2012 wrap up ~ 2013 book challenge(s)

I figured I should get one of these done before we got to far into this year.  Here of some figures from 2012...

I set up for 150 books and read 126 (41907 pgs)
first book read: The Good, The Bad,  and The Undead by Kim Harrison
last book read: How Beauty Met the Beast by Jax Garren
longest book: Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey; 1015 pgs
first review: Divergent by Veronica Roth (review)
last review: The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (review)

2013 Reading Challenges 

I use Goodreads to keep track of my books read for the year (as well as other stats).
I'm going to try for 150 books again this year. I figure if I keep trying I'll eventually make it :)
I haven't really signed up for any others at this time. Might try and find a TBR or clear my shelves type of challenge.
I usually keep up with the Debut authors challenge but with all the drama last yea, even with a new host, I will probably just read the books but not keep track of them.

Happy Reading and Good Luck with all your Goals in 2013!

Favorite Reads in 2012

Favorite Reads in 2012

These are a few of my favorite reads from 2012. Whether it's a single book or a series that I enjoyed reading.

Fair Game (Alpha & Omega #3) by Patricia Briggs (Goodreads/review)
The Paladin Prophecy (Paladin Prophecy #1) by Mark Frost (Goodreads/review)
Dark Currents (Agent of Hel #1) by Jacqueline Carey (Goodreads/review)
Series
Phedre's Trilogy (Goodreads) by Jacqueline Carey; Kushiel's Dart (review), Kushiel's Chosen (review)
Parasol Protectorate (Goodreads) by Gail Carriger; Soulless (review), Changeless (review), Blameless (review), Heartless (review)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Goodreads) by Rick Riordan; I read books 2-5 in 2012 but didn't review

There were also favorites from my go to authors

Armchair BEA Day 5 ~ Future of Book Blogging

Design credit to Emily from Emily's Reading Room

Welcome to Day 5 of Armchair BEA! Today everyone is talking about The Future of Book Blogging. To find out more about Armchair BEA go here.

This is going to be another short post for me. I don't have any tips or tricks since I'm still trying to figure it out myself.
The only thing I can advise is, if you're not having fun doing it and it seems like a chore then it may be time for a break.
I've been thinking about a couple of different type of features to do weekly/biweekly but have been nervous to actually go through with them. I'll be working really hard to push myself (and my blog) forward in the coming weeks. Just taking part in Armchair BEA and signing up to do comments daily was big for me.
I've enjoyed finding and learning about a lot of blogs that I probably never would have came across otherwise.
Thanks for visiting and making this Fun! Have a Great and Safe Weekend!

Armchair Bea ~Day 2 ~ Best of 2012

Today at Armchair BEA is giveaway day. For those not doing a giveaway the suggested topic is "best of 2012". Here are some of my favorites I've read so far. Some released in 2012 and some that I'm just getting around to reading.

2012 releases
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Books I'm Glad I Finally Read
Soulless by Gail Carriger (really looking forward to reading this series)
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (the hype worried me but ended up really enjoying it)
Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (this isn't old but it is the first time reading this author)

I've also found myself reading a lot of Middle Grade and finally read Rick Riordan the last half of 2011 and the beginning of this year. I loved all his books but found the Kane Chronicles more interesting since I'm not as familiar with Egyptian Myth.

New cover revealed on Publishers Weekly. Release set for October 2012











What has been your favorite read this year?

New Releases ~ Week of January 30, 2012

A look at a few of the new releases for the coming week.

Incarnate
Jodi Meadows
release date: 1/31/12

Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2)

Courtney Allison Molton

release date: 1/31/12

Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson #3)

Darynda Jones

release date: 1/31/12

2012 Challenges

It's that time of year again. I will probably be adding to this throughout the week.

Goodreads Challenge
I signed up to read 150 books again this year. I almost made it in 2011 (128)

Debut Author Challenge
The Debut Author Challenge is hosted by Kristi @The Story Siren. To find out more about the challenge go here.

Some rules: Books must be a Young Adult or Middle Grade novel.
DO NOTE: Just because a book has a teen character or is about a teen, does not mean that it is necessarily a Young Adult novel. 
This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011. 
If an author has a previous novel published under adult fiction/nonfiction or children's fiction/nonfiction, they can still qualify for the challenge if they are releasing their YA or MG debut. 


Tentative list
1. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
2. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
3. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
5. Above by Leah Bobet
6.Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
7. The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
8.Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
9. Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe
10.