Monthly Wrap-Up: November 2012

Well, another month has flown by. It's hard to believe that December is here and it's time to focus on the holidays and gift buying and baking and all that other fun stuff that goes along with the holidays. November wasn't my best reading month, but let's see how I did:

Number of Books Read This Month: 8

Books Read This Month:

When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison

Aftertaste by Meredith Mileti

The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier

Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber (audiobook)

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month: Aftertaste by Meredith Mileti

Least Favorite Book of the Month: The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier

My reading always slows down in November and December as I become busy preparing for the holidays. I was surprised that I managed to read eight books this month but glad with my progress. And I reached my goal of 100 books read this year! I surpassed that goal with Wife 22. So glad that I was able to reach that goal and even surpass it. I'm already looking forward to my goal for next year. So, how was your November?

Monthly Wrap-Up: October 2012

Okay, where did October go?!? It's hard to believe that it's now November, which means that Christmas is right around the corner. I'm looking forward to doing some baking (I haven't been doing it as much since we have a puppy, and it's hard to keep his little nose/paws out of it!) and of course, doing lots of shopping. Well, let's see how my reading was for October:

Number of Books Read: 12

Books Read:

Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster (audiobook)

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters

Goodbye for Now by Laurie Frankel

The Next Always by Nora Roberts

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead

While My Sisters Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky (audiobook)

A Lesson In Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear

The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg (audiobook)

Arranged by Catherine McKenzie

Favorite Book of the Month: Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead

Least Favorite Book of the Month: Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

It's so hard to pick a favorite for this month! I gave Seating Arrangements five stars, but there were a few four star books that I read this month, as well! I'm really happy with how much I was able to read this month, especially knowing that my reading slows down as the holidays approch (I just find it harder to squeeze in reading time when there's so much to get done). I'm already enjoying the books that I have started that will count towards my November total, so I'm hoping this trend of great books continues! So, how was your month? Were you able to read a lot? I hope that you did, and here's looking to November!

Monthly Wrap-Up: September 2012

My goodness, where in the world did September go?!? It seems like it didn't even happen, and yet it has! I had a great month ... I went to England, my very first time visiting across the pond! I keep on meaning to do a post with photos, but I remember only has I'm about to fall asleep every night (seriously, it kiils me everytime I remember it but don't do it!) So, lets look at my reading this month:

Number of Books Read: 9

Books Read:

House & Home by Kathleen McCleary

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

That Book About Harvard by Eric Kester

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews (audiobook)

Come Home by Lisa Scottoline

Jeneration X by Jen Lancaster

Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky (audiobook)

Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz

Favorite Book of the Month: Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz

Least Favorite Book of the Month: Come Home by Lisa Scottoline

The Julia Child's biography might end up being my favorite book of the year. I loved reading about her because she is a truly fascinating woman and I really want to try some of her recipes. Not only did it make me want to try new things, but it also inspired me to read more biographies. Depending on the person, they are great to read and you learn something. 

So, how was your month? I hope it was a great one, and onto October!

Monthly Wrap-Up: May 2012

My goodness, another month has flown by! It's hard to believe how quickly this year is flying by (and it doesn't seem like it will slow down at all!) I am super excited that it is now summertime. Time for lots and lots of reading and lounging about outside. May was a good reading month and there was another exciting addition to our house ... we got a new puppy! I don't have any photos saved on my computer of the little fuzzball, but I will have to add some later this week. Now, here are my stats for the month:

Number of Books Read: 10

Books Read:

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

The Best of Friends by Susan Mallery (audiobook)

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling (audiobook)

The Good American by Alex George

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month: Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Least Favorite Book of the Month: The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

I was able to listen to three audiobooks because of a little car trip that I took, during which I listened to Mindy Kaling's book. Let me just say, it was hilarious! I felt like I was driving along with a friend, bantering back and forth (well, she was the only one talking, but there were lots of laughs). I highly recommend checking it out if you have a car trip this summer! So, how was your May?

Monthly Wrap-Up: April 2012

Another month has flown by and there was quite a bit of reading down! While I didn't get as much reading done as I did last month, I was still able to read 8 books, for a total of 37 this year. In other exciting news this month, I went ahead and booked my vacation for this year ... and I'm going to LONDON! This is my first time travelling to Europe and I couldn't be more excited for it! So, over the next few months, I'm sure that I will be posting about things that I'm excited to do or see while I am across the pond. Now, onto the wrap-up:

Number of Books Read: 8

Books Read:

150 Pounds by Kate Rockland

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky (audiobook)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Defending Jacob by William Landay

Spin by Catherine McKenzie

An Available Man by Hilma Wolitzer

Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear

Favorite Book of the Month: Defending Jacob by William Landay

Least Favorite Book of the Month: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I had wanted to do a few things around my blog this month, but due to a family emergency, wasn't able to get quite as much done as I would have liked. But, I do have a few recipes scheduled to go up in May and I have been thinking that I may want to start a Twitter for my blog. Do you have a Twitter account? What do you think about it? I would love to know what others think about this whole Twittering thing and if they enjoy doing it. I hope that you had a great month, and here's looking forward to a wonderful May!

Monthly Wrap-Up: March 2012

My goodness, another month has flown by! Can you believe it?!? This was a pretty busy reading month for me (my best reading month since I started this blog!), and I keep on wondering how I managed to read all these books, but still happy with my results! All reviews are scheduled to go up within April, so if there is anything here that you are interested in reading, make sure to stop back and read my review of it! So, here are my stats for the month

Number of Books Read: 12

Books Read:

A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (audiobook)

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto

Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham (audiobook)

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer

Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Favorite Book of the Month: The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Least  Favorite Book of the Month: Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer

I also posted my first recipe this month (Nutella Cookies), so check it out if you haven't yet! They are mighty tasty! I'm thinking of trying to post one recipe a week, but haven't decided yet. What do you think? Is this something that you would like to see more of on my blog?

How was your March? I hope it was a great one, and here's to April!

Monthly Wrap-Up: February 2012

Well, another month has passed! I hope that everyone had a great month. For me, it was a pretty exciting one ... I bought my first car! I went with a 2012 Kia Sportage and I absolutely love it! It's so cute and it's perfect for me. Other than that, I've gotten some mroe reading done this month than I did last month, but not quite the amount that I would like to be reading. Oh well, that leaves me some room to improve! So, here's what my month looked like, reading-wise:

Number of Books Read: 8

Book Completed

Before Versailles by Karleen Koen

The Grief of Others by Leah Hager Cohen

The Taker by Alma Katsu

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright

Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky (audiobook)

Masie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Favorite Book of the Month: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (can't wait to read the rest of this series!)

Least Favorite Book of the Month: The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright

At least I'm building momentum going into March! How was your month? Let me know, and happy Leap Day!

Monthly Wrap-Up: January 2012

Well, it's that time again, time to do my monthly wrap-up. Seriously, where did January go? A few days ago, I thought I would be able to squeeze a few more books in, because I thought there was still a week left to this month! It was a pretty good reading month for me, not the best, but it is winter, so I don't get as much reading done as when it is nice and warm out. So, this is what all I read this month:

Number of Books Read: 8

If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman

The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham

Favorite Book of the Month: The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost

Least Favorite Book of the Month: Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

Not a lot of variety in my reading this month since I read mostly chick-lit, but I'm hoping to get to a classic during the month of February. How was your January? Did you read a lot, catch up on things that you weren't able to get done over the holidays? I hope that everyone has a great February!