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October 2014 Recap!

Review Recap

 October was a rough month for the obsessive bookseller. Some of you might know that I’ve been dealing with a crippling dual-wrist injury and I had a particularly bad flareup right at the beginning of the month. I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to keep my new job, so the blog kind of got put on the back burner while I focused every energy I had on getting better. I am not totally healed yet, but things are looking better.

In addition to all of that, I lost my Grandmama… Like I said, it has been a really rough month. I might do a small tribute post for her later to celebrate the life she had, but for now I’d like to just talk about the number one thing we had in common: our love of books.

Books Read:

I have a love-hate relationship with the books I read this month. The top row was fantastic – I especially loved The Assassin King – but the bottom row left a little to be desired. I didn’t like The First Confessor or The Magician’s Apprentice at all, and the other two were solid three-star books but left a little to be desired (don’t hurt me! I know many, many people who loved both). I am actually a little proud of myself because all of these books at one point or another were on my “books I REALLY want to read” list, so at least I’m consistently picking up high-priority titles… Life’s too short to do anything else.

Books Reviewed:

Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs – 5/5 stars!

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer – 4/5 stars

Well, if I was going to review only two books I guess these are as good as any. I think the covers of both are gorgeous and they are both paranormal werewolf books that I’d highly recommend, so there you have it.

Top Ten Tuesday Features:

Top Ten Series I Want to Start!

 I think I am finally at that point where most of the TTT topics are starting to repeat themselves. I’ve been participating in the feature for well over a year now and, although the topics are worded differently, the books I would choose are nearly identical to the lists I did ages ago. Because of this, I probably should consider dropping the feature unless it’s a topic I’m really inspired by. It’s actually my most popular feature, but I can’t help but think a lot of those are just “hey, I’m commenting on this post so hopefully you will come comment on mine” type of visits that really aren’t helping anybody out. Although, I have met some amazing bloggers through the feature… Hell, I don’t know. I guess a lot will depend on how fresh the topics are going forward. I think I’m making this a lot more complicated than it has to be.

Waiting on Wednesday Features:

 Okay, so I admit my lack of activity with this feature has less to do with what I’ve been going through and more to do with the lack of upcoming titles on my book horizon Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of books coming out that I want to read between now and next May, but I’ve kind of sort of already featured them all. For the record, The Heir is very near the top of that priority list.

That’s my month in reading… How was yours?

by Niki Hawkes

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September 2014: Review Recap!

Review Recap

 As usual, I read a lot more books this month than I actually posted about… This made me think that maybe I should include a separate category for “read” books to go alongside my “reviewed” books. I’ve seen a lot of other bloggers do this, and I actually kind of like it, but have been hesitating to do it myself because of an irrational fear that no one will want to read the reviews if they already know what’s coming. The key word is “irrational” because I’m so far behind in reviewing the books that it really doesn’t matter. Although, there are a few books that I reviewed immediately, so then there’s the problem of “double dipping.”

 I think I’m putting far too much thought into this.

 Anyway, here’s a look at this fantastic month of reading and reviewing:

 Books Read:

 While I didn’t get a lot of reviewing done, I certainly got a lot of reading done. The two week vacation certainly didn’t hurt me on that front. I LOVED all of these books, so it’s really difficult to pick a favorite, but I think I’d have to go with Silver Shadows. Interestingly enough, my least favorite read this month was Heir of Fire (Gasp! Blasphemy!). It just goes to show the caliber of books I’ve been picking up lately.

 Books Reviewed:

Dualed by Elsie Chapman – 2.5/5 stars

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine – 4/5 stars

Defy by Sara B. Larson – 4/5 stars

Spirit’s End by Rachel Aaron – 4/5 stars

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey – 4.5/5 stars

Sadly, I didn’t review nearly as many books as I plan to, but with the release of the first issue of our magazine (The Creative), the amazing cruise to Alaska, and my commitment to my new office job, I’m cutting myself a little slack. As much as I love Rachel Aaron, my favorite book reviewed this month was Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey.

 Waiting on Wednesday Features:

 This is a no-brainer – I’m most excited for the conclusion to the Bloodline series! Although, Glenda Larke is easily a close second!

 Top Ten Tuesday Features:

Top Ten Underrated Fantasy Authors!

Top Ten Books I’m Taking on My Cruise!

Top Ten Fantastic Authors I Need to Read More From!

Top Ten Books on My Fall 2014 TBR!

Escape Reality Book Club:

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

 My Review

 Adventures Beyond the Book Blog:

 I went to Alaska, and it was amazing! I’m going to do a full post for this as soon as I can get through my 4000+ pictures, but here are a few teasers:

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Looks amazing, eh?

 Did you have a good month in reading? Did you like seeing the books I’ve read alongside with the ones I reviewed?

by Niki Hawkes

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July 2014: Review Recap!

Review Recap

Although I started several amazing books, I only actually finished 2 novels throughout the entire month of July. I am a bit horrified at this. Considering I average 2.5 novels per week, 2 per month is just pathetic. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever read so little in a month, even when I was going through my Masters program. I blame 1) starting a new business with my husband and 2) a Wii game called Fortune Street that I’ve been playing with my mom several times a week. I certainly can’t blame the amount of excellent books in my TBR!

 However, all is not lost! If you caught my Book Review Conundrum post, you’re aware that I have over a dozen books that still need to be reviewed, so at least this month’s review posting wasn’t as sad as my reading habits.

Book Reviews:

Crashed by Robin Wasserman – 3/5 stars

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi – 3.5/5 stars

Prophecy by Elizabeth Haydon – 3.5/5 stars

Cinder by Marissa Meyer – 4/5 stars

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson – 4/5 stars

The Jewel by Amy Ewing – 4.5/5 stars

And my favorite:

The fiery heart

The Fiery Heart – 5/5 stars!

 Top Ten Tuesday Features:

Niki’s Top Ten Blogging Confessions

 Top Ten Movies and TV Shows

Top Ten Series I’d Take With Me on a Deserted Island

Top Ten Authors I Own the Most Books From

Waiting on Wednesday Features:

 Escape Reality Book Club:

August’s Selection:

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

That sums up my month! How was yours?

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June 2014: Review Recap!

Review Recap

As far as reviews on the blog are concerned this month, I totally kicked butt! Okay, so nine reviews (ten if you counts my first dual review as two books) is nowhere near as many as some of my fellow bloggers post, but for me it’s a couple more over my average so I’m happy. I’m on this new kick of reviewing a book as soon as I finish it (most of them, anyway) as well as playing a little catchup to the reviews I’ve had outstanding for months. It’s nice to know my concerted efforts are paying off. Anyway, as for the titles reviewed, there were some pretty good ones this month – further evidence that my “read the best books first” goal is paying off. I feel like I’m finally growing out of the habit of picking up books because I feel like I have to and I’m now almost exclusively reading the books that make me happiest in the moment (It’s way harder to do than it sounds). Here is a look at the titles:

 Push by Eve Silver – 2/5 stars

Mirror X by Karri Thompson – 2/5 stars

The Dragon’s Path by Daniel Abraham – 2.5/5 stars

Scarlet/Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen – 3/5 stars

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas – 4/5 stars

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo– 4/5 stars

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong – 4.5/5 stars

 Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau – 5/5 stars!

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson – 5/5 stars!

 So many great books! It’s hard to pick a favorite because my top three ratings are books from totally different genres. Crown of Embers is part of my new all-time favorite teen fantasy series, but Independent Study was such a fun read… Then you have Bitten, which then inspired me to go and watch the show and now I’m in love. Screw it! I love them all. It’s my blog and therefore I can have three favorite reads for June if I want to. ;-)

Waiting on Wednesday Features:

Although I am especially excited to read Talon, I think the book I most anticipating is In a Handful of Dust (I absolutely loved the first book).

 Top Ten Tuesday Features:

 Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far in 2014

Top Ten Books at the Top of my Summer 2014 TBR

 Top Ten Twenty Classic Fantasy Series

Top Ten Five Favorite Book Cover Attributes

 Some of my very favorites TTT posts happened this month. I love talking about favorite books I’ve read and picking which books I’m going to read.

Escape Reality Book Club:

July’s Selection

The Fifth Wave by Ricky Yancey

The Fifth Wave by Ricky Yancey

That sums up my month! How was yours?

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May 2014: Review Recap!

Review Recap

This was a fantastic month of reviews on The Obsessive Bookseller, as all of the books featured were rated three stars or higher. Having finally caught up with all of my “obligatory” reading (i.e. all of those digital ARCs I selfishly requested back in February), I finally am able to pick up the books that entice me the most… and there were some good ones:

Dragon’s Blood by Jane Yolen – 4.5/5 stars

The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead – 5/5 stars!

City of Dragons by Robin Hobb – 5/5 stars!

The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass – 4/5 stars

The One by Kiera Cass – 3/5 stars

 After the End by Amy Plum – 3.5/5 stars

And my favorite:

Not a drop to drink

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis – 4.5/5 stars

I have to say, The Immortal Crown almost got the number one spot, but McGinnis’ book was just too awesome to ignore (and that’s saying something, considering Mead is my favorite author)!

Waiting on Wednesday features:

 So many great titles coming out! I am most excited to read Snow Like Ashes – YA Fantasies are the best!

 Top Ten Tuesday Features:

Top Ten Books I’m Reading Before the Vegas Valley Book Festival 2014!

Top Ten Books My Friends Recommended!

 I missed two TTTs this month because I just wasn’t feeling the topic… And I loathe throwaway posts.

Escape Reality Book Club:

 May’s Selection / June’s Selection

Not much happening, we are just reading a couple of my FAVORITE BOOKS EVER! Join the geek-out club here

 How was your month in reading? :-)

by Niki Hawkes

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April 2014: Review Recap!

Review Recap

 This month I made a concerted effort to post more reviews. After all, it’s not as if I’m lacking in material to write about – I think at last counts I was almost 20 books behind in reviewing (ouch!). As a book blogger, that’s not a horrible problem to have, but I’m looking forward to the day when I’m only, say, five books behind. The trouble is that I have been on a huge YA kick and those books take practically no time at all to read. I think maybe as early as June I will be able to get back to reading robust fantasy novels again… In the meantime, here’s a look at what went down in April on The Obsessive Bookseller:

Book Reviews:

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas – 5/5 stars!

Abandon by Meg Cabot – 1/5 stars

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins – 4.5/5 stars

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau – 2.5/5 stars

Rush by Eve Silver – 3/5 stars

The Eight Day by Dianne K. Salerni – DNF

And my favorites this month:

 The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson – 5/5 stars!

Kushiel’s Scion by Jacqueline Carey – 5/5 stars!

These books were epic!

Waiting on Wednesday Features:

Normally, I mention which WoW book I most excited to read. This month I’m choosing ALL of them!

Top Ten Tuesday Features:

Top Ten Books You Might Like If You Enjoyed Throne of Glass!

Top Ten Female Characters That Inspire Me!

Top Ten Most Unique Books I’ve Ever Read!

The Top Ten Gateway Books of My Reading Journey!

 I almost didn’t participate in a couple of these TTTs but found myself inspired at the last minute.

 April’s Escape Reality Book Club Pick:

Scarlet

(ERBC is for anyone who wants to geek out about YA. If you’re interested, check out our official launch post).

 That about sums up my month! What great books did you read in April?