2009 In Review

Happy New Year Everyone!

I find it hard to believe that we are wrapping up the year and a decade. Where did the time go?

I have been seeing this on a few blogs today and seriously where did the time go? It just felt like we rang in 2009. Its was a busy and crazy 2009 for me that is for sure.

So many good things and bad things happened for me both personally and blogging wise. Personally for some reason my sinuses having been acting up alot this past year which made me feel like it was practically every other week I was sick. Then just before Easter I ended up burning my hand, thankfully nothing to serious.

I didn't get to go to BEA in May like so many other bloggers did and I guess my whining and pouting did me good because I managed to convince significant other to let me go in 2010.

This was my first full year of blogging and what a year it has been. I have received so many great books from authors and publishers, there are way to many to name but you all know who you are and I want to say thank you so very much for contacting me and sending them to me. If I haven't reviewed them yet they will be done in 2010. I am commited to reviewing all the books I have received.

If maintaining one blog wasn't enough I went and started a children's blog called Books Upon A Wee One's Shelf and that is solely children's books but I am sure it will soon be chapter books as my son who is 6 years old feels he has outgrown some picture books.

As for the new year with books I am going to be a little more selective in what I will accept to read. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. In my own personally opinion I wasn't prepared for what happened. This is something important for any new blogger as nice as it is to get emails asking for you to review books its okay to say no. I learned the hard way. I am now okay with going a week without getting a book in the mail.

I have met some many great bloggers this past year and I am looking forward to meeting you all in real life in May. I have been fortunate this past year to form some real life friendships with fellow local bloggers Donna, Avis, Tina and Linda. They are truly exceptional friends and I am truly honored to be able to call them my friends. I love our monthly meet ups at that great little tea shop where we can talk about anything and everything. Plus swapping books is great.

Blogging wise I have to admit that at times I feel behind and it was hard to catch up. I think I learned that I really need to write my reviews as soon as I finish the book and not let it pile up because we all know there are times its hard to sit and write a review for the book.

As for challenges I am honestly pleased with my 110 books read for the 100+ Reading Challenge that was hosted by J.Kaye. I was really surprised that I read that many books. I have to say that a majority of that was new to me authors.

I also took part in Buy One Book and Read It hosted by Amy and that was a failed challenge for me. I think I only read two out of twelve books I actually bought. I had no problem buying the books it was just reading them.

There are a few other challenges that I am taking part in that are still going and that is: The Sookie Stackhouse Challenge being hosted by Beth Fish Reads. I am done 1 of 9 books and that will wrap up June 30,2010.

The other challenge is the Middle Grade Book Challenge and you can either read 12 or 25 books and I am so far 3 out of 12 books and that wraps up August 31, 2010. The host for that one is Bambi Reads.

As for 2010 and blogging I usually don't make goals but I just want to maintain equal time online with blogging and life. To keep ahead and not fall behind. I think I might have signed up for a little too many challenges but the good thing is they can all be connected with each other. I am thinking of a few changes for my blog but not really sure yet. There will be some added content and some stuff I am thinking of doing away with. I want to try and have daily content on the blog.

I am looking forward to reading alot of great books in 2010, going to NY and BEA to meeting some of the bloggers I speak with all the time.

Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has stopped by my blog and left comments, I tried to comment back on yours and I am sorry if I didn't. Also if you added me to your blog roll and noticed that I haven't added you please let me know and I will ad you to mine.

Happy New Year and all the best in 2010.

Books I have read in 2009

Hard to believe another year has ended. What a year it has been. Here is my list of books that I have read through out the year.

Anything with * is books not included in the 100+ Reading challenge.

January
The Misadventures of Oliver Booth by David Desmond
The Kings of Innocence by Michael Burns
The First Person & other Stories by Ali Smith
The Bishop's Daughter by Tiffany L. Warren
Cross County by James Patterson
Daughter of Mine by Laura Fabiani
The Debs by Susan McBride
*You're my woman because...by Patrick J. Murphy & You're my guy because...by Patricia Storm
Across the Pond by Storyheart
Art of Compassion
No more us For You by David Hernandez

February
Kiss me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
Kisses & Lies by Lauren Henderson
The Crazy School by Cornelie Read
Mixed Bags #1 by Melody Carlson
Stealing Bradford #2 by Melody Carlson
Home Coming Queen #3 by Melody Carlson
Viva Vermont #4 by Melody Carlson
Lost in Las Vegas #5 by Melody Carlson
*How not to look old by Charla Krupp
*Great Hair by Nick Arrojo
The Dead Guy by Doug Hewitt
Sum: Forty Tales by David Eagleman

March
Run For Your Life by James Patterson
The Spare Room by Helen Garner
Letters between Us by Linda Radar Overman
Not so simply Life #1 by Melody Carlson
Its a Green Thing #2 by Melody Carlson
The Next big Thing by Johanna Edwards
*Every day Indian Cookbook

April
Professor's Wife Club by Joanne Rendell
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Kitty goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell
This One is Mine by Maria Semple
The Girl She used to be by David Cristofano
Secrets to Happiness by Sarah Dunn
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
Life Cycles by Neil Killion
Hindsight: What you need to know
Stop The Traffik
New York Debute #6 by Melody Carlson

May
Muder by Family by Kent Whitaker
What's the best you can do? by Derek Rowlinson
Always Watching by Brandilyn Collins
Four Corners of the sky by Michael Malone
Klepto by Lori Weber
Split by Lori Weber
Tattoo Heaven by Lori Weber
Strange beauty by Lori Weber
Holly's Inbox by Bill Surie

June
Last Night in Montreal by Emily St.John Mandel
Neil Armstrong is my uncle by Nan Marino
The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leikne
Call me Mimi by Francis Chalifour & Worst Case Scenerio Book
Would you by Marthe Jocelyn
Dear Jo by Christina Kilbourne
Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
They called me red by Christina Kilbourne
The Chosen one by Carol Lynch Williams
Swimsuit by James Patterson

July
The Castaways by Erin Hilderbrand
Dead until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Two Years, No Rain by Shawn Klompareno
The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dip by Susan McBride
Summer House by Nancy Thayer

August
Obama's Blackberry by Kasper Hauser
Truth or Dare #1 by Nicole O'Dell
All that Glitters #2 by Nicole O'Dell
The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall
Undiscovered Gyrl by Allison Burnett
To Tempt the Wolf by Terry Spear
How it Ends by Laura Weiss
Millie's Fing by Jill Mansell
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

September
Bran Hambric: The Fairfield Curse by Kaleb Nation
Willow by Julia Hoban
Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah by Melody Carlson
Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani

October
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
The Awakening by Kelley Armstron
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall
Camp Fossil Eyes by Mark Abley
Good Neighbors Book 1 by Holly Black
Good Neighbors Book 2 by Holly Black
I am neurotic & So are you by Lianna Kong
Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1 by Holly Black
After the Moment by Garrett Freyman Neyer
Thanksgiving at the Inn by Tim Whitney
*Make A-Head Meals by Jane Dorion
*Simon's Cat by Scott Tofield

November
Medina Hill by Tribly Kent
Tell me Something true by Leila Cobo
Step Back From the Baggage Claim by Jason Barger
Tyranny by Lesley Fairfield
Sins of the Fles by Caridad Pineiro
What Matters Most Book 3 by Melody Carlson
The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
The Housekeeper & Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Your Family Constitution by Scott Gale
Ripley's Believe it or not

December
Limelight by Melody Carlson
The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman
Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
All I Have to Give by Melody Carlson
More Pages from The Red Suit Diaries by Ed Butchart
Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz
Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
Don't Touch Me by Howie Mandel

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone. Wishing a you a happy and joyous New Year. All the best for 2010.

Library Thing Secret Santa

This was the first year that I participated in LibraryThings Secret Santa gift exchange. I missed it last year so this year I was excited to take part in it.

This was a super easy Secret Santa because you got assigned a person and you got to pick out $25 dollars worth of books for the person. If you were lucky enough the person had a wish list posted. I have to stay I was extremely lucky with my pick and I was extremely with the person who picked for me. I have a wish listed posted on LibraryThing.

The added bonus was that no addresses were exchanged between the people. The staff at LibraryThings ordered your choices and the vendors shipped the books.

I received my books before Christmas and I have to apologize for only posting this now. The person who bought for me was mom-of-two and she got me:



Just Another Girl by Melody Carlson and Ash by Miranda Lo. Both are books that I have been anxious to read.

Thank you mom-of-two for the books. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday

Its that time of week for my favorite meme. Here in Canada we only had mail Monday to Thursday and the upcoming week will be the same thing with the News Years Holiday I am pretty sure but not positive.

In My Mailbox is a weekly Sunday feature hosted by Kristi from http://thestorysiren.com . If you haven't already then you should check out Kristi's blog she is a great YA blogger.

Mailbox Monday is a weekly Monday feature hosted by Marcia from http://printedpage.us. Marcia is another get blogger you should check out.

This was a week of surprises. I was expecting these books:


-Spin by Catherine McKenzie (This is for an upcoming blog tour)
-Terror by Night by James H. Pence
-Blind Sight by James H Pence
(If I recall I believe that both books by James H. Pence are for tours)



Not pictured is: The Hole In The Sky by Barbara A. Mahler along with this book came a set of tattoos. This was sent to me via PR By the Book. Thanks Elaine.

Then on Wednesday I got a surpise box of books from Nikole who is from Scholastic. She sent a really nice Christmas card with a lovely note inside and the following books:


-Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine & Illustrator Kadir Nelson
-Dinosaur Hunt by David Catrow
-The Rocket by Mike Leonetti & Illustrator Greg Banning
-Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
-Wish by Alexandra Bullen (Jan 2010)
-Blood Sinister by Celia Rees
-The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg (Jan 2010)
-Possessed by Kate Cann (Feb 2010)

This is what came to my door the week of Christmas. What kind of book goodies did you receive?

After Christmas comic

I meant to post this on Xmas Eve but with having Christmas Eve dinner here with family I didn't get much of a chance and then when everyone left I was up till 1am wrapping presents.

Christmas day was another busy day with opening presents and then going to family for Christmas dinner and when I got back home the only thing I did was upload photos onto facebook that my brother in laws wanted for their pages.

See even Santa tweets.

My Favorite Holiday Picture

Out of all the pictures I have taken over this holiday season I have to say this is by far my favorite picture of Michael.

This was taken Christmas Eve when I had my in laws over for the Christmas Eve dinner.

Michael's uncle was playing with Michael and they were fooling around with his uncle's hat. His uncle placed the hat on him like this and I snapped the picture it was only afterwards when I looked at it that I feel in love with it. In the New Year I am going to get this picture enlarged and framed.

Isn't this just to cute and priceless?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. Wishing you a great holiday season.

All I have to Give Review

TITLE: All I Have to Give
AUTHOR: Melody Carlson
PUB DATE: July 2008
ISBN: 978-08007-1882-4
PUBLISHER: Revell Books
PAGES: 176


From the Inside Flap
What would you do to make Christmas special? Anna wants this to be the best Christmas ever, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that. But what happens when everything and everyone around her seems to be falling apart? Is this destined to be the worst Christmas ever? Fortunately for her, as often happens at this time of year, there are miracles in store. Just when Anna's happy holidays look hopeless, the magic of Christmas works its way into her life. And what she unwraps for Christmas will surprise everyone.

From the Back Cover
What does it take to make the perfect Christmas? A picture-perfect tree? Piles of brightly wrapped presents? A sumptuous spread on a gorgeous table? Take some time this Christmas to rediscover what it means to give--and receive--the gift of pure love. It may not be what you expect, but it might be just what you need.

MY THOUGHTS:
As you already know by now I am a huge fan of Melody Carlson and can pretty much devour her books in one sitting. This one was no exception I managed to finish in it about 2 hours.

The book opens up with Anna and Meredith talking about their martial relationships while they are cleaning up after Thanksgiving dinner. Anna thinks her husband is going through a midlife crisis's. She thinks this because he has been distant and distracted lately.

As she is putting away her grandmother's good china, Michael suggests that they make the baby's room into a home office. Anna has been pregnant in the past but always ends up loosing the baby. This upsets her.

Anna has this nagging feeling something is wrong and she thinks she has cancer because that is what her mother died of. She research's online and realizes she has some of the symptoms. She can't go to the dr because they have no health insurance. She doesn't tell Michael but makes it her mission for them to have the best Christmas ever because its been a few years since they have made a big fuss over it.

Anna begins to wonder if Michael is cheating on her and in all honesty I was beginning to think that yes he was cheating on her because he was always working late (he started his own business) and when she would call the office he wasn't there, when she went to the office he wasn't there when he said he was going there, he was spotted hanging out at a college coffee shop, and many other things. I felt bad for Anna because she was going through this all on her own.

No one knows what Anna is going through until she lets it slip to her sister who demands she goes to the doctors right way, health insurance or not. Meredith suddenly realizes something about Anna's symptoms and puts two and two together and realizes that Anna might not have cancer but something else. Something that is much more exciting.

I really enjoyed the book and would recommend the book to anyone who wanted a love story this holiday season. Its not one of the mushy romance ones but a heartful loving one.


This book was a book that I won from Revell and I wasn't asked to review it but I am only because any book I read I review.

First Day of Winter

In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday

Wishing my readers a very Merry Christmas.

In My Mailbox is a weekly Sunday feature that is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. She is a great YA blogger.

Mailbox Monday is a weekly Monday feature that is hosted by Marcia from Printed Page.

You can check out what they and others got by reading their posts about In My Mailbox and Mailbox Monday.

This is a prize pack of holiday books that I won from Revell. I was one of two winners who won this for hosting their Christmas book tour a little while ago.

In the box was:
-All I have to Give by Melody Carlson
-Finding Christmas by James Calvin Schaap
-More Pages from The Red Suit Diaries by Ed Butchart
-One Wintery Night by Ruth Bell Graham illustrated Richard Jesse Watson
-Annika's Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis

Then yesterday I got: Lockdown: Escape From Furnace l by Alexander Gordon Smith

This is the goodies I got last week, what did you get?

Christmas Time

Its hard to believe that Christmas is exactly in 10 days. Where did the time go?

This was the first time I didn't go out with the boys to get the Christmas tree. I wasn't feeling very good on the weekend so I decided to stay in and to rest. My only request when they left was please NO Charlie Brown tree.

When they came back I was pleasantly surprised at what they picked out. This is by far the best tree that we have ever gotten to date. Michael picked out this tree.

Of course something always happens, nothing can ever run smoothly and so was the case for us. We bought two sets of net lights for the tree a few years ago. Everything was fine last year when we put them away. Then when we put the lights on the tree we had half the lights burned out on one set of the net lights. We quickly ran to a few stores to see about getting a new set and would you believe every store we went too there was nothing left? Thankfully I managed to dig into a few of our xmas bins and found some lights so now they are working.

The tree is now done and the shopping is complete and we all know that wouldn't be easy because a certain someone made a list in September and things were bought off that list because they were popular items. Here he is doing the official letter.

Last weekend there was a family Christmas party (work) and we went and they always go all out for it. They rent out a local hockey arena (both rinks) and they have all these air bouncing things, face painting, games, popcorn and cotton candy. On the other side is a huge carasel, mini train rides, balloon artists, entertainment and Santa's castle.

Inside the castle you get to meet and talk with Santa Claus and Mrs Claus.

This year was fun with Michael as he was super excited to talk with Santa and to give him his Christmas list. The only thing that Michael asked about was why couldn't he sit on Santa's lap as he did that last year and we had to tell him that there was a sign saying it wouldn't be allowed due to the H1N1.

Mrs Claus was so funny because if there was things kids weren't sure about she handed them a bunch of photo copies of a flyer with toys on it.

Happy Holidays from my family to yours.

In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday

This is one of my favorite features to post on my blog. I love reading what others got to in the mailboxes. Do you?

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she posts her goodies every Sunday either as a post or a Vlog.

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme that is hosted by Marcia from the Printed Page and she does her post every Monday.

If you haven't checked out either of these blogs you really should as they have beautiful blogs.

Anyways this is what came to my door this past week:
-From Barbour (this is for an upcoming tour with First Wild Cards in the New Year) a Camp Club Girl back pack, a note book with pen and two books -book 1 Camp Club Girls & The Mystery at Discovery Lake by Renae brumbaugh and book 2 Sydney's D.C Discovery by Jean Fischer.

-From Jabberwocky Kids (Sourcebooks) I got Horrid Henry's Christmas by Francesca Simon and Mrs Claus Explains It All by Elsbeth Claus and Illustrated by David Wenzel.









This lovely card was sent to me by Kathy. Thank you so very much Kathy. This is such a cute card for a booklover.

What did you get this week in your mailbox?

The Book Buddy

This past week I received the Book Buddy that I ordered the week before. I have seen it on other blogs this past year and I have always wanted one. I do alot of reading in bed and nothing is worse then falling asleep and loosing the page in your book.

The one I got is called Sweet Charlotte, Its pink in color although its hard to tell in the picture.


As you can see it holds the book nicely in place so no chance of loosing your page in bed. The Book Buddy can hold your soft cover books and hard cover books. The ribbons on the Book Buddy are all ajustable.


For an extra fee I also ordered the acrylic desk top. I can use it to write up reviews or to hold my netbook.


You can check out the site: http://www.readingcomfort.com/default.htm they not only have Book Buddies but also lap blankets, book markers and covers.

I have only had my Book Buddy for a few days but I am already enjoying it. I have to admit that it was a little awkward at first but once I got use to it I am enjoying it. So far only I have only used a hard cover in it and it held its place really well.

Since I live in Canada I was expecting it before Christmas and was really surprised when it came in the week after I ordered it. So shipping was fast and it passed through customs really quickly. Which I found to be surprising.

Do you have a book buddy what do you think about it?

Books Bought # 31

Books Bought is a weekly meme that I host right here on Cindy's Love of Books.In this great meme I list all the cool books I buy in the week.

If you want to take part all you have to do is leave me a comment in this post saying you are taking part and leave the link so I can check out what you bought this week in books.

If you don't buy books weekly that is fine you can post it whenever you buy books.


This is all from my son's scholastic order from school. He picked out:
-La Lecon De Ski
-Benoit a froid
-Une semaine avec Galette
-Winter Wonderland lace cards

As for me I haven't bought any books this week. I have been avoiding Chapters because they are always busy before Christmas.

What did you buy this week?

Olympic Torch Relay

Vancouver, British Cloumbia is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. Which as Canadians alot of us are excited about that.

Did you know that an employ at Bombardier (Montreal) designed and made the Olympic torch? They made 12,000 of them. We actually got to go to Bombardier to see and hold the torch (as we are a family of a Bombardier employee). Which I have to say was quite heavy.

I was really surprised and excited to hear that the Olympic Torch Relay was coming to my area and even more excited when I heard it was going to be passing behind my house. Michael's school was invited by the city to go and watch it so here he is decked out in his gear.


This morning started out really nice and mild even though it snowed the night before. I was going to go out and stand behind my house but by the time it came for the torch to pass it got very wind and cold so I decide to stay in and to go upstairs to the bedroom where I could see it all.

They were behind schedule as I was watching it online. Finally it passed by and it was over in a blink of an eye.


This is what I got from my upstairs window. It was exciting to be able to witness this. The kids (this is high school kids) were excited and cheering the runners on as they passed. I was also following the relay on twitter and they had tweeted that this was the best crowd they have had to date turn out and cheer them on. It meant alot to see that. We rock as a community.