Winner!

As you know I am an avid reader.

 

 My

challenge is going well.  I have read 97 books so far this year.  So my personal goal of 104 books for the year is in sight.  I may even surpass it!!

While surfing around other book blogs on Teaser Tuesdays (where I always find new books to try!), I found a new blog, Pudgy Penguin Perusals.  She was having a drawing for a mystery book (one of my favorite type of books).  Guess what?!   
I won!!  Yep, soon I’ll be reading, “Tempest in the Tea Leaves” by Kari Lee Townsend.  I can’t wait.  I’ll be reading about a tea leave reading psychic.

So you would think all this reading would interfere with my knitting.  You could be right.  But I try to balance it out by listening to books on tape while I knit.  And I always read for a little bit at bed time (which sometimes turns into late night! lol)

    But for now, I think it’s time to get some knitting done.

I did it!

I successfully read 52 books in 52 weeks!  (click link to see the list)



In fact, I exceeded 52 books.  Woohoo!! I even managed to read more books than last year.  Ok, it was only by 1 but hey, 1 more than last year is great.

I was trying to double my number of books read but had a slow reading month last January.  February wasn't such a great reading month either.  So for next year, I will read 52 books in 52 weeks and at least match the number from this year if not exceed it again (working my way up to doubling the 52 for the year).

I would tell you my favorite book for this year but it is difficult to pick just one. So how about my top 10 (in no particular order) favorite books for 2010:

1.  Fantasy in Death by J D Robb
2.  Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison
3.  Ghouls Gone Wild by Victoria Laurie
4.  Ghost Shadow by Heather Graham
5.  Night of the Living Deed by E J Copperman (new author for me)
6.  Sketch Me If You Can by Sharon Pape (new author for me)
7.  Harvest Hunting by Yasmine Galenorn
8.  Dark Peril by Christine Feehan
9.  Bone Appetit by Carolyn Haines
10. Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews

whew! that was hard... I have read so many books that are worthy of the top ten.

I also listened to all the Harry Potter books (while knitting). I had read them years ago when they first came out. Great books! I enjoyed them all over again. And of course I then had to rent the movies!! lol. (yes, I did see the new movie. Great! like all the others)

Two more new authors (new to me) I must mention are Stella Cameron and Mary Stanton.

Stella Cameron's books Out of Body, Out of Mind, and Out of Sight are excellent books about an ancient family of clairvoyants.  If you like Heather Graham, Jayne Ann Krentz, Christina Dodd... you will like these books.

Mary Stanton's paranormal cozy mystery books Defending Angels, Angel's Advocate, and Avenging Angels are excellent mysteries with ethereal clients that need help. Mary Stanton also writes mysteries as Claudia Bishop.

And in case you wonder if I read any books that would be on the bottom of a list. A list of just ok books to read. Well, yes, actually I do:

The Colorado Kid by Stephen King.  I read this book because I was watching the tv show "Happy Town." I saw in the credits the show was based on the book The Colorado Kid by Stephen King.  I use to read all of Stephen Kings' books so I went to the library and check out this book. Don't bother. I was disappointed and to top it off, I am not even sure how the tv show is even based on this book! Unless it has to do with strange and unexplained occurrences.

Well, there you have it. My reading year in a nutshell. Check back after the first of the year. I'll have a new list of books started for 2011. (I'm currently reading Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love)

Reading...

How sweet it is to have someone read to you...
I think that is why I enjoy listening to books while I knit. (both of my favorite things to do!)

I am currently listening to "5th Horseman: Women's Murder Club" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. And I am knitting... SOCKS! (of course).

I haven't read many of James Patterson's books but what I've read so far I like. I enjoyed the Maximum Ride series and look forward to the next book, "Fang." One of his new series, Daniel X, is also good.

But, nothing beats holding a book. I'm currently reading "Kiss of Fate" by Deborah Cooke. Who can resist hunky men who turn into dragons?!!

I enjoy reading many authors and like the variety. It would be hard to pick a favorite. Is it Sci-fi? or mystery? or even the latest, paranormal romance?!! So I have made a list (yep, remember I'm a list person) and when someone recommends a book, I add it to my new authors to try list. (You know I have a list of books by my favorite authors and their new books coming out) One day I'll get to all the books on ALL my lists.

So, on my waiting list of next to read...a few of my favorite authors...
I started reading J. D. Robb in 2002 after resisting my daughter's comments that I would enjoy these books because they are set in the future and involve murder. I picked up "Reunion in Death" and was hooked! I went to bookstore and bought the first books catching up to to the latest one at that time. Then I got my co-worker hooked! So we not only talked about budgets (ugh!) but we talked books! These books are great and I can't wait for the paperback so I support the author and buy the hardback. (lol) Besides, both my girls read these.

Since I am behind on my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge I'll pick up my book and read on this overcast, misty, afternoon. (I can knit this evening, lol).

52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010

I had so much fun last year with the Ravelry group, 52 Books in 52 Weeks, I had to join for this year.

So once again... the challenge is to read 52 books in 52 weeks. I'd like to challenge myself to double that total for 2010.

So check back later and see how I'm doing.

Books read in December:
92. Death's Excellent Vacation, Charlaine Harris, et. al., 12/19/2010
91. Bayou Moon, Ilona Andrews, 12/16/2010
90. Skein of the Crime, Maggie Sefton, 12/12/2010
89. Daniel X: Demons and Druids (audio), James Patterson w/Adam Sadler, 12/9/2010
88. Wicked Appetite, Janet Evanovich, 12/8/2010
87. merry, merry GHOST, Carolyn Hart, 12/6/2010
86. Roast Mortem, Cleo Coyle, 12/1/2010

Books read in November:
85. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (audio), J K Rowling, 11/30/2010
84. Bone Appetit, Carolyn Haines, 11/28/2010
83. Me, Myself and Why?, Mary Janice Davidson, 11/27/2010
82. Dark Peril (audio), Christine Feehan, 11/24/2010 
81. Ghastly Glass, Joyce & Jim Lavene, 11/21/2010
80. Harvest Hunting, Yasmine Galenorn, 11/18/2010
79. Never After, Laurell K Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M Liu, Sharon Shinn, 11/14/2010
78. Under Her Skin, Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, 11/12/2010
77. Wicked Weaves, Joyce & Jim Lavene, 11/11/2010
76. Night Myst, Yasmine Galenorn, 11/ 8/2010
75. Hunter Kiss, Marjorie M Liu, 11/7/2010
74. Time Raiders: The Seeker, Lindsay McKenna, 11/3/2010

Books read in October:
73. Time Raiders: The Seduction, Cindy Dees, 10/17/2010
72. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (audio), J K Rowling, 10/15/2010

Books read in September:
71. Entwined, Elisabeth Naughten, 9/27/2010
70. Marked, Elisabeth Naughten, 9/24/2010
69. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (audio), J K Rowling, 9/22/2010
68. Sketch Me If You Can, Sharon, Pape, 9/21/2010
67. Blackwork, Monica Ferris, 9/17/2010
66. Ghost Moon, Heather Graham, 9/14/2010
65. Night of the Living Deed, E J Copperman, 9/12/2010
64. One Hex of a Wedding, Yasmine Galenorn, 9/8/2010
63. If Books Could Kill, Kate Carlisle, 9/6/2010
62. Tomb With a View, Casey Daniels, 9/4/2010
61. Burning Lamp (audio), Amanda Quick, 9/2/2010
60. A Glimpse of Evil, Victoria Laurie, 9/1/2010

Books read in August:
59. Blood Born, Linda Howard & Linda Jones, 8/31/2010
58. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (audio), J K Rowling, 8/20/2010
57. Fired Up (audio), Jayne Ann Krentz, 8/10/2010
56. Ghost Night, Heather Graham, 8/9/2010
55. The Colorado Kid, Stephen King, 8/6/2010
54. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (audio), J K Rowling, 8/4/2010

Books read in July:
53. Death By Diamonds, Annette Blair, 7/19/2010
52. Ghost Shadow, Heather Graham, 7/18/2010
51. Holiday Grind, Cleo Coyle, 7/16/2010
50. Sizzling Sixteen, Janet Evanovich, 7/12/2010
49. A Witch in Time, Madelyn Alt, 7/8/2010
48. Where There's a Witch There's a Way, Madelyn Alt, 7/6/2010
47. No Rest For the Wiccan, Madelyn, Alt, 7/2/2010
46. Hex Marks the Spot, Madelyn Alt, 7/1/2010

Books read in June:
45. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (audio), J K Rowling, 6/30/2010
44. Hannah's List (audio), Debbie Macomber, 6/22/2010
43. A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle, 6/21/2010
42. A Cast-Off Coven, Juliet Blackwell, 6/16/2010
41. Glossed and Found, Yasmine Galenorn, 6/14/2010
40. Fang: Maximum Ride Series (audio), James Patterson, 6/13/2010
39. A Charmed Death, Madelyn Alt, 6/12/2010
38. The Trouble With Magic, Madelyn Alt, 6/10/2010
37. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (audio), J K Rowling, 6/8/2010
36. Feint of Art, Hailey Lind, 6/3/2010

Books read in May:
35. Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris, 5/27/2010
34. Heart of Darkness, Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne, Susan Krinard, 5/26/2010
33. Faefever (audio), Karen Marie Moning, 5/21/2010
32. Body Movers, Stephanie Bond, 5/20/2010
31. Dropped Dead Stitch, Maggie Sefton, 5/17/2010
30. Grave Secret, Charlaine Harris, 5/14/2010
29. Out of Sight, Stella Cameron, 5/10/2010
28. Must Love Hellhounds, Harris, Andrews, Singh, Brook, 5/8/2010
27. Finding the Dream (audio), Norah Roberts, 5/6/2010
26. The Iron Hunt, Marjorie M. Liu, 5/5/2010
25. Prom Nights From Hell, Meyer, Cabot, Harrison, Myracle, Jaffe, 5/4/2010
24. Fantasy in Death, J D Robb, 5/1/2010

Books read in April:
23. Inked, Karen Chance, Marjorie M Liu, Yasmine Galenorn, Eileen Wilks, 4/20/2010
22. Black Magic Sanction (audio), Kim Harrison, 4/28/2010
21. Naked Dragon, Annette Blair, 4/23/2010
20. Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris, 4/21/2010
19. Out of Mind, Stella Cameron, 4/20/2010
18. Out of Body, Stella Cameron, 4/16/2010
17. The Seventh Witch, Shirley Damsgaard, 4/14/2010
16. Ghouls Gone Wild, Victoria Laurie, 4/13/2010
15. Bloodfever, Karen Marie Moning, 4/11/2010
14. Kindred in Death, J D Robb, 4/10/2010
13. Darkfever, Karen Marie Moning, 4/8/2010
12. Predatory Game (audio), Christine Feehan, 4/2/2010
11. Avenging Angels, Mary Stanton, 4/1/2010

Books read in March:
10. Bone Magic, Yasmine Galenorn, 3/30/2010
9. Nightwalker, Heather Graham, 3/18/2010
8. Kiss of Fate, Deborah Cooke, 3/11/2010
7. The Cereal Murders (audio), Diane Mott Davidson, 3/4/2010
6. The Quintessential Phase (audio), Douglas Adams, 3/1/2010

Books read in February:
5. Kiss of Fury, Deborah Cooke, 2/27/2010
4. Unbound, Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson, Jocelynn Drake, 2/22/2010
3. Blue Moon: The Immortals (audio), Alyson Noel, 2/22/2010

Books read in January:
2. Holding the Dream (audio), Nora Roberts, 1/8/2010
1. Daring to Dream (audio), Nora Roberts, 1/1/2010



Book Title, Author, Date Finished

Favorite Authors

Links to my favorite Authors

• Ilona Andrews
  
• Keri Arthur
• E J Copperman
  
• Casey Daniels
• Christine Feehan
• Yasmine Galenorn
• Heather Graham
• Charlaine Harris
• Kim Harrison
• Sherrilyn Kenyon
• Heather Killough-Walden
• Kathy Reichs
• Nora Roberts
• Wendy Roberts
• Gena Showalter
• J R Ward
  

Links to Book Reviews

• A Reader's Book Reviews
• Cozy Mystery
  
• Fantastic Fiction
• Shelfari
  
• Stop, You're Killing Me!
  

52 in 29 weeks!!

Woohoo!! I've reached the goal of 52 books in 52 weeks way ahead of schedule!

I finished book #52, "Devil May Ride" by Wendy Roberts, last night. I am w-a-y ahead of schedule. Am I surprised? well... sortof... I guess I didn't realize just how much I read.

"Devil May Ride" is the second book in the Ghost Duster Mystery series. I was not disappointed. The book grabbed me from the first chapter. I couldn't put it down down until I finished it to find out who done it. It is a paranormal mystery with lots of twists and turns. Sadie Novak is a professional crime scene cleaner and she sees and talks to ghosts. Sadie is asked to cleanup a meth lab and discovers evidence of a cult ritual. While that job is put on hold, she is asked to clean up a murder scene at a biker hangout. Stolen money is discovered and once again the police called. That job is put on hold. Somehow the two scenes are tied together, but how? More suspense, more discoveries, and ghosts (of course!). It is an edge of your seat read, a real nail biter!! Excellent book!

I am glad I found this author and highly recommend her books.

52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2009

Ok, so I'm a little late to the game... but I found this group, 52 Books in 52 Weeks, on Ravelry and joined. You challenge yourself to read 52 books in 52 weeks in 2009.

So that's about a book a week. I should be able to do that! My problem is reading and knitting at the same time. I haven't quite mastered that yet. But I did find out that books on CDs count! woohoo!! I can knit during the day and listen to a book. And then, I can read a book at night! Sounds like some good time management to me.

So my plan is to link this post to a picture on the sidebar and update it with the books I've read each month. So check back later to see how I'm doing.

12/30/09 ETA: I'm happy to report I've surpassed the goal of 52 Books in 52 Weeks. My total for 2009 comes to 91 books! woohoo!!

Books read in December:
91. Evermore: The Immortal Series, Alyson Noel, 12/23/09

Books read in November:
90. Larceny and Lace, Annette Blair, 11/19/09
89. Kiss of Fire, Deborah Cooke, 11/15/09
88. On the Edge, Ilona Andrews, 11/12/09
87. A Touch of Dead, Charlaine Harris, 11/9/09
86. Dead Man Talking, Casey Daniels, 11/7/09

Books read in October:
85. Doom With a View, Victoria Laurie, 10/31/09
84. A Harvest of Bones, Yasmine Galenorn, 10/20/09
83. Unhallowed Ground, Heather Graham, 10/17/09
82. Dark Slayer (audio), Christine Feehan, 10/16/09
81. Laced With Magic, Barbara Bretton, 10/13/09
80. Thai Dyed, Monica Ferris, 10/6/09

Books read in September:
79. Max (audio), James Patterson, 9/25/09
78. Never Been Witched, Annette Blair, 9/20/09
77. The Scot, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Annette Blair, 9/18/09
76. Glass Houses (the Morganville Vampires), Rachel Caine, 9/17/09
75. My Favorite Witch, Annette Blair, 9/15/09
74. The Kitchen Witch, Annette Blair, 9/14/09
73. Gone With the Witch, Annette Blair, 9/13/09
72. Sex and the Psychic Witch, Annette Blair, 9/11/09
71. Greedy Bones, Carolyn Haines, 9/9/09
70. Divine Evil, Nora Roberts, 9/6/09
69. A Veiled Deception, Annette Blair, 9/5/09
68. Homicide in Hardcover, Kate Carlisle, 9/1/09

Books read in August:
67. Finger Lickin' Fifteen, Janet Evanovich, 8/28/09
66. Dealing With Murder, Elaine Flinn, 8/27/09
65. Dead As a Scone, Ron & Janet Benrey, 8/21/09
64. Summer On Blossom Street (audio), Debbie Macomber, 8/19/09
63. Angel's Advocate, Mary Stanton, 8/18/09
62. Watch the Skies: Daniel X series (audio), James Patterson w/Ned Rust, 8/14/09
61. Secondhand Spirits, Juliet Blackwell, 8/13/09
60. Undead and Unwelcome, Mary Janice Davidson, 8/9/09
59. Once Dead, Twice Shy: Madison Avery series (audio), Kim Harrison, 8/8/09
58. 4th of July: Women's Murder Club (audio), James Patterson w/Maxine Paetro, 8/7/09
57. Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (audio), James Patterson, 8/6/09
56. Dust to Dust, Heather Graham, 8/1/09

Books read in July:
55. Huntress (Omnibus), Jenna Maclaine and others, 7/31/09
54. Marked: House of Night series (audio), P C Cast & Kristen Cast, 7/29/09
53. Scent to Her Grave, Yasmine Galenorn writing as India Ink, 7/26/09
52. Devil May Ride, a Ghost Duster Mystery, Wendy Roberts, 7/23/09
51. Murder Under a Mystic Moon, Yasmine Galenorn, 7/21/09
50. Legend of the Jade Dragon, Yasmine Galenorn, 7/20/09
49. Blood Magic, Jennifer Lyon, 7/16/09

Books read in June:
48. Knitting Bones, Monica Ferris, 6/30/09
47. The Haunted Lady, Mary Roberts Rinehart, 6/28/09
46. Demon Mistress, Yasmine Galenorn, 6/24/09
45. The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (audio), James Patterson w/Michael Ledwidge, 6/24/09
44. Many Bloody Returns, Charlaine Harris, et al, 6/20/09
43. Witch Heart, Anya Bast, 6/17/09
42. Odd Hours (audio), Dean Koontz, 6/16/09
41. Plum Spooky (audio), Janet Evanovich, 6/10/09
40. Fleece Navidad, Maggie Sefton, 6/9/09
39. White Witch, Black Curse (audio), Kim Harrison, 6/4/09
38. Ghost at Work, Carolyn Hart, 6/2/09
37. Grave Sins, A Cin Craven Novel, Jenna Maclaine, 6/1/09

Books read in May:
36. Inkheart (audio), Cornelia Funke, 5/26/09
35. Wages of Sin, A Cin Craven Novel, Jenna Maclaine, 5/21/09
34. NightKeepers, A Novel of the Final Prophecy, Jessica Andersen, 5/18/09
33. Dissolution (audio), C. J. Sansom, 5/18/09
32. The Silver Needle Murder, Laura Childs, 5/17/09
31. Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun, Victoria Laurie, 5/5/09
30. 3rd Degree (audio), James Patterson w/Andrew Cross, 5/4/09
29. The Remains of the Dead, a Ghost Dusters Mystery, Wendy Roberts, 5/3/09

Books read in April:
28. Casting Spells, Barbara Bretton, 4/30/09
27. Blood Lite, an Anthology of Humorous Horror Stories, Charlaine Harris & Others, 4/28/09
26. Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (audio), James Patterson, 4/22/09
25. Bookmarked For Death, Lorna Barrett, 4/20/09
24. Magic Strikes, Ilona Andrews, 4/10/09
23. You're the One That I Haunt, Terri Garey, 4/8/09
22. Stay the Night, Lynn Viehl, 4/5/09

Books read in March:
21. Night Huntress, Yasmine Galenorn, 3/30/09
20. Dark Curse (audio), Christine Feehan, 3/29/09
19. Eggs in Purgatory (A Cackleberry Club Mystery), Laura Childs, 3/23/09
18. Promises in Death, J.D. Robb, 3/8/09
17. Ghost of a Chance, Yasmine Galenorn, 3/7/09
16. Defending Angels, Mary Stanton, 3/4/09
15. Size 12 is Not Fat (audio), Meg Cabot, 3/3/09

Books read in February:
14. Salvation in Death, J.D. Robb, 2/28/09
13. The Witch's Grave, Shirley Damsgaard, 2/27/09
12. Dark Night, Dark Dreams, Savannah Russe, 2/26/09
11. 2nd Chance (audio), James Patterson w/Andrew Cross, 2/26/09
10. Dark Possession (audio), Christine Feehan, 2/20/09
9. Dead After Dark, Kenyon, Ward, Squires, Love, 2/12/09
8. Maximum Ride: School's Out--Forever (audio), James Patterson, 2/9/09
7. 1st to Die (audio), James Patterson, 2/6/09

Books read in January:
6. Night of the Loving Dead, Casey Daniels, 1/31/09
5. The Death Dealer, Heather Graham, 1/23/09
4. CSI NY: Four Walls, Keith R.A. DeCandido, 1/20/09
3. CSI: Nevada Rose, Jerome Preisler, 1/15/09
2. Acheron, Sherrilyn Kenyon, 1/9/09
1. Mysteria Lane, Omnibus by P C Cast, Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Grant, and Gena Showalter, 1/2/09

Book Title, Author, Date Finished

Harry Potter, ghosts, mystery

I have finished listening to Harry Potter books 6 & 7. I laughed, I cried, and now I'm sad it ended. These are such great books! I have seen all the movies and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

I also finished reading "Dead Girls Are Easy" and "A Match Made in Hell" by Terri Garey. She is the author of paranormal comedies of life and death. Yes, it involves ghosts. I had not read any of her books and picked them up because the covers caught my TX daughter's eye. She showed them to me and after reading the back I thought I'd give them a try. They are great! I highly recommend them.

Next up on the list is "Deadly Night" by Heather Graham. (Yes, another paranormal thriller) What can I say, I like ghosts, vampires, and such. I also like mystery and sci-fi. I guess it depends on what mood I'm in as to what I want to read.

Some of my favorite mystery authors are Shirley Damsgaard (her books have mystery and witches!), Casey Daniels (mystery and ghosts), Cleo Coyle (mystery and coffee shop), Laura Childs (mystery and a tea room) and of course I read all the mystery books with knitting and yarn involved.

For Sci -fi books, I'd have to list all the Star Trek ones as a favorite. Anne McCaffrey's "Dragon Rider's of Pern" books, Frank Herbert's "Dune" books, and Marion Zimmer Bradley's books about Avalon are also way up on the top of my favorites list.

I read many authors and a wide variety of books and I guess they are too numerous to list. I could go on and on about books... It's another passion of mine!

Library day!

Being such an avid reader and a passionate knitter,

I had to come up with some way of reading and knitting. So I have started listening to books on cds while I knit. Yep, “killed two birds with one stone,” (well, not literally).

This week I got Sherrilyn Kenyon's, Devil May Cry; Dean Koontz's, Odd Thomas; Diane Mott Davidson's, Sweet Revenge; and Sandra Brown's, Chill Factor.

I have not read anything by Diane Mott Davidson but I like mysteries. Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of my favorite authors. I just bought Acheron (a huge, thick book!). I’ve been waiting months for that book to come out. My girlfriend in Kansas City recommended Odd Thomas. Since I use to read all of Dean Koontz’s books but haven’t lately, I thought I’d give it a try. I’ve been into reading mysteries and paranormal lately. I haven’t read many of Sandra Brown’s books but the few I have read I definitely enjoyed.

Another idea I thought about checking out is e-books. Has anyone tried the e-books? I wasn’t sure if it would be hard to read on a small screen or what kind of reader is needed. There is something new out, Amazon.com’s Kindle. I thought I’d check it out. One advantage to an e-book reader is you can load multiple books on it. Then I wouldn’t have the stack of books lying around. More room for yarn!!

So no, I haven’t given up reading the written word. There is nothing like loosing yourself in a good book. And I do take a book with me when I go out, “just in case I have to wait.”