Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and Claire that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I only borrowed one book when I visited the library last Friday - A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler. I've wanted to read this book for a long time after seeing several good reviews on it. Holly Schindler also has a new release, Playing Hurt, to be released in March and I'm glad to be part of her blog tour.

Onto a general topic, it rained the whole day yesterday, and it continues to rain when I left home for work this morning. I'm keeping fingers crossed that it wouldn't rain on the Chinese New Year days... Well I hope you have a great week ahead!

Books Into the House

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This month's Mailbox Monday is hosted by Rose City Reader.

Here's what I received last week (bought from The Book Depository):

1) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (I've heard so much raves about this one, so of course I wouldn't want to miss it!)

2) Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers (Have read several good reviews about this book as well.)

What books came into your house last week?

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and Claire that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I didn't expect to borrow any books when I stopped by the library last Friday while doing my grocery shopping, but I found The Man from Saigon by Marti Leimbach. It has a setting of the Vietnam War and I want to read more books that feature this after reading and enjoying The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Books Into My House

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This month's Mailbox Monday is hosted by Rose City Reader.

Here's what I received last week from the publicist:

1) Dreaming in English by Laura Fitzgerald

2) Haunting Jasmine by Anjali Banerjee

What books came into your house last week?

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and Claire that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I know I have committed to read books from my TBR pile this year, but when I did my grocery shopping two days ago I just have to step into the library, after all it was within walking distance, ha. I tried hard to resist from borrowing any books but I just couldn't say no to this one: Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier. A love story with a magical theme set in medieval Ireland. I have started reading the book and am already loving it.

Happy reading everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Monday Musing

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week; this month the host for Mailbox Monday is Julie of Knitting and Sundries.

Here's what I received last week:

1) Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox by Tim Ostermeyer (from the publicist)

2) Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan & Rachel Cohn (bought from The Book Depository)

What books came into your house last week?

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and Claire that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I borrowed two books from the library last week - The Levels by Sean Cregan and A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro. I've seen many bookbloggers mentioned about Kazuo Ishiguro's books but just haven't got around to reading them yet, so I really look forward to reading this book.

Sean Cregan's debut novel The Levels is an urban gothic thriller about an abandoned housing project, the Levels, inhabited by Newport's homeless population which is run by the powerful Sorrow. I thought the blurb sounds interesting and with that eye-catching cover, I just couldn't pass this up. I hope I'll have the chance to read this before the date due (my reading progress is slow nowadays since there have been a lot of things on my plate lately - the relocation of office in another two weeks, getting things prepared for my daughter's admission to Primary One next year, etc. and this is why I did not sign up for the Secret Santa or Holiday Swap this year even though I terribly wanted to and I've also got a feeling that christmas shopping will be a last minute thing. Oh well. *sigh*

Hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!

Happy Monday!

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week; the host for this month's Mailbox Monday is Kathy of Bermudaonion's Weblog.

Bought the following book from The Book Depository:

1) Halo by Alexandra Adornetto (Don't you love the cover?)

What books came into your house last week?

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and Claire that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I borrowed only one book from the library last week - Killing Floor by Lee Child. I actually ordered this book from The Book Depository two weeks ago but it hasn't arrived yet. This is the first book of the Jack Reacher Series and I'm enjoying reading it so far. I am also slowly adding the rest of the series onto my to-buy list so I can read them in the near future!

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and Claire that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I think I was pretty lucky to have borrowed the following books last Friday:

1) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (This is one of the most coveted books among many readers! And as I mentioned before I'm waiting impatiently for my copy to arrive but till now there's no news of it. When I found this in the library among the new arrivals pile, I almost squealed in delight and needless to say I had to grab it! I just couldn't believe my luck! I read a few pages that evening and wished I could read it in one sitting but alas, family calls and I didn't have the chance to read it over the weekends. Anyway, I hope to receive my copy soon so I can return this to the library for other readers to enjoy!)

2) Sleepless by Cyn Balog

3) A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley

4) Illyria by Elizabeth Hand (I have Ana to blame for getting this book! )

This and That

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

His manner changed, the malicious merriment came back to his eyes, the imperious accent to his voice and the masterful expression to his face. "That I cannot promise. I must know where you are, but I will not molest nor betray you till the time arrives. Go where you like, assume what disguise you choose, do what you please, except die or marry. I'll stand off and watch the play, but I must follow. I like the chase, it is exciting, novel and absorbing. I have tried and tired of other amusements, this satisfies me and I am in no haste to end it. Upon my soul, Rose, it gives a new interest to life and makes my wooing wonderfully varied and delightful. Now I am going straight back to Paris while you lose yourself again, and in a week or two Baptiste and I will take the field for another harmless hunt. Are you too angry to say adieu?"

(Pg 194, A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott)

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

It seems like Lady Luck was smiling at me last Friday as I managed to borrow the following books which I've been coveting for a while:

1) Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

2) Everlasting by Angie Frazier

3) Walk of the Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week.

I received The Night Watch by Sarah Waters from Sakura of Chasing Bawa; a giveaway win for her 1-year blogiversary. (Thank you, Sakura! Once again, congratulations on your blogiversary and I'm glad to know you through this bookblogging community!)

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Finally, I received The Versatile Blogger Award from Naida and Iliana and I couldn't thank them both enough! I always enjoy reading their blogs and they are very talented too! (How I wish I've Naida's crocheting skills and also to be able to make those beautiful journals like the way Iliana does!)

Now the rule of the award is to list seven things about me and to pass it on to 15 friends. Here goes:

1) When I was a teenager, my favourite pop groups are Bananarama and New Kids on the Block. I also love songs by Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. (I still have all their cassettes, though I doubt they can be played again. Anyway where can one find a cassette player these days?)

2) One of my favourite subjects in school is Arts, besides Chinese language that is.

3) If I've some spare time, I'd like to learn Japanese.

4) I love most fruits, and I know dragon fruit are nutritious but I don't really like it as I find the taste bland (I heard from the fruitsellers that those with pink flesh usually taste sweeter than the white ones).

5) My first ARC is an anthology titled Bad Boys to Go by Lori Foster, which I won it from her contest.

6) I don't really like sewing, but I do like cross-stitching (though I haven't done so for years). Go figure.

7) I go for hair rebonding every once a year because I have natural wavy hair.

As always, I have difficulty naming just a few blogger friends as I feel everyone of you deserves this award. If you like, do share some of the seven things about you so that I can get to know you better?

In regard to the primary school registration, my husband received a call from the primary school this morning that there would be a balloting this Friday since the number of children registered exceeded their limit. Thus, I'd be away this Friday to witness the balloting. *sigh* I'd appreciate it if you could send some good vibes our way!

Mailbox Monday & Library Loot

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week.

I received The Big Ten of Grammar: Identifying and Fixing the Ten Most Frequent Grammatical Errors by William B. Bradshaw from a publicist as I thought it would be useful to my writing.

What books came into your house last week?

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I borrowed only one book last Friday: Sea Change by Aimee Friedman, and had to return The Stand (by Stephen King) and Wings of Wrath (by C.S. Friedman) since both books are due (I could no longer renew The Stand since I had it renewed once and I had ordered Wings of Wrath as I knew I want to read it since I have read and enjoyed the first instalment, Feast of Souls).

Challenges Update (and Library Loot)

I felt like a slacker when it comes to finishing the reading challenges I had signed up for the year. Anyway, I am happy to say I have completed the 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge, hosted by Home Girl's Book Blog (previously known as J. Kaye's Bookblog).

I committed to read 12 books and here's a list of what I read:

1. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles


2. Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick


3. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles


4. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles


5. Half World by Hiromi Goto


6. Hate List by Jennifer Brown


7. Heartbreak River by Tricia Mills


8. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols


9. The Worst of Me by Kate Le Vann


10. All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab


11. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson


12. Mia the Magnificent by Eileen Boggess

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And here's the part where I failed when it comes to Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge which is hosted by the lovely Candace of Beth Fish Reads.

I'm ashamed to say I have only read two books of this series:

1. Living Dead in Dallas


2. Dead Until Dark

I think my main reason for not completing this challenge is due to my reading mood. I'm not a fast reader in general and plus, I tend not to read books of the same series in a row, no matter how interesting they are. Perhaps I have left the reading gap for too long with this series, thus that explains why my anticipation wasn't there. Still, I'd want to read the rest of the books since I have them all in my pile.

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

Here's what I borrowed last Friday:

1) The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

2) Wings of Wrath by C.S. Friedman (Magister Series #2)

I read the first instalment, Feast of Souls and enjoyed it! (Here's my review.)

I regret to say I have to return Infinity (by Sherrilyn Kenyon) and The Toss of a Lemon (by Padma Viswanathan) after reading a few pages. At that point of borrowing Infinity I didn't realise it's a story about Dark Hunters and zombies. Though I enjoy reading about vampires, I've no idea why I just can't get sucked into any zombie story like the way vampires stories do to me. I think I've to blame it on some of those freaky zombies movies I watched. As for The Toss of a Lemon, the due date is up and plus it's a chunkster and I want to devour this story at my own pace, thus I will probably purchase this book next time.

Monday Ramblings & Library Loot

I hope everyone had a great weekend and a wonderful Father's Day yesterday! We enjoyed ours and look what I found at the bookstore after we had our scrumptious lunch - Faithful Place by Tana French! This is one of my most eagerly anticipated books of the year and I was thrilled that they are already released here! (Well, if you have read In the Woods and The Likeness, you'd be able to understand my excitement.)

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

Here's what I borrowed last Friday:

1) Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2) The Stand by Stephen King (Initially I couldn't make up my mind whether or not to pick this up considering this is a chunkster and I'll probably couldn't finish reading it on time since I have another two more library books to read, but still I got it anyway as I've seen many SK fans highly recommend this. Plus, I've heard there are inevitable comparisons with Justin Cronin's The Passage so definitely my curiosity is piqued!)

Mailbox Monday & Library Loot

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week.

I was so thrilled to get The Passage by Justin Cronin (bought from The Book Depository) as I have read so many rave reviews about this one! I cannot wait to read it, but then I have to confess I am a little intimidated of this chunkster.

What books came into your house last week?

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I found a few YA books which I look forward to reading them soon:

1) Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

2) Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

3) And Both Were Young by Madeleine L'Engle

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

Last Friday I went to the library to return the book I borrowed (Hate List by Jennifer Brown) and, lo and behold, I found some more books to add onto my already long reading list. Here they are:

1) Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles (I've Perfect Chemistry by the same author in my pile so needless to say I was thrilled to find her latest release.)

2) Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman (Many readers have raved about this book so of course I've got to read it!)

3) The Toss of a Lemon by Padma Viswanathan (I've been coveting this book for a long while!)

What are you reading? Any books you'd like to share which are on your wishlist?

Mailbox Monday and My Very First Library Loot Post!

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where readers get to share the books that came into their house last week.

Here's what I received last week, which I bought from The Book Depository:

1) Seize the Fire by Laura Kinsale

2) Extreme Danger by Shannon McKenna

What books came into your house last week?

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Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

I know I did mention before that I haven't visited a library for a long time, due to the fact that I'm such a slow reader and that I'd rather read books at my own pace (and not to mention I've a huge TBR pile waiting to be read), but last Friday while I was waiting for my husband to arrive so we could have our dinner before we went for grocery shopping at a neighbourhood mall, I spotted a public library situated next to the foodcourt so as a way to pass the time and also out of curiosity, I stepped into the library not expecting to borrow any books until my attention fell upon this book:

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Suddenly, I lost all my self-control when it comes to saying no to library books and I knew I just have to read this! So there you have it, my very first Library Loot post! So does that mean that I would be borrowing more books in the near future? Frankly speaking, I have no idea and with this little experience I have learned to say, "Never say never".