First book haul of the year

So over the last three days I was bad and bought my first books for 2015.  On Saturday I went into my local bookshop and couldn't resist taking home with me The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Such a beautiful cover, and it feels lovely and suede-like as well which is a bonus.

Then on Sunday I went online (originally just to check my email) and found my way to the Book Depository - for the first time this year! - and bought some classics (Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde by R.L Stevenson and Orlando by Virginia Woolf) as well as the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.  This book has been well represented on YouTube and I've held off till now as I'm still not sure that I'll like it.  But you've got to take a chance on a new book every now and then.  Unfortunately now I have to play the waiting game.  I won't get the books till the end of the week at the earliest.

Yesterday, Monday, I went to town and happened to find the hardcover of Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes plus a discounted copy of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (down to $5!).  The plain Penguin cover copy of Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov was on sale as well, and I couldn't resist the beauty that is A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray.  That cover is so gorgeous.  I've resisted buying this for the last couple weeks, but finally caved.

Finally when I was at the counter paying for my books there was a box beside the register that had some free audiobooks.  Ever the sucker for a good audiobook I sorted through them and found the last remaining copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland read by Miriam Margolyes.

In all I've had a great week in terms of new books.  Hopefully my Boxing Day Sale order from Book Outlet will turn before the end of the month - order includes Red Shirts by John Scalzi, Artemis Awakening by Jane Lindskold, Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong and Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski - and I have two orders to pick up before the end of the month from local outlets as well.  So if I add those (Snugglepot & Cuddlepie by May Gibbs, Clash of Kings/Feast of Crow/Storm of Swords 1 & 2 by George R.R. Martin, plus The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly) I've totally exceeded my monthly quota for books!  Oh, and I need to order some new releases for early Feb by then too!

So many books, not enough bookshelves ;-D

I hope you have luck finding some great books this month and until next time,

 

All booked out

 

After yesterday's massive read-a-thon I am all booked out.  I still can't believe that I managed to read all four of these books, but I did.  I started off with the first two books in the Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray (done by lunch), and then went off on a different tangent with Kelley Armstrong's new book Sea of Shadows - mixed feelings about this one - and then finally I spent late yesterday afternoon/evening reading The Diviners by Libba Bray - hmmm, I'm sensing a theme here ;-D - and really enjoyed it.  Unfortunately there is no book 2 in the series as yet so I can't continue on with Evie's story.

Today I'm just going to watch a dvd and flake out.  My eyes are still a bit strained, but it was worth it (all 4 books were due back to the library soon).  Will try to have the reviews up asap.  Must remember not to try this again for a while ;-D

Until next time,

New Arrivals

I know, I haven't written anything for a while now.  Bad bibliophile, no cookie.

I've just been inundated with my latest orders from Amazon that I just don't know where to start.  So I'll just dive right in and use the books closest to me.

Lion Heat by Lora Leigh is a great addition to the Breed series.  This is one of the stories I've been waiting years for.  Finally, it's Jonas Wyatt's turn to deal with the mating heat.  His mate is a little different from all the other mates, and some of the troubles encountered in Mecury's War are finally closed in Lion's Heat.  I can't say too much about it.  If I drop the wrong plot spoiler, well... it could just be the one thing you wanted to find out for yourself.
The characters are well written, and the book itself is fast paced.  There are plenty of storylines to follow, and as I read on Lora Leigh's blog this morning, she still has about 25 characters that she'd like to write books for.  Oh, boy.  That means more shelfspace to find in the future!

One of the other books that I want to put up here today is the fantastic Patricia Briggs book, Silver Borne.  I received it on Wednesday, and by Wednesday afternoon it was all over.  I just can't help myself.  I get a new book, start reading, and a few hours later it's all over!  But this was worth reading through lunch for.  Mercy is back and her relationships with Adam and Samuel are put to the test.  The pack is in turmoil thanks to her inclusion, and Samuel is having a rougher time than anyone knows.  There is a huge dustup at her shop, and Mercy manages once again to get herself caught up in a fae mess.
Silver Borne is a well written, fast paced book that has surprises everywhere.  There is unrequited love, betrayal and jealousy and a certain someone finds their mate.  Fabulous read, and I can't wait for the next installment.

And lastly, the final installment of the Kelley Armstrong series The Darkest Powers.  The Reckoning was a much anticipated book that I was so happy when I got it.  I wanted to know how Chloe and the others finally rid themselves of the Edison Group and the other supernaturals who are forever trying to pick them off.  I was disappointed in this book however.  While the story was fast paced, and the characters were engaging, the ending just ruined it for me.  I was hoping for Jeremy's pack to have a cameo, or one of the other characters like Jaime, who could look out for and possibly guide these supercharged teens.  But alas, I was doomed to disappointment.  They went in, powers blazing and with a few other teasers thrown in regarding a future demonic visit for Chloe, they were captured, the nearly escaped, they got caught and then kicked butt.  Not my ideal ending, but I suppose for most readers, this will be an ending that they expected.

Not Again!

Hi there! If it's not one thing, it's another at the moment. I've just about given up on my old computer (6yo, but has had upgrades). It has a nasty habit at the moment of just dying on me. I'm extremely tempted to get a new one... maybe a Mac?... and then have a ceremonial tossing of the computer down the stairs. A little bit violent perhaps, but when I think about all the files that I've lost... grrrr

I've been reading quite abit lately - the only option open when your trying to entertain yourself at night while also trying to save a bit of cash - and have just been able to get my hands on the 3rd Carrie Vaughn book, Kitty takes a Holiday.

Now I have to admit that I haven't been able to find her 1st book, so I'll state right up front that the relationship between her and Cormac and Ben is still a little bit of a mystery to me (one of these days I'll find it at the book shop). I did like the story and the characters. You really feel for Kitty and her 'friends'.

Now its put me in a 'gotta read more shapeshifters' kick, so I've been raiding my large bookcase and replacing the other books that I've had in a smaller bookcase in my bedroom.

Note to self - I've got to get either a bigger bookcase, or a bigger bedroom to put all these ruddy books!

I've gone through my list of usual suspects, LKH, Yasmine Galenorn, Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Christine Warren, Nalini Singh, MaryJanice Davidson, Christine Feehan, Carrie Vaughn, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lora Leigh, Tanya Huff, Keri Arthur and even Alice Borchardt. I desperately need some new shapeshifting authors.... can anyone out there HELP!