Hello there! Welcome to Day 2. Was your first day as enjoyable as you hoped it would be? I hope you all got a lot of books read, and if you weren't able to, I hope that you enjoyed what time you did get to read. :)
I look forward to some surfing time today, and visiting a lot of blogs. If you've surfed by, feel free to say HI and leave a link. I'll definitely come visit!
Below are my current updates. I decided one post a day would be enough, so I update this one before I post it. My reading is going well, though I wish I had finished another book on day 2. Gotta pick it back up for day 3! :)
Challenges
Today's challenge is Top 10 Recommendations. This one is going to be a fun one for me. If you are a frequent visitor of my blog, you know that don't read a lot of the really popular books that everyone else reads. Sure there are some that I have tried, and liked, but there are tons more that I just don't read. I read authors not a lot of people have heard about, which seems weird to me, because some of them I've been following for years. Hopefully I've included some of those unknown authors today. I haven't included super popular books, like Harry Potter, though it's among my favorites. Anyways, here are my Top 10 Recommendations in order (linked to GoodReads, as always). What are yours?
The Night Circus ~ My all time favorite book, though I generally don't read historical fiction (which isn't evident by these first two recs). I ADORED the first time I read TNC, and I've enjoyed it each time since. I typically don't re-read books, I'd rather find something new, but I've re-read TNC 3 times. It's wonderful. The best thing about The Night Circus is the circus. It's so vibrant and vividly detailed that you really FEEL you are there. It's magical, and I love it so much!!! If you've read it, what's your favorite tent? If you haven't, you must read it now, you won't regret it!!
The Shadow of the Wind ~ I just read this book at the beginning of 2014, and OMG did I love it. Again, not a book I normally would have picked up, but I was on a books about books kick and this one caught my eye. It's the reason I no longer pay attention to genres. It's a mystery surrounding a book and it just sucked me in with the characters and story. Really really great book for book lovers!
The Great Zoo of China ~ I've been reading Reilly for years, ever since my hubby first introduced me to him. He's definitely a writer for guys, or women like me who like gun fights, explosions, and lots of other over the top crazy action. I LOVE his books, and his newest, TGZoC is my favorite so far. In it, a top reptilian expert is invited to preview the park before it opens to the public. Soon, chaos ensues. :) It's a mix of Jurassic Park and Godzilla (from the 90s). If you like Jurassic Park, you gotta read The Great Zoo of China!
Ready Player One ~ I've seen some bloggers get to this one recently, and YAY for that. RPO is a highly enjoyable virtual reality book that takes you on a journey through 80s pop culture. It's such a fun book from the scavenger hunt being played out in a virtual world, to all the references. If you like gaming at all, this book is for you, and if you aren't a gamer but love 80s pop culture, then you'll definitely want to give it a try.
Lock In ~ Part of the Lock In description reads like a boring medical text, but that's not the case with Lock In at all. The people who are "locked in" to themselves have been that way for years, and society is used to it. So in this book, it's all about the mystery, and what a great mystery it is. Great characters, great story, just a fantastic book!!
The Crucifix Killer ~ if you like creepy serial killer stories, then look no further than Chris Carter. I LOVE fiction serial killer books, and Carter is the best. He writes creepy killer really really well. The crimes are crazy and sadistic and his main character, Robert Hunter, is the only one who can bring the crazy killers down. Such a great series, starting with The Crucifix Killer.
Timebound ~ I read a lot of time traveling books this past year, and my favorite was Timebound. It's about Kate, a teenager who finds out that she has the ability to time travel. It's genetic and her grandmother is teaching her everything she needs to know, because Kate needs to fix the timeline. Someone has been altering the past and it's changed the future, and only a few people have known of it's change. A really really enjoyable book!
Utopia ~ When I think of my all time favorite books, Utopia still makes the list. Utopia is set in a futuristic theme park (I LOVE LOVE LOVE all things theme/amusement parks) where there have been some strange malfunctions going on. An expert is called in to investigate and when he arrives, the park is taken over by criminals who have some demands and aren't against killing to get what they want. Action packed and enjoyable, I love this book.
Blue Smoke ~ though her newer book "The Witness" is a close second, Blue Smoke is still my favorite Nora Roberts book. I'm not a fan of pure romance, I have to have a little suspense with it, and Roberts is the best out there. In Blue Smoke, Reena has spent her life surrounded by fire, since her family's restaurant was burned when she was a child. She's become an arson investigator and fire follows her through life. Really good and enjoyable book!
Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library ~ Grabenstein is pretty unknown, though hopefully he'll get more attention since he's written some books with Patterson. I've read all his John Ceepak series (a straight laced cop in a small seashore town) but it's Lemoncello's Library that is really his most enjoyable (for me). Yes, this is a middle grade book, but is so fun and enjoyable, I think any age could love it. It's a scavenger hunt, in a futuristic library. What is more fun than that for book lovers?!
Honorable mentions ~ here are some more favorites that didn't quite make the Top 10
- Redshirts by John Scalzi ~ a great Star Trek spoof
- Murder at Mystery Manor by Anthony Zuiker ~ based on the USA reality show
- Erebos by Ursula Poznanski ~ for Ready Player One fans
- The Eye of Minds by James Dashner ~ for Ready Player One fans
- Virgin River series by Robyn Carr ~ for romance / romantic suspense fans
- 15 Minutes by Jill Cooper ~ for Time Travel fans
- Man in the Empty Suit by Sean Ferrell ~ for Time Travel fans
- Taken by Erin Bowman ~ for Dystopian fans
- Shadowland series by Cherise Sinclair ~ best of BDSM fiction (not that 50 crap!)
- Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson ~ for Disney fans who've wondered what happens when the lights go out
Updates!!
Tuesday
Night Time Audio listening time/pages: 2 hr / 120 pages (195/656)Day Time Audio listening time/pages: 5 hr / 389 pages (195, 194)
Kindle reading time / pages: 2 hr / 120 pages (120/400)
Number of books I've read today: 2
Total number of books I've read: 6
Current Book:
Pages Read Today: 629
Total Pages Read: 1,367
Time Read Today: 9 hr
Total Time Read: 16 hr 30 min
Challenges Participated in today: Top 10 Recommendations
Today's Completed Books/Comics:
Kicking butt on your books read count as usual! :)
ReplyDeleteGosh, you've really gotten me sold on The Great Zoo of China... is it out in the US yet? Definitely going to seek out Lock-In and Lemoncello's Library, too! That last one sounds too fun to resist. :) Lately my brain has been seeking out more fun reads, since I tend to stuff it with heavier books.
I think it's out in the US at the end of the month. It's sooo soooo good. I can't wait to get it on audio and listen to it. I love his books anyways, but this was my favorite. :) Lemoncello is TONS of fun. Just a real feel good type book. And it's a book about books, it doesn't get better than that!! :D I'm glad you are seeking out more fun reads. All I do is read for fun, so I can always recommend tons! :)
DeleteI just finished a historical fiction novel and it's normally not my cup of tea. I've had the Night Circus for awhile and want to try it!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for you to try The Night Circus!! It's sooooo beautiful. It didn't feel like a historical fiction to me, it was all atmospheric circus to me. I mean there were ways you could tell it was in the past, like no phones and such, but it wasn't a huge deal. Typically I don't like historical fiction at all, and it's so weird that my two favorite books are just that.
DeleteWhat a great group of recommendations! Several of them are books I really enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thanks for visiting.
DeleteThis looks like a great list! I saw several that I wanted to pick up! Have fun reading this week!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I'd love to know if you read any, and what you think about them!
DeleteLooks like a great list. I plan on reading Night Circus pretty soon so I am really happy you enjoyed it so much!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED it, so much. I've recommended it to everyone and I only know of 3 people who didn't totally LOVE it. Everyone else does, or at least really really likes it. It's so beautifully written. Would love to hear your thoughts after you read it.
DeleteI loved Redshirts and I have Lock In on my audible wishlsit to listen to. Utopia sounds right up my alley too. Fabulous recommendations :)
ReplyDeleteAre you a Wil Wheaton fan on audio? I love listening to him. He doesn't change the voices around like most narrators, but he's just so entertaining! :) I hope you enjoy Lock In, it was fantastic. Utopia is great as well. I'm a fan of all things theme parks, so a murder mystery in one was great. If that's what you like, also check out "The Rabbit Factory" by Marshall Karp. It's more of a whodunit in a Disneyland type park.
Delete6 books?!?! I'm slightly envious. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI get a lot of free time. :)
DeleteGreat job with your goals for BOB 12.0!! You're doing so awesome. Keep up the fabulous job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm trying. I'm a little behind, but I'm gonna kick it into gear. Still aiming high. :D Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI've heard so much about The Shadow of the Wind. I really want to get to that soon. You've read so much so far. That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's really really enjoyable. It's not a book I would have picked up 2 years ago, I never would have given it a chance. I'm so glad that I did. I loved it!
DeleteEscape from Mr Lemoncello's Library sounds good. I put it on my goodreads TBR. Love Ready Player One. Great List.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a fun book. It's middle grade level, but any book lover has got to love it. The characters are great and the library is so fun. Would love to hear what you think, if you read it.
DeleteI loved Ready Player One and The Night Circus! I've heard so many great things about The Shadow of the Wind and it's on my TBR. Hopefully I'll get to it soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you loved RPO and The Night Circus as well!! They are such great and fun books. I actually read them both in 2011, around the same time. I still love them. I need to re-read RPO at some point and listen to Wil do it. I started it once, but never kept with it. I hope you get a chance to try, and enjoy, Shadow of the Wind.
DeleteYou already know that I love The Night Circus. Darian has gushed over and over how much he loved Ready Player One, so it's definitely on my list. And Lemoncello sound great! I'm going to go check it out. (In all honesty, I was kind of hooked just by the name and the cover... :) )
ReplyDeleteLemoncello is SOOOOOO cute and fun. I think Darian could love it as well. It's probably below his skill level, but it's just so fun to read and such a cute adventure in a library! What's not to love? Oh, and I should have mentioned, there IS a sequel coming, but he hasn't said when. I can't wait for that! I can't wait to hear what you think of it, and RPO if you read it!!
DeleteI actually have The Night Circus on my 2015 tbr because of reading about it on your blog. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library looks interesting I'm going to check that one out too! Thanks for dropping by my blog, I always appreciate it. :)
ReplyDelete