The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-4-18

Posted on March 4, 2018March 2, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

We saw Black Panther last weekend after I wrote my Sunday Post. The movie was marvelous, and it prompted me to bring The Night Masquerade out of the virtual TBR pile. I was looking for more Afrofuturism (still am) and remembered how much I loved Binti, even though the second book in the trilogy didn’t wow me. The third book was almost as good as the first, and that’s high prize. Binti swept the SF awards the year it came out.

I’m posting my review of Lake Silence this week, because this is its book birthday, but I read it a while ago, practically as soon as I received the eARC. If you are hooked on The Others series, Lake Silence is a terrific further exploration of that world. I hope we get to go back again and again (and again).

And I’m always happy to get a new book from Anna Hackett. I know I’m going to have a great time. And I did!

Coming Next Week:

Surrender My Heart by L.G. O’Connor (blog tour review)
Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan (blog tour review)
Lake Silence by Anne Bishop (review)
Guardian by Anna Hackett (review)
Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-25-18

Posted on February 25, 2018February 25, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

We’ve been home for a week now, and I’m still having an intense “happy, happy, joy, joy” reaction to being home. I’m not sure whether it’s because we were gone so long, because I was sick for part of the trip, or I just missed the cats an awful lot. But I am so very happy to be home. Even if I’m still catching up with all the things that had to be put on hold while we were away.

It’s hard to believe that February is almost over. And even harder to believe that it is still officially winter. We were freezing just last month, but it’s been in the 60s and even 70s all week here in Atlanta. We’ll either have a really hot summer, or there will be one more cold snap that will kill off all the plants and flowers that have gotten a bit too early of a start. Or possibly both.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop (ENDS TUESDAY!)

Blog Recap:

A- Review: A Plunder of Souls by D.B. Jackson
B Review: The Upside by Abdel Sellou
A- Review: The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron + Giveaway
B+ Review: Shelter My Heart by L.G. O’Connor
B Review: Deborah Calling by Avraham Azrieli
Stacking the Shelves (276)

Coming Next Week:

Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear (review)
Fatal Chaos by Marie Force (blog tour review)
Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor (review)
March Book of Choice Giveaway Hop
Highland Dragon Master by Isabel Cooper (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-18-18

Posted on February 18, 2018February 17, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

We’re home after 10 days away at back-to-back conferences. It is SO GOOD to be home. Especially now that the cats have forgiven us, and seem to have meowed all the things they needed to tell us. THAT took a while. Obviously they had a lot to say, and just couldn’t wait to say it. We missed them, so it’s good to know that they missed us, too.

One of the most important things that I was at ALA Midwinter to accomplish was to participate in my final round of voting and wordsmithing as part of the ALA Notable Books Council. For the past four years, I have been part of this excellent group that picks the 25 (or so) best literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry for adults. This year’s list was awesome. If you’re looking for great books to read and recommend, you can’t go wrong with one of our lists.

But Notables is a lot of work (we get over 1,000 books each year to at least look at) so the rules are that we can only serve four years in a row. This was my fourth and final year for this go around. I can come back later, and I might. But in the meantime, this coming year I’ll be part of the Carnegie Medal Committee, which picks one best book in fiction, and one in nonfiction, each year, for adults. (Sometimes there’s overlap with Notables, and sometimes there isn’t). It’s a new group and a new process, but still passionate about books and reading. I’m looking forward to it!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop
3 paperback copies of Christmas Cowboy and Smooth-Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the February Book of Choice Giveaway Hop is Gaby N.

Blog Recap:

B Review: The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard
Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop
A Review: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
B Review: Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner
B+ Review: Smooth-Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (275)

Coming Next Week:

A Plunder of Souls by D.B. Jackson (review)
The Upside by Abdel Sellou (blog tour review)
The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron (blog tour review)
Shelter My Heart by L.G. O’Connor (review)
Deborah Calling by Avraham Azrieli (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-11-18

Posted on February 11, 2018February 6, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Welcome to the during ALA Midwinter Conference Madness early posting of my Sunday Post. As you read this, I’m in Denver, either freezing my extremities off, trapped in a meeting room or completely brain-fried after the end of my own three-day meeting marathon. Or possibly all of the above. Conference meeting rooms are not renowned for their temperature control capabilities in any city. I will be ending my tenure on one book awards committee and beginning my tenure on yet another. Which I generally enjoy, but spending most of a conference locked in a small meeting room with a whole bunch of colleagues who are all passionate about books (but not necessarily the same books) has both its upsides and its downsides. Especially when we get to the “wordsmithing” part of the agenda.

I hadn’t realized I had quite so many tour books scheduled for this coming week. My reading post-conference is often a crap-shoot, as things that I planned on in the clear light of pre-conference do not appeal post-conference because brain-fried. This year we’ll certainly see.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the February Book of Choice Giveaway Hop
A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

Blog Recap:

B Review: Midsummer Delights by Eloisa James + Giveaway
A Review: Into the Fire by Elizabeth Moon
B Review: Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay
A- Review: A Study in Sable by Mercedes Lackey
B Review: The Silence of the Library by Miranda James
Stacking the Shelves (274)

Coming Next Week:

The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard (blog tour review)
Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison (review)
Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner (blog tour review)
Smooth-Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-4-18

Posted on February 4, 2018February 3, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

I appear to have the flu. Again. And yes, I did get a flu shot. This winter has just not been kind.

On that other hand, the SFR Galaxy Awards were announced this week. I’m proud to say that I’ve been one of the judges from the very beginning, and it’s one of my favorite events. Please check out all the winners at the SFR Galaxy Awards site, and see if there are one (or more) books that are just begging to be added to your TBR pile!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the February Book of Choice Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 gift card or $10 book in the Best of 2017 Giveaway Hop is Amber T.

Blog Recap:

A Review: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
B+ Review: Hell Squad: Levi by Anna Hackett
Valentine’s Day Blog Tour – Guest Post from Kristan Higgins
SFR Galaxy Awards
February Book of Choice Giveaway Hop
A- Review: Off the Leash by M.L. Buchman
Stacking the Shelves (273)

Coming Next Week:

Midsummer Delights by Eloisa James + Giveaway (blog tour review)
Into the Fire by Elizabeth Moon (review)
Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay (review)
A Study in Sable by Mercedes Lackey (review)
The Silence of the Library by Miranda James (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-28-18

Posted on January 28, 2018January 27, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

I clearly need to look at page counts when I’m deciding what to read in a single week. Back to back to back 400+ page books fail somewhere along the line. Not that the books don’t look good, but even I have to sleep sometimes. My brain got a bit fried this week.

There’s still plenty of time to enter the Best of 2017 Giveaway Hop before it closes on Wednesday. And then January will come to an end. Can spring be far away? I hope not. The whole thing of getting snow days in Atlanta is just plain weird.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Best of 2017 Giveaway Hop (ends Wednesday)

Blog Recap:

B Review: Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery
B Review: Deborah Rising by Avraham Azrieli
A- Review: Cast in Deception by Michelle Sagara
A- Review: Celta Cats by Robin D. Owens
A Review: Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz
Stacking the Shelves (272)

Coming Next Week:

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (review)
Hell Squad: Levi by Anna Hackett (review)
Valentine’s Day Guest Post from Kristan Higgins (blog tour)
February Book of Choice Giveaway Hop
Off the Leash by M.L. Buchman

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-21-18

Posted on January 21, 2018January 21, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Life feels like it is finally back to normal after the unfortunate events over the holidays. There was a little while there where I had absolutely no interest in reading romance (something like a Norovirus does not leave one inclined towards romance) nor did I feel like facing a family drama story, having much too much left unresolved in my own. But I’m feeling better and life is adjusting, so reading-wise things feel back to normal.

And it’s warming up a bit here in Atlanta. I moved South to get away from the frigid winters in some of the other places that I’ve lived, and did not enjoy the re-hash. Especially as it turns out that the house we’re renting seems to have no insulation on the first floor whatsoever, leaving the kitchen and living room at least 10 degrees colder than the bedrooms and offices. I got a lot of reading done!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Best of 2017 Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the January Book of Choice Giveaway Hop is Cali M.
The winner of the $10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Jeepers! It’s January Giveaway Hop is Buddy G.

Blog Recap:

Best of 2017 Giveaway Hop
A- Review: The Castlemaine Murders by Kerry Greenwood
A- Guest Review by Amy: Her Sweetest Fortune by Stella Bagwell
B+ Review: Season of Blood by Jeri Westerson
A Review: We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Stacking the Shelves (271)

Coming Next Week:

Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery (blog tour review)
Deborah Rising by Avraham Azrieli (blog tour review)
Cast in Deception by Michelle Sagara (review)
Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell (review)
Markswoman by Rati Mahrotra (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-14-18

Posted on January 14, 2018January 12, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Both the January Book of Choice Giveaway Hop AND the Jeepers! It’s January Giveaway Hop end this week. But as it still seems to be Hop Season, the Best of 2017 Giveaway Hop starts tomorrow!

I’m still doing a lot of comfort reading, and this time that seems to mean mysteries. I’m not quite sure why, exactly, but I’m going with it, at least for a bit longer. Phryne Fisher was the one bit of comfort reading I hadn’t picked up in a while, so I’m reading the next book in my Phryne read through and really liking it. It’s one of the stories that was not filmed, and it feels a bit meatier than some of the others, at least so far. And there’s a historical angle that I’m liking a lot.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the January Book of Choice Giveaway Hop (ENDS TOMORROW!)
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Jeepers! It’s January Giveaway Hop (Ends Wednesday)

Blog Recap:

A Review: The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman
A- Review: Out of Circulation by Miranda James
Spotlight + Excerpt: Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery
A- Review: Wings of Fire by Charles Todd
A- Review: Sunday Silence by Nicci French
Stacking the Shelves (270)

Coming Next Week:

Best of 2017 Giveaway Hop
The Castlemaine Murders by Kerry Greenwood (review)
The English Wife by Lauren Willig (review)
Season of Blood by Jeri Westerson (review)
We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-7-18

Posted on January 7, 2018January 7, 2018 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Welcome to the first Sunday Post of 2018!

Things are starting to settle down here at Casa Reading Reality after the last two weeks of unfortunate events. I’m just hoping that they stay settled for a little while. The last couple of weeks have been more exciting, and more negative excitement, than anyone would want to cope with.

But as life has gone back to normal, so has what we refer to around here as “bloggy stuff”. A new Goodreads challenge, a new 50 Book Pledge, more reviews and more of everything you’ve come to enjoy at Reading Reality.

One final note about what’s coming up this week. I don’t normally do Spotlights/Promo posts for tours. But there are always exceptions that prove every rule, and next week’s promo post fits two of those exceptions. One reason that I was happy to participate in the Promo tour for Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery because I am also participating in the review tour. I’ve enjoyed several of Susan’s previous books and am definitely looking forward to this one. The second reason is that this tour is being organized by TLC Book Tours. I get a lot of my best books and tours through TLC, and I love working with them and am always happy to participate in one of their tours.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the January Book of Choice Giveaway Hop
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Jeepers! It’s January Giveaway Hop
Paperback set of the entire Chinooks Hockey Romance series by Rachel Gibson
Sonali Dev Prize Pack including $50 Amazon Gift Card plus paperbacks of A Bollywood Affair and A Change of Heart

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins is Amber C.
The winner of the $10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop is Holly T.

Blog Recap:

January Book of Choice Giveaway Hop
18 for 2018: My Most Anticipated Books for 2018
Jeepers! It’s January Giveaway Hop
A Review: The Art of Running in Heels by Rachel Gibson + Giveaway
B+ Review: A Distant Heart by Sonali Dev + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (269)

Coming Next Week:

The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman (review)
Out of Circulation by Miranda James (review)
Spotlight/Promo for Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery
Rebel by Rhys Ford (review)
Sunday Silence by Nicci French (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 12-31-17

Posted on December 31, 2017December 31, 2017 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Welcome to the hospital edition of The Sunday Post. I thought I had food poisoning. Instead, I picked up a gut bug somewhere and have spent this weekend in the hospital. Hopefully I can go home tomorrow. I really, really miss the kitties.

In spite of the extremely unfortunately end to the year, it was still a regular week with regular things going on. And tomorrow starts what will hopefully be a better and brighter New Year!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop (ends TONIGHT!)
Three Kingmaker Bundles from Sourcebooks
Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins
A Most Unlikely Duke by Sophie Barnes (3 paperbacks)

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway Hop is Sherry

Blog Recap:

Christmas Day 2017
A Review: Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet + Giveaway
17 for 2017 : My Best Books of 2017
A- Review: Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins + Giveaway
B+ Review: The Duke of Her Desire by Sophie Barnes + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (268)

Coming Next Week:

January Book of Choice Giveaway Hop
Most Anticipated Books of 2018
Jeepers! It’s January Giveaway Hop
The Art of Running in Heels by Rachel Gibson (blog tour review)
A Distant Heart by Sonali Dev (blog tour review)

Current Giveaways:

Winner Announcements:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

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