Rachel Loves To Read

Feb TBR

2012-02-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

This month I plan on reading:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-23T02:40:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.

Last week I read:

Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith

Right now I'm reading:

Secret Saturdays by Torrey Maldonado

This week I hope to read:

Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow
The Only Way Out by Deborah Kent
Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon!

2012-01-23T02:32:00.000-08:00

A Winter's Respite Read-a-thon is being hosted by The True Book Addict. It goes from Monday January 23rd - Monday January 29th.

I plan on reading:

~~Secret Saturdays by Torrey Maldonado~~
~~Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow~~
The Only Way Out by Deborah Kent
Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.

Last week I read:

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

Right now I'm reading:

Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith

This week I hope to read:

Secret Saturdays by Torrey Maldonado
Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow

"Waiting On" Wednesday

2012-01-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare
Expected publication: May 8th 2012

In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling.

Bout of Books 3.0

2012-01-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

My Goals

To read atleast three books.

Books To Read

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

Updates

1/9

Number of books I’ve read today: 1

Total number of books I’ve read: 1

Books: Divergent by Veronica Roth

1/10

Number of books I’ve read today: 1

Total number of books I’ve read: 2

Books: Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

1/11

Number of books I’ve read today: 0 - I'm sick

Total number of books I’ve read: 2

Books:

1/12

Number of books I’ve read today: 0 - Still sick

Total number of books I’ve read: 2

Books:

1/13

Number of books I’ve read today:

Total number of books I’ve read:

Books:

1/14

Number of books I’ve read today:

Total number of books I’ve read:

Books:

1/15

Number of books I've read today:

Total number of books I've read:

Books:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-08T16:04:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.

This week I read:

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Cryptic Cravings by Ellen Schreiber

Right now I'm reading:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This week I hope to read:

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

The Doctor Reading Challenge

2012-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

The Doctor Reading Challenge

First Doctor - read 2 Doctor Who books
Second Doctor - read 5 Doctor Who books
Third Doctor - read 10 Doctor Who books
Fourth Doctor - read 15 Doctor Who books
Fifth Doctor - read 20 Doctor Who books
Sixth Doctor - read 25 Doctor Who books
Seventh Doctor - read 30 Doctor Who books
Eighth Doctor - read 40 Doctor Who books
Ninth Doctor - read 50 Doctor Who books
Tenth Doctor - read 75 Doctor Who books
Eleventh Doctor - read 100+ Doctor Who books

Rules:

*challenge runs 1 January to 31 December 2012 - any books must be read in the 2012 calendar year to count
*any format is allowed
*cross-overs between challenges allowed
*link your post/reviews from your blog, goodreads, shelfari, librarything or the comments section (no blog necessary!)
*no list is needed beforehand - you can choose as you go (or change your choices!)

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Incarnate

2012-01-04T03:52:00.000-08:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Expected publication: January 31st 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

January TBR

2012-01-03T01:20:00.000-08:00

This month I plan on reading:

Review: Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

2012-01-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Rating: 5/5

Details: Hardcover, 376 pages

Published: February 13th 2007 by William Morrow

You can buy the book HERE.

Summary: Aging, self-absorbed rock star Judas Coyne has a thing for the macabre -- his collection includes sketches from infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy, a trepanned skull from the 16th century, a used hangman's noose, Aleister Crowley's childhood chessboard, etc. -- so when his assistant tells him about a ghost for sale on an online auction site, he immediately puts in a bid and purchases it. The black, heart-shaped box that Coyne receives in the mail not only contains the suit of a dead man but also his vengeance-obsessed spirit. The ghost, it turns out, is the stepfather of a young groupie who committed suicide after the 54-year-old Coyne callously used her up and threw her away. Now, determined to kill Coyne and anyone who aids him, the merciless ghost of Craddock McDermott begins his assault on the rocker's sanity.

Credit: Goodreads

My Review: Oh wow! I love this book so much. I think Joe Hill may be one of my favourite authors now. I read Horns by him last year and loved it and had to have more. This book was actually even better than Horns. I am so glad I bought it instead of getting it from the library.

Heart-Shaped Box is an incredible story about Judas Coyne who likes to collect really interesting and macabre things (like me) and one day decides to buy a ghost. So cool.

I have grown up watching pretty much nothing but horror movies and reading a lot of horror novels so it takes a lot to scare me, and this book didn't do it. However, it was written so well, I got so attached to the characters and wrapped up in the story that I just didn't care that it wasn't scaring me. All I cared about was what was going to happen next and how it would end. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone and I will be re-reading it every chance I get.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2012-01-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.

This week I read:

Nothing. The last couple of weeks I haven't read much. That needs to change.

Right now I'm reading:

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

This week I hope to read:

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Cryptic Cravings by Ellen Schreiber

ABC Reading Challenge

2011-12-31T22:11:00.000-08:00

ABC Reading Challenge

Rules:

You need to be a book blogger or have a GoodReads account.
Any book fictional book released in 2012 will count towards the challenge. MG, Young Adult or Adult.
Make a blog post/Goodreads list on the books you plan on reading and then link back here.
Sign ups end at June 2012

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon!

2011-12-31T21:59:00.000-08:00

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon!

Here is your must-know information about Bout of Books:

Bout of Books will run from 12:01am 1/9 through 11:59 pm 1/15 (your time zone)
However, all posts on this blog and the challenges at the co-hosts' blogs will publish at midnight CST (or UTC-6).
Read as much as you can whenever you can. The only person you are competing against here is yourself. There is no pressure. Commit to the entire week or a few hours - whatever works best for your schedule.
Bout of Books should be about networking with fellow bloggers in addition to reading. You were going to read that week anyway, right? Bout of Books gives you the opportunity to share your reading experience with other readers.
Use #boutofbooks on Twitter to update people on your progress and what you are reading. Feel free to follow me (@BookBender) and your co-hosts for Bout of Books information, but please do NOT @ me (or the co-hosts) with all your updates. Using #boutofbooks should suffice. I will try to repopulate the Bout of Books Twitter list. For ideas for using Twitter to your advantage during the read-a-thon, visit our Twitter Tips page.
All challenges and giveaways are separate, meaning you can participate in any challenge even if you are not interested in the prize that day. All giveaway information can be found on the Giveaway page.
Help spread the word! Grab the button in the side bar and post it on your blog. Tweet. The more people we have participating, the more fun it will be.

Historical Fiction Challenge

2011-12-31T13:57:00.000-08:00

Historical Fiction Challenge

To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)

add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)

any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)

During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
Daring & Curious: 5 books
Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

Book Survey 2011

2011-12-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

I seen this going around YouTube and I was going to make a video but I just don't have the time right now. This survey is created by The Perpetual Page-Turner.

Best book you read in 2011? The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Most disappointing book/book you wish you loved more than you did? A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire. I really enjoyed it but not as much as I thought I would.
Most surprising (in a good way) book? The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Book you recommended most in 2011? Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Best series you discovered in 2011? Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Favourite new authors you discovered? Suzanne Collins, Joe Hill, Karen Chance, Beth Revis, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you? Across the Universe by Beth Revis. I love sci-fi but I just never got around to reading a sci-fi book until this year.
Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011? Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance
Book you most anticipated in 2011? City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Favourite cover of a book you read in 2011? Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Most memorable character in 2011? Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Most beautifully written book read in 2011? The Salbine Sisters by Sarah Ettritch and/or Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. I can't pick just one.
Book that had the greatest impact on you? Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Book you can't believe you waited until 2011 to finally read? The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Favourite passage/quote from a book you read in 2011? I can't remember.
Book you read in 2011 that you would most likely reread in 2012? Doctor Who: The Slitheen Excursion by Simon Guerrier.
Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc.) Be careful of spoilers! I can't think of anything. I have the worst memory.
One book you didn't get to read in 2011 but will be your number one priority in 2012? Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.
Book you are most anticipating for 2012? Velveteen by Daniel Marks
One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2012? Just one thing? I can't do it. I want to read more. I would also like to write more reviews and be a more social blogger.

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die Challenge

2011-12-29T21:43:00.000-08:00

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die Challenge

The challenge is simple – read some books from the list! If you don’t own the actual book, you can find a simple list online. For the most basic, check out the Listology list. There are spreadsheets outs there that you can look at too that are more complex.

Sine this year is an Olympics year, I thought the structure would change…so here are the levels this year!

Levels:

Got to trials: 5 books from the list
Made the Olympic team: 6-10 books from the list
Bronze medal: 11-15 books from the list
Silver Medal: 16-20 books from the list:
Gold Medal: 21+ books from the list

Rules:

Challenge runs January 1 2012 – December 31 2012.
You don’t have to make a list beforehand.
You DO need to choose your level at the beginning so you have a chance to win the prize!
You can use any version of the list, not just the current, since they update it every couple years.
I figure, once a book is on the list, it is always on the list!
Books that cover other challenges are not only permitted, but encouraged!

Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon

2011-12-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

What: Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon
When: January 23 through January 29, 2012
Twitter: #WintersRespite
You do not have to have a blog to participate.
There is a giveaway!!

Sign up HERE!

Books Won Challenge

2011-12-28T15:21:00.000-08:00

Books Won Challenge

The Levels are:

Honorable Mention: Read 1-3 book you won.
Bronze: Read 4-6 books you won.
Silver: Read 7-9 Books you won.
Gold: Read 10 or more books you won.

The Rules:

You must write a review for each book that you read for it to count. If you do not have a blog you can write your reviews on a place like Amazon, Powell's, Chapters, Goodreads, etc.
Crossovers with other challenges are okay and you can join this challenge anytime throughout the year.
Audiobooks and ebooks count, as long as you won them.
You can change up levels but cannot go back down a level.
You don't have to make a list ahead of time for this challenge but you can if you want to.
Sign up HERE!

Waiting on Wednesday: A Million Suns

2011-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted HERE, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2)
by Beth Revis
Expected publication: January 10th 2012 by Razorbill

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.
It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-12-25T22:34:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.

This week I read:

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Bad Hair Day? Was Away The Blues by Zvi Schreiber

Right now I'm reading:

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

This week I hope to read:

I have no idea. I own 175+ (getting more today) books that I haven't read and I can't decide which one to read next. Fail.

What Would Jane Do Reading Challenge

2011-12-25T20:12:00.000-08:00

What Would Jane Do Reading Challenge

The challenge will run from January 1st-December 31st 2012.

The books you read count for other challenges.
You can count ebooks in addition to regular ones.

Just Austen-
Books only written by Jane Austen

A Touch of Pride: Read 1-3 books

Learning Sense: Read 4+ books

Jane Austen and Beyond-
Books written by Jane and books that include variation of one of her works, sequels and/or books that use her as a fictional character.

Expanding Emmagination: Read 1-3 books by Jane Austen and 1-3 books that fall into one or all of the other categories.

Jane's Persuasion: Read 4+ books by Jane Austen and 4+ books from the other categories.

Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge

2011-12-25T19:55:00.000-08:00

Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Challenge Rules:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012. I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post, reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)
Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.
Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.
Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.
You can move up levels, but no moving down.
Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:

Initiate: Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books
Maiden: Read 6 - 10 Witchy Books
Mother: Read 11 - 15 Witchy Books
Crone: Read 16 - 20 Witchy Books

Ebook Challenge

2011-12-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

Ebook Challenge

Challenge Guidelines:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
Anyone can join, you don't need to be a blogger. If you don't have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
You can move up levels, but no moving down.
Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

Floppy disk - 5 ebooks
CD - 10 ebooks
DVD - 25 ebooks
Memory stick - 50 ebooks
Hard drive - 75 ebooks
Server - 100 ebooks
Human brain - 150 ebooks

Harry Potter Reading Challenge

2011-12-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter Reading Challenge

The challenge:

Read all seven books in the Harry Potter series during 2012.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The challenge will run from January 1st, 2012, to December 31st, 2012. Books read before or after this time frame do not count. You can join anytime until the challenge ends.
Books can be in any format: Print, ebook, audiobook, etc..
You do not have to review the books to participate, although you are more than welcome to. If you choose not to review, you can also do the following and still be eligible for prizes:
- Answer the discussion questions each month
- Create a post talking about each book after you finish (any topic)
- Just update your kickoff post after each book
- Those without blogs can leave a comment with their thoughts/review/review link.
- Because this is open to those who have already read HP, old reviews will be accepted. Whether you have read the books within the challenge time frame is on the honor system, so please be honest!
Be sure to leave the relevant links in each linky to be entered into the drawings for prizes (more on that below).

Once the challenge begins, there will be a new item in the menu bar titled: 2012 HPRC. This will take you to a page that will list all the related posts and linkys where you can post your reviews or discussions.