin Gier Amazon | Goodreads

Guardian's MateHaunted Destiny
Guardian's Mate by Jennifer Ashley Amazon | Goodreads
Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham Amazon | Goodreads
 
9780399175411_OutrunTheMoon_BOM.inddPoisoned Blade
Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee Amazon | Goodreads
Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott Amazon | Goodreads
 
9780451477538_RebelOfTheSands_JK.inddRebellion
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton Amazon | Goodreads
Rebellion by J.A. Souders Amazon | Goodreads
 
RecreatedRed Witch
Recreated by Colleen Houck Amazon | Goodreads
Red Witch by Anna Mckerrow Amazon | Goodreads
 
RemembranceRevenge and the Wild
Remembrance by Meg Cabot Amazon | Goodreads
Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto Amazon | Goodreads
 
ScardustSee How They Run
Scardust by Suzanne van Rooyen Amazon | Goodreads
See How They Run by Ally Carter Amazon | Goodreads
 
smoke and mirrorsThe Abyss Surrounds Us
Smoke and Mirrors by Jess Haines Amazon | Goodreads
The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie Amazon | Goodreads
 
the angel's shareThe Darkest Magic
The Angels' Share by J.R. Ward Amazon | Goodreads
The Darkest Magic by Morgan Rhodes Amazon | Goodreads
 
The Fever CodeThe Girl from Everywhere
The Fever Code by James Dashner Amazon | Goodreads
The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig Amazon | Goodreads
Best: Worst:
The Abyss Surrounds Us 
Adore it. Just Aweosme.
I wouldn't give any of them this honor. It's a pretty good batch of covers.