Xepherus Reads

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons! It is hard to believe that my reading challenge is over. I had a lot of fun participating in it, and encouraging others to join me. But now it is time to make the final tally, and focus on my Goodreads Challenge .      Here is my  final total for my Reading Challenge that began August 1, 2015 and ended August 1, 2016.   I updated this list every time I finished a book ( highlighting in bold ). If a book that I read did not fit any of the 55 categories, I listed any extra below the list. Extra books were added to the “read” count. Books Read : Challenge Books Read (40/55) Extra Books Read (14) FINAL Total Books Read (drum roll, please):  (54 )                                                                  Updated 07/31/2016 ...

    Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!   Wow! This has been a busy month! I have traveled a lot, read a lot, and have been enjoying running my new store on eBay.  It seems that July flew by, leaving me wondering what did I read? I know that it is early for a wrap up and TBR, but this weekend is packed with a lot of appointments and work. So, here we go: Read and Reviewed: Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich Star Wars: Bloodlines by Claudia Gray Currently Reading: Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich Whispering Shadows by Jan-Phillip Sendker Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling Star Wars: Aftermath- Life Debt by Chuck Wendig Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher I am hoping to get a lot more reading in for the month of August. I am also getting ready to release my 2016/2017 Reading Challenge. I will be releasing a blank and filled in version of this challenge, so that you may participate, as well. How did you do in July with re...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,   As many of you remember I loved Claudia Gray's book, Lost Stars. It was one of my top reads of 2015, and it was filled with reverence and nostalgia for the galaxy far, far away. With her second Star Wars canon novel, published by Del Rey Books, Claudia Gray works her magic again. And like Lost Stars, we are given hints and references of things to come. Director Rian Johnson worked with Gray on Bloodline, offering some insight on things that will occur in his film, the Last Jedi. If you read carefully there are some things said that will lead you to speculate what will happen in the next trilogy movie. After Bloodline I may have to even change my Character Analysis of Rey .        Bloodline carries us into a new world that we only had a glimpse of in the Force Awakens. After decades of peace, Mon Mothma has fallen ill, and has left her leadership role. This sets things in motion for outside forces...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons, Tuesday Talks is an wonderful group on Goodreads that is a weekly discussion forum created by BookTubers Janie Johnson and her pal, Janelle. It is a fun and active group to be a part of.   This week's question is: Do You Keep Both a Hard Back and Soft Back of the Same Titles?   I have been known to own the hardcover, digital, audio, and softcover at the same time. This was what happened with Lost Stars last year by Claudia Gray. I did not want to carry the book, and I bought the audio. Then I realized that I should have a physical copy, as well. I bought the digital. Then a friend of mine had it in her book store, and I bought the hard cover. I managed to read Lost Stars using three different forms of this novel.    Other times I like to look for rare or foreign editions of books. Even though my Lucky Santagelo books by Jackie Collins are mainly hardcover, I could not resist a UK edition in softcover. I fou...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,   If you have been to a book fair, then you know that there are several different types people who attend the event. I was in attendance at both the Newtown and New Milford Book Fairs this past week in Connecticut. I love book fairs, because they bring readers together, and often use their proceeds for charitable organizations, such as libraries.  I had a lot of fun perusing the tables, and speaking with the patrons. While I was there I met the following: The Book Collector- this patron of the book fair is out to claim the most pristine condition hardcovers that can get their hands on. They will often set them neatly in large rolling bags or wagons. They constantly shudder if someone even touches their bag or coughs in the books' direction. They are readers who are often buy multiple versions of their favorite reads, such as UK editions or foreign language editions. They are often fountains of trivia of book varia...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,   The catching up continues with week two of July's Tuesday Talks questions.   Tuesday Talks is an fun group on Goodreads that is a weekly discussion forum created by BookTubers Janie Johnson and her pal, Janelle. It is an active group to be a part of. Week two's question: What bouquet of flowers would best describe your favorite summer read?   My summer reading will be consisting of reading the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. I would say that my bouquet of flowers would consist of mainly herbs for spell casting. Rosemary, chamomile, oak moss, lavender, and jasmine. This bouquet will be with me as I journey through Harry's years at Hogwarts. Fragrant and full of magic, they are omens of prosperity, protection, and Earth power.   Mischief Managed... If you have a comment for me, please leave it below. I would love to know how your reading is going so far this year.  Also please follow me on my ...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,    Tuesday Talks is an awesome group on Goodreads that is a weekly discussion forum created by BookTubers Janie Johnson and her pal, Janelle. It is a fun and active group to be a part of. I have been gone from my book clubs for a few weeks due to adulting, which has limited my time writing. But I am playing catch-up, and it is quite fun.   The Question for week one of July is: Have You Ever Returned to a Book You DNFed and Finished It?      I am one who does give books a second chance. This can be hard, but I want to give the author a chance to prove that their book is something I want to read. I have not recently done this, but in the past I have not finished books, only to pick them up again. I stop a book for a few reasons: The book takes a long time to get going (When a book takes more than sixty pages to catch my interest, there is an issue finishing the story.) The book starts off great, but...