I have started an interesting phase in book reading, I discussed fitness memoirs and have been reading those along with my precious paranormal and urban fantasy books. It has been a lot of fun and some of the people are so amusing! Seriously Jen Lancaster would be an awesome friend!
So far, the weight loss plan is going good, I am down to my weight when I got married! Very excited! This week we are at a standstill due to trips and visiting with friends, but next week, back to the grind! I have been doing great with working out, I get at least 30 minutes most days of the week, and I feel stuff is getting easier!
It is going to be an awesome weekend, Girl's Weekend!!!
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Book Reviews: Useful?
I admit that I read book reviews, even the ones with spoilers. I can't seem to help it, especially if it is a book that I am on the fence about reading. There are several authors and series that I don't usually read the reviews because no matter what, I will be buying their books or am committed to the series, a good example is Laurell K. Hamilton. A fair amount of people have not been thrilled with her latest in the Anita Blake series, but I love her work and that series and will continue to buy them until she stops writing it! But besides those few authors that I buy no matter what, I tend to read reviews. I do take a grain of salt with any review, after all it is that person's opinion and they may care about situations and stuff that I do not.
This post came about yesterday, when I was reading some reviews about a book that was on my To Be Read list and just came out. After reading the reviews, I have decided to put off on buying the book, I will probably read it eventually, but not right now. The reviews highlighted certain events in the book that I know would bother me and generally piss me off. It is a little easier for me to decide not to read this book right now, because I am not invested in the series, there have only been 2 other books. I read for enjoyment and to escape real life for awhile, I try not to read stuff that will irritate me. I am very much a comedy, adventure, romance girl, I don't tend to go for the drama or depressing stuff (I am that way with movies too).
That got me thinking what other deal breakers (with books) I have come across and realized the biggest one is cliff hanger endings. I understand the overall story arc from the series being left unresolved, but it bothers me when most of the main story is left unresolved, it is kinda like that To Be Continued 2 part TV show that seem to always end the season. What I have started doing is if I know about the ending, I wait to buy the book until the next one comes out, buy both of them, and then read them both as 1 big book.
I know that some people would say that it ruins the experience of reading the book and it is all about the journey, but it doesn't ruin anything for me, I still enjoy every minute and every page.
Anyway, that is my opinions on book reviews and how I use them. Now I am off to read!
This post came about yesterday, when I was reading some reviews about a book that was on my To Be Read list and just came out. After reading the reviews, I have decided to put off on buying the book, I will probably read it eventually, but not right now. The reviews highlighted certain events in the book that I know would bother me and generally piss me off. It is a little easier for me to decide not to read this book right now, because I am not invested in the series, there have only been 2 other books. I read for enjoyment and to escape real life for awhile, I try not to read stuff that will irritate me. I am very much a comedy, adventure, romance girl, I don't tend to go for the drama or depressing stuff (I am that way with movies too).
That got me thinking what other deal breakers (with books) I have come across and realized the biggest one is cliff hanger endings. I understand the overall story arc from the series being left unresolved, but it bothers me when most of the main story is left unresolved, it is kinda like that To Be Continued 2 part TV show that seem to always end the season. What I have started doing is if I know about the ending, I wait to buy the book until the next one comes out, buy both of them, and then read them both as 1 big book.
I know that some people would say that it ruins the experience of reading the book and it is all about the journey, but it doesn't ruin anything for me, I still enjoy every minute and every page.
Anyway, that is my opinions on book reviews and how I use them. Now I am off to read!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Finishing books
It is time again to work on finishing the 8 books that I am in the middle of reading. I have this habit of reading multiple books at once, usually it is easy to maintain, but when the number gets this high, I have to take a step back and finish several of them before starting new ones! So the new goal for this week is to finish at least 4 of the 'currently reading' books. I believe that sounds like an excellent plan and am going to start immediately!
Book Review: The Spirit Rebellion and The Spirit Eater
The Spirit Rebellion (The Legend of Eli Monpress #2) by Rachel Aaron
The Spirit Eater (The Legend of Eli Monpress #3) by Rachel Aaron
So after reading the first book, The Spirit Thief, I went out and bought #2 and #3 the next day, I had to continue the adventures of Eli and his friends! The books didn't disappoint, The Spirit Rebellion picks up right after The Spirit Thief ends and you get to see the resulting fall out. Eli, of course, ends up smelling like roses and enjoying a boost in bounty. A bit more of his past is revealed and an multi-book story arc develops more.
The overarching story arc blossoms in The Spirit Eater, which delves into Nico's past and current complications. The interactions between the main characters is more intimate (not in a romantic way) and their histories, both individually and as a group, are told. Several new characters are introduced and explored more in this book and hopefully will play a bigger role in the upcoming The Spirit War.
Throughout both books, there was a lot of fun and interesting adventures and succeeded in staying an extremely enjoyable read! Can't wait for #4 to come out!
The Spirit Eater (The Legend of Eli Monpress #3) by Rachel Aaron
So after reading the first book, The Spirit Thief, I went out and bought #2 and #3 the next day, I had to continue the adventures of Eli and his friends! The books didn't disappoint, The Spirit Rebellion picks up right after The Spirit Thief ends and you get to see the resulting fall out. Eli, of course, ends up smelling like roses and enjoying a boost in bounty. A bit more of his past is revealed and an multi-book story arc develops more.
The overarching story arc blossoms in The Spirit Eater, which delves into Nico's past and current complications. The interactions between the main characters is more intimate (not in a romantic way) and their histories, both individually and as a group, are told. Several new characters are introduced and explored more in this book and hopefully will play a bigger role in the upcoming The Spirit War.
Throughout both books, there was a lot of fun and interesting adventures and succeeded in staying an extremely enjoyable read! Can't wait for #4 to come out!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Book Review: The Spirit Thief
The Spirit Thief (The Legend of Eli Monpress #1) by Rachel Aaron
I am a sucker for a great adventure story, especially with a not your typical main character. Eli is a thief, the greatest thief in the world. With his friends, the swordsman Josef, and the demonseed Nico, Eli is trying to up the bounty on his head, why not steal a king?!
I have been wanting to read this book for awhile, and it didn't disappoint. It was a really fun, enjoyable read. It is not a romance, and there are no sex scenes, instead it is a fantasy filled with witty dialogue, fun characters, and a fascinating world. The adventures that Eli and his friends endure are intriguing and at times laugh out loud funny. Eli is a great main character with enough mystery to keep you interested and wanting to know more. The secondary characters, Josef, Nico, Miranda, and Gin have their own issues and pasts that start to catch up to them in the middle of the current adventure. I can't wait to read the next two books in the series, The Spirit Rebellion and The Spirit Eater, I plan on going out to buy them today!
The author's website is: http://www.rachelaaron.net/, there is also sample chapters and excerpts to enjoy!
I am a sucker for a great adventure story, especially with a not your typical main character. Eli is a thief, the greatest thief in the world. With his friends, the swordsman Josef, and the demonseed Nico, Eli is trying to up the bounty on his head, why not steal a king?!
I have been wanting to read this book for awhile, and it didn't disappoint. It was a really fun, enjoyable read. It is not a romance, and there are no sex scenes, instead it is a fantasy filled with witty dialogue, fun characters, and a fascinating world. The adventures that Eli and his friends endure are intriguing and at times laugh out loud funny. Eli is a great main character with enough mystery to keep you interested and wanting to know more. The secondary characters, Josef, Nico, Miranda, and Gin have their own issues and pasts that start to catch up to them in the middle of the current adventure. I can't wait to read the next two books in the series, The Spirit Rebellion and The Spirit Eater, I plan on going out to buy them today!
The author's website is: http://www.rachelaaron.net/, there is also sample chapters and excerpts to enjoy!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Weight loss goals and rewards
There are quite a few books coming out this year from my favorite authors. I decided to use these as rewards for a weight loss goal. Instead of using food as reward (kind of defeats the purpose), I have set out goals according to book release dates and will not buy the books until I reach the corresponding weight goal!
It was working out pretty good until the two weeks around Christmas. I have tweeked the goals and it works out to be about 1 pound loss per week, which I believe is completely doable! The end date as of now is May 31, the release date of Kiss of Snow (Nalini Singh) and Magic Slays (Ilona Andrews), the two books I am looking forward to the most this year. Here are the goals and corresponding books:
It was working out pretty good until the two weeks around Christmas. I have tweeked the goals and it works out to be about 1 pound loss per week, which I believe is completely doable! The end date as of now is May 31, the release date of Kiss of Snow (Nalini Singh) and Magic Slays (Ilona Andrews), the two books I am looking forward to the most this year. Here are the goals and corresponding books:
Jan 11: 5 pounds
-Mercy Blade
-Killing Rocks
Jan 25: 8 pounds
- River Marked
-Archangel’s Consort
-Loose Ends
Feb 1: 9 pounds
- Shot Through Velvet
-Blood Wyne
Feb 15: 11 pounds
- Dreams of a Dark Warrior
March 1: 13 pounds
- Late Eclipse
-Iron Crowned
-It Happened One Bite
March 29: 17 pounds
- Con & Conjure
April 5: 18 pounds
- Dark Enchantment
-Eternal Kiss
April 26: 21 pounds
- Tangled Threads
May 3: 22 pounds
- Hard Bitten
May 31: 25 pounds
-Kiss of Snow
-Magic Slays
Books, books, and more books
I have added my Shelfari "I am currently reading" list, as can be seen, I am usually in the middle of a couple of books at once. Some of these I am re-reading and whenever I finish a book, I will post a little review about it. Reading is one of my greatest pleasures and I enjoy a variety of genres!
I also added a countdown widget on the side, this one is from one of my favorite authors Nalini Singh! I will probably add more if they become available.
I also added a countdown widget on the side, this one is from one of my favorite authors Nalini Singh! I will probably add more if they become available.
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