It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

This Monday I didn’t read much, and I’ve been in a definite reading slump since hitting Europe. Surprise, surprise. There are too many things to do and people to watch!

Reading Update:

Today is May 20.
I have read 38 books toward my goal of 80 for 2013. I’m only one book ahead at this point, which is kind of disappointing.

Currently Reading:

It’s a week of being totally in the middle of things.

(all titles link to the book’s page on Goodreads)

A Game of Thrones by George R. Martin — I bought the paperback from the English bookstore because I wanted a challenge. It’s definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m reading it very, very slowly, but enjoying it.  What sucks is that I can’t read before bed because I have no lamp or book light, so that’s seriously impeding my progress.

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis — The third and final book in the Across the Universe series. Sol Earth is one scary-ass planet, but no worries…there’s lots of kissing to quiet the panic. I’m reading the audio book for this one.

Feed by MT Anderson — FINALLY READING IT. It’s only been on my Nook for 2 years. Since I can’t read A Game of Thrones before bed, I’ve turned to my iPad for night reading…to clear out some of the books that have been lingering for too long!

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank — I’m not reading it cover to cover exactly, but I’m headed to Amsterdam later this week. I plan to visit the Anne Frank house, so I thought I’d catch up before I head out.

What are you reading today?

In My Mailbox (April)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Join in and link up! I don’t get enough books to participate on a weekly basis, so I’m going to share highlights of the books I get for review, buy, or check out from the library. I may not read all of these (for various reasons) but I still want to share what comes my way!

All links go to the book’s page on Goodreads.

Review Copies

Print ARCs:

Jane Austen’s World by Maggie Lane — Sterling sent this to me for the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice.

Audio books for review:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz — Sent by Simon and Schuster. I’m in the middle of this and it is definitely good. It’s a coming-of-age story about two Mexican-American boys, with an lgbt-twist.

Control by Glenn Beck – Sent by Simon and Schuster. Yes, I asked for it. I’m not a Beck fan, but I want to see what he has to say about guns.

The Program by Suzanne Young — Sent by Simon and Schuster. It’s a dystopian involving a treatment program for teens with depression.

NetGalley/Edelweiss E-ARCs:

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau — I got it and read it in the same day. Definitely a fast-paced story! It’s like The Hunger Games, but with academic tests.

Purchased

Shelf copies:

Smile by Raina Telgemeier — Purchased from Barnes and Nobel. I’ve already read it, but wanted a copy for Telgemeier to sign at the public library.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier — Purchased from Barnes and Nobel. Ditto.

Audio books from Audible:

None this month!

What’s in your mailbox? Which books have you borrowed/purchased/checked out/received? 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Spring break starts this week! This will be a much-needed break from work and classes to concentrate on reading and writing (both homework stuff AND some stuff for fun). Here’s what I’m in the middle of right now:

Reading Update:

Today is April 15. Tax Day. Have you done YOUR taxes?
I have read 33 books toward my goal of 80 for 2013. This means I am ahead on my reading!

Currently Reading:

 It’s a very blue week on my currently reading shelf!

(all titles link to the book’s page on Goodreads)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau – I was lucky enough to score an e-galley from NetGalley. This has been my most anticipated read of they year. Very Hunger Games-esque, but with brains and intellect. I think. All I know is the hype is huge and I’m reading to dive in so I can come my my own conclusion about the book. (and apparently this cover isn’t the cover anymore…sooooo, sorry. Click the link to see the new cover.)

The Time Machine by HG Wells – I read this book in sixth grade, but decided it was time for a re-read. I bought the audiobook on Audible, but then it sat on my iPhone for months. Since it’s the only audiobook I’ve bought and not listened to, and it’s ONLY 4 hours long, I’m just doing it.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz — This book won both a Stonewall Book Award (for LGBT books) and a Printz Honor medal (for YA books) from the American Library Association in January. I was thrilled when Simon & Schuster offered me the audiobook for review, so I’m enjoying it in my car!

What are you reading today?

In My Mailbox (March)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Join in and link up! I don’t get enough books to participate on a weekly basis, so I’m going to share highlights of the books I get for review, buy, or check out from the library. I may not read all of these (for various reasons) but I still want to share what comes my way!

All links go to the book’s page on Goodreads.

Review Copies

Audio books for review:

Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger — Audiobook courtesy of Simon and Schuster. A non-fiction book about what makes things go viral.

NetGalley/Edelweiss E-ARCs:

Two Lies and a Spy by Kat Carlton  – E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss.

Always Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor — E-ARC from publisher via NetGalley. The final book in the Alice series.

The Registry by Shannon Stoker — E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss. Instead of being auction to the highest bidder for marriage by her government when she turns 18, Mia decides to escape to Mexico.

Purchased

Shelf copies:

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher — I needed a paperback copy to annotate for a paper I’m writing. A transgender YA love story.

I Am J by Cris Beam – I needed a paperback copy to annotate for a paper I’m writing. A transgender YA coming-of-age novel.

Audio books from Audible:

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher — Purchased on Audible. I had a spare credit, and chose to listen to the book to review the story beecause I’m writing a paper on the book (I think I actually bought this in February…)

No Logo by Naomi Klein — Purchased on Audible. For class, about how branding is taking over the world.

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson — I bought this to prepare for my trip to Europe! Humor and history of Great Britain.

Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson –  I bought this to prepare for my trip to Europe! Humor and history on backpacking Europe.

I’m a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson –  I bought this to prepare for my trip to Europe! Humor, Bill Bryson returns to live in American after 20 years of living in England.

What’s in your mailbox? Which books have you borrowed/purchased/checked out/received? 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Spring break starts this week! This will be a much-needed break from work and classes to concentrate on reading and writing (both homework stuff AND some stuff for fun). Here’s what I’m in the middle of right now:

Reading Update:

Today is March 11.
I have read 24 books toward my goal of 80 for 2013. I’m hoping that number goes way up over spring break!

Currently Reading:

          (all titles link to the book’s page on Goodreads)

Always Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor – I can’t believe I was so lucky to get a review copy of this before the release date in August. I’m 90% through, and it’s bittersweet to read the final book (#25) in the Alice series, charting Alice’s life from college to age 60.

The Elite by Kiera Cass – The second book in the Selection trilogy. It’s slow going, but probably because I’m only reading for 10-20 minutes at a time at the breakfast table.

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher – I’m re-reading this one for a discourse analysis I plan to write for publication. It’s a book about a boy whose girlfriend admits that she was born a boy.

What are you reading today?

Novel Ideas [27]: Library Haul

Spring break starts in just 42 hours (not like I’m counting), and I could really use a break to chill for a minute. Maybe read some books for funzies. However, I’ll also be writing papers like whoa. Hopefully I’ll be productive and churn out some draft-y goodness for all three of my final papers. I got a head start by heading to the library and grabbing a fabulous stack of books. I know y’all bookish folks love a good book haul, so here’s my contribution…though I don’t know if anyone will find this as exciting as I do.

Without further ado, this is what I’ll be up to over spring break and for the rest of the semester:

Oh, and stay tuned, because I think I’ll have some exciting news to share after spring break. Good things are happening in grad school land lately!

What nerdy books have excited you this month?

In My Mailbox (February)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Join in and link up! I don’t get enough books to participate on a weekly basis, so I’m going to share highlights of the books I get for review, buy, or check out from the library. I may not read all of these (for various reasons) but I still want to share what comes my way!

All links go to the book’s page on Goodreads.

Review Copies

Print ARCs:

The Elite by Keira Cass — ARC from publisher. Book #2 in The Selection trilogy!

Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike — ARC from publisher. “Clash meets sass in this uproarious modern-day retelling of Baroness Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty — ARC from publisher. A girl discovers a crack that divides our world from a world beyond, and a letter.

Audio books for review:

What the Spell by Brittany Geragotelis — Audiobook courtesy of Simon and Schuster. A teenage witch must conceal her identity while also navigating popularity in high school.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys — E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss AND Digital Audiobook from publisher. A mystery set in 1950′s New Orleans, from the author of Between Shades of Gray.

NetGalley/Edelweiss E-ARCs:

Invisible by David Levithan and Andrea Cremer — E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss. Stephen has been invisible his entire life, until one day he meets a girl who can see him and wants to help him.

The Wall by William Sutcliffe — E-ARC from publisher via NetGalley. Joshua lives inside a wall, and his been told his whole life that the wall keeps his family safe.

In the After by Demitria Lunetta — E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss. After hiding out when the world is taken over by Them, Amy is rescued and taken to a new colony where utopia becomes dystopia.

Rush by Eve Silver — E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss. Miki is ripped from her life and sent to play a game, eliminating alien creatures.

Transparent by Natalie Whipple — E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss. Fiona has been invisible her who life, and her father uses her to commit crimes…until Fiona and her mother decide to run away.

Zits: Chillax by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman — E-ARC from publisher via Edelweiss. The comic strip mets novel form with lots of illustrations.

Purchased

Shelf copies:

The Selection by Kiera Cass — I’ve already read it, but wanted a shelf copy. Purchases from Barnes and Noble.

Audio books from Audible:

Hero by Perry Moore — Purchased on Audible. It’s my gay superhero book, and it was amazing!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn — Purchased on Audible since everyone’s always talking about it! Bought in February, and finished within five days.

What’s in your mailbox? Which books have you borrowed/purchased/checked out/received? 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

I can’t believe it’s already February. I may be married to my school books, but I’ll admit I’ve been cheating with some YA on the side. Here’s what my brain is currently intaking:

Reading Update:

Today is February 11.
I have read 20 books toward my goal of 80 for 2013. I need to read 60 more books to reach my goal!

Currently Reading:

          (all titles link to the book’s page on Goodreads)

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger – A mid-1800′s steampunk novel (my first steampunk!) about a finishing school/spy school. Reading before bed, and loving it so far! Carriger has a way with words.

Changeling by Philippa Gregory — 1400′s historical fiction with a dash of the paranormal. My first Philippa Gregory book! Reading at the breakfast table.

Hero by Perry Mo0re — A gay superhero. Which sounds totally awesome! Listening on the bus.

What are you reading today?

In My Mailbox (January)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. Join in and link up! I don’t get enough books to participate on a weekly basis, so I’m going to share highlights of the books I get for review, buy, or check out from the library. I may not read all of these (for various reasons) but I still want to share what comes my way!

All links go to the book’s page on Goodreads.

Review Copies:

Taken by Erin Bowman — All men disappear on their 18th birthday, but Gray Weathersby is determined to climb over the walls of his city in search of answers.

Pivot Point by Kasie West — A girl has the ability to see alternate futures for each choice she makes.

Ender’s World edited by Orson Scott Card — Essays on the popular series.

Betrayal by Gregg Olsen — YA paranormal mystery based on the true-life Amanda Knox story.

Order of Darkness: Changeling by Philippa Gregory — Philippa Gregory’s first YA novel! Historical/paranormal.

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger — A spy school disguised as a finishing school.

Transparent by Natalie Whipple — An invisible girl is being used by her father to commit crimes, and decides to escape.

Because I Said So by Ken Jennings (audio book) — The truth about things parents tell their kids.

Gifts:

Reached by Allie Condie — I won this in The Book Addict Guide’s giveaway celebrating the finale to this trilogy!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi — I won this in the I Love YA Fiction Top Reads of 2012 Giveaway!

Purchased:

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson (audio book from Audible)

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (audio book from Audible)

The Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain (audio book from Audible)

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (shelf copy — I bought some books I’d already read, but want wanted to own)

The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart (shelf copy)

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (shelf copy)

What’s in your mailbox? Which books have you borrowed/purchased/checked out/received? 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Believe it or not, the spring semester starts up again in just TWO DAYS. I’ve read so many good books over my month off, finishing at least a book a day and scheduling tons of posts. I think I’m scheduled through March! But I’m still reading some great books in these last few days. I’m in various stages of each.

Reading Update:

Today is January 7.
I have read 11 books toward my goal of 80 for 2013. I need to read 69 more books to reach my goal! At this point it sounds very intimidating, since I read waaaaaay more books over Christmas break than any other time during the year.

Currently Reading:

The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shephard — Reading at the breakfast table. It’s The Island of Dr. Moreau reworked (historical fiction focused on Dr. Moreau’s daughter, who has found him on the island).

The Panem Companion by V. Arrow – Reading slowly, one essay at a time, here and there.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers — Audio book in the car. Assassin nuns.

Pivot Point by Kasie West — Reading before bed. A girl has the ability to look into the future and see both outcomes of decisions.

What are you reading today?