Life in General
This year has certainly been interesting. I started a new job (not that it's my dream job or anything but it gets me money...or at least a little bit) and we've moved house. I also had my book, Awakening, published by Nevermore Press (and a deadline set for getting in my manuscript for book 2!) I've also had two short stories (one linked to Awakening) published in the anthology Amidst the Shadows for Halloween. I don't think there's really much more to report...though I do have to finish packing to go celebrate New Year with my uni friends (hence why this is a couple of days early!)
What I've Read...
Well a lot! I've been lucky this year and read some stellar books, and then I've been not so lucky. Before now I really haven't DNF'd books, but this year I came to the conclusion that there was no point forcing myself through a book I wasn't enjoying, and so I started a DNF shelf on Goodreads. Sometimes I've barely written anything on my DNFs but sometimes I have and they appear on the blog, particularly if they were on my 2015 Reading Assignment Shelf.
my dnf shelf:
my z-5-star-2015 shelf:
Costs
Very luckily I have had £50 worth of gift vouchers in the past year, which just about accounts for half of what I actually spent on the books I've read. I've certainly found it interesting keeping track, though it's slightly worrying how much I should have spent to feed my reading addiction...thank goodness for Netgalley, blog tours and generous authors is all I can say!
Month
Cost
Spent
January
£93.13
£4.66
February
£69.88
£11.05
March
£85.51
£10.53
April
£95.26
£18.51
May
£98.27
£21.84
June
£62.11
£3.59
July
£114.47
£11.54
August
£91.89
£9.89
September
£56.56
£3.98
October
£66.46
£3.99
November
£43.24
£1.98
December
£77.29
£12.89
Total
£954.07
£109.79
Memes
So I started joining in with Michelle's TBR list meme this year, and I'm having great fun at it!
Hosted by the wonderful Michelle @ Because Reading. Each month three books get voted for and the review for the winning books goes live on the last Saturday of the month.
2015
May: Howler's Night by RS Black
June: A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter
July: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
August: The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy
September: Magic Study by Maria V Synder
October: Dollhouse by Anya Allyn
November: The Winner's Crime by Maria Rutkoski
December: Forever Ours by Cassia Leo & Wildfire by JD Wright
I've also started a meme of my own, the online Book club where readers vote for which book they want to read in the next month then link up their reviews! I'm still fine tuning but I'm having fun at least!
Hosted by myself. This meme is a "book club" where participants vote for one book per month and submit reviews of the winner during the last week.
2015
October: Halloween, Magic & Mayhem by Stella Wilkinson
November: True Calling by Siobhan Davis
December: Aurora Sky by Nikki Jefford
Challenges
I've had a massive amount of fun completing challenges this year! So much so that I've already signed up for a bunch for 2016! Here are my completed challenges, Winter COYER 2015-16 is still going on so I haven't included it yet! There's also still time to sign up for mine and Michelle's challenge, Bookish Resolutions, for 2016. I also have shelves on my Goodreads for each challenge!
Goal: 70 Books
Status: Challenge Completed
Confessions of a Virgin Sex Columnist by Kay Marie
Her Winning Formula by Shannyn Schroeder
A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter
Cherry Stem by Sotia Lazu
Protector for Hire by Tawna Fenske
Bitter Fruits by Sarah Daltry
Master of the Hunt by Mandy M Roth
Heart of Vengence by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Spellbound by Michelle M Pillow
Dancer of the Nile by Veronica Scott
Act of Submission by Mandy M Roth
Ours to Embrace by Denise Rossetti
Princess by Jean Sasson
Commanding the Tides by Michelle M Pillow
Bruja by Aileen Erin
The Virgin's Daughter by Laura Andersen
The Cannibals by Cynthia D Grant
The Espionage Effect by Kat Bastion & Stone Bastion
Her One Wish by Marie Hall
Sia by Josh Grayson
Rise of the King by Mandy M Roth
Captive of the Deep by Michelle M Pillow
Simma by H S St Ours
Follow by JA Huss
Pisces Phenomenon by Mandy M Roth
Confessions of Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
Eat Play Lust by Tawna Fenske
A Pirate's Dream by Marie Hall
Discovering Delilah by Melissa Foster
The Earl's Defiant Wallflower by Erica Ridley
Force of Attraction by Mandy M Roth
Blue Violet by Abigail Owen
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Ours to Share by Mel Teshco
White Raven's Lover by Nhys Glover
The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid
Igniting Ash by M A Stacie
Faery Queen by Michelle M Pillow
Mind Over Matter by Kaia Bennett
Somber Resplendence by Mandy M Roth
Agent N6: Dylan by Joni Hahn
The Wire in the Blood by Val McDermid
Raven's Call by Amos Cassidy
Deadly Pursuit by Nina Croft
The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone
Like by JA Huss
Ravenswood: Price's Freedom by Mandy M Roth
The Moon Dwellers by David Estes
In the Air Tonight by Lori Handeland
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
Vitrium by Michael Guthrie
Mating Behavior by Mandy M Roth
Winter's Bride by Nellie C Lind
Stone Queen by Michelle M Pillow
Damage Report by Mandy M Roth
Succubus Rising by BR Kinsolver
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Flaw by Ryan Ringbloom
The High Priestess by Katee Robert
Ariella's Keeper by Michelle M Pillow
The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy
Death's Lover by Marie Hall
Warriors of Darkness by Mandy M Roth
Seducing Cecilia by Michelle M Pillow
Concealed Power by KJ Colt
Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson
Linnea's Arrangement by Michelle M Pillow
A Kiss in the Dark by Lisa Fox
Dirty Bertie by Stephen Clarke
Seaside Nights by Melissa Foster
Listen to 4 audiobooks this year
January: 0 Audiobooks
February: 0 Audiobooks
March: 1 Audiobook
April: 1 Audiobook
May: 3 Audiobooks
June: 1 Audiobook
July: 0 Audiobooks
August: 1 Audiobook
September: 0 Audiobooks
October: 0 Audiobooks
November: 0 Audiobooks
December: 0 Audiobooks
Read 1 'classic' book a month
RESOLUTION FAILED
Read at least 6 Netgalley books a month
January: 14 Netgalley Books
February: 7 Netgalley Books
March: 6 Netgalley Books
April: 10 Netgalley Books
May: 10 Netgalley Books
June: 8 Netgalley Books
July: 9 Netgalley Books
August: 8 Netgalley Books
September: 7 Netgalley Books
October: 8 Netgalley Books
November: 11 Netgalley Books
December: 10 Netgalley Books
Read 2 books a month that have been bought (which does include free amazon books) rather than given for a review
January: 5 Bought Books
February: 6 Bought Books
March: 6 Bought Books
April: 9 Bought Books
May: 12 Bought Books
June: 3 Bought Books
July: 7 Bought Books
August: 9 Bought Books
September: 5 Bought Books
October: 5 Bought Books
November: 5 Bought Books
December: 10 Bought Books
To finish at least 1 of my writing projects
Started & Finished a new project for publishing in the Amidst the Shadows anthology!
Goal: 48 Books (4 Books a Month)
Completed Assignments:
The Boleyn King by Laura Anderson (January)
Freak of Nature by Julia Crane (January)
The Boleyn Deceit by Laura Anderson (January)
Fast by Ryan Ringbloom (January)
A Moment by Marie Hall (February)
Right Now by Marie Hall (February)
The Boleyn Reckoning by Laura Anderson (February)
The Catalyst by Chris Reher (February)
This Time by Marie Hall (March)
Wait by Ryan Ringbloom (March)
You Are Mine by Janeal Falor (March)
A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway (March)
Mine to Spell by Janeal Falor (April)
A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway (April)
The Willful by Lauren Nicolle Taylor (April)
A Study in Ashes by Emma Jane Holloway (April)
The Wanted by Lauren Nicolle Taylor (May)
Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin (May)
Silevethiel by Andi O'Connor (May)
Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin (May)
Alpha Divided by Aileen Erin (June)
Her Winning Formula by Shannyn Schroeder (June)
Heart of Vengence by Tracy Cooper-Posey (June)
Bitter Fruits by Sarah Daltry (June)
Sia by Josh Grayson (July)
Simma by H S St Ours (July)
Blue Violet by Abigail Owen (July)
White Raven's Lover by Nhys Glover (July)
The Moon Dwellers by David Estes (August)
Succubus Rising by BR Kingsolver (August)
The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy (August)
Dirty Bertie: An English King Made in France by Stephen Clarke (August)
Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes (September)
Dual Domination by Pavarti K Tyler (September)
Magic Study by Maria V Synder (September)
Demon by my Side by Victoria Davies (September)
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (October)
A Need So Insatiable by Cecilia Robert (October)
The Parasites by Marjorie DeLuca (October)
The Seeker Must Awaken by Willow A Renner (October)
Book of Shadows by Willow A Renner (November) (DNF)
Touch My Heart by Paloma Beck (November)
Grave Mercy by Robyn LaFevers (November)
Bring Me Home by Cassia Leo (November)
Abandon by Cassia Leo (December)
The Hordes of Anarchy by Saffron Bryant (December)
Wicked Power by DelSheree Gladden (December)
Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas (December) (DNF)
Goal: 31-45 Books - New Release Veteran
Status: Challenge Completed
Sing for Me by Gracie Madison (21/01/2015)
Three Two One (321) by J A Huss (27/01/2015)
Spice by Scarlet Smith (26/02/2015)
Seaside Secrets by Melissa Foster (24/02/2015)
Animal by Nikki Rae (28/02/2015)
Rebellious Prince by Michelle M Pillow (03/03/2015)
Fake Boobs by Ryan Ringbloom (01/02/2015)
The Space Captain's Courtesan by KC Klein (02/03/2015)
Adapted for Film by Stacey Rourke (09/03/2015)
Sworn to Ascension by Terah Edun (15/01/2015)
Vanilla by Megan Hart (25/02/2015)
Crashing into Love by Melissa Foster (17/03/2015)
Game Play by Lynda Aicher (16/02/2015)
Ever Darkening by Janeal Falor (28/01/2015)
Aurora by Amos Cassidy (27/02/2015)
Separation Zone by Mandy M Roth (31/03/2015)
True Violet by Vivian Winslow (31/03/2015)
Dirty Secrets by Jane O'Reilly (25/02/2015)
Closer by Kaia Bennett (31/03/2015)
Beyond the Seduction by M A Stacie (23/04/2015)
Catching Cassidy by Melissa Foster (28/04/2015)
Hawthorn by Jamie Cassidy (28/05/2015)
Werewolves of New York by Faleena Hopkins (10/04/2015)
Obliterate by Autumn Grey (05/01/2015)
Cape Cod Kisses by Bella Andre & Melissa Foster (06/05/2015)
Mend by Autumn Grey (15/03/2015)
Paris for One by Jojo Moyes (05/02/2015)
His Captive Princess by Sandra Jones (28/04/2015)
The Billionaire's Secret Wife by Nadia Lee (16/02/2015)
The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling (12/06/2015)
The Lady Meets Her Match by Gina Conkle (07/04/2015)
The Billionaire's Forgotten Fiancée by Nadia Lee (16/05/2015)
Remember Me by Nina Croft (08/06/2015)
Healed by Love by Melissa Foster (11/06/2015)
Confessions of a Virgin Sex Columnist by Kay Marie (18/05/2015)
Protector for Hire by Tawna Fenske (30/06/2015)
Spellbound by Michelle M Pillow (07/07/2015)
Act of Submission by Mandy M Roth (07/07/2015)
Ours to Embrace by Denise Rossetti (23/07/2015)
Bruja by Aileen Erin (12/05/2015)
The Virgin's Daughter by Laura Andersen (19/05/2015)
The Espionage Effect by Kat Bastion & Stone Bastion (14/07/2015)
A Pirate's Dream by Marie Hall (05/05/2015)
Discovering Delilah by Melissa Foster (15/07/2015)
Ours to Share by Mel Teshco (23/07/2015)
Igniting Ash by M A Stacie (04/08/2015)
Mind Over Matter by Kaia Bennett (31/07/2015)
Agent N6: Dylan by Joni Hahn (31/07/2015)
Raven's Call by Amos Cassidy (30/07/2015)
The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone (02/04/2015)
In the Air Tonight by Lori Handeland (02/06/2015)
Vitrium by Michael Guthrie (06/05/2015)
Damage Report by Mandy M Roth (18/08/2015)
Winter's Bride by Nellie C Lind (18/08/2015)
A Kiss in the Dark by Lisa Fox (18/06/2015)
Seaside Nights by Melissa Foster (12/08/2015)
Alpha Unleashed by Aileen Erin (22/09/2015)
Hooker Heels by Ryan Ringbloom (01/10/2015)
Cape Cod Promises by Bella Andre & Melissa Foster (30/09/2015)
A Whole New World by Liz Braswell (01/09/2015)
Stranded with the Cajun by Michelle M Pillow (01/10/2015)
Logan by Melissa Foster (10/11/2015)
The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson (17/11/2015)
The Billionaire's Forbidden Desire by Nadia Lee (23/10/2015)
House of Royals by Keary Taylor (21/06/2015)
A Very Alpha Christmas (Anthology) (17/11/15)
Kiss Kill Love Him Still by Jamie Blair & Dawn Rae Miller (10/11/2015)
Eighteen (18) by JA Huss (17/11/2015)
The Winner's Crime by Maria Rutkoski (03/03/2015)
A Druid of Her Own by Mandy M Roth (30/11/2015)
Heath by Melissa Foster (17/11/2015)
Zia the Teenage Zombie and the Undead Diaries by Angela Scott (20/09/2015)
Cyberella by Cari Silverwood (09/11/2015)
Jackson by Melissa Foster (24/11/2015)
Queen of Tomorrow by Sherry D Ficklin (14/07/2015)
Sidekick Returns by Auralee Wallace (01/12/2015)
Cooper by Melissa Foster (01/12/2015)
Queen of Always by Sherry D Ficklin (23/11/2015)
Wrong by Jana Aston (07/10/2015)
Sugar Skulls by Lisa Manchev & Glenn Dallas (10/11/2015)
Anarchy Found by JA Huss (02/12/2015)
Wildfire by JD Wright (01/09/2015)
The Sea Queen by Jovee Winters (15/06/2015)
Damn, Girl. That Sucks. by Mary Kate Kopec (14/12/2015)
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