Well, my computer is off to the repair shop, and I'm finding out just how frustrating it is to use someone else's. All my bookmarks are gone, my husband's keyboard is super-clicky, and his mouse doesn't seem to understand me at all. But hey -- at least I have access to a computer!
The biggest news of the week is that 'Robin' is back safe and sound from her 3-week wilderness backpacking trip. And they do mean wilderness! This wasn't trail hiking; they were really in the wild. She reports that it was "freakin' awesome!" (For any of you who haven't read the last several Sunday Posts, the trip is her college's version of orientation, and along with the week of preparation, counts as a 4-credit course.) Now she has a few days off before the semester proper begins, which she's been spending with her new friends.
I had a good week blogging-wise; I got a bunch of posts out and several books read. Saturday, though, I was feeling really burnt-out, so I took a break from my scheduled ARCs and re-read an old favorite just for fun.
Today, I hope to get up to Washington, D.C., for the National Book Festival. There are some wonderful authors giving talks and doing signings. I'm hoping to get books signed by Susan Cooper and Tamora Pierce, and perhaps a few others as well. And yes, I'll try to take pictures and blog about the festival later this week!
The past week (9/17 - 9/22) on the blog:
- Top Ten Tuesday: My Fall TBR List features a lot of fantasy with a smattering of mystery and historical fiction thrown in.
- The 2013 National Book Festival is coming! Actually, it's already here, and I plan to attend today.
- The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen (review) - a wonderful book and well worth reading.
- Shiver me timbers! (a list of pirate books) in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day.
- In the Dragon's Eye: Battle Magic, by Tamora Pierce - I'm looking forward to this, since I really love Pierce's books.
- News & Notes - 9/21/13 - National Book Award longlists (including links to some free samples), ebook revenues, Banned Books week heads-up, an editor on working with Roald Dahl, Mark Grist recites his poem "I like a girl who reads", a Harlequin writing contest, several movie adaptations coming, and a few more goodies.
The coming week:
- Top Ten Tuesday: Best Sequels Ever
- News & Notes - 8/28/13
- Reviews: The Clockwork Scarab, A Seaside Christmas, and possibly one more
New additions to the hoard:
For review:
Many thanks to Harlequin for sending me an advance copy of Starry Night -- along with a signed copy of Trading Christmas to give away! Watch for a review and giveaway in the next week or two!
I've just started reading the first book in this series of steampunk Holmes-inspired mysteries, and so far it is quite good. I'm looking forward to reading the second and third, as well.
Purchased or free for my E-reader:
Challenges:
I've signed up for the Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon hosted by Colorimetry and Tressa's Wishful Endings. I didn't set a specific goal in numbers; I just want to make a decent dent in the pile of ARCs on my list! During the challenge, I finished and reviewed 2 books: Grapes of Death and The Wishing Thread. I also read The Clockwork Scarab and A Seaside Christmas, listened to Rick Riordan's The Red Pyramid, and started A Study in Silks as well as a real-time re-read of A Discovery of Witches (I'll be reading each chapter on the day it 'occurs'.) I'm a little bummed that I didn't get more done, but glad that I got through those books at least. As usual, though, I was not good about posting about my progress!
I haven't signed up for many challenges this year. I hope to tackle my TBR all year long.
ReplyDeleteWell, me too, of course! :-) But sometimes a challenge helps me refocus.
DeleteI need to read two more cozies to finish the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge...I kept my goal small (7), and I'm glad.
ReplyDeleteI really need to read more Mt. TBR books!
Starry Nights looks good...enjoy all your new books.
I can relate to the computer issues...I once had problems with my old desktop and had to use a computer at the library. That was the worst! Now my laptop is pretty new...so maybe I'm good for awhile (knock wood!).
Good luck getting yours back.
Here's MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES
Thank you, Laurel! I hope it doesn't take them too long to fix it.
DeleteI need to read a bunch more cozies ASAP. Luckily, the next thing on my TBR list is a cozy. And yes, I need to read a lot more from Mt. TBR!
Great new books! Starry Night is on my wish list. Hope you enjoy the D.C. book festival. I've always wanted to go, maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Sunday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/09/sundays-weekly-book-recap-36.html
Hope you get your own computer back soon!
Starry Night looks good. Debbie Macomber is always so comforting! The book festival was fun; hopefully I can get a post up soon.
DeleteI hope your computer comes back quickly. I'll especially look forward to reviews of The Clockwork Scarab and A Study in Ashes. Those are two I've been thinking of reading.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can go to the book festival. Have a great week!
I did make it to the festival, and it was great! I got books signed by Tamora Pierce and Susan Cooper, listened Tamora Pierce speak and answer questions, took a bunch of pictures and talked with some fellow fans. I hope to get a post up soon.
DeleteNice books. I am going to have to check out the series for A Study of Ashes. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever's Sunday Post
So far, it's good, but I haven't gotten as far as I thought I would yet!
DeleteI read Valkyrie Rising last year when it was offered for free. The Lady Astronomer looks quirky and fun. A Study in Ashes sounds good to me. Thanks for sharing these titles and enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll have to look for your Valkyrie Rising review! Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGlad to hear she's back and safe. :) Sorry to hear about your computer, and it is hard using another's.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week this week!
I have a SP up this week too, if you'd like to stop by:
http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/2013/09/sunday-post-28.html
I'm glad to hear that Robin is home and had such a good time. That's a good start to the school year. :)
ReplyDeleteYou may not have gotten as much done as you wanted for the TR read-a-thon but you did get some done so that's good.
Happy reading!
Thank you, Bea! She's really on top of the world about the whole experience. And thanks for the encouragement -- you're right, everything I did read is moving the TBR pile in the right direction!
DeleteA few people have gotten Starry Night. I am looking forward to reading it this holiday season myself.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your computer back soon. I know that frustration. I went through it recently myself.
-Dilettantish Reader
It really is frustrating, isn't it! Computers -- can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. I hope you enjoy Starry Night! I've already dipped into it and it's looking pretty good.
DeleteA Study in Ashes looks good, and I plan to read Starry Night during the Ho-Ho-Ho read-a-thon. You made me giggle about uses someone else's laptop...mine is set up for me and yep all mouses are different I do not care what anyone says...
ReplyDeleteI've got a bunch of books that would be great for the Ho-Ho-Ho Read-a-thon, but their publication dates come before the read-a-thon. Oh, well! And you're right about mice. I swear they get used to their "owner." Oh, well, I can put up with it for 10 days, I guess.
DeleteI loved I want a girl who reads..totally sharing it!
ReplyDeleteOh, good! I really loved it -- so affirming of us bookish gals!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to sign up for the Fall into Reading Hop this week. Still looking for the link? Anyway sounds like you have a lot of fun reads on your lists. I am a new follower. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to The Bookwyrm's Hoard, Mary! I'm glad to 'meet' you! I notice you will be doing the Starry Night blog tour -- I'll watch for your review!
DeleteGlad she enjoyed her wilderness trip and that she's safe and sound. I see you picked up Valkyrie Rising I hope you like it I read it last year and absolutely loved it. I can't wait for the sequel. Sorry hubby's computer doesn't agree with you, There's nothing like having your own laptop and we never realize how use to them we become until their gone :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCome see my Top 10 Tuesday Post :)
-Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
Thank you, Kimberly! We got to see her photos of the trip, and the area they were in is just beautiful. As for the computer thing, I keep reminding myself that I'm lucky to have a backup at all. That makes the irritating mouse seem not so bad...
Delete