What I'm Reading Monday: Black Heart

I have been reading a bit this week.  Some for fun, some for class.  I felt very successful when I logged onto Goodreads twice to mark books as completed!

 

Nope, this was not one of the books I was able to finish.  I did read about a chapter or so while I was waiting for appointments and what not during the week.  All I know is that after this book I have two or three more in the series to read.  I think it is going to take me forever!

For my class I actually had one of the readings for the week from this book!  Of course the reading was Chapter 5 or something ridiculous.  I very much like to read and do things in order, and this was very out of order for me.

I finished Fables 14!  I enjoyed it up until the last two sections.  I felt like they had come out of no where and didn't really tie into the rest of the Witches part of the book.  It lead me to wonder if it is going to tie in with the next book (which I have pulled and waiting for me but not started yet) or if it truely was just a look inside another part of the Fables world.

I finished this book up and I was guessing who the killer was until the end.  I loved it.  Kellee was right that I would want to start the final book right away.  It stopped at such a cliff hanger that I almost thought I had one more chapter to go on the CD.

 

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So the next day I started Black Heart.  I have gotten about an hour into it and Cassel's troubles are starting up again.  This poor kid can't catch a break.

I will be able to meet my Goodreads goal this year.  I can not remember what my original goal was last year but I had to lower it as I would have never reached it.  This year I wanted to read 50 books and I am about 6-8 books away from reaching my goal.  I still have three months to keep reading to exceed my goal!!  Since I have started listening to audiobooks my reading has increased 10 fold.  I no longer feel like I am wasting time driving to work and back everyday.  It still takes just as long but I don't feel like it takes as long as it does.

Happy Monday and hope this is the last full week before Jon owns a house!  I have to keep telling myself that so it will start to feel real.

What I'm Reading Monday: Out of the Sky and back on Land

I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record and that I keep ignoring my blog.  And I continue to say that I think I have a new plan to get it under control.  Well I am not going to make any promises, but I am all moved into the new office so maybe I can start working on the blog during lunch time again.

Anyhoo, on to what you really came here for today.  Books!

I have managed to read about 1/2 a chapter over the last two weeks!  Go me?  I have been much distracted by the other articles that I have had to read for the class I am sitting in on (that has been so much fun btw) that I haven't taken the time to read this book much.  Of course Maddie is trying to solve the murder herself, even though her cop bf is now with her, and I am sure will wind up in jail or with a gun pointed at her sometime soon.

I have this book for the class that I am taking, but we haven't had any assigned reading in it yet.  I do plan to read the whole book even though we are only going to be using part of it.  I have to say that the articles we have been reading for the class are really making me think how much fast food principles have engulfed all of our lives... and I am slightly scared.

I actually finished this book about two weeks ago.  I know, that is what I get for not posting in time.... or at all... Just like the other two books in this series I really enjoyed it.  I liked how it kept hinting at how they might not make it or find life in outer space.  I was just as worried as the characters when their lifeline home was destroyed.  I couldn't fathom how they would make it without damaging their craft or themselves.  I loved how Kate always managed to turn the situation in her favor - no matter what was going on.  I think that Jon even enjoyed this last book too.  I would really love a final book to share how each of the different characters from each of the books was getting on.  Not necessarily an adventure for Matt but more of a "where are they now" situation.

Jon got on me about not reading my birthday gift, so I finally got back into Fables.  I have all of the books now (up through 17) and even thought I am about a 1/3 of the way through 14, I am already worrying about catching up and then having to wait forever for 18 to come out.  I know silly since I have the Cinderella books and the Fairest issues to hopefully keep me busy for a little longer.  This book starts after the defeat of yet another threat to the Fables and the continued threat of the Dark Man.  The Dark Man really freaking creeps me out.  Not only does he look weird, he eats peoples teeth so that he can make them do things!  GROSS.  There are dangerous Fables loose in the Business Office and seeking revenge for time spent locked up.  Oh My!

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After finishing Starclimber I started on White Cat by Holly Black.  It took me a while to get used to having only one reader again since the last three books had a full cast.  It was read by Jesse  Eisenberg.  At first I was not sure about him since his reading style was completely different than StarClimber.  Eventually I acclimated to the fact that he didn't really make voices for the characters, he just read the book.  Every once and a while I would have to rewind because I wasn't sure who was saying what.  This book series is about people who are able to make people feel, think, die, or dream things just by touching them with a bare finger.  These people are called Workers and they are looked upon as bad, evil human beings unfit to sensor themselves from hurting or stealing from others.  The book focuses on Cassel who is the only non-worker in a worker family.  It follows him as he discovers things about himself and his past.  I managed to finish this up rather quickly since the length was only 6 hours or so.

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Which means I started on the second book in the series, Red Glove, again read by Jesse Eisenberg.  It continues the story of Cassel.  He is back in school and hopefully going to have a quiet senior year.  That plan is cut short when he learns of his brothers death - by murder.  The FBI and the Mob both want him to work for them... which will he choose?  I am enjoying this book as much as the first.  I am trying to put the clues together with Cassel and his friends and can't wait if my ideas line up with what happens.

Today I realized that I have only three more audio books left in my stack before I run out!  I'll have to beg Kellee to check out a few more for me. :)

Also, Jon is officially an uncle (shhhhh don't tell him I told you).  His nephew, William Reed, was born this morning at 12:01 am.  I think we might try to plan a trip this weekend to meet him. :)

I am so happy to have had the day off today.  I got some normal "Sunday" cleaning, laundry, dishes, and prepping for class accomplished.  Hopefully I will manage to prep a few blog posts for the week.  All I  know is that it is our girls night to go socialize, eat, and watch Project Runway.  I can't wait!!

Happy Labor Day to all, enjoy every minute of it especially since we have to go back to work tomorrow.

What I'm Reading Monday: Off to the Moon!!

I am a little late on this one, but I still managed to get it done!!  I have had a busy week.  I hopefully will find time to catch you up and post about the things I have made!!

Another week has gone by with me completely leaving this book alone.  I mean I carry it everywhere with me because it is on my phone, but it just isn't my first choice.  I might have to schedule some one on one time with this book this week.

I finished Mysterious Skin.  And I am very glad I did because it was very disturbing to read about what happened.  I dont' want to give too much away for those that might actually want to read it.  The remainder of the molestation and hustling references were just too much for me.  I am curious about how people get to that point in their life but I don't really want to know the play by play after the fact.

Jon and I finished Skybreaker and I loved it just as much as the first.  I did manage to enjoy the new Kate's voice by the end of the book (still not as good as the first reader though).  The adventure was going on so long that I was worried that it would end in the middle of it.  Don't worry it doesn't.  I did feel as though a bit more explaining about what happened to each character was needed.  You don't learn what they do once the expedition is over.

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I, of course, immediately started the final book in the series Starclimber.  I really don't like this Kate's voice.  I am loving the training that Matt has to go through to see if he is space worthy.  They, of course, don't know exactly what space is like since this would be the first group of people to go that high.  I can't wait to get to the point where they head out.  I am curious how similar it would be to how space is in real life.

I have made no progress on this book either.  Mostly due to the fact that for a few days I was not sure if I would even be able to take the class with my sister... stupid re-applying to school.  But the professor teaching the class is awesome and allowing me to sit in!!!  I will be updating you on this book and the other one we are to read in class shortly I am sure.

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I also am planning to start reading the next Fables book this week.  We shall see if I am able to finish it too... :)

Hope everyone has a great week back at school!!

What I'm Reading Monday - Harlequin Temptation Novel!!

Lookie at my fun new title photo!!  I will make a post about the websites I used soon.


Last week I finished up Fables 13 and I very much enjoyed it.  I felt that it totally moved away from the stories that had been in the forefront.  As I had mentioned the story focused on the Literals and what they are able to do.  I don't want to give too much away because I do feel the Fables (all of them) are worth reading.

On to what I am reading this week!

Photo from: here.

For a long, long, long time I only read romance novels.  Within the last four years or so my reading has definitely slowed down and the topics I chose to read about changed.  But most of my personal library are still romance novels so I have decided to read one this week.  I am hoping that it will get me back into reading them so that I can read all of the other ones that I have... I'll show you tomorrow why it might just take me forever.

I am barely two chapters into this book and I am already picking up the familiar plot sequence.  Meet unhappy woman, recently beginning the divorce process, who must pack up and move.  Meet former possible bad boy, who comes from a family with a bad reputation.  Enter love connection!  Lol.  Anyway I am just to the part where the two leads meet and realized they know each other from high school.

I have to get further in to decide if I actually like how the author put it all together.

Stay tuned...

What I'm Reading Monday! Fables 13: The Great Fables Crossover

You read that right.  I am still on a Fables kick.  This one will probably take me a while since it is 220 pages or so.

I didn't understand the title of the book at first but I am starting to get it.  Apparently the Fables are just beginning to consider how they were all created and continue to exist.  It was mentioned back in #3 or so that the more powerful Fables are those whose stories are read and shared by the Mundy's.  But who started those stories?  Was it one person?  A group of people?  Are they still writing their lives or are they on their own now?  All of these questions and more have been presented so far in the first 100 pages.  I don't want to give too much away since I am sure not everyone has read them.  I wouldn't wait to spoil it for anyone.

I will of course let you know how I liked it. :)

Happy reading!

What I'm Reading - Fables #12

I took a few days off, I am sure that you have noticed.  I went to a new BBQ place with co-workers on Friday and it was delicious!!  That is my excuse for being absent on Friday.  Also on Friday my parents came up to watch Staci's first acapella concert.  It was very good but very long.  Then Saturday we got to spend lots of time together.

So I am trying to get  back to normal this week.  I finally finished the Fat Bride book last week and I actually ended up enjoying it.  I just wished that it has started in the middle and went on longer than it did.  I feel as though halfway through the book the author made a choice to make the chapters shorter to focus on something funny rather than making a longer more detailed story.

Anyway.  On to what I am reading now!  I am back on Fables.

I am not very far into it but I can already tell that bad bad things are going to happen.  SPOILER ALERT!!  If you have not read the earlier books please stop here!

Geppetto is now in Fabletown and pretty much everyone hates him and does not want him there.  Two thieves back in the Homelands found a huge treasure but were not satisfied when they found a mysterious box.  As a hint this box was kept closed by heavy chains and a lock.  Of course they didn't take the hint and opened it.  A powerful spirit figure came out.  Somehow Geppetto could tell it was opened even from Fabletown...  I am very worried about will be happen next.

I can't wait to finish it.

Reading Review!

I am taking another weeks break from Mentor Monday to share the newest Fables book I am almost finished with!  Yes, I am a bit obsessed!

It continues the story of the Fables in NYC planning War with the Empire in the Homelands.  I am within the last 30 pages or so and I can not wait to see how it ends!!  I managed to get the bf to buy me the next 3 books (I was totally going to pay but he said he would, hey who am I to argue), which will get me up through book 14.  I think book 15 is the newest arc printed in book form... I will be sad after that since I will have to wait for the next book to come out.

Anyway, back to it!  This book involves many of the standard fables found in most all of the books and some of the more recently introduced fables as well.  There is action, explosions, battle, and valiant acts.

You should check it out... you know after you catch up on all of the earlier ones that is. :)

I'm linked up over at Teach Mentor Texts for What Are You Reading Monday you should check them out.

What I've been reading

So I am a bad blogger.  I didn't post yesterday.  I might have to redo my schedule to pick a different topic for Mondays or I just have to make sure I set up my posts during the weekend.

I apologize.  I will try to organize myself better.

For today I have a quick little review of a graphic novel series I have been reading.  The series I am reading is Fables.  It is a series is about all of our favorite fairy tale and fable characters.  There are fables characters living in New York City having escaped from their Homelands to get away from the unidentified Adversary.  Such good stuff!!  I just started this one today.  It is the 10th book of the Fables Series and delving deeper into the conflicts between the Fables and the Homeland.

I have to thank my bf for buying me the first one and getting me hooked.

There is a new series that focuses on the girls of the fairy tale and fable world!!!  Fairest follows the girls around and focuses on their own stories.  The first book in the series focuses on Briar Rose.  I have not yet read it because I haven't gotten to Fables #107... I am at #60 and can't decide if I should wait to read it until I get to #107 or if I don't want to be patient and read it now and possibly clue myself into something that I shouldn't "know" yet.  Gaaahhh!!!

So to sum up:  I was a sucky blogger yesterday but I have a new plan in place and you should read Fables.

Oh and I love when I get comments on the posts I make!  It makes me believe that there really are people out there reading my blog!!