This all started back in 2007 when Alivicwil and I set out to read 50 books in a year. I ended up reading 54 in total.  So in 2008 I decided I would try and read 60 books.  I didn’t make it.  I again set the challenge in 2009 and once again I didn’t reach the magical number.

I love the challenge (and I love reading) so I’m determined to get to 60.  Hopefully 2010 will be the year.

Goal: In 2010 I will read 60 books throughout the year.

Here’s the list so far:

1. New Moon, Stephanie Meyer – January 2 2010
2. Eclipse, Stephanie Meyer – January 2 2010
3. Breaking Dawn, Stephanie Meyer – January 5 2010
4. Taronga, Victor Keller – January 11 2010
5. The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery – January 13 2010
6. The Beach House, Jane Green – January 18 2010
7. What She Wants, Cathy Kelly – January 30 2010
8. Bending the Rules, Susan Andersen – February 26 2010
9. Skintight, Susan Andersen – February 28 2010
10. How to Lose an Extraterrestrial in Ten Days, Susan Grant – March 4 2010 10 completed – 50 to go
11. Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead – March 10 2010
12. Frostbite, Richelle Mead – March 12 2010
13. Shadow Kiss, Richelle Mead – March 14 2010
14. The Better Part of Darkness, Kelly Gay – April 6 2010
15. Steamed, Katie MacAlister – April 29 2010
16. Blonde with a Wand, Vicki Lewis Thompson - May 3 2010
17. Chick with a Charm, Vicki Lewis Thompson - May 6 2010
18. yet to be read…
19. yet to be read… 20 completed – 40 to go
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29. yet to be read… 30 completed – 30 to go – HALF WAY THERE!
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39. yet to be read… 40 completed – 20 to go
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49. yet to be read…50 completed – 10 to go
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58. yet to be read…59 completed – 1 to go
59. yet to be read…

• that’s 60 folks!

Number of books read in a month:

7 x January

2 x February

4 x March

2 x April

? x May

? x June

? x July

? x August

? x September

? x October

? x November

? x December

Wonder where I find these literary masterpieces? Wonder no more…. clicky

Aren’t these book covers amazing?  Penguin Classics has teamed up with Aids Awareness Fun (Red) to produce eight new covers for a sample of their penguin classic books.  I would love a set of these books, not only to red but to lovingly gaze at.

I’d also love posters of these covers, they’d make such a powerful statement hanging on the wall.  Once again Penguin has proved why they’re a literary powerhouse.

Well with the end of 2009 it’s time to do a final count and see whether I hit my target of 60 books in 2009.  Unfortunately I managed to read 49 books instead of the 60 I was aiming for.  I seem to lose some steam towards the middle of the year and it’s been hard to get that back in the final months of the year, despite the large amount of time I spent in bed or hospital.  Oh well, it’s just given me something to aim towards in 2010.

In 2007 I set myself a challenge to read 50 books in a year. I ended up reading 54 in total.

In 2008 I set myself a challenge to read 60 books in a year. I ended up reading 50 in total.

I love the challenge and I’m determined to get to 60 so I’ve set the goal again.

Goal: In 2009 I will read 60 books in the year.

Here’s the list so far:

1. The Kitchen Witch, Annette Blair – January 14 2009
2. My Favourite Witch, Annette Blair – January 17 2009
3. An Undeniable Rogue, Annette Blair – January 22 2009
4. The Girl Most Likely To…, Susan Donovan – January 27 2009
5. Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Mary Janice Davidson – January 31 2009
6. A Veiled Deception, Annette Blair – February 1 2009
7. Slippery When Wet, Kimberly Raye – February 8 2009
8. Highlander in Her Bed, Allie McKay – February 12 2009
9. Fish Out of Water, Mary Janice Davidson – February 22 2009
10. Your Planet or Mine?, Susan Grant – February 23 200910 completed – 50 to go
11. The Dream Hunter, Sherrilyn Kenyon – February 26 2009
12. Undead and Unworthy, Mary Janice Davidson – March 5 2009
13. Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh – March 7 2009
14. Night’s Cold Kiss, Tracel O’Hara – March 10 2009
15. Crimson City, Liz Maverick – March 16 2009
16. Fantasy Lover, Sherrilyn Kenyon – March 21 2009
17. Dragonswan, Sherrilyn Kenyon – March 22 2009 & Angel’s Pawn, Nalini Singh – March 5 2009
18. Bad Boys in Kilts, Donna Kauffman – April 2 2009
19. Real Murders, Charlaine Harris – April 4 2009
20. Night Pleasures, Sherrilyn Kenyon – April 20 200920 completed – 40 to go
21. The Big Bad Wolf Tells All, Donna Kauffman – April 20 2009
22. Night Embrace, Sherrilyn Kenyon – May 11 2009
23. Visions of Heat, Nalini Singh – May 15 2009
24. Caressed by Ice, Nalini Singh – May 25 2009
25. Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh – May 29 2009
26. Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh – June 1 2009
27. Angel’s Blood, Nalini Singh – June 7 2009
28. My Favourite Earthling, Susan Grant – June 9 2009
29. Dance with the Devil, Sherrilyn Kenyon – July 25 2009
30. Kiss of the Night, Sherrilyn Kenyon – July 29 200930 completed – 30 to go – HALF WAY THERE!
31. Night Play, Sherrilyn Kenyon – August 2 2009
32. Seize the Night, Sherrilyn Kenyon – August 14 2009
33. Sins of the Night, Sherrilyn Kenyon – August 28 2009
34. Acheron, Sherrilyn Kenyon – September 12 2009
35. Twilight, Stephanie Meyers – September 16 2009
36. Sucker for Love, Kimberly Raye – September 18 2009
37. Branded by Fire, Nalini Singh – September 22 2009
38. Devil May Cry, Sherrilyn Kenyon – October 4 2009
39. Stuck, Elisabeth Rose – October 27 2009
40. Friday Night Knitting Club, Kate Jacobs – October 28 200940 completed – 20 to go
41. The Time Travelers Wife, Audrey Niffenegger – November 12 2009
42. Fanged & Fabulous, Michelle Rowan – November 15 2009
43. The Memory Keepers Daughter, Kim Edwards – November 22 2009
44. Dream Chaser, Sherrilyn Kenyon – December 1 2009
45. Dark Side of the Moon, Sherrilyn Kenyon – December 7 2009
46. The Wife’s Tale, Lori Lansens – December 9 2009
47. Upon the Midnight Clear, Sherrilyn Kenyon – December 10 2009
48. Under the Dome, Stephen King – December 26 2009
49. Blaze of Memory, Nalini Singh – December 29 2009
50. yet to be read…50 completed – 10 to go
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59. yet to be read…59 completed – 1 to go
60. yet to be read…

• that’s 60 folks!

Number of books read in a month:

5 x January

6 x February

6 x March

4 x April

4 x May

3 x June

2 x July

3 x August

4 x September

3 x October

3 x November

6 x December

Wonder where I find these literary masterpieces? Wonder no more…. clicky

A few weeks ago we finally took delivery of the shelving we ordered from Ikea and had delivered by Bring It Home.  The lads from Bring It Home were awesome.  Kept us in the loop about delivery times, moved all of the packages into the house for us and were just really lovely lads.  When they delivered the shelving they laugh and said “That’ll keep you busy for the next few weeks.”  To which I cavalierly replied “Not likely, they’ll be up by the end of the day!”  It was 4:00pm.

I was true to my word though, by 9pm that night we had everything built, installed and stacked with our stuff bar the one Billy that wouldn’t fit.  (My measurements were out by 6cm.  Whoops!)

I’ve been waiting for a sunny day to take some pictures of the completed project for posting, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the lounge will never be flooded with sunshine so I’d best just take the photos and be done with it.  (Plus I was inspired by the topic post at Meet Me at Mikes) So today I took some happy snaps.  I apologise for the quality, I really need to invest in a tripod because the natural light would have been good enough but I’m too shaky.  So here they are.

This is the view from our front door.   This is the view that I love to come home to.  That brown blur is George.  If you’re wondering why we have the bottom couple of shelves empty, do you see that brown blur – that’s George, she likes to chew and she especially loves to chew books.  The side with the board games is non-fiction.  All the “boring” books.  The picture beside the court jester rabbit is the 100+ year old map of Cambridge that I purchased while I was in London last year.  If you look closely you can see the first soft toy I’ve ever made adorning the Lonely Planet and Dictionary shelf.

HUBBY’s massive television has pride of place.  I’m ashamed to say it but we only ordered four of the Benno DVD shelves and they’re completely full.  We could probably do with two more and then we could probably do with stopping buying DVDs.    The two framed prints above the television are from Yumi Yumi – they are this and this.  Both are stunning and they never fail to get noticed.  I also have two Zukzuk prints, this and this, off to the side of the games shelf.  They greet guests as they come in and bring a smile to my face every time I see them.   (And they’re made by an Aussie!!! Ok, she’s a Kiwi, but in the true spirit of ANZAC I shall claim her just like we did Russell Crowe and Crowded House!)

On the other side of the television is “fiction”.

These shelves hold some of my favourite treasures.  There’s my rubber duck collection.  One day the shall go all the way across the top.  There’s my little sock monkey from Maribel Made, Ali Star.  There’s the gnome my Mum gave me when I was in Mount Isa – he’s hand made and he’s a miner!  There’s my Andrea Joseph print which I adore.  There’s my gnome from Brooklyn Rehab.  All the books I love to read and have read as part of my yearly reading challenge.  There’s my collection of vintage purple bottles.  My Belle and Boo print which makes my heart swell.  The little Bambi figurine that I found on a trip to Braidwood.  My tie died piggy bank.  There’s a photo with HUBBY and his mother who passed away last year.  There’s a photo of us together from our wedding.  HEAPS of things.  It gives me so much pleasure to have them all out on display.  Just little bits and pieces of our lives together.

There’s also this….

IT’S A MOOSE!!! Miss Alivicwil brought him back from Canada for me.  I love him!  He makes me giggle on the inside every time I see him.  Did I mention, IT’S A MOOSE!!!

So that’s the shelving situation in our house.  One of these days I’ll take better photos of all the little collections of things that we have going on.  It’ll have to be once I get a tripod though…

I’ve been at home for the past week dealing with some health issues. To keep my mind off things that are going on I’ve been doing some little bits and pieces around the house.  I thought you might like to know what keeps me out of trouble, so here’s a top five list of things to do when you find yourself with some unexpected free time on your hands.

1. Craft – One of my 101 in 1001 tasks is to finish all the cross-stitch that I currently have in the house either half done or not started.  So I’ve spent the last few days working on the Antique Linen Rose Sampler from DMC.  I love this pattern as it appeals to the old fashion streak I have and I dream of it being one of those things that gets passed down the family line.  The only thing I have discovered is that counted cross-stitch probably isn’t that great a thing to do when you’re under the influence of a lot of pain medication.  Needless to say I’ve had to unpick a fair chunk of work that I did yesterday as I’d managed to get the stitching out of alignment.  Whoops!

2. Cooking – I had the biggest craving for potato bake on Thursday, so HUBBY was wonderful enough to take me to Woolworths so I could do some shopping for ingriedents.  I found a potato bake recipe on Exclusively Food.  It’s really simple, which appeals to my current state of mind and delicious which appeals to my tummy!  (Images from Exclusively Food.)

3. Reading – I picked up a copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife and I’ve been slowly knocking it over.  It’s not something I would normally pick up to read, but I’ve had a lot of people recommend it so I thought, “what they heck try something new”.  I’ll finish it, but I don’t think it will be in my top five books of all time.

4.  Movies – The obvious boredom buster – movies!  I loaded up on painkillers and met a friend to see Julie & Julia on “Family and Community Day”.  (It’s the ACT’s holiday for the Melbourne Cup.)  I had previously tried and failed to read the book.  The movie was much better than the book.  I really empathized with both characters, for surprisingly different reasons.  Of course the movie made me long for being able to cook and to live in Paris.

5.  Blogsites -  I’ve been so grateful to all the wonderful people out there on the internet that devote their time to maintaining blogs.  I’ve spent hours surfing the internet and daydreaming about all the amazing homes, places, projects and humorous things that are out there in the world.  If you’re looking for somewhere to start just check out my links on the right hand side of the site.  I highly recommend them all!

September in Australia is Book Month, so to celebrate and encourage more reading Bookthingo have been hosting a reading challenge.  The goal is to read as many books from a set of challenges, or make up your own.

Books Alive 2009 is an initiative by the Australian Government and proceeds go to support the Indigenous Literacy Project.  It’s one of the many great initiatives by the Australian Government that are out there at the moment.  I can’t think of an easier, or more enjoyable, way to support a great cause than be getting comfortable in your favourite spot and kicking back with a great book.

I have a reading challenge already for 2009, but I thought I would incorporate this challenge as well as it complimented what I was already trying to do.  So I’ve been busily trying to read as many books this month as possible.  Not an easy feat when I’m spread so thin at the moment with everything else, but I’m hanging in there.

My reading list so far:

1. Acheron, Sherrilyn Kenyon – September 12 2009
2. Twilight, Stephanie Meyers – September 16 2009
3. Sucker for Love, Kimberly Raye – September 18 2009
4. Branded by Fire, Nalini Singh – September 22 2009

Not as impressive as some reading lists that are on the challenge, but I’m punching through my massive to-be-read list.  Who knows, I may even manage to finish a book or two this weekend.  Either way I’ve had fun, and it’s given me the reading motivation I was lacking.

1. ArtMind – I found this on Etsy.  It’s just so cute.  I love the little curved wings.  Lately I’ve found myself searching more and more under the search terms ‘white ceramic’.  I don’t know why, but I’m looking for things that will one day be displayed in the bookcases we will eventually purchase.

2. Paper Boat Press – I found this store via Desire to Inspire.   It’s so beautiful.  I’m loving the ceramic quote tags.  If only I coould find a reason to purchase one!  The owner is currently offering a 10% discount.  This special will expire June 10th 2009.  To use this special discount you must place the code: PBP in the box provided on the checkout page.  Your discount will be then calculated once you press enter.

3. Le Sweet Pea – A great little Etsy shop that I found through an Etsy front page.  I love this piece.  I would love to splurge and get it, but as I’ve spent so much money on prints lately I’m not going to spend the money. (Just yet!)  But it’s a great idea.  3D art is always such a nice little surprise.

4. Abitare – abitare is a store in brooklyn that has an online prescences as well as a blog.  It’s a great little store with an ecclectic assortment of products.  I’ve fallen in love with this bud vase.  It’s a bargain at US$19, it’s just a shame they don’t post internationally.  I’m going to have to keep an eye out when I’m in my favourite little stores and hope that it’s available in Australia.  Their blog gives a nice little insight into running a small business.

5. Lotus Haus - I love flowers.  One of my dream jobs would be a florist.  If we could afford it I’d have fresh flowers in our house all.the.time! So if you couple flowers with interior design in a blog format I’m going to fall instantly in love with it.  Which is what happened with Lotus Haus!  If you love colour, design and a unique view of the world check it out.

1. Belle & Boo – I found this incredibly sweet and special art through the wonderful Pop Couture.  It’s exactly as their site says: a contemporary twist on a vintage charm.  I love it.  I can just image the perfect little girls room filled with prints and decorations from Belle & Boo.  And if you just can’t get enough of drooling through their online store, or even the etsy store, you can check out the wonderful life that is Belle & Boo at their blog.  HUBBY was wonderful and let me purchase the print that I wanted from their store.  I can’t wait to see it when it gets here!

2. Gorjuss – This site I found through an Etsy store.  I love Suzanne’s work.  It’s got a little darkness to it that makes it edgy without being emo.  Suzanne also maintains a blog, which provides a nice insight into an artists life.   I spoilt myself this week and purchased a print that I had been lusting after for awhile to take advantage of the two for one sale that was happening.  (It finished on my birthday, so I took that as a sign that I should buy the print already!)

3. Andrea Joseph – I found Andrea’s work through Suzanne Cabrera over at an open [sketch]book.  Her work is done with biro’s.  Yes, you read right – biro’s!  Who’dve thought that some where out there in the world someone was making amazing art with the humble biro.  Andrea has a blog which she uses to showcase her work.  It’s amazing.  I purchased a print of hers a few months back and it’s in at the framers at the moment.  I can’t wait to get it home and have it added to the collection.  (Yes, I have a lot of walls in my house, and yes they all have multiple items hanging on them – I love to be surrounded by art!)

4. The Artist’s Shed – Inspired by Suzanna Cabrera, and one of my 101 in 1001 goals I’m off to a water colouring class on Saturday.  It should be a hoot.  I’ve been to one of the Saturday classes before.  They’re really casual and awesomely priced.  Thirty dollars for three hours, and all the materials are supplied.  By the end of the lesson you have a completed masterpiece.  I love it.  I’m really looking forward to doing something relaxing on Saturday, I’m tired of being stuck in the house.

5. Pride & Prejudice & Zombies – A few months ago I saw this book release going around on the internet and I was intrigued.  There’s nothing that some Zombie action can’t make more interesting, and I’m a sucker for Jane’s original so this can only be better, right?  Well that’s what I’m hoping anyway.  My plan is to read it this weekend.  Some nice relaxing time in bed, with a good book and some puppy cuddles.  Lets hope the weather’s shocking. *wink*

Another author I found while attending the Australian Romance Readers Convention was Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I had heard a lot of people talking about her books, but I had never really thought about picking one up.  But as per my deal (for every author I heard speak that I liked I’d uy a book) I had to get one of her books.  So I picked up The Dream Hunter. The blurb on the back of the book sucked me in:

In the ethereal world of dreams, there are champions who fight to protect the dreamer and there are demons who prey on them…

For Arik his quest is no longer simple. No human can know of a Dream-Hunter’s existence. His dream of being mortal has quickly turned into his own nightmare and the only way to save himself will be to sacrifice the very thing he wanted to be human for. The only question is, will he?

I’m not a big knowledge bank of Greek Mythology, but this book really hooked me on it.  Ms Kenyon provides enough information woven into the story for those that are completely lost on the mythology can keep up.  The author builds a believable relationship between the lead characters despite them coming from two completely different backgrounds.  She excels at emotional dialogue.  The story completely sucked me in.  The premise of having gods roaming among the mortals adds an intriguing element to the book.  It made a nice change from the paranormal books I had been reading.

I enjoyed The Dark Hunter so much I’ve picked up the first two books in the series; Fantasy Lover and Dragonswan.  I can’t wait to see what other mythology is woven into these stories…

One author I needed no introduction to when I attended the Australian Romance Readers Convention (ARRC) was Mary Janice Davidson, or MJ to those in the know.  What I wasn’t counting on was just how hilarious she would be.  I have to admit to a certain… snobbery… when it comes to humour.  My allegiance lies with the British and the Aussies – at a pinch I’ll extend it to the other members of the Commonwealth.  I’m always a little surprised when I find an American that can do sarcasm and understand it in return.

I came to MJ’s writing through a recommendation made by another author.  (I can’t remember who.)  I picked up a copy of Undead and Unwed.  I really enjoyed it.  A sassy take on a vampire who loves shoes more then sucking blood.  I devoured the book and went back for more.  When I ran out of Undead books to read I picked up Sleeping with the Fishes.  I was hooked.  A grumpy mermaid named Fred – now that’s my kind of heroine.  There’s three in the series, and when I was in Melbourne I took the opportunity to pick up the third book, Fish out of Water.  I read it in one sitting.

It’s an action packed happily ever after.  It’s full of the trademark Davidson sass, and the girl gets her boy in the end.  There’s a nice little plot twist to keep the reader on their toes, which I really enjoyed.  The world of the mermaid is certainly not the Disney one, which is great.  I much prefer my mermaids without the singing.  I actually rate this series better then the vampire one, which might be seen as heresy in some circles.  It’s a real shame to think that the series is finished, but I can hope that mermaidian inspiration strikes again and there more to come later.

I also picked up Undead and Unworthy. I was lucky enough to get MJ to sign my copy.  I haven’t really enjoyed the last few in this series.  It’s felt like they’ve lacked the same kind of punch that the first couple had.  But this one was a pleasant surprise.  There’s still the drama, the cluelessness and the shoe references but it feels like the story is about to move in a stronger direction.  It also makes a difference now I can hear MJ’s voice when I read, and it’s true – she does talk just like she writes.  For those that want Vampire, but don’t want the dark urban fantasy that is currently available, this is a good strong mix of contemporary humour and vampire.  MJ’s definitely an author that you can read all her books without fear of a mixed bag.