I've been a major slacker about what I've read. I might have even missed a couple but I'll try.

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse - An anthology featuring Stephen King, Cory Doctorow, Octavia Butler, and many more. This book features 22 apocalyptic stories. I read them all, but didn't really care for some of them. I wish I could remember whose I liked the best but it's been a while since I finished this.

Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy - This was absolutely hysterical! I finished this off in a couple of hours. I loved where Jenny wanted to eat an entire jar of mustard.

The Great Warming: Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations by Brian Fagan - I saw the author on the Daily Show one night and this sounded like an interesting book. Of course, I didn't understand everything discussed in the book but it was very interesting.

Index to Murder by Jo Dereske - This was the latest in the Miss Zukas Mysteries. I've stopped buying these in the store and get them from the library. I found the MC less annoying in this book than the last. The reason behind a couple of deaths was sort of weak, but overall it was okay.

A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane - theemmer and I watched Gone Baby Gone a while back and it made me want to read the other books in this series. This is the first book in the Kenzie/Gennaro series. It was an EXCELLENT book and I can't wait to read the rest.

Panic Free Pregnancy by Michael Broder - I was expecting more from this book and in a lot of places he contradicted everything I had read in several other sources about things you can/can't do during pregnancy. It was a quick read and I finished it in one sitting. Not very helpful overall.

What I'm reading now... well I've started and stopped several books lately, so I have 4-5 where I'm 1/4-1/3 of the way through. But yesterday I picked up Eve Kenin's Hidden (the latest Shomi book and the follow up to Driven - which was one of my favorite books last year) and I can not wait to dive into it.

It's been a long time since I updated on what I've read this year.

I Am America (and so can you)! by Stephen Colbert -- I'd been waiting for this one from the library for a while. It's very funny and just like The Colbert Report. Eventually I'll probably have to find a copy to go with America, The Book.

The Revenant by Carolyn Haines -- A small town Mississippi reporter (alcoholic, self-destructive, major issues from her past) helps solve the crime that has shocked the town. A grave has been discovered with five bodies from twenty years earlier. It's no doubt a serial killer, but then suddenly new bodies start showing up. I really enjoyed this book. The main character was damaged and destructive, but still managed to keep her crap together to do her job. I believe this novel was a stand-alone, but I would love to see this character again.

Black Magic Woman by Justin Gustainis -- Okay, I kept hearing about this book online and had it on my TBB list. But when I picked up a copy in the store I was thrilled with the couple pages I read so it moved to my library TBR pile. Quincey Morris (descendant of THE Quincey Morris) and Libby Chastain (bi-sexual, white witch) are on the case of solving a Hatfield-McCoy feud that's lasted since the Salem witch trials. I ended up loving this book and can not wait for the next one in the series.

The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski -- After her passenger, Marissa, dies in a car accident, June Parker finds a list Marissa had written: 20 Things to Do by My 25th Birthday. The items on the list range 'go braless one day' to 'change someone's life'. June ends up learning about Marissa's life and her own in her quest to complete the list. Again, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I bought it as a whim in the store and it ended up being a very delightful read.

What Happens in Vegas... by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Anya Bast, Lauren Dane, and Kit Tunstall -- Okay, I can really only give my opinion of two of the stories in this anthology, because I only read two of them. The other two I tried to read, but for different reasons, I couldn't finish either one. Stripped by Lauren Dane and The Deal by Anya Bast are both hot, sexy reads.. which if you know their work already, you won't be surprised by that. I loved the characters and stories in both. It's one reason they're both on my auto-by list.

On Tuesday night I hardly slept, so my plan last night was to go to bed early. So about 8:30, I decided to lay in bed and read for a little bit. Just come down from the day and relax before falling asleep. I picked up Tempted and was up till 11pm finishing the damn book!

It took me longer to get into this book than Dirty or Broken, but once I hit a certain point in the book it was like a bullet train that I couldn't get off (and I didn't want to). I felt at times like I was holding my breath while I read the book. There was a moment late in the book where Anne says something to her husband James (I won't say what it was for fear of spoiling anything) but it was, at least for me, like an emotional kick to the solar plexus.

It's funny because earlier in the day, I'd been reading a different book during my lunch hour. It's the fourth book in a paranormal romance series that I've enjoyed up till this point. Something happened at the end of chapter 2 or 3 that made me just stop short and go WTF? Really? I was beyond annoyed by how both the hero and heroine were acting so early in the book so I'm not even going to finish it. I was lamenting in email to theemmer about what had happened in the book and how disappointed I was. She said I should just move on to another book, because I had plenty of good stuff to read at home. And Tempted was the epitome of that. Of course, now I'm spoiled on reading and whatever I read next is probably going to pale in comparison so I'm completely switching genres and reading some straight sci-fi.

Actually that's not true, I have plenty to read. In fact, I think there are 5 or 6 books sitting on my bed alone waiting to be read (and that doesn't take into consideration my TBR pile which is taking over my bedroom).

Speaking of books, susanrobbins and I were discussing them this morning (I was saying that there are a couple waiting for me at the library) and she said that she was going to make a resolution regarding books and wanted me to suggest something for her to read, something that I had just loved. So I thought for a couple of minutes and then it came to me... authorm's Broken.

Now on to what I've read since the last time I updated my reading list:

57. Rancher's Family Thanksgiving - Cathy Thacker (p.224)
58. Coyote Dreams - C.E. Murphy (p.416)
59. The Cop - Cara Summers (p.230)
60. The P.I. - Cara Summers (p.235)
61. Dark Defender - Alexis Morgan (p.338)
62. In Darkness Reborn - Alexis Morgan (p.384)
63. Baltimore Blues - Laura Lippman (p.290)

I'm too lazy right now to give you my individual summary for each book. The two by Cara Summers are part of a 3 book series (I have the third one, just haven't read it yet). I like them, great chemistry in the books and hot sex. The two by Alexis Morgan are books 2 and 3 of her Paladins of Darkness series. Great paranormal romance series. Book 4 is one of the books waiting for me at the library. I just finished the Laura Lippman book last night and can't wait to start the next one in the series (which the roomie has on her bookshelves).


Total pages read for the year: 20503

56 - Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson - Now the spine of this book says it's paranormal romance but it's really a fantasy with a strong romantic plot. Rain Tairen Soul is the King of the Fey. His people are dying and he asks the Eye for an answer to save his people. He's shown the image of a human woman with red hair. The woman he discovers is Ellie, a simple woodcutter's daughter. He claims her telling her that she is his truemate. They navigate politics, rising danger from the evil Eld mages, and Ellie's emerging magic. The world building in this book is excellent and the multi-threads of the plot are kept organized so that you never lose track of what is going on. Now, this is the first book in a series so much of it is spent setting up the world and introducing the reader to the characters but I am anxious to get the next book Lady of Light and Shadows, unfortunately then it sounds like it will be a year till the subsequent book in the series. 402 pages

Pages for the years - 18386


Currently reading - Unfortunately, after reading something so richly layered and neatly plotted as Lord of the Fading Lands, the next book I picked up just seemed bland. I have two books I'm trying to read. One is a straight contemporary romance, which is not normally my thing and I don't know if I'll finish it. I'm about three chapters in and I really don't care about any of the characters. The other book is an erotic romance, which has two interconnected novellas. I'm about halfway through the first one and well, I don't know. Maybe I'm just not in the right mood.

54 - An Enchanted Season, an anthology featuring Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Jean Johnson. All four stories are Christmas themed and have some sort of supernatural or paranormal element. I picked this up from the library mainly because I wanted to read Nalini Singh's story since it's part of her Psy/Changeling universe. It's Nate and Tamsyn's story and takes place almost 20 years before the books in the series. A great story, which didn't surprise me. My other favorite in the book was Jean Johnson's which was a take on the three magi. 352 pages

55 - Touch Me by Susan Lyons. This is the next installment in her Awesome Foursome series. Ann Montgomery is a stressed out, workaholic lawyer. She takes the advice of her friends and goes for a massage to relieve some stress and meets a greek god, Adonis Stefanakis, her massage therapist. Adonis opens Ann up to exploring her sensual side. Besides the extremely hot sex (which there is plenty of!) what I love about these books is character growth on both sides of the relationship. I can't wait for the final book in the series. 304 pages


17984 pages for the year

Currently reading: Lord of the Fading Lands - C.L. Wilson

52 - Imaginary Men by Anjali Banerjee - While at her younger sister's wedding in India, San Francisco matchmaker Lina is so tired of everyone asking her when she's getting married or trying to set her up that she invents a fiance. Unfortunately, the matriarch of the family, her aunt, decides that she must approve the match and is going to come to the U.S. to meet this mysterious man. Now Lina has only a few months to either confess to everyone that she lied or really find her own match. This book was almost as wonderful as Invisible Lives. There were certainly scenes in the book where I could identify with Lina, since being single and over 30 I'm constantly bombarded with questions about when I'm going to get married. 256 pages

53 - Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder - We continue the journey of Yelena, who has now traveled south to be reunited with her family. Not everyone is accepting of her reappearance and many believe she's simply a spy for the north. Yelena works to learn what her abilities are, as well as how to control them, while assisting to catch a serial killer who is preying on young girls just coming into their power. We see familiar faces from the first book and meet several new ones. I look forward to reading the next book in the series Fire Study. 400 pages


Pages for the year - 17328

Endurance by S.L. Viehl is the third book in the StarDoc series. I'm a big fan of this series, but I didn't like this book as much as I did the first two. Our intrepid heroine, Cherijo, didn't seem as strong as she was in the first two books. There were also some situations that crop up in this book that are almost the exact same as ones that happened in the first two. I did enjoy the book and will continue on with the series, but I'm hoping the next book is stronger. 407 pages

Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley is the first book in the Immortals quartet. Adrian is an immortal, an ancient warrior, and Amber is a witch trying to discover the reason behind her sister's murder. Adrian's sole goal in his immortal life is to find his brother who disappeared hundreds of years before. They discover their paths converge with the same demon. To save the world from extinction they'll need the help of others to call the other Immortals to battle (the next three books). I actually found one of the secondary characters more interesting than the hero. I will probably read the other three books but I'll get them from the library and not buy them. 357 pages

My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding, an anthology featuring L.A. Banks, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, P.N. Elrod, Esther Friesner, Lori Handeland, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Susan Krinard. I enjoyed most of the stories in the anthology. I only skimmed the one by L.A. Banks because it just wasn't my thing (but I've found that with other of her works). The Jim Butcher story was a great little Harry Dresden story. Lori Handeland's was the most romantic of the bunch. 310 pages

Prom Nights from Hell, another anthology, this one featuring Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, and Lauren Myracle. The only author I was familiar with was Kim Harrison and she was the reason I got this from the library. I knew from when I saw her earlier in the year that she was using this story as a jumping off point for a new YA series. I enjoyed her story but my favorite in the book was the one by Meg Cabot. If she had a book involving these characters I would run out and get it. Though she alternated chapters in first person POV from two different characters, noted by their name at the top of the chapter, but I didn't catch that at first and it confused me. 304 pages

Invisible Lives by Anjali Banerjee. I'm not sure if this book would be classified as romantic comedy or chick-lit, but it doesn't matter - It's fantastic! Lakshmi Sen runs a sari shop with her mother. She has a special gift, a knowing that allows her to pick out the perfect sari for every customer to bring them happiness. But that ability deserts her everytime she's around the handsome chaffeur of their Bollywood actress customer. Lakshmi has to deal with doubting herself, her mother's insistent matchmaking, and discovering what true love really is. This is a lovely tender beautiful novel about love and discovering what you really want. 278 pages

Pages read this year to date: 16672

I haven't updated what books I've read for awhile:

( Moongazer )

( Driven )

( Caressed by Ice )

( The Disappeared )

( Poison Study )

Book: 34
Title: Blood Lines
Author: Eileen Wilks
Why did you get this book? I had read the first two in this series and wanted to continue reading them.
Do you like the cover? Yes, though I'm sure it's supposed to represent Cynna and she doesn't have long brown hair. But I guess they figured short bleached blonde hair wouldn't look good on the cover.
Did you enjoy the book? I didn't like it as well as the first two, though I was glad to have more Cullen. I'm interested to see what the next book will be like since it's going to be a Cynna/Cullen book.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Not new and yes, I'll get the next book in the series.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 352
Total pages for the year: 10823


Book: 35
Title: Supernatural: Nevermore
Author: Keith R.A. DeCandido
Why did you get this book? Because I love the show and I was curious to read a novel adaptation. I wanted to see how well someone not associated with the show captured the characters.
Do you like the cover? I wished they'd used a different picture of the guys. They looked rather scowly.
Did you enjoy the book? Yes, I did. I've read a couple reviews where they felt like Sam was too much like Jared (really? do you know him so that you can make that call?) or that the author spent too many words on classic rock and parking spaces. Yes, there are a lot of words about classic rock, but it fits and is really funny (one of the cases involves a guy with a huge record collection).
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? New to me. I think he writes mostly tv/movie tie-ins, so I don't think I'd be searching out his work since I don't normally read those (though I have picked up two in the last week).
Anything else? Loved the Jim Butcher reference and am wondering how many readers will catch it.
Number of pages: 336
Total pages for the year: 11159


Book: 36
Title: Changeling
Author: Yasmine Galenorn
Why did you get this book? It's the second in a series. I read the first and thought it was okay. I like her other two series better. I wanted to see if I'd like the second book better than the first. Plus, I just wanted to support a local author who I've met on several occasions and think is fabulous.
Do you like the cover? I think it's a beautiful cover.
Did you enjoy the book? It was okay. I think I liked it more than Witchling, the first book in the series. Since all the books in the series are written in first person it's interesting to see how she's able to convey a different voice in each book.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Not new, I've read all the books in her other two series and the first book in this one. Yes, I'll keep reading more by her.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 304
Total pages for the year: 11463

Book: 33
Title: Moon Called
Author: Patricia Briggs
Why did you get this book? I know several people who have read this book and they all recommended it.
Do you like the cover? I loved the detail in the tattoos on the rendering of Mercy.
Did you enjoy the book? Yeah, it was okay. I actually started the book months ago and just finished it now. This was an easy one for me to put down and not think about picking back up.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? I know there's a sequel but I don't know that I'll be picking it up. I don't know that I'm curious enough to find out what happens next to any of the characters.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? I'll probably pass it on.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 288
Total pages for the year: 10471

Book: 32
Title: Under Cover of Darkness
Author: Anthology of 14 different stories
Why did you get this book? It sounded interesting.
Do you like the cover? The cover was what made me pick up the book.
Did you enjoy the book? I read 12 of the 14 stories. I just couldn't finish the other 2. I especially liked Shadow of the Scimitar by Janet Deaver-Pack, which according to her author note at the end is going to be the basis for a trilogy.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? I think all the authors were new to me, except one of the ones whose story I couldn't finish. A couple of them who I particularly enjoyed I would definitely read again.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 309
Total pages for the year: 10183

Book: 29
Title: Wild, Wicked, & Wanton
Author: Jaci Burton
Why did you get this book? I actually went back and forth several times about whether or not to buy this book. I kept reading people's reviews and everyone seemed to really like the book so I took the chance on it.
Do you like the cover? The cover isn't bad. More tasteful than a lot I've seen.
Did you enjoy the book? No, I didn't. It was really a struggle to finish and the last third to a half I pretty much skimmed just to finish it. I didn't really like any of the characters, particularly in the second story, and the writing just didn't work for me.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? I had read two of her EC titles last year and didn't like them but decided to give her another shot with this book. I think this just showed me that her books just aren't for me.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? It'll go to the UBS.
Anything else? I read Jaci's blog daily and think she's probably a really great person from what I've heard from other people, her writing just doesn't work for me.
Number of pages: 326
Total pages for the year: 9105


Book: 30
Title: Tempt Me, Taste Me, Touch Me
Author: Belle Andre
Why did you get this book? This is another book with 3 interconnected novellas. This is another where I had read a couple reviews and it sounded good.
Do you like the cover? The cover is a little cheesy.
Did you enjoy the book? I really enjoyed the middle story and was just so-so with the other two.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Totally new to me. I might buy something else, it would depend on what the story was about.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? For now I'll probably keep it.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 289
Total pages for the year: 9394


Book: 31
Title: Exit Strategy
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Why did you get this book? Because Kelley could write a grocery list and I would buy it.
Do you like the cover? It's very red!
Did you enjoy the book? I really enjoyed this book. How can you not love a story about a hitwoman on the trail of a hitman serial killer! And it's funny.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Not new at all. I'll keep reading everything she puts out.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 480
Total pages for the year: 9874

Book: 26
Title: Magic Bites
Author: Ilona Andrews
Why did you get this book? cyberwuzzle talked about what a good book it was so I thought I'd pick it up.
Do you like the cover? Beautiful cover.
Did you enjoy the book? Fantastic book! I did not want to put it down. She totally tricked me with who the bad guy was. I expected it to be one character and it wasn't.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Completely new and I would absoultely buy something else by her.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? Actually I meant to pass it on this past weekend. theemmer and I sent a box to marauderswolf and I was going to send it to her and I forgot to throw it in the box.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 260
Total pages for the year: 8164


Book: 27
Title: Places to Be, People to Kill
Author: Anthology
Why did you get this book? I like anthologies and I thought the subject matter, assassins, was unique and would be interesting.
Do you like the cover? Seemed somewhat Harry Potteresque and didn't match the book.
Did you enjoy the book? Yes, I did. Some stories I liked better than others. I can't find the book right now or else I'd tell you which ones I liked the best.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Most were new, but there were a couple that were familiar to me.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? I'll probably pass it on.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 320
Total pages for the year: 8484


Book: 28
Title: Beyond the Pale: The Darkwing Chronicles Book 1
Author: Savannah Russe
Why did you get this book? I think I picked up one of the later books in the series in Borders and it sounded interesting so I figured that I should begin at the start of the series so that I could get to that one.
Do you like the cover? I think it's a very pretty cover.
Did you enjoy the book? Meh. I thought her interpretation of vampires was interesting and unique, but she suffered a little bit from LKH disease (all the men thought the MC was hot and way too much detail on clothes).
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? New to me and I probably won't read any more. I liked a twist at the end of the book but not enough to make me want to read any more of the series.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? It'll end up at the USB.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 295
Total pages for the year: 8779

Book: 24
Title: Witch Fire
Author: Anya Bast
Why did you get this book? Because the author is a fabulous chick that I wanted to support. Plus it sounded like an awesome book that I would love.
Do you like the cover? It's beautiful!!!!
Did you enjoy the book? This book was fantastic. Once I started it, I did not want to put the book down and I wanted the next book IMMEDIATELY.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Not new to me. I have several of her EC titles. Of course I'll read something else by her. I'd be a fool not to!
Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it.
Anything else? So unlike, what seems like everyone else on my flist, I couldn't find a copy at a bookstore early. Believe me, I tried. On release day, on my way to work I could see them stocking the "New in Paperback" table as I rode the escalator up and saw them putting out the copies of Witch Fire. When I came down at lunch time to buy it they were having to restock it and by Friday all the copies were gone.
Number of pages: 278
Total pages for the year: 7570


Book: 25
Title: Rises the Night
Author: Colleen Gleason
Why did you get this book? I loved the first book in the series.
Do you like the cover? Very lovely cover. Both books in the series have had lovely covers.
Did you enjoy the book? Loved the book, but she really upset me with something that happened in the book.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Not new and can't wait for the next book in the series.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it.
Anything else?
Number of pages: 334
Total pages for the year: 7904

Book: 15/52

Title: Mortal Danger

Author: Eileen Wilks

Why did you get this book? Because I enjoyed the first one in the series so much I wanted to continue reading the rest of them. In fact, the day after I finished Tempting Danger I went to Borders and purchased the next two.

Do you like the cover? It's a pretty blue, but sort of cheesy.

Did you enjoy the book? It was very good. I liked the first one better, but this was still a very good book. Rule is so yummy.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Second book by Eileen Wilks and I have the third one waiting to be read.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it for now.

Anything else?

Number of pages: 393

Total pages for the year: 5034



Book: 16/52

Title: Night Echoes

Author: Holly Lisle

Why did you get this book? I'm a fan of her work and I though the plot sounded very interesting.

Do you like the cover? Beautiful cover.

Did you enjoy the book? I thought it was a good book. It got to a point where I got a little irritated that the characters weren't catching on as quick as the audience obviously would be to what was happening in the story.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Not new to me. Yes, I will keep reading books by her.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I haven't decided yet.

Anything else? I think her romantic suspense is okay but her fantasy novels are my favorite of the genres that she writes.

Number of pages: 306

Total pages for the year: 5340

Book: 14/52

Title: Broken

Author: Megan Hart

Why did you get this book? Because I loved Dirty and could not wait for this book to come out.

Do you like the cover? I think it’s beautiful and sexy cover.

Did you enjoy the book? I loved it. The second I closed the book I turned to theemmer and told her that I wanted to read it again. The book made me want to scream and it made me want to cry (both from being happy and upset). I don't think I'll be able to get this book out of my head for days or weeks. I want to tell everyone I meet to read this book.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? My second book by Megan and I'll definitely read more by her. I could not put this book down.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it!

Anything else? I loved the appearance of Elle from Dirty and was so happy to see where her story has gone.

Number of pages: 378

Total pages for the year: 4641

Book: 13/52

Title: For A Few Demons More

Author: Kim Harrison

Why did you get this book? Because I love this series. Since the first book I’ve bought every subsequent book on the day it came out.

Do you like the cover? I think it’s beautiful. I love the cover art that she receives. And now with the series in hardback, the cover is so shiny.

Did you enjoy the book? I loved it. The end pissed me off, but I still loved it. I knew that Rachel was going to experience a big loss (i.e. death of someone close to her) and I kind of figured out early who it would probably be so I was putting off reading the end of the book because I didn’t want it to happen. So the book has been sitting on my bed with all but the last few chapters read for over three weeks until last night I forced myself to finish it.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? I”ll read anything she writes. She has a new YA series coming out that I’m willing to give a shot even though I don’t usually read YA.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it! Especially since it’s autographed to me.

Anything else? For those that have read it, Kim Harrison evidently has a Yahoo group about this book where you can get an explanation about why the ending had to happen. I haven’t joined yet but I’m going to because I’d like to read her explanation for why she did it.

Number of pages: 456

Total pages for the year: 4263