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| Fra Angelico La Anunciación (detalle) h.1425-1428. Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado |
January was surprising in that I read more than expected, blogged more than expected, and all of it while having a heck of a busy month! As you will see below, I read lots of science fiction and really enjoyed myself! I posted an overview, a mini and one movie review in this category. The experience of reading "almost" a whole series in one sitting (I'm missing the last book) was fun.
Of the books read and reviewed in January, I really enjoyed The Thorne and The Blossom: A Two Sided Love Story by Theodora Goss. That was a beautiful little love story with a rather unique format. Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis was not a disappointment and boy... was I glad about that! Particularly since the second book of the Lucky Harbor series was a favorite last year. And while reading reviews posted by other bloggers for the 2012 TBR Challenge, I found two books that I purchased and read immediately: His Secret Past by Ellen Hartman, reviewed by Phyl, and Because of the List by Amy Knupp, reviewed by Lori. I really enjoyed both books! Thank you for the recommendations ladies. :)
Recap:
Total Books Read: 20
Contemporary Romance: 7
Science Fiction: 6
Erotic Romance: 2
Urban Fantasy: 1
Fantasy: 1
LGBT: 3 (Romance: 1, Erotica: 1, Poetry: 1)
1. Frat Boys: Gay Erotic Stories Anthology edited by Shane Allison: B-
2. Old Man's War (Old Man's War #1) by John Scalzi: B
3. The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War #2) by John Scalzi: C+
4. After the Coup by John Scalzi: C-
5. The Butcher of Anderson Station: A Story of the Expanse by James S.A. Corey: C+
6. Light the Stars (Cowboys of Cold Creek #1) by RaeAnne Thayne: C-
7. The Thorne and the Blossom: A Two-Sided Love Story by Theodora Goss: B+
8. Lover's Leap (Eternity Springs #4) by Emily March: C+
9. Pricks and Pragmatism by J.L. Merrow: C+
10. Head Over Heels (Lucky Harbor #3) by Jill Shalvis: B+
11. The Sagan Diary by John Scalzi: C
12. The Last Colony (Old Man's War #3) by John Scalzi: C
13. Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels) by Ilona Andrews: B
14. His Secret Past by Ellen Hartman: B+
15. Because of the List by Amy Knupp: B
16. The Summer Garden (Chesapeake Shores #9) by Sherryl Woods: B
17. The Horizontal Poet by Jan Steckel: B+ (Upcoming Review)
18. Sweet Stuff by Donna Kauffman: B (Upcoming Review)
19. Love's Fortress (Brother's in Arms #7) by Samantha Kane: C
20. Love's Surrender (Brother's in Arms #9) by Samantha Kane: C-
Reading at the Moment:
The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman: I began reading this book for my Internet Book Club in January, but unfortunately was not able to finish it in time. That last week of migraines killed my reading momentum. However, so far I'm enjoying this read! I loved Hoffman's Practical Magic, but this book is different. The book is composed of short stories that are tied to one another. Hoffman's prose is quite beautiful and I'm enjoying how the short stories are connected by making the town of Blackwell the central figure. So far, Hoffman's usage of magical realism is subtle and rather beautiful. I like how she ties it to nature instead of culture. But, I still have to finish the book to figure out what it is that she's trying to convey with the whole.
He Will Laugh by Douglas Ray: I received this LGBT collection of poetry for review and began reading it last week. However although the book is thin, because it is poetry I tend to take my time with each poem, so this book will be read slowly and carefully. I'm about half way through and can tell you that so far there are poems or lines from certain poems that have stayed with me for days now. That's good news. :)
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That's my update and my recap for January. How was your month? Did you find any gems? Any great new releases you would like to recommend?
You're welcome :-) So glad you liked it. Great month there, Hilcia. Looks like some good books. I haven't read any SF in a while. I should find some.
ReplyDeletePhyl, that was a good book. I really liked the characters and how the author developed the romance. But, I have to say that the way the son was featured and the father/son relationship also had a lot to do with my enjoyment of the book. Great story. :) And, you like SF too? I stayed away from it for years, just because... and have really enjoyed coming back to it these past few years. It's just plain fun. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so efficient Hils!! You put up your recap for January and me? December ^_^; and LOL, I need a breather ^_^;
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, I've been eyeing Because of the List by Amy Knupp because of Lori's review. Looks like I'll definitively need to give it a try :)
and that's awesome that you read and blogged more than you expected! Jeez, I wonder how you did it all LOL.
Looking at your list, there's a lot of Cs... but I guess it's not bad if that's the lowest grade!
Looking forward to your review of Sweet Stuff. I'm debating whether I should read it or not :)
Wow Hils, you read more this month than I will probably read in 4. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteNath, you finished December! Yay! LOL! I can't leave things hanging like that... it drives me a little nuts. I'm anal that way. *g* And how did I do it? I have noooo idea! January was a terrible month otherwise... but somehow I managed it. O_o
ReplyDeleteOh, read Because of the List by Knupp. Definitely. I enjoyed it. I think you'll like the H/H in this story and the way their romance bloomed. I really enjoyed it. :) RE: the C's. It's interesting because there are good things about most of those books (C+/C) despite the grade. Sweet Stuff, coming up! :)
Brie *g*. I read obsessively! I admit that I'm a total addict. ;P
Wonderful month Hils! And another vote for Because of the List. So glad I picked that one up!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your migraines. I hope they’re gone for good!
Great start to the year!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, are you reading Because of the List soon? It has the tropes we love. I know you'll enjoy it. :) My migraines are better, thank goodness!
ReplyDeleteOrannia, it is a great start to the year. Better than the last couple of years at least. :D
Twenty books read in January is awesome, Hils. And it looks like you had a decent month, too. No As but some solid books.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you loved the Shalvis book. I need to read the ones after Simply Irresistible. Such a fun book. Thanks for passing it to me. xo
Christine, it was an enjoyable reading month. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Shalvis series has turned out to be a delightful one. I'm so glad you liked that first good. :) Definitely read the other two.
xo back!