Book Chick City: Month in Review: January '10

Month in Review: January '10

Monday, February 01, 2010 | Posted by Book Chick City |

Can you believe it's Feb already?! This year is probably going to fly by just like last year! Well, winter certainly arrived here in the UK during January. We have had the worst winter for many, many years. Lots and lots of snow! Although it causes a lot of problems in the UK, due to lack of salt to clear the snow and ice etc, I still love it. It's so nice to see and feel that it's winter, usually it's just rainy, grey and miserable. I thought I would share a few pics I took when I first woke up to snow - it was like a winter wonderland:

January I celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary (although I've been with my hubby for seventeen years) - Happy Anniversary babes!! We celebrated the weekend by eating out at a fabulous steak house (mmm I LOVE steak!!) and lots of champagne. We are also going to celebrate with some friends in a few weeks time with a Wii Party. Lots of food, drink and the girls thrashing the boys at Mario Party!! :D

As for reading, January wasn't a bad month and I have begun my reading challenges as I mean to go on! There have also been a lot of changes going on behind the scenes of BCC, as well as some 'feature' additions. If you want to take a look then you can HERE.

Also, January saw Apple announce their new iPad. To be honest I am just so excited about this product that I know I will be buying it when it's released here in the UK late spring/summer. I watched the keynote speech and I think that everything about the iPad is just fantastic. All the features I love about my power book have been updated, like the calendar, photos, notes, address book - they all look new and fresh.

Of course the main feature that I can't wait to use on the iPad is iBooks. This will undoubtedly be an absolute pleasure to use and after years of not really being interested in eReaders, iPad will convert me I'm sure. Although, I know that I will not buy less paper books but just spend more money by buying ebooks as well.

Unfortunately, there's been a lot of negative talk too: the name 'iPad' has come under a lot of ridicule, that the device is too big to be an e-reader and even what's the point of the device at all. But after watching the demonstration during the keynote - I get it! I can just see myself using this product as it has all the functionality of my laptop but is smaller and it has everything I love about the iPhone but bigger and easier to use. Quite frankly, I can't wait!!

If you have a Mac or have Quick Time you can view both the Keynote Speech & iPad Video and see for yourself what an amazing product this is.

Book Chick City News

• I did a guest blog at Peace Love & Pat - when it comes to romance why does genre matter?

• I received 17 blog awards from my wonderful fellow bloggers this month and it really means a lot that you choose Book Chick City, when there's so many great blogs out there to choose from, so big hugs and thanks to:

The Book Vixen for the Prolific Blogger Award, Happy 101 Award and the Blog Monster Award.
Ash from From Ramblings to Interviews', Literary Escapism & Nikki from Ramblings of a Bibliophile for the One Lovely Blog Award
Ellz Readz, Michelle from The True Book Addict & Mash Loves To Read for the Prolific Blogger Award
Miss Cindy from Simple Life & Reading & Storywings for the Happy 101 Award
Jennifer from The Introverted Reader and Aleksandra's Corner for the Love Your Header Award
Jo from Once Upon A Bookcase for the Splash Award
Polish Outlander for J'adore Your Blog Award
Heather at Book Obsessed for the Kick-Ass Blog Award and Honest Scrap Award

Click HERE to view all my awards.

• January also saw the end of New Blogs on the Block, but only at Book Chick City. The lovely Larissa at Larissa's Life has taken over the feature and her first interview will be up on the 6th Feb! However, the last interviews for New Blogs on the Block at BCC were:

Books Read/Reviewed: 6

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
Mr Shivers by Robert Jackson Bennett
Wicked Enchantment by Anya Bast
Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The Splendour Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Vampires: From Dracula to Twilight by Charlotte Montague

Authors Interviewed/Guest Posts: 4

Angie Fox - Guest Post
Ben Horton - Interview
Lavie Tidhar - Guest Post
Anya Bast - Guest Post

Favourite Book Read This Month: Diving into the Wreck by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Reading Challenges 2010 - Progress Report:

Reading Challenges hosted by BCC:

Suspense & Thriller Challenge: 0 read, 12/12 to go
Speculative Fiction Challenge: 5 Read 19/24 to go
The Anita Blake Challenge: 0 Read, 19/19 to go

Other Challenges:

Sookie Stackhouse Challenge: 0 Read, 9/9 to go
The Vampire Diaries Challenge: 0 Read, 5/5 to go
100+ Reading Challenge: 6 Read, 94/100 to go
Young Adult Reading Challenge: 1 Read, 11/12 to go
The Outlander Challenge: 0 Read, 7/7 to go
1st in a Series Challenge: 2 Read, 18/20 to go
Stephanie Plum Challenge: 0 Read, 15/15 to go
Sookie Stackhouse Challenge: 0 Read, 9/9 to go

To view challenge in detail go HERE

Cover Art revealed at Book Chick City this month in my 'Cover Crush' feature:

King Maker by Maurice Broaddus
Hunter Kiss series by Marjorie M. Liu
Banished by Sophie Littlefield
Dark Flame by Alyson Noel
Cruel Enchantment by Anya Bast
Killbox by Ann Aguirre
Immortality Bites series by Michelle Rowen
The Cold Kiss of Death by Suzanne McLeod

• Coming up this week on BCC is my 'Unofficial Zombie Week' to find out more click HERE. I will be reviewing some of the stories in the Zombie: An Anthology of the Undead by various authors, with an overall conclusion of the book.

• I have my very first guest for my new feature Where Stories Are Made on Thursday. Molly Harper (Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs) takes us on a tour of her writing space and tells us about her writing day. It's a great article so please stop by for that.

January's New-To-Me Blogs

Walker of Worlds

Mainly a science fiction review blog but with the occasional fantasy. Mark has great reviews and offers lots of other tit-bits throughout the week too. I really enjoy visiting his blog and if you love science fiction I'm sure you will too.

Dirty Sexy Books

This site has it all: reviews, discussions, book club and contests. Rebecca is very funny, with a wicked sense of humour and I love spending time at her blog. Go there now!

Elitist Book Reviews

Lots of reviews from two guys who think they have better taste in books than you (their tag line not mine) from the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror and mystery. A must visit.

The Galaxy Express

A girl who loves her science fiction romance, and the blog that introduced me to the genre. To be honest I didn't even know it existed. I now have two science fiction romances to read so look out for the reviews. If you like alternative romance then stop by and see Heather. She has a great list of SFR authors to get you started.

All Things Urban Fantasy

This blog is packed with reviews, weekly events such as Thursday Throwdown, Character Profiles and discussion posts all leaning towards 'all things urban fantasy'. This is a great blog, with a fab layout design too, so pop on over and say hi to Abigail.

Fantasy & SciFi Lovin' News & Reviews

Lots of great reviews and giveaways, this blog offers not just reviews, but book trailers and thoughts on TV series and more. You must stop by if you're into sci-fi! (ha, I rhymed!).

http://sqt-fantasy-sci-fi-girl.blogspot.com/

Other News

I heard about this product via Twitter and I love it! BookBook is a hardback leather case designed exclusively for MacBook and MacBook Pro. Available in Classic Black or Vibrant Red - me want!

Labels: Month in Review 2010

10 comments:

RKCharron said...: Hi Carolyn :)
I loved the month in review post. The pictures were beautiful. You were very productive in January!
All the best,
RKCharron; 1 February 2010 11:57
Erika said...: As a life long Apple fan, I'm very curious about the iPad once it hits shelves.

Also: I want one of those Bookbooks for my MacBook!; 1 February 2010 18:47
Michelle @ The True Book Addict said...: We got a ton of snow Friday and over the weekend here in Nashville in the States. We never see this much snow and the South is not very well equipped to deal with it either, although they have improved since I moved here 18 years ago.

Congrats on your anniversary!

I recently won a Sony Reader and felt quite guilty about it because I've been very vocal about ereaders being evil. LOL! But I found out I could get my textbooks on it so I thought that would be a lot easier then lugging a bunch of books around. I do not plan on buying any other books, but I will download free ones.

Great Month in Review post!; 1 February 2010 21:40
Simcha said...: Wow, gorgeous pictures. I hated snow, back when I lived in the US ad had to trudge through it on my way to school. Though now that I live in a desert in Israel, I actually miss the stuff.

I enjoyed reading your month in review and I'll have to check out these blogs you recommend.

Simcha; 2 February 2010 01:59
Pam said...: I lived in London the past 2 years and when I move to California then you get snow! No fair.

I just wanted to say you have a lovely blog. Have you read C.J. Samson? I discovered him in London! Great set of Tudor mysteries featuring Cromwell instead of Henry!; 2 February 2010 02:55
Book Chick City said...: Rob - thanks, I'm glad you liked the pics :)

Erika - I can't wait for the iPad, I think it will be brilliant. I also think the BookBook looks great too :)

Michelle - thanks, I can't believe it's been six years since our wedding, but it's even more amazing to think we've been together for nearly seventeen. We met so young and yet love each other more *blush* I want the iPad for iBooks but I also want it as I think it will be a great device to have. I would have bought it without iBooks anyway :)

Simcha - thanks, glad you like the pics, it's the view from my bedroom window. I don't know why but us humans always seem to want what we don't have LOL

Pam - no, I haven't read C.J.Samson, but I will certainly check him out, thanks! :); 2 February 2010 06:33
miss cindy :) said...: I love how you review your entire month! It helps me catch up on any of the posts I might have missed on your blog and you always share something new and interesting!

It is one of the worst winters in California too, although it seems to have hit us later than everyone else. We got snow in the mountains and some rain. I find the iPad intersting, but I don't know enough, so thanks for sharing the links, I'll have to check them out.

have a great feb!; 2 February 2010 16:35
Donna [F.D. Ramblings] said...: Love all of that white snow! It's beautiful.

I say Yay! to any ereader, as long as it makes you happy. They are so convenient.

Great month for you!; 3 February 2010 03:34
Book Chick City said...: Miss Cindy - aw thanks, I'm glad you like my month in review post. I do like to round things up and inject some personal stuff in this post as I don't the rest of the month :) You have a great Feb too!

Donna - yeah, I think owning an iPad will make me happy but not just because it can be used as an eReader but 'cos of everything else it does too. Although I won't by less paper books it will be nice to take the iPad on holiday as I usually take about 5-10 books so having some books on my iPad will give me more room in my suitcase for shoes ;); 3 February 2010 06:27
Rebecca @ DSB said...: As I was reading through this gianormous post, I kept saying, dang, Dang, Dang!

First, congrats on getting 17 awards. That's an impressive haul, and it says a lot about your blog.

Second, are you crazy to participate in all those reading challenges? OMG, you won't have time to read anything else. I'm impressed.

Third, thanks for the shout out to DSB. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it.

Fourth, I'm glad to finally read somebody who has positive things to say about iPad. I too think it's quite a device, and frankly I don't get all the nay-sayers. Yeah, I'm an uber Mac fan. I switched two years ago and I'm NEVER going back to a pc.; 3 February 2010 16:00