Reading Habits vol.2

Earlier in the year, I dissected/analyzed/reported about my reading habits in this post.  I thought a 6 month recap was a good way to turn this into a series.  Maybe?  Or maybe this should just be an annual thing?  I don't know.  We'll see.  For now, let's look at my "reading habits" for all of 2016.

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction:  Apparently, I only read one more non-fiction book the entire last half of 2016.  Maybe that's why I got three of them as Christmas presents...to get more of them into my life.

Format:  book vs. ebook vs. audiobook - Nothing has changed since my last review.  I still don't own an e-reader.  I still don't want one.  I'm still old-fashioned. 

Source:  library vs. owned - I'm a little disappointed with this stat.  I wanted to make more of a dent in the books that I own already.  I'd like for next year to have these results be more balanced. 

Female Authors vs. Male Authors:  Girl Power!

Genre: crime/mystery/thriller, ya, memoir/bio, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, short stories, western, horror, children's lit, classics - This is what I said at mid-year, and it remains true:  "I know I read an assortment of genres.  I enjoy mixing it up.  I guess this (again, sorta kinda maybe) shows that is true.  Heavy on the crime/mystery/thrillers."

Ratings:  Obviously, I'm a big fan of giving books high marks.  I think that's a combination of reasons - I've learned what I like and tend to pick up books I know I'll enjoy, I'm not much of a book basher, and if I'm wavering between two ratings, I tend to be generous rather than stingy.  I feel like there were another couple of DNF in the mix though.

Favorites:  I told you about my faves of the year in this post:  Show Us Your Books Best of 2016: The Lucky 13; if you're interested and you missed that post of mine, take a look because I hit several genres with my recommendations.  I am confident there is something there for any reader.

Book Challenges:  You know, I am a book challenge junkie.  Here's a wrap-up of the challenges I participated in 2016:

Book Challenge by Erin 4.0 - read 17/20
Book Challenge by Erin 5.0 - read 20/20
Aussie Author Challenge 2016 - read 12/12
Read My Books Challenge 2016 - read 7 books that I already owned during the month of June
Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge 2016 - read 12/12
Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge 2016 - I've fumbled the ball on this one, and there's no picking it up - read 5/12
Around the World in 80 Books - read 18/80, but still going with this one; I've given myself a "due date" of my 50th birthday which is YEARS away.
USA Reading Roadtrip - read 6/50; same due date as above

As much as it pains this book challenge junkie's heart, I may sit out of the Semi-Charmed challenges in 2017.  There's a lot of crossover and a little bit of challenge burnout.  I am still passionate about keeping my personal book challenge a source of joy, so others may take a backseat moving forward.

Now, I need to stop posting and start reading.  I'm so behind in my blog reading, and I need to know what is going on in your lives!

I show you my books, you show me yours... vol.22

Jana & Steph are bringing us book lovin' bloggers our favorite day of the month again - Show Us Your Books day!  It's the day of the month that my goodreads gets the most activity...and I do love myself some goodreads.  Be my friend (if we aren't already.) 

What I've read since the last link-up:

1.  Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart -

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I never found myself getting truly stuck into the story or needing to know what happened next.  However, I did love the character of Constance Kopp and the fact that much of the story is based on actual events and people. I got a little bored with the pigeons. Not gonna lie. 3.75/5 2.  Baby Doll by Hollie Overton - An entertaining read for crime fiction fans that (as one of our hosts Steph says) passed the time just fine.  I liked that most of the characters are flawed and screwed up.  I assumed it was going to go one direction, and it went another (I think that's what we call a "twist", folks), and I liked that too.  3.75/5 3.  Heidi by Johanna Spyri - Meh. It was fine. It just wasn't as endearing as I remembered. The descriptions of the scenery and nature was the best. The characters annoyed me often.  2.75/5 What's up with these .75 ratings this month?  I don't know, but just go with me. 4.  The Island by Victoria Hislop - This is not a quick read, but it was worth it. So many stories within a story about the culture of Crete, family, love, sacrifice, betrayal, heartache, loyalty, grief, shame, hope, community, and more. I learned about an island that housed a colony of Greeks afflicted with leprosy and the culture of a small Crete village located just across from it...communities that I've never read about in fiction. 4/5 5.  I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty - My second book to read from this series, and my second time to be disappointed. 2.5/5 6.  The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison - This is my kind of effed-up, thought-provoking book.  I gobbled this up in one day. Thanks to Kristen for the recommendation in this post. I didn't have the greatest month of reading, but they can't all be phenomenal, can they?  Currently reading:  Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo...and I just looked; I have 11 books that I'm waiting for my turn at the library.  We'll see what's next! I've shown you mine, now you show me yours..............

Take a look...

Do y'all know the lovely Kaity at (Bee)autiful Blessings?  She's about to have her second bambino any day now (in fact from the time I type this to the post going live, she may have), so she's asked for a few guest posts to entertain her blogger buddies while she's a *little* busy with other important things. 

Kaity is another book lovin' book challenge fan, so, you know, she asked me to talk about one of my favorite subjects ~ BOOKS!  Go take a look..............

Reading Habits vol.1

Emma at "ever emma" shared this post about her reading habits, and good gracious, I knew straight away that I was going to steal borrow it from her.  Sure, it would be great to do this at the end of every year.  But, I can't wait that long!  How about the end of every June and every December.  But, the end of June has come and gone.  How about the end of July/start of August?  Okay! 

Let's look at my reading habits up to this point for 2016.  According to goodreads, I've read 57 books so far.

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction:  This one is no surprise.  I read mostly fiction (48 books); I dabble in non-fiction (9 books).

Format:  Again, no surprise.  I like my books.  I don't even own an e-reader or an ipad.  I'm so old-fashioned. 

Source:  I was pretty pleased with this outcome.  I've been making an effort to #ReadMyBooks that are sitting on my bookshelf at home.  I think this shows that I'm sorta kinda maybe making a dent in those stacks.

Genre:  I know I read an assortment of genres.  I enjoy mixing it up.  I guess this (again, sorta kinda maybe) shows that is true.  Heavy on the crime/mystery/thrillers. 

Ratings:  I think this is the category that surprised me the most...the fact that I am happy to give away 4star and 5star ratings.  Then again, it doesn't surprise me all that much.  I am weird about book-bashing (I don't like to do it all that often).  So, I'm probably generous in that department.  And, I am pretty good about knowing what I'm going to enjoy. 

Best in Fiction:  Damn, this is tough...after all, you can see I've rated 19 books so far with 5stars, and several have really stuck with me...to pick just one is tough...I've fallen in love with books by Ruta Sepetys, so I will say Out of the Easy.

But, on a different day, or in a different hour, I may have picked The Cartel by Don Winslow, or Please Come Back from the Moon by Dean Bakopoulos, or I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, or The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi, or, or, or...

Best in Non-Fiction:  Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming

Biggest Surprise:  The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan; I honestly did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did.

Best Series Started:  I think the only series I've started (I've read several series books, but not the start of one) is Tana French's "Dublin Murder Squad", and I've only read the first book - In the Woods - but I do plan to read more.

Best "New to Me" Author:  I've been pretty lucky; I've read several fantastic books by authors that are new to me.  I'll go with Clare Mackintosh (I Let You Go) for a couple of reasons: I liked this thriller so much that I've put myself on the library's reserve list for her new release before it has even been released (I See You), and she replied more than once to a tweet that I mentioned her...so, you know, she's kinda sorta maybe my best friend now.

Most Memorable Character:  Without a doubt, Shorty from The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale

Most Thought-Provoking:  Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent  I actually said so in my review on goodreads: 

"Uplifting, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking. Culturally and socially, this book is educational. Morally, this book is inspirational. Lessons of love, faith, forgiveness, change, philanthropy, and more. I respected the honest (sometimes brutally, painfully honest) description of the pain and suffering of a terminal illness. It made the other parts of the story carry merit and truth...parts that a reader could assume were sensationalized or exaggerated. For any person of faith, read this book. For others, read this book. Everyone, read this book."

Book lovin' bloggers, I'd love for you to steal borrow this post idea as well.  I enjoy learning about other people's reading habits. 

Did you learn anything new about my reading habits?

10 Books Set Outside the USA

I'm a big fan of reading books set in different countries, so much so that I am participating in Around the World in 80 Books.  I feel like I get to travel to another world, another country, another continent without the expenses.  I learn about other cultures, histories, and times through this world of reading.

Karen wrote a post yesterday about this topic, but I didn't notice that it was inspired by a link-up.  After seeing Heather's post about 10 Books that she enjoys that are set in other countries (besides the USA), I knew I needed to jump on that post idea.  After all, my love for the following books inspired my interest in the Around the World book challenge.  So, I will be linking as well with The Broke and The Bookish my recommendations as well for the Top 10 Books Set Outside the USA.

1.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (England) - I don't re-read books.  I can't think of one novel that I've read more than once, except this one.  I took a class in university about Children's Literature. I remember re-reading the book then (having read it as a young girl) and enjoying it. Unfortunately, I was too hungover most lecture days that I don't remember much else about the class. I'm glad I re-read it again (and again) at different stages of adulthood. It's even more delightful of a story the third (and fourth) time. I'm a sucker for a transformation story, and the combined transformations of characters and the garden is a winner. 

2.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Guernsey, United Kingdom) - Delightful.  That is the word that I use to describe this book.  It made me giggle.  It made me cry.  It gave me warm feelings all over. 

3.  The Ed Loy series by Declan Hughes (5 books in all, set in Ireland) - Gritty, dark, suspenseful mysteries that follow the cases of private detective Ed Loy.  The underworld of Dublin comes to life in these books.

4.  The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (France, during the German occupation of WWII) - A book that has received a lot of attention, deservedly so, in my opinion.  If you like historical fiction, read this book. If you like strong female characters, read this book. And, have a box of Kleenex next to you for the last 50 pages or so...and preferably don't read those pages in public.

5.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Germany) - Yes, another WWII book.  Yes, another book that has received a lot of praise.  Remember that I said I don't re-read books?  I plan to re-read this one this year.  I want to experience it again.  The characters are brilliant, and a love of books and stories are prevalent.  The narrator is unique and poignant.

6.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (Lithuania/Serbia) - Last WWII book, I promise.  I love a historical fiction book that actually expands my knowledge. This book did just that. While reading, I found myself googling things about Lithuania, the Balkans, and Stalin. This book is heart-wrenching, even horrific at times, with tales of brutality, starvation, disease, and loss...but it is wonderful and beautiful, and I highly recommend it.

7.  Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (Iceland) - I'm certainly glad I didn't discard this one just because it is based on a true story set in Iceland in the 1800s, and I was slightly intimidated by it. What a beauty of a book; heavy with dark imagery, but beautiful nonetheless. As I was reading, I wanted to know more and more of Agnes's story. I became emotionally invested in her and other characters.

8.  Saving Francesca & The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta (Australia) - For YA fans, I have so much love for these books.  They follow the same group of friends but different lead character in each book; in Saving Francesca, from a high school girl's perspective, and in The Piper's Son, a twenty-something year old boy.  Both are stories of self-growth and finding oneself with the spirit of Sydney suburbs accurately depicted.

9.  The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi (Afghanistan) - If you've read Khaled Hosseini's books (which I recommend as well) and found them fascinating and powerful, then add this to your "to read" list. A captivating book that is both emotional and educational about two generations of Afghan women who faced hardships including abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, emotional), loss, loneliness, abandonment, betrayal, and more. If you are like me, you'll read this book, then want to go save alllllll the girls of the world that are denied opportunities and treated as inferiors for being female.

10.  The Power of the Dog and The Cartel by Don Winslow (Mexico) - Ruthless, brutal, and violent. Think The Godfather; instead of The Mafia, it focuses on Mexican drug cartels. No, not The Godfather. That isn't violent or horrific enough. Think The Sopranos multiplied by 1000.  This is an epic story spanning decades about the rise of Mexican drug cartels, the DEA that hunts them, and the effects of the drug trade to all involved and surrounded by it.  Much like Law & Order: SVU takes real stories and headlines and fictionalizes them for a television show, the author has done the same for these books. 

Have you read any of these?  What others would you recommend?

	Linking up for Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and The Bookish

I show you my books, you show me yours... vol.18

Jana & Steph are bringing us book lovin' bloggers our favorite day of the month again - Show Us Your Books day! 

What I've read since our last link-up:

1.  Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs - Severe levels of dysfunction wrapped in a supposedly humorous memoir. Nope. Not the book for me.  I'd have to share spoilers to explain what has disturbed me so much, so if you'd like to chat about it, we can do that via email. 1/5

2.  The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt - The pace of this book is so smooth even with multiple murders, disease, animal deaths, and loneliness.  I'm finding it difficult to articulate why I enjoyed the story so much, but I did.  4/5

3.  Not Without My Sister by Kristina Jones, Celeste Jones, and Juliana Buhring - I strongly believe that using religion to brainwash, manipulate, and abuse children is the most disgusting crime that exists.  I'm infuriated that groups like this have ever existed and still do.  4/5

4.  Still Missing by Chevy Stevens - Solid mystery/thriller with twists and turns and the right degree of fucked-up-ness.  My first to read from this author, and it won't be my last. 4/5

5.  Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai - The story of a Vietnamese refugee family that moves to Alabama during the Vietnam war told through the eyes of a 10 year old girl.  Poignant and emotional, this was a Newberry Award for children's literature, deservedly so. 4.5/5 6.  I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson - Heartbreak, art, family, love, tragedy, self-discovery, and a little whimsy too.  Some parts of the story, I predicted; others, I didn't...but I enjoyed the ride.  I had high expectations, and this book exceeded them. 5/5 7.  The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - I'm just not meant to read "classics".  The end.  P.S. Children's literature is the exception. Currently reading:  In the Woods by Tana French Reminder:  Link-up this Thursday to let us know how you did with the Read My Books challenge.  Feel free to link up if you succeeded, rocked the challenge, failed miserably, intended to read a book from home but didn't.  Just as long as the post has something to do with your reading habits.  There are TWO chances to win $50 Amazon gift cards, so stop by Thursday, and take your chance for a win. Thoughts on any of these books?

Read My Books Challenge with Dani and Erin

Even though I read a lot, I have many books sitting at home, collecting dust, and waiting to be read.  All too often, I get caught up in the fun of library visits, library queues, and library reserves.  So, I read library books instead of those that I already own.  Dani from Faster and Forever and I were talking about this.  She's trying to read all the books she owns by the end of the year. 

For the month of June, Dani and I are challenging ourselves to "read my books".  We challenge you to do it with us (but your own books, of course, or ebooks or audiobooks, whatever you have waiting for you.)  We picked JUNE to give us plenty of time to organize ourselves and plan ahead (for me, this means reading all my library books checked and clearing any reserves.)  We will host a link-up in July, and any of you that succeeded in the "Read My Books" challenge will be eligible to win a gift card from Amazon (to buy more books!)!!!

Link-up will be the second THURSDAY of JULY (because lots of us participate in Steph's and Jana's "Show Us Your Books" link-up which is always the second Tuesday, so this should be a pretty easy post to prepare for after that one.) 

Mark your calendar to start reading only books your already own from June 1st through June 30th, link-up to report your success on Thursday, July 14th, and try your luck at winning $$$ from Amazon.  

Use hashtag #readmybooks on any social media sites if you want to support the challenge. 

Now, which one should I read first?

I show you my books, you show me yours vol.14

The dynamite duo of  Jana & Steph host this fabulous link-up and have created a community of book lovers.  Thanks friends!  I had a pretty fantastic month of reading, so let's take a look...

Books I've read since last link-up:

1.  The Pearl that Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi -  If you've read Khaled Hosseini's books and found them fascinating and powerful, then add this to your "to read" list. A captivating book that is both emotional and educational about two generations of Afghan women who faced hardships including abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, emotional), loss, loneliness, abandonment, betrayal, and more. If you are like me, you'll read this book, then want to go save alllllll the girls of the world that are denied opportunities and treated as inferiors for being female.  5/5

2.  Kill Your Friends by John Niven - The way that American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is darkly hilarious, this book and narrator (an A&R rep for a British record label) are very similar.  I audibly laughed on many occasions. Filled with drugs, explicit sex (if you can't handle crass & crude descriptions of sexual acts, don't read this), women (and men) being objectified, curse words (if you can't handle a lot of C bombs, don't read this), racist and sexist remarks aplenty, greed, narcissism, and cynicism surrounding the world of music.  Inappropriate to the maximum degree, this book is appalling, yet wonderful.  Disturbing and disgusting, yet funny as hell.  NOT for everyone, but I fucking loved it.  4.5/5

3.  This House of Grief by Helen Garner - I read this for the Aussie Author Challenge, and I talk about the book in detail here. 2/5

4.  Please Don't Come Back from the Moon by Dean Bakopoulus -  I really enjoy when certain aspects of a story are left open for personal interpretation. This book has that element and so much more. There are layers of lightness and darkness, and the storytelling is both easy, yet heavy. I have no idea how to adequately review this book expect to say I loved it.  5/5

5.  Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming - Several other people in my book challenge have read this and raved, so I had expectations of what was in store.  Alan Cumming is an example of living a childhood with violence, fear, self-doubt, and self-loathing...yet he did not let his past define him or ruin him.  He learned, grew, and came out a stronger, healthier person because of it.  A really interesting memoir of the past and present.  I need to look up his "Who Do You Think You Are?" episode... 4.5/5

6.  All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - There are so, so, soooo many things I love about this book - Violet & Finch, "wandering", the examination of one's inner voice and how powerful that can be, the feelings of that first real love, grief, mental illness, and more. But, there was one really important aspect of the book that bothered me, and it bothered me a lot. I can't tell you what because I don't want to give anything away.  But, if you already read this book and want to chat about it, hit me up.

Currently reading:  The Winter of Frankie Machine by Don Winslow

On deck:  Alert by James Patterson, Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett, Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Talk to me.  Have you read any of these?  Do you want to read any of them?