June Wrap Up/Mid Annual 2009 Reading Wrap Up

In 2008, I read over 109 books.

I wanted to pass that in 2009, but being pregnant (it's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) has really cut into my reading time. I'm terrified of what having an infant and later a toddler will do to it. Maybe she'll like to sit and listen to Mama read... I have reviewed practically every book that I have read this year. Most of the reviews are in the archives of my blog and all of my reviews are on goodreads. If there is a specific one you want to read and cannot find it just by searching (left column up high there is a search bar), then comment and I'll find it for you. Sorry it's just too much to imagine putting in all the links right now.

To try to help a little, I'm going italicize the Fiction and bolden the historical fiction ...


January:
Scrapping Plans (Sister's Ink, #3) by Rebeca Seitz 5/5
Missing Mary The Queen of Heaven and Her Re-Emergence in the Modern Church by Charlene Spretnak 5/5
Miss Potter The Novel by Richard Maltby Jr. 5/5
Deep in the Heart of Trouble (Sequel to Courting Trouble) by Deeanne Gist 5/5
Princess Ben Being a Wholly Truthful Account of Her Various Discoveries and Misadventures, Recounted to the Best of Her Recollection, in Four Parts by Catherine Gilbert Murdock 5/5
Peek-a-Boo, I Love You! by Sandra Magsamen 4/5
New Living Translation - 2.0 - Sanctuary Bible Leatherlike/Fabric - Blue Floral from Tyndale House 5/5
The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen 5/5
Dangerous Heart (Westward Hearts, #3) by Tracey Victoria Bateman 5/5
Goodnight Goon A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex 3/5

February:
Silent On The Moor (Julia Grey, #3) by Deanna Raybourn 5/5
Tuck (King Raven, #3) by Stephen R. Lawhead 5/5
Grandmother, Have the Angels Come? by Denise Vega 4/5
The I LOVE YOU Book by Todd Parr 5/5
The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist 5/5
Wanted (Sisters of the Heart, #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray 3/5
The Rose Conspiracy by Craig Parshall 4/5
The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny #1) by Lyn Cote 4/5

March:
Just Another Girl A Novel by Melody Carlson 5/5
A Lady of Hidden Intent 5/5 and
A Lady of Secret Devotion 4/5 both by Tracie Peterson
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer 5/5
A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson 5/5
Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills 5/5
Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake 4/5
Holy Bible Word of Promise Next Generation - New Testament Dramatized Audio Bible 3/5
Bittersweet by Cathy Marie Hake 4/5

April:
From a Distance by Tamera Alexander 5/5
Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander 5/5
The Secret by Beverly Lewis 1/5

May:
Blaggard's Moon by George Bryan Polivka 5/5
Nightmare's Edge (Echoes from the Edge, #3) by Bryan Davis 3/5
A Passion Denied (Daughters of Boston, #3) by Julie Lessman 5/5
Beloved Counterfiet (Fairweather Key, #3) by Kathleen Y'Barbo 4/5
Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn 4/5
Julian Dare by Melanie Jeschke 4/5

June:
A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist 4/5
Deceptive Promises (Delaware Brides, #3) by Amber Miller 5/5
Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell 3/5
No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West, #1) by Maggie Brendan 4/5
Breathe (Homeward Trilogy, #1) by Lisa Tawn Bergren 4/5
I Don't Want a Posh Dog by Emma Dodd 3/5
The Postpartum Survival Guide by Paul Meier et al 5/5

July:
Montana Rose (Montana Marriages, #1) by Mary Connealy 5/5


13,131 pages for 2009
44 books for 2009
July count 1

My current read is Nosy in Nebraska (omnibus 3-in-1) by Mary Connealy.

Of course, like most my TBR list is unreal, but my closest pile and highest up on the list to read ASAP are the following:

Ransome's Honor (The Ransome Trilogy, #1) by Kaye Dacus
Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson
Enclave by Karen Hancock
Stand in Groom (Brides of Bonneterre, #1) and
Menu for Romance (Brides of Bonneterre, #2) by Kaye Dacus
Loves' Rescue (The Sierra Chronicles, #1) by Tammy Barley
Deadly Intent (LI) by Camy Tang
Hannah Grace (Daughters of Jacob Cane, #1) and
Maggie Rose (Daughters of Jacob Cane, #2) by Sharlene Mclaren
A Perfect Mess by Lisa Harper

The above I hope to be able to complete in July... then others that would just be nice to be able to read before AppleBlossom arrives are:

The Complete Illustrated Pregnancy Companion by Robin Elise Weiss
Expecting by Marla Taviano
Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis
The Pregnancy Journal by A. Christine Harris
What to Expect When You are Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
New Mom's Guide to Dealing with Dad
New Mom's Guide to Finding Your Own Mothering Style
New Mom's Guide to Your Body After Baby
New Mom's Guide to Living on Baby Time, all by Monica Reed and Susan Besze Wallace
Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot
A Claim of Her Own by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Alaska Brides by Mary Connealy, Kathleen Y'Barbo, Cathy Marie Hake
Stealing Home by Alison Pittman
The Swan Maiden by Jules Watson
The Centurian's Wife by Janette Oke and Davis Bunn
A Dream to Call My Own (The Brides of Gallatin County, #3) by Tracie Peterson
How Do I Love Thee? (Ladies of History, #4) by Nancy Moser
The Edge of Light by Ann Shorey
The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander
City of the Dead (Wonders, #2) and
Guardian of the Flame (Wonders, #3) by T.L. Higley
My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer
With Endless Sight (Crossroads of Grace, #3) by Alison Pittman
A Daughter's Inheritance (Broadmore Legacy, #1) by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
Unbridled Dreams by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Willow Springs (Troublesome Creek, #2)
Torrent Falls (Troublesome Creek, #3)
Sweetwater Run (Follow up to Troublesome Creek ??) by Jan Watson


Wish List (some are out, some not yet):
A Lady Like Sarah (Rocky Creek Romance, #1) by Margaret Brownley (December 2009)
The Blue Enchantress (Charles Towne Belles, #2) and (August 2009)
The Raven Saint (Charles Towne Belles, #3) by M.L. Tyndall (January 2010)
Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy (September 2009)
Her Inheritance Forever (Texas: Star of Destiny, #2) by Lyn Cote (September 2009)
The Jewel of His Heart (Heart of the West, #2) by Maggie Brendan (October 2009)
Alaskan Quest 3-in-1 by Tracie Peterson (September 2009)
Dawn's Prelude (Song of Alaska, #1) by Tracie Peterson (September 2009)
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran (September 2009)
Three Times Blessed (Belles of Timber Creek, #2) by Lori Copeland (May 1st 2009)
The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo (June 2009)
In the Shadow of the Sun King (Darkness to Light, #1) by Golden Keyes Parson (October 2008)
The Betrayed (Gifted, #2) and
The Blessed (Gifted, #3) by Lisa Tawn Bergren

At my current rate, this is a joke... but what do you think? How much can I accomplish??

May Reading Wrap UP

What I Read:

Blaggard's Moon (Prequel to the Trophy Chase Trilogy) by George Bryan Polivka
Nightmare's Edge (Echoes from the Edge, Book #3) by Bryan Davis
A Passion Denied (Daughters of Boston, Book #3) by Julie Lessman
Beloved Counterfeit (Fairweather Keys, Book #3) by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn
Jillian Dare by Melanie Jeschke

The links above will take you to the reviews previously posted on my blog. Here are some trailers of the above mentioned books too for your enjoyment..

Read-a-thon Mid-Event

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now?

A Lady of High Regard, Ladies of Liberty #1 by Tracie Peterson

2. How many books have you read so far?

This is the first one I started, but I also started less than three hours ago.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Really all of them. The whole series of Ladies of Liberty, Auralia's Colors and Twilight. I had started Auralia's Colors some months ago, but things for review pushed it back, and I'm excited about Cyndere's Midnight that I'm getting soon, so I must read it and be prepared. Also, just last week my DH bought the entire Twilight series for me on a whim, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the fuss is all about. *grin*

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

I wish I had, but the quilt expo was a go or miss, and tickets had already been arranged. I do so wish that we could have been there and back quicker so that I could have more time to read. I got a slow start, but I'm fairly in the book now, this is my first break, after my shower break that is...

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

I had a rough time settling in and getting started, so many "tasks" were calling to me. Then there was the hamburger smell... We ate lunch at Johnny Rockets that I love from my youth, but with the open kitchen the smell of burgers had permeated my hair and it was very much so not conducive to reading.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

I'm not sure I have quite the handle on it. As the main page never seems to have my updates loaded in the favicon thingy. Also, I have had trouble finding many other people. So I kinda feel like I'm on my own, but I'm updating my page number through goodreads, that then automatically uploads through Twitter, so I at least feel like I'm accomplishing something myself. twitter.com/cherryblossommj

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Unsure. I do not know enough about it yet, as it is my first year, and I'm doing a poor delayed job as it is...

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

As a reader, I would plan more ahead. Going nowhere, having snacks and drinks set up and finding music to have in the background. (The fan from the cat-bathroom is not very relaxing...)

9. Are you getting tired yet?

Nope, but then I'm not that far in as compared to other folks. My eyes are dry, but that's the cool weather...

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

I really like the idea of Twitter updates, they are short and sweet and you do not have to necessarily rely on a page upload to get them. (ie: TwitterFox, etc)

I'm on page 101, about to start chapter 9 of A Lady of High Regard.

Read-a-thon 1 hour

In one hour, I have not gotten much accomplished at all! I have only read about three chapters in A Lady of High Regard (Ladies of Liberty #1) by Tracie Peterson. It took me a while to get settled and then I had to go take a shower to get rid of hamburger smell, but perhaps I will accomplish more in this hour!

Read-a-thon jumping in late...

Okay, so went to the quilt show (saw Traci's mom and grandmother) enjoyed the sees to sight and then cranky DH skipped out on the book festival so I missed that, but had a great lunch at Johnny Rockets. And now... I still have 13 hours to read!! Better late than never, and at least a partial read is worth it right?

So the current line up, more or less after time will tell:

A Lady of High Regard (#1)
A Lady of Hidden Intent (#2)
A Lady of Secret Devotion (Ladies of Liberty #3) by Tracie Peterson
Auralia's Colors (#1) by Jeffery Overstreet
Twilight (#1) by Stephanie Meyer

We'll see what happens...

Currently Reading

Currently, I'm reading the following:

When Zeffie Got a Clue by Peggy Darty
Ryann Watters and the King's Sword
DragonSpell by Donita K. Paul
Shadow of Evil by M. C. Pearson

My still reading with a bookmarks, but put on hold:
How to Get Your Husband to Listen to You by Nancy Cobb and Connie Grigsby
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson
Faina (Alias) by Rudy Gaborno and Chris Hollier
Auralia's Colors by Jeffery Overstreet
Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck
The Chronicles of Narnia (Harper Collins full chronicles edition) by C. S. Lewis

Out from the library and hope to read before their due:
Daughter of Silk by Linda Lee Chaikin
Just Jane by Nancy Moser
Developing Christian Fiction Collections for Children and Adults by Barbara J. Walker
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Plan B by Anne Lamott
Kaleidoscope Eyes by Karen Ball
DragonFire by Donita K. Paul (but I have to finish DragonSpell, DQuest, and DKnight first!!)

My soon to read for review pile:
Amber Morn by Brandilynn Collins
Trouble the Water by Nicole Seitz
My Soul to Keep by Melanie Wells
The Begotten by Lisa T. Bergren
Rainbow's End by Irene Hannon
Family Ever After by Linda Goodnight

My TBR (just 'cause) pile:
The Restorer's Son by Sharon Hinck
The Restorer's Journey by Sharon Hinck
DragonQuest by Donita K. Paul
DragonKnight by Donita K. Paul
Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson
The Price of Freedon by mberger
Illuminated by Matt Bronleewe
The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist
When Comes the Spring by Janette Oke
Time Masters by Geralyn Beauchamp
The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka
Where My Heart Belongs by Tracie Peterson
A Tapestry of Hope by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
A lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson
The Love of His Brother by Jennifer AlLee
Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney
A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman
The Stonewycke Trilogy by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella


And my move is almost complete. I have been spending the last week unpacking boxes and going back to the apartment several times to get a card load of stuff to bring out to the house. It's almost over!!! Now, if you excuse me, I have some reading to do.

MJ