What are your reading goals for 2013?

With all the fesitivies and resolutions of the new year- you may have not been thinking too much about reading goals. But, now that we are a few days into the 2013 year- perhaps it’s time to begin considering some potential reading goals.

My reading goals for 2013:

– Read 115 books in the Goodreads Reading Challenge. for 2012- I challenged myself to originally 100- then I changed it to 110. I ended 2012 with 111 books read.

– Reading at least 13 cozies in the Cruisin Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013. 13 books will earn me the title of Super Sleuth. Currently, I’m on book 3 in the challenge. I’m anticipating reading some cozies that people have given me over the years that I had not read- as well as continuing with my favorite cozy authors.

– To read 1 or 2 classics- I read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 2012. I anticipate reading another Jane Austen- and trying to decide on another classic.

– To read at least 5 books that have been sitting on my “to be read”shelf for some time. I buy books, people give books, books come in for review. And the new ones always catch my attention- so the ones that are on my shelf sit and patiently wait. I need to be more fair to them- it’s time for them to have some time in the spotlight.

– While it’s not a reading goal, exactly, I resolve to keep my Goodreads shelves updated and my real bookshelves organized and nice looking.

Fingers crossed that at the end of 2013- I’ll have met or exceeded my original goals.

Looking for more ideas for reading goals? She Reads has several! And they want to know “What are you reading goals for 2013”? Is it to read more of a particular author? Read the books on your TBR shelf? Try audio? Maybe e-books? Whatever your reading goal- it’s a worthy one- so drop back by and share!

The joy of reviewing books…

Reviewing books. Ultimate dream for a book lover- at least in my opinion. The joy of seeing a book that could possibly make best-sellers list before the majority of the general public sees it- be still my heart.  Getting to read a book before others is a treat that is almost hard to describe- it’s just a good feeling- especially when the book is great!

Being a member of the She Reads Blog Network has given me chances to review books that I might not have read- they’ve expanded my reading selection. Reviewing books for other publishers has also been a treat.  Through reviewing, while I may not make a major impact in the publishing world, just knowing there is potential- is enough for me.

Want to help a soon to be published author? Read!

I forget exactly where I read this, but I read somewhere that a new author has like 6 weeks to make an impression once book is published (I think I have that figure and statement right!) Here’s the important thing: With as many books that are being published daily- it’s the newcomers to the field that need the help, the extra attention. Think of them like the kindergarten kids- they just need a little extra help to boost them through the ranks. Sadly, some writers don’t get the attention they need- maybe it’s because the book was just not right, or too many other good books out at the same time. Maybe the author doesn’t have the support team. Who knows- a million things can go right or wrong in the process- and sometimes hard work is just not enough.

Soon to be published author, Julie Kibler, has written this as advice to help a soon to be published author. The tips are great- really informative and very easy to do (if you are so inclined!)

As I read over the tips- I dubbed them (in my head) The Good Karma Rules of Literary Folks. If you’re lucky enough to get ARC copies- read and tell your thoughts. Book cover is giving you a good feeling? Pre-order that book! Going to the book signing, but already have the book? Consider buying the book for a friend. Ask for it at the library. Tweet. Facebook. Blog. Instagram. Like something about the book? Tweet the author!

Julie Kibler’s book, Calling Me Home, will be released on Feb 12 2013.  Read over her tips to help her (and other soon to be published authors).

A Deal to Die For (Good Buy Girls) by Josie Belle

A Deal to Die For is book #2 in Cruisin Thru the Cozies 2013 Reading Challenge.

 

Josie Belle (aka Jenn McKinlay) has a cute series on her hands with the Good Buy Girls! In book 2, A Deal to Die For, Maggie and the Good Buy Girls have their eyes on things for the opening of Maggie’s new second-hand shop. They decide to go to a flea market where Vera Madison will be selling some of her couture- and Maggie is only too excited to look over and purchase some pieces. Unfortunately, so is Summer- so after an incident, Maggie decides to go and check on Vera who is at the doctor’s clinic. However, when Maggie arrives, Vera is dead. And the good Dr. Franklin becomes a person of interest.

Maggie and the Good Buy Girls have to work together to help clear Dr. Franklin, keep the vintage couture out of Summer’s hands and find out what skeletons were hanging in Vera Madison’s closet along with the fabulous vintage clothing. To top it off, Maggie finds herself having caught the eye of 2 local, eligible men. Which one will she choose?

 

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro (She Reads January Book Club Pick)

It’s January- and She Reads is back in business after taking some time off for the holidays. And boy- have they picked a great book to start the 2013 year off with a POP! The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro has it all- love, lust, double-crossing, intrigue, mystery and art!

This is a book where the reader can’t take characters at face-value- with each page turned, a bit more of the story is revealed and the characters true nature is shown. It takes the reader on a wild ride, a heart pounding ride!

Thanks to Algonquin Books, She Reads is able to give 10 copies of The Art Forger away to some very lucky people!

To enter to win a copy of The Art Forger, check out She Reads. My review of The Art Forger has also been posted. For fans of Twitter, look for #srblog- She Reads Blog Network will be chattering away all month about The Art Forger!

 

The Art Forger by B.A.Shapiro

Love, lust, lies, betrayal, trust, and double crossing- all in a day of the art world.

Claire- a young artist that has been blackballed by the artist community and given the nickname “Great Pretender” is approached by Aiden Markel, owner of Markel G, a studio in town. Aiden makes a visit to Claire’s studio apartment with a proposition – one might even call it a deal with the devil. Everyone in the world knows about the art theft at the Isabella Stewart  Gardner Museum- a theft that has never been solved.

Aiden and Claire make a deal- Claire will paint a copy of Degas “After the Bath”, Aiden will sell the copy to his buyer, the buyer will think he’s bought the original, and the original will return to the Gardner museum where it rightfully belongs. Aiden talks of things of “the greater good’ and righting wrongs- Claire decides that she can live with that and the money she’ll make. As Claire begins the process of copying the Degas painting- she begins to suspect something is wrong. Did Aiden have the original or was he double-crossed? Can Claire trust Aiden or is he using her past to set her up? Because of Claire’s past as “The Great Pretender” she has insights into this potential problem that no other artist has.

This story tells the story in 3 different phases: the time when After the Baths was painted, 3 years ago and current time. All 3 sections interweave to tell a story that is brilliant, interesting, and mysterious. In this story- the reader can never be 100% sure of who is telling the truth, who is looking to double cross someone, and who is innocent. A fabulous tale of love, lust, intrigue, and betrayal in the art world.

Literary Friday ya’ll….

It’s the first Friday of 2013! How are your resolutions going? What fantastic books have you found to read? Seeing a lot of chatter about Me Before You– anyone reading that? I’m wanting to read The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon- anyone picked that book to read yet?

1. Deep South Magazine is back after a holiday break from #literaryfriday- so be sure to check out the news about upcoming Twitter chats, Nicholas Sparks and John Grisham make a certain list of bestsellers, and literary insults (among other things!)

2. Cozy Mystery Book Reviews is hosting 31 days of giveaways- be sure and check them out each day for a new book to win!

3.My #fridayreads is A Deal to Die For (Good Buy Girls) by Josie Belle (aka Jenn McKinlay). It’ll be the 2nd book I’m reading in the Cruisin’ Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2013.

4. The first book I read in 2013 is Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark.

 

So, what books are you reading this weekend? What book is being released soon that you are just too excited to read? (Mine is Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton!)

Happy Reading!

 

Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark…

Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark is my first book toward my goal of 13 in Cruisin Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013.

Regan Reilly and husband Jack Reilly are headed to Jersey Shore to spend the weekend with Nora and Luke (Regan’s parents). Regan’s in need of some fun since she’s had to give a friend, Haley, some bad news about a man she’s dating. After that phone call, Regan hears from her mother about a garage sale of Edna Frawley- a mother to Karen who is friends with Nora. Nora asks Regan to come earlier to help her find out more about this garage sale business- so Regan hops and train and heads to Nora.

When they arrive at Edna’s house- they find that Edna had rented the place to Cleo Paradise, but she had left early- and told Edna to take care of the belongings she left behind. Edna works that situation to her benefit by deciding to sell Cleo’s things- and judging from the crowd- she’ll make a pretty penny!

Still some are wondering where Cleo ran off to suddenly? Why she didn’t stay the extra week like she was supposed to? Her friend and family are concerned. Does Cleo’s disappearance have anything to do with the stalker movie she did?

Only Carol Higgins Clark can take a missing movie star, a garage sale, a cheater, a retirement home, and some eclectic characters and weave a story that’s funny, light and fluffy together to make a quick, easy read that is enjoyable! If you’ve ever read any Carol Higgins Clark books (and liked them!) then this will be no different. If you haven’t, I suggest giving her books a try!

 

 

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Today is the first day of a brand new year….

284809_10200385547227776_1800968892_nJanuary 1. The first day of a new year. A day where the year stretches before, bright and sparkling- where the idea of resolutions seem 100% do-able. Here’s my main thought for 2013: Do the best I can. Maybe some of my resolutions will pan out. Maybe some won’t. Maybe the year will be filled with happiness and joyous moments. Maybe it won’t. I’m going to try to make each day a “super-sparkly” day and go from there.

My resolutions:

1. Read more.

2. Travel More.

3. Work on photography skills.

4. Meet some personal goals.

5. Blog more- maybe create a Traveling With T Facebook page,  review more books for publishers/authors, and be able to attend more book events.

6. Meet more people who share my interests: painting and reading.

7. Attend more fun events: Broadway-type shows, baseball games, concerts.

However you chose to spend your 2013- I hope that it’s a fantastic year!

Happy Reading!

My Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies 2013 Reading List…

Cruisin 2013

January 1. Today is the beginning of Cruisin’ Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2013. Listed below is my list of books I plan to read. As I read a book, a review will be posted. I’ll also be posting a round-up of cozies I’ve read thus far in the challenge (it may be monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly- that is to be determined.) Goal: 13 books to reach Super Sleuth status (although I may read more- time and books available will determine that). Good luck to all who is participating in this reading challenge. Happy Reading!

Jan 1- A Deal to Die For (Good Buy Girls #2) by Josie Belle

Feb 5th- Veiled Revenge: A crime of fashion mystery by Ellen Byerrum

Feb 26 – Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen) by Joanne Fluke

March 5th- Nickeled and Dimed to Death- A Deveraux’s Dime Store Mystery by Denise Swanson

April 2nd- Going, Going, Ganache (Cupcake Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay

May 7th- Topped Chef: A Key West Food Mystery by Lucy Burdette

Aug 6th- Seed No Evil (Flower Shop Mysteries) by Kate Collins

Sept 3rd- Murder of a Stacked Librarian (Scumble River) by Denise Swanson

Oct 1- Billionaire Blend (Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

Other cozies I’ll be reading:

Fiber and Brimstone by Laura Childs

Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson

Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson

Death Comes Silently by Carolyn Hart

There are 2 Jenn McKinlay books that should both be released in 2013 that I plan to read as well.

As the year progresses, I plan to add more to the list- I plan to read a minimum of 13 cozies to meet Super Sleuth for Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013.