I'm going to start with the first book that I finish in 2009!!! I am excited to track here! And to watch everyone else's progress as well!!

Books Read in 2009...
1) Extras by Scott Westerfeld

2) Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

3) Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen

Looks like I am starting out 2009 on a YA kick!!! But I am onto our monthly selections now!

4) The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts

Got this from the library and it took priority over all other books in my pile! Now I am onto Timeline and looking forward to it!

Re Breaking Dawn....was that your first time or no?

Sarah,
That WAS my first time with Breaking Dawn. I didn't even know about the series until I joined here in September, and then I waited for each of the books to come in at the library!! It was well worth the wait!!

5) Timeline by Michael Crichton

So glad that this was chosen as one of Cyber's books of the month! I enjoyed it!

So...did you like BD? Overall, don't need to hash into it on this particular thread.

Sarah,
I DID like BD... But I think that is because I was so attached to the characters by that point (3 books in, its hard NOT to be attached)... But I did think that the storyline went a little over the top! I like the supernatural aspects of the storyline, obviously -- but the baby pushed me over the edge (I mean, COME ON, really?).

6) The Wednesday Sisters A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton

7) Graceling by Kristin Cashore

It is taking me about a week to read a book now! I started a job about three weeks ago, which is awesome... But definitely cutting into my reading and my goodreads.com surfing time!!

Oh no April! We've misssed you! But I'm glad you liked Graceling. :)

8) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

9) Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

10) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Really enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale... If you haven't read it already, I would strongly suggest that you add to your TBR!!

11) Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult.

If you like Jodi Picoult and haven't taken the time to read this, I would strongly suggest it. It is very different from her higher profile books, but I think that it was her 2nd novel so that makes sense. I liked the story a lot.

12) It Happened One Autumn byLisa Kleypas

Liked this one a lot!! Fast read! And I never would have read it without Cyber! I think I just added 10 more Lisa Kleypas books to my TBR!

13)Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas.

Ahhh... Got to love the reformed rake! And thankfully, Spring is waiting for me at the library!! I can't believe how fast I read these last two - less than 24 hours each! Bless the weekend and the Wii (for keeping my three guys busy while I read)...

April, I just wanted to say "Yay!" on your new job. Work sure eats into reading time eh? ;-) LOL

Well, my temp position is over! And I am currently looking for a full time position! So I have been reading a bit more again! But not during business hours, which I am devoting to my job hunt! Please send me good luck vibes! I really NEED a real job!!

*Sending lots of good vibes for April to get a full time job*

All the best, April! :-)

Best of luck, April. I'm working part-time right now, but I'm hoping for a full-time teaching position to open up at the high school I used to work at. I have a few months to wait, but I understand the need for good vibes. Best of luck to you!

Aren't the Lisa Kleypas books fun? I just read two from the Hathaway series and am hopefully picking up the Autumn one tomorrow from the library.

The Hathaway series happen in time after the Wallflowers actually and it is fun seeing what the Wallflower characters are up to in the Hathaways. You still have a lot to look forward to Viola and April. :-)

*sending good vibes to Viola, too, for full time work*

Lady Jayne wrote: "The Hathaway series happen in time after the Wallflowers actually and it is fun seeing what the Wallflower characters are up to in the Hathaways. You still have a lot to look forward to Viola and A..."

Yes, Jayne, I already got to see Simon and Annabelle (is that right?) and Lord and Lady Westcliff. That was very fun, especially since I really liked that Simon Hunt. I haven't even read Westcliff's story yet, but I remember him from the other book. I'm enjoying getting acquainted with all the characters, and I can't wait to hear Leo's story with that crazy governess. Poppy's will be good too, I'm sure. They're all so much fun. I'm so happy that I found these books through Cyber. :) And thanks for the job vibes. We need them.

April, I'm sending good vibes hoping you get that full-time job!! *fingers crossed*

You too, Viola!

14) Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

15) A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Thanks ladies for all the well wishes!! I have some hot job prospects, so I am feeling positive! Viola, am sending you some good vibes as well, good luck to you!!

Wow! These LK books are addicting! Christmas wasn't my favorite, but that didn't stop me from picking up the first Hathaway this morning! Looking forward to Cam's story!

Oh, that's great, April!

*Sending some more good vibes all round!*

Yeah, Wallflower Christmas was too short for me, but had some great moments with the girls, and the girls and their significant others. :-)

Go Cam and the Hathaways! :-) I think you'll like the Hathaway clan, April.

April wrote: "Thanks ladies for all the well wishes!! I have some hot job prospects, so I am feeling positive! Viola, am sending you some good vibes as well, good luck to you!!

Wow! These LK books are addictin..."

Oh, I lurrrve Cam very much! Can't wait to hear what you think!

Hey.

I like good vibes. All around.

Thanks Jaynebird.

*buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*

Hey April...

I saw on a different post that you liked Friday Night Lights. I LOVE that show. It's my favorite. My life just isn't the same without Coach Taylor or Tim Riggins in it. :)

And don't you love Tim? He just gets better and better. That whole bit last week about the rats and being a visionary...I was cracking up. I love FNL!

Ahh... Tim Riggins... I have such a thing for the bad boy... Just hearing that name makes me think dirty thoughts!

16) Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas

You can just call this a LK obsession!!

LOL April! My LK obsession was in 2007/08. Wow! You are flying through LK's books.

17) Again The Magic by Lisa Kleypas

This was one of by favorite LK novels. I really liked the energy and the forthright natures of the two sisters! Talk about going after what you want - Livia had that down to a science, and although she was a bit more timid, so did Aline...

Alas, I am taking an LK break now... I have the first Bow Street Runners on my nightstand, but I am a bit burnt out... Need a brief change...

18) The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

April wrote: "18) The Thief by [a:Megan Whalen Turner|22542|Megan Whalen Turner|http:/..."

So, what did you think? Although the reviews for it are great, I'm afraid to ask only because it is sooo different than the Lisa Kleypas books. Sometimes when I'm into a genre, it's difficult for me to get into something else, and The Thief is certainly different. The series gets better and better with each book. I hope you liked it.

Viola wrote: "April wrote: "18) The Thief by [a:Megan Whalen Turner|22542|Megan Whalen..."

I really enjoyed The Thief. It took me a while to warm up to the story and indeed it was dramatically different from the Lisa Kleypas books... But I liked it... And I was needing something different at the moment, so it was the perfect remedy. I truly liked the hero and loved all the surprises and twists at the end... I am looking forward to the next one and have a sneaking suspicion that I know what might happen next...

Oh, yay! I'm glad you liked it, April. It's weird because I liked The Thief, but I felt like I loved it after having read the other two books. At that point, it felt like I was just reading one big story. And yes, you could just read The Queen, but it is better (I think) knowing Gen's story, background, and also some of the other characters and their history with Gen. It's fun to see the role they play in the other books. If you want, tell me your predictions for what might happen next. I would love to hear what you think! And I won't say a thing to give anything away. Promise!

I'm just glad you liked it and am happy you're going to read the others. You'll really like Gen more and more as you read his story. I turned the books into the library today, and I was sad to see them go!

I just put Queen and King on hold at my library today! Yay!! I am going to try to read Outlander first, because it is due back at the libary soon (due to the fact that someone else has placed it on hold)... Have you heard anything about that book - I'm on page 15 right now...??

Okay, possible **SPOILER** for Queen... My prediction, Gen will have a relationship with the Queen of Attolia and it will not be an easy road...

April wrote: "I just put Queen and King on hold at my library today! Yay!! I am going to try to read Outlander first, because it is due back at the libary soon (due to the fact that someone else has placed it ..."

Yes, I have read Outlander. It's good. Long, but good, and Jamie is hot. That seems to be a common trend with me, huh? I'm shallow and admit it. Books are better with hot men. :)

Anyway, I can't comment on what happens in The Queen. I just have to say that I think you'll be very surprised and that you'll really like it. He's such a lovable character, especially the more you get to know him.

Oh, and about Outlander, it is a humongous series, so you could read forever and ever with that author if you want. But don't abandon Gen for that whole series yet, kay? :)

19) One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

20) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I finally finished Outlander, which I really liked until the last 50-odd pages... That is a HUGE book! I took a break and read the most recent dark-hunter book by Sherrilynn Kenyon a few days ago, just to mix it up... Now I am back to Gen, which I am totally excited about!!

April, can I ask why you didn't like the ending of Outlander? I'm asking cuz I bought the first 5 books but haven't started reading them just because of the sheer length of the books!!

And Yay that you are getting back to Gen!

Okay, so the book was amazing in general... I loved the characters of Claire and Jamie (wonderful romance), I loved the concept (timetravel aspects), and I loved the historical value. But toward the end she seemed rushed (which I can understand after nearly 600 pages and considering that she knew it was going to be a series)... She also got involved in some weird religious/philosophical stuff that I didn't feel fit with the rest of the novel... AND she describedvsome graphic physical and emotional brutality that brought me to my knees... Of course with all that said, the actually ending (meaning the last page) was fantastic!

Thanks for the review! I think I'll wait a bit before I dive into it, but I'm glad a trusted friend liked it!