40. Trunk Music - Michael Connelly

Loved this one. Harry Bosch always seems to get himself into the worst possible scenarios and then find a way out. Amazing twists, and I am thankful that the author ties everything (as much as possible anyway) together in the end.
Read: 29DEC10 - 31DEC10
-What's in a Name Challenge (Music Term)
-Audio Book Challenge (finished it with this one!)
-Out With a Bang Read-a-Thon

39. The Last Coyote - Michael Connelly

Fourth in the Harry Bosch series. I like that the narrator is the same, keeps the characters familiar. I listened to this via download from my local library-I love this feature! The mystery was a good one, didn't figure it out til the very end but had clues throughout so it kept me guessing. One more down to finish up the year!
Read: 27DEC10 - 29DEC10
-TBR Lite Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Out With a Bang Read-a-Thon

Out with a Bang Read-a-Thon (DEC 29-31)

Found this last challenge of the year just now and am joining! See the original site here: http://thebookishtype.blogspot.com/2010/12/out-with-bang-readathon.html. There are prizes too...

38. Dark Pursuit - Brandilyn Collins

Free book on my Kindle. Decent read, pretty good twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Don't remember any clues given though, I hate not getting any clues. You don't have any way of figuring out the end until it's given to you.
Read: 09DEC10 - 28DEC10
-A ~ Z Challenge
-New Author Challenge
-E-Book Challenge

37. A River in the Sky - Elizabeth Peters

Not a continuing story in the series, but an historical one. I love listening to these books, the voices are so much fun.
Read: 09DEC10 - 26DEC10
-TBR Lite Challenge
-What's in a name Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge
-PUB Challenge

36. Obsidian Butterfly - Laurell K. Hamilton

Ninth in the series, won't finish the series during the 'Finish That Series Challenge' for the year, but I will continue and catch up on it.
Read: 09DEC10 - 23DEC10
-Anita Blake Challenge
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

35. Bones to Ashes - Kathy Reichs

Tenth in the series, only 3 left to catch up on this series.
Read: 06DEC10 - 14DEC10
-Reading From My Shelves Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

34. Blue Moon - Laurell K. Hamilton

Eigth in the series.
Read: 01NOV10 - 15NOV10
-Anita Blake Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

33. The Apothecary's Daughter - Julie Klassen

Read for free on my Kindle.
Read: 06FEB10 - 30SEP10
-New Author Challenge
-TBR Lite Challenge
-E-Book Challenge

32. Burnt Offerings - Laurell K. Hamilton

Seventh in the series.
Read: 05SEP10 - 19SEP10
-Anita Blake Challenge
-Support Your Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

31. In the Dark - Mark Billingham

Still love the Tom Thorne series, but this was a nice mention of him.
Read: 27MAY10 - 29AUG10
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Reading From My Shelves Challenge
-TBR Lite Challenge
-Chunkster Challenge

30. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Seth Grahame-Smith

Great read. Liked the twist on history, very believable...
Read: 17JUL10 - 12AUG10
-A ~ Z Challenge
-New Author Challenge
-Support Your Local Library Challenge
-PUB Challenge

29. The Killing Dance - Laurell K. Hamilton

Sixth in the series.
Read: 28JUL10 - 01AUG10
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Support Your Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Anita Blake Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

28. Running From the Devil - Jamie Freveletti

Read: 12JUL10 - 28JUL10
-A ~ Z Reading Challenge
-New Author Challenge
-Support Your Local Library Challenge

27. Bloody Bones - Laurell K. Hamilton

Fifth in the series, another great read.
Read: 17JUL10 - 25JUL10
-Anita Blake Challenge
-Support Your Local Library
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

26. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen

My first 'Magic Realism' book of the year, maybe my first ever. Audio downloaded from the library. Not a bad listen. Will read her others if they become available at the library via download.
Read: 11JUL10 - 12JUL10
-New Author Challenge
-Support Your Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge

25. The Lunatic Cafe - Laurell K. Hamilton

Fourth in the Anita Blake series, will be continuing the series.
Read 05JUL10 - 11JUL10
-Anita Blake Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-What's in a Name
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

24. Circus of the Damned - Laurell K. Hamilton

Third in the Anita Blake series, will definitely be reading the rest.
Read 30JUN10 - 05JUL10
-Anita Blake Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

23. The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton

Book two in the series, really enjoying it.
Read 27JUN10 - 30JUN10
-Anita Blake Series Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

22. Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs

Second in the Temperance Brennan series. Will continue with series, rather interesting.
Read 28MAY10 - 26JUN10
-Local Library Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

21. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton

First in her vampire hunter series. I tried to read this one, but gave in to the CD's once again so I could cross stitch and listen at the same time. I enjoy the CD's as there are sound effects in certain places, and I really like the narrator. Will be continuing the series. Read 28MAY10 - 2JUN10
-New Author Challenge
-TBR - Lite Challenge
-Awesome Author Challenge
-Anita Blake Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

20. Cross Bones - Kathy Reichs

Not quite sure what it is about this series, but I really enjoy it. Read 13MAY10 - 25MAY10
-Reading From my Shelves Project

19. Murder Takes the Cake - Gayle Trent

Read on my Kindle during my down time at 'Bagel Boy'. Took a while to read but it was ok. I could read more by this author, she had good characters and a fun plot. An easy read and glad I read it. Read 22JAN10 - 24MAY10
-A ~ Z Challenge
-New Author Challenge
-E-Book Challenge

18. A Great Deliverance - Elizabeth George

I had really looked at reading this entire series, but after reading the first in the series, I won't be doing that. It wasn't a bad book by any means, just not as exciting as I'm used to. I own the paperback and just couldn't get into it, so I listened to it on CD. Read 21APR10 - 23MAY10
-Reading From My Shelves Project
-New Author Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge

17. The Bone Thief - Jefferson Bass

I look forward to each one of these books and read them far too fast when I get my hands on them! Bass keeps the events real and unpredictable, a welcome change from some other mystery series. Read 21APR10 - 12MAY10.
-Pub 2010 Challenge

15. Tomb of the Golden Bird - Elizabeth Peters

Read 17APR10 - 19APR10
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge

14. The Serpent on the Crown - Elizabeth Peters

Read 8APR10 - 17APR10
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge

13. Guardian of the Horizon - Elizabeth Peters

Read 22MAR10 - 7APR10
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge

12. Sizzle - Julie Garwood

Read 2APR10 - 5APR10. I love her books! I just devour them.
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Local Library Challenge

16. Eye of the Red Tsar - Sam Eastland

This book, I would read again. I rarely do that, but the twists and turns kept me guessing. Just when I really thought I had things figured out, a new bubble of information would rise to the surface and I'd have to rethink it all. I thought the author did a wonderful job of intertwining Pekkala's history with the present time of the book, it was all relative. You really have to pay attention with this one, I truly enjoyed it and am most definitely planning to read the next in the series.
-New Author Challenge

11. Born to Run - Christopher McDougal

When I first started reading reviews of this book on my Kindle, I thought I'd try a sample and see what all the excitement was about. I soon purchased the rest of the book and kept reading. I am trying to get myself into running, and this book may have done it. It wasn't only a great read, it was a motivating read. I have been plagued with knee injuries and plantar fascitis for several years now, and this book helped me understand why! I need to learn how to run properly! If you are a runner or want to be a runner, I would strongly suggest you read this book. It has definitely changed my attitude toward running.
-New Author Challenge
-E-Book Reading Challenge

10. Blind Eye - Stuart MacBride

I absolutely LOVE this author! The creativity of the crime scenes, and the vivid description of injuries makes me cringe! That's not too easy to do, and I enjoy every page of his books~can't wait for the next one!
-Local Library Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

9. Eat to Live - Joel Fuhrman

This was the first diet/health book that I've really read all the way through. The author makes several valid points, and notes several studies to support his points. I am not yet willing to go vegan, but I am now paying much closer attention to the food that I am eating, and making an effort to eat more raw fruits/veggies.
-New Author Challenge

8. Children of the Storm - Elizabeth Peters

Number 15 in the series.
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

7. The Golden One - Elizabeth Peters

Number 14 in the series, still love them all.
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Audio Book Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

6. Frames - Loren D. Estleman

The first in the series, and YES, I actually read something out of order for once. Lucky for me, the second book explained just enough about this one that made me want to read this one, but didn't leave me behind by reading the second one first. Wow, did that even make sense? Anyway, these are quick reads, with a ton of movie history research done to put them together. I'm not much for classic movies, but I certainly appreciate them now.
-Chill Baby, Chill Challenge (COMPLETED)
-Local Library Challenge

5. Eleven On Top - Janet Evanovich

What can you say about Stephanie Plum? The characters get better with each installment and the author never fails to make me laugh out loud while reading, or listening. Grandma Mazur is my favorite character of the series, with Ranger a close second.
-Chill Baby, Chill Challenge
-Local Library Challenge

4. Lord of the Silent - Elizabeth Peters

This was book 13 in the series and I have enjoyed them all so far. I listen to them on CD in my vehicle and love the narrator: Barbara Rosenblat. She does a fantastic job with the voices and makes each character come alive.
-Chill Baby, Chill Challenge
-A ~ Z Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-What's in a Name Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge

3. Echo Burning - Lee Child

Always exciting...definitely geared toward the male reader, but these are still fun books to read.
-Chill Baby, Chill Challenge
-A ~ Z Challenge

2. Flesh House - Stuart MacBride

The fourth in the series and it just gets better! The crime scenes are incredibly vivid, better than CSI could ever do. The mystery comes together at the end, the 'Flesher' is identified, but a few loose ends are left, leaving more than enough room for several more books to clean everything up.
-Chill Baby, Chill Challenge
-A ~ Z Title Challenge
-Local Library Challenge
-Finish That Series Challenge
-Mystery Read-A-Thon Completed!

1. Bloodshot - Stuart MacBride

This was number three in Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series. I finished it on 11 January and am just now getting things posted. I am so horrible about that! Guess I'd rather be reading than writing about reading...Anyway, this installment was even better than the last. MacBride is getting more and more bold in his character development, and his descriptions of the crimes are more and more vivid. I love it and hope he keeps writing. Very similar to Mark Billingham's DI Thorne series, which is one of my favorites.
-Chill Baby, Chill Challenge
-A ~ Z Title Challenge
-Local Library Challenge

Happy New Year!

Ahhhh, a new year is upon us once again. Where did 2009 go? I signed up for all of these really great challenges and hardly finished any of them! I did manage to read 41 books though, so that is about 40 more than the average American reads. Guess that isn't too bad then. I have signed up for a ton more for 2010 and am really, really going to try to do better this year. I also finally joined the bandwagon and signed up on Facebook! My roommates are on it all of the time, and they love it, so I figured why not? Still trying to get all of the challenges that I've signed up for posted on the blog, so keep checking back to see what I've been reading and my (hopefully) stellar progress in the challenges.

Have a wonderful New Year!