A New Author

I saw an ad in All You magazine for a book titled The Cross-Country Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini a few weeks ago.

It looked interesting and reminded me of one of my favorite series by Emilie Richards, The Shenandoah Album Novels, they all seem to revolve around a quilt pattern in some way.

So I looked up the author online at my county library, I wanted to reserve this book. Well I discovered that this is the third story in a series of books, and actually this one isn't the newest edition so I'm not sure why it was in such a big ad in that magazine. I found the first book in the series, The Quilter's Apprentice and put it on hold.

I loved it!! Granted it may not have been the greatest story ever told but the actually quilting, mentioning of patterns, etc in this book just drew me in. I come from a line of quilters, and I really want to get into quilting myself.

So, once I read the first one I decided to read the others too. I haven't been reading them in order because for some odd reason my county library doesn't have the second on in their system. I did read The Cross-Country Quilters and now I'm reading The Sugar Camp Quilt.

Rhett Butler's People

Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig has been on my want to read list for a few months now. My mom had it laying in her pile from the library so I snatched it and brought it home to read.

I posted below about my *funk* and I was really hoping it would help to get my out of my funk. I have to say it hasn't disappointed. It was a little hard to get into at first but I'm hooked!!

I love the book (and movie) Gone With the Wind. I've read Scarlett and enjoyed it too. And now to see this side of the 'story' and how things fall into place with Gone With the Wind is keeping my interest I'm sure.

Have any of you (okay, Julie...my one & only reader here LOL!!)read any of his other works? I'm thinking I might have to look up Jacob's Ladder and try reading it sometime too.

If you enjoy books of this genre you should try it out!!

In a rut

Since I hit my 100th book of the year I seem to be in a rut.

I've read 4 or 5 books since the beginning of September, that is it.

Nothing I've picked up has really kept my interest, I did read Debbie Macomber's new Cedar Cove series book in September. But even that took me a while to read, not flying through it in a day or two like I usually would.

I feel so *odd* this is so unlike me!! So I decided to turn all the library books I had out back in and start anew with choosing books. I actually took one from my mom's to be read pile at her house today....Rhett Butler's People, I've had this one on my want to read list for a while now. I'm hoping it pulls me in and I get back into the groove of things LOL!!

Books

I'm a HUGE advocate of my county library system. I think you can tell that if you read my blog much. I refuse to spend money on books when I can save that money and get them at the library for free. Helps my budget, helps them. I mean, come on I've read 104 books this year if I had bought all of those books can you imagine how much money I would have spent?

So with that said...my hubby is planning to take me to Hawaii next year to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I have been researching online and reading any Hawaii travel book I can find at the library for months now. The problem with that is that most of the time they are already a year or so old, so some of the information is already out of date.

I had someone recommend Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook by Andrew Doughty to me to purchase. Granted it is a 2007 edition it's supposed to be a super good book. So I bit the bullet and ordered it.

That just got me in trouble though because while looking for that one I found these two new editions, that I couldn't resist ordering too!!

1. Top Maui Restaurants 2008 From Thrifty to Four Star: Indispensable Advice from Experts Who Live, Play & Eat on Maui by James Jacobson & Molly Jacobson

2. Fodor's Maui 2009

I can't wait until these arrive, I'll have some good reading all winter, as I'm sure I'll read them over & over, with highlighter in hand soaking in all I can before we say Aloha!!

Such a nerd am I

With four months still to go in the libraries program to read 100 stories this year & earn a gold card, I picked this up today.

Websites

These are a few websites that I like to check out every so often relating to books.

Bookreporter.com This one offers reviews on various books, new releases etc. They also host special giveaways and such.

Read It Forward This one is from Random House and you can sign up to get FREE copies of hot, new titles to read. I actually just received one in the mail last week to read!!

I use Shelfari all the time to keep up with what I've read, what I'm reading, and books I want to read.

I am subscribed to a few of my favorite authors websites so I receive updates from them via email, and I have a few on my Facebook account too.

I was thinking there was one more but now I can't remember what it is.

Are there any book related sites that you use or love?

Almost there!!

1. Tribute by Nora Roberts
2. Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown
3. Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
4. Crazy in Love by Luanne Rice
5. A Country Affair by Rebecca Shaw
6. Country Wives by Rebecca Shaw
7. Country Lovers by Rebecca Shaw
8. Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews
9. The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux
10. Stone Heart by Luanne Rice
11. By My Side by Nora Roberts
12. 1000 Places to See Before You Die (USA & Canada version) by Patricia Schultz
13. Mobil Travel Guide for Southern California & Hawaii
14. The Enchanted Land by Jude Deveraux
15. Finding the Dream by Nora Roberts
16. Endless Chain by Emilie Richards
17. Not a Girl Detective by Susan Kandel
18. Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
19. Prospect Street by Emilie Richards
20. Eyewitness Travel Guides HAWAII
21. Emma and the Outlaw by Linda Lael Miller
22. Big Sky Winter by Diana Palmer
23. Plain Truth by Jodi PIcoult
24. Carpe Demon (Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom) by Julie Kenner
25. Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards
26. Home to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
27. Frommer's Hawaii 2007
28. Adventure Guide Maui
29. Traveller's Hawaii
30. The everything family guide to Hawaii
31. Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank
32. Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
33. Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich
34. The Manninng Brides by Debbie Macomber
35. Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
36. Last Kiss by Luanne Rice
37. Secrets by Jude Deveraux
38. Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
39. Wife for Hire by Janet Evanovich
40. If the Shoe Fits by Stephanie Rowe
41. Rogue by Danielle Steele
42. Deja Demon by Julie Kenner
43. Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews
44. The Widows of Eden by George Shaffner
45. Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie
46. High Heels are Murder by Elaine Viets
47. The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, Anne Stuart
48. What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
49. We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg
50. Sealed with a Kiss by Carly Phillips
51. Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie
52. A Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg
53. The Letters by Luanne Rice & Joseph Monninger
54. Under the Radar by Fern Michaels
55. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
56. Dark Summer by Iris Johansen
57. The Stanislaski Stories (Taming Natasha & Luring a Lady)by Nora Roberts
58, Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde
59. Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
60. Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
61. Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
62. Legend by Jude Deveraux
63. Mr & Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels
64. Destination: Marriage by Jill Marie Landis, Jo Leigh, & Jackie Braun
65. Heartbreak Hotel by Anne Rivers Siddons
66. Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger
67. Vision in White by Nora Roberts
68. The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deveraux
69. The Complete Idiots Guide to Hawaii
70. The Rustler by Linda Lael Miller
71. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
72. True Colors by Kristin Hannah
73. Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews
74. Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews
75. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy
76. Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
77. Summer Island by Kristin Hannah
78. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
79. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
80. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
81. The Matchmakers by Debbie Macomber
82. Wifey by Judy Blume
83. Razor Sharp by Fern MIchaels
84. The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews
85. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
86. Summer's Child by Luanne Rice
87. Insider Guide to N.C. Outer Banks by Molly Perkins Harrison
88. Sisterchicks on the Loose by Robin Jones Gunn
89. Black Hills by Nora Roberts
90. The Scoop by Fern Michaels
91. Sisterchicks do the Hula by Robin Jones Gunn
92. Happiness Key by Emilie Richards

Andrews

Yes, her again. I am on a mission to read all of her books I can get my hands on.

I just discovered Mary Kay Andrews earlier this year as part of the 100 Challenge from my library. I'm so glad I discovered her!!

In the last week I've read Savannah Blues and Little Bitty Lies. Both were funny, good, easy to read books!!

Now I'm going to read Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, it was recommended by Julie I hope I like it ;0)

Admitting....

that I finally gave in and read Twilight over the weekend.
Just the first book of the series but once I finished it I think I will read the others.
Just as soon as my turn at the library comes up, I'm in no hurry I've got a stack of nine others here to read.

Currently I'm finishing up True Colors by Kristin Hannah.

FYI..

And while there I'll be reading:

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hawaii (I'm researching for next year!!!)

and maybe if I have time:

The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deveraux

Anne Rivers Siddons

Do you read her books? Do you like them?

I checked out Heartbreak Hotel by her, I kept thinking I've heard people talking about her books & recommending them.

I'm sorry I tried....but I just couldn't get into it. I actually skimmed the whole book after the 5th chapter so I could finish it and count it on my 100 challenge list.

Maybe it was just this book or are all her books like this, so much detail blah blah blah stuff?

Now I'm going to read Chasing Harry Winston by Laruen Weisberger.

I'm going on vacation next week and my mom picked up my copy of Vision in White by Nora Roberts for me @ the library branch close to her house so I can't wait until Saturday when we meet them at the beach and I can get started on that!! I hope it's good! I really enjoyed her last one, Tribute.

Seriously....

If you haven't read any of Mary Kay Andrews books you should.

They are so full of southern humor and I love that!! They get my interest from page one and keep me reading just fo the laughs! I literally laughed out loud all through this one and my hubby just kept looking at me LOL!!

I just recently finished Savannah Breeze. I've also read Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, and Hissy Fit.

There are a few she's written that I haven't read yet and I just found out a new one is coming out on June 23rd!! I'm off to the library web page to see if I can reserve it!!

What I've been doing lately

Reading LOL!! I am surprised by how far along I am in the 100 book challenge. I was really doubting I could make it at one point. And I kept telling myself I had to hit 50 by June, 6 months in half way mark would make sense right?

Well I'm on 61!! YAY!! And I'm not going to stop, I love to read so even once I hit the 100 mark I won't stop, I'm going to keep going as much as I have to see how many I can read in 50 weeks. I say 50 because I was a week or two late starting the challenge at my library which began the first of the year.

I've taken this challenge so far that I've challenged my friends on a online forum's book club area to read 100 with me this year! And I'm earning a "gold card" from my library once I complete the challenge so I've offered up our very own 'gold book club card' for those that meet the quota. I'm actually thinking of using different colors for all participants depending on how many they've read. Sort of like the Olympic medals come in different colors, everyone should be included LOL!!

So here is what I've read since the last post:

The Letters by Luanne Rice & Joseph Monninger

Under the Radar by Fern Michaels Another great edition to The Sisterhood Series!

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks Always love his books.

Dark Summer by Iris Johansen Loved this one!

The Stanislaski Stories (Taming Natasha & Luring a Lady)by Nora Roberts

Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline Absolutely LOVE Scottoline!!! I read this in a few hours!

Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber A true Macomber novel, I enjoy this series too, can't wait until the next in her Cedar Cover series comes out in September.

Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews this is a "new" author to me, she's on the list below I just discovered her while doing this challenge and I do enjoy her books. Such southern humor!!

Anyone out there care to share what you're reading? =0) Julie I know you're list LOL!!

I hit the halfway mark!

On my libraries read 100 stories this year challenge. I hit the halfway mark!!
Just a recap of what I've read since mid-January.

1. Tribute by Nora Roberts
2. Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown
3. Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
4. Crazy in Love by Luanne Rice
5. A Country Affair by Rebecca Shaw
6. Country Wives by Rebecca Shaw
7. Country Lovers by Rebecca Shaw
8. Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews
9. The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux
10. Stone Heart by Luanne Rice
11. By My Side by Nora Roberts
12. 1000 Places to See Before You Die (USA & Canada version) by Patricia Schultz
13. Mobil Travel Guide for Southern California & Hawaii
14. The Enchanted Land by Jude Deveraux
15. Finding the Dream by Nora Roberts
16. Endless Chain by Emilie Richards
17. Not a Girl Detective by Susan Kandel
18. Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
19. Prospect Street by Emilie Richards
20. Eyewitness Travel Guides HAWAII
21. Emma and the Outlaw by Linda Lael Miller
22. Big Sky Winter by Diana Palmer
23. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
24. Carpe' Demon (Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom) by Julie Kenner
25. Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards
26. Home to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
27. Frommer's Hawaii 2007
28. Adventure Guide Maui
29. Traveller's Hawaii
30. The everything family guide to Hawaii
31. Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank
32. Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
33. Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich
34. The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber
35. Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
36. Last Kiss by Luanne Rice
37. Secrets by Jude Deveraux
38. Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
39. Wife for Hire by Janet Evanovich
40. If the Shoe Fits by Stephanie Rowe
41. Rogue by Danielle Steele
42. Deja' Demon by Julie Kenner
43. Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews
44. The Widows of Eden by George Shaffner
45. Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie
46. High Heels are Murder by Elaine Viets
47. The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, Anne Stuart
48. What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
49. We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg
50. Sealed with a Kiss by Carly Phillips
51. Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie
52. A Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg
53. The Letters by Luanne Rice & Joseph Monninger
54. Under the Radar by Fern Michaels

And after doing this post and labeling it I see some of my favorite author names that I haven't read in the last four months! I'll have to see if they have some I've missed, like Lisa Scottoline I've read most of hers if not all. I know she has a new one out or coming out I'll have to see what I can find.