It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (March 24, 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.

Last week was a fun week. A friend and I made a quick trip up to the Red Balloon bookstore Thursday after work to attend Shannon Hale's book signing. She is an engaging and entertaining speaker. I was glad to get my author book autographed and to get autographed books for both of my media centers.

This coming week will be a little busier. I have to Townhouse Association meeting Monday evening, Tuesday evening my friend and I are taking another road trip to the Red Balloon to See DJ MacHale, Wednesday we have a rescheduled Technology committee meeting, and Friday is the end of our third quarter which means I have lots and lots of grades to do.

Read Last Week

I had the good fortune to read two amazing young adult contemporary stories this past week. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira is a lyrically written series of letters to dead people written by a young woman named Laurell who is trying to come to terms with the sudden death of her sister. It seemed that every page had something quotable, thought-provoking, and heart-breaking. My review will be posted on March 29 for this April 1 release.

RedDevil 4 by Eric C. Leuthardt was a science fiction thriller that packed a huge amount of science into a very fast-paced story. It was exciting and entertaining. The book was released on Feb. 4 but my review will be posted on March 27 as part of the blog tour.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson was the second amazing YA book I read this week. This one tells the story of Emily who was left a "to do" list when her best friend Sloane disappeared. It was a story about taking risks, getting to know yourself, and even falling in love. I couldn't put it down. This was an Amazon Vine book which won't be released until May 6 but my review is scheduled for April 30.

The least successful book of the week was Blood and Iron by Jon Sprunk. This is an epic fantasy that had wonderful world building and a nicely twisty plot. However, I never really engaged with any of the characters in the story. Since I prefer my science fiction and fantasy character driven, I was disappointed. My review of this March 11 release will be posted on March 29.

Currently

I am currently reading Notorious by Allison Brennan. Thus far I am enjoying the main character despite the fact that she can hold a grudge and has a major trust issues.

Next Week

I hope to finally get a chance to read Wild Things by Chloe Neill. It is the latest in her Chicagoland Vampires series and has been pushed aside for review book commitments. 

I also want to read Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick. This is the only adult review book in April that is currently on my stack. I love this author and was very excited to win this eARC from Penguin's First to Read program.

Lack of review books is not a problem on the YA side of my life. I have a very full calendar until mid-June. This week's books are Plus One by Elizabeth Fama about a futuristic society that divides people into Day and Night people with our heroine being a Night person. I also have Sekret by Lindsay Smith on my stack for this week. This one is a paranormal but is also historical. Both ARCs came from Macmillan.

Reviews Posted

• The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson
• Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull
• Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
• She Can Hide by Melinda Leigh
• Dash of Peril by Lori Foster
• The Revenant of Thraxton Hall by Vaughn Entwistle

I hope everyone has a great week. Leave a link and I'll come visit.