The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-8-17

Sunday Post

The end of the week fell apart. Not for anything visible, but for something invisible. I review for Library Journal, and I often get some very interesting books from them. I also occasionally get big books from them. So this week I had a big book. It was awesome, but it won’t be published until May. So while I had to read the book now, it won’t contribute anything to my daily posts until much later, although the review will probably appear in the 2/15/17 issue of LJ. Books happen.

I’ve also got a bunch of serious to semi-serious books lined up for the rest of the month, and I’ll admit to doubts about whether those are all going to happen. Genre sometimes fails me, but litfic fails me a lot more often. C’est la reading vie.

Current Giveaways:

Atrophy and Quantum by Jess Anastasi (ebooks)

someone to love by mary baloghBlog Recap:

17 for 2017: My Most Anticipated Books of 2017
A Review: Someone to Love by Mary Balogh
B Review: Diffraction by Jess Anastasi + Giveaway
A- Guest Review: Dreadnought by April Daniels
A- Review: The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D. James
Stacking the Shelves (217)

another brooklyn by jacqueline woodsonComing Next Week:

The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman (review)
Blood at the Root by Patrick Phillips (review)
The King’s Revenge by Don Jordan & Michael Walsh (review)
To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey (review)
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-1-17

Sunday Post

Happy New Year! And thank goodness 2016 is OVER! Although I read something very scary earlier this week saying that we can look forward (HAH!) to a whole string of years just like this one when it comes to the stars and heroes of our youth dropping dead all over the place. The theory is that the Baby Boomer generation, or at least the ones who became famous, were much, much harder on their bodies than stars of earlier eras. Too many lived the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle, and the ones that have survived this long are paying for it now. As theories go, it’s depressing and it really, really sucks. I hope it’s wrong. We’ll certainly find out in the years ahead.

But it does remind me. When I did my 2016 Best Books post I used fire numbers, because, as so many people did, I wanted 2016 to die in a fire. I just wish I could have found the 2017 numbers as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse for my 2017 Most Anticipated post tomorrow. I had to settle for candle flames. Dammit.

Current Giveaways:

$25 Gift Card from Harlequin and Delores Fossen
10 copies of A Promise of Fire + Signed Bookplate

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde is Susan N.
The winner of the $10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop is Jana L.

Blog Recap:

2016 fire letters16 for 2016: My Best Books of the Year
Best E-Originals of 2016
B Review: Those Texas Nights by Delores Fossen + Giveaway
B+ Review: The Edge of the Blade by Jeffe Kennedy
B+ Review: Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet + Giveaway
B+ Review: Miniatures by John Scalzi
Stacking the Shelves (216)

Coming Next Week:

2017 in candle flames17 for 2017: My Most Anticipated Books of 2017
Someone to Love by Mary Balogh (review)
Diffraction by Jess Anastasi (blog tour review)
Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil (review)
My Father and Atticus Finch by Joseph Madison Beck (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 12-25-16

Sunday Post

And a very Happy Chrismukkah to All! Today is Christmas, and today is also the first day of Hanukkah. So Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings and best wishes for whatever holiday you celebrate at this much celebrated time of the year.

As I said yesterday, my Hanukkah present turned out to be a new-to-me car. My mother gave me, or perhaps ceded me is the better word, my previous car when she gave up driving. It was a 1997 Mazda Protege, and served me well for about a year and a half. But the poor dear thing could only go faster than 50 mph when rolling downhill AND with a tailwind. I’d say its get-up-and-go got up and went, but I don’t think that particular model ever had any. It did roll into Carmax under its own steam but the exhaust system was failing, along with the transmission, the battery and at least one of the tires. Time to put the poor beast out to pasture. So to speak.

My new car is neither new nor exactly new-to-me. A few years ago, I owned a 2005 Toyota Solara, which we sold to Carmax when we moved to Seattle. The public transit system there is excellent, and we only needed one car. But now that we’re back in Atlanta, we need two cars again. The Solara was an excellent car, and I’m not sure why Toyota stopped making them. So when a new car became necessary, I went looking for used Solaras. And lo and behold, I found one. It’s a 2008 Solara convertible, the last year they made Solaras. It is just new enough to have an aux port for my iPhone. And it’s gorgeous!

marlenes solara with new owners

midwinters-eve-2-new-2016Current Giveaways:

Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde
10 copies of Absolute Trust by Piper J. Drake
$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Gift Card in the Winter is Coming Giveaway Hop is Jammie

say goodbye for now by catherine ryan hydeBlog Recap:

A Review: Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde + Giveaway
B Review: Absolute Trust by Piper J Drake + Giveaway
Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop
B+ Review: Hell Squad: Devlin by Anna Hackett
A- Review: The Liberation by Ian Tregillis
Stacking the Shelves (215)

edge of the blade by jeffe kennedyComing Next Week:

Best Books of 2016
Those Texas Nights by Delores Fossen (blog tour review)
The Edge of the Blade by Jeffe Kennedy (blog tour review)
Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet (blog tour review)
Miniatures by John Scalzi (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 12-18-16

Sunday Post

The year is winding down. Chrismukkah is next weekend. Hanukkah starts on Christmas Eve this year. And ends on New Years’ Day.

It looks like my present this year is a new-to-me car. My old one has given 19 years of faithful service, but it’s going to cost way more to fix than the poor thing is worth. So we went to Carmax last week and picked out something more than a decade newer. It’s on its way from another Carmax, but as long as it checks out, it will be mine! And if it doesn’t check out, I’m back to the virtual drawing board.

As the year ends, there are blog hops a-plenty, and I’m getting my “Best of the Year” list ready. 2016 has been a good year for good books, if not for much else!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Winter is Coming Giveaway Hop (ENDS 12/21)
Baking-inspired Prize Pack from Harlequin and Maisey Yates

fate of the tearling by erika johansenBlog Recap:

A Review: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
A- Review: American Heiress by Jeffrey Toobin
Winter Holiday Recipes (+reads!): Guest Recipe by Maisey Yates + Giveaway
B+ Review: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
B Review: The Throwback Special by Chris Bachelder
Stacking the Shelves (214)

midwinters-eve-2-new-2016Coming Next Week:

Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde (blog tour review)
Absolute Trust by Piper J. Drake (blog tour review)
Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop
Hell Squad: Devlin by Anna Hackett (review)
The Liberation by Ian Tregillis (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 12-11-16

Sunday Post

The schedule kind of crapped out at the end of the week. I had a tour book which just completely failed for me. I didn’t like any of the characters, I didn’t feel for anyone, and I just didn’t want those people taking up residence in my head. It happens. The tour operator wanted me to post a promo, and I just don’t do promos unless I’ve either already read the book (and liked it) or I have a relationship with either the author or the tour company. I do stuff for TLC Book Tours all the time because they generally have terrific books and they are just incredibly nice to work with as well as being thoroughly professional about the whole business.

Promos are so tempting, because there’s almost no work involved on the part of the blogger, but, it’s just not a temptation I want to give in to. I started this blog because I wanted to share books I enjoyed, and because I wanted to write. Too many promos, and promos for books I hated, just don’t fit into that.

But what do you think? Do you like to see lots of promos? Or what are you looking for when you read a book blog? This inquiring mind really wants to know!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Winter is Coming Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of The Blockade by Jean Johnson is Lysette L.
The winner of The Secrets of Worry Dolls by Amy Impellizzeri is Marjorie R.

hero by anna hackettBlog Recap:

A- Review: Hanging the Stars by Rhys Ford
B+ Review: Who Watcheth by Helene Tursten
Winter is Coming Giveaway Hop
A- Review: Hero by Anna Hackett
B Review: Reluctant Mate by Lauren Dane
Stacking the Shelves (213)

TLC winter holiday recipes tour buttonComing Next Week:

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johnasen (blog tour review)
American Heiress by Jeffrey Toobin (review)
Winter Holiday recipes (+ reads!): Guest Post from Maisey Yates (blog tour)
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (review)
The Throwback Special by Chris Bachelder (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 12-4-16

Sunday Post

Somebody please remind me never to do this to myself again. Last week I hosted a blog tour every single day. What was I thinking? It’s not that any of the books were bad, because they weren’t. There were no stellar standouts this week, but also no clunkers. But 5 tours means 5 days with no wiggle room whatsoever. When I ran behind, and I did, I couldn’t switch in a novella or a pre-written review to help myself catch up. Never again.

This coming week, I have a whole bunch of things I’m looking forward to. And one review I’ve already written, because I read the book months before publication. And a blog hop. ‘Tis the season to give presents, so there are plenty of blog hops on the way!

blockade by jean johnsonCurrent Giveaways:

The Blockade by Jean Johnson
$25 Gift Card from Harlequin and Gena Showalter
Secrets of Worry Dolls by Amy Impellizzeri
10 copies of Size Matters by Alison Bliss

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Gift Card in the Gratitude Giveaway Hop is Christie K.
The winner of the $10 Gift Card in the Black Friday Book Bonanza is Courtney W.

duke of pleasure by elizabeth hoytBlog Recap:

B+ Review: The Blockade by Jean Johnson + Giveaway
B+ Review: Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt
B Review: The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter + Giveaway
B Review: Secrets of Worry Dolls by Amy Impellizzeri + Giveaway
B Review: Size Matters by Alison Bliss + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (212)

winteriscomingbuttonComing Next Week:

Hanging the Stars by Rhys Ford (review)
Who Watcheth by Helene Tursten (review)
Winter is Coming Giveaway Hop
Hero by Anna Hackett (review)
The Operator by Kim Harrison (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 11-27-16

Sunday Post

Because we’ll be traveling on the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m writing this WAY far ahead. We’ll probably be home by this point, but not by much. And I’ll probably be toast. And also wishing that I didn’t have to go to the office tomorrow. It’s nice having a regular job, but I miss not having to deal with alarm clocks and time clocks and having to be awake and aware first thing in the morning.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! It’s only 4 weeks until Chrismukkah!

BFBB2016Button300x400OptimizedCurrent Giveaways:

$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop (ENDS TOMORROW!)
$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Gratitude Giveaway Hop (ends Wednesday)

when all the girls have gone by jayne ann krentzBlog Recap:

B Review: Her Nightly Embrace by Adi Tantimedh
B+ Review: Demons of the Flame Sea by Jean Johnson
A- Review: When All the Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz
Thanksgiving Day 2016
Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop
Guest Post: Readings for the Pipeline Protest, Thanksgiving Weekend 2016

secrets of worry dolls by amy impellizzeriComing Next Week:

The Blockade by Jean Johnson (blog tour review)
Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt (blog tour review)
The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter (blog tour review)
Secrets of Worry Dolls by Amy Impellizzeri (blog tour review)
Size Matters by Alison Bliss (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 11-20-16

Sunday Post

It’s the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Do you have your turkey plans in the bag? Or in the oven? We’re traveling to be with friends, and it’s going to be awesome. And we have a long drive ahead of us each way, so plenty of time to listen to some (hopefully) great audiobooks. I can’t wait!

This Friday starts the sixth annual Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop. This is also the first hop I’ve ever co-hosted. It’s a whole different version of “making a list and checking it twice!” When you recover from your turkey coma, stop by and check out all the great bookish prizes. It’s a perfect opportunity to shop in your jammies!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Gratitude Giveaway Hop
5 sets of American Gods, Anansi Boys, Neverwhere and Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Love, Literary Style by Karin Gillespie is Megblod

spaceman by mike massiminoBlog Recap:

A Review: Stardust by Neil Gaiman + Giveaway
Gratitude Giveaway Hop
A- Guest Review: Hold Me, Cowboy by Maisey Yates
A- Review: The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
A Review: Spaceman by Mike Massimino
Stacking the Shelves (211)

BFBB2016Button300x400OptimizedComing Next Week:

Her Nightly Embrace by Adi Tantimedh (review)
Demons of the Flame Sea by Jean Johnson (review)
When All the Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz (review)
Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 11-13-16

Sunday Post

One of the bloggy things that I have always enjoyed is the Black Friday Giveaway Hop. Black Friday, that strange day between Thanksgiving Day and the first holiday shopping weekend of the season, is kind of a weird day for blogging. Many people are off work and out of town with family. Some people still have to work. As a librarian, I’ve often had to work that day. For public libraries, it can be one of the busiest days of the year. High school students are wrapping up assignments before the end of the semester, and college students are home from school, often doing the same thing. It tends to be an “all hands on deck” kind of day.

BFBB2016Button300x400OptimizedBut it doesn’t feel like many people are reading book blogs. Enter the Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop, which always seemed like the perfect thing to post. Everyone is excited about getting another present, or a gift card to buy more presents, on Black Friday. I’m hosting the Black Friday Book Bonanza this year, with Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer as my co-host. Kimberly was one of the hosts the last two years, and I appreciate her help with getting my first blog hop off the ground.

In other news, I started a new job this week. I’m the solo librarian at TAPPI, the Technical Association for the Pulp and Paper Industry. I had been working there on contract, setting up the library. Now I get to help make the library a success. Wish me luck!

Current Giveaways:

1 $50 Amazon gift card and 5 $10 Amazon gift cards from Suzanne Johnson
Love Literary Style by Karin Gillespie

belle chasse by suzanne johnsonBlog Recap:

A Review: Belle Chasse by Suzanne Johnson + Giveaway
B Review: Love, Literary Style by Karin Gillespie + Giveaway
B Review: Flying through Fire by Nina Croft
A- Review: Warrior by Anna Hackett
A- Review: Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach
Black Friday Book Bonanza Giveaway Hop Sign Up
Stacking the Shelves (210)

gratitude-hop-2016Coming Next Week:

Stardust by Neil Gaiman (blog tour review)
Gratitude Giveaways Hop
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore (review)
The Nazi Hunters by Andrew Nagorski (review)
Spaceman by Mike Massimino (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 11-6-16

Sunday Post

First, the PSA. The U.S. election is Tuesday. If you are eligible to vote, and you haven’t voted yet, VOTE.

And now back to our regularly scheduled blogging. I had two books fall apart this week. I gave both of them Nancy Pearl’s “Rule of Fifty” and then gave up and went for something else. This week that won’t happen – these all look awesome. I have a much harder time making it through the serious books. I expect to get grabbed relatively early on, and I tend to expect a plot. Or at least a through storyline. Or something else I didn’t get. C’est la vie.

fall of poppies by heather webb et alBut speaking of serious books, this week is Veterans Day, or Remembrance Day in other countries. It’s a holiday that initially celebrated the end of World War I, but has been expanded to commemorate the service of all veterans, whether they served in war or peace, and whether they died in service to their country or survived to come home. Some years I write a column about the holiday. Sometimes I have a particularly apropos book, as I do this year. Howsomever, if you are looking for something fictional particularly to commemorate Remembrance Day, I highly recommend the marvelous short story collection, A Fall of Poppies.

Current Giveaways:

Not giving anything away this week. Two giveaways next week!

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Gift Card in the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop is Julie L.
The winner of Beauty and Attention by Liz Rosenberg is Della W.

shadowed souls by jim butcher and kerrie l hughesBlog Recap:

A Review: Shadowed Souls edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes
B+ Review: Let it Snow by Jeanette Grey
A- Review: Death Warmed Over by Kevin J. Anderson
A- Review: Through Uncharted Space by Anna Hackett
B+ Review: Rejected Princesses: Tales of History’s Boldest Heroines, Hellions & Heretics by Jason Porath
Stacking the Shelves (209)

grunt by mary roachComing Next Week:

Belle Chasse by Suzanne Johnson (blog tour review)
Love Literary Style by Karin Gillespie (blog tour review)
Flying Through Fire by Nina Croft (review)
Warrior by Anna Hackett (review)
Grunt by Mary Roach (review)