by Kay | Jan 3, 2015 | Book Haul |
Feed my Reader is my excuse to highlight the latest e-book additions (a-la Showcase Sunday/Stacking the Shelves/Mailbox Monday).
I have gone Star Trek mad these past few weeks. I have always been a trekkie and, during a recent re-watch marathon, started googling for more Star Trek info… at which point I discovered some of the brilliant audiobooks narrated by Star Trek cast members! These were my first audiobook listens EVER and I enjoyed the hell out of them. I think I binge-listened to 5 or 6 during the end of 2014.
Anyhow, that kicked off my interest in the novels! I had always assumed media-franchise books weren’t the best (especially given the fabulous wealth of fanfiction out there – why pay?) but listening to the audiobooks has really changed my mind. They were all fab and some were even written by the Star Trek writers themselves so… that’s practically canon!
With this in mind, here are some recent Star Trek e-books that have invaded my reader. Here’s hoping they are as good as the audiobooks:
- A Stitch in Time by Andrew J Robinson – I LOVE Garak. He’s one of my favourite DS9 characters. So that there is a book all about him written by the man who played him? Insta buy!
- Star Trek Destiny Trilogy by David Mack – This trilogy follows on from the Star Trek: Nemesis movie and unites characters from all the series. I’m a bit worried that I might be starting too far into the new timeline with this series… maybe I should read some of the other post-Nemesis books first? Hmm…
- The 34th Rule by Armin Shimerman and David George III – Again, here’s one of the actors I love most writing about one of my favourite characters. A good Ferengi tale never goes unwanted. Rule of Acquisition #344. 🙂
Are there any other trekkies out there who have read these? If so, let me know which I should read first!
by Kay | Jan 2, 2015 | Reading Challenges |
I am heading into a whole new world of challenges this year – most of them exploring genres I am very new too! From Audiobooks to Graphic Novels, these challenges cover the whole literary spectrum.
The Graphic Novel/Manga Challenge – Complete (kinda)
The Challenge? To read graphic novels, collected trade editions, manga, comic strip collections, comic books. In print or digital.
The Host? The lovelies over here.
Level? Bronze Age: read and review 24 books during the year
Thoughts? I think I made it through at least 24 last year (during my noobie-comic binge!) so I think I can keep it up this year!
Progress:
- Alpha and Omega Volume 1 – DNF! Review to come.
- Daredevil, Vol. 7: Hardcore by Brian Michael Bendis – 4 stars
- Thor: God of Thunder, Vol. 3: The Accursed by Jason Aaron – 1.5 stars
- Bodies by Si Spencer – 4 stars
- Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan – 4 stars
- Daredevil, Vol. 8: Echo by David W. Mack – 2.5 stars
- Ms. Marvel, Vol. 2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson – 5 stars
- Avengers Undercover Vol. 2: Going Native by Dennis Hopeless – 1 star
- Ms. Marvel, Vol. 3: Crushed by G. Willow Wilson – 5 stars
- Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man by Mark Waid – 3 stars
- Original Sin: Thor & Loki: The Tenth Realm by Al Ewing – 4 stars
- Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More by Kelly Sue DeConnick – 5 stars
- Captain Marvel, Vol. 2: Stay Fly by Kelly Sue DeConnick – 5 stars
- New Avengers, Vol. 4: Perfect World by Jonathan Hickman – 4 stars
- Captain Marvel, Vol. 3: Alis Volat Propriis by Kelly Sue DeConnick – 5 stars
- Rocket Raccoon, Vol. 2: Storytailer by Skottie Young – 4 stars
- Avengers: Time Runs Out, Vol. 1 by Jonathan Hickman – 3 stars
- Avengers World, Vol. 4: Before Times Runs Out by Frank Barbiere – 3 stars
- Avengers: Time Runs Out, Vol. 2 by Jonathan Hickman – 3.5 stars
- Avengers: Time Runs Out, Vol. 3 by Jonathan Hickman – 4 star
- Avengers: Time Runs Out, Vol. 4 by Jonathan Hickman – 3 stars
- Gotham Academy, Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan – 4 stars
- Superior Iron Man, Vol. 1: Infamous by Tom Taylor – 4 stars
- Superior Iron Man, Vol. 2: Stark Contrast by Tom Taylor – 3 stars
- Thor: God of Thunder, Vol. 4: The Last Days of Midgard by Jason Aaron – 4.5 stars
- Spider-Gwen, Vol. 0: Most Wanted? by Jason Latour – 4 stars
The Audiobook Challenge – Complete
The Challenge? To find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2015 than you did in 2014.
The Host? Book Nympho and Hot Listens
Level? Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
Thoughts? I listened to a bunch of audio books in the days leading up to the new year (another example of book binging!) – taking me from a “never listened to one before” gal to an audiobook appreciator. I think I can manage another 10 this year for sure!
Progress:
- Legends of the Ferengi by Ira Steven Behr – 4.5 stars
- Emissary by J.M. Dillard – 3 stars
- Warped by K.W. Jeter – 2 stars
- The Devil’s Heart by Carmen Carter – 2 stars
- Ship of the Line by Diane Carey – 4 stars
- Prime Directive by Judith Reeves-Stevens – 3 stars
- Star Trek Next Generation: Imzadi by Peter David – 2 stars
- Windows on a Lost World by V.E. Mitchell – 3 stars
- Star Trek Cacophony: A Captain Sulu Adventure by John Malloy – 3 stars
Deal Me In! Challenge on hold
The Challenge? To read 52 short stories in 2015
The Host? Bibliophilica
Level? The “Full” Deal Me In challenge – all 52 stories
Thoughts? I am VERY excited about this one! I came across the 2014 sign-up post a few months ago and KNEW I had to take part. I am still tinkering with my list, but one thing won’t be changing: the Spades are all for Sherlock! See my story list here.
Goodreads Challenge
Kay has
read 7 books toward her goal of 75 books.
by Kay | Jan 1, 2015 | List-o-pia |
Another year, another batch of wonderful book read and adored! Here lie my favourite books of 2014 – many of which are graphic novels, my number one discovery of the year!
2. Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
5. Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor
10. Hawkeye by Matt Fraction
As you can see – I read some fab books this year! Check these all out ASAP if you haven’t already… happy 2015!
by Kay | Dec 5, 2014 | Reviews |
Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
Series: Gallagher Girls #5
Published by Hyperion on 2012-03-13
Pages: 304
Genres: Contemporary YA, Young Adult
Source: Purchased myself
Add to Goodreads
Rating:
Also in this series: Only the Good Spy Young, United We SpyThe fifth sassy installment in Ally Carter's best-selling spy-school series delivers the most nerve-wracking, high-stakes adventure yet! The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, her memory is a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie's summer vacation are the bruises on her body and dirt under her nails. All she wants is to go home. But even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers as Cammie and her friends face their most difficult challenge. With only their training and a few clues to guide them, the girls go in search of answers on the other side of the world. But the Circle is hot on their trail and will stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.
Thoughts: When I started the Gallagher Girl books, I was entertained but not exactly fulfilled. They felt like young, fun books that straddled the line between Middle Grade and Young Adult.
But as the characters have matured, so have the content and the writing. These have turned serious, meaty books that deal with a lot more than just teenage shenanigans. The change was gradual and it was only in Out of Sight, Out of Time that I really felt it come through. Needless to say, I am a big fan!
Out of Sight, Out of Time is by far my favourite in the series. The novel opens with an amnesiac Cammie being tended to by Austrian nuns – so right from the start I knew I was going to be in for a treat. You’d think the amnesia trope would be too cliché to handle, but instead it gave the book an overarching mystery that I really enjoyed. What happened to Cammie? How did she suddenly become a bad-ass warrior? What did Bex and Zach get up to while Cammie was away? ALL THE QUESTIONS.
Not only did Ally Carter deliver a fantastic mystery, she wrapped it up in a kick-ass ending. This book had me salivating for the next (I managed to delay the satisfaction of starting that one… by 2 whole days).
Bottom line? If you gave up on the Gallagher series during the first few books, please reconsider! They get plottier and more awesome as they go on.
Favourite Quote:
Townsend made a note, and I remembered the immortal advice of Joe Solomon that, at its heart, being a spy is boring.
The older I got, the smarter my teachers became.
– Chapter 26
by Kay | Oct 18, 2014 | Events for the Bookish, Giveaway |
Hellow fellow read-a-thon-ers!
Thinking about sneaking a nap in? No way! Grab a cup of tea or coffee (or a Red Bull) because you’re in for the long-haul now. While you’re at it, get out your camera’s for the Hour 8 “Show It Off” Mini-challenge.
Here’s your challenge: I want you to show off a book (or books) from your shelves that you are extremely proud of. The unique, signed or simply dear-to-your-heart editions that you’d grab if there were a fire.
Need some examples? Well, how about that signed, personalised edition by your favourite author? Or how about that shelf of painstakingly-collected of every Jane Austen-related book in existence? Perhaps you’ve an extremely dog-eared copy of a book that’s been passed down through your family? Anything goes – just make it something special to you.
Last year, I showed off by wonderful signed copy of Bill Clinton’s Giving: How Each Of Us Can Change The World. The year before that, I highlighted my near-and-dear to me copies of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit (beautiful editions that have been in the family for decades).
This year I wanted to show you guys two wonderful books I have signed by one of my favourite writers: George R. R. Martin. Seeing as how I chose one of his books for the readathon, it made sense to share these volumes for Show it Off.
Back in 2011, Game of Thrones had REALLY taken off and the Iron Throne was making a tour around the world. I was one of those new fans who rushed to pick up a signed copy of A Dance with Dragons the minute I realised I could. Then, the next year, I got to meet GRRM a few times at Eastercon! It was a thrill and he was the most awesome person in…er… person. Despite con rules (which I didn’t know about until much later), he was the first to sign my Tea poster (to the left) along with a ton of other authors (including Gail Carriger, Tricia Sullivan and 20 others – I think everyone was willing to get on board once they saw his autograph!). He also signed this first edition of his novel A Song for Lya (I adore the psychedelic 1970s cover).
In short: GRRM is awesome.
Now, show off yours!
- Take a picture of a book/books from your library you really want to show off: signed editions, rare editions, obsessively-organized Sherlock Holmes collections – just whatever is special to you!
- Post your photo on your blog, twitter, facebook, flickr, etc. then add your link in the Linky below.
- Use the hashtag #showitoff and #readathon if you are sharing on twitter/instagram
- This challenge will close in three hours (just before hour 11)
- One winner will be chosen to receive $15/£10 gift certificate to Amazon/Book Depository OR this SIGNED COPY of The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Challenge closed and the winner is… #49 Elishia! I will be in touch soon with your prize.
Thanks EVERYONE for your FANTASTIC entries – this year was an amazing success! If you’re stumbling across this post months from now, go and check out some of the links above for some beautiful books. 🙂
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