Friday Finds (Feb 27)

Posted in Book memes, For the love of books, Friday Finds by rebeccabook17

FRIDAY FINDS is hosted by Should Be Reading and showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list. Whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).

My finds this week include a twist on Sherlock Holmes, a fiction book about a bookseller (with an interesting alternate life), a YA thriller, and of course a romance:

1. Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz

One of my absolute favorite movies lately is the Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows that came out in 2011. I have wished for the past 4 years though that they would just make the next damn movie because I am dying to know what happened to Sherlock after he dove off the cliff with Moriarty and how he could have possibly survived. Well guess what? THAT IS WHAT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT!!!! I can’t wait to read it!

2. The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson

This book looks absolutely fantastic! One bookseller narrating two lives, one of which she lives by day, the other she seemingly lives while dreaming. What’s real and what’s not? Which life really exemplifies what she wants? It sounds fascinating to me! (To be released March 3)

3. The Fever by Megan Abbott

I read the description for this book and was immediately interested. An unexplainable seizure epidemic that causes panic within a small town? That sounds like a good thriller. I recently read another of Megan Abbott’s books, Dare Me, and while I wasn’t amazed with the book, I definitely want to give The Fever a try.

4. In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams by Karen Ranney

I haven’t read anything by this author yet but when I saw the cover and that it was featured so prominently in The Ultimate Romance Drinking Game recently discussed on Huff Post, I decided that I would give it a try and added it to my TBR list. The book also sounds good – woman is rejected by man she loves, goes to live in America for 7 years, and comes back to Scotland ready to kick butt.

So those are my finds this week! Please feel free to share your finds or leave a link to your own “Friday Finds” blog posting below! Happy Friday!

25Feb2015

Waiting on Wednesday (6): Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick

Posted in "Waiting On" Wednesday, Book memes, For the love of books by rebeccabook17

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.

This week’s spotlight is on:

Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick

Release date: April 21, 2015

Blurb from the cover (Amazon):

The Kern Secretarial Agency provides reliable professional services to its wealthy clientele, and Anne Clifton was one of the finest women in Ursula Kern’s employ. But Miss Clifton has met an untimely end—and Ursula is convinced it was not due to natural causes.
Archaeologist and adventurer Slater Roxton thinks Mrs. Kern is off her head to meddle in such dangerous business. Nevertheless, he seems sensible enough to Ursula, though she does find herself unnerved by his self-possession and unreadable green-gold eyes…
If this mysterious widowed beauty insists on stirring the pot, Slater intends to remain close by as they venture into the dark side of polite society. Together they must reveal the identity of a killer—and to achieve their goal they may need to reveal their deepest secrets to each other as well…

Why am I waiting?

I’m a big Amanda Quick / Jayne Ann Krentz / Jayne Castle fan. I’ve read many of her books under the various pen names and have liked the majority. And I think the description of the books sounds interesting!

Link to author website
Link to Amazon

23Feb2015

Be Proud of What You Read

Posted in For the love of books by rebeccabook17

My love of reading really took shape when I discovered romance novels. My whole life I liked books and reading but my passion really began to form when I was in high school and read my first romance novel. I just absolutely loved the happy ending. And all through the next four years of high school when I was that awkward teenager who couldn’t seem to figure out who she was, I was able to take comfort in the knowledge that each and every romance novel I picked up, the heroine would be beautiful and there would be a man who loves her more than anything else in the world and they would be happy together.

And all through high school and in college, I met many people who would snicker when I told them I liked to read romance novels. I was told on various occasions that I was reading “trash” or “smut.” And I will admit, I was embarrassed. Because I was treated in a way that made me believe I should be embarrassed for the books I liked to read. And in all honesty, I liked romance novels that had a lot of emotional tension in them, not necessarily a lot of sex. In fact, one of my absolute favorite romance novelists is Kristan Higgins and her books take more of a “fade to black” approach in which the hero and heroine start getting down to business and then it pretty much moves on to the next scene. I would try to defend myself, saying that romance novels aren’t “porn” or “smut,” that they’re like romance comedies where there is a sex scene or two but its mostly about the feelings and the love story. I would still get the wary looks and the continued snickers so I would just drop the topic and talk about something else.

But really, what reason did I have to be embarrassed? I loved reading. And I loved reading more than romance novels, but even now romance novels tend to be my genre of choice in most cases. I love being able to escape to Victorian England or to another planet even and fall in love time and again. Romance novels are what introduced me to my love of reading, and I have no reason to be embarrassed. Who cares if there’s a half naked man on the cover? Does that really make you an inferior person for wanting to read it? No, it doesn’t. Does it make you less smart than people who read classics or what is known as “great literature”? Hell no. Whether you love graphic novels, romance novels, young adult novels or non-fiction, you have no reason to be embarrassed. Scream you’re love of reading from the rooftops.

Over the last few months I’ve read a lot of articles from various sources about not being embarrassed about the books you like to read. If you’re interested, below are a few of articles that I enjoyed.

Why Smart Women Read Romance Novels by Anne Browning Walker

No, Adults Should NOT be embarrassed to read Young Adult books by Heather Hogan

Stop Apologizing For What You Like to Read by Brenna Clarke Gray

27Jan2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Would Want to Read in a Book Club

Posted in Book memes, For the love of books, Top Ten Tuesday by rebeccabook17

Top Ten Tuesday is a book meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday there’s a different bookish topic and bloggers are asked to post their own top ten list based on the topic. This week is a listing of the Top Ten Books you would pick for your book club to read if you were lucky enough to be in a book club (unfortunately I am not so lucky due to a combo of lack of time and resources). So I put my thinking cap on and thought that if I were in a book club, what books would I like to discuss with my fellow club attendees.

1. Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

I am currently in love with Giffin’s books after reading her Something Borrowed and Something Blue recently. Her books are intense and thought provoking and I think that they would make for a great discussion.

2. All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

This book has been on my to read list since before it came out in 2014. I think the subject of addiction in this book would make for a great discussion starter.

3. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

This was a highly praised book in 2014. I read many good reviews on it and I am honestly fascinated by the topic. A pandemic causes chaos to erupt and a new world forms amongst those who survive. Sounds freaking awesome.

4. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

A young woman without any prospects is asked to marry a wealthy family’s dead son, well actually to marry his ghost. I think this would be a great book to discuss since its subject is so unique and unusual.

5. Redeployment by Phil Klay

My husband and I met when he was in the Marines. I waited (not at all patiently I might add, though I wish I could say differently) while he went to Afghanistan on deployment. I think that I have to read this book. I think it might give me a better glimpse into the complicated world he lived at that time. I also think it would be a great eye-opener for book club readers.

6. It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell

Many women in this day and age have weight issues and body image issues. The media blasts us with images of “beautiful” women, all of whom are a size 0. This just isn’t realistic. This memoir is all about learning to love who you are and learning to love your body. I think this would be essential for a women’s book club and a great discussion piece for book clubs that can be candid with one another.

7. The Pocket Wife by Susan Crawford

This book brings up a big discussion point: mental disorders. In this novel, a woman with bipolar disorder was the last person to see one of her friend’s alive and suspects she might actually be the killer.

8. Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I know this is going to sound like a poor reason to have this on the list, but I heard this turned out to be a great movie. I think it would be an interesting book to read and discuss in a book group.

9. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I almost can’t believe it myself, but I’ve never read this book or the rest of the series. Astonishing, I know, considering how popular the book series was and even how much I have loved the movies so far. For those reasons, I’d love to read this book and discuss people’s thoughts on it.

10. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

This is a classic that I have always wanted to read but never found quite the right motivation to actually pick it up.

So that’s my list! Anyone else see books on my list they’d like to read? Maybe we could start our own book club 🙂 Let me know what you’d put on your lists!

23Jan2015

Friday Finds (Jan 23)

Posted in Book memes, For the love of books, Friday Finds by rebeccabook17

My finds this week include an upcoming YA release, a gothic mystery / romance and of course a romance:

1. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

First of all, sick cover. The cover alone would probably make me want to pick up this book. Plus the synopsis of the story sounds really interesting as well. And finally, it is described as being a cross between The Selection (which is very high on my TBR list, I’ve been dying to read this series for awhile) and Graceling (which I hadn’t heard of before but sounds really interesting).

2. Miramont’s Ghost by Elizabeth Hall

Said to be reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, this book is described as a dark and thrilling ghost story. I discovered it in an email that Amazon sent me with a listing of popular romance novels, so I’m not sure exactly where the romance will be in this ghost story but I guess we’ll find out! Some of the reader comments look a little dark (and slightly unnerving) so I have to say I don’t think this book will be good for the faint-hearted. I thought it looked interesting though!

3. You’re So Fine by Kieran Kramer

I heard a lot of good things about Kieran Kramer’s March 2014 release Sweet Talk Me. Though I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, it is also on my TBR list. You’re So Fine also looks like a sweet story and a fun read. Might save this one for a beach read for this summer since the cover is.. well a beach 🙂

So those are my finds this week! Please feel free to share your finds or leave a link to your own “Friday Finds” blog posting below! Happy Friday!

21Jan2015

Waiting on Wednesday (5): Dangerous Deception by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Posted in "Waiting On" Wednesday, Book memes, For the love of books by rebeccabook17

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.

This week’s spotlight is on:

Dangerous Deception by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Blurb from the cover (Amazon):

From the world of Beautiful Creatures–a dangerous new tale of love and magic continues in the sequel to Dangerous Creatures.

Love is ten kinds a crazy, right?

Let me put it to you this way: If you can get away, run. Don’t walk.

Because once you’re exposed, you’ll never get a Siren outta your head.

Some loves are cursed. Others are…dangerous. Especially the love between wannabe rocker and quarter Incubus, Wesley “Link” Lincoln, and Dark Caster, Siren, and bonafide bad girl, Ridley Duchannes.

But now Ridley is missing, and Link was with her–right up until she vanished. Determined to find her, Link reunites with his New York bandmates and the mysterious Lennox Gates, who wants Rid for himself. Together they travel to the deep south, find the crossroads where blues guitarist Robert Johnson made his deal with the devil, discover a menagerie of Casters locked in cages, and uncover an evil in New Orleans that threatens to destroy them all.
This time, love might not be enough.

Why am I waiting?

I loved the Beautiful Creatures series and also enjoyed the first book in Ridley’s spin-off series. I am looking forward to see what happens next for Link and Ridley.

Link to author website

Link to Amazon

18Jan2015

National Readathon Day – January 24, 2015

Posted in For the love of books by rebeccabook17

During my perusal of Facebook the other day I came across a link to a site on Penguin Random House’s website discussing something called “Nation Readathon Day”. According to their website “40% of American adults are either at or below basic reading proficiency, and 14% are fully illiterate.” In recognition of that, Penguin Random House, Goodreads, Mashable and the National Book Foundation have banned together to create this fundraiser in the hopes of funding “efforts to educate, tutor, create and sustain a lifelong love of reading.”

Anyone can get involved simply by reading on January 24th between noon and 4pm. You can create your own FirstGiving fundraising page to try and raise more money towards helping this effort. Or you can show your support by just making time to read and spreading the word that you believe in the transformative power of literature. And since I certainly believe that books can feed the soul, I will be participating in National Readathon Day!! Hope to see you all getting involved as well.

11Jan2015

Finding new books to read

Posted in For the love of books by rebeccabook17

I posted last year about a variety of different book recommendation sites that can be used to find a good book to read next. Other than these sites though, a source that I use constantly for finding new books to read is Bookpage.com. This can be a great source of finding new books in all genres, and even for learning more about authors. I get the print edition of their regular newsletter from my local library (which can be viewed online), but they also have newsletters that you can sign up to receive periodically on certain genres, including a romance newsletter beginning in February, “Smitten.” Readers can also sign up to receive a daily newsletter featuring a different book every day. I think the good thing about the Book of the Day newsletter is that it features a great variety of books. I’ve seen everything from romance to non-fiction to cookbooks to biographies to fiction featured on there. This is a great way to read about books that might be out of your comfort zone and maybe expand your reading horizons. Other newsletters include a top 10 (top ten books of the month), a children’s newsletter, and a YA newsletter.

And if you like romance novels, another great source for new books I highly recommend the Heroes and Heartbreakers website and newsletter. This is a great site to find new romance novels to read. I especially like their “new release shopping list” that they put together. This listing shows different romance genres that have releases during the current month (shown by week). I have found a lot of new books through their newsletter. They also publish great articles and posts about different topics, including first looks at upcoming releases. Check out this article featuring a first look into Erin Knightley’s newest histroical romance release, The Earl I Adored.

So what about all of you? Where do you all find your next great read?

11Jan2015

Bookish Bingo reading challenge – January through March 2015

Posted in Bookish Bingo: Jan-March 2015, For the love of books, Reading Challenges by rebeccabook17

I have singed up to participate in the Bookish Bingo reading challenge! This challenge is hosted by the Great Imaginations blog and will run from January through the end of March (of 2015). I got the idea to join this reading challenge through Hit or Miss Books. This is such a creative idea, combining reading with a game! I am very excited to do this reading challenge, especially since it helps me to meet one of my goals for 2015 (one reading challenge per quarter)!

So here is the bingo card:

This is my first time attempting the Bookish Bingo (per review of the website that hosts it there seems to be quite a following for previous Bingo challenges!) and I am excited to see what kinds of different reads will help me get to a BINGO! The host site has some great recommendations for each of the categories if any of my readers are also interested in participating!

Happy reading everyone!

9Jan2015

Friday Finds (Jan. 9)

Posted in Book memes, For the love of books, Friday Finds by rebeccabook17

FRIDAY FINDS is hosted by shouldbereading and showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list. Whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).

My finds this week include an upcoming YA release, a thriller, a memoir and of course a romance:

1. The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall

First off I just love this cover. Second, I love the book description. It sounds awesome. Rich girl is the key to an ancient prophecy and people are trying to kill her so she can’t fulfill her destiny? Sounds great to me!

2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

I saw this book in the January edition of the BookPage newsletter and it was described as being “the next Gone Girl.” And I loved the Gone Girl novel so I read further into the article about “The Girl on the Train” and it sounds fascinating to me. A drunk jobless woman rides a train everyday and makes up stories about the people she sees as the train zips by. It even mentioned in the interview with Hawkins that there has been a discussion with DreamWorks but no definite plans have been made yet.

3. It Was Me All Along: A Memoir by Andie Mitchell

This is another book that I saw in this month’s BookPage newsletter. This book about a woman’s lifelong struggle with weight and food. While I try not to consider myself fat, I can relate to seeking comfort in food. I have struggled a lot with my weight the past few years and I am really excited to read about this woman’s journey to being more healthy and learning to love every part of herself.

4. The Loving Daylights by Lynsay Sands