Oh My Books!

Hey guys, can you believe it!? It's almost 2012 and wow, 2011 was fast! I can't say 2011 was bad, actually, it was pretty amazing. I traveled, graduated, got a job. I was healthy and happy. And even when I couldn't achieve some of my goals (as my reading goals), I'm really happy and thankful for 2011. As I kid I never understood why people cared so much about the new year, but now I get it. It's the time to start over, forget the past and write some new goals. I'm still thinking about my goals for 2012...but let's talk about my reading goals in 2011: My 2011 Reading Challenge at Goodreads was to read 125 books. I couldn't keep up with my reading and I managed to read 89 books . Not bad actually, but less than 2010. I have excuses, of course, but how about 100 books for 2012? I failed to achieve my goals on the Dystopia , GLBT ,  Outdo Yourself  and Cozy Mysteries Challenges, but I did great on my 1st in a Series Challenge ,  E-B...

The Holiday Reading Challenge 2011 is almost over and I had such a great time participating! :D I read more books than I thought and honestly, I liked them all. My goal was to complete the Serial Mistletoe-er level, I had read 4 to 6 holiday themed books. I actually read 9 books plus a very short story, so.....Good Job Gaby! :) I wasn't feeling very festive this holiday, but the books definitely helped me to improve my mood toward Christmas... Anyway, are you interested in what I read? Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig Holiday Hideout by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jill Shalvis, Julie Kenner  Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley Merry Christmas, Baby by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jennifer La Brecque, Rhonda Nelson Wish Upon a Star by Sarah Morgan  Small Town Christmas by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay, Katie Lane Only Us by Susan Mallery Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachen C...

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares Author: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan Release Date: October 26th, 2010 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Age: Young Adult “I’ve left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.” So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and ...

Title: Only Us: A Fool's Gold Holiday Author: Susan Mallery Series: Fool's Gold #6.5 Release Date: November 1st, 2011 Publisher: HQN Books Age: Adult Pet groomer Carina Fiore wants nothing more than to confess her feelings to the man she loves. She's drawn to veterinarian Cameron McKenzie's good looks, caring nature and especially his devotion to his young daughter. But he's also her boss and a good friend. Putting her heart on the line could cost Rina both her job and their friendship forever. Since his divorce, Cameron hasn't been willing to trust his heart—or his daughter—with anyone else. For months he's pushed away all thoughts of taking Rina in his arms and kissing her, unwilling to risk their friendship for a single night of pleasure. But when a kiss under the mistletoe unlocks the simmering passion between them, Rina and Cameron may just find love for the holidays after all...  An ebook exclusive Fool's Gold series novella. ...

NetGalley Month @ Red House Books I'm declaring that January is going to be NetGalley Month here @ Oh My Books! DETAILS: 1. Declare yourself!: Write up a post, share it on Facebook, Tweet, sky writing, carrier pigeons...Somehow, let the world know you're participating and link it up below. 2. Read NetGalley books in January! And tell us about them in February :) What do you think? I definitely need an extra push to read some of my NetGalley books, and January is the perfect time (since I don't start work until 9/01). I'm not sure which books I'm going to read, I think I will just go with the flow this time...

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine , that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. My pick:  Pizza, Love and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous  by Kathryn Williams Can a spot on a teen reality show really lead to a scholarship at an elite cooking school AND a summer romance? Sixteen-year-old Sophie Nicolaides was practically raised in the kitchen of her family’s Italian-Greek restaurant, Taverna Ristorante. When her best friend, Alex, tries to convince her to audition for a new reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, Sophie is reluctant. But the prize includes a full scholarship to one of America's finest culinary schools and a summer in Napa, California, not to mention fame. Once on-set, Sophie immediately finds herself in the thick of the drama—including a secret burn book, cutthroat celebrity judges, and a very cute French chef. Sophie must figure out a way to survive all the heat and still stay true...

Title: Small Town Christmas Authors: Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay, Katie Lane Release Date: November 1st, 2011 Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Age: Adult Three heartwarming holiday stories to prove that love is the greatest gift of all.  Kissing Santa Claus (Lucky Harbor #2.5) NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?  I'll Be Home for Christmas After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another hum drum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly just may be the best matchmaker of all.  O Little Town of Bramble All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when...

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted @ The Story Siren Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Only Us: A Fool's Gold Holiday by Susan Mallery  (free from Amazon) The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan What did you get this week? I got a lot of gifts because of Christmas, but curiously, not one of them were books xD

Finally it's Christmas Eve! It's like 3pm on my country, but I still have to rest a little bit, dress up and finish some dishes for today's dinner with the family so.. Merry Christmas!

Title: Wish Upon A Star Author: Sarah Morgan Release Date: October 7th, 2011 Publisher: Mills & Boon Age: Adult Love is in the air this Christmas! Christy was hoping to skip Christmas this year. Her kids have other ideas - they've put their dad's name at number one on their Christmas list. So it looks as if Christy will be hightailing it up to the Lake District to play happy families with her ex! Snow-capped mountains and roaring log fires - Alessandro's home is like walking into a Christmas card. Is it really safe for her to spend Christmas with her dreamy, funny - no! - entirely infuriating ex-hubby? Miranda has completely the opposite problem. Being single and pregnant at Christmas was certainly not her wish come true. She doesn't believe in miracles, but then resident hunk Jake sweeps her off her snow-covered shoes. Come Boxing Day dare she dream that Mr Sex-on-Legs might be for more than just Christmas? Wish Upon a Star is a lovely book that I...

Title: Merry Christmas, Baby Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jennifer LaBrecque, Rhonda Nelson Release Date: November 15th 2011 Publisher: Harlequin Age: Adult Who will you find under your Christmas tree?  A cowboy? Ranch hand Tucker Rankin isn't crazy about the holidays…until a wintry night before Christmas, when Lacey Evans shows him how much fun it is to be nestled all snug in her bed….  A wealthy New Yorker? Stockbroker Jared Martin needs to get away, and Alaska's the perfect place to unwind. Especially once actress Theodora "Teddy" Monroe gets him to loosen his tie—and take it all off!  Or maybe even a man in uniform? Soldier Silas Davenport is on Christmas leave. But when he arrives at his parents' home, no one is there…except for the irresistible Delphie Moreau. And she's one gift he won't be exchanging! Merry Christmas, Baby  is another Christmas anthology. It has three different short stories about couples who find...

Hi everyone! I'm today's hunt stop for the 2011 YA Story Scavenger Hunt !  Follow the hunt every day during the month of December! Answer the daily trivia questions from MG and YA books published during 2011 to be entered into the YA book giveaway :D Today's question is from Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr. Question #46: Who is the mortal love of the former and current Dark Kings? Remember to fill out your answer in the form at Most Important Letter here ! Thanks :P

Title: Dating Mr. December Author: Phillipa Ashley Release Date: August 5th 2010 Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Age: Adult When a nice girl asks twelve men to get naked, it’s sure to cause a scandal… Emma Tremayne leaves her high-powered PR job and moves to the Lake District looking for peace, quiet—and celibacy. So perhaps it’s not the best idea when, in the spirit of “community-mindedness,” she agrees to help the local mountain rescue team fund raise by putting together a “tasteful” nude calendar. Especially since quite a lot of the community seems to mind what she’s up to—including the tall, dark and handsome Mr. December, Will Tennant, who appears to have gotten the wrong impression about Emma’s intentions. So how does she convince him that he’s more than just the flavor of the month? I've been meaning to read Dating Mr. December since last Christmas, but it wasn't until now that I finally did it and I'm very glad. Emma is a nice girl who discovered h...

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine , that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. My pick: Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane Zahler Princess Meriel’s brothers have been cursed. A terrible enchantment—cast by their conniving new stepmother—has transformed the handsome princes into swans. They now swim forlornly on a beautiful heart-shaped lake that lies just beyond the castle walls. Meriel will do whatever it takes to rescue her beloved brothers. But she must act quickly. If Heart Lake freezes, her brothers will be forced to fly south or perish. With help from her newfound friends Riona and Liam—a beautiful half-witch and her clever brother—Meriel vows to finish a seemingly impossible task. If she completes it, her brothers may be saved. But if she fails…all will be lost. With a mesmerizing voice and delightful imagination, Diane Zahler delivers an exceptionally dazzling retelling—full of magic, a...

Holiday Hideout: The Thanksgiving Fix, The Christmas Set-U, The New Year's Deal Authors: Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jill Shalvis, Julie Kenner Release Date: November 1st 2011 Publisher: Harlequin Anthologies Age: Adult The Thanksgiving Fix by Vicki Lewis Thompson Finding Mr. Right is the furthest thing from Beth Davis's mind when the Reno professor takes Thanksgiving break at a colleague's Lake Tahoe cabin. Until Coinneach McFarland arrives to fix a suspicious leak. It looks like somebody's playing matchmaker for two people sworn to stay single. But as things heat up, Beth is astonished to find she has discovered her soul mate just as she'd given up looking.  The Christmas Set-Up by Jill Shalvis Competing architects Zoe and Jason have two weeks to come up with the design to win a coveted new project. But when a snowstorm strands them together at a secluded cabin, Zoe sees her chance to show Jason how she really feels. With romance blooming under the...

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted @ The Story Siren The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson (was free for Kindle) Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley (I liked Dating Mr. December so I decided to try this one too) Only two books this week, but both seems to be very cute. What did you get this week?

Title: The Mischief of the Mistletoe Author: Lauren Willig Series: Pink Carnation # 4.2 Release Date: October 28th, 2011 Publisher: Dutton Adult Age: Adult Arabella Dempsey’s dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls’ school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming face to face with French aristocrats and international spies… Reginald “Turnip” Fitzhugh—often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation—has blundered into danger before. But when he blunders into Miss Arabella Dempsey, it never occurs to him that she might be trouble. When Turnip and Arabella stumble upon a beautifully wrapped Christmas pudding with a cryptic message written in ...

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine , that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. My pick:  Elemental by Emily White Just because Ella can burn someone to the ground with her mind doesn't mean she should. But she wants to. For ten years—ever since she was a small child—Ella has been held prisoner. Now that she has escaped, she needs answers. Who is she? Why was she taken? And who is the boy with the beautiful green eyes who haunts her memories? Is Ella the prophesied Destructor… or will she be the one who's destroyed? May 1st 2012 by Spencer Hill Press