Early February Reading Wrap Up

Phew, just got this up in time ;-D

Trying to keep this post nice and short, so all I'm going to say is that I'm trying a slightly different format for my end of the month reading wrap ups (to try and keep the run time down), so I hope you like it.

Thanks for watching, and drop me a line below if you have any ideas or book recommendations for me ;-D

And until I catch you next time,

 

January Wrap-Up

Hey there!

This is just a quick-ish wrap-up of what I read in January.  I found a few new authors, and series, that I am excited to continue reading, as well as some old favourite series that are still dropping new titles.

The weather has been nuts here in QLD.  It was nearly 40°c on Tuesday, and yet yesterday it didn't read 17°c, and it was pouring all day.  I even had to dig out some winter woollies early and put a thicker bedspread on the bed so I didn't freeze!  Weird, but it's given me some more reading time so I'm very happy to be rained in.

If you've read any of the books I talk about, let me know in the comments what you thought of them.  I'd love to chat with you.

And until I see you next time,

 

Most Anticipated New Releases

So many great books coming out this year!  Here are a few of the books I'm most looking forward to getting during the first half of 2018.

Favourite reads of 2017

Well, hello!

Yes, it's been a hot minute since I last posted.  December was a crackin' reading month.  I caved in and used my library's Overdrive platform to devour a ton of books.  Apparently I can read even faster on a device, and the week before Christmas I managed to power through 40 books!  Yes, that was not a typo.  I will try to do a 2017 statistics wrap up soon, but today I just spoke about some of my favourite reads of 2017.  These are not based on ratings, or Goodreads reviews.  These are just the books that I kept thinking of when trying to decide what I enjoyed reading last year. 

It is a longer video, and it almost a wasn't.  I tried to film it twice on my little digital camera, but the battery got so hot that I had to stop, and the second time my battery went flat half way through so that was a bust.  Still, I wanted to get a video up today so I had to resort to the webcam on my desktop so the quality isn't all that.  Then it took nearly 3 hours for the video to upload to YouTube.  Seriously, 3 hours!

So, I've done my dash with this video.  It was as frustrating as all get out to do, but I'm glad I was able to upload something after being a no-show in December.

This year I have a few self imposed challenges.  My #aclassicamonth is heading into it's third year, and I'll once again be reading slogging through the Big Book 2018.  I'm hoping to get back to reading a Poirot a month, and I'm tentatively planning my Halloween reading list.  My Goodreads challenge is set at 100 books.  I completed the challenge in Aug/Sept last year and didn't bother to add any of the books I read after that point, so this year I want to log everything I read on Goodreads - just to see exactly what my reading year looks like.

Okay.  I've been online for hours today trying to get all this up.  My butts gone numb, and my computer is getting rather hot to the touch, so I'll say Happy New Year and good luck with your reading in 2018, and until I see you next time,

 

October sucked

Yep, it's true.  October sucked.

At the beginning of the month a good family friend, and our neighbour for almost 25 years, passed away.  It was expected, and unexpected at the same time, but it threw everything I had planned out the window.  There was no way on earth that I felt like reading all the Stephen King books I had planned for my Kingoween challenge, so instead I fell back to my old favourites like the In Death series by JD Robb and Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series.

We are all slowly recovering our equilibrium after this, but it takes time.  I haven't been on the computer for almost 3 weeks, just disappearing into a book to escape and try to put all the sadness behind me for those few hours.   But I've hit the turning point where I can go for a day or two without it being in the back of my mind.

Perhaps I'll try to get to some of my Kingoween books this month.  Perhaps not.  However, I think all this time away from the TV has done me a world of good.  I think in the last month I've watched about 8 hours of TV!

Okay, that's about all that I can tell you.  I didn't do anything amazing, or travel anywhere.  Just spent the month at home, enjoying the wet weather that closed in around us and reading my favourite books.  I hope your month was better than mine.  If you discovered a great book, let me know in the comments as I'm looking for new books all the time.

So, until I see you next time,

T5W || Side characters that deserve their own series

This was an interesting topic because while there are a plethora of side characters, how many are deserving of their own series?  Well after wracking my brain, and frantically trying to remember books that had great side characters, I finally came up with five characters that I would love to read more of.  So, here goes...

5) Charlotte Lucas (Pride & Prejudice)

Practical, level headed, and BFFs with Lizzie!, Charlotte is an often overlooked figure.  I'd love to go behind the scenes and see what she thinks of Lady Catherine DeBurgh (and her husbands world class brown nosing skills).

4) Somerset (In Death)

Give it up for Somerset!  The former conman, and now snobbiest butler out.  Would love to follow him through the Urban Wars, or when he was looking after a young Roarke ;-D

3) Lula (Stephanie Plum)

I love Lula ;-D  She's so confident in herself, and isn't ashamed of what she's done in her life.  Instead of a series, I'd like a collection of short stories.  Snippets from the existing books in the series, but from her POV.

2) Gallowglass (All Souls Trilogy)

Gallowglass was a character that made his first appearance in book 2, Shadow of Night, and I adored him.  A world travelling, tattoo wearing, vampire who was tasked to watch over our main character and waited centuries to fulfil his duty.  Of course he fell in love with her, but that would be an interesting part of a series.  His getting over her, and finding another.

1) Arizona Snow (Arcane Society series, and mentioned in the Rainshadow series as well)

While we meet Arizona Snow when she is a strange, security obsessed old lady, I would love to read about her adventures and escapades in the Arcane Society when she was a younger woman.  Especially after the information we find out about her in the futuristic paranormal romance book "The Hot Zone" where it is discovered by an descendant that Arizona possessed some unique paranormal abilities.  Could be soooo good!

Well, that is my T5W list done for another week.  I really enjoyed this week, and last weeks topics, but the frantic searching through all my bookshelves for suitable books could be classified as a part time job I think... it took that long!

As always, T5W was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {HERE} if you would also like to participate. 

Please feel free to leave a comment below.  I love to hear from you ;-D

T5W || Most anticipated pre-orders for 2015

This weeks T5W is going to be short and sweet as I missed last weeks T5W, but I wanted to do it anyway so here goes.

5) Tricky 22 by Janet Evanovich
Enjoy this series.  Funny and fast paced.  No heavy thinking involved, and a series I reread again and again when I need to relax.

4) Devoted in Death by J.D. Robb
Love this series and can't believe that there are now over 40 books!  Enjoy the detective angle as well as the relationship between Eve & Roarke.

3) Cast in Honor by Michelle Sagara
Amazing fantasy series that I have been following since first book, Cast in Secret, published way back when.  Love Kaylin and the budding love triangle between her, Severin and Nightshade.  Fabulous and world building with Dragons, lion people, flying Aerians and the immortal Baraani.

2) Siren's Call by Jayne Castle
I pre-ordered this book last night as I don't want to miss out on getting my hands on it ASAP.  Can't wait to get my dust bunny fix ;-D

1) Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh
My most anticipated book of 2015!  Love this series, and have always been curious as to the origins, and current status, of the mysterious Naasir.  Is he a tiger creature?  There is something feral about him and I can't wait to see what happens.

As always, T5W was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {HERE} if you would also like to participate. 

So these are the books that I simply must have ASAP.  Let me below know if you've read any of these series - and whether you are eagerly awaiting the next books as well ;-D

Until next time,
Happy reading!

T5W || Favourite Books of the Year... So Far

Sorry this post is going to be super short - as well as super late.  I'd hoped to get it up on Friday, but the internet was not talking to me (and Photoshop has been playing up).  What are you gonna do?

This week we are listing the top 5 books that we've read so far this year.  I'd love to be able to add some of the gorgeous hardcovers I've been accumulating, but I just haven't gotten around to reading many of them yet.  Perhaps I'll be able to add them for my favourite books of the year.

Anyway here goes.  So without further ado, here are my favourite books of the year... so far.

I had to add Fuzzy Nation, not only because I loved it, but because it has been one of the best recommendations I've received from Booktube.  Thanks Lindsey @angelaudacity!

I hope you enjoyed my Top 5 selections.  I'd love to hear from you if you have any questions or comments.  Have you read any of these books?  Let me know down below.

And, as always, T5W was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {HERE} if you would also like to participate. 

Until next time, my lovelies

T5W: Books I'd like to see as a TV series

It's been a while since I've done a Top 5 Wednesday list, but I thought I'd get back into it as there are so many books/series that I think would be amazing to adapt for television.  

With special effects being so realistic these days it means that shows based on fantasy or magic are no longer the second class programs with cheesy effects.  Hopefully at some stage in the future I might get to watch one of these ;-D

As usual, these are in no particular order - enjoy!

I could see a great series being made with the characters from Stephanie Plum series - and I'd rather like forget about that horrible movie - and with so many books in the series there are a whole range of scenarios to pick and choose from for episodes.  However, I'd only watch it if it was done well!

Next we have the In Death series by J.D. Robb.  This is such an amazing world with complex characters that would make for great TV.  Set in the future not to distant future, there are so many technologies that can be done visually.  A great police series with a myriad of cases to choose from (book 41 out later this year!) and so many strong characters, both good and totally evil, to portray that it would make for a must watch series.

Couldn't resist an urban fantasy or two.  The Guild Hunters series would also be a truly amazing series for TV.   Archangels, angels, vampires... what more could you want?!  Like In Death it takes place mainly in NY, however foreign exotic locations would also be a must.  Can't recommend this highly enough for a TV spot.

Moon Called is my nod to the current fascination with all things shapeshifter.  This is an amazing series that mixes mythology and folklore, Gods and vampires, witches and other things that go BUMP in the night, and puts them into a contemporary American city.  Full of murder, mystery, drama and betrayal.  I'd love to see this ;-D

And finally, I couldn't resist a shout-out for this intriguing Australian series.  I only need to give you the series title for you to begin imagining the possibilities ... Kannon Dupree: Timestalker.  Are you imagining episodes full of Roman Gladiators, seductive 1920's noir, Aztec gods, Wild West gunfights yet?  I am ;-D

So, those were my top 5 books that I'd love to see made into TV shows.  What do you think? Would you like to see these?  Let me know in the comment area below whether or not you think these would make a great TV show.

Until next time,

 

T5W | Books I'd save in a fire

Sorry to keep it so short and to the point this week.  I just couldn't make up my mind as to which of my hundreds of books I'd save {more like which authors book's I'd save instead!}.

I hope you enjoyed my Top 5 Books I'd save in a fire, and if you want to know more about Top 5 Wednesday - or would like to participate - then head on over to the Goodreads group {here}.  This series was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and she has some great lists.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them down below.

Until next time,

 

Unexpected Hiatus

Hi everyone!  Sorry about the unexpected break I've taken.  I didn't realise it had been more than a month since I last posted anything, however I really did need a break from being a slave to the internet.

Over the last few weeks I've done almost zero reading.  A nice break to recharge my batteries, and the desire for reading.  It couldn't have come at a better time as while my family were over for a visit, we went shopping and I spied a copy of Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb (book 40!) and my mum just had to get it.  Unfortunately for her, she couldn't dive straight into it - but I could!  I convinced her to let me have it for the week (we'd already organised another visit), so I had a week to soak in as much of Obsession in Death as I could.  I found that I enjoyed it more than the previous couple of books in this neverending series.  Didn't have a clue as to who Eve's stalker was.  So rare to be truly surprised these days ;-D

I've also been on a quilting/sewing kick at the moment.  I spent a few hours sewing myself a Sunnies case - that may never be used for actual sunnies! - and really enjoyed it.  Learned a lot doing this, and next time I'll be more adventurous with the quilting.  So with project no #1 under my belt, I'm looking forward to more sewing this year - especially now that the weather is starting to cool off.  It's the perfect time to plan my winter projects.  I'm hoping to start a QAYG (quilt as you go) bedspread, but only if I find the perfect pattern ;-D

Anyway, have to love you and leave you as I'm going to order some upcoming book realeases.  My goal this year is to cull out some of the series that have fallen by the wayside, but there are some that I simply can't miss.  

Until next time,

 

T5W - Most Anticipated Releases of 2015

Hello, and welcome to my first T5W post of 2015!  I can't believe it's already here.  The days go so quickly now ;-D

This week it seems appropriate that we are delving into our wishlists to come up with our top 5 most anticipated books being published in 2015.  I have so many pre-orders in my wishlist it's not funny, but I have gone through them and found the 5 that I am desperately want to get my hands on.  

So, in no particular order, here are my Top 5:

Note: I scoured the author's websites to find any more details about the cover art - or book title - for the last two books, but alas, nothing.  In the future though, I will swap out the generic place holders for the final artwork as it becomes available.

So, these are my most 5 anticipated books for 2015 - for now ;-D.  It could always change especially since the first 3 are on shelves by Feb/March.

Anyway, as you know T5W was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {here} if you would also like to participate.  If you have any questions or comments, then please feel free to leave them down below.

Best of luck with all your reading challenges/goals in 2015.

Until later,

Top 5 Wednesday - Re-reads

Where has the week gone?  It seems like it was just yesterday that I was posting last weeks Top 5.  Anyway, this week we are doing one of my favourite tags - the re-read.  I love re-reading books!  It's always fun to go back to a book you loved and fall in love with it all over again... which is why I am so surprised when I watch YouTube and see a majority of people don't re-read!  Yes, I know.  How can you not re-read a truly awesome book?  Anyhow, lets get on with this list...

   

 NORA ROBERTS STAND-ALONES

Yes, I do read Nora Roberts.  I particularly enjoy these two books, also I re-read The Search at least once or twice a year, but I just didn't have enough room to add the picture ;-D  I like most Nora Roberts books because there is a little bit of romance, some mystery, occasionally paranormal aspects, and they aren't overly violent (which is a nice change from time to time).  I find I read these books more in winter when I can snuggle up under a blanket on the couch with a hot cup of tea.

covers are made of that suede-y material that just doesn't seem to show damage!

 

 NAKED IN DEATH - J.D. ROBB

This is the first book in J.D. Robb's (aka Nora Roberts) massive In Death series - that will see the release of the 40th book in February next year!  These books are great to just chill out with when you're in a bit of a detective, slash mystery, mood.

 

 GUILD HUNTERS - NALINI SINGH

This is an amazing Urban Fantasy series!  See what the world could be like if Archangels were the apex predator.  I tend to read the first three books together, almost as if they were one bind up.  Can't recommend this series highly enough if you want something great to read that's not going to take 2 weeks, or you love those of the angelic persuasion ;-D

 

 STEPHANIE PLUM - JANET EVANOVICH

I love this series, and although the last 5 or so books have been less than stellar, I can't help but go back to Two for the Dough and Hot Six when I want something that's guaranteed to make me laugh ;-D

 

 WRITTEN IN RED - ANNE BISHOP

 I adore this book - and series - and as you can see from the photo I took of the spine this is a well read, and re-read, book ;-D

Just leaving a pic of the spine of some of my more well re-read books ;-D

Okay, so I promise that's me done for this weeks Top 5.  I hope you found something new to read, and if you want to find out more about this series, it was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {here} if you would also like to participate.

 

If you have any questions, or comments, I'd love to hear from you... and you know what to do down below ;-D

So until next time,