My November Reading

Considering that my main reading focus remains Janny Wurts’ Wars of Light and Shadow series (of which I am up to book 4 and which I am still loving), I’m pleased with what I managed this month.

Seabiscuit was finished this month, but certainly wasn’t all read this month. It’s been my “take a break” book over the last few months and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. I will be reading Laura Hillenbrand’s new book, Unbroken, when life (and my reading schedule) eases up a bit.

As well as dragging me into the Wars of Light and Shadow, Beyond Reality is also to blame for me reading some short fiction this month (and next as well). I don’t usually find short stories an easy read and only pick ones that are filling in pieces of bigger series I already read. But the group has been picking 2 stories a month and so far I’ve managed to read them all. I found that if I copy the story off the internet and turn it into an ebook I can read on my phone I find it much easier to manage, so that is what I’ve been doing. So far, some have worked better for me than others, but I’m looking forward to continuing with the challenge. I’m not sure just when I read the shorts, so I’ve just added them to the end of the list (links are to the stories themselves, not to reviews.

1. Indulgence in Death – J. D. Robb (373pp)
   Eve Dallas, Book 38; Futuristic Mystery; eBook; 8/10
2. Seabiscuit – Laura Hillenbrand (453pp)
   Non-Fiction; 8/10
3. Bonds of Justice – Nalini Singh (348pp)
   Psy/Changeling, Book 8; Paranormal Romance; eBook; 8/10
4. Guardian of the Dead – Karen Healey (348pp)
   YA; Fantasy; New Zealand; 10/10
5. Fugitive Prince – Janny Wurts (576pp)
   Wars of Light and Shadow, Book 4; Fantasy; eBook; 10/10
6. How Do You Tuck in a Superhero? – Rachel Balducci (208pp)
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 6/10
7. Paper Cradle – Stephen Gaskell
   Short Story; Web/eBook; 6/10
8. A Study in Emerald – Neil Gaiman
   Short Story; Web; 7/10
9. Hokkaido Green – Aidan Doyle
   Short Story; Web/eBook; 5/10

Best book of the month = Fugitive Prince
Biggest disappointment of the month = Hokkaido Green

November Reading:
Books read this month = 6
Short Stories read this month = 3
Total reads this month = 9

10/10 reads this month = 1
DNFs this month = 0
New reads this month = 9
Rereads this month = 0
paper books : eBooks = 3 : 6 = 33.3 % : 66.6 %

Pages read this month = 1994

November Challenges Progress:
Flashback Reading Challenge = 0
Big Book Challenge = 1

November List Progress:
eBooks read = 6
SFF books read = 6
Library Books read = 1
Audiobooks listened to = 0

My October Reading

I got more read than I expected this month, so I’m pleased with that. I’m still loving The Wars of Light and Shadow and they are still taking up most of my reading time (and a lot of my available energy).

1. Son of the Shadows – Juliet Marillier (608pp)
   Sevenwaters, Book 2; Fantasy; 9/10
2. Whisper of Sin – Nalini Singh (unknown)
   Psy-Changeling, Book 8.5; Short Story; Paranormal Romance; 8/10
3. Here, There Be Monsters – Meljean Brook (unknown)
   The Iron Seas, Book 0.5; Short Story; Steampunk Romance; 8/10
4. Anatomy of an Epidemic – Robert Whitaker (416pp)
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 6/10
5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot (369pp)
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 10/10
6. Warhost of Vastmark – Janny Wurts (576pp)
   Wars of Light and Shadow, Book 3; Fantasy; 10/10
7. Tea with the Black Dragon – R. A. MacAvoy (176pp)
   Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 7/10
8. Cryoburn – Lois McMaster Bujold (345pp)
   Vorkosigan, Book 14; SF; 10/10
9. How to Fossilise Your Hamster – Mick O’Hare (256pp)
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; DNF
10. Ten Things I Love About You – Julia Quinn (377pp)
    Bevelstokes, Book 3; Romance; eBook; 7/10

Best book of the month = Warhost of Vastmark (Cryoburn was a very close second)
Biggest disappointment of the month = Tea With the Black Dragon (because it wasn’t as good as I remember, not because it was bad)

October Reading:
Books read this month = 7
Short Stories read this month = 2
Total reads this month = 9

10/10 reads this month = 2
DNFs this month = 1
New reads this month = 8
Rereads this month = 1
paper books : eBooks = 5 : 4 = 56 % : 44 %

Pages read this month = 2867

October Challenges Progress:
Flashback Reading Challenge = 1
Big Book Challenge = 1

October List Progress:
eBooks read = 4
SFF books read = 6
Library Books read = 2
Audiobooks listened to = 0

July 2010 Reading

Wow! I managed to read a decent number of books this month – and to “review” them too. All while also reading The Curse of the Mistwraith. So I’m feeling quite proud of myself, even if a lot of this month’s books were on the shorter side.

1. Pretty Polly – Barbara Hambly (unknown)
   Darwath; Short Story; Fantasy; 8/10
2. The Last Stormlord – Glenda Larke (674pp)
   Watergivers, Book 1; Fantasy; eBook; 9/10
3. Restoring Harmony – Joelle Anthony (320pp)
   YA; SF; Library Book; 6/10
4. Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi (160pp)
   Graphic Novel; Non Fiction; Library Book; 7/10
5. The Deadly Dinner Party – Dr Jonathan A. Edlow (264pp)
   Non Fiction; Library Book; 6/10
6. Dragon Prince – Melanie Rawn (576pp)
   Dragon Prince, Book 1; Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 9/10
7. The Fire King – Marjorie M. Liu (336pp)
   Dirk and Steele, Book 9; Paranormal Romance; eBook; 8/10
8. Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang – Kate Wilhelm (256pp)
   Science Fiction; Reread; 9/10
9. Scatterlings – Isobelle Carmody
   Children; SF; eBook; 7/10

Best book of the month = Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang
Biggest surprise of the month = Persepolis
Biggest disappointment of the month = Restoring Harmony

July Reading:
Books read this month = 8
Short Stories read this month = 1
Total reads this month = 9

10/10 reads this month = 0
DNFs this month = 0
New reads this month = 7
Rereads this month = 2
paper books : eBooks = 5 : 4  = 56 % : 44 %

Pages read this month = 674 + 320 + 160 = 264 + 576 + 336 + 256 + 238 = 2824

June Challenges Progress: 
Flashback Reading Challenge = 2
Big Book Challenge = 2

June List Progress: 
eBooks read = 5
SFF books read = 7
Library Books read = 3
Audiobooks listened to = 0

June 2010 Reading

Yes, technically there’s still one more day of June to go down in this part of the world but with three books on the go and none near completion, I might as well do this now and post it.

Right now I am reading SOOOOOO slowly. I’m not sure if it’s lack of time or that the actual reading process has slowed. I rather suspect it’s a combination of both. Therefore, not surprisingly, June was a poor reading month.

With a vague feeling that I’d been struggling this time last year as well, I took a look back at my 2009 monthly posts and found some interesting numbers. To make it more interesting I also wet back to my Library Thing account to find the numbers for 2008.

	2010	2009	2008
April	14	11	6
May	6	6	5
June	3	3	13
July		6	9
August		8	13

Looking at this, I don’t really know if it has any significance or not. It looked quite good until I added in the 2008 data. But it is worth noting that 2009 is the year Marcus started school and the demands on my time and energy went up markedly. My reading did pick up as the year went on, so I hope that happens again as the TBR has exploded out of control and is now up to 65 books, which is huge for me.

So here you go, my 3 measly books read in June this year.

1. Saltation – Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (400pp)
   Liaden Universe, Book 12; SF; 8/10
2. Doctor Who: The Writer’s Tale (The Final Chapter) – Russell T. Davies and Benjamin Cook (768pp)
   Media; Non-Fiction; Library Book; DNF
3. Local Custom – Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (320pp)
   Liaden Universe, Book 1; SF; 9/10
4. Feed – Mira Grant (608 pages)
   Newsflesh, Book 1; SF; Library Book; 9/10

Best book of the month = Local Custom
Biggest surprise of the month = Feed
Biggest disappointment of the month = Doctor Who: The Writer’s Tale

June Reading:
Books read this month = 3
Short Stories read this month = 0
Total reads this month = 3

10/10 reads this month = 0
DNFs this month = 1
New reads this month = 2
Rereads this month = 1
paper books : eBooks = 1 : 2  = 33 % : 66 %

Pages read this month = 400 + 320 + 608 = 1328

June Challenges Progress: 
Flashback Reading Challenge = 1
Big Book Challenge = 1
Once Upon a Time IV Challenge = 0

June List Progress: 
eBooks read = 2
SFF books read = 3
Library Books read = 1
Audiobooks listened to = 0

May 2010 Reading

Yes, I acknowledge that this post is a month late. I do apologise for that. I have no excuse beyond the usual one: bad health and lack of energy.

It was an interesting reading month. One clear favourite came through in the shape of Robin McKinley’s Sunshine,  which was one of those books that I didn’t know why I hadn’t read, but I just hadn’t. I picked it up this month and was blown away by it. I returned my library copy, only to go online and order a copy for myself. I paid a little extra to get exactly the format and cover I wanted. (Deerskin currently remains on the TBR.)

The biggest surprise of the month was Deborah Blum’s book about the development of chemical forensics in New York in the 1920s. It was on the “look at this” display shelf at the library and I picked it up out of curiosity. As soon as I started reading I was hooked as she related the development of new chemical tests for poisons to cases of the time and the lives of two of the men most closely involved. I’m very glad I picked this one up.

I continue with my grand total of zero for audiobooks this year. I just can’t manage them as all I do is fall asleep and then can never find the place where I stopped following the story and started phasing out. I’ve been listening to podcasts instead, which are marginally better if only because they are shorter, meaning I can get one finished in a few nights.

1. Sunshine – Robin McKinley (389pp)
   Fantasy; Library Book; 10/10
2. Fledgling – Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (384pp)
   Liaden Universe, Book 11; SF; eBook; 8/10
3. The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York – Deborah Blum (336pp)
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 9/10
4. The Tender Leaves – Essie Summers (188pp)
   Romance; Reread; 8/10
5. Devil to Pay (in the anthology Four Dukes and a Devil) – Jeannine Frost (unknown)
   Night Huntress World; Paranormal Romance; Short Story; 7/10
6. Through Violet Eyes – Stephen Woodworth (368pp)
   Violets, Book 1; SF; Mystery; Reread; eBook; 7/10
7. With Red Hands – Stephen Woodworth (336pp)
   Violets, Book 2; SF; Mystery; eBook; 7/10

Best book of the month = Sunshine
Biggest disappointment of the month = none

May Reading:
Books read this month = 6
Short Stories read this month = 1
Total reads this month = 7

10/10 reads this month = 1
DNFs this month = 0
New reads this month = 4
Rereads this month = 2
paper books : eBooks = 3 : 3  = 50 % : 50 %

Pages read this month = 389 + 384 + 336 + 188 + 368 + 336 = 2001

May Challenges Progress: 
Flashback Reading Challenge = 2 
Big Book Challenge = 0
Once Upon a Time IV Challenge = 1

May List Progress: 
eBooks read = 3
SFF books read = 4
Library Books read = 2
Audiobooks listened to = 0

April 2010 Reading

Considering how I’ve been feeling this month, I was surprised at how many books I read this month (although I did note that the page count was down from March, so I must have read shorter books this month). There were also two I skimmed very quickly to pick up the major plot points without reading the whole story, that that bumped things up too. All the same, I’m very pleased with myself. Still now reviews though, I’m sorry. I will try to get one done on Many Waters in the next few days since that’s for a specific challenge.

1. The Ivory and the Horn – Charles de Lint (338pp)
   Newford, Book 6; Urban Fantasy; eBook; 7/10
2. Except the Queen – Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder (371pp)
   Fantasy; Library Book; DNF
3. A Civil Campaign – Lois McMaster Bujold (405pp)
   Vorkosigan, Book 12; SF; eBook; Reread; 9/10
4. Winterfair Gifts – Lois McMaster Bujold (71pp)
   Vorkosigan, Book 12.5; SF; eBook; Reread; 9/10
5. Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones (304pp)
   Wizard Howl, Book 1; Fantasy; Children; Library Book; 8/10
6. At Grave’s End – Jeaniene Frost (342pp)
   Night Huntress, Book 3; Urban Fantasy; eBook; 8/10
7. Aiden’s Charity – Lora Leigh (223pp)
   Breeds, Book 11; Erotic Romance; Paranormal; eBook; 6/10
8. Jacob’s Faith – Lora Leigh (257pp)
   Breeds, Book 12; Erotic Romance; Paranormal; eBook; 5/10
9. Seeker – Jack McDevitt (384pp)
   Alex Benedict, Book 3; SF; eBook; 8/10
10. Silver Borne – Patricia Briggs (342pp)
    Mercedes Thompson, Book 5; Urban Fantasy; 10/10
11. Heart Mate – Robin D. Owens (340pp)
    Celta, Book 1; Fantasy; Romance; Reread; eBook; 7/10
12. The Girl Who Chased the Moon – Sarah Addison Allen (269pp)
    Magic Realism, Library Book; 7/10
13. Chicks Dig Time Lords – Tara O’Shea and Lynne M. Thomas (eds) (192pp)
    Non-Fiction; Media; 7/10
14. The Iron King – Julie Kagawa (363pp)
    Iron Fey, Book 1; YA; Fantasy; eBook; 7/10
15. Diplomatic Immunity – Lois McMaster Bujold (211pp)
    Vorkosigan, book 13; SF; eBook; Reread; 8/10
16. Many Waters – Madeleine L’Engle (310pp)
    Time Quintet, Book 4; Children; SF/Fantasy; Reread; 7/10

Best book of the month = Silver Borne
Biggest disappointment of the month = Jacob’s Faith and Aiden’s Charity

April Reading:
Books read this month = 14
Short Stories read this month = 1
Total reads this month = 15

10/10 reads this month = 1
DNFs this month = 1
New reads this month = 9
Rereads this month = 6
paper books : eBooks = 5 : 10  = 33 % : 66 %

Pages read this month = 338 + 405 + 71 + 304 + 342 + 223 + 257 + 384 + 342 + 340 + 269 + 192 + 363 + 211 + 310 = 4351

April Challenges Progress: 
Flashback Reading Challenge = 6
Big Book Challenge = 0
Once Upon a Time IV Challenge = 8

April List Progress: 
eBooks read = 10
SFF books read = 12
Library Books read = 2
Audiobooks listened to = 0

March 2010 Reading

1. Prophecy: Child of Earth – Elizabeth Haydon (736pp)
   Symphony of Ages, Book 2; Fantasy; 9/10
2. Blackout – Connie Willis (491pp)
   SF; eBook; 8/10
3. Fantasy in Death – J. D. Robb (368pp)
   Eve Dallas, Book 37; Futuristic; eBook; 8/10
4. Shalador’s Lady – Anne Bishop (448pp)
   Black Jewels, Book 8; Fantasy; 10/10
5. Devil Bones – Kathy Reichs (310 pp)
   Temperance Brennan, Book 11; Mystery; eBook; 6/10
6. The Dead and the Gone – Susan Beth Pfeffer (321pp)
   Moon Crash, Book 2; YA; SF; Library Book; 7/10
7. Memory – Lois McMaster Bujold (345pp)
   Vorkosigan, Book 9; SF; Reread; eBook; 10/10
8. Komarr – Lois McMaster Bujold (320pp)
   Vorkosigan, Book 10; SF; Reread; eBook; 9/10
9. Enchanted Glass – Diana Wynne Jones (331pp)
   YA; Fantasy; 8/10
10. Archangel’s Kiss – Nalini Singh (352pp)
    Guild Hunter, Book 2; Fantasy; Romance; 8/10
11. Acheron (Part II) – Sherrilyn Kenyon (293pp)
    Dark-Hunters, Book 15; partial read; Reread; eBook; 7/10
12. A Swiftly Tilting Planet – Madeleine L’Engle (278pp)
    Time Quintet, Book 3; Children; SF; Reread; 10/10
13. The American Heiress – Dorothy Eden (218pp)
    Fiction; Library Book; 7/10
14. The Women of Nell Gwynne’s – Kage Baker (122pp)
    SF; Novella; Library Book; 6/10
15. The Line – Teri Hall (220pp)
    The Line, Book 1; YA; SF; Library Book; 7/10

Best book of the month = Shalador’s Lady
Biggest disappointment of the month = Devil Bones

March Reading:
Books read this month =  13
Short Stories read this month = 2
Total reads this month = 15

10/10 reads this month = 3
DNFs this month = 0
New reads this month = 10
Rereads this month = 5
paper books : eBooks = 9 : 6  = 60 % : 40 %

Pages read this month = 736 + 491 + 368 + 448 + 310 + 321 + 345 + 320 + 331 + 352 + 293 + 278 + 218 + 122 + 220 = 5153

March Challenges Progress: 
Flashback Reading Challenge = 5
Big Book Challenge = 1
Once Upon a Time IV Challenge = 2

March List Progress: 
eBooks read = 6
SFF books read = 13
Library Books read = 4
Audiobooks listened to = 0

February 2010 Reading

I had really hoped I might get caught up with reviews before posting my February reading, but it’s almost the end of March now, and it just isn’t going to happen. As always, I started the year with great hope that I’d keep up. It’s nice to be able to share my thoughts on the books I read. But I haven’t been feeling well and I can’t manage it at the moment. I will try to get a bit further caught up, but I’m going to post this before I have two full months worth of reading waiting in my drafts instead of just one.

1. The Ask and the Answer – Patrick Ness (519pp)
   Chaos Walking, Book 2; YA SF; 8/10
2. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie – Alan Bradley (304pp)
   Flavia de Luce, Book 1; Mystery; Library Book; 7/10
3. Doctor Who: The Writer’s Tale – Russell T. Davies and Benjamin Cook (512 pp)
   Non-Fiction; Media; Library Book; 9/10
4. Doubleblind – Ann Aguirre (320pp)
   Sirantha Jax, Book 3; SF; eBook; 8/10
5. Magic Under Glass – Jaclyn Dolamore (240pp)
   Fantasy; YA'; Library Book; 7/10
6. A Wind in the Door – Madeleine L’Engle (203pp)
   Time Quintet, Book 2; Children; SF; Reread; 7/10
7. This Alien Shore – C. S. Friedman (576pp)
   SF; 9/10
8. Life As We Knew It – Susan Beth Pfeffer (352pp)
   Moon Crash, Book 1; SF; YA; Library Book; 9/10
9. Ace of Cakes – Duff Goldman (256pp)
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 7/10

Best book of the month = This Alien Shore
Biggest disappointment of the month = The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

February Reading:
Books read this month = 9
Short Stories read this month = 0
Total reads this month = 9

10/10 reads this month = 0
DNFs this month = 0
New reads this month = 8
Rereads this month = 1
paper books : eBooks = 7 : 2 = 78 % : 22 %

Pages read this month = 519 + 304 + 512 + 320 + 240 +203 + 576 + 352 + 256 = 3282

February Challenges Progress:
Flashback Reading Challenge = 1
Big Book Challenge = 3
Sci Fi Experience = 6

February List Progress:
eBooks read = 1
SFF books read = 5
Library Books read = 5
Audiobooks listened to = 0

January Reading Round-Up

1. Earth’s Magic – Pamela F. Service (240pp)
   New Magic, Book 3; Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy; eBook; 7/10
2. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming – Patricia Briggs (168pp)
   Mercy Thompson, Book 0; Urban Fantasy; Graphic Novel; Library Book; 7/10
3. The Compass Rose – Gail Dayton (464pp)
   The One Rose, Book 1; Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 8/10
4. The Knife of Never Letting Go – Patrick Ness (479pp)
   Chaos Walking, Book 1; YA SF; Library Book; 9/10
5. The Barbed Rose – Gail Dayton (448pp)
   The One Rose, Book 2; Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 7/10
6. The Eternal Rose – Gail Dayton (400pp)
   The One Rose, Book 3; Fantasy; eBook; 8/10
7. Raising Boys – Steve Biddulph
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 7/10
8. Mirror Dance – Lois McMaster Bujold (592pp)
   Vorkosigan, Book 9; Science Fiction; eBook; Reread; 10/10
9. A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle (184pp)
   Time Quintet, Book 1; Children; SF; Reread; 9/10
10. Wolfe’s Hope – Lora Leigh (29 pp)
    Breeds, Book 10; Short Story; Erotic Romance; 5/10
11. Jacob’s Faith – Lora Leigh (257 pp)
    Breeds, Book 11; Erotic Romance; DNF

Best book of the month =  The Knife of Never Letting Go
Biggest disappointment of the month = Wolfe’s Hope

January Reading:
Books read this month = 9
Short Stories read this month = 1
Total reads this month = 10

10/10 reads this month = 1 
DNFs this month = 1
New reads this month = 6
Rereads this month = 4
paper books : eBooks = 4 : 6  = 40 % : 60 %

Pages read this month = 240 + 168 = 464 + 479 + 448 + 400 + 216 + 592 + 184 + 29 = 3220

January Challenges Progress: 
Flashback Reading Challenge = 4
Big Book Challenge = 1
Sci Fi Experience = 3

January List Progress: 
eBooks read = 6
SFF books read = 8
Library Books read = 2
Audiobooks listened to = 0

December 2009 Reading

I don’t think I’m quite going to make it to 100 books this year, but given how much I struggled to read during the year, I’m not unhappy about that.

I’m rereading Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan series with the Beyond Reality group on Goodreads and really enjoying it. I have so many books I remember fondly that I’d like to reread and I’m feeling pretty burnt out of a lot of the genre new releases that I’m thinking of doing some serious rereading in 2010. It helps that a lot of old favourites are starting to come out as ebooks which I find much easier to read, so that’s an added incentive.

1. Cetaganda – Gail Lois McMaster Bujold
   Vorkosigan, Book 5; Science Fiction; eBook; Reread; 8/10
2. Ethan of Athos – Lois McMaster Bujold
   Vorkosigan, Book 6; Science Fiction; eBook; Reread; 7/10
3. Missing in Death – J. D. Robb (in the anthology The Lost)
   Eve Dallas, Book 36; Futuristic Mystery; eBook; 6/10
4. Boneshaker – Cherie Priest
   Steampunk; Library Book; DNF
5. Heart Change – Robin D. Owens
   Celta, Book 8; Fantasy; Romance; eBook; 7/10
6. Brothers in Arms – Lois McMaster Bujold
   Vorkosigan, Book 7; Science Fiction; eBook; Reread; 9/10
7. The Devil in Winter – Lisa Kleypas
   Wallflowers, Book 3; Romance; eBook; 8/10
8. Tanner’s Scheme – Lora Leigh
   Breeds, Book 9; Paranormal; eBook; 7/10
9. Daughter of the Blood – Anne Bishop
   Black Jewels, Book 1; Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 10/10
10. Heir to the Shadows – Anne Bishop
    Black Jewels, Book 2; Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 10/10
11. Queen of the Darkness – Anne Bishop
    Black Jewels, Book 3; Fantasy; eBook; Reread: 10/10

Best book of the month = Queen of the Darkness
Biggest disappointment of the month = Missing in Death

December Reading:
Books read this month = 10
DNFs this month = 1
10/10 reads this month = 3
New reads this month = 4
Rereads this month = 6
paper books : eBooks = 1 : 9 = 10% : 90%

December Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge = 10
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 0 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 3 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 0
eBook Reading Challenge = 9 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)

December Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 7
Audiobooks listened to = 0

November 2009 Reading

1. Soulless – Gail Carriger
   Paranormal; eBook; 7/10
2. Christmas Angel for the Billionaire – Liz Fielding
   Category Romance; eBook; 8/10
3. Blaze of Memory – Nalini Singh
   Psy/Changeling, Book 7; Paranormal Romance; eBook; 9/10
4. Bones to Ashes – Kathy Reichs
   Temperance Brennan, Book 10; Mystery; eBook; 7/10
5. Daughter of the Forest – Juliet Marillier
   Sevenwaters, Book 1; Fantasy; Library Book; 9/10
6. Nightlife – Rob Thurman
   Cal Leandros, Book 1; Urban Fantasy; eBook; 9/10
7. Barrayar – Lois McMaster Bujold
   Vorkosigan, Book 2; SF; eBook; Reread; 10/10
8. The Warrior’s Apprentice – Lois McMaster Bujold
   Vorkosigan, Book 3; SF; eBook; Reread; 9/10
9. Leviathan – Scott Westerfield
   YA; Library Book; 8/10
10. Kindred in Death – J. D. Robb
    Eve Dallas, Book 35; Mystery; Library Book; 8/10

Best book of the month = Daughter of the Forest 
Biggest disappointment of the month = Soulless

November Reading:
Books read this month =  10
DNFs this month = 0
10/10 reads this month = 1
New reads this month = 8
Rereads this month = 2
paper books : eBooks = 3 :7 = 30% : 70%

November Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge = 10
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 3 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 2 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 1
eBook Reading Challenge = 7 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)

November Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 7
Audiobooks listened to = 0

Reading posts for October

It’s taken me several hours, but I have finally got all my reading posts for the year sorted out and up to date. I was trying to reuse the layout of an earlier month in Live Writer when I updated and I’ve finally worked out that doing it that way meant I actually overwrote the earlier post. I now know that I need to start a new post and copy and paste instead.

Then I had where my reading challenge lists and my monthly lists didn’t match up. Now they do. I realise this doesn’t bother anyone on the entire planet except me, but since this is my blog, I needed to get it all fixed.

So finally, here’s my measly reading stats for October.

October 2009 Reading

1. Harrowing the Dragon – Patricia A. McKillip
   Fantasy; eBook; 7/10
2. To Ride Hell’s Chasm – Janny Wurts
   Fantasy; Library Book; 6/10
3. Harmony’s Way – Lora Leigh
   Breeds, Book 8; Erotic Romance; eBook; 7/10
4. The Changeover – Margaret Mahy
   YA; Paranormal; Library Book; DNF
5. Angels’ Judgement in Must Love Hellhounds – Charlaine Harris et al. 
   Guild Hunters, Book 1.5; Urban Fantasy; 8/10

Best book of the month = Harrowing the Dragon
Biggest disappointment of the month = To Ride Hell’s Chasm

October Reading:
Books read this month = 4
DNFs this month = 1
10/10 reads this month = 0
New reads this month = 4
Rereads this month = 0
paper books : eBooks = 2 : 2 = 50% : 50%

October Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge = 3
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 1 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 1 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 0
eBook Reading Challenge = 2 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)
Patricia A. McKillip Reading Challenge = 1 (Challenge Completed 5-10-09)

October Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 4
Audiobooks listened to = 0

Cumulative Totals – October 2009

2009 Reading:
Books read for 2009 = 81
DNFs for 2009 = 10
10/10 for 2009 = 9
New reads for 2009 = 67
Rereads for 2009 = 8
paper books : eBooks = 39 : 36 = 52% : 48%

2009 Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge = 76
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 21 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 17 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 8
eBook Reading Challenge = 35 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)

2009 Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 49
Audiobooks listened to = 6

Completed 2009 Challenges
Once Upon a Time III Challenge = 7 (Books Component Completed 22-04-09; Challenge Ended 20-6-09 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream unwatched. Result = Failed, but only just)
Patricia A. McKillip Reading Challenge = 3 (Challenge Completed 5-10-09)

September 2009 Reading

Okay, after messing up posting the August reading list, can I get September right? Maybe if I wait until November to post it.

1. Memory and Dream – Charles de Lint
   Newford, Book 5; Urban Fantasy; eBook; 8/10
2. Does Anything Eat Wasps – New Scientist
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 8/10
3. Seeing Eye in Strange Brew – Patricia Briggs et al
   Paranormal Romance; Library Book; 8/10
4. Silent on the Moor – Deanna Raybourn
   Lady Julia Grey, Book 3; Mystery; Library Book; 7/10
5. Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze – New Scientist
   Non-Fiction; Library Book; 7/10
6. The Shadow Queen – Anne Bishop
   Black Jewels, Book 7; Fantasy; 10/10
7. The Long Run – Daniel Keys Moran
   The Continuing Time, Book 2; SF; eBook; 7/10
8. Hunting Ground – Patricia Briggs
   Alpha and Omega, Book 2; Urban Fantasy; 8/10
9. To Say Nothing of the Dog – Connie Willis
   SF; 7/10
10. The Little White Horse – Elizabeth Goudge
    Children; Audiobook; Reread; DNF
11. The Mummy Case – Elizabeth Peters
    Amelia Peabody, Book 3; Mystery; eBook; 7/10

Best book of the month = The Shadow Queen 
(love this series, love this book, love the world and love the characters)
Worst book of the month = 
(nothing bad enough to call “worst”)
Biggest disappointment of the month = The Long Run or To Say Nothing of the Dog
(both were still good reads, but expected to like them more than I did)

September Reading:
Books read this month = 10
DNFs this month = 1
10/10 reads this month = 1
New reads this month = 10
Rereads this month = 0
% paper books : % eBooks = 70 : 30

May Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge = 9
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 3 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 0 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 0
eBook Reading Challenge = 3 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)
Patricia A. McKillip Reading Challenge = 0

May Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 6
Audiobooks listened to = 0

August 2009 Reading

Edited yet again: I think I see where I've messed up. I suspect I just overwrote the July reading post with the August reading post. It is already past my bedtime, so I'm going to leave the mess as it is for now an try to fix it all up tomorrow. Sorry everyone.

Better late than never when it comes to posting this. At least it isn’t quite the end of September yet.

ETA: I didn't realise I'd already posted this (I think, I'm quite confused about the whole thing now), but I've added a few small comments and the month's one DNF to the list, so I'll post it again as a new post anyway.

Another slow month for me, but I am reading, which is the most important thing.

1. Angels’ Blood – Nalini Singh
   Guild Hunters, Book 1; Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy; 10/10
2. The Invisible Ring – Anne Bishop
   Black Jewels, Book 4; Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 10/10
3. The Stars Blue Yonder – Sandra McDonald
   Seven Sisters, Book 3; SF; Library Book; 9/10
4. Diamond Star – Catherine AsaroSkolian Saga, Book 13; SF; 10/10
   Review here
5. Scales of Gold – Dorothy Dunnett
   House of Niccolo, Book 4; Historical Fiction; DNF
   I still want to read this, but it just isn't what I can manage at the moment, so I'm marking it as a DNF and I'll go back to it some other time.
6. Glory in Death – J. D. Robb
   Eve and Roarke, Book 2; Futuristic Mystery; Reread; 8/10
7. Swan for the Money – Donna Andrews
   Meg Langslow, Book 11; Cozy Mystery; Library Book; 7/10
8. Break No Bones – Kathy Reichs
   Temperance Brennan, Book 9; Mystery; eBook; 7/10
9. Silent in the Sanctuary– Deanna Raybourn
   Lady Julia Grey, Book 2; Historical Mystery; eBook; 6/10
   ** spoiler alert ** I find myself vaguely unstaisfied by the ending, as one character seems to have "gotten away with it". While kind of realistic, it doesn't feel right. I wonder if this will ever be mentioned again or just let drop. I hope it gets resolved.

August Reading:
Books read this month = 8
DNFs this month = 1
10/10 reads this month = 3
New reads this month = 6
Rereads this month = 2
% paper books : % eBooks = 5 : 3

May Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge = 8
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 2 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 0 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 0
eBook Reading Challenge = 3 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)
Patricia A. McKillip Reading Challenge = 0

May Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 4
Audiobooks listened to = 0

May 2009 Reading

Better late than never, here are my May reading statistics. Much to my frustration, I’m still struggling to read (and June has been even worse than May) and my totals are significantly down on other months. Oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it but hope that it passes.

1. Monday Mourning – Kathy Reichs 
   Temperance Brennan, Book 7; Mystery; 7/10
2. The Initiate – Louise Cooper
   The Time Master Trilogy, Book 1; Fantasy; eBook; Reread; 8/10
3. Georgette Heyer’s Regency World – Jennifer Kloester
   Audiobook; 7/10
4. Undercover – Lauren Dane
   Romance; eBook; DNF
5. The Penderwicks – Jeanne Birdsall
   Childrens; Library Book; 8/10
6. Cross Bones – Kathy Reichs
   Temperance Brennan, Book 8; Mystery; DNF
7. It Happened One Autumn – Lisa Kelypas
   Wallflowers, Book 2; Romance; eBook; 7/10
8. Madam, Will You Talk? – Mary Stewart
   Romantic Suspense; 9/10

Best book of the month = Madam, Will You Talk?

May Reading:
Books read this month = 6
DNFs this month = 2
10/10 reads this month = 0
New reads this month = 5
Rereads this month = 1
% paper books : % eBooks = 60 : 40 

May Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge =  6
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 1 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 1 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 0
eBook Reading Challenge = 2 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)
Patricia A. McKillip Reading Challenge = 0
Once Upon a Time III Challenge = 1 (Books Completed 22-4-09) 

May Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 1
Audiobooks listened to = 1

April 2009 Reading

Once again, I find myself unable to write reviews. All the same, I had an interesting reading month. Several romances when I didn’t feel like reading anything challenging (I chose non-challenging romances deliberately) and some fantasy for the Once Upon a Time III reading challenge. Nothing blew me away in April, but nothing was really awful either.

Of my seven reading challenges, I have two fully completed and two partially completed (I’ve read 12 library books, which is the level of challenge I committed to, but I’ll see if I can hit the next level which is 25 and I’ve completed 5 fantasy books for Once Upon a Time III but still have A Midsummer Night’s Dream to watch).

Cumulative totals for the year so far are over on Lists and Such.

1. Alphabet of Thorn – Patricia A. McKillip
   Fantasy; eBook; 9/10
2. The Forest of Hands and Teeth – Carrie Ryan
   YA Fantasy; Library Book; 5/10
3. Born in Fire – Nora Roberts
   Concannon Sisters, Book 1; Romance; eBook; 8/10
4. Smooth Talking Stranger – Lisa Kleypas
   Contemporary Romance; Library Book; 8/10
5. The Night Bird – Catherine Asaro
   The Lost Continent, Book 5; Fantasy; 9/10
6. Do Polar Bears Get Lonely? – New Scientist
   Non-Fiction; 9/10
7. Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels – Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan
   Non-Fiction; eBook; 8/10
8. Silver on the Tree – Susan Cooper
   The Dark is Rising, Book 4; Children’s Fantasy; Audiobook; Reread; 7/10
9. Born in Ice – Nora Roberts
   Concannon Sisters, Book 2; Romance; eBook; 8/10
10. Megan’s Mark – Lora Leigh
    Breeds, Book 7; Paranormal Romance; Reread; eBook; 7/10
11. Giants of the Frost – Kim Wilkins
    Fantasy; eBook; 7/10

Best book of the month = Alphabet of Thorn
Worst book of the month = In the Forest of Hands and Teeth
Disappointment of the month = Giants of the Frost

April Reading:
Books read this month = 11
DNFs this month = 0
10/10 reads this month = 0
New reads this month = 9
Rereads this month = 2
% paper books : % eBooks = 40 : 60

April Challenges Progress:
100+ Reading Challenge = 11
Support Your Local Library Challenge = 2 (Stage 1 Completed 3-04-09)
Romance Reading Challenge = 5 (Challenge Completed 25-02-09)
YA Reading Challenge = 1
eBook Reading Challenge = 6 (Challenge Completed 24-02-09)
Patricia A. McKillip Reading Challenge = 1
Once Upon a Time III Challenge = 5 (Books Completed 22-4-09)

April Non-Challenges Progress:
SF/Fantasy books read = 5
Audiobooks listened to = 1

March Reading

I’ve posted my March reading list and cumulative reading totals over on Lists and Such.

Sadly, I didn’t get everything I read reviewed in March, but since I’ve been firmly told to reduce all stress possible as part of managing my CFS, I decided to post the list regardless. Otherwise I’d be stressing about getting caught up with the reviews, which is exactly not the point. If I get them done (and I’d especially like to do reviews for Lear’s Daughters and The Ordinary Princess) then I’ll add in the links later.

I read 10 books in March (and considering Lear’s Daughters was 750 pages, I’m very happy with that) and had one DNF. That was Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, which I received for the Bloggers Christmas exchange swap. I read about a third of it and couldn’t figure out why I was feeling so ambivalent about it, until I realised none of the characters were likeable and I wasn’t interested in continuing with them. It was a disappointment as it looked like such a good book.

A read a lot of library books this month, swinging my paper : ebook ratio back towards paper books. We’ll see what effect my April reading has on it.

I’m still on track with all my challenges, with two finished out of seven and I’m still feeling confident I should finish them in plenty of time. All the same, in the name of reducing stress as ordered, I’m just going to read what I feel like and what I can manage and we’ll see what happens.

My total number of books read so far for the year is 33, with 27 of those being new reads and 6 being rereads. I now have 3 books rated 10/10, all read this month, of which one was a new read (Lear’s Daughters) and two were rereads (The Grey King and The Ordinary Princess).

Monthly Reading Totals Posted

Now that I’ve got my book reviews up to date, I’ve posted my February reading list over on Lists and Such. Also up are my cumulative totals for the year so far.

Interesting things of note:

• I’ve finished my first challenge for 2009, with the eBook Reading Challenge. I needed to read 10 books in the year and I completed that on 24th February when I finished The Eye of Night. I’ve now read 11 eBooks so far this year.
• Out of curiosity, I’ve kept track of my ratio of paper books to eBooks read. I’ve always plucked a figure of 50/50 out of the air for how much I read of each. So far, that seems to be holding true with my ratio after two months sitting at 45 : 55 (that’s paper : e).
• I haven’t kept track, but just worked out because I wanted to know, that of the 45% reading of paper books, that’s 2 of mine (both hardcover new releases by “keeper” authors) and 7 borrowed, mostly from the library. So the ratio of paper : e for books that belong to me is more like 13 : 87, which is kind of scary for a bibliophile, as much as I love eBooks.

January 2009 Reading

Rather than posting everything twice, I’ll just add a link here. My list of January 2009 Reading is now up on Lists and Such.

My July Reading

Not a bad month, although it bottomed out a bit at the end. I think it may
be partly me as I'm struggling with reading right now.

1. The Life of the World to Come - Kage Baker (10/10)
SF. My favourite so far in the Company series. I am still loving this.
Just waiting for the last one to arrive from Amazon so that I can read the
last two. Saving up the second to last until the last one arrives.

2. Soul Song - Marjorie M. Liu (9/10)
Paranormal Romance. Another great story from Liu, who can do really dark
and nasty villains without going over the top and the story always triumphs
over the villains. Hard to explain, but they have grim components without
being at all grim books (but not light and fluffy either) which not many
authors can do.

3. The Bone Doll's Twin - Lynn Flewelling (9/10)
Fantasy. I really enjoyed this, which while dark in places, was a really
good story. I haven't felt quite like reading the second one yet, but I'm
sure I will, as it's a very good tale.

4. The Children of the Company - Kage Baker (9/10)
SF. Very interesting addition as it focussed on the antagonists of some
previous books and filled in the fates of several characters that were
currently unknown. Another excellent volume.

5. Gods and Pawn - Kage Baker (9/10)
SF. Short stories in the Company universe. Both some completely stand
alone tales and some that fill in more interesting points. I find it
impressive that Baker pulls of short stories and full length novels equally
well.

6. Safe Harbor - Christine Feehan (8/10)
Paranormal Romance. A nice story, neatly told. An improvement over the
last volume I in the series (which I liked but required a serious suspension
of disbelief). This one was more realistic - as far as you can call a book
with witches, magic, the Russian mafia and super models realistic!

7. Dark Lover - J. R. Ward (9/10)
Vampire Romance. Reread. I decided to reread this series in preperation of
the next book coming out in October. It is totally over the top and should
be ridiculous, but it works. Great fun.

8. Fatal Voyage - Kathy Reichs (9/10)
Crime. I find Reichs very easy to read and can usually knock on off in a
day or two. I save her up for when I really need a break from other stuff
I've been reading. She's my palate cleanser I guess and as always, the book
did the job perfectly.

9. Persuasion - Jane Austen (9/10)
Classic. I've wanted to read this ever since I saw the movie. I bought a
copy and the print was so small I couldn't cope with reading it. Recently I
bought an ebook copy so I could make the print whatever size I liked and it
worked a charm. I loved the book. And now I want to watch the movie again.

10. Night Life - Elizabeth Guest (5/10)
Paranormal Romance. A clever variation on vampires that was totally ruined
by poor writing. Cardboard characters and everything very flat. It would
have been a waste of my time, except that I was sick and skimming this was
about all I was up to.

I had a couple of DNFs this month, both of which were really Did Not Starts.
I couldn't get going with either; in one case I think it was me and not
being in the mood, with the other it may be the book.

1. Wildwood Dancing - Juliet Marillier
Fantasy. This is a loose retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses about
five sisters and I think I just wasn't in the mood. I still think it sounds
very interesting and will give it another go some time.

2. Divine by Mistake - P. C. Cast
Fantasy Romance. This has all the components I should like, but I just
couldn't get into it. Not sure if I can take a whole book of the tone
either. May give it another try or may not.

Current Reads are

1. Ship of Destiny - Robin Hobb
Fantasy. Need to get back to reading this but I got worried about the
characters and stopped.

2. Northern Lights - Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romantic Suspense. Audiobook. I'm enjoying this and it's good
to be listening to a book again.

3. Over Sea, Under Stone - Susan Cooper
Children's Fantasy. Reread. After struggling with my last few books, I
looked around the shelves until my eyes lit on something I was drawn to.
This was it. After seeing a trailer for the upcoming "The Dark is Rising"
film which makes it look like the books have been totally destroyed, I
reflected that I might need to reread the books instead. I'm reading the
first one anyway. And loving it all over again.