January in Review

Where on earth did January go? I think that I must have read too much and missed it, which is fine because I read some great books.

I got my Kindle and am thoroughly in love with it. Amazing how many free books I have acquired so far.

So what I have I read this month? My goal is for 111 books in 2011 and so far I am right on track.

1. Choker by Elizabeth Woods, part of the YA Debut Author Challenges (review)

2. The Awakening by LJ Smith

After reading the Twilight Series I shied away from vampire books, but thought I would give this series a try and I loved it. I find the characters (though spoiled and stuck up) are a little more believable, and the book is not just about one couple. I also purchased the first season on DVD, but was getting confused since the show is really not following the book exactly, so once I finish the first season I will continue with the books.

3. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, audio, review (loved it btw) Whisper In My Ear Challenge

4. Gentle Ben by Walt Morley, review (loved it too)

5. Love You, Miss You, Hate You by Elizabeth Scott, part of the Off The Shelf Challenge, review

6. Dogsled Dreams by Terry Lynn Johnson, YA Debut Author Challenge, review

7. Coraline by Neil Gaiman, part of the Off The Shelf Challenge
Haven't done a review of this book, not sure that I will. Kinda a creepy book, but then I saw the movie last year so I knew what to expect.

8. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, part of the YA Historical Fiction Challenge, review LOVED IT!!

9. I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder, read it just because, heard it was good and a verse novel (never read one of those before). Enjoyed this book alot, for many reasons. One of the main reasons is the support that was given by the parents. There are so many books out about death and guilt, partying but the parents never play an active and supporting roll and I really liked that in this book.

10. Water Wars by Cameron Stracher, part of the YA Debut Challenge
When the list came out for the debut author challenge this was not one that I picked, but finding it at Amazon for my new Kindle and only $2.39 (at the time) I bought it. It was a good book, not a great one. I really can't put my finger on exactly what it was missing, but I had to force myself to read it a number of times. I didn't feel that Vera was portrayed like a 16 year old, I just got the impression throughout the book that she was younger.

11. The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, audio, Whisper in my Ear Challenge, review coming

12. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson, Off The Shelf Challenge, Kindle (only $5) review is coming