Happy New Year! Farewell to 2011...

So for the year of 2011... I finished 3 of 4 challenges (I came close on the 4th ... if only Short Stories counted).  I couldn't tell you how many books I read bc I lost track during my Great Blogging Decline of 2011.  I do know I read a LOT of mysteries, and that I read many first in series.

For 2012 ... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

http://all-free-wallpaper-download.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-year-wallpaper-2012.html

I'm hoping to do better with my blogging now that I have my newer system.  (The recent individual blog entries were for the one challenge, fyi).  I'm hoping to catch up on the keeper authors I seem to have lost track of this past year.  And in a book related, but not reading related issue - I hope to cut back on how many books I actually own.  I'd like to be able to look through my books without moving boxes off of other boxes and actually find the books I'm hoping to read.

May Summary

Books Read in May:

Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls by Victoria Laurie
One Fine Day You're Gonna Die by Gail Bowen
The Heiress by Lynsay Sands
The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb
Love You To Death by Gail Bowen
This Book Is Overdue! : How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson
An Affair Without End by Candace Camp

April Summary

Books read in April:

Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower
Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon (re-read)
Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon (re-read)
"Chapter 1" of What is Mental Illness? by Richard J. McNally
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn (re-read)
Heart Duel by Robin D. Owens (re-read)
Heart Quest by Robin D. Owens (re-read)
Beguiled by Susan Spencer Paul (re-read)
Splendid You by Lynn Bailey
Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

March Summary

In March I read:

The Wish Stealers by Tracy Trivas
At Long Last, a Bride by Susan Crosby
Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen
Reign Check by Michelle Rowen
A Daddy for Jacoby by Christyne Butler
"Familiar" by Michelle Rowen
Wife for a Day by Patti Berg
Buzz Off by Hannah Reed
Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson

January and February Summary

Eesh this is late coming.  But I finally have all my reviews completed so here it is...

Note: I've decided not to count children's (picture) books.

During the month of January I read:

Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer
The Unhandsome Prince by John Moore
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson
13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison
Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors Into a Family by Glenn Plaskin
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

During the month of February I read:

Cindy's Doctor Charming by Teresa Southwick
Spells by Aprilynne Pike
The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
Texas Wildflower by Susan Wiggs
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
I also re-read Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts and Wings of the Morning by Lori Wick.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011!  I'm planning to do so much better with my blogging throught this new year, but first, I must speak of the old... 

I'm not going to review any books read in 2010 that haven't already been reviewed.  But it would be a shame to let one of my favorite (and possibly the favorite) new-to-me read of 2010 go unmentioned.  I figure now's the time. I loved The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.  This first came out, I think in 2008.  But I heard about it earlier this year and I'm so glad I not only thought it sounded interesting, but actually followed through on my ever common "I'll have to check that out." 

Now that was by no means the only good book I read this year.  I've found myself enjoying the work of several new-to-me authors.

Anyway, Happy New Year!!!

Challenges

It's that time of year. Challenges are cropping up everywhere. I have mixed reactions. Part guilt because I pretty much gave up on all 2010 challenges I had signed up for. And excitement, because they look so fun!

I'm pretty sure I'll be participating in the 2011 E-Book Challenge. I got a Sony Reader for Christmas last year, and haven't used it for the last several months. I wouldn't want my parents to think I don't really appreciate it. So that challenge will be perfect. And of course I'm going to want to participate in one or two genre challenges (mystery, paranormal, urban fanatasy, etc.). But I'm going to pick lower levels this time - even if I think I can do more.

And, to start things off right, I think I'm going to make a new Challenges page. If I make it right at the start, maybe I won't be overwhelmed trying to catch up.