LadyViolet's Giving the 75 Book challenge a Go for 2013 (1)

*awkwardly shuffles in*
Well Hi... it's been a looooong while I posted anywhere on LT and since my thread for last year died months ago I will forgive people for thinking that I may have dropped off the face of the planet. But I am valiantly going to try and post more this year since life is now pretty stable and going good :)

Job situation now sorted - working as a Apprentice Teaching assistant in a secondary school in Derbyshire and will be working there until 2014! (such long-distant plans). As for other life matters I'm 6 months into a fantastic relationship and happy as a clam although I did have two unexpected health scares when I got hospitalised in Verona with Glandular fever in October and then in December my legs became horrific lumpy messes when I acquired a skin infection that for at least a week confused everyone into thinking they were bites until it got too painful to walk. Thankfully I'm nearly back to full health and bizarrely looking forward to going back to work on the 7th since I missed the last week of term being not able to really walk or drive.

But anyway folk aren't here for a huge life update, they're here for the books! But as a quick hello for anyone who *hasn't* come across me before - Howdy I'm Rachel, I'm 22 (egads!) I now live in the Shire of Derby and most of the books I read tend to be either Young Adult fiction or Fantasy or a combination of the two although I am trying to mix in more non-fiction and supposed "adult" fiction (but not that kind of adult fiction). So if any of the books in the lists linked about tickle your fancy then stick around and help yourself to tea and chocolate biscuits!

EDITLast year's list is all up-to-date and linked below along with my other years threads.

Previous Years Threads
2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012

Reading List 2013
January
1. 1Q84 Books 1 & 2 by Haruki Murakami (3/1/2013 AM)
2. 1Q84 Book 3 by Haruki Murakami (4/1/2013 PM)
3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Official Movie Guide by Brian Sibley (5/1/2013 PM)
4. Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder (8/2/2013 PM)
5. Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir (10/1/2013 PM)
6. The Duke & I by Julia Quinn (13/1/2013 AM)
7. Persuasion by Jane Austen (19/1/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
8. A Lady of Expectations by Stephanie Laurens (20/1/2013 PM)
9. Crewel by Gennifer Albin (25/1/2013 PM)
10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (29/1/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
11. Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle (31/1/2013 PM)

February
12. Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone (2/2/2013 PM)
13. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (4/2/2013 PM)
14. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken (6/2/2013 PM)
15. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill (7/2/2013 PM)
16. Just One Day by Gayle Forman (9/2/2013 AM)
17. Ettiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (10/2/2013 PM)
18. The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead (17/2/2013 AM)

March
19. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (1/3/2013 PM)
20. A Rake's Vow by Stephanie Laurens (3/3/2013 PM)
21. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (9/3/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
22. The Duff by Kody Keplinger (10/3/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
23. Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase (12/3/2013 PM)
24. Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde (19/3/2013 PM)
25. The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott (19/3/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
26. Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb (22/3/2013 AM)
27. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (24/3/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
28. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (26/3/2013 PM)
29. The Essence by Kimberly Derting (27/3/2013 PM)
30. Geek Girl by Holly Smale (28/3/2013 PM)

April
31. Storm of Swords: Steel & Snow by George R.R. Martin (8/4/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
32. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (8/4/2013 PM)
33. Easy by Tammara Webber (9/4/2013 PM)
34. The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater (10/4/2013 PM)
35. Slated by Teri Terry (11/4/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
36. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (11/4/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
37. Fractured by Teri Terry (12/4/2013 PM)
38. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis (14/4/2013 AM)
39. The Wolf Princess by Cathryn Constable (22/4/2013 PM)
40. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (27/4/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
41. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (28/4/2013 PM)
42. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (29/4/2013 PM) *RE-READ*

May
43. A Storm of Swords: Blood & Gold by George R.R. Martin (1/5/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
44. A Dance with Dragons: Dreams & Dust by George R.R. Martin (5/5/2013 AM)
45. Ghost Flower by Michele Jaffe (7/5/2013 PM)
46. Undone by Cat Clarke (8/5/2013 PM)
47. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (12/5/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
48. The Assassin & The Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas (13/5/2013 PM)
49. The Eternal Cure by Julia Kagawa (14/5/2013 PM)
50. The Assassin & the Desert by Sarah J. Maas (15/5/2013 PM)
51. The Assassin the Underworld by Sarah J. Maas (16/5/2013 PM)
52. Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (21/5/2013 PM)
53. Challenging Zed by Joss Stirling (24/5/2013 PM)
54. A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast by George R.R Martin (24/5/2013 PM)
55. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (26/5/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
56. The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee (30/5/2013 AM)

June
57. The Moon & More by Sarah Dessen (1/6/2013 PM)
58. Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens (2/6/2013 PM)
59. Tangled Reins by Stephanie Laurens (3/6/2013 PM)
60. A Secret Love by Stephanie Laurens (7/6/2013 AM)
61. This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith (8/6/2013 AM)
62. Love is an Number by Lee Monroe (9/6/2013 AM)
63. Stray by Rachel Vincent (16/6/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
64. Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson (18/6/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
65. The Brazen Bride by Stephanie Laurens (19/6/2013 PM)
66. The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens (21/6/2013 PM)
67. After Dark by Haruki Murakami (22/6/2013 PM)
68. Quicksilver by R.J. Anderson (23/6/2013 AM)
69. A Gentleman's Honour by Stephanie Laurens (27/6/2013 PM)
70. The Secret of Ella & Micha by Jessice Sorenson (28/6/2013 PM)

July
71. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (2/7/2013 PM)
72. The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn (3/7/2013 PM)
73. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (5/7/2013 PM)
74. The BFG by Roald Dahl (6/7/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
75. The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo (7/7/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
76. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (15/7/2013 PM)
77. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (17/7/2013 PM)
78. And then She Fell by Stephanie Laurens (19/7/2013 PM)
79. Finding Sky by Joss Stirling (20/7/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
80. Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling (21/7/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
81. Seeking Crystal by Joss Stirling (22/7/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
82. Mistwood by Leah Cypess (28/7/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
83. Acid by Emma Pass (29/7/2013 PM)

August
84. The Assassin & the Empire by Sarah J. Maas (5/8/2013 PM)
85. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (6/8/2013 PM)
86. The Night Itself by Zoe Marriott (17/7/2013 PM)
87. Is that a Fish in Your Ear? by David Bellos (28/8/2013 PM)
88. Kissed by Cameron Dokey (28/8/2013 PM)
89. Soulmates by Holly Bourne (29/8/2013 PM)
90. Shut Out by Kody Keplinger (30/8/2013 AM)
91. Mysterious Benedict Society & the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart (31/8/2013 PM)

September
92. The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson (1/9/2013 PM)
93. A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger (2/9/2013 PM)
94. The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (6/9/2013 PM)
95. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (10/9/2013 PM)
96. Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider (14/9/2013 AM)
97. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kody Cross (16/9/2013 PM)
98. Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott (18/9/2013 PM)
99. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (22/9/2013 PM)
100. The Magic in the Weaving by Tamora Pierce (24/9/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
101. The Power in the Storm by Tamora Pierce (24/9/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
102. The Fire in the Forging by Tamora Pierce (26/9/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
103. The Healing in the Vine by Tamora Pierce (28/9/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
104. Magic Steps by Tamora Pierce (30/9/2013 PM) *RE-READ*

October
105. Street Magic by Tamora Pierce (1/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
106. Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce (3/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
107. Cold Fire by Tamora Pierce (6/10/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
108. Shatterglass by Tamora Pierce (7/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
109. The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce (12/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
110. Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce (12/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
111. The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan (16/10/2013 PM)
112. The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross (17/10/2013 PM)
113. This Song will Save Your Life by Leila Sales (18/10/2013 PM)
114. A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz (20/10/2013 PM)
115. Emma Hearts LA by Keris Stainton (21/10/2013 PM)
116. Geek Girl Model Misfit by Holly Smale (23/10/2013 PM)
117. Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan (24/10/2013 PM)
118. Raven's Gate by Anthony Horowitz (27/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
119. Evil Star by Anthony Horowitz (27/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
120. Nightrise by Anthony Horowitz (28/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
121. Necropolis by Anthony Horowitz (29/10/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
122. Oblivion by Anthony Horowitz (30/10/2013 PM)
123. Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo (31/10/2013 PM)

November
124. Silverfin by Charlie Higson (2/11/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
125. Bloodfever by Charlie Higson (3/11/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
126. Double or Die by Charlie Higson (4/11/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
127. Hurricaine Gold by Charlie Higson (6/11/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
128. By Royal Command by Charlie Higson (7/11/2013 PM)
129. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (9/11/2013 PM)
130. Angelfall by Susan Ee (10/11/2013 PM)
131. Soulless by Gail Carriger (12/11/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
132. Changeless by Gail Carriger (13/11/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
133. Blameless by Gail Carriger (14/11/2013 PM)
134. Heartless by Gail Carriger (16/11/2013 PM)
135. Timeless by Gail Carriger (18/11/2013 PM)
136. Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (20/11/2013 PM)
137. World After by Susan Ee (23/11/2013 AM)
138. Not quite a Lady by Loretta Chase (26/11/2013 PM)
139. Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase (27/11/2013 PM)

December
140. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (2/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
141. Terrier by Tamora Pierce (8/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
142. Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce (10/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
143. Mastiff by Tamora Pierce (12/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
144. All About Love by Stephanie Laurens (13/12/2013 PM)
145. Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue by Stephanie Laurens (14/12/2013 PM)
146. Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers (16/12/2013 PM)
147. Ten Things I love about You by Julia Quinn (19/12/2013 PM)
148. A Night like This by Julia Quinn (20/12/2013 PM)
149. Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer (20/12/2013 PM)
150. The Conventional Marriage by Georgette Heyer (22/12/2013 PM)
151. Frederica by Georgette Heyer (24/12/2013 PM)
152. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (26/12/2013 PM)
153. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce (28/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
154. In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce (28/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
155. The Woman who Rides like a Man by Tamora Pierce (28/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
156. Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce (29/12/2013 AM) *RE-READ*
157. Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce (30/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*
159. Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce (31/12/2013 PM) *RE-READ*

Will be trying to post actual reviews for some of what I read this year so will link to specific posts when a review is written.

Challenges for 2013
- Read at least 150 books
- Read at least 15 Non-Fiction books
- Read at least 10 Classics (not including ANY Austen re-reads)
- Write Reviews for a third of what I read and post to LT

Happy Reading in 2013!

*EDIT* Stats Ahoy!
2012 Reading Stats
Books Read - 157
New Reads - 112
Re-reads - 45

Male Authors - 26
Female Authors - 87

Genre
Fiction - 147
Non-Fiction - 10
YA (Young Adult) - 115
Fantasy/Paranormal/Supernatural etc. - 73
Dystopia - 11
Realistic/Contemporary - 30
Historical Fiction - 15
Classics - 6

Numbers by Month
Jan - 17
Feb - 16
Mar - 19
Apr - 15
May - 21
Jun - 14
Jul - 6
Aug - 15
Sep - 7
Oct - 8
Nov - 5
Dec - 11

Now follows a rather bloated list of my favourite books of 2012 (New reads only, 5 or 4.5 Stars)

Best of 2012
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
A Million Suns by Beth Revis
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Adorkable by Sarra Manning
The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Seeking Crystal by Joss Stirling
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Welcome back! Glad the health issues sorted themselves out and you're back among us again.

Hi DrN! Tis good to be back I've missed the sense of community you get from being here so I really want to get back into it this year. *unpacks the beanbags from storage*

Good to see you back around. Your reason for not being here sounds very similar to mine, so hopefully we can both stick with it from here on.

Hi Jenny! Yea now with having my work stuff sorted and the hours not too insane I should have to manage to have internet time and not completely ignore my boyfriend and the domestic stuff.

AAAARGH, I love reading your intro and thinking "OMIGOD YES Rachel is now a fellow Derbyshirelander!" I am never going to tire of the excitement that thought creates. A friend! Who reads! In the same county! Wheeeee! :D

*lobs a star in Rachel's general direction and helps herself to tea and Bakewell crackle* Oh yes, 2013 is going to be a good year...

Hehehe yea I don't think I'll ever tire of it either, will definitely have to arrange the kidnapping of Jess-Darling to the Shire sometime this month so we can all food and chat and I shall be able to foist the acquaintance of the boyf onto her :P

Oi don't you eat all that crackle! *hides some for later*

I need to put together my best of 2012 list, too. I definitely agree with a few of yours - The Fault in Our Stars will be on my list.

Hi Rachel, lovely to see you back in the group.

Hallo Rachel, just peeking my head in, because I saw that we share some interests in books. Nice list you have got up there :)

But anyway folk aren't here for a huge life update Yes we are! Glad things are looking up for you.

Luxx - aww thank you! :) *cookie for you*

I've been meaning to do at least a mini-review for the three books I'd read before today and since I've finished another book this evening I really can't avoid it any longer or I will get behind and then never do it. These will be very brief for now and I may add a more detailed review when I get around to writing them.

1. 1Q84 vol. 1 & 2 by Haruki Murakami
Book recommended by my boyfriend. Quirky and fascinating book about two people who find themselves in a world that may seem like their normal world of 1984 but some things are slightly off and there are strange forces at work within it. 1Q84 is a strangely arresting book with minute descriptions and subtleties that somehow keep you turning the pages (all 800+ of them!). I found myself so invested in the story that the day after finishing this book I started the third volume. Highly Recommended.

2. 1Q84: Book 3 by Haruki Murakami
I don't know if this is the last book of 1Q84 because there were several possible threads to continue with but it was a very satisfying ending despite the fact that the story got rather odd in this volume (anyone who did the group read last year will know what I mean). My inner mush loves both Tengo and Aomame and bizarrely I did warm to Ushikawa more in this book. Highly Recommended.

I will have to do the other two books tomorrow as I always take far too long to write even teeny reviews!

Also in awesome news I persuaded my boyfriend to join Librarything :D

I read 1Q84 as part of the group read last year and loved it. Have you read anything else by Murakami?

Avatiakh - I haven't but my boyfriend has got a few of his other books so I may borrow them and have a read since I do really like Murakami's style of writing and hopefully his other works will agree with me :)

Now I need to go find a copy of all the 1Q84 volumes, ta... I really like the look of those cool boxed sets actually, they're so purty! I want to read Norwegian Wood too - there was a group read on here a year or two ago that I was going to take part in so I have the book and everything, I just never got round to actually starting it!

Oh yup you do although bizarrely it worked out cheaper for me to get the two volumes rather than the big one with all three books. Mark has a crap-ton of Murakami books so I will have to borrow Norwegian Wood at some point.

And get back to Jane Eyre Woman! I finally finished last week and I agree with your sentiments on St John *spits* I can't help but think him a real bastard for how he treats Jane and wants to change and restrict her - ack *spits again*

One month on... and I still haven't returned to Jane Eyre! What with the zombie apocalypse (Warm Bodies) and a record-breaking gangbang porn shoot (Snuff - gotta love Palahniuk!), there just doesn't seem to be time for a governess and her gentleman! :P