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 2010

1. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
2. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
3. Beastly by Alex Flinn
4. Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume by a variety of authors
5. A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas (NOTE: This is part of the Wallflower series. Details can be found here, but the order is Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, The Devil in Winter and Scandal in Spring.)
6. Rough Riders series by Lorelei James (NOTE: The order of the series can be found here.)

I actually have had A Wallflowers Christmas forever, and I thought it would be nice to read during the holidays. It was quite cute. A word of note that the last series listed is erotica so don't go checking it out if you're not into that type of thing. It's extremely graphic. If you do like that sort of thing, it was well done for the genre. There was an actual storyline with a touch of romance.

Books Read in November 2010

1. Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb (NOTE: This is part of the Eve/Roarke In Death series. The order can be found here.)
2. Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of the Brides quartet. The order can be found here.)
3. Nice Girls Don't by Anne O'Connell

I read all of these books in the early part of the month. The later part of the month and the beginning of next month is all book club. This month's book club book is a long one.

Also, a word of note that the last book listed is erotica so don't go checking it out if you're not into that type of thing. It's extremely graphic. If you do like that sort of thing, it was well done for the genre. There was an actual storyline with a touch of romance. I read a few other short stories of the genre which weren't worth listing and didn't even make the calendar in which I record all this information.

I'm hoping to read more next month when I finish the book club book.

Books Read in October 2010

1. Crush On You by Christie Ridgway (NOTE: This is Book 1 in the Three Kisses trilogy.)
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (NOTE: This is Book 1 of The Hunger Games series. Book 2 and 3 are listed below.)
3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (NOTE: This is Book 1 of The Hunger Games series. Book 1 is listed above, and Book 3 is listed below.)
4. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (NOTE: This is Book 1 and 2 are listed above.)
5. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (NOTE: This is Book 3 of the Millenium trilogy. The book order can be found here.)

As always, the books that link to an ebook were read on my nook and the books that link to a physical book were read on paper.  I felt like I didn't read many books this month, but I think it's because The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest took the majority of the month.  I really enjoyed it though. 

Books Read in September 2010

1. Sister of the Bride by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool’s Gold series. You can find the order by scrolling through this page.)
2. Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool’s Gold series. You can find the order by scrolling through this page.)
3. Undenied by Maya Banks (NOTE: This is part of a trilogy of related books but I don’t necessarily think they need to be read in order. This is the link to the anthology with all three books.)
4. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (NOTE: This is Book 1 of the Kane Chronicles. I do not know when the next book is scheduled for release.)
5. A Good Indian Wife by Anne Cherian
6. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (NOTE: This is the first book in a series about the Mackenzie siblings. The order can be found here.)
7. Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley (NOTE: This is the first book in a series about the Mackenzie siblings. The order can be found here.)
8. The Family Plan by Susan Gable (NOTE: This is book 2 of the books about the Hawkins family. You can find the other book and more about the author’s other books here.)
9. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
10. Love is a Four-Legged Word by Kandy Shepherd

As always, the books that link to an ebook were read on my nook and the books that link to a physical book were read on paper. I read more on a Labor Day vacation, but I’ve just taken advantage of my time before the tv season started up. I read a lot of good books, and a few filler books. I love that reading is an active past-time this month and am also happy that I’m working my way through books I’ve owned for quite some time which means I’m making room on the shelf for new books. By the way, Love is a Four-Legged Word has one of the cutest covers. Kandy Shepherd was blessed by the cover gods.

When Blood Calls by J.K Beck

Earlier this month, I won the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck. This is Book 1 of the Shadow Keepers series. Book 2 (When Pleasure Rules) and 3 (When Wicked Craves) come out at the end of September and the end of October and there is mention of the possiblity of Books 4-6 as well. First, the book is a paranormal so there are vampires and shape-shifters and were-creatures and other characters that are brand-new to me. If that is not your cup of tea, you probably won't like it. Also, if you don't like romance, you probably won't like this book. If you especially don't like paranormal creatures and romance, seriously, just move on. If you're still with me, When Blood Calls reads more of a mystery or crime detective novel at first but, you know, with a vampire as the murder suspect. The main heroine is human so you get introduced to the world through her eyes even if you don't meet her right away. Because it is the first book of the series, I found the beginning purely an introduction into the universe. It was even difficult to tell who the main characters were at first, but that became evident after a couple of chapters or in the next paragraph as I'm going to tell you.

The basic storyline is that a judge is found dead after being drained of his blood. An officer learns of his last thoughts and, combined with evidence at the scene, concludes Lucius Dragos is the one at fault. So, a team gets together and arrests the vampire. In the meantime, the courts hire Sara to be the prosecutor in the case because she's great at what she does and because she's somewhat immune to vampire mind influence. Of course, to make things complicated, Lucius and Sara had a hot one-night stand the night before the murder. So, that's the storyline in a nutshell. Sara needs to prosecute Lucius, and she wants to win very badly, but if she wins, Lucius is put to death which she doesn't really want because she's drawn to him and he to her.

The romance is slow to develop though it wouldn't make sense if it was rushed - and I should phrase that it was well-paced, and the book reads as an introduction into the series. However, the romance is there and ends leaving the reader satisfied as well as the characters if you know what I mean. I've read a lot of first books in series, and this is one that I truly enjoyed and didn't feel like I was reading a giant prologue. I liked that Sara was strong and smart and ambitious. I liked how both characters really gave to each other instead of the relationship being one-sided - and that's in and out of bed. If I'm reading a romance, that's very important to me. I want there to be a solid relationship and more than attraction or one-sided blind love. Lastly, considering that a lot went on throughout the book in introducing a lot of characters, a lot of types of characters and setting up the scene for the books to come, it was easy-to-follow and kept my attention. I don't think it is a book that I would have normally picked up without a friend's strong recommendation, but I did enjoy it and will read the second book in the series.

Books Read in August 2010

1. A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is Book 1 of a new series about the York siblings.)
2. Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy (NOTE: This is Book 3 of the Fast Track series. The book order can be found here.)
3. Insatiable by Meg Cabot (NOTE: It appears this will be the first of a series as well. I don't know much about the series, but the second book is expected Summer 2011.)
4. All Tied Up by Cathryn Fox (NOTE: I imagine this is part of a series, and you can check the author site for more info. The book was free so I haven't looked too much into the other books yet.)
5. Overheard by Maya Banks (NOTE: This is Book 2 of a series though I don't think the books have to be read in order, and she doesn't even list them on her website as connected.)
6. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
7. When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck (NOTE: This is book 1 of the Shadow Keepers series. Book 2, When Pleasure Rules, and 3, When Wicked Craves, will be released in September and October.)

As always, the books that link to an ebook were read on my nook and the books that link to a physical book were read on paper. Vacation this month and a lot of business so mostly quick reads. I will warn that Overheard is quite explicit so I wouldn't go reading that one unless you're prepared. All Tied Up is, but though it looks more risque, it's not as explicit and mostly just a short story, a quick diversion. The others were more standard romance novels excluding Eat Pray Love which was for book club. There will be a separate post about When Blood Calls.

Books Read in July 2010

1. Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney (NOTE: This is Book 1 of The Lost Lord series. The book order can be found here.)
2. Never Less Than a Lady by Mary Jo Putney (NOTE: This is Book 2 of The Lost Lord series. The book order can be found here.)
3. Crazy in Love by Victoria Dahl
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (NOTE: This is Book 2 of the Millenium trilogy. The book order can be found here.)

As always, the books that link to an ebook were read on my nook and the books that link to a physical book were read on paper (although none were paper books this month). I was on a good pace at the end of last month, but I was busy this month so not a lot of reading at the end of the month. The Girl Who Played with Fire was a slower read, but it still only took me about a week to read. I enjoyed it and it motivated me to immediately start the third in the trilogy.

Books Read in June 2010

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (NOTE: This is Book 1 of the Millenium trilogy. The book order can be found here.)
2. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 1 of the Fool’s Gold series. The book order can be found here.)
3. Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 2 of the Fool’s Gold series. The book order can be found here.)

As always, the books that link to an ebook were read on my nook and the books that link to a physical book were read on paper (although none were paper books this month). I didn’t think I’d read any books this month. I hit a major slump. I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo the first week and then I read half of the second book in the series. I started and stopped many books, but none grabbed my interest until the end of the month. I’m on a roll now and hopefully I’ll recover a bit in July.

Books Read in May 2010

1. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (NOTE: This is Book 1 of the Percy Jackson series. The book order can be found here.)
2. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (NOTE: This is Book 2 of the Percy Jackson series. The book order can be found here.)
3. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan (NOTE: This is Book 3 of the Percy Jackson series. The book order can be found here.)
4. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is Book 3 in athe Bride Quartet. The order of which can be found here.)
5. The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (NOTE: This is Book 4 of the Percy Jackson series. The book order can be found here.)
6. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (NOTE: This is Book 5 of the Percy Jackson series. The book order can be found here.)
7. Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

This was almost an entire Percy Jackson month, but I found the books very enjoyable. As always, the books that link to an ebook were read on my nook and the books that link to a physical book were read on paper. It was a good book month. I enjoyed each and every one of them. Also, don't tell my dad I read the last book. I had to preview the book before gifting to him. If he ever opens it, I think he'll find it absolutely hysterical.

Books Read in April 2010

1. Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins
2. A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
3. Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon (NOTE: This is part of the Dark Hunter/Dream Hunter series. You can find the order in which to read here.)

It was a slow month. I'm actually surprised I read 3 books. Still, decent books all around. I'm nearing the home stretch with the Dark Hunters/Dream Hunters books which is nice to know after starting them what seems like forever ago. It'll be weird to be all caught up. That's actually ok because I've started a new series (see next month).

Books Read in March 2010

1. Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb (NOTE: This book is part of the In Death series. The order can be found here.)
2. Something About You by Julie James
3. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
4. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
5. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

March wasn't as productive as February, but I read more books with substance. I left the romance genre for the better part of the month. That said, Fantasy in Death was, as always, a solid Eve and Roarke book. Something About You was Julie James's best book in my opinion. I really liked Shutter Island and hope to check out more of Dennis Lehane. I thought Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and Olive Kitteridge were both good books but neither stayed with me for long. I know people loved them, and they were both bestsellers. The latter won a Pulitzer Prize. However, I only liked them. April is already a rough reading month, but it's only just begun so we'll see how productive it is. You never know.

Books Read in February 2010

1. The Wicked West by Victoria Dahl
2. Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins
3. Power Play by Deirdre Martin (NOTE: This book is part of the NY Blades series. You can find the order here on the author's website.)
4. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
5. Sea Swept by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of the Chesapeake Bay series. The order can be found here.)
6. Rising Tides by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of the Chesapeake Bay series. The order can be found here.)
7. Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of the Chesapeake Bay series. The order can be found here.)
8. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy (Note: This is part of the Fast Track series. The order can be found here.)
9. Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
10. Catch a Mate by Gena Showalter
    

As I mentioned earlier, I bought a nook, and it finally arrived this month. So, I've been reading actual books and ebooks. I've been finding, I've been reading much faster and have adapted to ereading much faster than I expected. I love it. I'm still buying books and will for my favorite authors (will probably end up buying more than one version actually), but I can see myself transferring to ereading on a much faster pace than I originally expected. Notable books this month - Winter Garden was absolutely fantastic. It was so well done, but it is a tear-jerker. The links above will link to a book or an ebook to represent which type of book I read. The Nora Roberts books are actual rereads. They were just as good this time around as the original time. There is also a fourth book in the series, but I opted not to read that one. Wench was for bookclub. Here's to an equally-productive March. So far, the books I've started have been great and can't wait to finish them!

Books Read in January 2010

1. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (NOTE: The author website is in French. Google offered to translate for me though.)
2. Lake Magic by Kimberly Fisk
3. Simon Says Mommy by Kay Stockham (NOTE: This book is part of the Tulanes of Tennessee series. You can find the order here. I will admit that you won't be lost if you just pick up a book as this is the only book I read in the series.)
4. Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is book 3 of Victoria Dahl's contemporary series. You can find the order here.. You don't need to read the books in order, but I think it helps.)
5. Wuthering High by Cara Lockwood (NOTE: This is part of the Bard Academy series. The order can be found here.)

I finished a successful mainstream fiction run this month and went back to romance. Kimberly Fisk's novel was a perfect return to the genre for me. It's been a long time since I've read a book that was just straight-up romance. It was perfectly sweet but full of unique characters that you understood and liked throughout the book even if you may not have liked them in the beginning. It's her debut novel, and I can't wait for the next book. Simon Says Mommy was really cute and a little heavier than I anticipated when I started. My only complaint is the title. Simon bonds perfectly well with the heroine. It was more of a milestone when he said "Daddy". Lead Me On was perfect for a weekend read. I really like Victoria Dahl's style of writing. It's an easy style, but she still manages to tackle serious subjects without bringing the reader down. Last, but not least, I read Wuthering High which is a Young Adult novel. It's a boarding school that is run by dead authors and has fictional characters roaming around. I definitely think I would have liked it if I was a huge Wuthering Heights fan. As it is, I had to do a little cheating and look up the novel online to truly get a lot of the references. I'm looking forward to the follow-up books. I don't foresee February being a big reading month, but we'll see. I also should get my new eReader so I'll review that next month, too.