Books Read Analysis

I started tracking my books read on this blog in 2008.  Five years later, I decided to do some minor analysis.

I read the following books per year:
2008 - 62 (average 5.17)
2009 - 48 (average 4.00)
2010 - 78  (average 6.50)
2011 - 57 (average 4.75)
2012 - 74 (average 6.17)

I read the following books, on average, per month:
January - 4
February - 4
March - 3.8
April - 4
May - 7.8
June - 4.6
July - 6.8
August - 7.4
September - 7.2
October - 4.8
November - 4
December - 5.4

The months in which I read the most varies from July, September, December, October, and August through the last five years.  Of course, these numbers are skewed a bit due to speed reading a few series - some of which were shorter stories.  Also, this month's book club book is a bit longer than usual so it's going to take me all of the month and then some to read it so I have logged nothing for December and may have very little next January as well.

I know people with children say they don't have time to read, but I make time - and I have no real time-consuming hobbies.  I read during lunch and after Little Miss falls asleep (which is no later than 9PM).  I read the most during the week between 9PM and midnight.  I read the least when new tv is on.  Interesting to see if there are any trends.

This coincides with my attempt to get back on track with Good Reads (goodreads.com/princessapr).  I hope to be more active than last time which shouldn't be difficult.  I have included the books I've listed on this blog, but I think it'll be nicer to be able to go somewhere with more uniform and correct links. 

Books read in December 2008

1. The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts. (NOTE: This is the third book in the Sign of Seven trilogy. Book 1 is Blood Brothers. Book 2 is The Hollow by Nora Roberts.
2. Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb

It was a Nora Roberts month for me. I liked both books, but I can't say either was my favorite in its respective series. I wanted the Sign of Seven series to be scarier and, though it had its creepy moments, it never clicked for me. That said, there were some adorable and tender moments in The Pagan Stone. Salvation in Death was different than I expected in terms of the plot, but I never claimed to be good at figuring out mysteries. It was a solid book.

I have the option of reading Suite 606 to continue the Nora Roberts trend, but I think I'll move onto something else. You can see what I'm currently reading on the main blog page. However, I'm also eagerly looking forward to 20th Century Ghosts, but Joe Hill scares me! So, it's slow-going (not to mention that I haven't finished Heart-Shaped Box yet). He's so talented, but ghosts really freak me out. Maybe soon, I'll get my courage up and finish Just After Sunset and get on the horror bandwagon to read/finish them all but, for now, I'll stick to the non-scary.

Books Read in November 2008

The only book I read this month was Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy. I wasn't making any progress reading anything so I thought I'd pick up something fast and light. Flat-Out Sexy fit the bill. It was a fun book, better than I expected seeing as I'm not really into car racing.

Books Read in October 2008

1. No Escapeby Shannon K. Butcher. (NOTE: This is the last of a trilogy. Book 1 is No Regrets and Book 2 is Book 2 is No Control.)
2. The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen.


This was a small month for reading, but the books were quality books. I'd been looking forward to reading both for awhile. I was nervous about No Escape as Grant was my favorite character leading up to this book. I was afraid that he wouldn't deliver when it came time for his own book, but his book was well done. The Keepsake was excellent as well. Tess Gerritsen is always a good bet for a good read. Hopefully, November will bring me more books or more time to read. I've got the books...

Books Read in September 2008

1. The Trouble with Paradise by Jill Shalvis
2. Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 3. Book 1 is Sweet Talk. Book 2 is Sweet Spot.)
3. Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Note: This is Book 1 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)
4. Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Note: This is Book 2 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)
5. Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Note: This is Book 3 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)
6. Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Note: This is Book 4 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)
7. Midnight Pleasures by Amanda Ashley, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Maggie Shayne, and Ronda Thompson. (Note: This is Book 5 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here. This is an anthology which contains the short stories Darkfest, Phantom Lover, A Wulf’s Curse, and Under Her Spell.)
8. Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Note: This is Book 6 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)

A friend lent me the Dark Hunter books, and I wanted to finish the few she sent so they didn’t sit on my counter forever. I enjoyed the series. I don’t know if I would have purchased them, but I did enjoy them and look forward the rest of the series. I pretty much just read her this month.

Books read in August 2008

1. Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 1 of a trilogy. Book 2 is Sweet Spot. Book 3 is Sweet Trouble.)
2. Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 2 of a trilogy. Book 1 is Sweet Talk. Book 3 is Sweet Trouble.)
3. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. (Note: This is the series of books on which the Showtime series Dexter is based. Book 2 is Dearly Devoted Dexter. Book 3 is Dexter in the Dark.)
4. One Moonlit Night by Samantha James.
5. Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann.
6. 5th Horseman by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the fifth book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 2 is 2nd Chance. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
7. Undead and Uneasy by MaryJanice Davdison. (Note: This is book 6. Book 1 is Undead and Unwed. Book 2 is Undead and Unemployed. Book 3 is Undead and Unappreciated. Book 4 is Undead and Unreturnable. Book 5 is Undead and Unpopular. Book 7 is Undead and Unworthy.)
8. Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs.

I didn't think I was going to read many books this month. I had a slow start. However, it turned out well. I really like Susan Mallery's series and can't wait for the final book. The Dexter book was very similar to the series which surprised me. I haven't decided if I'm going to stick with the series or not. For series that are over 10 books, like Suzanne Brockmann's book, I did not list all of the books. Last book of note was Just Breathe which was really good. It may be one of my favorites of hers.

Books read in July 2008

1. That Summer Place by Jill Barnett, Susan Wiggs, and Debbie Macomber. . (NOTE: This is an anthology featuring the short stories Old Things, Island Time, and Private Paradise.)
2. True Colors by Kristin Hannah. (NOTE: This book will not be released until February 2009.)
3. Trusting Ryan by Tara Taylor Quinn. (NOTE: This is Book 2 of 2. Book 1 is Sara’s Son).
4. 4th of July by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the fourth book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 2 is 2nd Chance. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
5. No Regrets by Shannon K. Butcher. (NOTE: This is Book 1 of 3. Book 2 is No Control. Book 3 is No Escape which will be released at the end of September).
6. No Control by Shannon K. Butcher. (NOTE: Book 1 is No Regrets Book 3 is No Escape which will be released at the end of September).
7. His Wicked Ways by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is Book 1 of 2. Book 2 is His Wicked Promise).
8. His Wicked Promise by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is Book 2 of 2. Book 1 is His Wicked Ways).
9. Flashpoint by Jill Shalvis. (NOTE: This is Book 1. Book 2 is Flashback).
10. My Immortal by Erin McCarthy. (NOTE: This is Book 1. Book 2 is Fallen Book 3 is The Taking which is upcoming with no release date as of yet).

It was a good month. I was thrilled to have been able to read True Colors. I really enjoyed it. There will be more on that when I read the final book in February. That Summer Place was a reread. It was recently rereleased. It is one of my all-time favorite anthologies. Really, it was a good, solid month of enjoyable reads. So good, in fact, that I’m having trouble getting into any books now!

A ~ Z Reading Challenge

I found this challenge at my friend Shoshana's site. It looked like a lot of fun! I have a feeling, at the end of the year, I'll be looking to read a book just to fill in some blanks! I'm not as good as graphics and presentation as she is, but here it goes!

Title
A:
B: Betting on Santa – Debra Salonen
C: Change of Heart – Jodi Picoult
D: Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
E:
F: Flashpoint - Jill Shalvis
G:
H: Hard to Handle – Lori Foster
I: Into the Fire - Suzanne Brockmann
J: Just a Taste – Deirdre Martin
K: Kiss of the Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon
L: The Lost Duke of Wyndham – Julia Quinn
M: The Marriage Spell – Mary Jo Putney
N: New Moon – Stephenie Meyer
O: One Moonlit Night - Samantha James
P: Pride & Pregnancy – Karen Templeton
Q:
R:
S: Snowfall at Willow Lake – Susan Wiggs
T: Twilight – Stephenie Meyer
U: Undead and Uneasy - MaryJanice Davidson
V:
W:
X:
Y: Yours, Mine… Ours? – Karen Templeton
Z:

Author
A: Anderson, Evangeline – Dangerous Cravings
B: Butcher, Shannon K. – No Regrets
C:
D:
E:
F:
G: Gerritsen, Tess - The Keepsake
H: Hannah, Kristin – Firefly Lane
I:
J: James, Samantha – The Perfect Bride
K: Kenyon, Sherrilyn - Fantasy Lover
L: Lindsay, Jeff - Darkly Dreaming Dexter
M: McCarthy, Erin - My Immortal
N: Novak, Brenda – A Husband of Her Own
O:
P: Patterson, James – 1st to Die
Q: Quinn, Tara Taylor – The Baby Gamble
R: Robb, J.D. – Strangers in Death
S: Shalvis, Jill – Strong and Sexy
T: Templeton, Karen – Dear Santa
U:
V: Valdez, Lisa - Passion
W: Ward, J.R. – Lover Enshrined
X:
Y:
Z:

I started this list with the books I've read from January 2008 until present day. I'll update throughout the year. How fun!

Books read in June 2008

1. Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward. (NOTE: This book is book 6. Book 1 is Dark Lover. Book 2 is Lover Eternal. Book 3 is Lover Awakened Book 4 is Lover Revealed Book 5 is Lover Unbound.)
2. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn. (NOTE: This book is book 1. Book 2 is Mr. Cavendish, I Presume which comes out on September 30, 2008.)
3. The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney.

I liked all the books I read this month, but after I read these three in rapid succession, I found it hard to get into another book. This is partly because June was a busy month. It’s also just that I found it difficult to concentrate. I did switch genres up a little so I am reading a couple of books currently that, I presume, will show up in my July summary. So, here’s hoping July will be when my reading groove comes back.

Books read in May 2008

1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Twilight series. Book 2 is New Moon. Book 3 is Eclipse. Book 4 is Breaking Dawn.)
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Twilight series. Book 1 is Twilight. Book 3 is Eclipse. Book 4 is Breaking Dawn.)
3. The Hollow by Nora Roberts. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Sign of Seven trilogy. Book 1 is Blood Brothers. Book 3 is The Pagan Stone.)
4. Just a Taste by Deirdre Martin. (NOTE: This is the seventh book in the NY Blades series. The Book 1 is Body Check. Book 2 is Fair Play. Book 3 is Total Rush. Book 4 is The Penalty Box. Book 5 is Hot Ticket. Book 6 is Chasing Stanley. Book 8 is Power Play.)
5. 3rd Degree by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the third book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 2 is 2nd Chance. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
6. The Perfect Bride by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the first of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 2 is The Perfect Groom. Book 3 is The Perfect Hero.)
7. The Perfect Groom by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the second of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 1 is The Perfect Bride. Book 3 is The Perfect Hero.)
8. The Perfect Hero by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is the third of a trilogy about the Sterling siblings. Book 1 is The Perfect Bride. Book 2 is The Perfect Groom.)
9. Passion by Lisa Valdez.
10. Dear Santa by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 2 is Yours, Mine… Ours?. Book 3 is Baby, I’m Yours.)
11. Yours, Mine… Ours? by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 1 is Dear Santa. Book 3 is Baby, I’m Yours.)
12. Baby, I’m Yours by Karen Templeton. (NOTE: This is the third book in the Guys and Daughters series about the Vaccaro siblings. Book 1 is Dear Santa. Book 2 is Yours, Mine… Ours?.)
13. The Seduction of an Unknown Lady by Samantha James. (NOTE: This is second of a series about the McBride siblings. Book 1 is The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell. Book 3 is Bride of a Wicked Scotman – due out in 2009.)

I am thrilled that I was able to read so much this month. Granted, most of the books were quick reads. Also, I had the flu for what seemed like forever. I don’t think Twilight lived up to its hype, but I still want to finish the series and see the movie this December. I was shocked at a plot development in 3rd Degree and even though the series is very different from the tv show, I liked both and am glad I can continue on with the books even if the show was cancelled. Last, but not least, Samantha James is a new author to me. She mentions that she is a fan of the tortured hero on her website which must be why I enjoy her books. They’re enjoyable if not a little predictable. Still, they make me happy and that’s really the only requirement I have.

Books read in April 2008

1. 2nd Chance by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 1 is 1st to Die. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
2. Pride and Pregnancy by Karen Templeton.
3. High Stakes by Erin McCarthy. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Vegas Vampire series. Book 2 is Bit the Jackpot. Book 3 is Bled Dry. Book 4 is Sucker Bet.
4. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult.

First, I’m really enjoying James Patterson’s series. The books are quick reads and fun. The mysteries aren’t super easy to figure out, but the plots aren’t too heavy either. There’s a lot of action. Second, I generally enjoy Karen Templeton’s books and picked up a bunch of her Silhouette titles. They’re good reads in between single-title books. I wasn’t sure how much I’d like these because I haven’t read one of hers in years and sometimes my reading tastes change or an author’s style changes, but it’s like hanging out with an old friend. You kind of fall back into grace with them. Pride & Pregnancy was a lot of fun to read, and I can’t wait to read the others I picked up. Last, though there were flaws in Jodi Picoult’s Change of Heart, it did get me thinking which isn’t always a bad thing. Plus, there were some really well done moments in the book. I thought I’d finish one more before the end of the month, but it didn’t happen. Somehow, I ended up on a huge vampire kick lately. I can’t say I’m into the genre or any one book in particular, but it’s interesting to see different author’s interpretation of the species and myth.

Books read in March 2008

1. Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb.
2. 1st to Die by James Patterson. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Book 2 is Second Chance. Book 3 is 3rd Degree. Book 4 is 4th of July. Book 5 is The 5th Horseman. Book 6 is The 6th Target. Book 7 is 7th Heaven.)
3. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts. (NOTE: This is the first book in the Sign of Seven trilogy. Book 2 is The Hollow. Book 3 is The Pagan Stone.)
4. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster. (NOTE: This is the third book in the SBC Fighters series. Book 1 is Causing Havoc. Book 2 is Simon Says.)

I had a good reading month. It was very bloodthirsty. Between J.D. Robb’s futuristic murder mystery and James Patterson’s serial killer, the body count was high. There was some mention of violence in the Nora Roberts book, but I think the real violence will come in the later books in the trilogy. Blood Brothers was an introductory book. I liked all of the characters and can’t wait for the rest of the installments. Hard to Handle was my light romance for the month. It’s fun and quick.

Books read in February 2008

1. Dangerous Cravings by Evangeline Anderson.
2. Betting on Santa by Debra Salonen. (NOTE: This is the second book in the Texas Hold 'Em series. Book 1 is The Baby Gamble by Tara Taylor Quinn. Book 3 is Going for Broke by Linda Style. Book 4 is Deal Me In by Cynthia Thomason. Book 5 is Texas Bluff by Linda Warren.)
3. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.

I had an unusual month where I picked up and put down books many times, and I even read a couple of them simultaneously. Still, I did like all of them. I especially looked forward to Kristin Hannah's book. She's one of my all-time favorite author, and she has such a masterful way of telling a story. Her characters are always written with such depth. I should also add a warning that the first book is erotica with shades of BDSM and also has some shifting points of view. The story was interesting, but the shifting points of view made the writing a little choppy. I did like the mystery though.

Books read in January 2008

1. Strong and Sexy by Jill Shalvis. (NOTE: This book is book 2. Book 1 is Smart and Sexy.)
2. A Husband of Her Own by Brenda Novak. (NOTE: This book is book 2. Book 1 is A Baby of Her Own and Book 3 is A Family of Her Own.)
3. Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs. (NOTE: This book is book 5 in The Lakeshore Chronicles. Book 1 is Summer at Willow Lake. The unofficial book 2 is "Homecoming Season" in More Than Words. Book 3 is The Winter Lodge. Book 4 is Dockside.)
4. The Baby Gamble by Tara Taylor Quinn. (NOTE: This book is the first in a Harlequin SuperRomance series called Texas Hold 'Em. Book 2 is Betting on Santa by Debra Salonen. Book 3 is Going for Broke by Linda Style. Book 4 is Deal Me In by Cynthia Thomason. Book 5 is Texas Bluff by Linda Warren.)

It was a great month for reading in terms of quality, maybe not in terms of quantity. I was thrilled with all of them. I also started a couple of books, but I never finished them so they'll be making an appearance in months to come.