It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Jan. 6, 2014)

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.

Winter has arrived with a vengeance this week. Our temperatures have plummeted. Luckily, we haven't gotten any new snow but the strong winds have been pushing the snow we do have around. I am so grateful to live so close to where I work. Commuting would not be fun between the bone-chilling cold, blowing snow and slippery roads. I have been glad to stay in and read. We only had two days of school last week - Thursday and Friday. So I got some extra reading and relaxing done.

We have Monday off this coming week because the Governor closed all Minnesota schools. Monday's forecast is actual temperature between -20 and -30 with windchills pushing -60. I will be very glad to stay in my warm house. I do have to make up the time we are missing but can do 4 hours of it from home. I have to redo my lesson plan calendar to account for one less day this semester. I also have tons of Google Docs to correct which my students have shared with me. Only two weeks left in this semester and then I will be seeing all new classes.

Last Week:

I finished listening to DaVinci's Ghost by Toby Lester. The story of Leonardo's drawing of Vitruvian Man was fascinating but it was also scholarly, rambling and disorganized. My review will be posted on Jan. 8.

The Lost Planet by Rachel Searles was a middle grade science fiction story. It was one long chase scene and I had difficulty connecting with any of the characters. My review will be posted on Jan. 23.

Alienated by Melissa Landers was a YA science fiction romance. I enjoyed the story and will be reviewing it on Jan. 25. It will be released on Feb. 4.

Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee was by first book of 2014. I loved this contemporary fantasy novel largely because of the main character and wonderful world building. My review will be posted on Jan. 30 for this Feb 4 release.

Something Real by Heather Demetrios was an amazing contemporary story. I couldn't put it down. It tells the story of Bonnie™ Baker who grew up on reality TV. Her new real life is threatened when her mother agrees to resume the series. My review of this Feb. 4 release will be posted on Feb. 1.

Cress by Marissa Meyer is the third book in the Lunar Chronicles. This episode focuses on Cress who is a Lunar without mind powers and who has been imprisoned on a satellite orbiting Earth for seven years. Of course, it also furthers the big plot and has substantial parts for Cinder, Thorne, and Emperor Kai. My review of this Feb. 4 release will be posted on Jan. 30.

Currently:

Lacking an adult book to review for a while, I went to my TBR mountain and pulled Hastur Lord: A Novel of Darkover by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross to read. This one has been sitting on the stack since 2010. It is the 23rd novel in the series. I read most of these in the eighties and nineties and haven't read any since. I am eager to see how this novel holds up.

Next Week:

I have a few slots on my calendar before I am back to reading review books. Here are the books I have chosen from my TBR mountain.

Skating Around the Law by Joelle Charbonneau

United We Spy by Ally Carter

Killing Floor by Lee Child

Reviews Last Week:

• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
• Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill
• Alone by Kendra Elliot
• River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

I hope everyone has a great week. Leave me a link to your post. I'd love to see what you read and what you are planning to read.