It’s Monday! (Ok really it is Sunday when I am posting this but I am in Florida and I fly home tomorrow morning – 3 planes, and … well, you get the point… 😀
What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.
I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment. You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.
Last weeks winner (using Random.Org) was:
Mardel S
Congratulations! Please choose an item out of the PRIZE BOX and email me your choice with your mailing address as well! journeythroughbooks@gmail.com
*** And a note on this – I will be adding to the prize box soon! Just need to get home and do a bit of organizing!
This past week has been crazy between work and life and this trip to Florida when I left home Thursday morning to visit my son in the Navy. As crazy as it was…. with planes and beach time (pause for dramatic effect….. I do love the beach) I was able to get a bit of reading in:
Pondering Moment: What Was That Book That Totally Pulled You In?
Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer (smoking good book with incredible characters)
Finally Changed The Blog Name! Memers – do not panic, no changes to the meme or linking will take place – all stays the same 🙂
Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani (If you are not a Trigiani fan – you should be – check out this author!)
Little Bee by Chris Cleave (our April Book Club read)
Sand In My Bra and by Funny Women From The Road (a great read for travelers!)
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (if it is not on your TBR – put it there!)
Whats On Brew This Week?
I am going to try (try) to be realistic this week. I am possibly…. probably running a 5K this Friday with my friend Heidi so my reading time this week may be a bit of training time. On Saturday my friend Amy and I are driving to the cities and on Sunday we are biking the Ironman bike ride in Lakeville.… our goal is the 65 mile route. I am going to get reading in…. after all I do have the plane ride tomorrow….
Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid – and Caitlin herself
Yes – yes – yes, you have seen this one on my list before. It has become the book that I just do not get too and now I am (hopefully) reading it (maybe) this week.
Yet today you will hopefully stop in to see my wonderful author chat with the fascinating Kay Cassidy about her newly released book, The Cinderella Society! I am so excited to chat with her and I really hope you will stop in and learn more about Kay the book, and what’s next! Oops – did I say too much? 😉
Ok – don’t forget to sign the McKlinky so I and hopefully many of you, can stop in and see the other Monday memers!
Boy you got alot accomplished.
Planes and waiting for planes Brooke 🙂
Thanks for posting early – I have a busy day tomorrow too! I did go over to the other’s that have added their links so far….
Hi OutnumberedMama! Thanks for popping in 🙂
Reading HEIST SOCIETY right now…moving on to LITTLE BEE (can’t wait!!!)
Dawn I have Heist Society – so want to read it soon! 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad you’re early, because I just finished my post and I was hoping to link before I finish up for the day!
Great books on your stack…as usual!
Have a safe flight back.
Hi Laurel – sitting in airport now. I have an hour and a half before I fly out
I want to read Hold Still. I look forward to your review of it.
I just found it at Books A Million Zia – it sounded interesting and the price was right 😉
I keep looking at the Fablehaven books too. I’ll be eager to hear what you think about it.
Thats where I am at Kathy – there are 5 of these books out now, I really need to jump on board if they are good!
You have a busy week planned. I am impressed with your activity, biking and running…whew!
Running is not for me, i wish you well with the 5K, just thinking of it hurts my sides. 😉
Hold Still looks interesting. I look forward to seeing what you thought of this one.
Fablehaven…don’t we all have the one book that keeps being pushed aside for another, yet it is still a book that we want to read? I know that I do. Why is that, I wonder.
ibeeg, it is like my cryptonite (SP) book….. I just keep sliding to the bedside, to by reading chair, the table….. I didn’ even bring it on this trip – but when I get home…… 🙂
Your books for this week look fantastic!!!
Thanks Staci 🙂
Hold Still sounds really interesting, I look forward to seeing what you think of it.
I love that planes allow for so much reading! It’s possibly the only good thing about waiting around at the airport, lol.
Good luck with the biking and 5K! Very impressive 🙂
Hi Crystal – yes planes are the time I can open a book and just read without interruptions of phones or other commitments 🙂
Wow – I sure wish that I could get in as much physical stuff as you do each week! That is amazing! (Time to get those audio books!) Have a great week!
Yup Kristi – now you see why I am such a fan of audio books 🙂
I tried reading Fablehaven once before but wasn’t able to get into it. I will have to try reading it again someday. Hold Still looks like a fantastic and sad book.
I will have to check out your review of Hex Hall. I just read it last week and need to write my review soon too.
Have a safe trip back from Florida. I hope you have a great week!
HI Christina, I havent even opened Fablehaven yet….. I am hoping it is super good. 🙂
Hi Shantal! I dont read much this past few weeks. I manga to read two Blue Moon by Alison Noel and Country Brides by Debbie Macomber. I wish I could read more than that. And now I’m reading aother YA book Saga of Darren Shan and I tell you, this one really makes me absorbed..Totally love it. Fablehaven sounds great and Hold Still too. wish I could get my hands on that too. *LOL* happy MOnday!
I have not read Darren Shan darlyn, sounds like one to check out. Have a great day!
I mean to write your name as S.Chantal…I’m so terribly sorry.. =(
LOL darlyn – no worries 😀
Oh, I just started Hex Hall!
Amanda you will “fly” through it. No pun intended….. ok maybe a little pun ;D
Holding Still looks very compelling, I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts. Happy Reading!
Hi Whitney – I should have it done today. I started it last night in the hotel and it will be the book on the plane, that and 100 Cupboards that I am just finishing up as well.
Wow another full on week! and you got an amazing amount of reading done last week. Hex Hall is definitely going on my wishlist thanks to you 🙂 and I’ll be very interested to see what you think of Hold Still; looks like another emotional read.
Happy reading, running and biking!
Hi Teddyree, I am still trying to catch up from reviews from the readathon! 🙂
Well I hope you had a wonderful visit with your son and I hope the coming week is a little calmer for you. I have a couple of books that I put on my list every few weeks but don’t seem to get too. Have a great week!
Hi Alaine, my time with Brad was so fun. It was good to see him and hopefully cheer him up a bit. He is homesick.
You have a great week too!
Hey, sent you an e-mail (thanks for the win! I’m excited). And I put my link up for this week. I actually read two books this week. TWO. 2, that’s pretty good for the way I’ve been lately! I’m laughing because I used to read 4 books a week. It was hard keeping myself in books then, and now that I have more books at my disposal, I find my reading slowing down. Figures.
Hi Mardel – woo hoo on the win 🙂 I seen your email and will get that out this week.
My book counts vary. I am hoping this year with the audio books I will be able to keep on track but I have weeks none get done. 🙂
What a week you had and are planning. I way past the running stage of my life. and an Iron Man wow!. I can’t wait to hear how you did. Have fun and be careful.
HI Jan – I hate to run so we will see.
The iRonman is only biking – they call it the Ironman because in Minnesota the weather could be crazy and they go anyway. Last year was my first year doing it and it was 30 degrees and storming out. They were treating people for hypothermia and that is when I quit last year, at 45 miles.
This year looks like the weather is going to be good (knock on wood) 🙂
I hope your book club enjoys Little Bee as much as I did. I thought it was awesome.
I liked it Diane, the book club had mixed thoughts on it. On my review I gave some of their reasons and I did struggle with it a bit in the beginning.
My kids have Fablehaven ever since an author school visit a couple of years ago and I don’t think they’ve gotten to it either (nor have I if I’m honest).
Wow Kristen I didnt even know it had been out that long. Wow… I really need to get with it 🙂
Read it with me Kristen!
I’ve been wanting to read HEX HALL for a while now!
Me too Allison – I am so glad I finally made time for it. 😀
so glad you loved Hex Hall 🙂
I’m reading Kay’s book later this week, will definately stop by for your chat with her!
Oh good Mel – Kay’s book was so good. I may need to read it again now that it is released.
Have fun at the 5k! Hope you still get some reading time!!
Love the cover of Hold Still!
Thanks Aths – I will be able to read today on the planes 🙂
Thanks again, Sheila! I always enjoy coming here. Your biking and running activities are really inspirational. Have a great week!
HI nancyo! Love that you stop by too 🙂
Enjoy your week as well!
Wow! Good books you’re reading. I like Sand in the Bra…. I bet that one is pretty funny with girlfriends. I love the beach too. Haven’t been recently. Use to go with the kids.
http://readwithtea.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-are-you-reading-mondays.html
Hi Tea – I love the beach too but never get there. This was a fun weekend and I got sun which I love! 😀
I bought Fablehaven for my 11-year-old cousing for Christmas, hoping that I could borrow it when she finished it. That plan hasn’t panned out yet! 🙂 Enjoy your books this week!
Dont give up Jennifer! They may share the book yet 🙂
Good luck with today’s commute home.
I hope to finish The Island this week – it’s so nice outside which makes it hard to stay inside/ or sit on the deck and read.
HI Mari – thanks for the luck – I am home and safe 🙂
I hear you on the nice weather – beautiful in Minnesota today too!
I hope you had a nice visit with your son and have a great week in books!
Thanks Kathy – I did have a good time 🙂
hi – I have an award for you over on my blog
HI Jessica- thank you – I will be stopping over 🙂
Glad to hear your trip went well. I am still trying to catch up from my trip over a week ago! In fact, I did manage to post my Monday list this morning (from the dentist’s waiting room!), but I totally forgot to enter it here until just now. On the plus side, I’m down to less than 300 unread e-mails…yeah, not much progress, huh?
Anyway, glad you found some time for reading. My 15-year old son LOVES the Fablehaven series! Hope you enjoy it –
Sue
Hi Sue – thats funny about posting from the dentist – I post from everywhere…. recently – from airports 🙂
Go on the emails 🙂
I have Fablehaven I hope I get a chance to read it soon. You had a great week of reading…Thanks for the recommendation of Hex Hall! Hope you enjoy your week.
Hi Heidi – hope you love Hex Hall! I finished Hold Still on the plane and I am just finishing up 100 Cupboards – then I am full speed ahead on Fablehaven 🙂
I’ve been meaning to participate in this one for weeks…but finally did my first one today!
http://nashvillebookworm.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/its-monday-what-are-you-reading/
Hey Michael – yay! Cant wait to check out your post 🙂
Hey, Sheila…just visited my 20th blog post! I’ll be back later with more.
Go Laurel – go Laurel – woot woot! 🙂
Looks like you had another good week. I hope your travel home was safe and smooth. I had to laugh – I looked at least three times trying to figure out from the feed e-mail whether you had changed the blog name or if that was the name of a book.
I do like the shorter name and the great logo! Well Done!
I was being subtle on the name change Martha – LOL I see it worked. 🙂
you do a lot! i’m exhausted reading about your life.
just finished The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. awesome. on to Father of the Rain by Lily King. Ironman bike ride — go, girl.
HI Barbara – I like to stay busy 🙂 What a great title of that book you just finished. I am checking that one out – have you reviewed it yet?
First time post-er!
Woo hoo Suzanne – welcome 🙂
Wow! Thanks for these recommendations. I’m really drawn to “Fablehaven”! I’ll have to do some more research on this little gem and see what the scoop is, I’m just loving the cover art! =)
My ‘What are You Reading” selection is Confucius Jade by Frederick Fisher. It’s narrated by a female descendant of Confucius and revolves around a jade carving of Shou-Xing Lao – Chinese God of longevity. What I love about the book is its nuggets of philosophical wisdom scattered throughout and the idea of transcending greed in our modern day society. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a page turner too!
Happy reading everyone, and thanks for the recommendations!
Molly the book you are reading sounds so fantastic! Wow thanks for letting me know about this.
Sounds like you’ve got a full load! Hope you enjoy your books and have fun this week!
Natalie :0)
Thanks Natalie!
Great reading list/suggestions. Thanks! Wildflowers of Terezin sounds very interesting and similar to a book I am reading by Francine Rivers only in her story the focus is on four generations of women and begins at the turn of the century, and ends up in the WWII era. Some historical dramas have really bored me, but this one is good and holds my attention. The name of the book is Her Mother’s Hope. You should check it out!
HI Audrey – is that a newer Francine Rivers? I don’t think I am familiar with that one. I have read many of her books and loved them. Have you read Redeeming Love?
Yes! This is the new Francine Rivers book. Francine has not put anything out since 2003, so this is exciting. Loved “Redeeming Love.” Her writing just draws you in that you never want to leave the places she takes you to :}.
Panting…I’m here, I’m here! Better later than never is my motto! I’m sorry I’ve missed a couple of weeks, but I’ve got my new post up!!
Have a wonderful trip and soak up the sun, sister!
HI Sharon – you didnt need to run, the door is always open 😀
Thanks for the SUN wishes – they came true! I am home and nicely browned!
I’m just sitting here waiting to hear what you think of Fablehaven!
Hold Still looks good, off to look it up on Goodreads!
I know Page – I am going to get it done 😀 Really I am!
Great Monday for you! Sounds like you had a great week past. Fablehaven sounds like a great read. I am curious to read your review when you are done.
Have a great week!
Thanks Melissa – it is the book I am reading this week. 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing vacation, Sheila! I’m glad you liked Hex Hall – I’ve heard a lot of good reviews on that one. Have a fun reading week! 🙂
Thanks Sami!
Mine is here:
http://celticladysramblings.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_19.html
Thanks!!!
Thanks Kathleen!
Hi Sheila, I stopped by 10 blogs today 🙂
HI Lynne – thanks 😀
Hi Sheila,
This was my first meme and I had a great time. I stopped by eleven blogs and added way too much to my TBR pile but I really enjoyed myself.
Oh good Rosalie – I am so glad you had fun 😀 Same time next week!
Hi Sheila,
This was my first meme and I had a great time, so thanks for hosting. I stopped by eleven blogs and added way too much to my TBR pile but I really enjoyed myself.
Hi Rosalia – I am so glad you went out and visited blogs and had fun 🙂 Welcome!
So exciting about the 5k and the Ironman bike ride! My hubby is a marathon runner and is really interested in getting into triathlons. Good luck with it! I can’t wait to hear how you do, hopefully you can listen to some good audiobooks while training!
Hope you have a fabulous week and enjoy FableHaven, my mother in law said she loved this last one!
(I visited about 15 blogs today.)
HI TheFirst Daughter, I am excited about it and really (REALLY) praying for good weather 😀
Hope your plane ride provided pleasant reading time. Enjoy your week. I wish I had the endurance to do an ironman and a run like yours. I must return to the gym.
HI Deb! I did complete Hold Still on the plane and cant wait to review it!
Great review on Hex Hall-I’m so excited to read it. Lucky fo me I just one it in a contest this week!
Have a great week!
Woo hoo – you will love it Tammy! 😀
Don’t be surprised if I join you one Monday for this meme…life is settling and I rearranging things. 🙂 Loved this meme and curious to see what everyone is reading.
YAY! J Kaye! That would be awesome – so glad to see you here!
It was a busy weekend and I didn’t get to my computer enough to keep up.
I was reading BREAKING DAWN by Stephenie Meyer. I have since finished it. I think I liked it best of the four books. I like that things were nicely tied up, but the door was left open for future books if she so chooses.
I am not getting as much reading done now that I am home all the time. I always had a book at work I was working on, an audio book in the car, and one at home. Now it is just the one at home. I’ve just started a new book, IMPATIENT WITH DESIRE by Gabrielle Burton about the Donner Party. I am really curious about this one.
The book about the Donner Party sounds interesting…. I may need to look for that one. Right now I have so many library books that are late ….. I really need to return them but I also really want to read them 🙂
Oh, by the way, you need to get to FABLEHAVEN. We listened to it on CD and the grandsons loved it. It is a good junior level book. Book 5 just came out and is the conclusion to the series. One grandson has read 2 more of the books. The other really liked the books but is dyslexic. I am looking for a way to get the books on CD without paying a fortune. We got Book 1 on CD at the library. None of the libraries in the area have Books 2 or 3 and one has Book 4. $45 for an audio book is just too much.
HI Pat – I see on Amazon they are 26.00 for the audios. I was hoping audible.com would have them but they do not.