SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Thanks Sandra & Lisa, it is the flu and I haven't been sick for the better half of the year so this one hit me hard. I'm so glad the weather has been warming up Sandra!

Just on the road to recovery now.

Sandra wrote: "Lisa Kay, its still winter in Aussie. Sounds like the flu to me, hope you get better soon Jeann :)"

I totally didn't catch that! I hate to be cold.

Well, there's cold and then there's cold, it was 27C (81F) here in Sydney yesterday, and yes its supposed to be winter.

I can't believe it...it was 28 degrees Celsius in Brisbane yesterday! Seems like Spring has come early.

Except for the wind!!! It's definitely August cause its windy in Sydney :)

wow! It's in the 80's here in TN... I am from CA originally... It's humid, making it feel so sticky even after you take a shower.

We went to CA in July & my son had to rent a wetsuit to go boogie boarding, it was so cold! we wore hoodies!

Weather has definitely been weird Amy, no question.

No humidity right now but later in the summer, yeah, big time. I hate when you have a shower, go to put on moisturiser and it slides off cause you're too clammy.

Title/Author: Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Shelf: 2011

Date Finished: August 22, 2012

Rating: 4 stars

Review: Mackensie is a wedding photographer with an attitude. But when it comes to her mother she turns to jelly. In comes Carter a man and a boy then that has had a crush on her ever since they were in school together. They are trying to set off a wedding with out any mishaps, with some minor altercations here and there. Along the way Carter and Mac find that what everyone needs at the time is to get all the problems resolved before any other weddings get started. So as the days roll by they find that the attraction between them is unstoppable even for a girl who thinks marriage is nothing but giving up your dreams.

I have decided not to tell the people I meet in the book store about goodreads anymore!

Everyday at least twice. I get on here and it flashes up with the girl in the rocker saying there are too many people on right now... well, something like that!

lol Amy you're a sociable one!

Shelf will be called tomorrow....we have a good chance at this guys! If it is the dark fantasy shelf then we've got it in the bag!

YAY! i know my read too!

Whoopee, just updated our 2011 post! I'm nearly finished my own book myself so we'll be up to date when the new shelf is called.

BSB Stats, R5

I guess I had better have a plan for my "Dark Fantasy" in case it is called. **keeps fingers crossed**

Neat reviews, Juana & Jessica!

So the new shelf has been called early which is magic, which is not a winning shelf.

I'll be reading for the new shelf.

Drat!

Magic is a good one for us because we'll also have a winning chance at both the psychic and dark fantasy shelves!

True, Jeann. I was checking out "magic" for the other teams, and I don't think it is a B.I.N.G.O. for any, is it?

Don't know what I'll read/listen to yet. Maybe continue with The Dresden Files... but I don't want to burn out on them. Or start Beautiful Creatures (but it is a "chunkster"). Or maybe continue with The Infernal Devices... decisions, decisions.

great! there's still hope then!

ooooooooooo then we have 2 chances/shelves to win!

Lisa Kay wrote: "True, Jeann. I was checking out "magic" for the other teams, and I don't think it is a B.I.N.G.O. for any, is it?

Don't know what I'll read/listen to yet. Maybe continue with The Dresden Files....."

Nope, still no one wins yet! It's getting really close and exciting :D

I didn't like Beautiful Creatures when I read it, it was an interesting concept but the way it was executed was just so blandly! I reviewed it anyway so you can see my thoughts.

It looks like we will be battling other teams out if our winning shelves are called:

Psychic - Team #12 and #13
Dark Fantasy - Team #11

Better pick your reads first so you know what you will read in case its called!

Magic Shelf



So far unless I see something else, but I doubt it!

For the Magic shelf I will read Twisted by Gena Showalter

Those all look good. I'll have to read your review, Jeann. Hmmm. To do it b/f or after I read the book. LOL!

Still haven't made up my mind on which book. I'll keep you posted.

Question: One of my groups is doing a "buddy read" of . I've read it before, but I was thinking of buying it on audio. However, before I spend the money, I want to know if it would count for this shelf? Not only b/c I've read it before, but because it is shelved as "magic-etc." and "magic-theme"???

Yeah it needs to be on the correctly titled magic shelf, Lisa.

Ok just in case, I'm posting what I'll be reading for dark fantasy & psychic just in case.

Dark fantasy
Psychic or

Lisa Kay, definitely has to be on the exact matching shelf, no look-alikes allowed. LOL.

Sandra wrote: "Lisa Kay, definitely has to be on the exact matching shelf, no look-alikes allowed. LOL."

LMBO! I love that, no "look-alikes"! Thanks, Sandra. Guess I'm not getting that one from audible.com

Shelf: 2011
Rating: ★★★★
Date Finished: 28/8/12.
Goodreads Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Night Circus is an amazing evocative title with rich descriptions of a Carnival that comes to town. Under the surface however, it's basically a mysterious competition between two wizards pitting two apprentices against each other. The terms of the competition are vague, yet both Celia and Marco participate for over 16 years across the entire book, without questioning, and without finding out what the meaning of it is.

The Night Circus and its inception through the Midnight Dinners itself, is amazing. With the interchanging first person perspectives of you walking through the circus, and the descriptions of the circus tents and the different acts available, you can actually feel it come alive in your head. It's an amazingly transportative novel, and the ability to taste the sweets, smell the caramel popcorn and fairy floss of the circus, is definitely amazing for the senses. I'd probably call it brain candy.

The whole feeling of the book is mysterious and based on magic and secrets. The time of the book is not linear and people have ulterior motives. Unfortunately, there were quite a few glaring mysteries that were given weak explanations. Like the whole circus is based on a mysterious secret, which is already unveiled early in the book. Judging from the vagueness of some elements, you'd expect at least a few answers when you reach the end of the book. Only half of your questions, will reach an answer at the end.

Upon finishing the Night Circus, there were so many glaring problems with it that I was quite disappointed. This book was heading towards a 5 stars rating but when I reached halfway through, I realised that there were lots of things that were really vague, and never really given a satisfying conclusion.

(view spoiler)[For example, what really is the point of the competition, if the surviving victor dies, only to have A-H and Prospero start all over again? What's the point of living, if you're actually a spirit in the end? Why does Mr A-H have no shadow?

Why did the seams of the circus start unraveling causing the death of one of the sisters? (hide spoiler)]

These are just a few of the questions that I had upon finishing the book. It's a feeling of frustration, knowing that some details are meant to be left vague, but never actually having an answer.

The characters are one-dimensional, flat and monotone. I could swear that both Celia and Marco have the same personality. They're basically a reflection of each other. The love story, is also secondary to the amazing nature of the circus. Don't come into the book expecting a good plot, because it seems like the real star of the book is the actual circus.

There were a few interesting concepts, like the Reveurs who are extreme fans of the circus who follow it around and know when and where it's going to pop up again. There were also the awesome Midnight Dinners, where I could actually taste the food and the wines and feel the piano music playing in the background. I'd really love to see the movie when it comes out, and relive the Night Circus again. It's really a place that I'd love to visit and just lose myself in.

Stamp Request!

10. 2011 Shelf 19/8/12.
Completed 5/5 stamp requested
Amy - The Guardian ★★★★★. Review. 18/8/12.
Juana - Vision in White ★★★★. Review. 22/8/12.
Jeann - The Night Circus★★★★. Review. 28/8/12.
Lisa - Grave Peril ★★★★★. Review. 22/8/12.
Jessica - The Darkest Pleasure ★★★★1/2. Review. 24/8/12.

CONGRATULATIONS, Ferociously Flirtatious!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on '2011'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

Congrats on the stamp Flirties!

WOOO thank you!

Wooohooo!

Thanks, Steph & Sandra!!

Neat review, Jeann. Still don't know if I want to read that one.

Thanks Lisa, I think it's definitely worth a shot if you are 'pre-warned' lol.

I wishy-washy about reading it. Some days I'm sure I will...others, not so much. My BFF is interested and if she does, then I probably will with her. I wish she read more, but she reads tons for her job and isn't much interested in "recreational" reading. LOL!

Lol I could understand that - you'd want to do something other than reading if you did it for a job :)

I'm listening to for my magic shelf.

Oh, that is so exciting, Jessica! Congrats. ☺

Hooray Jessica!!!!!!

Jessica wrote: "Just thought i would share here since no one else i know is a reader.

Getting a new ereader, the nook glow... YAY for not having to lug around lights!!!"

That's great! After you get it, you're going to be addicted & Like me get another one! Then you have a Nook & Kindle!

I do like my nook a lot better, I carry it in my purse... Way to go, Jessica!

Yeah, that's pretty annoying, isn't it?!!!

Really?? Thats bad!

Oh, Amy, I've thought of buying another eReader also! LOL! Looking at the Nook, now that they've improved it. I feel very decadent doing so, therefore I'm trying to resist.

Congrats Jessica, that is awesome!

Sorry I haven't had much time to dedicate to reading my book, guys. I've been really stressed.

I had my Amazon account hacked yesterday and they made $400 worth of unauthorised transactions on my credit card. My account got frozen and now I have to wait 24 hours for an account specialist to get back to me.

A few weeks ago one of my gaming accounts got hacked and I think it's all related.

OMG PSYCHIC HAS BEEN CALLED!!!

This is a winning shelf for us!! It looks like we have to finish our Magic Shelf first, though. With 2 other teams racing for the finish line, we may not have luck.

Anywho let me know what your psychic reads will be ASAP!

We are against Team 13 and 12...However Team 13 is also behind with a shelf not completed yet.

Team 12 is our biggest worry with only the psychic shelf to complete!!

Ill be reading working on completing my magic read. Probably in the next hour or so will be done.

Psychic Shelf 2/9/12.
Completed - 5/5 stamp requested

Jeann - Once Burned ★★★★. Review. 3/9/12.
Jessica - My Soul to Take ★★★★. Review. 2/9/12.
Lisa - Bonds of Justice ★★★★½. Review. 2/9/12.
Amy - Primal Desires 3.5 stars. Review. 2/9/12.
Juana - What the Heart Wants ★★★★. Review. 5/9/12.