100 Book Challenge for 2013

Okay! So 2013 is going to be the year that I finally reach my goal of reading 100 books within one year. In the past, I only counted "fun" reads but this year I decided that it wouldn't be cheating if I include the books I read for work as well.

To be honest, I enjoy non-fiction so why not? The books I read as a school counselor, behavioral specialist, and special education consultant may be of interest to some of you out there in blog land anyway!

If you want to take a peek at some of the books I read for work, head on over to my professional blog: The Helpful Counselor and check them out. You may be interested in 29 Books to End Bullying or 10 Great Books That Can Help an Angry Child .

I have several...okay maybe close to 50 (or so) books, okay maybe closer to 75 books that I have collected and have vowed to read before bringing any more into the house.

One of my favorite things to do as a book addict is to discover a series of books after several (hopefully the whole series) has been published. I'm impatient and waiting for the next installment in a series is a cruel form of torture, such as Game of Thrones. I love the series but the waiting is, well a cruel form of torture.

So as I yearn for the next installment of the Game of Thrones, I will my horde of books. Maybe I'll find a few new favorites that leave me begging for more...

Follow me to follow my progress and hopefully we'll discover a few more gems!

What do you like to read? Fiction? Non-Fiction?

Happy Reading!
~Heather

Check out the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin; they are amazing!

 

14 Great Science Fiction Books - The Ultimate Epic Quest

I have been a science fiction fan for over 30 years and I want to know why I am just now hearing about Terry Brooks and his Shannara Series! Well, actually...I am just now coming out of a 14 book reading binge.

As the name of my blog implies, there are too many good books out there and not enough time to read them all. I am what I describe as an emotional reader; I read books that fit my mood. Everything from Politics, Science, Classic Lit, Poetry, Short Story, Graphic Novel, you name it! I read it, if I'm in the mood. So for me to plow through thousands and thousands of pages by the same author, in a short amount of time, says a lot about that author's work!

What made my reading spree even more fantastical is that all 14 books were part of one over-arching story! Science Fiction heaven! Us Sci-Fi fans love our created worlds and rich characters and Terry Brooks' literary feat transports the reader right next to a bevy of characters.

Reviewing each one would just rob you of precious minutes that you could use to read Terry Brooks, so I will provide a real brief framework overview:

The Elfstones of Shannara

All of the books follow the classic "hero's journey" formula. We have the unlikely hero who is called to take part in a quest. The hero is always a member/descendants of a character who was infused with the magic of elf stones. The power of the Elfstones manifests differently with each decedent. As with every hero's journey, the main character develops/matures as they discover their talent/ability and overcome an obstacle with the help of a mentor. In the case of the Shannara Series, the mentor is always a Druid (decedents of humans that have devoted their life to the protection of the Four Lands and the development of their magical knowledge and ability).

The Sword of Shannara

The Wishsong of Shannara                                                   

                                                               

The Heritage of Shannara:

The Scions of Shannara

                         

                                 The Druid of Shannara

The Elf Queen of Shannara

The Talismans of Shannara

The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara:

Ilse Witch

Anthrax

Morgawr

High Druid of Shannara:

Jarka Russ

                 

                Tanequil

Straken

I discovered 8 more novels, plus a graphic novel and novella, in this series as I was looking up the book jackets for this post. With that being said...I gotta get to reading!

Happy Reading!

Heather

Total Score at a Library Book Sale

I grabbed a box full of Terry Brooks books at a library sale over the summer. I sort of stumbled upon him and am loving it because I don't have to wait until his next book comes out. I have 4 full sets of his series plus Running with Demons. All of which are absolutely wonderful (so far...)

I have read his first Shannara series and can only say that I could't get enough...hence why I am so tickled that I have that box to fullfill my need for my fix. So far I have read 7 of his books in a row and am working on my 8th.

I promise to come back with some reviews...I have spring break coming up. Hmmm....spring cleaning by the way of catching up on my reviews. The problem is that I would rather be readig, but then that's a good problem.

Have no fear fellow book lovers, I am alive and well and getting every bit of epic fantasy as possible!

Happy Reading!
~Heather

I found another great book contest/giveaway!

Turning Into YA Books is having a 75 follower giveaway. It ends on 4/30/10. Check out what's up for grabs:

Take Time for Your Life - Book Review 4 Stars

Take Time for Your Life by Cheryl Richardson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In all honesty, I would rather rate this a 3 1/2. However, Goodreads does not allow that option and I am leaning more towards the 4 mark. While the main principles Richardson uses to guide the readers into taking care of themselves are basic, they are practical none the less.

The biggest thing that helped me was identifying my energy drains and setting my "must do list." With a world in which faster is better and quantity often beats quality, it is nice to reaffirm yourself that you do not need to do/have it all. Taking stock and setting your priorities allow you to get the most out of life without stressing yourself to the point that you cannot enjoy it.

I recommend this book for people who feel that there life is moving to fast and have a difficult time juggling everything all at once. Set all of those balls you are juggling down, grab your spouse/partner/child/friend, and focus on them. Your relationships will give you a satisfaction that cannot be obtained by material objects (yes, I mean money too!)

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Storywings Humongo Giveaway - Go Check Out Her Blog!

I probably shouldn't pass this on, cause it decreases my chances of winning, but the more followers Storywings gets the more she is going to give away. This is the pile already!

* Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
* Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
* Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
* Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
* Going too Far by Jennifer Echols
* City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
* Ballad by Maggie Steifvater
* Shiver by Maggie Steifvater
* Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
* Firespell by Chloe Neil
* Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
* Darklight by Lesley Livingston
* Fallen by Lauren Kate
* Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
* Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
* The Iron King by Kagawa
* Twilight of Avalon by Anna Elliot
* Next of Kin by John Boyne
* Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
* Hourglass by Claudia Gray
* First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost
* Wish by Alexandra Bullen
* The Red Queens Daughter by Jacqueline Kolosov
* Storm Glass by Maria V Snyder
* Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
* Flirt by Laurell K Hamilton
* Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
* Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
* The Stand by Stephen King
* Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
* Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
* Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy
* The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue
* Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs by Gerry Bartlett
* Intertwined by Gena Showalter
* Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
* Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
* Hate List by Jennifer Brown
* The Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
* The Call Me Death by Missy Jane
* Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alexander
* Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
* Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
* The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray
* Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
* Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
* Shadowfae by Erica Hayes
* Need by Carrie Jones
* The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy
* Darkborn by Alison Sinclair
* Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
* The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
* The Maze Runner by James Dashner
* Dark Divine by Bree Despain
* Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
* Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

Edge Chronicles - Beyond The Deepwoods * 5 Stars

Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
All I have to say is WOW and why am I just discovering this series. One good thing about discovering a series after it has been out for awhile is that I get to plow through them all at once instead of waiting.

While structured as a classic quest story, Beyond the Deepwoods is anything but predictable. Sure we have the small insignificant Twig that find himself on a journey that leads him into peril and self discover. The familiarity of an epic quest only sets the stage for a world filled with imagination and possibilities.

I have to say that I love the characters. All of them! They are extremely unique and add to the overall story to a point where it wouldn't be the same without them.

The best thing about the story is that I read it aloud to my 7 year-old daughter. Almost everyday before we got ready for bed she would urge me to hurry so she could see "what Twig is up to."

This is a great read for all ages. I found it in the children's section of my library but don't let that fool you. I am just as excited to see what Twig is up to as my daughter!

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