Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: December

                Hello happy readers!  Here is the final wrap-up where I see how I did for the year.  For full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did!

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 72

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 7

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 30

What I've Read:

This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid #2) by Richelle Mead

City of Demons (Georgina Kincaid #2.5) by Richelle Mead

Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid #3) by Richelle Mead

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

Crowned (Beholder #4) by Christina Bauer

The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3) by Elise Kova

2017 New Releases Challenge: 

Goal: 31-60

At: 37

What I've Read:

Crowned (Beholder #4) by Christina Bauer

The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3) by Elise Kova

Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu

2017 Audiobook Challenge: 

Goal: 5-10

At: 35

What I've Listened:

The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3) by Elise Kova

Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu

This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid #2) by Richelle Mead

Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid #3) by Richelle Mead

                So this is the end for 2017.  I didn’t do as well on some of the challenges as I would have liked and others I surpassed my expectations.  I figure I for 3/6 isn’t horrible it’s halfway there!  I can say I went from a newbie at audiobooks to a fend quickly and I bought way more “new releases” than my budget probably wanted.  I will be combining the 2016/2017 challenges to one tab and setting up my new challenges for the year ahead.  I look forward to my goals for next year improving!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: November

                Hello happy readers!  Here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 65

Not looking good with one month left….

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 7

What I've Read:

Nada

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 26

What I've Read:

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer (review)

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #1) by Jenny Han (review)

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 7

What I’ve Read:

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 34 (YAY!!!!)

What I've Read:

Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer (review)

Geekerella by Ashley Poston (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10

At: 30

What I've Listened:

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #1) by Jenny Han

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

                So while I don't plan on giving up or quitting these challenges I can objectively look at this and see that I probably won't finish most of them.  That said I look forward to my goals for next year and improving!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: October

                Hello happy readers!  Here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 59

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 7

What I've Read:

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 23

What I've Read:

Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard (review)

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 7

What I’ve Read:

:(

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 32 (YAY!!!!)

What I've Read:

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Sun Warrior (Tales of a New World #2) by P.C. Cast (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10

At: 26

What I've Listened:

Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard

Sun Warrior (Tales of a New World #2) by P.C. Cast

                I am thinking I won’t finish some of these this year it’s just been a slower reading year for me but I am keeping positive and going to try and finish strong at least!  Wish me luck!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: September

                Hello happy readers!  Here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 56

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 7

What I've Read:

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 22

What I've Read:

 Nothing.... :(

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 7

What I’ve Read:

 Again nothing...

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 31 (YAY!!!!)

What I've Read:

Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas
Thrax (Angelbound Origins #4) by Christina Bauer (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10

At: 24

What I've Listened:

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas

                I completed another challenge which is exciting having reached the minimum set of my goal for the New Releases Challenge but I’m still pretty far off on some of the others sadly.    I am keeping positive though and hoping to finish more challenges!  Wish me luck!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: August

                Hello happy readers!  Here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At:52

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At:5

What I've Read:

The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski (review)

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At:22

What I've Read:

CrookedKingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo (review)

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At:7

What I’ve Read:

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

JuniperLimits (Juniper Series #2) by Lora Richardson

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At:26

What I've Read:

Traitor tothe Throne (Rebel of the Sands #2) by Alwyn Hamilton (review)

The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski

Mirror Me by Tara St. Pierre 

Juniper Limits (Juniper Series #2) by Lora Richardson

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10 

At: COMPLETE (22)

What I've Listened:

Traitor to the Throne (Rebel of the Sands #2) by Alwyn Hamilton

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

                So I think I did pretty good this month and got books in on each challenge.  I still want to do better but hoping to finish the year strong.  Wish me luck!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

The Wood

                Hello happy readers!  Internet issues aside, seriously I’m about ready to just cancel my service since I spend more time on hold with customer service and trying to fix it than I do being able to use it, I had a great weekend.  While I didn’t get to post my Friday review as planned or share my one new book I did a pirate themed escape room with some friends and we rocked it and escaped with time to spare!  Plus I can do my review today so it works out.  But before I get to my review I have a small bit of news.  I am going out of town for a family reunion and won’t have my computer since I’ll be spending 36 hours in a vehicle and the rest with family who don’t believe in having wifi. So I will be taking off tomorrow until next Wednesday.  Bright side is car time should be read/listen time!  Now for todays review I received a copy of The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                The Wood is a suspenseful supernatural debut book.  Winter is a guardian redirecting any travelers back to their portal when they accidentally step from their time and place into the wood.  She is the only one after her father went missing.  He stepped off the path.  That is impossible for a guardian leading Winter to suspect there is something off about his disappearance than she is told.  One day she comes across a boy in the wood who is not there by accident and is determined to pass through.  It’s her job to keep him in his time.  But when he believes his mission may be connected to her father’s disappearance and why the wood has started to change, Winter determines it may be worth the risk to work with him.

                Going into this book I was intrigued by the cover and the summary but I didn’t know fully what to expect.  It had so many elements woven together into this story with the Old Ones, guardians, the wood and all that fill it, time travel, and more.  The wood managed to play both an eerie and dangerous backdrop to the story but also a character itself.  Always changing and evolving almost as if it has its own personality.  I enjoyed the way we learned about the wood and this world.  Everything seems normal on the outside but inside the wood things are very different.  I understood it and it made perfect sense to me.

                Winter is easy to relate with.  She has this huge responsibility on her shoulders.  She didn’t choose this life but was born into it.  She is just trying to make the most of her life as she tries to balance normal things like school and friends with running off to take care of travelers.  She has a complicated relationship with her mother that has ups and downs.  Henry is likable from the start.  He’s cute and sweet trying to find those he loves.  He is a man out of time (and I admit to having some Kate & Leopold flash backs) and has the childlike amazement of seeing the world and things we take for granted as the miracles they are (showers and electricity).  He was determined on his journey but he is also very protective. 

“What is this infernal contraption?”

“It’s an alarm clock,” I say, my voice deep and sleep-scratchy.  “It wakes you up.”

“Evidently not.”

                This is one complete story that manages to bring an entire little world to life and wrap things up in the end.  It was a neat standalone that I could easily see having more books with different parts of the world. While most things did wrap up nicely there was one specific part I had been hoping for a bit more on, though I have since come up with my own little epilogue in my head to resolve that.  Aside from that little thing, that may be in part to my selfishness I loved this book.  I loved all the different layers wrapped inside this one story of the wood. 

                That’s all for me for the next week.  I’m going home after work to pack (yes I waited until less than 12 hours) and have some wine because packing deserves it and get ready to head out.  When I come back I have an author interview with Hannah Bucchin and more.  Wish me luck. 

               

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: July

                Hello happy readers!  Top Ten Tuesday creators are still on break until next month but as today is the 25th here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 47

I am thinking upping my goal from last year may have been a mistake…

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 4

What I've Read:

Paintbrush by Hannah Bucchin (review)

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 21

What I've Read:

Fall of Thrones& Thorns (Threats of Sky and Sea #3) by Jennifer Ellision (review)

GhostMachine:  A Gothic Steampunk Novel by Kristen Brand (review)

Rebel ofthe Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1) by Alwyn Hamilton (review)

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 5

What I’ve Read:

Fall of Thrones and Thorns (Threats of Sky and Sea #2) by Jennifer Ellision

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 22

What I've Read:

Paintbrush by Hannah Bucchin

The Dragonsof Nova (Loom Saga #2) by Elise Kova (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10

At: 20

What I've Listened:

Fall of Thrones and Thorns (Threats of Sky and Sea #2) by Jennifer Ellision

Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1) by Alwyn Hamilton

The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2) by Elise Kova

                So I’m starting to get a bit discouraged since I am so far behind in most of my challenges and the year is over half gone but going to try and rally and catch up.  Wish me luck!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: June

                Hello happy readers!  I’m a day behind as I was out of town this weekend and spent most of yesterday driving which isn’t so great for typing and posting.  But here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well!

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 42

Really behind!

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 3

What I've Read:

I am so behind here but hope to rally!

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 18

What I've Read:

Riot ofStorm and Smoke (Threats of Sky and Sea #2) by Jennifer Ellision

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 4

What I’ve Read:

Nothing new but I should have more next month about to start 2 different series enders!

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 20

What I've Read:

Lord ofShadows (The Dark Artifices #2) by Cassandra Clare (review)

Flame inthe Mist (Flame in the Mist #1) by Renee Ahdieh (review)

Windwitch (The Witchlands #2) by Susan Dennard (review)

TheAlchemists of Loom (Loom Saga #1) by Elise Kova (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10

At: 17

What I've Listened:

Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2) by Cassandra Clare

Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist #1) by Renee Ahdieh

Windwitch (The Witchlands #2) by Susan Dennard

The Alchemists of Loom (Loom Saga #1) by Elise Kova

Riot of Storm and Smoke (Threats of Sky and Sea #2) by Jennifer Ellision

                Not my best month but still pretty decent.  I have at least two series enders and a debut ready to read next month so I hope to rally and catch up.  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: May

April Wrap Up

                Hello happy readers!  So today is the 25th which means it is time for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well!

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 37

Behind but I hope to rally! 

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At:  3

What I've Read:

The LoveInterest byCale Dietrich (review)

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 17

What I've Read:

Moon Chosen (Tales of a New World #1) by P.C. Cast (review)

Everything,Everything by Nicola Yoon

The BaneChronicles by Cassandra Clare

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 4

What I’ve Read:

Champion:The Graphic Novel (Legend: The Graphic Novel #3) by Marie Lu

Rise ofFire (Reign of Shadows #2) by Sophie Jordan (review)

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 15

What I've Read:

Champion: The Graphic Novel (Legend: The Graphic Novel #3) by Marie Lu

Quanta Rewind (The Shadow Raves #4) by Lola Dodge (review)

A Court ofWings and Ruin (ACOTAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas (review)

Rise of Fire (Reign of Shadows #2) by Sophie Jordan

The Love Interest  by Cale Dietrich

Cherished (Beholder #3) by Christina Bauer (review)

Blank Space by Alla Kar

2017 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 5-10

At: 12

What I've Listened:

A Court of Wings & Ruin (ACOTAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Moon Chosen (Tales of a New World #1) by P.C. Cast

Rise of Fire (Reign of Shadows #2) by Sophie Jordan

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

                All in all I'd say it was a pretty successful month.  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: April

                 Hello happy readers!  So today is the 25th which means it is time for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  I think for the first month I've done pretty good.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well!

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 27

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At:  2

What I've Read:

Still behind…

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 14

What I've Read:

Empire ofStorms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas (review)

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 2

Seriously not my best reading month…

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 9

What I've Read:

ShatteredPack (Alpha Girl #6) by Aileen Erin (review)

A Crown of Wishes (The Star Touched Queen #2) by Roshani Chokshi (review)

Blacksouls (Blackhearts #2) by Nicole Castroman (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 5-10

At: 8

What I've Listened:

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas

                All in all I'd say it was a pretty successful month.  I didn't get to finish or review my debuts but that just means next month will be even better!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!