My Month in Books - July

I have been a terrible blogger lately - I'm sorry! July was all about work; I found myself with three big projects at the same time and as a result I have hardly had time for anything besides working, let alone reading and blogging. Heck, it took me 3 weeks just to get through Harry Potter 4 - and it was a re-read! But after tomorrow all those projects will be handed in, and then I will hopefully have a lot more spare time on my hands. And then I'll get back to taking care of this blog, I promise!

Read in July

27) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Aaand that's it. I did read most of one other book, but I didn't finish it until 1st August, so it will have to go into next month's summary.

I did post one review in July:

A Scottish Ferry Tale by Nancy Volkers. Such a delightful read!


Incoming Books

Well, if my read books / incoming books ratio was bad before, July certainly didn't make it any better!

For review
Wyatt by Garry Disher (Soho Press, Soho Crime/NetGalley)
The Magician King by Lev Grossman (Penguin Group, Viking/NetGalley)

RAK
Break Out by Nina Croft (Thank you, LunaMoth!)

Won
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (Thank you Kristen @ We Be Reading!)

BookMooch
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Bought
Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers (e-book)
Under the Black Ensign by L. Ron Hubbard (free e-book)
The Ultimate Book of New York Lists by Bert R. Sugar & C.N. Richardson (free e-book)
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (I've read this before, but I wanted a specific edition to match the other Gaiman books I have)
The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Challenge Progress

First in a Series Challenge – 6/6 – Completed!
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory
6. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

2nds Challenge – 2/3 
1. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
2. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

Mystery & Suspense Challenge – 6/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
6. The Doomsday Key by James Rollins

Other Posts of Interest

Booking Through Thursday
Night Owl

Norwegian Edition (new feature)
A Discovery of Witches

Misc
Top 5 Books of 2011 - So Far
Quote of the Day: On Kindles and Elevators

My Month in Books - June

Oops, I'm rather late putting together this summary of June – we're already well into July. I don't know how it happened, but somehow half the summer is already gone and it's almost time to start thinking about Christmas presents again!

So, let's talk about June. Not a very good month for me reading-wise. I hit a severe reading slump about mid-way through the month and haven't finished a single book in weeks now. I'm getting back into the swing of things now, but it made June a bad month in that respect.

What made June a good month however, was going to a Bon Jovi concert in Oslo on the 15th. It was an incredible experience and I'm still not over it. In fact, I think that concert might have to take some of the blame for my reading slump, because after I got home I couldn't stop listening to their music (and I can't read and listen to music at the same time). But if that's the case, it's okay – I can read anytime but I don't get to see Bon Jovi every day.

Read in June

Links go to my reviews

23) Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer
24) The Doomsday Key by James Rollins
25) The Skeleton Key by James Rollins (novella)
26) A Scottish Ferry Tale by Nancy Volkers

I also posted my review of Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. Love this series!

Incoming Books

I'm terrified of this list. I swear books are finding their way into my home of their own accord. My TBR pile is growing by the minute. This has to stop (yeah, as if).

For review
Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis (from the author)
No One to Trust by Julie Moffett (NetGalley/Carina Press)
The Mountain of Gold by J.D. Davies (NetGalley/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

RAK
Toil and Trouble by H.P. Mallory (thank you Rebecca from Kindle Fever!)

Won
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend (thank you Daphne from Loving Books!)

BookCrossing
The Thieves of Faith by Richard Doetsch

Bought
The Pawn by Steven James (e-book)
The Girl With the Long Green Heart by Lawrence Block (e-book)
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Angela Carter's Book of Fairy Tales
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe
Allegra Biscotti Collection by Olivia Bennett (free e-book)
The Skeleton Key by James Rollins (e-book)
Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick
Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers
The Sword-Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell (free e-book)

Challenge Progress

First in a Series Challenge – 6/6 – Completed!
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory
6. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

2nds Challenge – 2/3 
1. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
2. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

Mystery & Suspense Challenge – 6/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
6. The Doomsday Key by James Rollins

Other Posts of Interest

Top Ten Tuesday
Favourite Book Settings

Booking Through Thursday
Soundtrack
Size Matters

Misc
Solar Eclipse

Here's to the rest of July – which happens to include my birthday. :)

My Month in Books - May

As I'm writing this on 4 June, it is 6 degrees Celcius outside and all but snowing (actually, it looks like it has been snowing in the mountains). Not fair.

May was a busy month for me, and between having a friend staying for a while and my trip to Scotland I didn't get much reading done. But that's okay – I've still read more books than this time last year and I'm still ahead of my 45 books in 2011 challenge. I will be staying home all summer except for 3 days in June when I go to Oslo to see Bon Jovi in concert (wheee!!), so I should have plenty of time to sit in the sun and read. Or more likely sit inside in the rain and read.

Read in May

Links go to my reviews

20) Serenity: Better Days by Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews, Will Conrad – my first graphic novel. I love Firefly.
21) Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory
22) Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz – love this series!

I also posted my review of The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell.

Incoming Books

I wonder how long I can keep up this 3:1 ratio when it comes to incoming/read books before it has to come to a screeching halt.

For review
The Devil Colony by James Rollins (NetGalley/HarperCollins)

RAKs
The Devil's Pitchfork by Mark Terry (thank you EmmaD!)
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory (thank you Stella from Ex Libris!)

Bought
Sun Signs by Linda Goodman (free Kindle book)
Royal Wisdom by Kate Petrella (free Kindle book)
Stuff to Die For by Don Burns
The Lost Relic by Scott Mariani
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Serenity: Those Left Behind by Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews, Will Conrad

Challenge Progress

First in a Series Challenge – 6/6 – Will upgrade to next level!
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
6. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory

2nds Challenge – 2/3 
1. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
2. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

Mystery & Suspense Challenge – 5/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz 

Other Posts of Interest

30 Day Book Challenge
Intro post
Day 1 – Best book you read last year
Day 2 – A book you've read more than 3 times
Day 3 – Your favourite series

So how was your May?

My Month in Books: April

April was another average reading month for me with four books read. I still don't know how I managed to read double that amount in January... I was hoping to be able to read more over Easter, but staying at Mum's meant I had to be sociable most of the time (oh, the horror!). But April is a perfect example of how my reading has changed in the year since I started blogging. 3/4 of these books are books I never would have picked up a year ago, either because they didn't appeal to me at the time or because I wouldn't have heard of them. Imagine what I would have missed!

Read in April

Links go to my reviews

16) Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan
17) Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
18) Tripwire by Lee Child
19) The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell – favourite book of the month

Incoming Books

Lots of incoming books this month. My read/incoming rate is way out of propotion, so either I have to read faster or I have to stop buying new books. I wonder which will be easier...

For review
The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Melissa Bloomfield (NetGalley)
Murder in the 11th House by Mitchell Scott Lewis (NetGalley)

RAKs
What Would Nancy Do by Maureen Mullis (thank you EmmaD!)
PS. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (thank you Christina from Reading Exstensively!)
Master of None by Sonya Bateman (thank you Ashley from Bookaholic Does Blogging!)
+ a gift card from Lainy at So Many Books So Little Time

Bought
The Third Pig Detective Agency by Bob Burke
A Scottish Ferry Tale by Nancy Volkers
Kickback by Garry Disher
Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
Shock Wave by Clive Cussler
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Challenge Progress

First in a Series Challenge – 5/6
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

2nds Challenge – 1/3 
1. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

Mystery & Suspense Challenge – 4/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Other Posts of Interest

Top Ten Tuesday
Books I want to see made into movies
Bookish pet peeves
Mean girls in books

Booking Through Thursday
Coming soon to a theatre near you

National Poetry Month
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Once After Pushkin by Carol Rumens
Dust of Snow by Robert Frost
Stop All the Clocks by W. H. Auden

So how was your April?

My Month in Books: March

March was an average month reading-wise; I finished 4 books and I am actually ahead of schedule for my personal reading challenge (yay!). I had a lot to do at work, which explains why I didn't get any more reading done. One of the books was from NetGalley and I had to read it on my laptop. I'm not fan of reading on my computer because it hurts my eyes (plus, I spend enough time staring at a screen at work), but aside from the fact that I couldn't put the book in my purse when I went anywhere, the experience was much better than I had feared. I discovered that reducing the screen brightness to 60% really helped my eyes. But I have to say I'm extatic that the Kindle button is back on NetGalley, because I much prefer reading on my Kindle. For some strange reason I seem to read faster on my Kindle than paper books. Anyway, spring is in the air and this is what happened at The Turn of the Page in March:

Read in March

Links go to my reviews

12) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (re-read)
13) The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
14) Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
15) Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Other reviews posted
The Survivor by Seas Slater

Incoming Books

I can't believe how many books I actually got this month! I blame Amazon's Buy with 1-click button...

For review
Outside In by Maria V. Snyder (NetGalley) – Can't wait to read this sequel to Inside Out!
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell (NetGalley) – Isn't that a fantastic title?
Lake Charles by Ed Lynskey (from the author)

Bought
Nyphron Rising by Michael Sullivan (Kindle)
The Fiddler's Gun by A.S. Peterson (Kindle)
Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday (Kindle)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke (Kindle)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Signs and Wonders by Philip Gulley
Serenity: Better Days by Whedon/Matthews/Conrad (graphic novel)

Won
I was lucky enough to win an e-book copy of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory from the lovely Stella at Ex Libris. Thank you Stella and H.P.!

Challenge Progress

First in a Series Challenge – 5/6 (I will most likely update this to the next level soon)
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
5. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

2nds Challenge – 0/3 

Mystery & Suspense Challenge – 4/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater
4. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Other Posts of Interest

Top Ten Tuesday
Books I Just HAD To Buy ... That Are Still Sitting On My Shelf
Dynamic Duos

Booking Through Thursday
Series or Stand-alone?

Other
Are You a Hardcover or Paperback Book?
Instructions by Neil Gaiman (video)

I also participated in Random Acts of Kindness over at Book Soulmates. Check out the sign-up post for April and spread some love!

My Month in Books: February

Well, February was short, wasn't it? No sign of spring here yet, but the days are getting longer and the sun is back. I returned to my usual average of three books in January, but two of them were 700 and 500 pages respectively, so in terms of pages read I wasn't that far behind my January count.

Read in February

Links go to my reviews

9) The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch – reread, one of the best books I have ever read. Highly recommended for fantasy fans!
10) Heat Wave by Richard Castle
11) The Survivor by Sean Slater

Incoming Books

For review
Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan (NetGalley)

Bought
The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
The Stainless Steel Rat Omnibus by Harry Harrison – this sounds like White Collar in space, so I had to have it
Hard Landing by Stephen Leather (Kindle)

Challenge Progress

First in a Series Challenge – 3/6 (this might be updated to the next level during the year)
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle 

2nds Challenge – 0/3 

Mystery & Suspense Challenge – 3/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
2. Heat Wave by Richard Castle
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater

Other Posts of Interest

Discussion posts
A Match Made ... On My Bookshelf
The Trouble With Audio Books

Booking Through Thursday
Something Old, Something New

Other
Sound Advice
Patiently Awaiting

I also had a giveaway for Heat Wave by Richard Castle. It only got two entries, which was a little disappointing, but I think the book has found a good home.

Here's to March – bring on spring!

My Month in Books: January

January was a fantastic reading month for me. I finished 8 books, which is more than double my usual monthly average! I'm not sure why I managed to read so much this month (perhaps because there is not much interesting on TV these days), but I'm glad I did. My personal 2011 challenge of reading 40 books is off to a great start, and if I can keep this up, I will have to update that goal soon. :)

Read in January

Links go to my reviews

1) Slottet i Pyreneene by Jostein Gaarder
2) Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
3) Flaggermusmannen by Jo Nesbø
4) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
5) Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
6) The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
7) The Greek Symbol Mystery by Carolyn Keene
8) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling 

Incoming Books

January also brought some new books onto my shelves. I participated in The Broke and the Bookish's Secret Santa 2010, and got a belated, but wonderful present from Jana.

She sent me The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer and Reckless by Cornelia Funke. Thank you so much, Jana! Unfortunately I don't have your email address or blog URL so I can't thank you personally - I just hope you see this!

I also got an ARC of The Survivor by Sean Slater from Simon & Schuster UK through Book Chick City's Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2011. Thank you both!

Speaking of challenges; I have joined 3 challenges for 2011. There are a couple of others I have had my eye on, but I decided that 3 were enough. I don't want any pressure.

Challenge progress

First in a Series Challenge - 2/6 (this might be updated to the next level during the year)
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block

2nds Challenge - 0/3

Mystery & Suspense Challenge - 1/12
1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block

Other posts of interest

Discussion posts
Reading Impatience
Kindle Cover

Top Ten Tuesday
Books I Resolve To Read
Bookish Resolutions
Inspirational Characters
Books I Wish I'd Read as a Kid

Booking Through Thursday
Firsts

Here's hoping the rest of the year will be as good!