Reading machine

Hi guys! How are you today?

I’ve mentioned that I’ve turned into a reading machine lately – mostly with the discovery of Goodreads, but also with the realization that I love the chick lit genre.

Back in January, one of my 2011 goals was to read 12 books this year. I started reading books in Jan/Feb but found I didn’t like them enough to finish them. As time went on, I was sure I wouldn’t accomplish my goal. I was already way behind, having read only one book up until the end of April, and was disappointed in myself I couldn’t find a solution.

Since joining Goodreads on April 27th, I’ve read a total of 13 books and am currently reading two more simultaneously right now!

I blew my 12 book goal right out of the water, and bumped it up to 24 books for the year for now. I’m sitting pretty at 14 currently and it’s only June! 

There have been a few changes to my life since I’ve started reading this much:

• I’ve basically stopped watching TV, aside from when I watch it with Matt.
• I’ve cut WAY back on the number and amount of time I spend reading blogs. This is both good and bad, but mostly good I think
• I’ve found an outlet for stress and anxiety that I’ve needed since I have been exercise restricted
• I’ve found yet another way to connect with my friends, through Goodreads, and share a hobby with them!

It’s been nothing but good news for me to read this much and I’m so happy I’ve been able to pick this habit up in the past few months.

So what exactly have I read this year? Well, here is a list of the books I’ve read in 2011 so far. I’ve reviewed every one on Goodreads, so check out my 2011 shelf if you are looking for my thoughts on each book.

Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer – one of my favorite books of all time that I re-read every few years.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin – absolutely amazing and could not put it down at all.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin – the sequel to Something Borrowed, which is just as amazing – if not more amazing then the first. It’s less dramatic, but more emotional.

Sex, Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis – this is my favorite book so far this year. It wraps murder, mystery, romance, sex and humor all into one neat little package you can’t put down.

The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer – this was read for a book club and was really cheesy. I still enjoyed it, but I mean really, really cheesy and talks about weight loss surgery, which can be uncomfortable to some.

Holly’s Inbox by Holly Denham (which is a pen name BTW) – another book club read that I was unsure if I would like. The book is written completely in emails and was a little confusing at first. But it’s ended up being one of my favorite books so far and I would recommend it to anyone!

The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair – this was a very dirty romance-like book, which I was not expecting. I really struggled with how slow the story moved at first, but a really original plot helped me like this book and want to finish the other two in the series.

A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder – very cute book, nothing really special about it and a quick read. I’m really excited to read the sequel however. I think it’s going to be really good.

Being Committed by Anna Maxted – I almost quit this book several times. It was so British that I couldn’t understand what was going on most of the time. It was insanely long and boring. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. One of my least favorite so far.

Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights by Kyra Davis – this is the sequel to the other Kyra book on the list. I liked this book, however felt is was more predictable than the first. I will say this book made me very sad I am allergic to coffee. That’s all I’ll say about that.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot -  Someone recommended I read this because it was quick and fun, which they were right. It had been a long time since I’d seen the movie, but I really liked it. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series (apparently there are like 10+)!

Baby Proof by Emily Giffin – This book left me very morally conflicted. It was a difficult and slightly annoying read. Another one of my least favorites so far.

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld – I so wanted to like this book and I really, honestly, sort of hated it. It’s the worst book I’ve read this year and I almost quit reading it several times. It’s mundane, annoying, pointless and just a waste of time. I think you’ll either LOVE this book or HATE this book and I’m in the hate camp.

The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax – I was so shocked by this book. I read it for another book club and wasn’t expecting to like it. However, it’s a wonderful story! We also had the author participate in our chat about the book in our club and I have a signed copy of the book that I somehow purchased used (without knowing it was signed) from Amazon. This is a great story about friendship and gives you a very inside look into the publishing world and what it’s like to be an author.

I Spy? by Kate Johnson – LOVED this book! It’s currently free on kindle and the nook, though I had planned to read it prior. I downloaded the kindle app to my smart phone and read it that way. This is a super fun, hilarious book about a regular ole woman turned spy. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

That’s the 14 books I’ve read so far. I’m currently reading these two:

Always Something There to Remind Me by Beth Harbison – This actually hasn’t been released yet. I won a giveaway on Goodreads for it and have been reading it to give my early review of the book. So far, I’m not overly impressed but I’m not hating it either.

Thyroid Power by Richard Shames and Karilee Shames – I’m not even sure I’ll mark this as read this year because I’m actually skipping over a lot of the stuff I already know.  I have to say, so far I’m not overly impressed by the book, but I also already know a lot about hypothyroidism and suffer from it myself. This book, so far, is geared more towards people who haven’t been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or disease yet.

These are the books I’ve read this year, plus the books I’m reading now. I honestly think I’ll make it to 24 pretty easily and expand my goal up to 36, but I’m taking it page by page at a time right now!

Tell me which books you’ve read this year – what you loved and what you hated. Also let me know if you are on Goodreads. I’d love to be friends on there!