read_warbler

I completed my first science fiction read of the year this week while I was offline for several days (our router died). It's for Carl's Sc-fi Experience, a casual reading experience which lasts until the end of February, wherein the reader can read one book or twenty - it's up to him or her. My first book was At Winter's End by the classic sci-fi writer, Robert Silverberg.



( At Winter's End )

Part of my book plan for 2012 was to try to read a few more non-fiction books. It seemed last year as though I *was* reading more but as usual when I added them up come December the number came to around about a dozen, eleven to be exact, and I don't seem to be able to go beyond that number. I know one a month (they're actually not spread evenly in that way) doesn't sound bad but I would much rather it was around 20 to 25. Whether that'll ever happen, who knows, as crime books really do have me by the throat these days, with fantasy and sci fi aiding and abetting... but I can but try. To that end, I randomly grabbed Wait For Me! by Deborah Devonshire from the library last week. When I got home I did as I always do, logged onto the library site to check that all books are there and what the dates are (am I anal or what?) and found that the book was already reserved by someone else. Wanting to read it and being in a position to do so, I started it right away.



( Wait For Me! )

I'm wondering if LJ is going to let me post this as it still seems to be playing up.

Anyway, I can but try. These is My Words by Nancy Turner is a book that was recommended to me a couple of years ago when I mentioned a liking for books about American pioneers. It's been languishing on my tbr mountain ever since, but I always think there's a 'time' to read every single book and this one's time had definitely arrived.




( These is My Words )

A two-book post today, both of which qualify for my American states challenge. First up Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr, recommended by taverymate a couple of posts ago.



( Anna Pigeon in Texas & life on the MN prairie )

There can't be many people who've not heard of Laura Ingalls Wilder's book, Little House on the Prairie. Its fame may be due in part to the television series of the same name staring the chap who was in Bonanza... was it Michael Landon? Played Little Joe I fancy (gosh that ages me). I think I saw a few of those, but I'm pretty sure I never read the Little House series as a child, for what reason I don't know. They must have been in the library in Penzance but I probably had no idea how good they were. Librarians didn't tend to recommend books to children back in the 60s and my family wouldn't have known about them. So I missed out and it's a shame; as an adult I honestly don't think you experience the same kind of magic when reading as children do and I know for certain I would have adored this series of books as much as, say, C.S. Lewis's Narnia books which completely swept me away.



( Little House on the Prairie )

Again it's been a while since I posted here. I'm blaming real life which has been a bit of a pig for a couple of months and when that hasn't been preoccyping me I've been reading for my Halloween challenge. If anyone is interested in what I read for that my Blogger post is here.

A couple of days ago I came across a book challenge that I thought would suit me down to the ground. The idea is to read 50 books, one for each of the 50 American states, in a year, and you can read about it here. My first thought was to go ahead and do it and then I had a second one (I do occasionally). How on earth was I really going to devote about two thirds of my reading space next year to just one challenge? Even in a perfect world that's just not going to happen. A third thought was obviously required...

( The third thought and more... )

Well, it's about time I put something bookish up here! I have been reading through the summer but not necessarily reviewing everything as things have been busy and stressful, especially over the past few weeks, and something has to give.

Anyway, it's the time of year when I do Carl's Halloween challenge so here're a couple of reviews of the two books I've read so far - Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs and The Gates by John Connolly.

First up, Bone Crossed



( Bone Crossed and The Gates )

I'm currently rereading Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. I'm doing this mainly because I loved it so much the first time around but back then I whizzed through it without stopping. This time I'm reading it much more slowly, enjoying it more, and also jotting down recommended books as I go. A bit of a crazy thing to do really. I have a tbr pile the size of Mount Everest and hardly need to be making lists of books I haven't read, don't own, and will thus have to buy or borrow from the library if I do decide to read them. Like I said: mad.

Anyway, this is meant to be a bookblog and I haven't reviewed many books lately so here're a couple of quickie reviews of what I've read recently. First up - A Wild Life by Dick Pitman.



( Two quickies )

What with harvesting from the garden and grandkids and other bits and pieces connected with it being summer I haven't posted here in a little while, even though I've been reading a fair bit. Thought I'd make up for it by doing a library loot post.



Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader and Claire at The Captive Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

( The library books )

Ages since I've posted a book review, I've been reading quite a lot but mainly continuations of various series of which I don't always think it's necessary to write about every single book. Anyway, to end my blogging silence I thought I would review Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom. It *is* part of a series (book 2) but I also feel that it's a book which easily stands alone. It's also far too good not to be blogged about!



( Dark Fire )