Happy (belated) New Year, everyone! I hope you all had fun (and safe) celebrations this weekend. As you might imagine, I'm chomping at the bit to start all my 2012 challenges, but right now it's time to look back at 2011.

For starters, I read 152 books this year -- or, to be more precise, 151 books plus two halves. Of these, 141 were new-to-me books ( Read more... )

You may recall that last year, Chronicle Books sponsored an amazing giveaway, wherein one lucky blogger won $500 worth of books, and one commenter on the winning entry also received the winner's wishlist. Well, this year, they're upping the ante: not only will one blogger (and commenter) win his/her wishlist of merchandise worth $500, but the ( Read more... )

I got greedy on Amazon.com today and bought the following:


( Read more... )

I hope that everyone had a lovely and safe New Year's Eve, and that you all have a wonderful 2011! I'm optimistic about the upcoming year, both in my personal life and in book world. :) 2010 was a pretty good year, book-wise: I read 151.5 total books (I'm only halfway through Persuasion right now), of which 8.5 were rereads.

( My 2010 book list )

Well, I didn't win the amazing Happy Haul-idays giveaway from Chronicle Books. Not that I really expected to! :) However, Chronicle is offering 35% off PLUS free ground shipping on all orders until December 16. Use promo code "HAULIDAYS" at checkout and enjoy the great offer!

In honor of the upcoming holidays, Chronicle Books is sponsoring an absolutely amazing giveaway: "Post a list of Chronicle Books valued at up to $500 that you'd like to haul in, and you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to WIN your list of books!"

Yes, you read that right: you could win $500 worth of books! Here's my wish list:

• This Is My ( Read more... )

Is anyone really surprised that I'm saying Pride and Prejudice? At first I actually wasn't  going to pick this, because I know Austen isn't everyone's cup of tea. But then I thought, it doesn't matter whether you love it; it's just one of those books that are essential to being an educated adult (if English is your native language, at least). The ( Read more... )

Such a hard question - and I answer it differently each time! Right now, I'd probably go with:

1. The Complete Works of Jane Austen - or is that cheating? If so, I'll limit myself to Pride and Prejudice
2. The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley
3. Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton
4. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
5. The Grand Sophy by Georgette ( Read more... )