Literary Accomplishments
AKA most of the shit I read this year. This is by no means a complete list, as I am not listing craft pattern or technique books, or everything I reread; I seriously don't go more than 2 days without picking up something to read. Clap for me, people.
In a random order, from absolute soonest(finished Dec. 30) to what I probably read exactly one year ago, today:
Veil of Midnight - Lara Adrian -*
Hmm let's devise a symbol system, while we're at it.
$ - worth the money
# - flawed
* - worth a read, so borrow it
! -utter flaming shit
Moonlight Madness - Marilyn Lee -!; I am very thankful her other book got lost in the mail.
Fearless Fourteen - Janet Evanovich - is $ if you love the series, * if this is your first contact with it. Start with 1, this series is gold.
Midnight Rising - Lara Adrian - is *, if you are familiar with the series. 1, 2, and 3 (to be shown later in the list) have been the best to this point.
Blackmailed - Annmarie Mckenna - # you really have to suspend some disbelief to enjoy the hot sex scenes. Which are mostly pretty hot. I didn't always succed.
Indian Killer - Sherman Alexie - *, I never seem to be able to love an ending that isn't concrete. I felt like Alexie had left it open for a sequal, but apparantly not.
Flight - Sherman Alexie - $ I love this book, and plan on buying my brother a copy, as well as one for my very small "Keepers" shelf. I love that he got Adam Beach for the audiobook.
Pleasure and Purpose - Megan Hart - is * if you're into erotica. Rather original premise. This is a 3-story book, the first two were very good, last was enjoyable.
Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, bk 2) - Patricia Briggs - is $ to me, because I love the characters and will end up rereading. Probably more * overall.
Dangerous Lover - Lisa Marie Rice - * Very hot alpha lead, and the heroine made me like her. I'll be looking for more of her non-fantasy stuff.
Redemption Alley (Jill Kismet Bk 3) - Lilith Saintcrow - $. Hello, I love this author. I dig the world, and her take on Urban Fantasy. Dante vs Jill would be hard to choose, so don't ask.
Kitty Raises Hell - Carrie Vaughn - # boring
Sin and Sensibility - Suzanne Enoch -*
Before the Scandel - Suzanne Enoch - *
Secrets of Surrender - Madeline Hunter -*
A Scandel in Spring - Lisa Kleypas -*
Tempt Me At Twilight - Lisa Kleypas - * I love this series
Noah (Nightwalkers, bk 5) - Jacquelyn Frank - # most boring of the series. Actually, Jacob is really the only book of hers worth it.
London's Perfect Scoundrel - Suzanne Enoch - *
Seduce Me At Sunrise - Lisa Kleypas - *
Mine Til Midnight - Lisa Kleypas - *
Kitty and the Dead Mans Hand - Carrie Vaughn - # boring
The Rake - Suzanne Enoch
Blood Engines - TA Pratt - # bad writing, vapid plot
Lady Sophia's Lover - Lisa Kleypas - # spiteful heroine, boring book
Midnight Awakening - Lara Adrian * My favorite of the whole series.
The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova - ! I hate this book. Boring, not suspenseful, not frightening, not horrific, not anything but plodding and transparent.
Speak of the Devil - Jenna Black - *
Always a Scoundrel - Suzanne Enoch -*
After the Kiss - Suzanne Enoch - * this one made me crrrrrrryyyyyy.
The Devil's Due - Jenna Black - *
Curse The Dawn - Karen Chance -*
To Hell and Back - Lilith Saintcrow -$
The Devil in Winter - Lisa Kleypas - * My favorite of this arc
It Happened One Autumn - Lisa Kleypas - *
Secrets of a Summer Night - Lisa Kleypas - *
Swordpoint - Ellen Kushner - #
A Dirty Job - Christopher Moore - $
Love Lessons - Cheryl Holt - *
Lessons of Desire - Madeline Hunter -*
Rules of Seduction - Madeline Hunter- *
The Sins of Lord Easterbrook - Madeline Hunter -*
Dirty - Megan Hart - $
Tempted - Megan Hart -$ Both of these will be going on my Keeper shelf. Erotica, yes, but she does a masterful job at laying bare the psyche as well.
Saint City Sinners - Lilith Saintcrow - $
White Witch Black Curse - Kim Harrison -$$$
A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray - # hate this book. Don't wish to read any more of her work.
Stranger - Megan Hart - * would have been $ but I didn't like a part.
Hunter's Prayer - Lilith Saintcrow -$
Lamb - Christopher Moore - $ IS on my Keepers shelf. So so so good, nothing like you expect.
Glitter Baby - Susan Elizabeth Phillips - *
A Witch's Beauty - Joey Hill
A Mermaid's Kiss - Joey Hill -# the average romance reader probably won't hate her work. Ringing endorsement huh.
The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield -$ , again, going on the Keepers shelf. Not a chickie book either, would be interesting to a guy. Fine, SHOULD be interesting to a guy
Kiss of Crimson - Lara Adrian -*
Kiss of Midnight - Lara Adrian - *
Coraline - Neil Gaiman - $
Hunting Ground - Patricia Briggs - $
Raine: The Lords of Satyr - Elizabeth Amber -! Just..sigh. Way to ruin a great premise.
Maledicte - Lane Robins - *
Dream Chaser - Sherrilyn Kenyon -*
Nauti Nights - Lora Leigh - * hello, love her. Her Breeds series is the best.
Nicholas - Elizabeth Amber - !
A Well Pleasured Lady - Christina Dodd -*
Fledgeling - Octavia Butler - # this books "flaw" is that it is teeth-achingly boring
Blood Ties - Jennifer Armintrout - * Very interesting to see them less romanticised. I was very interested. Not sure if I'll read the next.
The Tale of Desperoux - Katie DiCamillo *
Smoke and Mirrors - Neil Gaiman - $
Dexter in the Dark - Jeff Lindsay -$
Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay - $ these are just as awesome as the series. The actor is so engaging that the series just barely keeps them from being "better than"
The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga - $ VERY enlightening, though-provoking, entertaining, interesting book. LOVE it.
One Silent Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon - # not her best of the series.
The Prince Kidnaps A Bride - Christina Dodd -#
When He Was Wicked - Julia Quinn - *
Leather & Lace - Beth Williamson - # Boring
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire - *
Heat Stroke - Rachel Caine - #
Ill Wind - Rachel Caine - */# interesting premise, not very engaging book
Heart of Stone - C. E. Murphy -* This is NOT a romance novel. I love gargoyles anyways.
Succubus Blues - Richelle Mead - # YAWN, way to make HELL boring. This series coulda been a scorcher.
Hotter than Hell - Jackie Kessler # YAWN, way to make HELL boring. This series coulda been a scorcher.
Road To Hell - Jackie Kessler # YAWN, way to make HELL boring. This series coulda been a scorcher.
The Scent of Shadows - Vicki Pettersson - * Ya know. I didnt like this when I read it. But the short story in an anthology kinda fixed that. Probably will read the next book.
Hell's Belles - Jackie Kessler - #
Coyote's Mate - Lora Leigh - **
Midnight's Daughter - Karen Chance - *
Tempting Danger - Eileen Wilks - I don't remember reading this, so I guess that says it all
Promethea - Alan Moore - *
At Graves End - Jeaniene Frost - *
Halfway to the Grave -Jeaniene Frost -*
A Wicked Gentleman - Jane Feather - #
The Passion - Jeanette Winterson - *
The Becoming - Jeanne C. Stein -# slow, plodding, boring
Magic Burns - Ilona Andrews - # The first book had promise. This one sucked.
Thunderbird Falls - C.E. Murphy - *
Broken - Megan Hart -$
Lost in a Good Book - Jasper Fforde - * Very interesting series!
Urban Shaman - C.E. Murphy - *
Lucifer, Book 1 : Devil in the Gateway - Mike Carey - $
ANNND to show I started the year off right, 1st book I read in 09? The Complete Sandman, Vol. 1 - Neil Gaiman - $$$$$$
I'm missing about a dozen, because FrugalReader went under suddenly, and so I lost the records of what I ordered and didn't add elsewhere : /
In a random order, from absolute soonest(finished Dec. 30) to what I probably read exactly one year ago, today:
Veil of Midnight - Lara Adrian -*
Hmm let's devise a symbol system, while we're at it.
$ - worth the money
# - flawed
* - worth a read, so borrow it
! -utter flaming shit
Moonlight Madness - Marilyn Lee -!; I am very thankful her other book got lost in the mail.
Fearless Fourteen - Janet Evanovich - is $ if you love the series, * if this is your first contact with it. Start with 1, this series is gold.
Midnight Rising - Lara Adrian - is *, if you are familiar with the series. 1, 2, and 3 (to be shown later in the list) have been the best to this point.
Blackmailed - Annmarie Mckenna - # you really have to suspend some disbelief to enjoy the hot sex scenes. Which are mostly pretty hot. I didn't always succed.
Indian Killer - Sherman Alexie - *, I never seem to be able to love an ending that isn't concrete. I felt like Alexie had left it open for a sequal, but apparantly not.
Flight - Sherman Alexie - $ I love this book, and plan on buying my brother a copy, as well as one for my very small "Keepers" shelf. I love that he got Adam Beach for the audiobook.
Pleasure and Purpose - Megan Hart - is * if you're into erotica. Rather original premise. This is a 3-story book, the first two were very good, last was enjoyable.
Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, bk 2) - Patricia Briggs - is $ to me, because I love the characters and will end up rereading. Probably more * overall.
Dangerous Lover - Lisa Marie Rice - * Very hot alpha lead, and the heroine made me like her. I'll be looking for more of her non-fantasy stuff.
Redemption Alley (Jill Kismet Bk 3) - Lilith Saintcrow - $. Hello, I love this author. I dig the world, and her take on Urban Fantasy. Dante vs Jill would be hard to choose, so don't ask.
Kitty Raises Hell - Carrie Vaughn - # boring
Sin and Sensibility - Suzanne Enoch -*
Before the Scandel - Suzanne Enoch - *
Secrets of Surrender - Madeline Hunter -*
A Scandel in Spring - Lisa Kleypas -*
Tempt Me At Twilight - Lisa Kleypas - * I love this series
Noah (Nightwalkers, bk 5) - Jacquelyn Frank - # most boring of the series. Actually, Jacob is really the only book of hers worth it.
London's Perfect Scoundrel - Suzanne Enoch - *
Seduce Me At Sunrise - Lisa Kleypas - *
Mine Til Midnight - Lisa Kleypas - *
Kitty and the Dead Mans Hand - Carrie Vaughn - # boring
The Rake - Suzanne Enoch
Blood Engines - TA Pratt - # bad writing, vapid plot
Lady Sophia's Lover - Lisa Kleypas - # spiteful heroine, boring book
Midnight Awakening - Lara Adrian * My favorite of the whole series.
The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova - ! I hate this book. Boring, not suspenseful, not frightening, not horrific, not anything but plodding and transparent.
Speak of the Devil - Jenna Black - *
Always a Scoundrel - Suzanne Enoch -*
After the Kiss - Suzanne Enoch - * this one made me crrrrrrryyyyyy.
The Devil's Due - Jenna Black - *
Curse The Dawn - Karen Chance -*
To Hell and Back - Lilith Saintcrow -$
The Devil in Winter - Lisa Kleypas - * My favorite of this arc
It Happened One Autumn - Lisa Kleypas - *
Secrets of a Summer Night - Lisa Kleypas - *
Swordpoint - Ellen Kushner - #
A Dirty Job - Christopher Moore - $
Love Lessons - Cheryl Holt - *
Lessons of Desire - Madeline Hunter -*
Rules of Seduction - Madeline Hunter- *
The Sins of Lord Easterbrook - Madeline Hunter -*
Dirty - Megan Hart - $
Tempted - Megan Hart -$ Both of these will be going on my Keeper shelf. Erotica, yes, but she does a masterful job at laying bare the psyche as well.
Saint City Sinners - Lilith Saintcrow - $
White Witch Black Curse - Kim Harrison -$$$
A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray - # hate this book. Don't wish to read any more of her work.
Stranger - Megan Hart - * would have been $ but I didn't like a part.
Hunter's Prayer - Lilith Saintcrow -$
Lamb - Christopher Moore - $ IS on my Keepers shelf. So so so good, nothing like you expect.
Glitter Baby - Susan Elizabeth Phillips - *
A Witch's Beauty - Joey Hill
A Mermaid's Kiss - Joey Hill -# the average romance reader probably won't hate her work. Ringing endorsement huh.
The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield -$ , again, going on the Keepers shelf. Not a chickie book either, would be interesting to a guy. Fine, SHOULD be interesting to a guy
Kiss of Crimson - Lara Adrian -*
Kiss of Midnight - Lara Adrian - *
Coraline - Neil Gaiman - $
Hunting Ground - Patricia Briggs - $
Raine: The Lords of Satyr - Elizabeth Amber -! Just..sigh. Way to ruin a great premise.
Maledicte - Lane Robins - *
Dream Chaser - Sherrilyn Kenyon -*
Nauti Nights - Lora Leigh - * hello, love her. Her Breeds series is the best.
Nicholas - Elizabeth Amber - !
A Well Pleasured Lady - Christina Dodd -*
Fledgeling - Octavia Butler - # this books "flaw" is that it is teeth-achingly boring
Blood Ties - Jennifer Armintrout - * Very interesting to see them less romanticised. I was very interested. Not sure if I'll read the next.
The Tale of Desperoux - Katie DiCamillo *
Smoke and Mirrors - Neil Gaiman - $
Dexter in the Dark - Jeff Lindsay -$
Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay - $ these are just as awesome as the series. The actor is so engaging that the series just barely keeps them from being "better than"
The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga - $ VERY enlightening, though-provoking, entertaining, interesting book. LOVE it.
One Silent Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon - # not her best of the series.
The Prince Kidnaps A Bride - Christina Dodd -#
When He Was Wicked - Julia Quinn - *
Leather & Lace - Beth Williamson - # Boring
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire - *
Heat Stroke - Rachel Caine - #
Ill Wind - Rachel Caine - */# interesting premise, not very engaging book
Heart of Stone - C. E. Murphy -* This is NOT a romance novel. I love gargoyles anyways.
Succubus Blues - Richelle Mead - # YAWN, way to make HELL boring. This series coulda been a scorcher.
Hotter than Hell - Jackie Kessler # YAWN, way to make HELL boring. This series coulda been a scorcher.
Road To Hell - Jackie Kessler # YAWN, way to make HELL boring. This series coulda been a scorcher.
The Scent of Shadows - Vicki Pettersson - * Ya know. I didnt like this when I read it. But the short story in an anthology kinda fixed that. Probably will read the next book.
Hell's Belles - Jackie Kessler - #
Coyote's Mate - Lora Leigh - **
Midnight's Daughter - Karen Chance - *
Tempting Danger - Eileen Wilks - I don't remember reading this, so I guess that says it all
Promethea - Alan Moore - *
At Graves End - Jeaniene Frost - *
Halfway to the Grave -Jeaniene Frost -*
A Wicked Gentleman - Jane Feather - #
The Passion - Jeanette Winterson - *
The Becoming - Jeanne C. Stein -# slow, plodding, boring
Magic Burns - Ilona Andrews - # The first book had promise. This one sucked.
Thunderbird Falls - C.E. Murphy - *
Broken - Megan Hart -$
Lost in a Good Book - Jasper Fforde - * Very interesting series!
Urban Shaman - C.E. Murphy - *
Lucifer, Book 1 : Devil in the Gateway - Mike Carey - $
ANNND to show I started the year off right, 1st book I read in 09? The Complete Sandman, Vol. 1 - Neil Gaiman - $$$$$$
I'm missing about a dozen, because FrugalReader went under suddenly, and so I lost the records of what I ordered and didn't add elsewhere : /