With Weather Changes...

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

With the weather changing, comes some serious wish list making. What books do I most want to finish this year. The year always comes closer than I expect, thus some planning ahead is required.

Currently, my new work schedule is settling, as are my realistic ideas about book reading. Here are my top reads for the last quarter of this year:

1. Prisoner of Night and Fog ~ A WWII novel about Hitler's niece. Quite intrigued.

2. Anna Dressed in Blood ~ Need me a scary story for October.

3. Jackaby ~ After finishing 'The Invisible Library', I need some Gothic paranormal mystery.

4. Dark Days Club ~ Also in the same vein, some paranormal Victorian kick-butt fantasy.

5. Empire of Storms (V) ~ pumped for the next installment of this epic fantasy

6. Goldenhand ~ One of my first fantasy worlds and favourite author, the newest book.

7. Twilight of the Dragons (II) ~ Ultimately silly and incredibly enjoyable series.

8. The Autumn Throne (III) ~ Queen Eleanor Trilogy, one of my favourite historical characters.

9. Scythe ~ From the king of creepy, the premise alone makes me want to read this book right away.

10. And I Darken ~ Previewed the first bit on my ereader. Interested in this alternate history.


Any additional books read are icing on the cake!

~Happy Autumnal Reading~

Summer Reading Challenge - 2016 - Completed

***Challenge FULFILLED***

Read a Book That('s):

1. A Classic ~ The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)


2. A Science Fiction ~ Beacon 23 (Hugh Howey)


3. A Romance ~ City of Lost Souls (Cassandra Clare)


4. A Red Book ~ Frostfire (Amanda Hocking)


5. Over 600 Pages ~ A Court of Mist and Fury (Sarah J Maas)


6. Under 300 Pages ~ Serefina and the Black Cloak (Robert Beatty)


7. You've Been Meaning To Finish ~ Taran Wanderer (Lloyd Alexander)


8. Makes You Cry ~ The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)


9. Takes Place in Summer ~ The Greengage Summer (Rumer Godden)


10. The Last in a Series ~ Hidden (Sophie Jordan)


11. A Guilt Book (one that should've been read by now) ~ Irenicon (Aidan Harte)

12. A Library Find (never heard of, not on TBR, found browsing the shelves) ~ Ties that Bind, Ties that Break (Lensey Namioka)



Feel free to use or make your own!

~ Happy Summer Reading ~

Try a Chapter - Reflection

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

I've challenged myself to read the first chapter (ish) of five books that have been sitting on my shelf for ages. 

Being very excited to do this, I found myself with an empty evening to sit down and delve into the beginnings of these books. Here are my reflections:

Brondings' Honour ~ Ann Ewan (18 pages read)

Why? I read her book 'Firedrake' in highschool and remember loving it. Supporting a fellow Canadian.
Writing? At times, oddly constructed (stilted, old-world phrasing).
World? Viking in feel; unfamiliar 'clan' structure.
Protagonist? Brave, a healer that feels ill-equipped and wants to learn more.
Read next? Maybe. Not completely invested in the protagonist's story.

 ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Daughter of the Empire ~ Feist & Wurts (26 pages read)

Why? Found in a recommendation for 'strong female protagonist in fantasy'.
Writing? Good set-up, first chapter ended with a cliff-hanger, reads smoothly.
World? Eclectic, intriguing cultures; experienced both the religious and nobility structures; lots of background.
Protagonist? Reluctant, pulled from her life choice due to tragic reasons; in her head often, getting our information from her inner monologues.
Read next? I want to know what happens. Sure.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Cannonbridge ~ Jonathan Barnes (14 pages read)

Why? Best friend bought it, disliked the writing, gave to me to read. It's been on too many monthly TBR lists.
Writing? Gothic style, creepy, quite nice; easily slipped into the story.
World? Opening scene is that of Byron, Shelley, and Polidori telling each other ghost stories.
Protagonist? I assume it's Cannonbridge, the man who arrives during the lightning storm at the end of the chapter.
Read next? Totally hooked. Yes.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

King's Dragon ~ Kate Elliott (18 pages read - prologue plus chapter 1)

Why? Again, found this one on recommendation list for 'dragons'. This book is bought secondhand and smells funny.
Writing? Good, sturdy; not yet gripping.
World? Very standard Medieval fantasy; Arthurian in feel; 'magic' maybe?
Protagonist? No idea who it is, probably the baby in the prologue. While it gave me the backstory, it didn't give me enough for the story I'm about to read. The mother in the prologue was mysterious; the king would be interesting to follow. The adolescent boy in chapter 1 is not particularly interesting yet.
Read next? When I'm ready for a reliable fantasy.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Magic ~ Emily Croy Barker (15 pages read)

Why? Sold by the title and the 'Hermione in America' marketing.
Writing? Contemporary, many modern cultural references.
World? University - working on thesis; no magic yet; a devastating break-up.
Protagonist? Lost, unsure, and almost 30; certainly self-searching; "everything is falling apart".
Read next? On the lighter, contemporary side, maybe.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Based off of these reflections, you can come to the conclusion what book I picked to read next. The great thing about this challenge was I was able to gain the feeling from each style and then able to discern what type of mood I could be in to read them.

Onto the next part. Reading my selection.

~Happy Reading!~

Try a Chapter - Challenge

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

A new challenge! This one is intriguing and I love it. Originally a BookTube tag, created by BookParadise, this approach allows the reader to sample a bunch of books before deciding which one to delve into.

Challenge: Read the first chapter of 5 books.

Reading the first chapter will allow me to explore the writing styles, find out which one appeals the most, and which one sets up a story that intrigues me the most.
I've chosen five that I own and keep putting off, again and again and again. They're never going to get read. Until now.

Reflect: Keep a few handy notes, write what I like, and what makes me go "hmmmm".

Juggling a career with a hobby isn't always easy. Sampling will allow me to make sure I devote my precious reading time to something I'm invested in.

Choose: Read the book that grabs me the most.

Result:  Write a second blog exploring my reading experience based on this method as well as the feelings toward the book chosen.

Good Luck!!!

Brondings' Honour ~ Ann Ewan

Cannonbridge ~ Jonathan Barnes

Daughter of the Empire ~ Raymond E. Feist

King's Dragon ~ Kate Elliott

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic ~ Emily Croy Barker







All of these are guilt books. Either I've bought them years ago, borrowed from a friend, or received as a gift.


~Happy Reading~

Last Third of the Year

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

Can you believe we've only got four more months of 2016? Upon reflecting, rereading my August post, my goodness was I in a panic. Now, I'm ten books away from my goal. Feeling on top of it!

September will be filled with changes in routine. I'll still push myself. Not trying to pressure myself, I'd like to set a few achievable goals.


1. September/October/December: Read at least 4 books each month.

2. November: Due to NaNoWriMo read at least 2 books. 

3. When Goodreads Challenge is completed, reread a few books. 

4. Reach 25,000 pages read. (with 7,818 more to go, this will be the biggest challenge)

5. Do the "Try a Chapter" challenge* with books I've been meaning to read, but keep putting off



I'll check in at the end of December to see how I've done with each of these goals. Autumn is a good time of year to curl up with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and a lengthy good book.

~Happy Cozy Reading~



*In a nutshell: pick 5 books, read first chapter of all, pick one to read.