Happy New Year! What’s On My Plate January 2014

Happy 2014 everyone! I love starting the new year, and even if I don’t end it accomplishing everything I set out to do, I love that feeling of hope on January 1st each year, the feeling of possibility, that anything can happen this year. It’s what keeps me going, and I imagine I’m not alone in feeling this way.

Next week I’ll be posting my Top Ten Blogging Goals for 2014, but for now I’m concentrating on the month of January. I have SO many books to try to get through this month, but I’m looking forward to each one. One of my goals in 2014 will be to read at least one “me” book each month, something that isn’t for review, a book I didn’t get to read last year, or a book that’s been sitting on my TBR pile for years. (Wish me luck, I’m going to need it!) Here’s what’s on my plate this month:

For review from Edelweiss/NetGalley:

Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd. I’m very *curious* to see what’s next in this sequel to The Madman’s Daughter.

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. I’ve read several blogger reviews already for this book, and they seem to be overall positive. I adore the Beauty and the Beast story, so I’m really looking forward to this.

Shadowplay by Laura Lam. This seems to be the year of sequels, especially since I read so many debuts last year. This is another sequel to a book I loved.

The Troop by Nick Cutter. This horror tale has received very mixed reviews so far, so I’m curious to see what I think of it.

Alienated by Melissa Landers. This comes out in early February, so I’m trying to get a jump on my review. Sooo excited to read this!

ARCs from publishers:

Barcelona Shadows by Marc Pastor. This book from small press Pushkin Press is a murder mystery/thriller. I have read some awesome books from this publisher, so I’m looking forward to this one.

Hang Wire by Adam Christopher. I’ve heard really good things about this author, but this will be the first book I’ve read by him. My friend Tabitha loves this guy, and I trust her judgement!

Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd. I won this book from the publisher, and the author is blurbed by none other than Stephen King (!), so I’m anxious to read this murder mystery.

Just for Me Book:

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen. OK, technically I probably wouldn’t have chosen this book as my first “me” book of the year, but looking ahead to my review books, I have the sequel, Lady Thief, from NetGalley to read in February, so I want to make sure I read this first. And seriously, I’ve been dying to read this since it came out. Let me know if you’ve read it!

For Book Club:

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. I bought this when it came out in 2012, and like many books I purchase, I never have time to read them. But my book club bud Amy chose this to read in January, and I’m thrilled to finally have an excuse:)

Blog Tours:

My stop on The Almost Girl blog tour is January 6th, and I’ll have my review up, as well as a giveaway! Check out the amazing giveaway for this tour in that photo. It’s a little unusual for an author/publisher to be giving away books by other authors, but so cool, right? Two of Amalie’s other books are in this pile too. This crazy alternate dimensions science fiction story had lots of surprises, and I really enjoyed it.

Giveaways/Blog Hops:

Despite my desire to cut way back on giveaways this year (I have several reasons for wanting to do this, and I’ll discuss them further when I post my Blogging Goals next week), I’m going to continue my monthly Review Giveaway, because I love sharing the books I’ve read during the month. I’m also doing the Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop because I do have a bunch of books sitting around that I’d like to pass on to someone else. Look for both giveaways THIS WEEK!

So, crazy month, yes? I hope you all have lots of fun reads planned for January as well. Let me know what you’re up to!