My New Years {non} Resolution - One Word

I don’t do resolutions. They kind of feel too concrete to me if that makes sense. More like a check list or test that I either pass or fail.

Last year I stumbled onto something a little different over at one of my favorite blogs Tales of Whimsy. She chooses a word or phrase to focus on for the year. For example, instead of picking – lose 10 pounds – you might choose the word move.

I didn’t come up with a word until February. I kept trying to come up with THE perfect word that was life changing. Then one day I laughed and my husband looked at me weird. He told me I didn’t laugh that much. I didn’t laugh much?? I didn’t know that. So I had my word. LAUGH. It felt weird and rusty to force myself to laugh out loud at first. But then it became natural and now I laugh so much he said in passing recently that I’m always laughing. So yay! Success. But more importantly it changed how I look at things and how I feel.

It sounds cliché but just the simple act of laughing helped me approach my day more positively. It helped me shake off something that might have ruined my day otherwise. Because of that one little word I did things unrelated directly to the act of laughing just because I felt happy. I got back into gardening – my obsessive hobby before reading. I lightened up while reading (I didn’t pick everything apart). I got less judgmental. In short picking a word instead of a resolution works for me.

So now to pick a word for 2015.

DISCONNECT.

From the internet negativity, from hype, from the pressure to look, act, be a certain way, from gossip.

I don't mean literally because I’m obviously going to be online. I blog. I love Twitter. But 2014 taught me that the internet can be a very overwhelming place for ones psyche.

Something changed where instead of connecting and making friends – we decided to judge and correct each other. We flit from event to event so we’re constantly in hype mode. And it just overwhelms me and I need to step back from it.

I am in general, a very chill person. But nothing can get me wound up more than a big Twitter hashtag meltdown. I think it’s important to stand up for what’s right and call people on their bullshit. I LOVE debating and arguing a point. Respectfully. It’s increasingly clear that internet is not the place to do that. There’s that line you walk – where you spend your days living to be right or you spend your days living. I want to do the latter.

I read in a Dear Ann/Abby (can't remember which one) advice column once - You can't change other people. You can only change your reaction to them. So that's what I'm doing this year. Disconnecting from the negativity and changing my reaction.

So there’s my whole – you didn’t ask but I told you anyway – reason for my 2015 word choice. lol

How about you guys? Do you do resolutions? Have you kept them?

And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here are a few posts about choosing a word or theme instead of a resolution. Some people pick a phrase or a new word for every month.

My One Word
Huffpo - Choose a Simple Theme

My Favorite Books of 2014

The best of the best!

New Adult:

Series:

Novellas:

Stand alone/first graphic novel:

Sweet romance:

2013 was a really bad reading year for me. I seriously thought that I may never enjoy reading like I used to again.

But then 2014 opened with the powerful The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski and I never looked back. (The Winner’s Crime – book #2 is on this list because I read it this year but it doesn’t come out until 201- but it blew me away so it’s here.)

I let a lot of series go in 2014. I quit reading ones I wasn’t enjoying but only continued out of guilt or some misguided sense that I “made it this far so…” but a few of my favorites delivered. Banishing the Dark was a fantastic conclusion to the Arcadia Bell series, Murder of Crows - oh how I love this series, Magic Breaks was a game changer and Isla and the Happily Ever After, although quite different from Anna and Lola was delightful.

I stopped reading based on OMG THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER twitter hype. That never goes well for me. I picked what appealed to me – and let the other stuff go.

I read a LOT of novellas and that pulled me right out of my reading funk. I also stuck to lighter books. I am seriously over angst filled stories. I’ll probably come back to them at some point but I needed a break.

The majority of my picks, with a few exceptions of course, were just plain FUN or romantic. I found that that’s exactly what I needed to be reading this year. I wanted an escape. I didn’t really care if it was a deep, life changing read.

Courtney Milan's Talk Sweetly to Me was so darn adorable, Laura Florand can do no wrong IMO, Nyrae Dawn delivered a powerful and timely story with Rush. I discovered Ruthie Knox ( Truly) and Megan Erickson (Make it Count), Heidi Cullinan (Fever Pitch), and graphic novels - The Graveyard Book. 

Shocker - I enjoyed quite a few of the New Adult titles offered in 2014. Mostly the less angsty ones but it gives me hope that the genre to expand a little for those of us looking for something different.  

AND…..I did it! I made it to my goal of 200 books read in 2014!!

2014 Reading Challenge

Karen has completed her goal of reading 200 books in 2014!

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200 of 200 (100%)

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Feel free to share or link your favorites in the comments.

Happy Holidays–taking a little break…

I’ll be taking a little time off over the holidays but I have a few last minute bloggy things to chat about before I go.

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I’ll be joining #FitReaders (formally known as #BookBlogWalkers) co-hosted  by The Geeky Blogger and That’s What I’m Talking About next year.

I’m going to be turning the BIG 5-0 next year and it’s a fun way to keep on track and stay motivated with your 2015 fitness goals.

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Headed for the homestretch!

As of this writing I have read 194 books this year. I’m going to go for 200. *crossing my fingers* that I make it. I would hate to be soooo close then crash and burn. lol

Here are a few books that are on the December TBR pile.

2014 Reading Challenge

Karen has read 194 books toward her goal of 200 books.

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194 of 200 (97%)

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Donate!

The ARCycling Program is one of my favorite places to help clear off my shelves. You fill out the donation form – they hold a session once a month, handle all the details – you send out the books.

These are the books I’ll be donating for January. They haven’t set a date yet so I would suggest following them on Twitter so you know when the next session is up.

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I hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday season so far!

I’ll be back on January 29th with my favorite books of 2014 and January 2nd with a big giveaway to kick off  2015!

Earworm: Wolves by Dreamers & You Should Know Where I'm Coming From by Banks

My current earworm is…

WOLVES

by

Dreamers

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The video is…strange. Fun song though.

(warning: f bombs ahead)

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YOU SHOULD KNOW WHERE I’M COMING FROM

by

Banks

This song is gorgeous!

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December Playlist

Review: Shadowed Heart: A Luc and Summer Novel (Amour et Chocolat #5.5) by Laura Florand

Three words, to shake a man’s existence.

Three words, to call on all a man’s strength, all his courage, all his love, and all his ability to hope and dream…and trust.

Three words, to wake up every fear a man has ever had.

“I’m pregnant, Luc.”

Now how could a man be perfect enough for that?

Romantic Times calls Laura Florand's writing "sensuous and sumptuous", awarding her their Seal of Excellence and nominating her for Best Book of the Year, and NPR says it's "explosive, sensual . . . and utterly sweet".

Now in this sequel to The Chocolate Heart, Florand takes us into the heart of happily ever after with a story full of love, hope, and friendship. Struggling to get their new restaurant off the ground in the south of France, newly married top chef Luc Leroi and his wife Summer must face all their demons at the prospect of becoming parents. Fortunately, Summer's cousins and Luc's rival chefs join forces with the couple to prove that not even a top chef has to handle everything alone and happiness really can last ever after.

Goodreads | Source: e-arc provided by the author in exchange for my honest review

My thoughts:

I think I have run out of ways to gush over Laura Florand’s writing. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there is just something about the way she climbs so deep into a character’s soul that it seems like I inhabit them for the duration of the story. 

Florand’s writing is immersive and evocative. After reading the Amour et Chocolate series I’m pretty sure I know everything about living in France, chocolate and living with cranky chefs because I feel like I lived it just by reading the series. (that's not true of course - but that's how I feel)

Shadowed Heart is a sequel/companion to The Chocolate Heart (Amour et Chocolate #5) – Summer and Luc’s story. Out of all the couples they have the most troubled pasts to overcome and were the most prickly of characters. It was hard to break through their armor but they found each other and got their HEA. Or did they?

Well, yeah they did, but there’s nothing like the announcement of a baby arriving to unearth old insecurities and test Summer and Luc’s staying power.

This book is gorgeous! Simply gorgeous, in a painful, raw, and ultimately heart soaring way.

While Summer and Luc have found each other to confide in and feel safe, you can’t live your whole life around one person. It’s a painful lesson for both of them, as they don’t let others in easily. Summer tries desperately to find a way to make friends in a world where women find her beauty and aloof personality off putting and to make her own mark in the world. While Luc fights the seemingly never ending battle (in his own mind) to prove he's good enough for Summer.

For long time fans of the Amour et Chocolat characters, you WILL NOT be disappointed. Past couples are weaved together in one of the most beautiful moments of this series. The bond that these determined, arrogant, perfectionist chefs and their feisty women counterparts have created almost make me tear up.

Despite the sometimes heaviness of the story, there are also many light moments to make you smile. Watching the men try to create something healthy that Summer can keep down, instead of *gasp* American peanut butter and pickles was hilarious.

It’s my opinion that this book can’t really be read as a stand alone. I think it’s important to have at least read The Chocolate Heart first, the whole series (but it's not necessary) – even better so you can squeal over the cameos.

I hope we get more glimpses of the after the Happily Ever After's in the future from Florand. While it’s nice to see the falling in love part, these heroes are too gruff, some too damaged to think that they just fall in love and never relapse into old patterns. This was such a welcome, honest, loving dose of reality.
P.S. Especially if it’s Patrick. Hint…hint…lol

A  top read for 2014

I’m watching: Happy Valley

Happy Valley - Netflix

Summary:

Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) is a strong-willed police sergeant in the Yorkshire valleys, still coming to terms with her daughter's suicide. Just as she seems to be getting back on top of her life, she spots Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton), the man she believes is responsible for the brutal rape that drove her daughter to suicide, standing on a street in her town. She soon becomes obsessed with finding Royce, unaware that he is involved in the kidnapping of Ann Gallagher (Charlie Murphy), a plot instigated by Kevin Weatherill (Steve Pemberton) and orchestrated by Ashley Cowgill (Joe Armstrong). Things quickly take a dark turn as the abductors scramble to keep the kidnapping secret, although Catherine is on to them. (Source: Wikipedia)

Drama/Crime/Thriller

Why I'm watching:

I actually binge watched this a few months ago. I love British television. I think, with a few rare exceptions, that they get it right when it comes to authentic characters and story telling. This BBC/Netflix collaboration is no exception. I don't think Happy Valley would never be made this way on American television. We tend to *Hollywood* everything up with young, beautiful actors and the violence/sex is either glamorized or used as plot device to give the hero something to do.

The main character here is a flawed 40-ish grandmother and police Sargent. The subject matters are dark and intense but never fetishizes the violence or veers into torture porn. There’s a solid, layered story and everyone has depth and complexity. No-one is a mere villain or victim. Women in particular are developed exceptionally well in this series.

It’s good stuff if you can handle darker fare. It's a bit like Fargo. It follows working class town with secrets and slightly fumbling (yet still very dangerous) villains that allow for some dark humor. But this is no comedy.

There are 6 episodes total and this particular case is closed by the end, while still leaving room for the series to continue and it was renewed for a second season.

*Watch it on Netflix.

{Short & Tweet} Review: Talk Sweetly to Me (Brothers Sinister #4.5) by Courtney Milan

Nobody knows who Miss Rose Sweetly is, and she prefers it that way. 
She’s a shy, mathematically-minded shopkeeper’s daughter who dreams of the stars. Women like her only ever come to attention through scandal. She’ll take obscurity, thank you very much.

All of England knows who Stephen Shaughnessy is. He’s an infamous advice columnist and a known rake. When he moves into the house next door to Rose, she discovers that he’s also wickedly funny, devilishly flirtatious, and heart-stoppingly handsome. But when he takes an interest in her mathematical work, she realizes that Mr. Shaughnessy isn’t just a scandal waiting to happen. He’s waiting to happen to her…and if she’s not careful, she’ll give in to certain ruination.

Goodreads | Source: Purchased

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Race, class and opposing personalities collide in this absolutely delightful romantic novella.

ALL THE SWOONS!

*Short & Tweet reviews inspired by Midnight Book Girl

Earworm: MESS IS MINE by Vance Joy

My current ear worm is…

MESS IS MINE

by Vance Joy

I truly am obsessed with this song! Absolutely gorgeous! It’s one of those songs that I get caught belting out to in the car – lol

***

December Playlist

Review: The Winter King (Weathermages of Mystral, #1) by C.L. Wilson

Wynter Atrialan, the Winter King, once lived in peace with his southern, Summerlander neighbors, but when the prince of Summerlea steals Wynter’s bride and murders his young brother, Wynter calls upon a dangerous Wintercraig magic called the Ice Heart and marches against Summerlea.

After three bitter years of battle, a victorious Wynter arrives at Summerlea’s royal palace to issue his terms of surrender. The prince of Summerlea stole Wynter’s bride and slew Wynter’s Heir. He wants the loss replaced. The Ice Heart is consuming him. Wynter hopes holding his own child in his arms will rekindle the warmth in his heart before he becomes the monster of Wintercraig legend, the Ice King.

The Summer King has three very precious daughters whom he loves dearly. Wynter will take one of them to wife. She will have one year to provide him with an Heir. If she fails, he will send her to face the mercy of the mountains and claim another princess for his wife. And so it will continue until Wynter has his Heir or the Summer King is out of daughters.

The plan is perfect—except for one small detail. The Summer King has a fourth daughter. One of whom he is not so fond. And she is a fiercely passionate creature, with a temper as volatile as the forces of her weathergift, the power of storms.

Goodreads | Source: ARC provided through Amazon Vine for my honest review

Thoughts:
Everyone has been going crazy over this book, and even though fantasy is not a genre I usually enjoy, the romance sounded pretty epic, so I gave it a shot. Surprisingly it was the fantasy elements that worked for me more than the romance.

The Winter King felt like a complete throwback to old school romances (starting with that epically cheesy but cool cover). You have war, deceptions, a forced marriage and need for an heir, a cold heart that can only be melted by a warm soul etc…etc… It’s kind of cheestastic and for the most part it works if you can roll with some of the more unwelcome elements of old school romances.

Like the fact that I found Wynter to be a jerk. I found him to be a cold, demanding hero. I know the marriage wasn’t based on love and he had been burned before but there’s nothing I hate more than when a “hero” gets what he wants (sex) but then withholds love. Yeah – yeah – her body betrays her and she loves it but while it was consensual it still felt a bit nonconsensual most of the time if that makes any sense. There was very little true bonding (outside of sex) between Wynter and Kham until almost the end which was a letdown. They are such a passionate, fiery couple. It would have been nice to see them more outside of the bedroom - even if it was fighting - through a battle of wills or something - and not have the strong willed Kham emotionally beaten down so much.

I did love the fantasy elements though. The weathermage magic was described in such a cool way and I liked learning more about Kham and especially Wynter’s homelands.

Overall I really enjoyed The Winter King and was able to overlook the things that irritated me. Despite the length – 608 pages! – it moved at a fast pace without getting bogged down in descriptions of blades of grass and dozens of different languages, as most fantasies tend to do, while still giving a vivid portrayal of magic and the strong willed people of this world.

Has anyone read this? Am I the only one interested in hearing more from Falcon? I think that might be a cool story.

Review: Mortal Heart (His Fair Assasin #3) by Robin LaFevers

Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has…

Goodreads | Source: ARC from BEA14

Thoughts:

I’m a sad panda…Mortal Heart was one of my most anticipated reads of 2014 but I did not love it.

It’s hard to say why because the writing is still as gorgeous and the plot just as intricatly woven as the first two books but I just didn’t connect to Annith in the same way as I did with Ismae and Sybella.

I really felt for Annith and how isolated her life was at the convent. Her entire life has been spent in training to be an elite assassin so she can serve St. Mortain. She’s the best, yet girl after girl is sent out to serve instead of her. This causes a crisis of faith in Annith that leads her away from the only home she’s known and into a world of seduction, betrayal and war.

Sounds good right? But after hearing Annith (justifiably) lament being left behind again and questioning Mortain’s purpose for her for the first 50 pages or so I was done. Yet, she continues with the endless doubts and questions for almost the whole book and at 449 pages, that’s too much for me. I feel awful for saying this, because Annith had such a difficult, lonely life, but I wanted her to shut up after a while.

Things got better when she met up with the enigmatic Balthazar but even the romance didn’t wow me. In fact, for reasons I can’t mention, because HUGE spoiler, it kind of squicked me out.

Mortal Heart was good with a few OMG worthy twists but Annith was never a character I truly connected with. Having said that – almost everyone I know loved this one. It’s such a unique series with gorgeous storytelling so I still highly recommend the His Fair Assassin series.

Review: Lay it Down (Desert Dogs #1) by Cara McKenna

Backbreaking days, wild nights, and the hard hum of steel between your thighs…

That’s a life well lived, according to the Desert Dogs—four friends who call Fortuity, Nevada, their badlands home.

Vince Grossier is the self-crowned outlaw king around here. But when Fortuity’s slick new mayor invites a casino development to town, greed isn’t far behind—and it claims Vince’s good friend as its first casualty. With the law turning a blind eye to the mysterious death, Vince must seek his own brand of justice. The pretty photographer hired by the developers might be the key to uncovering the truth. And she’s a temptation too good to pass up.

Finally free of a controlling ex, Kim Paget’s not looking to be taken for a ride—not on the back of some tattooed roughneck’s bike and definitely not in his bed. But when she uncovers evidence supporting Vince’s suspicions of murder, Kim must entrust her safety to a man whose body threatens danger of a whole different kind.

Goodreads | Source: Purchased

Thoughts:

McKenna is one of my favorite authors. Her books have pushed my out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a world of quirky characters and gritty working class worlds but Lay It Down was a *meh* read at best.

I knew going in that this was (despite the misleading cover and series title – Desert Dogs) not a Motorcycle Club series. Which is fine with me. I don’t like MC’s. I also knew that despite her trademark hot sex this wasn’t going to be on the level of her erotica novels, so that wasn’t why I was so disappointed.

No, I was disappointed because Lay It Down felt more like a set up novel for the series than a romance between Vince and Kim. Kim doesn’t get more than a cursory background info dump. While Vince is far more complicated and developed, he still felt like a catalyst to meet all of the next featured characters from the series. And to make things worse – they are all FAR more interesting than either Kim or Vince. Both Kim and Vince are pragmatic and likeable. Very up front and honest. The sex is hot but I just can’t say I was riveted.

This would have been so much better as a novella to introduce us to the series. Every time another (future) couple was featured I was hooked but then we need to step back to solve the murder mystery or get back to Kim & Vince. Raina, in particular, was a force of nature and almost took over the whole book.

The mystery is resolved in this book but there is a larger story arc about a casino coming to the small desert town of Fortuity and how that will effect everyone's future. There is also a touch of the paranormal with Vince’s mom having visions. A lot of this felt choppy. As if McKenna was trying to lay down as much info in this book as possible to set up future storylines. It’s not that it wasn’t done well but it took so much away from Vince and Kim’s story.

Despite not really loving this book I will be reading the next book from the series because like I mentioned earlier, the other people in this book are fascinating! I would recommend Lay It Down to people who like a more western/desert setting and vibe, mystery and unconventional characters that are upfront, honest but have a little unpredictable edge to them.

Earworm: LOVE DON’T DIE – The Fray

My current ear worm…

LOVE DON’T DIE

The Fray

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I’m going to start making Spotify Earwom playlists for each month if you’re interested. I'll add new songs as I go.

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December Playlist

Review: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even if she does wear great shoes and keeps him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.

But Fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon, they're dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all--true love.

Goodreads | Source: Purchased (Publish date: August 2004)

Thoughts: 

I LOVED this book! Like really, really, want to read it again, loved it. It had everything I want in a good romance/chick-lit novel – especially smart characters and witty banter.

Their chemistry is off the charts but Minerva and Cal do not fall in love at first sight. They don’t even like each other but Fate keeps throwing them together again and again and watching these two unwittingly fall in love was just perfect.

Cal has a reputation as a womanizer while Min, an insurance actuary, measures risks vs benefits even in her personal life and has her shields up full force against him. After all their random meetings they always leave it with a – well it was interesting, you’re a jerk, I need to get away from you now, have a nice life. Yet they always end up thrown back together.

The conflict comes mostly from their ex’s and well meaning friends and I wanted to  strangle everyone at a few points but again – it was ok - because although they were annoying, Cal and Min are stronger than that and make their own choices. It’s so well done!

Both Cal and Min’s family are pieces of work. Especially Min’s mom who is constantly berating her about her weight. Cal handles this beautifully and reading about Min with Cal’s sweet nephew, Harry made me all soft and mushy inside.

Despite meddling ex’s, disapproving friends and family this story never delves into wacky, unbelievable territory and that’s because both Min and Cal are so sincere. Even though they met under dubious circumstances, Min has a great practical attitude about the whole thing and it’s fun to watch Cal go down hard when he least suspects it.

The ending was of the fairytale, sugarcoated variety but I adored it. I got so attached to everyone that I wanted them to all have their own books. Since this isn’t a series - a where are they now type ending was perfection.

I’m sure I could find something to nitpick about it but I’m not going to rain on my parade and pick the book apart just for a review. This was a truly FUN reading experience.

Has anyone read anything else by this author? Any recommendations?

Short & Tweet Review: Think of England by K.J. Charles

Lie back and think of England…

England, 1904. Two years ago, Captain Archie Curtis lost his friends, fingers, and future to a terrible military accident. Alone, purposeless and angry, Curtis is determined to discover if he and his comrades were the victims of fate, or of sabotage.

Curtis’s search takes him to an isolated, ultra-modern country house, where he meets and instantly clashes with fellow guest Daniel da Silva. Effete, decadent, foreign, and all-too-obviously queer, the sophisticated poet is everything the straightforward British officer fears and distrusts.

As events unfold, Curtis realizes that Daniel has his own secret intentions. And there’s something else they share—a mounting sexual tension that leaves Curtis reeling.

As the house party’s elegant facade cracks to reveal treachery, blackmail and murder, Curtis finds himself needing clever, dark-eyed Daniel as he has never needed a man before…

Warning: Contains explicit male/male encounters, ghastly historical attitudes, and some extremely stiff upper lips.

Goodreads | Source: Purchased

Fast paced, humorous, touching, twisty and romantic – Think of England is a fantastic Historical M/M romance novella that’s not just about the romantic hook-up.

Loved it!

December reading goals…

December is going to be a month of catch up reading for me. I’ve been posting my TBR pile monthly to try to keep me focused and on track and for the most part did fantastic at hitting my reading goals until I hit September. That was my largest TBR pile and in true Karen fashion I freaked – rebelled - and read only two books.

I did go on novella reading bender though and I can’t seem to stop. I find a quick read far more appealing at the moment but I do have a few books that I was DYING to read and then somehow lost interest but I’m going to focus on them for December and then maybe get back to that September/October/November pile.

December must reads:

(Update: I've read Lay It Down and Mortal Heart/wrote reviews for both. Two more to go!)

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Donating books to :

I also need to clear off my shelves so I donated these books to ARCycling



If you’ve never heard of the ARCycling program – it’s a great place to donate your old ARC’s or a find your next awesome read! So check it out (link to website above or follow on Twitter). The next session is this Sunday – December 7th!

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Reading Challenge Complete!

2014 Reading Challenge

Karen has completed her goal of reading 170 books in 2014!

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174 of 170 (100%)

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I’m REALLY happy about this one. The way my reading slump was going, I wasn’t sure I would make 50 books this year. I started with 90 as my target and kept raising the number as I kept hitting the goal. I think I’ll end up somewhere between 190-200 for the year. Yay! Reading slump OVER.

I certainly didn’t love every book I read this year but that trudging through a book – forcing myself to try to like something - feeling has ended. Whew!

Earworm: THE RIVER by Son Little

My current ear worm is…

The River – Son Little

Top 5 Reasons to Love: The Weight of Destiny by Nyrae Dawn

When “crazy” runs in your family and your namesake is known for walking into a river with a pocket full of rocks, a girl kind of wants to avoid tempting fate at all costs. For Virginia Nichols, the only way to dodge that bullet is to be perfect at everything: school, student council, life. Too bad it’s all a lie, and underneath the perfection...Virginia is lost.

Ryder Blackstock knows a thing or two about being born into fate. The talents passed down from his father aren't exactly normal; instead of learning how to throw a fastball, he was taught to hot-wire a car like a pro and pick any pocket in sight. He’s got criminal blood, just like his old man. And as soon as he turns eighteen, he’ll be living life on the run with his dad.

When Ryder and Virginia meet on the beach, it seems they couldn't be more different. Soon they discover they’re both trapped in their lives—Virginia denying her fate, Ryder embracing his. Like the rocks in Virginia Woolf’s pockets, the weight of their destinies will pull them under. But being together brings out pieces of themselves they didn't know existed—pieces that make them want to take fate into their own hands and rewrite their destinies...if it’s not too late.

Goodreads | Source: ARC provided by author for my honest review

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The Weight of Destiny

1.) Nyrae Dawn’s return to YA – Nyrae has written several of my favorite NA books: Charade, Measuring Up, Rush – to name a few – but I first discovered her with the adorable, fun What a Boy Wants YA series. Dawn writes very authentic teen characters so it’s nice to get back to that.

2.) Diversity. The Weight of Destiny is the first book in planned trilogy and the world Dawn has created is filled with characters from diverse backgrounds. (You can read more about that on Nyrae's website). While the world is diverse, it doesn’t feel forced, as in trying to fill a diversity quota/new trend which made me very happy.

3.) Family & friendships. This is a romance novel but the romance is more than about the boy and the girl getting together. Both Rider and Virginia have complex family issues to overcome but it’s handled in such a beautiful, messy but loving way. And the friendships are deep and binding. This was my favorite part of this book.

4.) It’s sex positive. This story is pretty light when it comes to sex, but it’s mentioned and explored in a way that understands that teens will be teens – but no two experiences are the same. I don’t want to spoil anything but I especially loved Ryder’s growth when it came to this issue. And it’s not the typical man-whore falls in love plot. It’s way more complicated than that.

5.) Luke. Luke is Ryder’s older brother. I know the main love interest is Ryder but hey – it would probably be illegal for me to lust after him at my age and Luke is all swoony and responsible & in major need of a hug so…yeah Luke.

I really enjoyed this one. It definitely has the angsty bad boy meets good girl vibe but there’s way more to this story thanks to the friendship and family complications that were handled beautifully.