Review: 11/22/63 by Stephen King

11/22/63 by Stephen King 880 pages, Hardcover Published July 2012, Gallery Books Source: borrowed Jake Epping's life takes a drastic change when his friend Al shows him a way into the past through the back room of his restaurant. He also sends him into the past with a job to do. Save President Kennedy from being assassinated. Entering the past in 1958, he has some time to kill before then. Literally. 
He falls in love, saves some lives, and ends some others all while fighting against the past that doesn't want to change. And, well, maybe it shouldn't be.  Once again I am blown away by a Stephen King book. Never a disappointing read when I pick up one of his books. Missing from this one are the monsters and gore that he is famous for, but still present is King's great storytelling, interesting characters and suspense. 
Can't wait to talk about this one with my father in law, who lent it to me. I want to hear his take on it. Not sure if he has read King before and he is slightly obsessed with the theory that LBJ was behind the assassination.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Rerelease of Anne of Green Gables this February!

Sourcebooks is publishing the Anne of Green Gables series for the first time with new covers and an introduction from L.M. Montgomery’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler. These are some of my absolutely most favorite books ever and can't wait to get these new ones for the little girl. A reread my be in order as well.

Bookpage is hosting a contest to celebrate. Open through January 31, 2014 , entries will have a chance to win the following:

·         1 Grand Prize Winner will win 2 Tiffany & Co. sterling silver key pendants

·         5 Second Place Winners will receive a full set of the Anne of Green Gables series from Sourcebooks Fire (6 books)

·         10 Third Place Winners will receive a copy of Anne of Green Gables

Visit their website here for a list of official rules.  Submit your entries on the same page, or click here to enter.

Dive deeper into L. M. Montgomery’s world by “Montgom-ifying” your name, entering giveaways, downloading posters and excerpts and so much more right on our Anne of Green Gables page on the Sourcebooks website. 

Bout of Books Wrap-Up!

My Goal was to finish Bellman and Black, 11/22/63 and The Book Thief this week.  I did it! Woot!
Here are my updates from the week:
Daily Updates:
Monday Currently reading: 11/22/63 by Stephen King Number of pages I've read today: 39
Total number of books I've finished: 0
Books:
Notes: I started this one last month. Started on page 524 at 10pm today. Looking for my first book read of 2014. Falling asleep at 1130pm. Up to page 565.
Tuesday
Currently reading: 11/22/63 by Stephen King Number of pages I've read today: 60 Total pages read: 99 Total number of books I've finished: 1
Books: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield
Notes: I read the last 10% of Bellman and Black  in the bath. One book finished. My goal is to finish books that have been lingering unfinished. This one has been for awhile. Pages listed are for 11/22/63. Read to page 625.   B and B was read in Kindle App.
Wednesday
Currently reading: The Book Thief by Markus Zukas Number of pages I've read today: 254 Total Pages read: 353 Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Notes: Finished 11/22/63 today. Stayed up until 2am last night, and had extra reading time today while the Little Girl was out with Dad. 224 in one day! That is unheard of lately. :) The Book Thief restarted tonight. Attempting to figure out where I left off before. Was reading a copy found in condo we rented this summer. Didn't finish before we left. This is our Book Group pick for January, too.
Thursday
Currently reading: The Book Thief by Markus Zukas Number of pages I've read today: 0 Total pages read:353
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 11/22/63 by Stephen King Notes: Busy day today. No time for reading. :(
Friday
Currently reading: the book thief Number of pages I've read today: 227 Total pages read: 580
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books:Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Saturday
Currently reading: The Book Thief Number of pages I've read today: 150 Total pages: 730
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books:
Sunday
Currently reading:  Number of pages I've read today: 173 Total pages: 903
Total number of books I've finished: 3
Books: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 11/22/63 by Stephen King The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Notes: I was crying to end of this one today. Wow! Absolutely wonderful. Every book I read this week  was good. I need one of these Read a Thon's every month. I haven't finished this many books in one week in a very long time!

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Favorite Books of 2013

I read 30 books this year and thought it would be fun to go back and pick my 3 favorite books. Be sure to check them out if you haven't read them yet this year! Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, 2013  (review)
The Likeness by Tana French, 2009 (review)
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure, 2013 (review)
Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Review: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 336 pages, Hardcover Published November 2013, Atria Books Source: NetGalley, publisher for review
William Bellman is introduced to the reader as a child shooting a rock at a rook with a catapult. His perfect aim sends the bird to the ground. Dead. From here on out, his life seems to be blessed with good luck- in wealth, family and friends. However, it doesn't last. Illness and death find him and change him forever. A mysterious stranger seems to guide him into a new venture that brings him even more wealth but not happiness. Who is the mysterious Mr. Black who seems to arrive when his loved ones die?
The storyteller is a good one. Someone that has followed and studied Bellman. The story of Bellman is shared very carefully and thoroughly. Which makes the book read a bit slow. Completely atmospheric and immersive, but slow.  Finding out who the storyteller is and why he is telling Bellman's story, is when I remembered just how great a storyteller Setterfield is. 
This was an interesting read. I wasn't really sure if I was enjoying it but I couldn't stop reading it. The Thirteenth Tale is one of my favorite books and, I guess, I was expecting something similar. This has been such a different reading experience. It still has the great writing that immerses you into the world that Setterfield creates, but it took me a lot longer to really understand it.   Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

2014 Goals

New year means new goals. Actually, looking at last year's, they may be the same. Let's see...
Goals for 2013
1. Turn the electronics off. Limit daily TV time, iPad and iPhone play for the LO and for me.   2. Reading. Turning those listed above off will increase the books I read each day. Within this goal, I have a few little ones: Make a dent in my TBR Pile, and read 1 new book to the little girl each day.  3. Stay Active. 20 min a day is doable. I already go to Stroller Strides at least 3 times a week. I am also training (kind of) for a 5K in February. My goal for the 5K is to beat last years time of 45min. Hoping to cut off 15 min, but not so sure I can do that. 4. Blogging. Once again, I was not as present here as I would like. Time to visit more blogs and post more!
I feel like I did okay. Probably not as good with #1 as I would have liked.  I read 30 books this year. The little girl and I read at least 3 books daily. I ran the 5K and beat that 45 min. I ran it in 39min. :) As for the blogging. I feel like I posted more and tried to visit more, but still not feeling quite back.
Goals for 2014
1. No Phones/tablets in bed. This is where I am losing my reading time and sleep time. The hubby and I always said no tv's in the bedroom and the iPad and iPhone are basically the same thing. Of course, when I am reading on the iPad, I may make an exception.
2. Healthy Living. Cooking at home more, keeping active. I have been missing a lot of Stroller Strides classes. Need to get back to three times a week. Would love to find a Yoga class. February 5K is on for this year, too.
3. Reading. I would love to read at least 50 books this year. I also need to make a dent in my TBR books. It is getting ridiculous. Starting this off with the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon.
4. Blogging. More Interesting Posts! More Interaction! How about some Read Alongs and Challenges? Also, more visiting of other blogs and commenting. 

Happy 2014! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Bout of Books 9.0 (Initial post/goals/updates)

Just discovered this read-a-thon and am excited to participate and get reading. Here are the details...

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Are you participating?  My Goal is to finish Bellman and Black, 11/22/63 and The Book Thief this week. They were all started before the read-a-thon. Daily Updates:
Monday Currently reading: 11/22/63 by Stephen King Number of pages I've read today: 39
Total number of books I've finished: 0
Books:
Notes: I started this one last month. Started on page 524 at 10pm today. Looking for my first book read of 2014. Falling asleep at 1130pm. Up to page 565.
Tuesday
Currently reading: 11/22/63 by Stephen King Number of pages I've read today: 60 Total pages read: 99 Total number of books I've finished: 1
Books: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield
Notes: I read the last 10% of Bellman and Black  in the bath. One book finished. My goal is to finish books that have been lingering unfinished. This one has been for awhile. Pages listed are for 11/22/63. Read to page 625.   B and B was read in Kindle App.
Wednesday
Currently reading: The Book Thief by Markus Zukas Number of pages I've read today: 254 Total Pages read: 353 Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Notes: Finished 11/22/63 today. Stayed up until 2am last night, and had extra reading time today while the Little Girl was out with Dad. 224 in one day! That is unheard of lately. :) The Book Thief restarted tonight. Attempting to figure out where I left off before. Was reading a copy found in condo we rented this summer. Didn't finish before we left. This is our Book Group pick for January, too.
Thursday
Currently reading: The Book Thief by Markus Zukas Number of pages I've read today: 0 Total pages read:353
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books: Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 11/22/63 by Stephen King Notes: Busy day today. No time for reading. :(
Friday
Currently reading: the book thief Number of pages I've read today: 227 Total pages read: 580
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books:Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Saturday
Currently reading: The Book Thief Number of pages I've read today: 150 Total pages: 730
Total number of books I've finished: 2
Books:
Sunday
Currently reading: The Book Thief Number of pages I've read today: 
Total number of books I've finished:
Books: Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Sherlock Challenge Wrap-Up and Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to everyone that participated in my very first reading challenge. It was small and perhaps not as organized as most, but I really enjoyed reading everyone'e reviews and getting to read a couple of great Sherlock reads before the show returns to PBS on January 19th.

I hope those of you who joined in the Sherlock reading enjoyed themselves. I would love some feedback on how to improve on hosting a challenge. I have an idea for another Book to TV Reading Challenge or RAL for later in the year.

Okay, time to announce the winner of the Sherlock DVD's. There were 11 books read/reviewed by 5 participants. Using the Random Number Generator…

Congratulations, WordLily!!!

Don't forget to email me your mailing address and your preference for either Season 1 or 2. marireadsATyahooDOTcom

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Review/Giveaway: Third Lie's the Charm by Laura Roecker and Lisa Roecker

Third Lie's the Charm (The Liar Society) by Laura Roecker and Lisa Roecker

288 pages, Paperback

Published December 2013, Sourcebooks Fire

Source: Publisher in exchange for review

Third Lie's the Charm is the third installment of The Liar Society young adult series by sisters Laura and Lisa Roecker. It begins with Kate Lowry joining the Sisterhood in the hopes of bringing it down from the inside. While at her initiation ceremony, she misses 21 calls from a former Brother. The next day she learns that he has died which throws her for a loop having lost her best friend Grace recently. Was it an accident as everyone believes or was he killed? 

Not having read the previous books, I felt a little lost at times, but the pace and the suspense in the beginning kept me reading and interested to see what was going to happen next. The series gets wrapped up quickly which made for a slightly abrupt second half. Still, I really think my niece would love these books. I plan on getting all three for her birthday. I wonder if she would notice if I read them before handing them over to her? 

For more info on the books and authors visit their WEBSITE.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Third Lie's the Charm. Open to US/Canada residents. Giveaway ends January 20th. Winner will be chosen by Random Generator and announced soon after. Good Luck!

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

A Year in Review

2013 has come and gone in a flash.  We had quite the busy year.We traveled to Hawaii, San Diego, Monterey, Sea Ranch, Maine and Austin. There were weddings and birthdays. The little girl turned three! 

It has been a good year. I am happy to say that I was a little more active on the blog this year. There was a mix of book, knitting and parenting related posts. I like the mix, hope you all do.  I began some great partnerships with publishers and was able to share some great new books with you all.

 I also hosted my first challenge! Hope everyone who joined in has linked their Sherlock reviews. I will be selecting the winner of the Sherlock DVD's very soon! As for challenges I joined, well, let's just say that I tried. I sadly completed none of them. Ugh. The number of books read didn't increase much this year. Oh well. Best months: 4 books in January and July. Worst months: 1 book in September and December.

January

1. We Bury the Landscape by Kristine Muslim Ong + (review)

2. 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs = (review)

3. The Wizard of Oz: A Steampunk Adventure by S.D. Stewart + (review)

4. The Likeness by Tana French (review)

February

5. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness = (review)

6. The Holder's Dominion by Genese Davis + (review)

7. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger + (review)

March

8. Heart Like Mine by Amy Hatvany + (review)

9. Seduction by M.J. Rose * (review)

April

10. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (review)

11. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

12. Bumped by Megan McCafferty (review)

May

13. Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay * (review)

14. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (review)

15. Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry (review)

June

16. Under the Dome by Stephen King (review)

17. The Lavender Garden by Lucinda Riley* (review)

July

18. A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle (review)

19. Playing Tyler by T.L. Costa* (review)

20. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (review)

21. The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle (review)

August

22. Children of the Jacaranda Tree by Sahar Delijani * (review)

23. The Stonecutter by Camilla Läckberg + (review)

24. Shake Down the Stars by Renee Swindle * (review)

September

25. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (review)

October

26. Thanksgiving by Ellen Cooney* (review)

27. The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure+ (review)

November

28. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami= (review)

29. Winter at Death's Hotel by Kenneth Cameron* (review)

December

30. Broken by C.J. Lyons* (review)

* ARC/NetGalley

^ LT Early Reviewers Program

# GoodReads First Reads Program

~ Giveaway Win

+ publisher/author sent for review (not ARC)

= Mooched/Borrowed

   Purchased

Happy New Year! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.