Sunday, January 5, 2014

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:

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.

14 comments:

  1. Kathy
    Does sound very cold in your part of the world. It has been shown on our news here in New Zealand what you are going through. Where I live I don't get snow, so of course it is magic to me! Sounds like you got heaps of reading done. Have a great week.

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  2. Oooohhh I love Marion Zimmer Bradley! ENJOY!!!

    Eeks at your freezing temps! I have friends that live in Moorhead, MN and they were talking about the cold. Brrr... stay safe and warm!

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  3. I've been hearing about the ice storms in Toronto and people's houses cracking, and must say I am glad to finally be away from that kind of winter weather! Not that this summer in Tassie has been all that warm so far - we've had some hot days but I currently have the heater on and my fingers are cold!

    I haven't yet finished a Marion Zimmer Bradley book, much to the amazement of my friends who got me two back in uni. No, I lie, it was my 18th birthday. I did nearly finish one though. Hadn't heard of this series, which surprises me. 24 books! That's a long series!

    Something Real sounds really intriguing, reminds me of that Jim Carrey movie that I loved (The Truman Show?). I'm behind in the Lunar books, have only read the first so far, whoops. Ah well, I'm behind in everything these days!

    Hope the weather lets up a bit for you soon!

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  4. Some Thing Real sounds interesting. I hope you are staying warm - that isn't a problem here for me, it is about 87F here today.

    Have a fab week,
    Shelleyrae @ Book'd out

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  5. I love Marion Bradley's writing! Great choice, and hope you enjoy it.

    Take a look at what I'm reading this week.

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  6. Ooh nice!! Haven't read any of these myself, but hope you enjoyed and enjoy them all!

    Here's my Monday Wrapup

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  7. Now I'm very curious about Something Real...sounds intriguing. Enjoy the warmth of your house....and time off.

    I'm off to check out reviews. Here's MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES

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  8. Nice haul - I haven't read a Darkover novel in ages.

    Thanks for stopping by my STS.

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  9. Cress! I am falling behind on this series.

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  10. Fangirl has been on my TBR shelf foreva!! I'm off to read your review ;)

    Happy Reading This Week!! The Brunette Librarian's Blog

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  11. Oh, yay, Jack Reacher! I read 3-4 of the series last year and enjoyed them. I hope you have a great week!

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  12. Looks like you had a really busy reading week! Happy reading.
    My books
    Xoxo. Daisel @ Owl Always Be Reading

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  13. And here I've been feeling sorry for myself because we're around 0 degrees with a wind chill of -15. I needed some perspective there! Enjoy your week and stay warm!

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  14. Wow we are in the midst of a heatwave in northern states of Australia and I can't even begin to imagine the temperatures you are talking about. We are lucky to hit 0 in the middle of a cold winter. I can't wait to read Cress!!
    Have a good week, stay warm and happy reading :)

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