Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Keeping up the Momentum

I blogged a few months back about regaining my reading groove. I'm happy to report that I've kept up the reading momentum. Since that last post, I've read:

Blackout by Connie Willis. I love it! But then I love anything by Connie Willis. The only problem was that it ends on a cliffhanger. The next book, All Clear, will be out in the fall. I cannot wait.

I followed that with Fablehaven 4 by Brandon Mull. Wow. It was full of action and surprises and left me with yet another cliffhanger ending.

Being tired of cliffhangers, I was relieved that Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson was a stand alone. I absolutely adored this book. So funny and poignant and all-around wonderful. I think it's my new favorite book.

Hard to follow that. I went with satisfying one of the cliffhangers and read Fablehaven 5. What an awesome end to the series. There was never a dull moment in the book. I really like the way it all wrapped up.

Next up was Heroes of the Fallen by David J. West. It's an action packed novel about the last years of Nephite civilization. I was impressed with his knowledge of ancient cultures. Alas, another cliffhanger ending! Can't wait for the next one.

I also read The Last Rodeo by Linda Sandifer. I won it in a contest on her blog. Contemporary Western Romance is quite a departure from my usual reading, as you can see. But this one sucked me right in. The family dynamics were so real and touching. I really enjoyed it.

The latest book I read was Friends in Deed by T.M. Hunter. A great follow up to his first novel, Heroes Die Young, Friends in Deed was full of classic sci-fi action. A fun read, though the ending was a bummer.

Now I'm working on two books at once. The Sapphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover, a fantasy novel.

And Awakening Avery by Laurie C. Lewis (Another blog contest win. Not my usual genre, but enjoying it so far.)

What's up after those two? Well I bought the Hunger Games and even started reading it, but I just couldn't get into it. We'll see. I also have Sweethearts by Sara Zarr to look forward too. That makes seven books read since February. Yeah! Any good books you've read lately that you'd like to share?

19 comments:

Amanda said...

I'm working on the Fablehaven series right now myself. I'm in the middle of number three. I got book five signed.

I've read "The Sapphire Flute." I loved that book.

I love reading!

dellgirl said...

WOW, what a feat! Congrats on regaining your reading groove. You also have an amazing list of books you've read. Way to go, Angie.

Aubrie said...

Wow, that's a lot of books! I haven't read any of those.

I just finished "Me and Mr. Darcy" by Alexandra Potter and "the Dead Tossed Waves" by Carrie Ryan. Both were very good :)

Theresa Milstein said...

Wow! You HAVE been reading a lot!

I just read Tantalized. Before that, I read The Hunger Games. And before that I read Shiver. Now I've switched to nonfiction - Bird by Bird.

Nichole Giles said...

Dude, Angie! Your list looks pretty similar to mine. I'm reading Awakening Avery right now too. Good book, huh?

I loved Hunger Games, but it did take a few chapters before I was really into it. Once I was, though, I couldn't put it down.

My list for this month is very long. After I finish Awakening Avery, I have Chocolate Roses, Trapped, Queen in Exile, Spells, The Golden Spiral, Sweethearts, Stargirl, Cut, Rebound and Magic City.

All that, and I'm expecting more in the mail soon. Yikes. Congratulations on your reading accomplishments, and good luck in keeping up the momentum.

Mary E Campbell said...

All those books look awesome. I've gotten into a reading groove lately too. Hope I don't lose it.

Jessica Bell said...

wow. That's a lotta books! I can't get into much groove. I always read before I sleep, but I don't have time any other time so I get through them pretty slow. I'm reading a book called Cleave, by Nikki Gemmell right now. It's brilliant.

MTeacress said...

Wow, you're really going to town. I read a lot, but you've got me wondering where you find the time to read this much. Speedy reader? I'm surprised you couldn't get into Hunger Games? Can you pinpoint why?
Have a great night! :)

Jewel Allen said...

Very cool reading list, Angie. Mmm, as for me, some books I've enjoyed lately from the library: The Happiness Project, I Am Not a Serial Killer, and a cookbook :-)

T. M. Hunter said...

Hopefully it's just a sad ending in Friends in Deed... ;-)

Larry and Cindy said...

Angie you know I am not a consistant reader and I loved Hunger Games just keep reading. It is an awesome read. I know you will love it. Wow You have read a bunch of book girl!!! I am now reading Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. I like it so far but I am only on chapter 6. Love To All, MOM

Angie said...

Ah, yes. A sad ending. Not a bad ending.

Ms. Yingling said...

Loved the Fablehaven series, and will have to pick up the new Sanderson title. It is good to have stand-alones from time to time!

Rosslyn Elliott said...

I'm intrigued by Warbreaker. I'll have to look it up for myself!

Tana said...

You are on a serious reading jag!!!! Enjoy all the literacy coming your way! Have a great long weekend!

Jan Markley said...

That's a lot of books! Way to read! I finished the last Harry Potter and then read Train Spotters - quite the contrast!

Jo Schaffer said...

I love it when peole do this--it helps me find some good books! (= Thanks for sharing, Angie.

Lisa Gail Green said...

Wow! Those sound like some great books. I tend to gravitate toward fantasy as well (big surprise there). I LOVED Hunger Games though and can't wait for Mockingjay! So take my other recs with a grain of salt. :) I LOVE Going Bovine, White Cat and Mistwood.

Angie said...

Thanks for all your comments and book recs. I appreciate it. I should mention that I did a lot of this reading while I was laid up with my ankle and didn't have anything else to do. Also, I finished Awakening Avery and loved it!