#artitupwithfriends : Recap
1 June 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #artitupwithfriends, @badaliceshop, @pabkins, Recap
Yesterday brought my #artitupwithfriends challenge to an end. I did hope to post something every day and in that respect I didn’t quite make it – I think I missed three or maybe four. Still, there are some absolutely gorgeous pieces by others that can be checked out using the above hashtag. Anyway, I won’t be inflicting my silly sketches on you all for a little while at least! Here’s a recap:
Waiting on Wednesday: Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky
1 June 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Adrian Tchaikovsky, Breaking the Spine, Spiderlight, Waiting on Wednesday
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. Every Wednesday we get to highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week I’m highlighting: Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky, check it out and be warned *scary cover*. This book looks awesome and sounds fantastic: ‘exhilarating fantasy quest from Adrian Tchaikovsky’ – do I really need to say any more? I think not, I rest my case and you’re welcome.
The Church of Armes of the Light has battled the forces of Darkness for as long as anyone can remember. The great prophecy has foretold that a band of misfits, led by a high priestess will defeat the Dark Lord Darvezian, armed with their wits, the blessing of the Light and an artifact stolen from the merciless Spider Queen.
Their journey will be long, hard and fraught with danger. Allies will become enemies; enemies will become allies. And the Dark Lord will be waiting, always waiting…
Spiderlight is an exhilarating fantasy quest from Adrian Tchaikovsky, the author of Guns at Dawn and the Shadows of the Apt series.
Due out August 2nd
May: My month in review
The month of May is almost complete. It flew by all too quick but it was great fun with lots of good reading and a bit of travel. Hope yours was great too.
Books read: (with links to reviews)
- Silent Army by James A Moore
- Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman
- Kushiel’s Justice by Jacqueline Carey
- The Prophecy Con by Patrick Weekes
- Stranger of Tempest by Tom Lloyd
- The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North
- Fish Night by Joe Lansdale
- The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence
- Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May
- Company Town by Madeline Ashby
Last month’s covers are here
Backlist books
I have one this month! – The Prophecy Con by Patrick Weekes which I really enjoyed reading as a buddy read with Danya from Fine Print. Hopefully we’ll read the third book in June which will then count to my completed series.
Unfinished series completed:
The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence – the third and final book in The Red Queen’s War – what a completely excellent series – just go and read it. Please.
Books Bought:
Difficult to believe but this month is the first month in forever that I’ve not bought any books and I’m quite ridiculously pleased with myself – not because I don’t like buying books – just simply because I was trying to go easy with requests and buying this month so this is a success!
Review Books: (with links to Goodreads)
- Wolf’s Empire: Gladiator by Claudia Christian, Morgan Grant Buchanan
- Red Right Hand by Levi Black
- Hope and Red by Jon Skovron
- Eligible by Curtis Sittenfield
- Time Siege by Wesley Chu
- Kojiki by Keith Yatsuhashi
- A Deadly Affection by Culyer Overhalt
- Gods of Nabban by K V Johansen
- In the Shadow of the Gods by Rachel Dunne
- Acts of Love by Talulah Riley
- The Comfort of Others by Kay Langdale
- The City of Woven Streets by Emmi Itaranta
I’m not going for an either or situation this month but have chosen 3 covers that I particularly like:
Backlist Backburn is an end of month event organised by Lisa at Tenacious Reader. If you’ve caught up on any of your backlist then call over and link up. I find this a good incentive to dust off some of my books although I’ve not done very well recently (although one this month – see above).
Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and Bookish (every Tuesday)
Waiting on Wednesday is an event hosted by Breaking the Spine where every week we get to shine the spotlight on a book that we’re looking forward to.
The Friday Face off by Books by Proxy
Readalongs:
- Kushiel’s Justice by Jacqueline Carey – now completed – readalong of the third book to be announced shortly.
- An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuide now completed – readalong of Book No.4 to be announced shortly – probably for the month of July
- Readalong of the second in series of Emma Newman’s Split World series: details to follow
Classic Clubs read:
None this month.
Once Upon a Time by Stainless Steel Droppings (details here):
Books already read for OUaT:
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- Fellside by M R Carey
- The Everything Box by Richard Kadrey
Previous months in review:
The SPFBO 2:
My posts so far:
The next post which will highlight my thoughts for the first five books to follow shortly.
Follow the ‘cover’ competition over at Mark Lawrence’s blog – 10 bloggers – each selected 3 covers from their batch.
Sea, Sun, Sand and something good to read…
31 May 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: 10 beach reads, The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday
Every Tuesday over at the The Broke and Bookish we all get to look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) examples to demonstrate that particular topic. The topic this week is:
Beach Reads Week — top ten great beach reads
To be honest I don’t really pick books that I think are suitable for the beach, I just read what I like to read all year round. In terms of books that I’ve read though that I think would be suitable I’ve gone for a mix of complicated and light and easy. After all when you’re chilled out and not stressing about all your usual activities it’s easier to concentrate isn’t it.
- Romance factor: The Outlander (Cross Stitch) by Diana Gabaldon. Alternate history/time travel.
- Fun factor: The Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell – really good, fun and easy to read.
- Whimsical/Fairytale feel: Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marllier – which I absolutely love!
- Longer vacation book: Patrick Rothfuss the Name of the Wind – because this is a bit of a huge book but well worth it!
- Book to concentrate on: The Shards of Heaven by Michael Livingston – this is a great book, alternate Roman.
- Thought provoking: Just City by Jo Walton.
- Love story: The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons.
- Alternate stories: Jane Steele by Lindsay Faye – this is a story with parallels (although not a retelling) of Jane Eye and it’s brilliant. Definitely make a great holiday read and one you won’t be able to put down.
- Something scary: The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Schweigart – critters in the dark and creepy woods.
- The series that keeps on giving: (so you can continue with yet more after you come off holiday) Grimdark reading by Mark Lawrence: The Broken Empire and The Red Queen’s War). Great series, highly recommended.
My May Covers
Below is a round up of my covers for the books I’ve read during May. There are some fantastic covers below: which is your favourite? (My May in review to follow tomorrow).
Books and travelling with Lynn 