2010 The Year That Was

Well another wonderful year of blogging has come to an end, many of you know that for me 2010 has been a year of new personal challenges, nurtured friendships, new beginnings and a new found peace and happiness. Admittedly some of the new 'challenges' limited my reading for a while but hey that's life. I am grateful for all that I have in my life, my family, my friends, the best and the worst times, the good, the bad, the sad, and the ugly; it's all helped shape who I am and I'm looking forward to 2011 with hope and happiness.

Wishing all my bloggy friends love and laughter in 2011, be kind and stay safe.

In 2010 I:

~ recovered from major surgery

~ began my recovery from an emotionally abusive marriage

~ added a furry member to our family

~ earned a google degree in pool repairs and maintenance

~ became stronger and happier

~ had some heartbreaking sad and side-splitting funny times with my best friend

~ read 72 books

~ completed 11 challenges

~ bombed out on 6 challenges

~ read some of the best YA fiction around and surprisingly some awesome general fiction

Challenges completed:

1st in a Series Challenge
2nd Challenge
Audiobook Challenge
E-book Challenge
Fantasy Challenge

Finish That Series Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge

New Author Challenge

YA Challenge
Romance Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Challenges not completed:

100 + Challenge - 72/100 it's the first year in 3 years that I haven't completed this one :(

Aussie Author Challenge - 3/8

Library Challenge - 4/25

Read Your Name Challenge - 4/6

What's In A Name Challenge - 2/6

Wish I'd Read That Challenge - 0/3

I read a lot of wonderful books this year but my favourites ** are linked to their book review so just click on the title to see what I thought.

Historical:

1. Women of Magdalene by Rosemary Poole Carter
2. The Midwife's Tale by Gretchen
3. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C W Gortner **
4. Roeing Oaks by Kristina Emmons
5. The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick
6. The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick **
7. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

Young Adult:
8. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
9. Shadowland by Alyson Noel
10. Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
11. Night Star by Alyson Noel
12. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl **
13. Devoured by Amanda Marrone
14. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
15. Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
16. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
17. My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey
18. Stargazer by Claudia Gray
19. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong **
20. Need by Carrie Jones
21. Captivate by Carrie Jones
22. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
23. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
24. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson **
35. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater **
26. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
27. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
28. Stolen by Lucy Christopher **
29. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott **
30. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
31. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
32. My Soul To Lose  by Rachel Vincent
33. My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent
34. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williiams **
35. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
36. Girl, Stolen by April Henry
37. Fallen by Lauren Kate
38. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
39. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
40. Delirium by Lauren Oliver ** review Jan 2011
41. Patch by Mucheru Njagu
42. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Fantasy:
43. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
44. Destined For An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost **

Romance: Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
45. A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
46. The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan
47. Witch Fire by Anya Bast
48. Savour The Moment by Nora Roberts
49. Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

General Fiction:
50. Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger **
51. The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakhar **
52. House Rules by Jodi Picoult
53. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman **
54. Sand In My Eyes by Christine Lemmon
55. Hidden Wives by Claire Avery **
56. The Neurology of Angels by Krista Tibbs
57. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens **
58. The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain
59. Stay by Allie Larkin **
60. The Weight Of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
61. Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford ** review in Jan 2011

Non-Fiction:
62. Your Family Constitution by Scott Gale
63. A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill
64. What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen **

Suspense/Thrillers:
65. Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy
66. Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugen
67. Cold Justice by Katherine Howell **
68. The Healers by Thomas Heric
69. Never Let You Go by Erin Healy
70. Damaged by Pamela Callow

Children's Fiction:
71. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
72. The Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox by Tim Ostermeyer


This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Free Ebooks From Amazon :)

Thought I'd share some links for free e-books on Amazon. There are lots of great titles but some aren't available to international readers, so have a look before you get too excited. And be quick ... I don't know how long these will stay on the freebie list!! Just click on the title to go through to the amazon link. The following titles were available in Australia :)

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.

In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, WISH asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

and for those of you who were keen to read A Dog Named Slugger after seeing my review, if you're quick you can get it free at Amazon. Just click on the title :)

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill

The true life story of a dog who changed everything for one woman. For the first time in my life, I didn't need to pretend, I didn't need to be tough: I only needed to be honest. "I have cerebral palsy. I walk funny and my balance is bad. I fall a lot. My hands shake, too. That means I'm not so good at carrying things. And if I drop stuff, sometimes it's hard to just bend down and get it." I waited anxiously for the interviewer's response. She smiled. "It sounds like a service dog could be great for you." So began Leigh Brill's journey toward independence and confidence, all thanks to a trained companion dog named Slugger. The struggling college student and the Labrador with a "a coat like sunshine" and a tail that never stopped wagging became an instant team. Together, they transformed a challenge into a triumph. Together, they inspired and educated everyone they met. Now, Leigh honors her friend with the story of their life, together.

A Taste Of Magic by Tracy Madison

Today is Elizabeth Stevens’ birthday, and not only is it the one-year anniversary of her husband leaving her, it’s also the day her bakery is required to make a cake—for her ex’s next wedding. If there’s a bitter taste in her mouth, no one can blame her.

But today, Liz is about to receive a gift. Her Grandma Verda isn’t just wacky; she’s a little witchy. An ancient gypsy magic has been passed through her family bloodline for generations, and it’s Liz’s turn to be empowered. Henceforth, everything she bakes will have a dash of delight and a pinch of wishes-can-come-true. From her hunky policeman neighbor, to her gorgeous personal trainer, to her bum of an ex-husband, everyone Liz knows is going to taste her power. Revenge is sweet…and it’s only the first dish to be served.

Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye

Rosalie Ronaldi doesn't have a domestic bone in her body ...

All she cares about is her career, so she survives on take-out and dirty martinis, keeps her shoes under the dining room table, her bras on the shower curtain rod, and her clothes on the couch ...

Nick Romeo is every woman's fantasy - tall, dark, handsome, rich, really good in bed, AND he loves to cook and clean ...

He says he wants an independent woman, but when he meets Rosalie, all he wants to do is take care of her. Before too long, he's cleaned up her apartment, stocked her refrigerator, and adopted her dog ...

So what's the problem? Just a little matter of mistaken identity, corporate theft, a hidden past in juvenile detention and one big nosy Italian family too close for comfort ...

And last chance to enter my Festive Season giveaway - click here.


This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Cousins' War # 2
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 382
Book Source: Own Purchase

The second book in Philippa's stunning new trilogy, The Cousins War, brings to life the story of Margaret Beaufort, a shadowy and mysterious character in the first book of the series - The White Queen - but who now takes centre stage in the bitter struggle of The War of the Roses. The Red Queen tells the story of the child-bride of Edmund Tudor, who, although widowed in her early teens, uses her determination of character and wily plotting to infiltrate the house of York under the guise of loyal friend and servant, undermine the support for Richard III and ultimately ensure that her only son, Henry Tudor, triumphs as King of England. Through collaboration with the dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret agrees a betrothal between Henry and Elizabeth's daughter, thereby uniting the families and resolving the Cousins War once and for all by founding of the Tudor dynasty.

Review:
The Red Queen was a fascinating story and even though I loathed the main character I kept turning the pages; testament to Philippa Gregory's writing. It's the story of Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry Tudor, who goes on to become Henry VII. Covering much the same time period as The White Queen (Elizabeth Woodville) but from a different perspective, we follow the feuding House of Lancaster and York in what is known as the War of the Roses.

‘I was born for this, my son was born for this.’

Margaret is overly pious, scornful, self absorbed and extremely unlikeable. She hides her true character and motives behind a cloak of religious zeal; a most unpleasant combination. Margaret is little more than a religious hypocrite with an unwavering conviction that her son Henry Tudor is the rightful heir to the throne, she spends her life plotting and scheming, to see him take the crown. Any compassion I felt for Margaret as a child forced to marry the brutal Edmund Tudor was short-lived. While I'm sure her appalling treatment during her brief marriage in part contributed to her abrasive character, her subsequent marriage to Henry Stafford and finally Thomas Stanley did little to showcase any redeeming qualities.

My enjoyment of The Red Queen came as a quite a surprise considering my intense dislike of Margaret, quite the contrast to Elizabeth Woodville, The White Queen. However, the story itself, if not entirely historically accurate, is just as compelling. I'm sure this woman didn't win many friends but there is no doubt she was an influential historical figure and pivotal to the founding of the tudor dynasty.

According to Philippa Gregory's website, the final book in the trilogy, originally titled The White Princess has now taken a slightly different path. The Rivers Woman, the story of Elizabeth Woodville's mother, Jaquetta, is due for release in late 2011.

See my review of the first book in this series The White Queen

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

2011 E-Book Reading Challenge

Hosted by The Ladybug Reads. I got a kindle 12 months ago, made a slow start and over the year have fallen in love with it. I now have a humongous number of kindle books to read so I'm participating in the E-book challenge to hopefully get through lots of them in 2011 :)

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

2011 Historical Fiction Challenge

Hosted by Historical Tapestry: head on over to sign up for this one! I read 7 historical fiction novels this year but I really wanted to read more so I'm going to challenge myself in 2011 and go for the Struggling Addiction level (10 books.)

1.Severe Bookaholism: 20 books

2.Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books

3.Struggling the Addiction: 10 books

4.Daring & Curious: 5 books

5.Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

The challenge will run from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge

I was excited to find the host for the 2011 YA challenge as I'm totally addicted to the YA genre. Sign up for this one at For The Love Of YA. I read 33 Young Adult books this year so I'm seriously thinking about signing up for the Jumbo Size challenge in 2011 :)

Here are the rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Create a post about the challenge and link your challenge post up in the linky below.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. There are four levels:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

--The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

--The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. The Challenge starts on January 1, 2011 and goes until December 31, 2011.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :)

Hope everyone had a joyous Christmas, we sure did!

Dad, Anthony, Callum & Bella

 

Yay me! I posted reviews for:

STAY by Allie Larkin - a 2010 favourite!

PATCH by Mucheru Njaga

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS by Michelle Zink

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Finished last week:

THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE by Heather Gudenkauf ~ depressingly good!

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This Week's Reading List:

LIFE FROM SCRATCH by Melissa Ford ~ page 25

I AM NUMBER FOUR by Pittacus Lore (audiobook) ~ chapter 21 and enjoying this YA dystopian

A CHRISTMAS BALL by Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan & Alissa Johnson ~ page 75

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Reviews still to do:

DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver

MY SOUL TO TAKE by Rachel Vincent

DRACULA IN LOVE by Karen Essex

THE RED QUEEN by Philippa Gregory

BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver

SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

FALLEN by Lauren Kate


This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

May your Merry be Very!!

Wishing everyone a Christmas blessed with love and laughter, stay safe over the holiday break and have oodles of fun! Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, hope you're spending it with those you love xx

and here's an Aussie flavoured Christmas pic for all my bloggy pals celebrating in a winter wonderland :)

{{hugs}} Sheree

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Patch by Mucheru Njagu

Genre: YA
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 240
Book Source: Phenix & Phenix

Prince of Wales Boarding School, nestled in a serene countryside, fondly nicknamed "Patch" was responsible for turning young boys into esteemed gentlemen who would one day occupy the hallways of world government power and authority. Behind the high walls lay a secret, a secret not told until now. Led by a group of students leaders known as "Prefects" the students were subjected to untold physical and verbal abuse, intimidation, fear and bullying. No one ever questioned their authority ... until Gabriel, a freshman transfer, a "rabble", forever changed what it meant to be in PATCH.

Review:

This is one of those books with a great premise that would have benefited from further editing and polishing. Patch is a quick read so my frustration with spelling errors and incorrect word usage was short lived and the underlying message of courage and hope wasn't lost.

The story is loosely based on the personal experience of the author which raised my already heightened levels of compassion and horror at the unimaginable abuse students experienced at the hands of Prince of Wales Boarding School prefects. For a culture of abuse to be tolerated in a school and perpetrated to such a degree it must be condoned by someone of higher authority than student leaders and that is certainly the case in this 'elite' boarding school.

Gabriel is a very likeable character, he's a beacon of hope that a system can be changed, he stands up for what he believes in and I teared up the day he "found himself". A poignant ending that I wasn't expecting, well worth the read.

About the author:

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Njaga moved to New York City after his time at Prince of Wales Boarding School. He currently lives in San Francisco with his fiancee and is working on a screenplay adaptation of Patch in addition to the book sequel.

Njaga experienced Patch from both the student and Prefect perspective - as a victim of the abusive system and one of its perpetuators. Since he understands both sides of what it means to be bullied, he is dedicated to bullying prevention by stigmatizing bullying as a cowardly act rooted in fear.

For more information on Mucheru Njaga or Patch visit http://www.mnjaga.com/

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Stay by Allie Larkin

Genre: General Fiction/Chick-lit
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 308
Book Source: Own audio

Synopsis: Savannah “Van” Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the altar, Van is standing behind her best friend Janie as maid of honor, trying to mask her heartache and guilt as Janie marries the only man she’s ever loved. Before Van’s mother died, she told Van never to let Peter go, but as the couple exchanges vows, Van wonders if her fairy-tale ending will ever come true.

After the wedding, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid-vodka cocktails and reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and does what any heartbroken woman in her situation would do: She impulsively buys a German Shepherd over the Internet. But the pocket-size puppy Van is expecting turns out to be a clumsy hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak. Van is at the end of her rope...until she realizes that this quirky giant may be the only living being who will always be loyal to her, no matter what.

Van affectionately names her dog Joe, and together they work to mend the pieces of Van’s shattered heart. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Joe’s vet is a rugged sweetheart with floppy blond hair and a winning smile. But when the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, Van is forced to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to have everything she ever wanted — proving that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better.

Review:

I adored this book, it was an absolute hoot and one of my favourites of the year for the pure enjoyment factor! Van is messed up, her mother has died, the man she has loved for years marries her other best friend, she's lonely, miserable and has a fondness for Kool-Aid Vodka cocktails.

When Van over indulges in her beverage of choice, orders a puppy over the internet and awakens with the hangover from hell I was almost rolling on the floor laughing. When Van lets fly with some very unladylike profanity after being knocked into a pile of poop I was giggling like a loon while grocery shopping (and getting some very strange looks) but there's a whole lot more to this story than a much appreciated gigglefest.

In Stay we get an up-close-and-personal view of Van's dysfunctional relationships, losses, loves, friendships and the unconditional love and acceptance she receives from Joe, the new furry member of her family. I was rooting for Van the whole way through, I laughed (a lot) and cried (a little) and cheered as she healed.

Van could easily be the girl next door, or my best friend, or me for that matter, although I'm not a fan of Kool-Aid *snigger* but I do have first hand experience with buying a puppy to mend a broken heart and bring some much needed joy into a family. Larkin's characters are just so real, I know that sounds cliched but they truly are. Louis (Alex's elderly friend) is an absolute darling, I wanted him to be my quirky old friend and Ms Larkin where do I find a vet like Alex??

Have I conveyed just how much I loved Stay? If you like a genuine, touching story with laugh out loud moments then I urge you to pick this one up ... go on, you know you want to :)

PS. Allie's German Shepherd Argo is pictured on the cover of Stay (cool hey)

Visit Allie Larkin's website to find out more about this author and her work

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Prophecy Of The Sisters by Michelle Zink

Genre: YA Fantasy
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 343
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets. Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust. They just know they can't trust each other.

Review:
I started listening to Prophecy of the Sisters on audio and take my word for it, unless you like to be anaethetised I really wouldn't recommend it. The narrator has the most monotone voice ... not conducive to remaining awake. Fortunately I'd also purchased the paperback and what a difference reading this book made. Prophecy of the Sisters is dark and intriguing, Michelle Zink's writing is quite haunting, poetic at times, and the Victorian setting provides the perfect backdrop giving this story a gothic feel with ominous undercurrents.

I enjoyed seeing the character of Lia & Alice evolve as their roles in the prophecy and the ancient battle of good and evil are discovered. Brave Henry whilst not the most visible character, certainly plays a significant role and was a favourite of mine. The Prophecy itself unfolds slowly, a piece at a time and I found myself taking mental leaps ahead; often my assumption proving correct but the occasional nose-dive on my part had me applauding the misdirections, twists and turns. Call me strange but I also loved the fact that Alice herself and the dream travel scenes had the 'creep' factor *shudder, shudder*.

All in all Prophecy of the Sisters is an enjoyable debut novel, well set up for the continuation of the trilogy and I'm looking forward to the next installment ... Guardian of the Gate was released in August this year.

Visit Michelle Zink's website to find out more.

 

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

100 + Reading Challenge 2011

Hosted by Amy @ My Overstuffed Bookcase (click the link to go to the sign up page)

DETAILS:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2011. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Winner!!

Congratulations to the winner of

What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen

 Booksync

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

2011 Fantasy Challenge

The 2011 Fantasy Reading Challenge is being hosted by Darlyn @ Darlyn & Books. I read heaps of Fantasy; urban fantasy, historical fantasy, YA, so I'm signing up at the Addicted level and maybe I'll make it to the Obsessed level. Head on over to Darlyn & Books to sign up for this one. Isn't the button gorgeous :)

There are four levels:

Curious – Read 3 Fantasy Fiction novels.

Fascinated – Read 6 Fantasy Fiction novels.

Addicted – Read 12 Fantasy Fiction novels.

Obsessed – Read 20 Fantasy Fiction novels.

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :)

Last week was a busy week with Doctor and vet visits and of course preparing for Christmas. I'm still making Christmas cards and if I don't hurry up and get them sent, they won't arrive in time for Christmas. I also read one of the best YA books of the year (see below.) This week is all about cooking ... mmm mmm! Here's a sample of the Christmas cards I've made and I hope to share some pics of our Christmas cooking a bit later.

I posted reviews for:

NIGHT STAR by Alyson Noel ~ 3 stars

WHAT I THOUGHT I KNEW by Alice Eve Cohen ~ 4.5 stars

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Finished last week:

WHAT I THOUGHT I KNEW by Alice Eve Cohen

DELIRIUM by Lauren Kate ~ brilliant, loved it, totally awesome!

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This Week's Reading List:

LIFE FROM SCRATCH by Melissa Ford

THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE by Heather Gudenkauf (audiobook) ~ chapter 7

HAPPY EVER AFTER by Nora Roberts (audiobook)

A CHRISTMAS BALL by Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan & Alissa Johnson

I'm hoping this will be my reading list over the next week or two :)

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Reviews scheduled this week:

PATCH by Mucheru Njaga

STAY by Allie Larkin

MY SOUL TO TAKE by Rachel Vincent

Reviews still to do:

DRACULA IN LOVE by Karen Essex

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS by Michelle Zink

THE RED QUEEN by Philippa Gregory

BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver

SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

FALLEN by Lauren Kate

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.

Night Star by Alyson Noel

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Immortals Book 5

Copyright: 2010

Pages: 302

Book Source: Own Audio

Best friends make the worst enemies—they know all your secrets, your weaknesses, and just how to hurt you most...

After fighting for centuries to be together, Ever and Damen's future hinges on one final showdown that will leave readers gasping for breath. Don't miss this explosive new installment of the number one bestselling series that's enchanted millions across the world!

I'm gutted, I seriously thought this was the last book in the series. Imagine my dismay when I came to the end of Night Star and realised that the series couldn't possibly end there. I guess I was aware of the existence of the 6th book somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain but maybe I blocked it or maybe it was wishful thinking on my part that the series was over and my OCD could finally be layed to rest.

This installment was actually ok, albeit, a little dull. I can't even whinge about how dumb and annoying Ever is; maybe I just enjoy moaning about Ever but in Night Star she finally makes use of her brain. I can't say the same of Haven ... obnoxious cow and if I ever hear the word "fugging" again I'll have to puke for sure!

So here we are again ... I'm still criticising but I am still reading so there's obviously something addictive about this series and I'll be hanging out for book 6 in 2011. I've come this far, surely Ever and Damen deserve their happy ending ... I know I do!


Visit Alyson Noel's website or blog to find out more.

This month on The Eclectic Reader you can win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones, or The Distant Hours by Kate Morton or The Lost Saint by Bree Despain. Check this blog post for details. Open Internationally.