81 Books in 2013

I read 81 books in 2013.
(the one really bugs me; I want to read another book to round that to a two so it's 82). My goodreads challenge was 75.
There were books I enjoyed, some that were quick reads, and others that I LOVED. These are the ones I highly recommend (in no particular order):


Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

Jellico Road by Melina Marchetta

Pivot Point by Kassie West

Defy by Sara Larson

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Insurgent by Veronica Ross

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson


 I'm not sure I could pick a favorite out of these choices. MIND GAMES was different and intriguing while PIVOT POINT had a great voices in alternating chapters, but it was the same person. INSURGENT and SHADOW AND BONE are amazing books that are part of trilogies and THE DAY BEFORE is in verse.
DEFY actually came out in 2014 but I read it early on Netgalley. Girl dresses as boy as not to get killed, crushes on prince--nice! SKY JUMPERS was a fanstastic middle grade book.

What about you? Did you have ONE favorite read?

Foto Friday ~ Choices

What to do? Goals and such

It's been a little while since I blogged. Christmas break was crazy fun and busy. I wrote one day out of fourteen. I edited one day out of fourteen.
I have a lot of stories I've written and need to edit. I have stories in my head.
There isn't enough writing time in the day to get everything done I would like to.
Sigh.
But I keep going because if I don't the ideas and stories and characters in my head will get crowded and eventually my brain will explode.
The only way to stop the destruction is to write every day that I can.
This year I hope get an agent, edit my NANO project, THIRTY DAYS and finish writing VOICES.
And that's in between the family events, kids to college, trips, extended family, reunions, camps, etc.
Life.
It's normal.
It is what it is.
I love it.


“Start telling the stories that only you can tell, because there’ll always be better writers than you and there’ll always be smarter writers than you. There will always be people who are much better at doing this or doing that – but you are the only you.” ― Neil Gaiman

Foto Friday ~ Experience

Foto Friday ~ Maori proverb

TALESPINS by Michael Mullin Blog Tour!

A trilogy of alternative fairytales and retellings. Discover the real Snow White story through the eyes of Creepy, the unknown 8th dwarf! Meet a teen princess who hires "The Frog Prince" witch to get revenge on a Mean Girl at school! And learn how the giant, boy thief and magic beans tale truly went down!

First line:
The stories we pass down fromparent to child
were once fill with darkness, but somehow turned mild.


These were fun read-out-loud stories! My daughter said they were 'rhymey'.
From the eighth dwarf, Creepy to a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, this is a book families will enjoy reading.







 
Author Michael Mullin
Michael Mullin is a native New Englander living in Pasadena. He is the author of TaleSpins, a trilogy of alternative fairy tales and retellings for YA readers. TaleSpins stories (in the 1-book collection) are “8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf”; “The Plight and Plot of Princess Penny”; and “Jack’d”. Michael is also the co-author of the successful “Larry Gets Lost” children’s book series. His screenplay “Zooing Time” was recognized by the WGA’s Written By magazine. Before all this writing, he taught preschool and college, two positions he found disconcertingly similar.


Tour Schedule

December 16th
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Interview
Fae Books – Spotlight
Emma Michaels – Spotlight
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing – Spotlight
Baking Beauty – Spotlight
December 17th
Sarah Aisling – Review
paranormal book club – Spotlight
Book Reviews from a Christian Gal – Review
December 18th
A Blog Hop Place for Books – Spotlight
The Bookshelf Gargoyle – Review
Gustosa Giveaways – Guest Post
December 19th
Mel’s Shelves – Review
Bookworm Lisa – Spotlight
readalot – Review
Doodles, doodles everywhere – Review
December 20th
Cover2CoverBlog – Review
Our Wolves Den – Review
Hide the Matches – Review
January 7th
Shelf Full of Books – Review
Hot Off the Shelves – Review
Mother Daughter Book Reviews – Review
MyLadyWeb: Women Authors & Women’s History – Spotlight
A Casual Reader’s Blog – Review
January 8th
Tifferz & Her Sisterz Book Reviewz – Review
Mom With A Kindle – Review
I Love to Read and Review Books – Review
fuonlyknew – Review
Wondermom Wannabe – Review
January 9th
Mythical Books – Review
Kelly P’s Blog – Spotlight
My Portable Library – Review
Bibliophilia, Please – Review
Taffy’s Writing – Review
January 10th
The Muse Unleashed – Review
Stacy Juba’s Character Crossroads – Interview
Book Lovers Life – Review
Spiced Latte Reads – Review
Savings in Seconds – Review
January 11th
Emeraldfire’s Bookmark – Review
Mom Does Reviews – Review
January 12th
Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews – Tens List
Once Upon a YA Book – Review
January 13th
icefairy’s Treasure Chest – Review
alwaysjoart – Review
BookHounds YA – Interview
Sweeping Me – Spotlight
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch – Spotlight
Vonnie’s Reading Corner – Review
January 15th
StoreyBook Reviews – Review
Min Reads and Reviews – Review
Author Janiera Eldridge – Review
Literary Winner – Spotlight
Brooke Blogs – Review
Not My Circuss, Not My Monkeys – Review
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
January 17th
Sher A. Hart: Written Art – Review
Pieces of Whimsy – Spotlight
Author Cindy C Bennett – Review
Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review
Amethyst Daydreams – Spotlight

Foto Friday ~ Change vs. Chance