Here's a list of what I read last month and some brief thoughts.
Total books read: 8
General fiction .... 2
Graphic novel...... 3
Fantasy ..............1
Romance ............1
Crime fiction .......1
This general historical fiction novel published in 2008 became a very popular and widely read book. Now that I read it for myself, I completely understand its popularity and appeal. I read this as part of a world wide book tour hosted by Amy who blogs at Romance Bookwyrm and I still plan on posting about it. Stay tuned! .... but I probably wouldn't hold my breath if I were you ;p .
GRADE: A
2. Foiled by Jane Yolen {cover not shown}
Picked up while on my graphic novel kick. An decent first book to a fantasy series about a young girl who's a bit of a loner and loves to fence. She discovers she has some magical powers when wielding her precious sword. I think the story lacked a bit of depth or punch or something, but I would definitely read subsequent stories in this series to find out what might happen.
GRADE: C+
3. Amulet: Book Two The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi
4. Amulet: Book Three The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi
The second and third books in the Amulet fantasy graphic novel series by Kazu Kibuishi. I love this series. It has strong elements of family, adventure, fantasy and surprises me with its ease at making me laugh, cry and of course, worry for the characters. Reminds me of the works of Hayao Miyazaki--what's not to love about that?
GRADE: A
5. Elfland by Freda Warrington I read this fantasy novel because it was the February pick for the Women of Fantasy 2011 Book Club and boy am I ever glad I did because this book was SO my cup of tea. The novel is definitely fantasy, but it is also very largely a family saga type novel and most of the story takes place the modern world. I loved the realistic characters, the love stories, the secrets and complications of their personal relationships and the challenges they faced being Aetherial, which is a sort of fae race of people. There is romance, family drama and Aetherial-human politics between peoples and worlds. I enjoyed Elfland so much that it landed itself on my all time favorite lists. And lucky for me, Ms. Warrington has a second Aetherial Tales novel already out--Midsummer Night.
GRADE: A+
6. Rogue Hunter by Lynsay Sands {cover not shown}
A paranormal romance novel from the Argeneau Family series. I started this series a few years ago, but have lost interest in trying to catch up and keep up. Not that it's not enjoyable--there are just so many other books I'm more interested in right now. Anyway, I was getting ready to pack this series up in a box and mail back to Tracy from whom I borrowed most of these books, when I flipped this one open and read the first few pages. The story was kind of predictable--which happens after you've read so many vampire paranormal romances--but you know? It was still fun, so I kept reading.
GRADE: B
7. The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas
I read this book for the Authors by the Alphabet online book club. It is a women's fiction novel set in the farm country of Kansas during the depression era. It centers on a tight knit group of women who quilt together and share the ups and downs of the many hardships that they face during difficult times. You can read my review HERE.
GRADE: B-
8. Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb
I finally followed through and read my first In Death novel since last November! I hope my unintended hiatus from this series is over, because reading this book made me remember why this series is so much fun. Interesting crime fiction and the fascinating personal life of my favorite cop ever--Lt. Eve Dallas. She rocks.
GRADE: B+
And that's it! It was a great reading month. I hope April is just as great, which so far is looking mighty fine. I read two young adult novels so far this month and they were both A reads for me. In fact, one of them joined Elfland on my all time favorite list!
What was a favorite book you read last month?
Hi Christine! Good list of books. Wasn't The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society awesome? I can't believe the book is still on tour! Is it falling apart yet with all the notes stuffed into it?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite last month was Bending Toward the Sun, an autobiographical Holocaust survivor & family story. Very powerful.
I love the cover of Elfland. I think I'd like it too. Great month!
ReplyDeleteGreat month Christine!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed Elfland in February. I wish I'd chosen that book instead of my choice for March... Prospero Lost. I couldn't finish it. :( I'm hoping my April pick is better.
Hey girl,
ReplyDeleteHow are you? I hope all is well.
Favorite book: Treachery In Death
Ohhh, now I really want to read Elfland! A+? I need to get it off the shelf and start it soon!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were part of the Guernsey journey!
Hey everyone! :)
ReplyDeleteLori... Can you believe Amy's book is still making rounds? I loved The Guernsey book. It was so charming as well as insightful. The book isn't falling apart, but it has that well read worn feel to it. Readers are still jotting very short notes on the first page or two, but the letters are now in a manila envelope that accompanies the book on its journey. It's really neat. :)
Your favorite for March sounds quite the compelling novel. Heartbreaking I'm sure... but hopefully uplifting as well?
Linda... I think you'd like Elfland, too! :)
Hils... Elfland was the February pick for the Book Club, but I didn't get to it until March! LOL. I missed March's pick ... but sounds like that might be okay after all per your DNF!
Dru...
Hi! :) I'm doing well. You are so sweet to check in on me. Thank you. :D xo
So glad you loved Treachery In Death!!! I'm over a dozen books behind, BUT I am looking forward to this one since I read the premise on another blog.
Amy... Hey!! I really loved Elfland--I hope you would, too. I am warning you, though, that if you could take a contemporary family saga, almost chick lit type book and meld it with a fantasy novel... you'd get this book. It was just my thing!
I loved the Guernsey journey. Thanks so much for making me a part of it! :)
Don't laugh but I'm happy you haven't been following through with the in death novels. I'm finally catching up! Lol!
ReplyDeleteThe cover of Elfland is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI had heard of the Potato-Society book, I'm glad you liked it so much, I'm going to try to read it, I think my library has it.
:D
I loved Guernsey when I read it a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good reading month for you!
I loved Guernsey when I read it a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good reading month for you!
Elfland sounds really good I should see if the library has it. Looks like you had a solid reading month!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great month! My favourite book last month was Rescue Me (Scarlet Blackwell). It was a very angsty m/m.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading in April :)
My favorite book last month was Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Rhee Drummond. It was the story of her meeting and falling in love with her husband.
ReplyDeleteYou read some great books last month!
Hope your day is going well!
I am so glad you also loved Elfland, Christine! It was my very favorite book I read last year.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book read last month was The Native Star by M. K. Hobson - a fantasy set in an alternate America in the 1800s with a bit of romance. I read it for the Nebula Readathon and loved it!
I need to get Elfland from the library, again. Had to take it back before I could read it. :( How would you rate it as far as sex? Lots, little or somewhere in between? I'm asking because I think my teen would really like it but I have a hard time giving her books that I know have sex in them. LOL
ReplyDeleteFavorite last month was Julie James' A Lot Like Love. :)
It is a pretty good month of March, considering we had no clue of what you've been reading :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I need to check if the library has Elfland. I would never have picked this book up based on the cover ^_^;
A very successful month, in my opinion! Those Graphic Novels are really popular at our library. It's hard to keep them in and in good shape. I have Guernsey but haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you in NYC!!!
Hugs,
Michelle
Gina, haha! I know how you feel! That's often how I'd feel when Lori would have a temporary hiatus! ;)
ReplyDeleteAlex... There's even more gorgeous detail on the Elfland book cover up close! The artist is Kinuko Y. Craft. Her artwork is amazing.
I hope you give The Guernsey book a try. It's very good!
Marg... March *was* a great reading month. Hope April is as well. So far so good...
Sarai... Oh, I'd love it if you gave Elfland a try. I plan on reading the next book set in this world soon!
orannia... I love angsty romances, too! LOL! Happy April reading to you, too!
Brandy ... I've read some of Rhee & MM's anecdotes on her website. Cute stuff.
Kristen... I am SO glad I read Elfland. I didn't realize it was your favorite book of 2010!? I can see why... curious to see if anything else will top it for me for 2011.
I've heard wonderful things about The Native Star. Will have to add that to my reading list.
Leslie... I would definitely recommend you borrow Elfland again, but would also recommend you read it before encouraging your teen to read it. There is some sex in the book.
I have to read James' A Lot Like Love. Everyone is enjoying that one!
nath... I've been really good about keeping up with my reading on goodreads! Let me know if you pick up Elfland from the library.
Michelle... I'm enjoying these graphic novels. They're really fun and a few have surprised me with their depth!
Oh you need to read Guernsey!!!
I can't wait to see you, too! Wow, May is coming up fast!!! Hugs right back atcha! xo
Sigh, Christine, they don't have it :(
ReplyDeleteDarn. I borrowed it from the library myself, otherwise I'd lend you my copy. Sorry. :(
ReplyDeletegood month! i have also been on an In Death hiatus, i started reading the series last year for the first time and have been slowly working my way through. the problem is my lib doens thave all the books and there is NO WAY i will buy 33+ or whatever they are at now.
ReplyDeleteI bought my set of In Death books on ebay a few years ago. They're used, but you know... I really like them that way. :)
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, the next time you visit your in-laws, we can meet up and you can borrow whichever In Death books you're missing. IIRC they live pretty close to me.
ReplyDelete