It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (July 8, 2013)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I missed posting in this meme last week because I was scheduled to be out of town attending my first ALA. Unfortunately, I missed most of ALA because I had a Crohn's flare up and spent from Saturday morning until Monday morning in Mercy Hospital in Chicago hooked up to IVs. I could see our hotel and the Convention Center from my hospital room but couldn't go anywhere. Luckily, I attended with a good friend who walked the exhibit hall for me and chose lots of amazing books for me to read.

I feel fine now and am just left with lots and lots of bruises on my arms. I was really dehydrated when I got to the hospital and they had a hard time getting an IV started. I did not hit my record of 17 sticks but I did have at least eight before they got blood and an IV working.

I had my Kindle and my computer and did get some reading done when I felt all right. I also spent a lot of time following #ALA2013 tweets and texting my friend with titles of books to look for.

Here is what I have read the past two weeks:

Adult Books

Enemy Within by Marcella Burnard was a futuristic romance my friend got for me at ALA. This one was a very good story but quite intense as the heroine was dealing with the aftereffects of being tortured. It was released in 2010 and my review will be posted on July 20.

Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton is another in her spicy sports romance series. This one is about an injured pitcher and the physical trainer who wants to get him rehabilitated. I enjoyed the story. This review is all ready to go in my draft folder but I haven't scheduled it yet. You can see what I thought of it on GoodReads and Amazon though. 

Influential Magic by Deanna Chase was a nice urban fantasy that I had on my Kindle. I liked the story and the world that the author created. This one is also in my draft folder waiting until I need a review on my blog. Check out my reviews on GoodReads and Amazon to see more about it. 

Dick Francis's Bloodline by Felix Francis was another excellent mystery. I really liked the writing style and the characters in this one. My review will be posted on July 18.

The White Princess by Philippa Gregory is the fifth in her Cousins' War series and tells the story of Princess Elizabeth of York who marries Henry Tudor and has to balance between the needs of her family and her new husband. I enjoyed the writing in this complex story filled with intrigue. I got this ARC at ALA and will publish my review for this July 23 release on July 25.

Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! by Candace Havens was a review book I received from Entangled Covet. I thought it was a cute, quick read. My review will be posted on July 17.

Her Knight in Black Leather by JM Stewart was another Kindle book. I think this one was a Daily Deal romance. I thought it was a fun story about two interesting characters. This one is also sitting in the draft folder waiting for an opening on my blog calendar. 

Young Adult Books

I caught up on the last two Gallagher Girls books on my Kindle - Only the Good Spy Young and Out of Sight, Out of Time. I was hoping to meet Ally Carter at ALA but didn't get to. My friend did get her autograph on a sampler of the last Gallagher Girls book for me though. Both of these reviews are sitting in my draft folder waiting for a spot on my blog calendar. 

What We found in the Sofa and How It Saved the World by Henry Clark was a book my friend chose for me at ALA. I enjoyed this middle grade story and think my middle graders and upper elementary kids will like getting to know River and his friends. My review will be posted on July 20.

Shelter by Harlan Coben was on my TBR mountain and I regret not getting to it sooner. I thought this young adult debut mystery was excellent. I even bought the sequel (which is one advantage of not reading a book right when it is released.) My review will be posted on July 18.

I got a copy of Slayers by C. J. Hill from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group along with an ARC of the sequel. I thought it was a very good story about kids who are the descendants of dragon slayers and who need to fight a new crop of dragons. My review will be posted on July 17.

SYLO by D. J. MacHale was another book that my friend got for me at ALA. It is an autographed finished copy. I loved it but hated that the last three words in the book were TO BE CONTINUED. Now I am left aching for the next book and this one just came out on July 2. My review will be posted on July 27.

Currently:

Runt by Nora Raleigh Baskin is another ALA book. I am eager to read this middle grade story about bullying. This book will be released on July 23.

Next Week:

I have put quite a few books on my pile for next week. Most of these are review books.

Young Adult

I got When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears from Kersten Hamilton. It is the third book in her Goblin Wars series and is sitting on my computer in my Adobe Digital Editions folder. It will be released on August 6.

Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear is the second book in the Aether Chronicles. I got it from NetGalley. It will be released on August 8.

The Deepest Night by Shana Abe is also a sequel that I got from NetGalley. It will be released on August 13.

Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier was a book I got at ALA. It is in the Shadowfell series which I have not read though I have a few on my TBR mountain. This one will be released on July 9.

Adult Books

Eight Days to Live by Iris Johansen was one of the books I brought home from my TBR mountain to read this summer. My friend had the audiobook and we listened to about half on our drive to Chicago. I have figured out where we stopped listening and will continue reading it this week. 

Saving Paradise by Mike Bond is a review book that was sent to me by Meryl Moss Media Relations. It sounds like an interesting thriller. 

The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips was another book I got at ALA. I like her writing and look forward to reading this one.

Judgment at Proteus by Timothy Zahn is a science fiction book my friend got for me at ALA. She even got it autographed for me. I am eager to read this one despite it being the fifth book in the series. 

The Resurrectionist by Matthew Guinn was another book my friend got for me at ALA. It sound like an intriguing story. 

Dark Waters by Toni Anderson is a romantic suspense novel I got a while ago through the Amazon Vine program. 

These should keep me busy. What do you have planned?