Animal: Ice Flows
Artist: Karen Reppen
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday Thirteen 187: Food Quotes
I had a lot of ideas for this week, but some didn't fit the season, and I've been too busy this week for other ideas, so...I dug around and came up with thirteen quotes about food. Bon appetit!
* Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. (Jim Davis)
* Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. (Doug Larson)
* Cheese—milk's leap toward immortality. (Clifton Fadiman)
* Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward. (Terri Guillemets)
* We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink. (Epicurus)
* Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts! (James Beard)
* Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside. (Mark Twain)
* The story of barbecue is the story of America: Settlers arrive on great unspoiled continent, discover wondrous riches, set them on fire and eat them. (Vince Staten)
* In general, mankind, since the improvement in cookery, eats twice as much as nature requires. (Benjamin Franklin)
* Large, naked raw carrots are acceptable as food only to those who lie in hutches eagerly awaiting Easter. (Fran Lebowitz)
* A converted cannibal is one who, on Friday, eats only fishermen. (Emily Lotney)
* Avoid fruit and nuts. You are what you eat. (Jim Davis)
* Great food is like great sex. The more you have the more you want. (Gael Greene)
BONUS:
* If life gives you limes, make margaritas. (Jimmy Buffett)
LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)
Alice Audrey * Measi * Bratty * Mercy * Dexie
Shelley Munro * Kimberly Menozzi * AllStarMe
Darla M Sands * Jennifer Leeland * Xakara * Colleen
Adelle Laudan * Virginia Cavanaugh * Savannah Chase
Mary Quast * Paige Tyler * Jeanne St James
CountryDew
* Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. (Jim Davis)
* Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. (Doug Larson)
* Cheese—milk's leap toward immortality. (Clifton Fadiman)
* Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward. (Terri Guillemets)
* We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink. (Epicurus)
* Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts! (James Beard)
* Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside. (Mark Twain)
* The story of barbecue is the story of America: Settlers arrive on great unspoiled continent, discover wondrous riches, set them on fire and eat them. (Vince Staten)
* In general, mankind, since the improvement in cookery, eats twice as much as nature requires. (Benjamin Franklin)
* Large, naked raw carrots are acceptable as food only to those who lie in hutches eagerly awaiting Easter. (Fran Lebowitz)
* A converted cannibal is one who, on Friday, eats only fishermen. (Emily Lotney)
* Avoid fruit and nuts. You are what you eat. (Jim Davis)
* Great food is like great sex. The more you have the more you want. (Gael Greene)
BONUS:
* If life gives you limes, make margaritas. (Jimmy Buffett)
Alice Audrey * Measi * Bratty * Mercy * Dexie
Shelley Munro * Kimberly Menozzi * AllStarMe
Darla M Sands * Jennifer Leeland * Xakara * Colleen
Adelle Laudan * Virginia Cavanaugh * Savannah Chase
Mary Quast * Paige Tyler * Jeanne St James
CountryDew
Monday, January 24, 2011
Teaser Tuesday 69: Savor the Moment
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
Am currently about halfway through this one, with book four up next. A little bit longer teaser this week, but I think you will agree that it is worth it. *grin*
From GoodReads:
Savor the Moment (Bride Quartet #3)
By Nora Roberts
New Love takes the cake in the third novel in Nora Roberts's new Bride Quartet-in a stunning French flap edition
Wedding baker Laurel McBane is surrounded by romance working at Vows wedding planning company with her best friends Parker, Emma, and Mac. But she's too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that their clients seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker's older brother Delaney, on whom she's had a mega-crush since childhood.
But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her—or so she thinks. When Laurel's quicksilver moods get the better of her—leading to an angry, hot, all-together mind-blowing kiss with Del—she'll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever...
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
Am currently about halfway through this one, with book four up next. A little bit longer teaser this week, but I think you will agree that it is worth it. *grin*
Growing up in a female-dominated household provided Del with certain basics to live by. One, which he thought applied at the moment, decreed if a man didn't understand what was going on, and the lack of understanding meant trouble, a certain distnace was recommended.
The same rule, he felt, applied in more...personal male/feamle relationships—which was also oddly apt under the circumstances.
(pg 68)
From GoodReads:
Savor the Moment (Bride Quartet #3)
By Nora Roberts
New Love takes the cake in the third novel in Nora Roberts's new Bride Quartet-in a stunning French flap edition
Wedding baker Laurel McBane is surrounded by romance working at Vows wedding planning company with her best friends Parker, Emma, and Mac. But she's too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that their clients seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker's older brother Delaney, on whom she's had a mega-crush since childhood.
But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her—or so she thinks. When Laurel's quicksilver moods get the better of her—leading to an angry, hot, all-together mind-blowing kiss with Del—she'll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever...
Sunday, January 23, 2011
WHOOO!
WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL, BABY!
Okay, maybe not me specifically, since I am poorer than dirt, but the Green Bay Packers are. And they had to beat the Chicago Bears twice in four weeks to get there. Yeah!
Okay, maybe not me specifically, since I am poorer than dirt, but the Green Bay Packers are. And they had to beat the Chicago Bears twice in four weeks to get there. Yeah!
We Love the Green and Gold
LET'S GO PACKERS!
Here's hoping for a successful "Bear" hunt this afternoon!
Here's hoping for a successful "Bear" hunt this afternoon!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Artzoobilee: Fleming
I was a little surprised that, as fragile as this flamingo was, he was not cordoned off the way Fancy Bird (the ostrich) was.
A close-up of his mosaic tiles:
My niece, The Bug (and friends):
Animal: Fleming
Artist: Kari Fisher
Location: Outside entrance to Children's Zoo
Friday, January 21, 2011
Kim's Gallery
I've mentioned a few times (such as this week's Thursday Thirteen), that I have done a series of black cat cross-stitches for a friend over the past several years. I forgot that I had taken this picture while over to her house earlier in the year. This is her "gallery," a short section of wall between front room and guest room. She actually has another picture to hang in the open space, and joked recently that she might have to start rotating some out (but does not want to stop receiving them...lol). *G*
Click on the pic for a larger view.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday Thirteen 186: A Year of Stitching
In comments to last week’s post, Recently Read, Bratty said: "And yet you claim you spend much time making hand-made ornaments and such things." Just for her (okay, and maybe a few other people, lol), here are thirteen pictures of projects stitched in 2010. I know I've said this before, but for those who may have missed it or forgot, I do most of my stitching during the cold winter months. Also, I'm not usually one of those people who can just veg in front of the television. If I'm watching a TV program or football game or movie, I usually have either my journal or some craft project in hand.
"Green Paw" was stitched for Kim's birthday last March. She is owned by two black cats, brothers she adopted several years ago. These are from a series by Calico Crossroads, and there are already a dozen or so in her "gallery." This one was stitched while watching hours of Olympic coverage.
"Orchid" was stitched for Kat's birthday in July. The matting and glass came with the kit. It is cross-stitched, with some long stitches on the larger petals.
Various cutout ornaments. Cross-stitched and backed on felt, then trimmed within one or two rows of the stitching, some closer than others (like the cat). I added short loops of embroidery floss for hanging. The polar bear was made for a friend's mom who collects white bears. The gray horse was for my niece, aka The Bug, to commemorate last summer's Pony Camp.
A couple of "whimsies" — these are all stitched on 14-count plastic canvas. It's more durable than perforated paper, but it can be a bitch to stitch on. I went through at least half a dozen needles between the dozen or so stitched last January and February. You don't even want to know how much cursing I did while adding the wires in November and December. Sure, they look really cool, but working them through the plastic was a pain—both literally and figuratively.
Frolicking reindeer. While about 97 percent of everything I make is for others, I could not resist stitching these up for my own little tree. Each took one evening to stitch.
More "whimsies" made for a number of friends, although I did keep one of the celtic angels for myself (the other was sent to a friend of Irish ancestry). The reindeer went to my younger sister (baby sis did not rate one). The snowmen were for two friends who collect them—I always have to give them the same snowman or they try to steal them from each other. Seriously.
Cows whimsies were made with two internet friends in mind. You know who you are. *g*
Bear ornaments made for a few kids I know.
"Nature" is actually embroidery, which I rarely do, not cross-stitch. It is mostly satin stitches, with a chain stitch for the stem. I had difficulty getting a good picture of the finished project due to the dual panes of glass it is pressed between (reflection was a major issue). Gold floss was wrapped around the ends and knotted in back to make the "frame."
"Noah's Ark" trio are to add to friend Manda's collection. I actually did two of the giraffes—one for another friend (Nina) who loves the creatures.
"Sassy" was stitched for my favorite fashionista, Stephanie, the 12-yr-old daughter of one of my closest friends. She absolutely loved it!
"Santa's Surprise," made for above mentioned friend who has two black cats. These usually stitch up really quick, eight or ten hours, max. Come back tomorrow to see more of these.
This is one that didn't quite get finished. The cross-stitching is done, but it needs to be pressed and sewn, and a ribbon added for hanging. At least I can say I have a start on next Christmas...right?
And there you have it—some of the many projects stitched during the past year. All that and I still managed to read 104 books, work, walk at least three days a week, and do some writing!
LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)
Stephanie Bennett * Bratty * Alice Audrey
Maddy Barone * Jennifer Leeland * Savannah Chase
Hazel * Colleen * Shelley Munro * Janet * CountryDew
Darla M Sands * Brenda * Xakara * Kimberly Menozzi
Jeanne St James * Sarah * Harriet * Paige Tyler
Tatiana Caldwell * Madelynne Ellis * A Catherine Noon
Miss Mommy * Mary Quast
"Green Paw" was stitched for Kim's birthday last March. She is owned by two black cats, brothers she adopted several years ago. These are from a series by Calico Crossroads, and there are already a dozen or so in her "gallery." This one was stitched while watching hours of Olympic coverage.
"Orchid" was stitched for Kat's birthday in July. The matting and glass came with the kit. It is cross-stitched, with some long stitches on the larger petals.
Various cutout ornaments. Cross-stitched and backed on felt, then trimmed within one or two rows of the stitching, some closer than others (like the cat). I added short loops of embroidery floss for hanging. The polar bear was made for a friend's mom who collects white bears. The gray horse was for my niece, aka The Bug, to commemorate last summer's Pony Camp.
A couple of "whimsies" — these are all stitched on 14-count plastic canvas. It's more durable than perforated paper, but it can be a bitch to stitch on. I went through at least half a dozen needles between the dozen or so stitched last January and February. You don't even want to know how much cursing I did while adding the wires in November and December. Sure, they look really cool, but working them through the plastic was a pain—both literally and figuratively.
Frolicking reindeer. While about 97 percent of everything I make is for others, I could not resist stitching these up for my own little tree. Each took one evening to stitch.
More "whimsies" made for a number of friends, although I did keep one of the celtic angels for myself (the other was sent to a friend of Irish ancestry). The reindeer went to my younger sister (baby sis did not rate one). The snowmen were for two friends who collect them—I always have to give them the same snowman or they try to steal them from each other. Seriously.
Cows whimsies were made with two internet friends in mind. You know who you are. *g*
Bear ornaments made for a few kids I know.
"Nature" is actually embroidery, which I rarely do, not cross-stitch. It is mostly satin stitches, with a chain stitch for the stem. I had difficulty getting a good picture of the finished project due to the dual panes of glass it is pressed between (reflection was a major issue). Gold floss was wrapped around the ends and knotted in back to make the "frame."
"Noah's Ark" trio are to add to friend Manda's collection. I actually did two of the giraffes—one for another friend (Nina) who loves the creatures.
"Sassy" was stitched for my favorite fashionista, Stephanie, the 12-yr-old daughter of one of my closest friends. She absolutely loved it!
"Santa's Surprise," made for above mentioned friend who has two black cats. These usually stitch up really quick, eight or ten hours, max. Come back tomorrow to see more of these.
This is one that didn't quite get finished. The cross-stitching is done, but it needs to be pressed and sewn, and a ribbon added for hanging. At least I can say I have a start on next Christmas...right?
And there you have it—some of the many projects stitched during the past year. All that and I still managed to read 104 books, work, walk at least three days a week, and do some writing!
Stephanie Bennett * Bratty * Alice Audrey
Maddy Barone * Jennifer Leeland * Savannah Chase
Hazel * Colleen * Shelley Munro * Janet * CountryDew
Darla M Sands * Brenda * Xakara * Kimberly Menozzi
Tatiana Caldwell * Madelynne Ellis * A Catherine Noon
Miss Mommy * Mary Quast
Monday, January 17, 2011
Teaser Tuesday 68: A Man to Die For
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
As I type this late Tuesday night, I am about 25 pages from the end of this book—which means I will be finished by the time most people read this, 'cause you know I am not going to bed before finishing it. Not a chance.
Technically, I read this book in a 2-in-1 reissue (Nowhere to Run), but in order to actually get credit for reading both books in the 2011 Reading Challenge, I have to log them as the original single-issue books. Minor detail. This was the second of two books in one volume, and this scene is about 60 pages from the end.
About the Book (from GoodReads):
A Man to Die For (Silhouette Intimate Moments #681)
(Undercover Cops #2) by Suzanne Brockmann
First published Nov 1995
WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR LOVE?
Carrie Brooks' answer: leave her home, her job, her very existence, to run away with a murder suspect, a man whose only prior introduction to her was as her kidnapper. She has no reason at all to trust him. After all, he's proven that he's the enemy—hasn't he?
Felipe Salazar's answer: prove, somehow, that he is an innocent man. He's been in disguise for so long, he’s not even sure who he is anymore. But he knows one thing—he's waited all his life for Carrie. And he's not about to let her get away...
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
As I type this late Tuesday night, I am about 25 pages from the end of this book—which means I will be finished by the time most people read this, 'cause you know I am not going to bed before finishing it. Not a chance.
Technically, I read this book in a 2-in-1 reissue (Nowhere to Run), but in order to actually get credit for reading both books in the 2011 Reading Challenge, I have to log them as the original single-issue books. Minor detail. This was the second of two books in one volume, and this scene is about 60 pages from the end.
Felipe came face-to-face with a killer whale and froze. It opened its mouth as if to snap him in two, yet still he couldn't move. His lungs were bursting from lack of oxygen as he stared at its beady little eyes.
About the Book (from GoodReads):
A Man to Die For (Silhouette Intimate Moments #681)
(Undercover Cops #2) by Suzanne Brockmann
First published Nov 1995
WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR LOVE?
Carrie Brooks' answer: leave her home, her job, her very existence, to run away with a murder suspect, a man whose only prior introduction to her was as her kidnapper. She has no reason at all to trust him. After all, he's proven that he's the enemy—hasn't he?
Felipe Salazar's answer: prove, somehow, that he is an innocent man. He's been in disguise for so long, he’s not even sure who he is anymore. But he knows one thing—he's waited all his life for Carrie. And he's not about to let her get away...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Artzoobilee: Cats of the World
I know I haven't posted anything on Saturday since Christmas, but I aim to change that starting this week. I don't know how much people appreciate them, but I still have a bunch of the Artzoobilee animals not yet shared, so will continue with those for the time being. Here's my niece, The Bug, to introduce you to one of her favorites.
The front side depicts where various species of Big Cats come from...
The Largest Cats of the World
Lynx and Cougar...
The back side features the Madison isthmus and various local landmarks, including the Henry Vilas Zoo...
Lynx and Siberian Tiger...
Lions and Leopards...
A continental view...
The Bug and Tiger, face to face...
Animal: Cats of the World
Artist: S.V. Medaris
Location: Inside Vistors Center
The front side depicts where various species of Big Cats come from...
The back side features the Madison isthmus and various local landmarks, including the Henry Vilas Zoo...
Animal: Cats of the World
Artist: S.V. Medaris
Location: Inside Vistors Center
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Thursday Thirteen 185: Recently Read
The last Thirteen books read...
NOTES:
* Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain was the November featured author in the Cozy Mysteries group. Sorry to say, I did NOT like these. I had difficulty getting into the main character's POV and the pacing was too slow to me. It's the first FA I did not like and will not read again.
* I did like books three and four of Rett MacPherson's series. Now to find books 5 through 11, which are out of print!
* I participated in the Christmas Spirit reading challenge again this year, which ran from Nov 26, 2010 to Jan 6, 2011 (Epiphany). Did not get through as many as I'd hoped, but still managed to pare down the Christmas TBR shelf by eight. You know it's only going to grow again over the coming year...right?
* The top three books are the start to a brand new year of reading. I have also signed up for the 2011 Reading Challenge at Good Reads, with a goal of 100 for this year. Wanting to see that meter move should be good incentive throughout the year!
* My first classic for the year, A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys, and Dickens' A Christmas Carol were read on my Nintendo DS, as I received 100 Classic Books (US version) for Christmas from my sister.
LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)
Stephanie Bennett * Adelle Laudan * Alice Audrey
Darla M Sands * Bratty * Maddy Barone * Xakara
Shelley Munro * Tatiana Caldwell * Virginia * Harriet
CountryDew * Kimberly Menozzi * Jeanne St James
Savannah Chase * Paige Tyler * KS Manning
A Catherine Noon * Mary Quast
NOTES:
* Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain was the November featured author in the Cozy Mysteries group. Sorry to say, I did NOT like these. I had difficulty getting into the main character's POV and the pacing was too slow to me. It's the first FA I did not like and will not read again.
* I did like books three and four of Rett MacPherson's series. Now to find books 5 through 11, which are out of print!
* I participated in the Christmas Spirit reading challenge again this year, which ran from Nov 26, 2010 to Jan 6, 2011 (Epiphany). Did not get through as many as I'd hoped, but still managed to pare down the Christmas TBR shelf by eight. You know it's only going to grow again over the coming year...right?
* The top three books are the start to a brand new year of reading. I have also signed up for the 2011 Reading Challenge at Good Reads, with a goal of 100 for this year. Wanting to see that meter move should be good incentive throughout the year!
* My first classic for the year, A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys, and Dickens' A Christmas Carol were read on my Nintendo DS, as I received 100 Classic Books (US version) for Christmas from my sister.
Stephanie Bennett * Adelle Laudan * Alice Audrey
Darla M Sands * Bratty * Maddy Barone * Xakara
Shelley Munro * Tatiana Caldwell * Virginia * Harriet
CountryDew * Kimberly Menozzi * Jeanne St James
Savannah Chase * Paige Tyler * KS Manning
Monday, January 10, 2011
Teaser Tuesday 67: Death on Demand
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
About the Book (from GoodReads):
Death on Demand (first in a series)
By Carolyn Hart
At Annie Laurance's Death On Demand bookstore on Broward's Rock Island, South Carolina, murder most foul suddenly isn't confined to the well-stocked shelves. Author Elliot Morgan's abrupt demise during a weekly gathering of famous mystery writers called the Sunday Night Regulars is proof positive that a bloody sword is sometimes mightier than a brilliant pen.With Annie in the unenviable position of primary police suspect, the pretty young mystery maven and her wealthy paramour, Max Darling, embark on an investigation into a classic locked-room mystery with high stakes. For failing to unmask a brutal and ingenious killer could mean prison for Ms. Laurance. While success could mean her death.
* Grab your current book or recent read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!
Just finished this one Monday night—not sure which book I will pick up next.
It was utterly quiet, utterly still.
She opened her mouth to call out, but there was something so heavy and ominous in the waiting silence that her throat closed.
(pg 23)
About the Book (from GoodReads):
Death on Demand (first in a series)
By Carolyn Hart
At Annie Laurance's Death On Demand bookstore on Broward's Rock Island, South Carolina, murder most foul suddenly isn't confined to the well-stocked shelves. Author Elliot Morgan's abrupt demise during a weekly gathering of famous mystery writers called the Sunday Night Regulars is proof positive that a bloody sword is sometimes mightier than a brilliant pen.With Annie in the unenviable position of primary police suspect, the pretty young mystery maven and her wealthy paramour, Max Darling, embark on an investigation into a classic locked-room mystery with high stakes. For failing to unmask a brutal and ingenious killer could mean prison for Ms. Laurance. While success could mean her death.
Books Read in 2010
It's time for the 2010 Book roundup!
My goal for 2010 was a "conservative" 80 books, which I far exceeded. Considering the slow start to the year, I was worried I wouldn't even make 50, but around March I seemed to hit my reading stride, averaging about eight books a month, for a grand total of 104! Wow. The things you can accomplish when you get rid of cable!
I also had a goal to read at least four "classics," read more male authors, and read more new-to-me authors. Done, done and done! See the 2010 Reading List above for a run-down of what was read. Here's a look at my 2010 reading habits. Feel free to copy and post to your own blog, adding or deleting questions to suit your own reading habits. Let me know if you play along so I can visit!
Books read in 2008: 66
Books read in 2009: 85
Books read in 2010: 104
New-to-me authors read: 41 -- see list on 2010 Reading Challenges page.
New-to-me authors read more than once: 8
Authors read more than once: Kay Hooper, Nora Roberts, Johanna Lindsey, Nancy Atherton, Rett MacPherson, Aaron Elkins, Suzanne Collins, Cathie Linz, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Ann Voss Peterson, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Annette Blair, Julie Campbell, Susan Wittig Albert, Madelyn Alt, Donald Bain, Dorothy L Sayers, Cristy Evans
Most-read Author of 2009: Charlaine Harris (seven books from three different series). Rett MacPherson, Johanna Lindsey, Nancy Atherton, and VLT all tied for second place with four apiece.
Authors I plan to read again: Nora Roberts, Toni Blake, Charlaine Harris, Jennie Bentley, Sheila Lowe, Sheila Connolly, Johanna Lindsey, Aaron Elkins, Kate Collins, Nancy Atherton, Rett MacPherson (provided I can find the next 7 books in her no-longer-in-print series!), Madelyn Alt, Susan Wittig Albert, Alice Kimberly, Annette Blair
Genres read: Romance, romantic suspense, mystery, thriller, classics, chick lit, literary fiction, biography, childrens/YA.
Number of books won: Eight -- three from blog contests, and five from GoodReads (one of which I am still waiting for).
Favorite romance of the year: Sugar Creek by Toni Blake.
Favorite mystery/suspense: If Books Could Kill by Kate Carlisle and Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton.
My goal for 2010 was a "conservative" 80 books, which I far exceeded. Considering the slow start to the year, I was worried I wouldn't even make 50, but around March I seemed to hit my reading stride, averaging about eight books a month, for a grand total of 104! Wow. The things you can accomplish when you get rid of cable!
I also had a goal to read at least four "classics," read more male authors, and read more new-to-me authors. Done, done and done! See the 2010 Reading List above for a run-down of what was read. Here's a look at my 2010 reading habits. Feel free to copy and post to your own blog, adding or deleting questions to suit your own reading habits. Let me know if you play along so I can visit!
Books read in 2008: 66
Books read in 2009: 85
Books read in 2010: 104
New-to-me authors read: 41 -- see list on 2010 Reading Challenges page.
New-to-me authors read more than once: 8
Authors read more than once: Kay Hooper, Nora Roberts, Johanna Lindsey, Nancy Atherton, Rett MacPherson, Aaron Elkins, Suzanne Collins, Cathie Linz, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Ann Voss Peterson, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Annette Blair, Julie Campbell, Susan Wittig Albert, Madelyn Alt, Donald Bain, Dorothy L Sayers, Cristy Evans
Most-read Author of 2009: Charlaine Harris (seven books from three different series). Rett MacPherson, Johanna Lindsey, Nancy Atherton, and VLT all tied for second place with four apiece.
Authors I plan to read again: Nora Roberts, Toni Blake, Charlaine Harris, Jennie Bentley, Sheila Lowe, Sheila Connolly, Johanna Lindsey, Aaron Elkins, Kate Collins, Nancy Atherton, Rett MacPherson (provided I can find the next 7 books in her no-longer-in-print series!), Madelyn Alt, Susan Wittig Albert, Alice Kimberly, Annette Blair
Genres read: Romance, romantic suspense, mystery, thriller, classics, chick lit, literary fiction, biography, childrens/YA.
Number of books won: Eight -- three from blog contests, and five from GoodReads (one of which I am still waiting for).
Favorite romance of the year: Sugar Creek by Toni Blake.
Favorite mystery/suspense: If Books Could Kill by Kate Carlisle and Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton.
Favorite book of the year: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Favorite Series: I can't choose just one! I loved the Lily Bard (Shakespeare) series by Charlaine Harris, the Gideon Oliver series by Aaron Elkins, and The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.
Challenges participated in: Too many to enumerate! In addition to the year-long challenges listed on the 2010 Challenge page, there were monthly theme challenges in the Cozy Mysteries group at GoodReads. Of the "official" challenges to which I committed, I was 10/12 in the historical challenge, 4/4 in classics, 1/1 in really old classics, 20/20 in the Cozy Mystery challenge, 17/26 in the A-to-Z author challenge (there are some letters that are really hard to get!), and so far I am 22/51 in the Read-the-USA Mystery challenge (which continues into 2011).
Classics read: Poetics by Aristotle; Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros ; Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut; A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Most imaginative world: Hands down, the world of Suzanne Collins in The Hunger Games trilogy.
Weirdest read: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Reading goal for next year: I have committed to reading 100 books in the 2011 Reading Challenge over at GoodReads. *Gulp* Let's see how close I get! I also plan to finish the Read the USA Mystery challenge and aim for six classics this year. I also need to concentrate on favorite authors/series currently sitting on my TBR shelves and read fewer new-to-me authors this year. I know I won't get completely through some authors' backlists, but at least I can pare them down a bit!
What about you? What was your year in books like? What was the best book you read?
Last year's report
Sunday, January 09, 2011
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