THE 2012 TBR PILE READING CHALLENGE!!!!

Here's a wonderful new

reading challenge

I've decided to join!!

This will give me a chance to attempt to read at least a few of my unread treasures!  I have so many of them, too...  The idea is to commit to reading as many of the books in our TBR piles as possible, in the space of one year.  This seems like a nearly insurmountable task for me, since I literally have more than two thousand books -- sitting on my bookshelves (which are floor-to-ceiling in at least two rooms), on the living room couch, on my bedroom dresser and night table, and, last but not least, in plastic boxes all over the place...

Well, I can at least try to get some of them read...  There are several levels of reading available.  I am tentatively trying for A Friendly Hug! 

These are the reading levels:

1 - 10:  A Firm Handshake

11 - 20:  A Friendly Hug

21 - 30:  A Sweet Kiss

31 - 40:  Love At First Sight

41 - 50:  Married With Children

Here are some of the books I hope to read.

If I can, I'll read more,

but for starters, I'd like to get to these!

According to the rules,

one can change books as one goes along,

so this is a tentative list.

1.) Divergent -- Veronica Roth

2.) Delirium -- Lauren Oliver

3.) Entwined -- Heather Dixon

4.) Starcrossed -- Josephine Angelini

5.) Wake Unto Me -- Lisa Cach

6.) Beautiful Creatures

Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

7.) Beautiful Darkness

Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

8.) Falling Under -- Gwen Hayes

The Mortal Instruments Series

Cassandra Clare

9.) City of Bones

10.) City of Ashes

11.) City of Glass

12.) City of Fallen Angels

These are the hosting blogs:

Evie from Bookish

http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com @SeoEvie

Nicole from All I Ever Read

http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown

Bonnie from Hands and Home http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog

Donna from Book Passion For Life

 http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife

Caitlin from Watch YA Reading

 http://whatchyareading.net @caitlingss

Rie from Mission To Read

http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread

Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea
http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette

Christa from Hooked On Books
http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com @ChristasBooks

Jenna from Fans of Fiction
 http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction

Angel from Mermaid Vision
http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com @mermaidvisions

For the complete rules, as well as to sign up,
just click on the button
in my sidebar! 
Be sure to join this fabulous challenge,

which will feature the most wonderful prizes!!!!!

One more thing!

This particular challenge boasts two of 

the most beautiful buttons I have thus far seen

in the blogosphere!!

HAPPY READING 

IN 2012!!!!!!

On My Bookshelves #10

This is a special Christmas edition

of

"On My Bookshelves"!!

My new weekend book meme

highlights the books that I have somehow

never gotten to,

as well as those wonderful books

I would love to re-read!!

Here's my special list

for this week!

Comfort and Joy

Kristin Hannah

Hardcover, 272 pages

Ballantine Books

November 1, 2011

(first published Nov. 1, 2005)

Genres: Christmas Romance,

Contemporary Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossroads in her life; recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rain forest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind—to just walk away—and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.

One of Santa's elves was sweet enough to

give me this book recently!

I had wished for it in one of my 

previous "Follow Friday" posts, 

and I just can't believe I now have it, 

just in time for Christmas!!

The plot sounds wonderful, and

I really can't wait to start reading it!!

So I will definitely add this one to the

"Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge"!!

A Christmas Ball

Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryanm Alissa Johnson

Mass Market Paperback, 308 pages

Dorchester/Leisure

September 29, 2009

Genres: Christmas Romance, Historical Fiction,

Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

From Emily Bryan's "My Lady Below Stairs", the story of an illegitimate servant girl called in to impersonate her missing aristocratic half-sister with results worthy of Shakespeare, to Ashley's "The Longest Night",  in which a shapeshifting nobleman attempts to win the heart of the wary woman he loves while on the trail of a spy, to Alissa Johnson's "Traditions",  the tale of an earl who sets out to woo one woman and falls for her intriguing companion instead, these light, entertaining romps are not typical holiday fare. .

I've had this one on my Goodreads bookshelves

for quite some time, and finally decided to buy it.

It arrived a few days ago,

and I'm hoping to get to it, if not by the 

end of this month, then on into the new year!

I have a very hard time letting go of 

the Christmas season anyway.... 

The Wonder of Christmas

Daniel Partner

Paperback, 192 pages

DayMaker

September 1, 2011

Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Devotional

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Two thousand years ago, angels proclaimed glad tidings of great joy to all people—the birth of Jesus Christ the Savior. But today, even Christians can find their joy dampened by the demands of the hectic holiday season. The Wonder of Christmas provides an antidote to all the hustle and bustle. This twenty-five day devotional contains fifty readings—one for each morning and evening—on the true meaning of the holiday. These thoughtful and encouraging meditations are perfect for the first three and a half weeks of December but their message of the vital importance of Jesus Christ is equally appropriate throughout the entire year.

Although I do read a lot of fiction, I also enjoy

non-fiction, especially about

spiritual topics.

This little book is a reminder to me

of the reason Christmas exists

in the first place --

the birth of one very special baby,

more than two thousand years ago.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Linda Lael Miller, Catherine Mulvany,

Julie Leto, Roxanne St. Claire

Mass Market Paperback, 421 pages

Pocket Books

September 26, 2006

Genres: Christmas Romance,

Contemporary Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

This book contains 4 short Christmas stories:

1. "Christmas of the Red Chiefs"  -- Linda Lael Miller

Ms. Miller delivers a holiday miracle in the bittersweet tale of a young woman who can't hide her broken heart -- or her past -- when she returns to her hometown.

2. "Once Upon a Christmas" -- Catherine Mulvany

Ms. Mulvany spins a fairy tale come true.  They flirted as teenagers, but it takes time -- and some divine intervention -- to bring two star-crossed lovers together at last.

3. "Meltdown" -- Julie Leto

M.s Leto pairs fire and ice in "Meltdown," the sensual tale of a Cuban-American PR whiz whose job description includes thawing out her CEO boss's frosty image.

4. "You Can Count on Me" -- Roxanne St. Claire

Ms. St. Claire unwraps the thrills of Christmas in New York, where a female bodyguard toys with a dangerous desire for a mysterious hunk while protecting his young daughter.

Oh, this one sounds absolutely fabulous!

Four magical, romantic Christmas tales!

I know I'm going to love this book when I do

manage to get to it -- which will

hopefully be before the

Three Wise Men arrive on January 6th!

Follow My Book Blog Friday Hop #15

Happy Follow Friday!!

This weekly feature is hosted by

Rachel at Parajunkee's View 

and 

Alison at Alison Can Read.

Rachel not only has fabulous features,

but is a web designer

'par excellence'!!

Alison has a beautiful and very

interesting blog!

You can find the rules at the links above.

Join in the fun and make new blogging friends!!

This week's featured blogs are:

Books Are Vital

and

Once Upon A Time!!!

This week's question is:

When you’ve read a book,

what do you do with it?

( Keep it, give it away, donate it,

sell it, swap it..? )

Well, first of all, I consider books to be sacred treasures, which is why, incidentally, I will never own a Kindle!  Or a Nook, for that matter.  Or any other ereader.  A book is more than just words and sentences, whether printed or digital.  A book is a valuable object in itself.  It's a work of art.  It's incredibly precious!  Even the lowliest paperback has that distinction for me!  Therefore, I do not treat books lightly. 

If I love a book's plot and characters, I will definitely keep it, even if I never read it again.  (I always plan to do just that, of course, but life usually gets in the way....)  The book has joined my group of accumulated sacred treasures!  If I totally dislike a book, I have no problem getting rid of it, though.  I will usually donate it to the public library, or give it away to whoever I think might get something out of it.

As for swapping books -- that's not for me at all.  I don't like reading books that have been handled by others.  Maybe it's because they leave their "vibes" on the book.  Maybe it's because they haven't treated the book with the proper reverence.  There are people who fold a page over to mark their place in a book.  I cringe when I see that.... Then there are those who turn the front cover of a paperback over, as if the paperback were a magazine.  The result is that the book's spine not only gets creased, but also tilted.  No, no, no!!  I can't stand seeing that!! 

Another reason I dislike the idea of swapping books is because, if I really like a book, I feel a very strong bond with it.  Thus, I just can't bear to let it go!  It has become part of me.  I would have to tear a chunk of me off, if I were to swap it with someone else.

So it's either keep it or get rid of it for me!  And, if I decide to keep a book, I give it a lot of TLC!  I laminate paperbacks, for example.  Yes, I buy rolls of clear plastic on Amazon, and cover my paperbacks with it.  First I write my full name, as well as the year I bought the book, on the inside front cover.  Then I proceed with the plastic.   With hardcovers, I will laminate the dust jacket, and either write my name and year of purchase inside the front cover, or paste a book plate on the very first page, with the same information.

Last but most definitely not least, I never, ever lend my books to anyone.  That's bibliophile's heresy for me! 

What do you all like

to do with

the books you've read?

Waiting On Wednesday #22: Pandemonium, by Lauren Oliver

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill @  Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

Here's my pick for this week!!

Pandemonium
(Delirium #2)
Lauren Oliver
Hardcover, 375 pages
HarperTeen
March 6, 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian Fiction, Romance


From the Goodreads Synopsis

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Again I must confess to not having read

the first book of this series...

I do own it, too!

The whole premise for these novels is

that love is an affliction that can be cured,

so no one needs to suffer

all the potential negative consequences

that love brings.

I can only plead lack of time,

as well as so many, many books

clamoring for my attention...

A new year dawns, however,

and with it comes...

The 2012 TBR Pile

Reading Challenge!!!

So there's hope for me yet!

Because I have every intention of getting

into this series.

Totally and irrevocably!! 

Oh, and this is one of those books

with a cover that looks like

a painting in an art gallery!

What fantastic books are you all

eagerly

looking forward to this week?

Author Serendipity #2: Katherine Govier

This is a new monthly feature which will hightight those authors I have recently discovered, and whose books I would love to read.  Such discoveries might come about through browsing on the Internet, a chance encounter with an interesting book in a bookstore (I no longer go to libraries -- it's much too painful), or through other bloggers' recommendations.

The authors I choose will be those who write in my favorite genres, and might be either emerging authors, or have been in print for a while.  They will, however, be entirely new to me.

I hope you will enjoy this monthly feature, and will also decide to acquaint yourselves with the authors I present here!

Here's my second discovery!!

Katherine Govier

(Born July 4, 1948)

Goodreads/Wikipedia Bio*

Katherine Govier is a Canadian novelist born in Edmonton, Alberta, educated at the University of Alberta and York University.  She has been made a Distinguished Alumna of the University of Alberta, and is one of York University's "Famous Fifty" graduates.

She is the author of nine novels and three short story collections. Her most recent novel, The Printmaker's Daughter (aka The Ghost Brush), is about the daughter of the famous Japanese printmaker, Hokusai, creator of "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa", which is part of a series of woodblock prints, titled "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji". 

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa

Katsushika Hokusai

(c. 1829 -32)

Govier's fiction and non-fiction has appeared in the United Kingdom, the United States, and throughout the Commonwealth, and in translation in Holland, Italy, Turkey, and Slovenia. She is the winner of Canada's Marian Engel Award for a woman writer (1997) and the Toronto Book Award (1992), for her 1991 novel, Hearts of Flame.  Another novel, Creation, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year in 2003.Govier has been instrumental in establishing two innovative writing programs. In 1989, with teacher Trevor Owen, she helped found Writers in Electronic Residence. She also helped design, and taught in a program at Sheridan College, in Canada, for immigrant and refugee writers.

She is also the editor of two collections of travel essays.

(* all links provided by A Night's Dream of Books)

The Printmaker's Daughter

Katherine Govier

Paperback, 320 pages

HarperCollins Publishers

November 22, 2011

Genres: Art, Historical Fiction,

Literary Fiction

From the Amazon Synopsis

Recounting the story of her life, Oei plunges us into the colorful world of nineteenth-century Edo, in which courtesans rub shoulders with poets, warriors consort with actors, and the arts flourish in an unprecedented moment of creative upheaval. Oei and Hokusai live among writers, novelists, and tattoo artists, evading the spies of the repressive shogunate as they work on Hokusai’s countless paintings and prints. Wielding her brush, rejecting domesticity in favor of dedication to the arts, Oei defies all expectations of womanhood—all but one. A dutiful daughter to the last, she will obey the will of her eccentric father, the man who created her and who, ultimately, will rob her of her place in history.

Katherine Govier reads at the

"Word On The Street Festival" in Toronto, Canada,

on September 28, 2008.  

This is another Govier novel:

Angel Walk

Katherine Govier

Trade Paperback, 576 pages

Vintage Canada

April 11, 2000

(first published 1996)

Genres: Art, Historical Fiction,

Literary Fiction

From the Goodreads Synopsis

At eighty-five, Cory Ditchburn has finally agreed to a retrospective of her art.

As she sorts through her photographs with Tyke, the son she abandoned for her love and for World War II, each image projects Cory into one of the split-seconds that have strung themselves together as her life. Her pictures give her back the story of her past - from her beginnings in Pointe au Baril, Ontario, a place of rocky islands and forests; to her days in London, England, where she honed her skills as a photographer and met the great love of her life; to war-ravaged Europe where she worked as a war correspondent for Lord Beaverbrook.

Together, Cory and Tyke retrace the dramatic and sometimes painful path that has led them to the present. Mother and son reclaim each other, and relive an extraordinary woman's life.

Bravo!Fact video adapted from Angel Walk, 

directed by Mitch Gabourie and screened

at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival.