What I'm Reading: Summer Reading Challenge

So, I missed my post yesterday. I'm still plowing through A Feast for Crows. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the book. I'm just not a very fast reader, which is shocking as my day job is in publishing. However, there's not much I can do to change my reading abilities. I do read a lot, regardless of the speed I consume my books at, so I guess that's something.

Lately, I've been in a bit of a reading slump. But, it's the summer. Today in London (and possibly today only) the sun is shining, the sky is blue, my annoying neighbours downstairs are playing some sort of trashy European pop that has no name only back beats, so all is right in the world.

And while all is right in the world, I feel like it's time to tackle some of my TBR shelves. Yes, you read that right, shelves! How does someone wind up with shelves of books to read?

1) Work in publishing.
2) Have a small book buying addicition.
3) Have space in your home for multiple shelves.

So, here's what I propose; it's a two pronged solution to break my reading slump and to whittle down my TBR shelves. As we've hit midsummer and we have about 8 weeks left in July and August I'm going to try to read 8 books that have been languishing on my shelves. This is in addition to my usual work-related reading workload. So, it's a wee bit ambitious, but I think doable.

The perks are if I finish 8 books (featured in the picture at the end of this post) I'll be doing a happy dance. Something like this:

And if I fail? Well, I will give away to either Jenny or Angel a copy of the book(s) that I failed to read or if they already have that book give it away on the blog. Not my copy, of course, I'd still have to read it. I will blog about each book here on the blog as I finish reading it.

So here we go. Summer Reads 2013!

Wish me luck.

What I'm Reading: Um . . . . I can't really talk about it . . .

Lately, I've been catching up on my work related reading. I've been reading lots of stuff that doesn't come out yet for a while and friends' manuscripts. Because my focus has pretty much been exactly like this . . .

. .  . when not reading things for work or friends. . . I've kind of been doing what this puppy is doing. I mean, harassing your image in a mirror is kind of underrated, right? So, I'm afraid my reading post is going to be on the short side.

I can tell you about the next book I'm going to pick up as soon as I clear my reading decks. Are you ready? It's been siren calling my name for about a month now . . . In The Shadow of Blackbirds. This book looks AMAZING! And yes, I used caps, but I'm telling you I think this book deserves those caps.

In the Shadow of  Blackbirds is set in America during World War I. The Spanish Flu Epidemic is sweeping the world, causing everyone to go out in public wearing masks for fear of contracting the flu. Men are being sent to die on the front lines in Europe. Neighbors fear each other and accuse each other of being German spies. The world is ravaged by death and seances, spirit photos and other ways of contacting or understanding the great beyond become crucial for mourners seeking solace. Mary Shelly Black, our narrator, is an orphan who doesn't believe in the great beyond, seances, etc. That is until her childhood sweetheart, killed on the front lines in Europe, returns to her as a ghost.

(Seriously, do you have shivers yet?? I do!)

The feel of this book is so modern and so post-apocalyptic it's hard to believe it's historical at times. I mean that in the best possible way.  I've read the first few chapters and I was gutted to have to put this book down to pick up some other projects. But I know it's waiting for me. Taunting me. Just out of reach.

I can't wait.

What about you? Are any books siren calling your names? Let us know in the comments!