Category Feature Posts

Jan 8 2016
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Tackling the TBR [7]: January 2016

tackling the TBR

It’s once again time for my favorite feature: Tackling the TBR! There’s nothing I love more than picking out which books to read next, and this slightly organized method of reading has really amped my enjoyment to the next level. Bring on the mantras!

Read the best books first.
&
Life is too short to read books you’re not enjoying.

However you put together your TBR for the next month, the goal is to reduce the amount of obligation in reading and increase the fun.

You may have noticed that this feature (and my blogging presence in general) kind of disappeared over the last few months. I’ve still had a mental tally of the books I want to read each month, but blogging and actually getting to enjoy those books was almost impossible as I did everything I could to deal with an eye strain injury and extreme nausea that came along with my first pregnancy. Luckily, I’m feeling a little more like myself and am on the mend – let the reading/blogging resume!

Here’s a look at how the system works:

1. Identify the titles that take top priority in your TBR.
2. Combine them all in your own Tackling the TBR post.
3. Throughout the month pick from that pile as the mood strikes you.

Here’s what mine looks like:

January 2016 TBR Tackler Shelf:

There is a great caliber of authors on this list, but I think I’m most excited to finish off the Paradox series with Heaven’s Queen.

Now, I can tell you from experience that this Tackling the TBR experiment is so much more fun and rewarding when there’s more than one person (me) participating. Does anybody want to play along?

Even if you don’t specifically use my system, feel free to share your versions of how you manage your TBR pile (and the links to your posts if applicable) in the comments!

Maybe we can help make each other’s systems even better. :)

What books are you Tackling this month?

by Niki Hawkes

Jan 6 2016
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Bout of Books Read-a-thon! (4)

bout of books

This is my favorite Read-a-thon to participate in, and even though I’m still dealing with an eye strain injury, I’m going to give it a go! (Are you all sick of hearing about my eyes yet? I sure am sick of talking about it… and, you know, dealing with it). Even when fully healthy, I’ve learned that I just can’t seem to compete with the numbers I put up during my first BoB (I was a reading machine!), So my goals this time around are somewhat less ambitious than they have been in the past.

Here’s a little more about the event:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 4th and runs through Sunday, January 10th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 15 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

Niki’s Goals:

– Finish 3 books

– Read 800 pages

– Don’t overdo it (eyes)

that’s it.

Here’s a look at the books on my immediate radar:
(subject to change if I see something shiny)

Three of my options are audiobooks, so I can still feel like I’m accomplishing something if my eyes don’t cooperate.

Daily Updates:

 Monday:

Pages: 120 / Books Finished: 0

 Tuesday:

Pages: 47 / Books Finished: 0

Wednesday:

Pages:  170 / Books Finished: 1

 Thursday:

Pages: 128 / Books Finished: 0

Friday:

Pages: 134 / Books Finished: 1

Saturday:

Pages: 139 / Books Finished: 0

 Sunday:

Pages: 176 / Books Finished: 0

Total:

Pages: 914 / Books Finished: 2

Two out of three goals completed! Not bad. :)

by Niki Hawkes

Dec 31 2015
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Top Ten Most Anticipated Book Releases in Early 2016!

top ten tuesday

Yeah, yeah – I know I missed Tuesday again. 2016 might be the year I dance to my own drum. In any case, here’s a look at the new releases in 2016 that I am just dying to get a hold of:

Top Ten Most Anticipated Book Releases in Early 2016!

With so many good options, how do I pick a favorite? It might come down to the new Mercy Thompson book against the new Selection book… thank goodness I don’t have to buy just one!

What books are you most excited for?

by Niki Hawkes

Dec 16 2015
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Niki’s Top Ten Favorite Books of 2015!

top ten tuesday

Okay, I know I missed Tuesday, but this is one of my favorite topics, so I’m doing it anyway:

Niki’s Top Ten Favorite Books of 2015!

I’m sure the caliber of authors doesn’t surprise anyone – they’re popular for a reason, after all. What surprises me is how difficult it was to narrow the list down to just ten titles. “Read the best books first, for you may not have the chance to read them all” really is a mantra worth having. It is really difficult to pick a favorite, but if push came to shove, I select Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb.

What were your favorite reads of 2015?

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 2 2015
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Tackling the TBR [6]: October 2015

tackling the TBR

October is here (and where the heck did September go so fast? I’d like to know…) and it’s once again time for my favorite feature: Tackling the TBR! There’s nothing I love more than picking out which books to read next, and this slightly organized method of reading has really amped my enjoyment to the next level. Bring on the mantras!

Read the best books first.
&
Life is too short to read books you’re not enjoying.

However you put together your TBR for the next month, the goal is to reduce the amount of obligation in reading and increase the fun.

And that’s exactly what it did – last month was an awesome month – I read about half of the books on my TBR Tackler Shelf (which, for my current state of improving eye health, was awesome), And am probably halfway through most of the remaining titles (I read more than one book at a time… Does anybody else do that?).

Here’s a look at how the system works:

1. Identify the titles that take top priority in your TBR.
2. Combine them all in your own Tackling the TBR post.
3. Throughout the month pick from that pile as the mood strikes you.

Here’s what mine looks like:

October 2015 TBR Tackler Shelf:

Of all these titles, I’m probably most excited for the new Jim Butcher book! Although the conclusion to the Paradox series by Rachel Bach is also incredibly appealing…

Now, I can tell you from experience that this Tackling the TBR experiment is so much more fun and rewarding when there’s more than one person (me) participating. Does anybody want to play along?

Even if you don’t specifically use my system, feel free to share your versions of how you manage your TBR pile (and the links to your posts if applicable) in the comments!

Maybe we can help make each other’s systems even better. :)

What books are you Tackling this month?

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 14 2015
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Niki’s Top Ten Favorite Audiobook Experiences!

top ten tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This is a freebie week for the TTT feature, and since I’ve had this post up my sleeve for a few months now, I’m tickled to finally have an excuse to share it. When evaluating an audiobook, it seems like you have to consider more than just the basic writing, character, setting, etc. that you usually do with a book. You also have to consider the voice of the reader and their overall performance. I’ve listened to several books that came alive in a way that words on a page just couldn’t. Conversely, I’ve listened to many that seem to take all of the things I loved about the written version and poo all over it. I find myself on an endless hunt for new audiobook series that have the perfect mix of amazing story and performance, but here are the ones I’ve discovered so far:

Niki’s Top Ten Favorite Audiobook Experiences!

The Harry Potter Series – Jim Dale
The Kingkiller Chronicles – Nick Podehl
The Stormlight Archive – Michael Kramer & Kate Reading
The Gentleman Bastards – Michael Page
The Expanse – Jefferson Mays
The Red Rising Trilogy – Tim Gerard Reynolds
The Dresden Files – James Marsters
The Hunger Games Trilogy – Carolyn McCormick
The Game of Thrones Series – Roy Dotrice
The Riley Jensen Series – Justine Eyer

I think taking a chance on an audiobook is almost more risky than taking a chance on a new book – it certainly costs a lot more (generally) and there’s that extra performance-quality factor to consider. Thank goodness Audible offers guaranteed listens, that’s all I’m saying.

What are some of your favorite audiobook experiences?

by Niki Hawkes