March 2013 Update

In March I read 14 books, four of them quite short. It has been a month of series as 11 of the books are part of just 5 different series.

List of books read in March:

1. Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa
2. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa  
3. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
4. Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa
5. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
7. The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
8. Witches on Parole by Debora Geary
9. Witches under Way by Debora Geary
10. Witches in Flight by Debora Geary
11. American Vampire by J.R. Rain 
12. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder  
13. Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong
14. Worm: The First Digital World War by Mark Bowden 

All posts from March are Here.

Worm: The First Digital World War by Mark Bowden

The Conficker worm infected its first computer in November 2008 and within a month had infiltrated 1.5 million computers in 195 countries. Banks, telecommunications companies, and critical government networks (including the British Parliament and the French and German military) were infected. No one had ever seen anything like it. By January 2009 the worm lay hidden in at least eight million computers and the botnet of linked computers that it had created was big enough that an attack might crash the world.
Surprisingly, the U.S. government was only vaguely aware of the threat that Conficker posed, and the task of mounting resistance fell to disparate but gifted group of geeks, Internet entrepreneurs, and computer programmers. They formed what came to be called the Conficker Cabal, and began a tireless fight against the worm. But when Conficker’s controllers became aware that their creation was beginning to encounter resistance, they began refining the worm’s code to make it more difficult to trace and more powerful testing the Cabal’s unity and resolve. Will the Cabal lock down the worm before it is too late? Game on.
Worm reports on the fascinating battle between those determined to exploit the internet and those committed to protect it. From Goodreads

If I had not read this book for a challenge I would probably not have read it. I was in doubt whether to give it one or two Polar Bears, it ended up with two as there were aspects I found interesting but it was unfortunately not enough for a better rating.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Serious Readers 2013
Tower Teams Read 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (245 pages)
2013 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (245 pages)

Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong

Jaime Vegas—spiritualist, entertainer and, unbeknownst to her audience, real-life necromancer—swore she’d never do another reality ghost show after the last fiasco. But when she’s railroaded into a charity gig, she finds herself back on the set, this time with a cast of photogenic college kids, an up-and¬-coming Russian spiritualist, and a tale of missing girls and murder in New England. It’s cheesy, but that’s show business. With her werewolf Alpha lover, Jeremy Danvers, along to keep her nights interesting, it’s not so bad really. Until the bloody ghosts show up. Jaime has never faced spirits like these, and no matter how hard she tries, they won’t be ignored. From Goodreads

I have read all 13 books of the Women of the Otherworld series and enjoyed them all. I am now trying to read some of the short stories set in the Otherworld.
This story didn't disappoint, as usual, in the spirit world, things aren't what they seem.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (99 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (ghosts)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (99 pages)

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before....
Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear. From Goodreads

Not as great as the first two books in the series but still an enjoyable read. I wish I had read this series before the Glass series as in this book we are introduced to some of the characters from the Glass series.
One of the enemies in this book is not an expected one and I like those kind of surprises. Yelena also learns some tough lessons in this book, among others that not everybody should be saved.
As far as I can gather there are going to be more books in this series and I am looking forward to reading them when they get published - I think the next is set for 2014 but I will keep an eye out for it.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (magic)
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (448 pages)

American Vampire by J.R. Rain

Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire.
Now in AMERICAN VAMPIRE, sequel to VAMPIRE MOON, private investigator Samantha Moon receives a heartbreaking phone call from a very unlikely source: a five-year-old girl who's been missing for three months. Now on the hunt, Samantha will use her considerable resources - including her growing supernatural abilities - to locate the missing girl before it's too late. And as she gets closer and closer to the horrible truth, she receives devastating news on the home front. Now with her world turned upside down, Samantha Moon is forced to make the ultimate choice of life and death.
And through it all, she discovers the identity of one mysterious man...a man she has grown to love. From Goodreads.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series but the second disappointed me. Unfortunately this third book didn't improve in my opinion. I have got the next 3 books but I think I will put them quite low on my TBR pile.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (245 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (vampire)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (245 pages)

Witches in Flight by Debora Geary

Ghosts from Lizard's past--and the man who wants to be her future.
The empty places in Elsie's soul--and the temptations of raspberry-laced courage.
Walk once more with Jennie's students as they come to the end of their WitchLight journeys. From Goodreads.

I have chosen to do only one post for these 3 books as I have read them back to back from Friday evening to Sunday morning (4am).
I thoroughly enjoy Debora Geary's witch books.
This is not part of the Modern Witch series but they take place in Witch Central just like them and the characters from there are all part of this book plus a few more non witches from the community. There are of course a lot of sad moments in these books but I really like that they actually makes me giggle a lot.
Now I just have to wait for the next book in the Modern Witch series to be published.
Update: I have had to split this post in three after all as I can't use the same link for different books in some of my reading challenges.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challeng
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (witch)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (413 pages)
2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Witches under Way by Debora Geary

Lizard and Elsie are under way, but the WitchLight journey isn't an easy one.
There are bumps and obstacles inside their own hearts.
There are meddling witches, helpful knitters, and a fearsome duo with water pistols.
And there is the greatest challenge of all... the one they will pick for each other. From Goodreads

I have chosen to do only one post for these 3 books as I have read them back to back from Friday evening to Sunday morning (4am).
I thoroughly enjoy Debora Geary's witch books.
This is not part of the Modern Witch series but they take place in Witch Central just like them and the characters from there are all part of this book plus a few more non witches from the community. There are of course a lot of sad moments in these books but I really like that they actually makes me giggle a lot.
Now I just have to wait for the next book in the Modern Witch series to be published.
Update: I have had to split this post in three after all as I can't use the same link for different books in some of my reading challenges.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (witch)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (419 pages)
2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Witches on Parole by Debora Geary

Two pendants. Two students. And it’s entirely possible they didn’t volunteer.
World-famous (and now retired) photographer Jenvieve Adams has a debt to repay—and a soft spot for witches who have lost their way. Or so she thinks, until they actually show up.
Join some of the cast of characters from the very successful A Modern Witch series as they take on a new kind of journey as guides for WitchLight. What happens when an obsessive psychologist and a wordsmithing delinquent get dropped into Witch Central? From Goodreads.

I have chosen to do only one post for these 3 books as I have read them back to back from Friday evening to Sunday morning (4am).
I thoroughly enjoy Debora Geary's witch books.
This is not part of the Modern Witch series but they take place in Witch Central just like them and the characters from there are all part of this book plus a few more non witches from the community. There are of course a lot of sad moments in these books but I really like that they actually makes me giggle a lot.
Now I just have to wait for the next book in the Modern Witch series to be published.
Update: I have had to split this post in three after all as I can't use the same link for different books in some of my reading challenges.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 1st In A Series Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (witch)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (421 pages)
2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne

Tigger finds his way to the Hundred Acre Wood, and Pooh and his friends meet the bounciest creature they've ever seen. He can climb trees (but not down), and sometimes his bounce lands gloomy donkeys in the water. Will the others succeed in unbouncing him? From Goodreads

Very cute, a sad ending and a lot of words of wisdom from Pooh. Definitely worth a read.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (101 pages)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (101 pages)
2013 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

The impossible has been accomplished. The Lord Ruler - the man who claimed to be God incarnate and brutally ruled the world for a thousand years - has been vanquished. But Kelsier, the hero who masterminded that triumph, is dead too, and now the awesome task of building a new world has been left to his young protégé, Vin, the former street urchin who is now the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and to the idealistic young nobleman she loves.
As Kelsier's protégé and slayer of the Lord Ruler she is now venerated by a budding new religion, a distinction that makes her intensely uncomfortable. Even more worrying, the mists have begun behaving strangely since the Lord Ruler died, and seem to harbor a strange vaporous entity that haunts her.
Stopping assassins may keep Vin's Mistborn skills sharp, but it's the least of her problems. Luthadel, the largest city of the former empire, doesn't run itself, and Vin and the other members of Kelsier's crew, who lead the revolution, must learn a whole new set of practical and political skills to help. It certainly won't get easier with three armies - one of them composed of ferocious giants - now vying to conquer the city, and no sign of the Lord Ruler's hidden cache of atium, the rarest and most powerful allomantic metal.
As the siege of Luthadel tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows. From Goodreads.

This is a brilliant second book in a series. There are still lots of things happening and surprises around every corner. Nothing is as it seems. I am looking forward to reading the last book in this trilogy. I know there are now more books in this series but the newer books take place 300 years later.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
2013 Ebook Challenge
TEA & BOOKS Reading Challenge 2013 (765 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (magic)
2013 Mammoth Book Challenge (765 pages)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (765 pages)

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life. . . . From Goodreads

This is an interesting book. It is a grim and scarily possible future. Children are working hard - if they are lucky enough to have a job and then struggling to survive after hours. The crew members trust one another but  this does not rule out betrayal.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
Dystopia Reading Challenge 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 1st In A Series Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (326 pages)
2013 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge

The Iron Fey #3.5 + #3.6 by Julie Kagawa

Summer's Crossing: A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.
Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.From Goodreads.

Ash's Letter To Meghan: Get set to swoon: read Ash's heart-rending final letter to Meghan. From Goodreads.

A short story (52 pages) and a one page love letter.
I enjoyed the short story as it is an interesting relationship between Ash and Puck. Once very close friends now not so, but still even though they try to be bitter enemies it is not as convincing anymore. They need to help each other.
The love letter was okay and shows the feelings Ash has for Meghan.

This book (Summer's Crossing) qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (52 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (fey)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (52 pages)

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

In less than twenty-four hours I'll be seventeen.
Although technically, I won't actually be turning seventeen. I've been in the Nevernever too long. When you're in Faery, you don't age. So while a year has passed in the real world, age wise I'm probably only a few days older than when I went in.
In real life, I've changed so much I don't even recognise myself.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.
This time, there will be no turning back.  From Goodreads.




The fight against the Iron Fey has brought Winter and Summer together because they can't beat them alone. They also send for Meghan and Ash even though they have been banished, they are Nevernever's only hope. Looking forward to read The Iron Knight.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (Fey)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (358 pages)

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fitted in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey – ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan’s own fey powers have been cut off. She’s stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting the prince who betrayed her, deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can’t help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart. From Goodreads.

The second book in the Iron Fey series. I am enjoying this series at the moment and I am about to start the third book right away. I keep wanting Winter Fey to be evil and summer Fey to be good in all the books I have read about them. But the thing is that no Fey are good, not for humans anyway.
This book is about the eternal fight between summer and winter, with the new iron Fey thrown into the equation. I am looking forward to see where all this is heading.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (Fey)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
2013 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (361 pages)

Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.
Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat.... From Goodreads

A 49 page short novella that leads up to the next book in the series. I am looking forward to continue this series about Meghan and the Fey.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (49 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (fey)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (49 pages)
2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge (free on Amazon.uk 8th of May 2011)

February 2013 Update

This month I have read 12 books which I am very satisfied with since I have also started working again. According to Goodreads I am 10 books ahead of schedule, not bad this early in the year.

List of books read in February:

1. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stace
2. A Different Witch by Debora Geary
3. Twist by Dannika Dark 
4. Cross My Heart by Abigail Strom
5. Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder 
6. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
7. Become by Ali Cross
8. Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker 
9. Old Before My Time: Hayley Okines' Life with Progeria by Hayley Okines, Kerry Okines, Alison Stokes  
10. Winging It! by Shel Delisle
11. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 
12. Skellig by David Almond

All my posts from February can be found HERE

Skellig by David Almond

"Ten-year-old Michael was looking forward to moving into a new house. But now his baby sister is ill, his parents are frantic, and Doctor Death has come to call. Michael feels helpless. Then he steps into the crumbling garage. . . . What is this thing beneath the spiderwebs and dead flies? A human being, or a strange kind of beast never before seen? The only person Michael can confide in is his new friend, Mina. Together they carry the creature out into the light, and Michael's world changes forever. . .  From Goodreads.

Michael is going through a hard time. His baby sister is seriously ill and they have moved to a crappy house. Then he finds Skellig, the strange beast and together with Mina, his new friend, he nurses him back to health. A story about both sorrow and hope.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (176 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (angel)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (176 pages)
2013 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

On his way to visit his recently divorced father in the Canadian mountains, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is the only survivor when the single-engine plane crashes. His body battered, his clothes in shreds, Brian must now stay alive in the boundless Canadian wilderness.
More than a survival story, Hatchet is a tale of tough decisions. When all is stripped down to the barest essentials, Brian discovers some stark and simple truths: Self-pity doesn't work. Despair doesn't work. And if Brian is to survive physically as well as mentally, he must discover courage. From Goodreads.

 

A very good adventure book about survival. Brian finds out that survival is not as easy as it seems in the films. Brian also learns that a small mistake can become serious within a minute. It is an easy, catching read.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (208 pages)
2013 1st In A Series Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (208 pages)