Reading Reflections: December 2010

Books Read:

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (review)
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala (review)
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (review)
Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram (review)

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 60

Most Anticipated:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Biggest Let Down:
None!

Favorite Read:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Highest Rank:
5 butterflies

Lowest Rank:
4 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
I had a lot going on this month with the holiday festivities, work (we were extremely short-staffed this month), and a loved one taking an unexpected trip to the hospital. Needless to say, my brain needed a break. So this month was all about light reading. I really enjoyed everything I read. The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade was a pleasantly surprising tale of friendship and reality. Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala was one of my "heavier" reads this month, well worth it. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer lived up to it's hype. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book in the series! Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram was a delightful girl-becomes-superhero-then-falls-in-love-unexpectedly story. Overall, a great group of books.

Reading Reflections: Novemember 2010

Books Read:
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff (review)
Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway (review)
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon (review)
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (review to come)

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 56

Most Anticipated:
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Biggest Let Down:
None!

Favorite Read:
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Highest Rank:
5 butterflies

Lowest Rank:
4 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
Once again, I just barely made my goal of 4 books a month. I have surpassed my goal of 50 this year, so that makes me happy. A great set of books this month! The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff was a creepy, adventurous tale that helped set the mood for Halloween. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway was a delightful romantic tale by the same author who wrote The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June. Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon was a beautiful story woven with philosophy and literary movements. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl was a darker, deeper step into the world of Gatlin, casters, and true love. Needless to say, I rather enjoyed my reading selections this month!

Reading Reflections: October 2010

Books Read:
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (review)
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (review)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (review)
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (review)

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 52

Most Anticipated:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Biggest Let Down:
none!

Favorite Read:
Hmmmm....that is a toughie. If pressed to choose, I would say it's a tie between Paranormalcy by Kiersten White and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, for different reasons of course. ;)

Highest Rank:
5 butterflies

Lowest Rank:
5 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
Wow...what a month! I honestly don't think I have ever given all 5/5 ratings for an entire month before! I read Twenty Boy Summer and Speak in honor of Banned Books Week and censorship. Both books were amazing and I highly recommend them. I read Wintergirls after Speak because Laurie Halse Anderson's voice was so haunting, I craved more of her work. I was not disappointed. Paranormalcy was a breath of fresh air, among the more heavy-hearted reads. Overall, a wonderful month of reading. I was soooo close to getting 5 in this month, but am not quite done reading The Replacement yet, so keep an eye out for that review. ;)

Reading Reflections: August 2010

Books Read:Beastly by Alex Flinn (review)
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kawaga (review)
The Line by Teri Hall (review)
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (review)

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 44

Most Anticipated:
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kawaga

Biggest Let Down:
None!

Favorite Read:
The Line by Teri Hall

Highest Rank:
5 Butterflies

Lowest Rank:
4 Butterflies

Overall Reflection:
Thought I didn't reach my goal of 5 books this month, I settled pretty close with 4. I thought I'd make it with Mockingjay, but a weekend with relatives setback my goal slightly. I really enjoyed my reading selections this month. I chose The Line as my favorite read this month because it really left an imprint on me. I couldn't stop thinking about it, even days after I had stopped reading it and started reading something else. I am extremely eager to read the sequel, The Away! Overall, pleased with my book selection. Hoping to make at least 5 books next month! :)

Reading Reflections: July 2010

Books Read:
Dead in the Family (Southern Vampire Mysteries #10) by Charlaine Harris (review)
Morpheus Road: The Light by D. J. MacHale (review)Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (review)

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 3

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 40

Most Anticipated:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Biggest Let Down:
Dead in the Family (Southern Vampire Mysteries #10) by Charlaine Harris

Favorite Read:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Highest Rank:
5 butterflies

Lowest Rank:
3 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
Well, I didn't meet my monthly goal of 4 books. :( Unfortunately, there were some unseen obstacles this (and last) month that pushed my reading to the back burner. Hopefully, once I am fully recovered from my surgery, I'll be back on track. With my lack of reading these past 2 months, I don't think I'll be able to reach my goal of 75 books this year. To do so, I would have to read 7 books each month, and I think that might be a little unrealistic with my schedule. We'll see though. I'll still keep 75 as my ultimate goal. Anything above 50 will make me happy though. :)

As far as the books I read this month, Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris was the ultimate letdown. I do hope that Harris continues the series, but puts a bit more effort into it. Not to be mean or anything, but the book read a little flat, like she was worn out or out of material. I truly hope that's not the case. Morpheus Road: The Light by D. J. MacHale was a good, solid, scary read. Although a little more balance throughout the book would have made a five star rating. Regardless, I am looking forward to the next installment in the series. I was most impressed with Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. It will definitely make my top 10 book list of the year! :)

Reading Reflections: May 2010

Books Read:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore (review)
Fire by Kristin Cashore (review)
Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine (review)
The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia (review)
White Cat by Holly Black (review)

Total Number of Books Read: 5

Most Anticipated:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Biggest Let Down:
Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine

Favorite Read:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Highest Rank:
5 butterflies

Lowest Rank:
3 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
I wouldn't say that I'm in a reading slump. Rather, life has been busy lately, and reading has taken a backseat. I was hoping to reach 6 books, but alas, that was not the case. I still surpassed my goal of 4 books per month, so yay for that. :) On to my bookish ramblings...
Both Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore were exceptional reads. She has an amazing strong and beautiful voice. Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine was a fun read, though somewhat of a letdown. It definitely is her weakest book in the series. I still plan on continuing through the series, which overall is fantastic. I love Caine and though this book was less than stellar, I still love her and plan to continue reading whatever she writes. :) The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia was certainly the most interesting and thought-provoking book I read this month. I stiiiiiill reflect back on it from time to time. It's almost haunting in that way. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend that you do! White Cat by Holly Black was a delicious surprise. I rather enjoyed it. Black has really honed her writing skills on this one. I look forward to the next book in the series!

So that's about it for the month. I aim to get back on track next month, but we'll see. Summer can be a busy time. This month, I'll be reading Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris, Sunshine by Robin McKinley, and Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong. So keep an eye out for those reviews.

Also, in other bookish news...I was blessed with the prolific blogger award.
Annnnd....I am now an affiliate. It's something that I honestly never had any interest in, but when Liz from Cleverly Inked brought it up, my interested was peaked. I love Liz's blog and check it frequently. I am honored to be affiliated with her.

Reading Reflections: April 2010

Books Read:
Changeless by Gail Carriger (review)
The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan (review)
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier (review)
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (review)
Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles (review)
Succubi Like It Hot by Jill Myles (review)
For Keeps by Natasha Friend (review)
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott (review)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (review)

Total Number of Books Read: 9

Most Anticipated: Changeless by Gail Carriger

Biggest Let Down: None! :)

Favorite Read: Eek! This is hard to choose! This was a really good reading month! I guess I'd have to say it's a tie between Changeless by Gail Carriger and For Keeps by Natasha Friend.

Highest Rank: 5 butterflies

Lowest Rank: 4 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
This has been such a great reading month! Changeless by Gail Carriger was a delightful read. I've really come to appreciate and enjoy Carriger's voice! The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan was definitely the most depressing book out of the bunch, but it is a dystopian novel about zombies. :P It was definitely much better than The Forest of Hands and Teeth. How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier was a fun, light read, which was perfect after reading The Dead-Tossed Waves. I look forward to reading Liar, which also by Larbalestier, in the near future. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins was a delicious surprise. Paranormal mystery with some humor and romance thrown in for good measure! :P Gentlemen Prefer Succubi and Succubi Like It Hot by Jill Myles came highly recommended, and did not disappoint! I look forward to the third book in the series, which should come out this year! For Keeps by Natasha Friend took me by surprise. I can not state how much I enjoyed this book. I am stiiiill thinking about it. I will definitely be re-reading it in the future! :) The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott was a bit sad, but had a great ending. I highly enjoyed reading it, and will be reading more of Scott's books in the future. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver was another amazing book, and a perfect way to finish out the month! Overall, a wonderful reading month. :) I had bit of a dry patch last month, so it was good to get back to my reading roots! Also, as of this month, I have decided that I am going to try and read 75 books this year. I may not make it, but I am sure going to try!

Reading Reflections: March 2010

Books Read:
Original Sin by Allison Brennan (review)
All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab (review)
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (review)
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (review)
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (review)
Shadowglass by Erica Hayes (review)
Soulless by Gail Carriger (review)

Total Number of Books Read: 7

Most Anticipated: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Biggest Let Down: Shadowglass by Erica Hayes

Favorite Read: I would have to say that it is a tie between The Iron King by Julie Kagawa and Soulless by Gail Carriger.

Highest rank: 5 butterflies

Lowest rank: 3 butterflies

Overall Reflection:
Well it certainly has been an interesting month of reading. The book that I most thoroughly enjoyed are: Original Sin, All Unquiet Things, The Iron King, and Soulless by Gail Carriger. I was most surprised by Soulless. I had not anticipated that I would enjoy it as much as I actually did. The Sky is Everywhere is a close second...I enjoyed it much more than I had originally thought I would. I think I ruined the book version of Shutter Island by watching the movie beforehand, though the movie was incredible. I was most disappointed by Shadowglass. I had previously enjoyed Shadowfae by the same author. However, Shadowglass just didn't live up to my expectations. Many of the books that I read and enjoyed were books I discovered by reading blog reviews. So many thanks to my fellow book bloggers for recommendations and discoveries! :) I look forward to another month of reading and blogging in April!

Reading Reflections: February 2010

Books Read:
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (review)
Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper (review)
Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper (review)
The Puzzle Ring by Kate Forsyth (review to come)
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (review)
Fallen by Lauren Kate (review)
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent (review)
The Mark by Jen Nadol (review)

Total Number of Books Read: 8

Most Anticipated: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Biggest Let Down: The Mark by Jen Nadol

Favorite Read: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Highest rank: 5 butterflies

Lowest rank: 4 butterflies

Overall Reflection:

What an amazing month of reading. I devoured and loved everything I read this month. I think I enjoyed everything so much because I got all of these books, (save The Puzzle Ring,which I read for Kate Forsyth's Blog Tour), based on YOUR reviews. Most of my "recommended reading" comes from reviews I read on book blogs! So, thank you all for the wonderful titles and inspiration and enthusiasm to read them! The Nice Girls series was just as wonderful as I had anticipated. The Puzzle Ring was such a delight to read, Kate Forsyth is certainly an accomplished author. Incarceron was by far, my favorite book of the month. It was just so original, I haven't read anything else like it. Fallen was a beautiful and tragic love story. I was pleasantly surprised by it, as I have read several mixed reviews on it. My Soul to Lose gave me taste of what's to come in the Soul Screamers series. The Mark was thought-provoking, though the YA-genre was a bit of a stretch. It wasn't enough to stop me from enjoying the overall story! :P I'd have to say that overall, I enjoyed a fantastic month of reading. So Yay! :)

Reading Reflections: January 2010

Books Read:
Windfall by Rachel Caine (review)
Firestorm by Rachel Caine (review)
Thin Air by Rachel Caine (review)
Gale Force Rachel Caine (review)
Cape Storm Rachel Caine (review)
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (review)
Firespell by Chloe Neill (review)
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (review)

Total Books Read: 8

Most Anticipated: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Biggest Let Down: Firespell by Chloe Neill...not that is was a disappointment, but I was expecting more action and information throughout the book instead of the majority being lumped together at the end.

Favorite Read: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Highest rank: 5 butterflies

Lowest rank: 4 butterflies

Overall Reflection:Wow! What an amazing start to the year! 8 books down (my monthly goal is 4) and a brand new look (thanks to the lovely Parajunkee)! Not to mention hosting my first ever giveaway! A big thank you to all who participated and congratulations to the winners! :) To top it off, I met some of my reading goals for 2010 previously mentioned here. Said goals include finishing Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, and Firespell by Chloe Neill! Overall this has been an amazing month. I couldn't have asked for a better way to kickoff my new "reading" year! :D